"Enough, sir; I pity you."

"Madam, you outrage the king in my person."

"No, sir; I respect the king too highly to believe that there could ever
be any relation between him and one who is too contemptible to remind me
that he was but a few days back the most cringing of my servile slaves."

_Le petit saint_, boiling with rage, with an unsteady hand, unfolded and
read, in a trembling voice, the following words:

"MADAME LA COMTESSE Du Barry,--For reasons, which have for their object
the preservation of the tranquillity of my kingdom, and the prevention
of any state secrets confided to you being promulgated, I send this
order for your immediate removal to _Pont aux Dames_, accompanied by one
female attendant only, and under the escort of the exempt who has the
necessary orders. This measure is by no means intended to be either
disagreeable or of long duration. I therefore pray God to have you in
his holy keeping,

"(Signed) Louis."

"That, madam," continued the duke, "is his majesty's pleasure, and you
have nothing to do but to submit."

"Your advice was not asked, my lord," returned I; "I honor and obey the
king's slightest wish, but your presence is no longer requisite; you
will therefore be pleased to rid me of it."

The duke, resuming his air of mock humility, bowed low, and departed.

When I was alone, I must confess a few tears escaped me, but I soon
wiped them away; my resolution was taken.

The duchesse d'Aiguillon and my female friends hastened to question
me relative to the duke's visit. I showed them the _lettre de cachet_,
which confirmed the misfortune they had suspected from seeing Hamond,
who was to be my escort, waiting in the anteroom to conduct me to the
abbey of _Pont aux Dames_, near Meaux, the place of my exile. They all
evinced the utmost sorrow, and both Chon and my niece protested that
with the king's permission, they would willingly attend me in my
seclusion. I felt grateful for this mark of attachment; then sending
for the exempt, I inquired whether I might be allowed sufficient time
to write a letter, and cause a few necessary preparations to be made?
"Madam," replied he, "my only orders are to accompany you to _Pont aux
Dames_, the hour of departure is left to yourself."

I then penned a few hasty lines to the king, indicative of my wishes for
the happiness and prosperity of his reign, of my ready obedience to his
commands, and of my earnest wishes that my sister-in-law and nie