Part 51 (1/2)
”Explain it to me at once, ive ood and dear friend, with pleasure Inforress”
”Madaer love, had the kindness to have ”
”The kindness!”
”Do not interrupt me--yes, the kindness From the moment that she is in favour, all that comes from her requires consideration She had ed me to tell you that she has always loved you, that she alill; that your rupture with her has displeased the King; that for a long time, and on a thousand occasions, she has excused you to his Majesty, but that things are now hopeless; that your retreat is required at all costs, and that it will be joined with an annual pension of six hundred thousand livres”
”And you advise me--?” I said to my brother
”I advise you, I implore you, I conjure you, to accept these propositions which save everything”
My course was clear toto be relieved of the importunities of the Marshal (a courtier, if ever there was one), I embraced him with tears in my eyes I assured him that, for the honour of the family and out of coed hiether my money, jewels, and papers
The Duc de Vivonne, well as he knew me, did not suspect my trickery; he applied a score of kisses tofree play to their reins, speedily brought us back to the chateau
All bea with joy and satisfaction, he went to convey his reply to Mada hi himself entered my apartment
He caitation, which I was suppressing, he dared to address the folloords to me:
”The shortest follies are the best, dear Marquise; you see things at last as they should be seen Your determination, which the Marechal de Vivonne has just infor to take the step of a clever wohteen years to-morrow since we took a fancy for each other We were then in that period of life when one sees only that which flatters, and the satisfaction of the heart surpasses everything
Our attachun with the sa; that is the property of all contested affections
”From our union amiable children have been born, for whoood intentions can do The Act which acknowledged them in full Parliament has not named you as their mother, because your bonds prevented it, but these respectful children know that they owe you their existence, and not one of theet it while I live
”You have charmed by your wit and the liveliness of your character the busiest years of n That pleasant ood sense and propriety of every kind deht
Athenais will always be to me the mother of my dear children I have been mindful up to this day, to increase at different moments the amount of your fortune: I believe it to be considerable, and wish, nevertheless, to add to it even ested to you appear insufficient, two lines from your pen will notifyproclaimed Princes of France, the Court will be their customary residence, but you will see them frequently, and can count on ood-bye to you, but, as of old, to embrace you on the eve of a journey
”If you are prudent, you rite first to the Marquis de Montespan, not to annul and revoke the judicial and legal separation which exists, but to inform him of your return to reasonable ideas, and of your resolve to be reconciled with the public”
With these words the King ceased speaking I looked at hi breast, and I had with hi conversation:
”I ad-froid hich a prince who believes hinaniives the word of dismissal to the tender friend of his youth,--to that friend who, by a misfortune which is too well known, kne to leave all and love him alone
”From the day when the friendshi+p which had united us cooled and was dissipated, you have resuard to me that distance which your rank authorises you, and onThis revolution has taken effect without any shock, or noise, or scandal It has continued for two years already; why should it not continue in the saer require ent motive, can determine you to exclude me? Does not, then, the huer satisfy your aversion?”
”What!” cried the prince, in consternation, ”is your resolution no longer the sao back upon what you proe my resolution,” I resumed at once; ”the places which you inhabit have neither charm nor attraction for my heart, which has always detested treachery and falseness I consent to withdraw myself frouer who has supplanted me shall follow the unhappy benefactress who once opened to her the doors of this palace I took her froers into s of Europe,” said the prince, white with agitation and anger, ”have not yet laid down the law to me in my palace; you shall not make , you have been offending and hu to your forefathers, and if you have introduced her to this palace, you have introduced here goodness, sweetness, talent, and virtue itself This enemy, whom you defame in every quarter, and who every day excuses and justifies you, will abide near this throne, which her fathers have defended and which her good counsel now defends In sending you today from a Court where your presence is without e, and in kindness withdraw fro irritates you