That winter was only clouded by the knowledge that spring would take
my husband away again. How good he was to me! How much pleasure and
amusement he gave up for my sake! He had outgrown his bashfulness
and embarrassment in this campaign, and could take his place in
company, but re remained at home with me. Had neither the grace nor
the vivacity that would have enabled me to collect a society around
me, and I seldom saw his brother officers except my brother M. de
Solivet, and his great friend M. de Chamillard, who was quite
fatherly to me.
The Duke of Enghien took the command of the army of Picardy, and
asked for our regiment. I entreated not to be sent back to Paris,
and prevailed to be allowed to take up my abode at Mezieres, where I
was not so far from the camp but that my dear M. de Bellaise could
sometimes ride over and see me. He told me of the murmur of the
elder men of the army that the fiery young inexperienced prince was
disregarding all the checks that the old Marshal de l'Hopital put in
his way; but he himself was delighted, and made sure of success. The
last time he came he told me he heard that Rocroy was invested by the
enemy. I was made to promise that in case of any advance on the
enemy's part I would instantly set off for Paris. He said it was the
only way to make him fight with a free heart, if a battle there were,
and not repent of having permitted me to follow him, and that I must
think of my child as well as myself; but he did not expect any such
good fortune as a battle, the old marshal was so set against it!
But I knew that he did expect a battle, by the way he came back and
back again to embrace me and his child.
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