“Well, the physical cure will soon follow. Once sound in mind, you will be sound in body within a week.”
“And, to begin, you must leave this place.”
“Oh, we will not be rash; we will wait till this evening. Where will you go?”
“Anywhere—to the end of the world if you like.”
“That is too far for a first journey; we will content ourselves with Versailles. I have a house there where you shall go to-night.”
Accordingly, that evening the four valets, who had been so rudely repulsed before, carried him to his carriage. The king had been hunting all day; Charny felt somewhat uneasy at leaving without apprizing him; but the doctor promised to make his excuses.
Andrée, concealed behind her curtains, saw the carriage drive off.
“If he resumes his desire to die,” thought the doctor, “at least it will not be in my rooms, and under my care.”
Charny arrived safely, however, and the next day the doctor found him so well, that he told him he thought he would require him no longer.
He received a visit from his uncle, and from an officer sent by the king to inquire after him. At the end of a week he could ride slowly on horseback: then the doctor advised him to go for a time to his estates in Picardy to regain strength. He accordingly took leave of the king, charged M. de Suffren with his adieus to the queen, who was ill that evening, and set off for his château at Boursonnes.
On the day following the queen’s visit to M. de Charny, Madlle. de Taverney entered the royal bedroom as usual at the hour of the petite toilette. The queen was just laughing over a note from Madame de la Motte. Andrée, paler than usual, looked cold and grave: the queen, however, being occupied, did not notice it, but merely turning her head, said in her usual friendly tone, “Bon jour, petite.” At last, however, Andrée’s silence struck her, and looking up she saw her sad expression and said, “Mon Dieu! Andrée, what is the matter? Has any misfortune happened to you?”
“Where are you going? and what is the cause of this sudden departure?”
“Madame, I am not happy in my affections; in my family affections, I mean,” added Andrée, blushing.
“I do not understand you—you seemed happy yesterday.”
“No, madame,” replied Andrée, firmly. “Yesterday was one of the unhappy days of my life.”