She did not, however, seem to depend much either upon the
success of her own efforts or even those of the prince. Her
conversations, more alarming than consolatory, all tended to
persuade me to leave the kingdom and go to England, where she
offered me an introduction to many of her friends, amongst others
one to the celebrated Hume, with whom she had long been upon a footing
of intimate friendship. Seeing me still unshaken, she had recourse
to other arguments more capable of disturbing my tranquillity. She
intimated that, in case I was arrested and interrogated, I should be
under the necessity of naming Madam de Luxembourg, and that her
friendship for me required, on my part, such precautions as were
necessary to prevent her being exposed. My answer was, that should
what she seemed to apprehend come to pass, she need not be alarmed;
that I should do nothing by which the lady she mentioned might
become a sufferer. She said such a resolution was more easily taken
than adhered to, and in this she was right, especially with respect to
me, determined as I always have been neither to prejudice myself nor
lie before judges, whatever danger there might be in speaking the
truth.
Perceiving this observation had made some impression upon my mind,
without however inducing me to resolve upon evasion, she spoke of
the Bastile for a few weeks, as a means of placing me beyond the reach
of the jurisdiction of the parliament, which has nothing to do with
prisoners of state.
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