"
Thus saying, I was hastening to the adjoining room, where stood
my
, to take from it a thousand crowns I wished to
give for the purpose. The king held me back by my arm, saying
to me,
"You are the most excellent creature I know of, but you see I am
always master. I will undertake to provide for this young man.
M. de Sartines," pursued he, "I wish to secure to him a thousand
crowns yearly; and, further, you will supply him with six thousand
francs ready money, which M. de la Borde will repay to your order.
" said the king, turning to me.
My only reply was to throw my arms around his neck without ceremony,
spite of the presence of a witness, who might blush at my familiarity.
"You are indeed," said I, "a really good prince; it is only a pity
you will not assert your right to rule alone."
"You are a little rebel," cried he, "to doubt my absolute power."
This tone of playful gaiety was kept up some time after the
departure of the lieutenant of police.
M. de Sartines returned next day to tell me that everything had
been accomplished to my desire. "M. Moireau," said he, "has left
prison, and departs for Spain to-morrow morning: his intention
is to join some friends of his at Madrid. He is informed of all
he owes you, and entreats your acceptance of his most grateful
and respectful acknowledgments. Will you see him?"
"That would be useless," answered I; "say to him only, that I
request he will write to me upon his arrival at Madrid, and give
me the history of his late adventure in its fullest details.
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