I thrust the note into my pocket with a sigh. Of what could it avail me
now to present myself at her h?tel? Her invitation was for a month ago.
Since then she would likely enough have heard the rumour that had been
current, and would have ceased to expect me.
I caught myself wondering whether the news might have caused her a pang of
regret, and somehow methought this possible. For of all my relatives,
Madame de Chevreuse was the only one--and she was but my aunt by marriage--
who of late years had shown me any kindness, or even recognition. I
marvelled what her pleasing news could be, and I concluded that probably
she had heard of my difficulties, and wished once again to help me out of
them. Well, my purse was hollow, indeed, at the moment, but I need not
trouble her, since I was going somewhere where purses are not needed--on a
journey to which no expenses are attached.
In my heart, nevertheless, I blessed the gracious lady, who, for all the
lies that the world may have told of her, was the kindest woman I had
known, and the best--save one other.
I was still musing when Michelot returned with the information that M.
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