de Cosse, no person came near us. M. de Cosse invited me to walk
with him in the garden; I accepted the arm of this noble friend, and
we directed our steps towards the wood. When we were there secure from
interruption, the duke inquired what were my plans for the future?

"How can I tell you," answered I; "what is henceforward to be my fate is
better known to our future queen than to myself."

"That is precisely what I dread," replied M. de Cosse. "Unfortunately
you have deeply offended the queen elect, who has irritated her
husband's mind against you; and then the Choiseul faction will, in all
probability, come into power."

"I see all this," returned I, "and am prepared for whatever may happen."

"I admire your calmness in a moment like the present," cried the duke;
"but have a care. Perhaps the best thing would be to remove you beyond
the reach of the first shock of court displeasure. In your place I would
request passports from the duc d'Aiguillon and travel into England."

"Oh, speak not of such a thing, I conjure you," interrupted I; "I have
a horror of such journeys, and would much rather trust to the generosity
of the dauphiness. She is about to become a great queen, while I shall
be a creature so humiliated and abased, that the very difference between
our situations will be a sufficient vengeance in her eyes."

We returned to the house, and had scarcely entered, when M. de
Palchelbel, plenipotentiary to the prince des Deux Ponts, was announced.

"M. de Palchelbel," cried I, extending my hand, "what good wind brings
you here?"

"I have been honoured by the commands of the prince, my master, madam,"
replied he, "to bring you the assurances of his unalterable friendship;
and to say further, that whenever you feel dissatisfied with your
residence in France, you will find at Deux Ponts an asylum, which the
most earnest endeavors of the prince, my gracious patron, will strive to
render agreeable to you."

I was much affected by this mark of generous regard on the part of
prince Charles Auguste; and, turning quickly towards the duke, I
exclaimed,

"What think you of all this? Will you henceforward believe those
self-dubbed philosophers, who assert that friendship is unknown to
royalty? You have here a proof of the contrary. For my own part, M.
de Palchelbel," continued I, turning towards the minister, "I am
much gratified by your message, and entreat of you to thank his royal
highness most sincerely for me.