Guy, it is to
be remembered, was the partner of Duchesne, who had printed the
work, and without apprehensions on his own account, charitably gave
this information to the author. The credit I gave to him may be judged
of.
It was, no doubt, a very probable story, that a bookseller, admitted
to an audience by the attorney-general, should read at ease
scattered rough drafts in the office of that magistrate! Madam de
Boufflers and others confirmed what he had said. By the absurdities
which were incessantly rung in my ears, I was almost tempted to
believe that everybody I heard speak had lost their senses.
Clearly perceiving that there was some mystery, which no one thought
proper to explain to me, I patiently awaited the event, depending upon
my integrity and innocence, and thinking myself happy, let the
persecution which awaited me be what it would, to be called to the
honor of suffering in the cause of truth. Far from being afraid and
concealing myself, I went every day to the castle, and in the
afternoon took my usual walk. On the eighth of June, the evening
before the order was concluded on, I walked in company with two
professors of the oratory, Father Alamanni and Father Mandard. We
carried to Champeaux a little collation, which we ate with a keen
appetite. We had forgotten to bring glasses, and supplied the want
of them by stalks of rye, through which we sucked up the wine from the
bottle, piquing ourselves upon the choice of large tubes to vie with
each other in pumping up what we drank.
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