CHAPTERXXVI
TRUELOVE
Thehuntwasdestinedtobenotonlyameetofthehounds，butameetingofallthepassionsexcitedbythecolonel’smillionsandModeste’sbeauty;andwhileitwasinprospecttherewastrucebetweentheadversaries。Duringthedaysrequiredforthearrangementofthisforestrialsolemnity，thesalonofthevillaMignonpresentedthetranquilpictureofaunitedfamily。Canalis，cutshortinhisroleofinjuredlovebyModeste’squickperceptions，wishedtoappearcourteous;helaidasidehispretensions，gavenofurtherspecimensofhisoratory，andbecame，whatallmenofintellectcanbewhentheyrenounceaffectation，perfectlycharming。HetalkedfinanceswithGobenheim，andwarwiththecolonel，GermanywithMadameMignon，andhousekeepingwithMadameLatournelle，——endeavoringtobiasthemallinfavorofLaBriere。TheDucd’Herouvilleleftthefieldtohisrivals，forhewasobligedtogotoRosembraytoconsultwiththeDucdeVerneuil，andseethattheordersoftheRoyalHuntsman，thePrincedeCadignan，werecarriedout。Andyetthecomicelementwasnotaltogetherwanting。ModestefoundherselfbetweenthedepreciatoryhintsofCanalisastothegallantryofthegrandequerry，andtheexaggerationsofthetwoMesdemoisellesd’Herouville，whopassedeveryeveningatthevilla。CanalismadeModestetakenoticethat，insteadofbeingtheheroineofthehunt，shewouldbescarcelynoticed。
MADAMEwouldbeattendedbytheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，daughter—in—
lawofthePrincedeCadignan，bytheDuchessedeChaulieu，andothergreatladiesoftheCourt，amongwhomshecouldproducenosensation;