They all evinced the utmost sorrow,
and both Chon and my niece protested that with the king's permission,
they would willingly attend me in my seclusion. I felt grateful
for this mark of attachment; then sending for the exempt, I
inquired whether I might be allowed sufficient time to write a
letter, and cause a few necessary preparations to be made?
"Madam, I replied he, "my only orders are to accompany you
to
, the hour of departure is left to yourself."
I then penned a few hasty lines to the king, indicative of my
wishes for the happiness and prosperity of his reign, of my ready
obedience to his commands, and of my earnest wishes that my
sister-in-law and niece might be permitted to visit me. This
letter I was promised should be punctually delivered. I had now
the painful duty to perform of choosing between Henriette and
Genevieve, as only one attendant was allowed me at Dames>. Henriette pleaded her claim as my servant, while the
excellent Genevieve timidly urged her early friendship.
"Let chance decide it," cried I. They drew lots, and Genevieve
was selected.
We reached Pont aux Dames in the middle of the night; it was a
miserable looking place, which took its date from the time of
Saint Louis or Charlemagne for ought I know. What a contrast
met my eyes between this ruinous old building, its bare walls,
wooden seats, and gloomy casements, and the splendor of Versailles
or Choisy; all my firmness forsook me, I threw myself weeping
into the arms of Genevieve.
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