The Chevalier maintains his unforgiving mood, as no doubt doth also my Lord
Cardinal. But what to me are the frowns of either, so that my lady smile?
My little Genevi?ve is yet somewhat vexed in spirit at all this, but I am
teaching her to have faith in Time, the patron saint of all lovers who
follow not the course their parents set them. And so that time may be
allowed to intercede and appeal to the parent heart with the potent prayer
of a daughter's absence, I shall take my lady from Chambord some three days
hence. We shall travel by easy stages to Marseilles, and there take ship
for Palermo.
And so, dear, trusty friend, until we meet again, fare you well and may God
hold you safe from the wickedness of man, devil, and my Lord Cardinal.
For all that you have done for me, no words of mine can thank you, but
should you determine to quit this France of yours, and journey to Palermo
after me, you shall never want a roof to shelter you or a board to sit at,
so long as roof and board are owned by him who signs himself, in love at
least, your brother--
ANDREA DE MANCINI."
With a sigh I set the letter down.
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