His toilet completed, he sent a peremptory order to his coachman to have
the carriage, with the four bays, ready in a quarter of an hour. When
Picard had departed on this errand, Vallombreuse began pacing slowly to
and fro in his chamber, glancing into the mirror each time he passed it
with a self-satisfied smile. "That proud little minx must be deucedly
cross-grained and unappreciative," said he, "if she does not perceive
how much more worthy I am of her admiration than that shabby de
Sigognac. Oh, yes! she'll be sure to come round, in spite of her
obstinate affectation of such ferocious virtue, and her tiresome,
Platonic love for her impecunious suitor. Yes, my little beauty, your
portrait shall figure in one of those oval frames ere long. I think I'll
have you painted as chaste Diana, descended from the sky, despite her
coldness, to lavish sweet kisses on Endymion. You shall take your place
among those other goddesses, who were as coy and hard to please at first
as yourself, and who are far greater ladies, my dear, than you ever will
be. Your fall is at hand, and you must learn, as your betters have done
before you, that there's no withstanding the will of a Vallombreuse.
'Frango nec frangor,' is my motto."
A servant entered to announce that the carriage awaited his lordship's
pleasure, and during the short drive from his own house to the Rue
Dauphine, the young duke, despite his arrogant assurance, felt his heart
beating faster than usual as he wondered how Isabelle would receive him.
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