uasion of an artful tongue, demanded the power of attorney on that
lady's behalf, saying that he had, by private contract, just paid a
hundred thousand livres on the total amount of purchase, which money was
now deposited with a notary. The lawyer, much astonished that an affair
of such importance should have been arranged without any reference to
himself, refused to give up the deed to anyone but Monsieur or Madame de
Lamotte, and inquired why the latter did not appear herself. Derues
replied that she was at Versailles, and that he was to send the deed to
her there. He repeated his request and the lawyer his refusal, until
Derues retired, saying he would find means to compel him to give up the
deed. He actually did, the same day, present a petition to the civil
authority, in which Cyrano Derues de Bury sets forth arrangements, made
with Madame de Lamotte, founded on the deed given by her husband, and
requires permission to seize and withdraw said deed from the custody in
which it remains at present. The petition is granted. The lawyer
objects that he can only give up the deed to either Monsieur or Madame de
Lamotte, unless he be otherwise ordered. Derues has the effrontery to
again appeal to the civil authority, but, for the reasons given by that
public officer, the affair is adjourned.

These two futile efforts might have compromised Derues had they been
heard of at Buisson-Souef; but everything seemed to conspire in the
criminal's favour: neither the schoolmaster's wife nor the lawyer thought
of writing to Monsieur de Lamotte. The latter, as yet unsuspecting, was
tormented by other anxieties, and kept at home by illness.

In these days, distance is shortened, and one can travel from
Villeneuve-le-Roi-les-Sens to Paris in a few hours. This was not the
case in 1777, when private industry and activity, stifled by routine and
privilege, had not yet experienced the need of providing the means for
rapid communication. Half a day was required to go from the capital to
Versailles; a journey of twenty leagues required at least two days and a
night, and bristled with obstacles ind delays of all kinds. These
difficulties of transport, still greater during bad weather, and a long
and serious attack of gout, explain why Monsieur ale Lamotte, who was so
ready to take alarm, had remained separated from his wife from the middle
of December to the end of February. He had received reassuring letters
from her, written at firs