Much
pondering brought me again to the conclusion that until I had made
the only atonement in my power, the only atonement that would leave
me with clean hands, I must not again approach her.
Whether Chatellerault had cheated or not could not affect the
question as it concerned Mademoiselle and me. If I paid the wager
--whether in honour bound to do so or not - I might then go to her,
impoverished, it is true, but at least with no suspicion attaching
to my suit of any ulterior object other than that of winning
Roxalanne herself.
I could then make confession, and surely the fact that I had paid
where clearly there was no longer any need to pay must earn me
forgiveness and afford proof of the sincerity of my passion.
Upon such a course, then, did I decide, and, with this end in view,
I took my way towards the Auberge Royale, where His Majesty had told
me that the Count was lodged. It was my purpose to show myself
fully aware of the treacherous and unworthy part he had played at
the very inception of the affair, and that if I chose to consider
the wager lost it was that I might the more honestly win the lady.
Upon inquiring at the hostelry for Monsieur de Chatellerault I was
informed by the servant I addressed that he was within, but that
at the moment he had a visitor. I replied that I would wait, and
demanded a private room, since I desired to avoid meeting any Court
acquaintances who might chance into the auberge before I had seen
the Count.
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