"So then," replied the marechale, "she proved a fairy, or some
beneficent
, after all?"
"If she were a spirit," said I, "it certainly was not to the better
sort she belonged."
"Have a care," cried the marechale; "I have already formed a
thousand conjectures as to what this woman has been telling."
"And all your suppositions," replied I, "would fall short of the
reality. Listen, my dear marechale," added I, rising, and taking
her arm to proceed homewards, "I have been strictly prohibited
from admitting any counsellor but the duc d'Aiguillon and the
chancellor; still I can have no reserves with you, who I know,
from the regard you bear both to the king and myself, will advise
me to the best of your power."
As we walked towards the chateau, I explained to my companion
the joint conspiracy of the Jesuits and ancient members of the
parliament against the king's life and my own. When I had ceased
speaking, she replied,
"All this is very possible; despair may conduct the Jesuits and
parliamentarians to the greatest extremities; but still this
mysterious female may be nothing more than an impostor. At any
rate, I am anxious to learn whether the box she described has been
left at your house; if so, it will be a strong corroboration, if
not, a convincing proof of the falsehood of what she asserts.
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