"You wish to speak to me, _mon ami_," she said.
In reply I laid before her the proclamation issued by General Trochu. In it all foreigners were warned to leave, and persons who were not in a position to "_faire face à l'ennemi_" invited to quit Paris. She glanced through the paper hurriedly.
"Yes," she said; "I understand. You as a foreigner cannot stay."
"I can stay or go," I replied; "but I cannot leave you and Mademoiselle in Paris."
I then laid before her my plan, which was simple enough in itself.
"To England?" said Madame de Clericy, when I had finished, and in her voice I detected that contempt for our grey country which is held by nearly all Frenchwomen. "Has it come to that? Is France then unsafe?"
"Not yet--but it may become so. The Germans are nearer than any one allows himself to suppose."
I saw that she did not believe me. Madame de Clericy was not very learned, and it is probable that her history was all forgotten. Paris had always seemed to her the centre of civilisation and safely withdrawn from the perils of war or internal disorder.
I begged her to leave the capital, and painted in lurid colours the possible effects of further defeat and the resulting fall of the French Empire.
"See," I said, opening the drawer of my writing table, "I have the money here. All is prepared, and in England I have arranged for your reception at a house which, if it is not palatial, will at all events be comfortable."
"At a place called Hopton, on the border of Suffolk and Norfolk. It stands empty and quite ready for your reception. The servants are there."
"And the rent?" said she, without looking at me. "Is that within our means?"
"The rent will be almost nominal," I replied. "That can be arranged without difficulty. Many of our English country houses are now neglected. It is the fashion for our women, Madame, to despise a country life. They prefer to wear out themselves and their best attributes on the pavement."
"Everything is so strong about you," she said; "especially your prejudices. And this house to which we are to be sent--is it large? Is it well situated? May one inquire?"
I could not understand her eyes, which were averted with something like a smile.
"It is one of the best situated houses in England," I answered, unguardedly, and Madame laughed outright.