that transpired during
my absence, and I shall very shortly present you with a specimen of
the fidelity with which he performed his promise. The duchess did the
honours of Ruel.

"Here," said she, "the great cardinal Richelieu loved to repose himself
from the bustle and turmoil of a court."

"I think," answered I, "it would have been less a favourite with his
eminence had it been selected for his abode on the eve of his disgrace."

Immediately upon my arrival I retired to bed, for fatigue had so
completely overpowered me that I fell into a heavy slumber, from which
I did not awake till the following day; when I found the duchesse
d'Aiguillon, my sister-in-law, Genevieve Mathon, and Henriette, seated
by my bed: the sight of them was cheering and gratifying proof of my not
being as yet abandoned by all the world.

I arose, and we were just about to take our places at table, when
madame de Forcalquier arrived. I must confess that her presence was an
agreeable surprise to me; I was far from reckoning on her constancy in
friendship, and her present conduct proved her worthy of her excellent
friend, madame Boncault, whose steady attachment I had so frequently
heard extolled. The sight of her imparted fresh courage to me, and I
even resumed my usual high spirits, and in the sudden turn my ideas
had taken, was childish enough to express my regrets for the loss of
my downy and luxurious bed at Versailles, complaining of the woful
difference between it and the one I had slept on at Ruel.

The duchesse d'Aiguillon, who must have pitied the puerility of such a
remark, gently endeavoured to reconcile me to it by reminding me that
both the marquise de Pompadour and the cardinal de Richelieu had reposed
upon that very couch.

I endeavoured to return some sportive reply, but my thoughts had flown
back to Versailles, and my momentary exhilaration was at an end. Tears
rose to my eyes and choked my attempts at conversation; I therefore
begged the duchess would excuse me, and retired to my apartment until
I could compose myself; but the kind and attentive friend to whose
hospitality I was then confided needed no further mention of my hard
couch, but caused the best bed Ruel contained to be prepared for me by
the time I again pressed my pillow.

This same evening brought M. de Cosse, who could no longer repress his
impatience to assure me of his entire devotion. He appeared on this
occasion, if possible, more tender and more respect