Could it be for
himself that he trembled, this great nobleman, who was so powerful
by reason of his exalted rank, his connections, and his wealth?
Certainly not. Was it for me, then? Undoubtedly it was. But why?
It had not taken me long to discover that he was concealing me,
or, at least, that he endeavored by all means in his power to
prevent my presence in his house from being known beyond a very
limited circle of friends. Our hurried departure from Cannes
confirmed me in my impression.
"It might have been truly called a flight. We left that same
evening at eleven o'clock, in a pouring rain, with the first
horses that could be procured. Our only attendant was the count's
valet--not Casimir, the man who insulted me a little while ago--
but another man, an old and valued servant, who has since died,
unfortunately, and who possessed his master's entire confidence.
The other servants were dismissed with a princely gratuity, and
told to disperse two days after our departure. We did not return
to Paris, but journeyed toward the Italian frontier, and on
arriving at Nice in the dead of night, we drove directly to the
quay. The postilions unharnessed the horses, and we remained in
the carriage. The valet, however, hastened off, and more than two
hours elapsed before he returned. He declared that he had found
it very difficult to procure what he wished for, but that at last,
by a prodigal outlay of money, he had succeeded in overcoming all
obstacles.
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