The gentleman sank upon his knee, and kissed the hand which I
extended with the rose. At this moment we heard a noise, as if of
men's steps approaching, and the countess came running up. 'For
God's sake!' she cried, 'we are watched! Quick, quick, come!' and
she drew me hurriedly away. We left the garden, and returned to the
dwelling of the countess, and there I remained alone, for the
countess and her husband said, laughing, that they must go and
console the old gentleman for having so short a rendezvous, and for
being so quickly disturbed. I asked whether I had done my part well,
and the countess said that the queen was very well satisfied with
me--that she had stood in the thicket, and had observed all. Early
next morning we rode back to Paris, and when we had arrived at their
hotel, the countess paid me the fifteen thousand francs all
correctly; but she made this condition, that I must go to see my
George as soon as possible, and that till I should go, I must remain
in a little room in her house. I wrote at once to George and
announced my coming, and the time seemed endless till I received his
answer, although the countess paid a great deal of attention to me,
and always invited me to her petits soupers, where we had a right
merry time. As soon as the answer had come from my George, who wrote
me that he was expecting me, I took my departure in an elegant post-
carriage, like a lady; for the countess was not willing that I
should travel in a diligence, and her husband had paid in advance
for all relays of horses as far as Brussels, so that I had a very
agreeable, comfortable ride.
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