very pale. Madame alone preserved an unmoved countenance; but, as she
knew how many unpleasant thoughts and feelings her enemy could awaken in
the two persons who were listening to him, she smilingly bent forward
towards the traveler, as if to listen to the news he had brought - but he
was speaking of other matters. Madame was brave, even to imprudence; if
she were to retreat, it would be inviting an attack; so, after the first
disagreeable impression had
passed away, she returned to the charge.

"Have you suffered much from your wounds, Monsieur de Wardes?" she
inquired, "for we have been told that you had the misfortune to get
wounded."

It was now De Wardes's turn to wince; he bit his lips, and replied, "No,
Madame, hardly at all."

"Indeed! and yet in this terribly hot weather - "

"The sea-breezes were very fresh and cool, Madame, and then I had one
consolation."

"Indeed! What was it?"

"The knowledge that my adversary's sufferings were still greater than my
own."

"Ah! you mean he was more seriously wounded than you were; I was not
aware of that," said the princess, with utter indifference.

"Oh, Madame, you are mistaken, or rather you pretend to misunderstand my