Solivet was of my
opinion that the old demoiselle had instigated this attack. He
thought so all the more when he heard that she was actually
condescending to wed the intendant of Chateau d'Aubepine. But he
said he had no doubt that my proceedings would have been stopped
sooner or later, and that it was well that it should be done before I
committed myself unpardonably.
Madame d'Aubepine had been placed in my charge by her husband, so
that I was justified in taking her with me. Her husband had spent
the last winter at Paris, but was now with the army in the Low
Countries, and the compliments Solivet paid me on my dear friend's
improvement in appearance and manner inspired us with strong hopes
that she might not attract her husband; for though still small, pale,
and timid, she was very unlike the frightened sickly child he had
left.
I believe she was the one truly happy person when we left the Chateau
de Nid de Merle. She was all radiant with hope and joy, and my
brother could not but confess she was almost beautiful, and a
creature whom any man with a heart must love.
CHAPTER X.
OLD THREADS TAKEN UP.
I think M. de Solivet realised a little better what the sacrifice was
to me, or rather how cruel the parting was to my poor people, when we
set forth on our journey. We had tried to keep the time of our
departure a secret, but it had not been possible to do so, and the
whole court was filled with people weeping and crying out to their
young lord and their good lady, as they called me, not to abandon
them, kissing our dresses as we walked along, and crowding so that we
could hardly pass.
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