Volume II Part 5 (1/2)
”You see he does not know ree with ular opinion of h known to no one and knowing no one, I am not an adventuress, and therefore I must decline the honour of his visits”
Dubois felt that he had taken a false step, and remained silent We never asked him how the ambassador had received our refusal
Three weeks after the last occurrence, the ducal court residing then at Colorno, a great entertainardens which were to be illuht Everybody had perardens Dubois, the fatal hunchback appointed by destiny, spoke so much of that festival, that we took a fancy to see it Always the same story of Adam's apple Dubois accompanied us We went to Colorno the day before the entertain alked through the gardens, in which we happened toto the etiquette of the French court, Madame de France was the first to curtsy to Henriette, without stopping My eyes fell upon a gentle at my friend very attentively A fewour steps, we ca respectfully to us, took Dubois aside They conversed together for a quarter of an hour, following us all the tientle to me, asked Henriette whether he had the honour to be known to her
”I do not recollect having ever had the honour of seeing you before”
”That is enough, ive entleman was the inti he knew ed to be introduced Dubois had answered that her name was D'Arci, and that, if he was known to the lady, he required no introduction M d'Antoine said that the name of D'Arci was unknown to hi a mistake ”In that state of doubt,” added Dubois, ”and wishi+ng to clear it, he introduced himself, but now he must see that he was mistaken”
After supper, Henriette appeared anxious I asked her whether she had only pretended not to know M d'Antoine
”No, dearest, I can assure you I know his nas to an illustrious family of Provence, but I have never seen hiht have seen me, but I am certain that he never spoke tocauses reat anxiety, and it seems to have troubled you”
”I confess it has disturbed my mind”
”Let us leave Paro to Venice as soon as my affairs there are settled”
”Yes, my dear friend, we shall then feel more comfortable But I do not think we need be in any hurry”
We returned to Parma, and two days afterwardsthat the foot in the ante-room
”This letter,” I said to Henriette, ”troubles ave it back to ,
”I think M d'Antoine is ato fear”
The letter ran as, follows:
”Either at your hotel or at my residence, or at any other place you ivewith you on a subject which reatest importance to you
”I have the honour to be, etc
”D'ANTOINE”
It was addressed M Farusi
”I think I must see him,” I said, ”but where?”