THE DEATH. 141 



forest of the Ardennes that was seeking a bon bouche far away 

 from his own haunts, you see, Monseigneur." 



" Six louis for this man, to compensate him for his apples," 

 exclaimed the prince, who could no longer contain his joy. 

 " The Ardennes ! the Ardennes ! we have him now. I have 

 heen twice beaten," said the prince, " but I will now take 

 my revenge ; let him return once more." 



One morning at breakfast a piqueur arrived all out of 

 breath, and pale with emotion, and announced to the prince 

 that he had again seen the stag. He was much excited on 

 his own and his master's account. 



The prince immediately held a council of war to deli- 

 berate on the method of attack and pursuit to be adopted : 

 the prince himself presided over the preparations of the 

 chasse, which was fixed for the next day. 



Relays were stationed every six leagues from Chantilly 

 towards the Ardennes, neither more or less, and the prince 

 affirmed that if he was forced to pass the day and night 

 with his hounds and horses, he would kill the stag. 



Still it was not without a sort of nervous anxiety that 

 the Prince de Conde commenced the attack, and this emotion 

 gained force when the animal broke cover; but the measures 

 taken had been so good, and the precautions so minute, that 

 success was almost certain. The stag, however, having taken 

 to the open country, the victory was uncertain until the fifth 

 relay, as there were few signs of his vigour or speed failing. 

 At this distance, however, the poor beast's heart failed him, 

 and he was killed thirty-five leagues from the spot where he 

 had been first found. It would be difficult to describe the scene 

 that followed this triumph, and the splendour of the hallaa. 

 Very few of the hunt were present at the death, but the, 

 horns sounded for a long time ; the curee was magnificent, 

 and the munificence of the prince without bounds towards 

 thoso who were present at the final scene. 



