"No," said the duke; "to leave the chateau in the middle of the
night would be to assume the air of a flight, we had better
await the coming day; it will, besides, afford time to apprize
the duchess. "
While the duc d'Aiguillon was thus gone to arrange for my departure,
I requested to be left alone. My heart was oppressed, and I felt
the need of venting my grief upon some friendly bosom. After a
few moments, spent in collecting my thoughts, I addressed two
letters, one to the marechale de Mirepoix, and the other to the
duc de Cosse; to the former I wrote on account of my retirement
to Ruel, bewailed the sad turn my prospects had assumed, expressed
my deep concern for the severe illness of my excellent friend and
benefactor, begging of her to defend my character from all unjust
attacks, and to allow me to be blamed for no faults but such as
I had really been guilty of. I concluded with these words, "I
set out at seven o'clock to-morrow morning; the duchesse
d'Aiguillon will conduct me to Ruel, where I shall remain until
I am ordered elsewhere."
To the duke I merely sent a short account of my present prospects,
hour of departure, etc. And, my feelings somewhat relieved by the
penning of these epistles, I threw myself upon a couch to await
the morning. Upon awaking, I received the following note from
the duchesse d'Aiguillon:--
"MADAME LA COMTESSE,--I owe his majesty many
thanks for the pleasing, yet mournful, task he has
allotted me.
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