Madame--that is, the lady--has a firm hold upon
the Duc du Maine himself, in fact she is quite indispensable to him.
Don't ask me for more. Once let the Duc be made Regent, and my
old-time sweetheart of those innocent days in Anjou will be the most
powerful woman in France. But with all that, Placide," and the man's
quivering voice went straight to the very tenderest core of my heart
for the depths of bitterness it contained, "in spite of it all she'd
rather be back in the country breathing the pure and peaceful air, a
guiltless and happy girl, than to live as she does, and rule the land.
God knows I wish we had never seen Paris."

I held my tongue; there was nothing I could say. He felt his trouble
keenly enough, and I refrained from molding my undesired sympathy into
words. Directly, Jerome took heart and spoke again:

"Those are the conditions, I merely make the best of them. There is
still another friend of mine at Sceaux, the Chevalier Charles de la
Mora, a most gallant soldier and kindly gentleman. Verily, they are
scarce now in France. He has fallen into misfortunes of late and is
about to take some command in the colonies. I love him much, and am
sorely tempted to cast my lot with his. But, you understand why I
stay," and he lifted up his hands with a gesture of perfect
helplessness.

"His wife, Madame Agnes--almost a girl--is one of the most beautiful
and clever women in France, and who, by way of novelty, loves her own
husband. Women are queer sometimes, are they not? To-morrow we go to
Sceaux; it will at least be an experience to you, even should nothing
good come of it. Do you agree?"

My curiosity was thoroughly aroused, and scenting sport of a rare
character I agreed to join the chase. It was judged best that we
should make all things ready for an immediate journey to Versailles
upon our return from Sceaux.

Before we slept, my few serviceables were put in position for instant
departure.

* * * * * *

When I arose in the morning Jerome had already left his bed. I
supposed it was out of consideration for what he was still pleased to
consider my weak condition that he refrained from waking me. Claude
came tripping in later with the message that M. de Greville had gone to
make some last arrangements for our journey. I slept so restfully
through the night my fatigue and all unpleasant reminders of the
episode at Bertrand's had quite worn away, and I felt