ssed for me, at a time when self might
reasonably have been expected to hold possession of his mind, filled me
with regret at not being able more fully to return so much tenderness.
wished to be alone, the marechale de Mirepoix had sent to request a
private interview, and I awaited her arrival in my chamber, whilst an
immense concourse of visitors filled my salons. The king's danger was
not yet sufficiently decided for the courtiers to abandon me, and the
favour to warrant any one of them in withdrawing from me their usual
attentions. 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."

"And how could we do so?" said I.

"To-night," returned he, "when all your guests have retired, and
Versailles is in a manner deserted, I will fetch you; we have keys which
open the various gates in the park, and walking through which, and the
gardens, we can reach Trianon unobserved. No person will be aware of our
excursion, and we shall return with the same caution with which we went.
We will, after our visit, cause our clothes to be burnt, take a bath,
and use