That quieted me completely, for as an
obedient and true subject it was my duty to obey the queen, and show
devotion to her in all things, more particularly when she was going
to pay so magnificently. Meantime, I comforted myself that it could
be nothing bad and criminal that the queen could order done, and the
countess assured me that too, and told me that every thing I had to
do was to represent another person, and to make a lover believe that
he was with his love, which would, of course, please him immensely,
and make him very happy. Besides, I did not think it any sin to do
my part toward making an unfortunate lover have happy thoughts. I
was very much pleased with this part, and made my plan to speak to
him in very tender and loving tones."
"But were you not curious to know for whom you were playing this
part, and what lady you had to represent?"
"I should certainly have liked very much to know, but the countess
forbade me to ask, and told me that I must suppress my curiosity;
and, on the other hand, make an effort to notice nothing at all,
else I should receive only half of the money; and, besides, if they
noticed that I knew what I was doing, I might be sent to the
Bastile. I was still upon that, and did not trouble myself about any
thing further, and asked nothing more, and only thought of learning
my lesson well, that I might get the fifteen thousand francs for my
marriage portion.
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