The one thing that touched him was that I should
think him disrespectful to me, and false to his friendship for my
husband. He really had never thought his words would hurt me for a
moment. He actually shed tears at the thought of my Philippe, and
declared that nothing was farther from his intention than any
imputation on any one belonging to me.
But bah! he was absolutely driven to find some excuse! How could he
play the devoted husband to a little ugly imbecile like that, who
would make him ridiculous every moment they appeared together? Yes,
he knew I had done the best I could for her, but what was she after
all? And her affection was worst of all. Everybody would made game
of him.
There was no getting farther. The example of the Prince of Conde and
the fear of ridicule had absolutely steeled his heart and blinded his
eyes. He could not and would not endure the innocent wife who adored
him.
Finally my mother, calling in Solivet, came to the following
arrangement, since it was plain that we must part with our inmates.
Cecile and her children were to be installed in the Hotel d'Aubepine,
to which her husband did not object, since he would be either in
attendance on the Prince, or with his regiment. This was better than
sending her either to a convent or to the country, since she would
still be within our reach, although to our great vexation we could
not prevail so far as to hinder Madame Croquelebois from being
installed as her duenna, the intendant himself returning to La
Vendee.
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