I had a key which opened
all the park gates; we entered the park, took the path which turns
off to the left, and after having walked for about five minutes,
found ourselves opposite the person we were in search of. It
was a female of from thirty to forty years of age, of diminutive
stature, dressed after the fashion of the
of the
day, but still an air of good taste was evident through the
simplicity of her attire. Her countenance must once have been
handsome, if one might judge by the beauty of her eyes and mouth,
but she was pale, withered and already impressed with the traces
of a premature old age. But her beauties, although faded, were
still animated by a quick and ever-varying expression of a keen
and lively wit.
Whilst I made these hasty remarks the stranger saluted me, and
afterwards the marechale de Mirepoix, with a ease of manner
which perfectly surprised me. Nor did she in any other instance
betray the embarrassment of a person who finds herself for the
first time in the presence of persons of a rank superior to her own.
"Madam," she said, addressing herself to me, "I trust you will
pardon me for having given you the trouble of coming hither; I
might have spared it you, had your people permitted me to see
you when I called at your house yesterday."
"Your invitation," replied I, "was so pressingly enforced, that I
confess my curiosity has been most keenly awakened.
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