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. 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.
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