I was too
much afraid of being hindered not to set out immediately after having
received my license, so as to take advantage of the escort of some of
the deputies with whom I had a slight acquaintance. I also hoped to
avoid M. de Lamont's leave-takings, but I was not fortunate enough to
do this. The absurd man, learning that I was on the point of
departure, came rushing headlong into the court where the carriages
stood, having first disordered his hair and untied his scarf, so as
to give himself a distracted appearance, and thus he threw himself on
his knees between me and the coach door, declaring that I was killing
him and breaking his heart by my cruelty.
I was very angry, and afraid of showing any excitement, lest it
should give him any advantage, so I only drew up my head coldly and
said:
'Let me pass, sir.' But that only made him throw himself on the
ground as if he would kiss my robe, whereupon Gasppard, with his hand
on his little sword, said: 'Why don't you give him a good kick,
mama?' This made everybody laugh; and I said, still keeping my head
stiff: 'We will go round to the other door, my son, since there is
this obstruction in our way.'
This we did before he could follow us; and the last I saw of M. de
Lamont as I quitted St. Germain, he was still kneeling in the court,
in the attitude of an Orlando Furioso, reaching out his arms towards
the departing carriage. I did not pity him, for I did not for a
moment believe his passion a serious one, and I thought his wife
would not be much happier than my poor little sister-in-law, about
whom I was very anxious, and as to these extravagances, they were the
ordinary custom of those who professed to be lovers.
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