Lamothe-Langon, Etienne Leon, baron de, 1786-1864
"Memoirs of the Comtesse Du Barry; with intimate details of her entire career as favorite of Louis XV"
"
, boiling with rage, with an unsteady hand,
unfolded and read, in a trembling voice, the following words:
"MADAME LA COMTESSE Du Barry,--For reasons,
which have for their object the preservation of
the tranquillity of my kingdom, and the prevention
of any state secrets confided to you being
promulgated, I send this order for your immediate
removal to , accompanied by one
female attendant only, and under the escort of the
exempt who has the necessary orders. This measure
is by no means intended to be either disagreeable
or of long duration. I therefore pray God to have
you in his holy keeping,
"(Signed) Louis."
"That, madam," continued the duke, " is his majesty's pleasure,
and you have nothing to do but to submit."
"Your advice was not asked, my lord," returned I; "I honor and
obey the king's slightest wish, but your presence is no longer
requisite; you will therefore be pleased to rid me of it."
The duke, resuming his air of mock humility, bowed low, and
departed.
When I was alone, I must confess a few tears escaped me, but I
soon wiped them away; my resolution was taken.
The duchesse d'Aiguillon and my female friends hastened to question
me relative to the duke's visit. I showed them the de cachet>, which confirmed the misfortune they had suspected
from seeing Hamond, who was to be my escort, waiting in the
anteroom to conduct me to the abbey of , near
Meaux, the place of my exile.
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