Comte Jean, however, presented himself before
me, spite of the orders I had given to exclude every person but
the marechale.
"My dear sister," cried he, as he entered, "Chamilly has just told
me that he has received the royal command to have Julie married
off without delay; now this is a piece of delicacy towards yourself
on the part of the king for which you owe him many thanks. But
I have another communication to make you, of a less pleasing nature.
The unfortunate girl who has been left at Trianon, has called
incessantly for you the whole of this day; she asserts that she
has matters of importance to communicate to you."
Whatever surprise I experienced at this intelligence, it was
impossible it could be otherwise than true, for was it likely
that, at a time like the present, comte Jean would attempt to
impose such a tale upon me.
"What would you have me do?" asked I of my brother-in-law.
"Hark ye, sister," replied he, "we are both of us in a very
critical situation just now, and should spare no endeavour to
extricate ourselves from it. Very possibly this girl may be in
possession of facts more important than you at present conceive
possible; the earnestness with which she perseveres in her desire
of seeing you, and her repeated prayers to those around her to
beg your attendance, proves that it is something more than the
mere whim of a sick person, and in your place, I should not
hesitate to comply with her wishes.
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