go over to England, to look after my husband's effects there, which, I was told, were considerable, but that I did not know what justice a poor stranger would get among them; and, as for Paris, my fortune being so impaired, I saw nothing before me but to go back to Poictou to my friends, where some of my relations, I hoped, might do something for me, and added that one of my brothers was an abbot at, near Poictiers.
He stood up, and taking me by the hand, led me to a large looking-glass, which made up the pier in the front of the parlour. 'Look there, madam', said he; 'is it fit that that face' (pointing to my figure in the glass) 'should go back to Poictou? No, madam' says he; 'stay and make some gentleman of quality happy, that may, in return, make you forget all your sorrows'; and with that he took me in his arms, and kissing me twice, told me he would see me again, but with less ceremony.
Some little time after this, but the same day, his gentleman came to me again, and with great ceremony and respect, delivered me a black box tied with a scarlet riband and sealed with a noble coat-of-arms, which, I suppose, was the prince's.
There was in it a grant from his Highness, or an assignment I know not which to call it with a warrant to his banker to pay me two thousand livres a year during my stay in Paris, as the widow of Monsieur, the jeweller, mentioning the horrid murder of my late husband as the occasion of it, as above.
I received it with great submission, and expressions of being infinitely obliged to his master, and of my showing myself on all occasions his Highness's most obedient servant; and after giving my most humble duty to his Highness, with the utmost acknowledgments of the obligation, etc., I went to a little cabinet, and taking out some money, which made a little sound in taking it out, offered to give him five pistoles.
He drew back, but with the greatest respect, and told me he humbly thanked me, but that he durst not take a farthing; that his Highness would take it so ill of him, he was sure he would never see his face more; but that he would not fail to acquaint his Highness what respect I had offered; and added, 'I assure you, madam, you are more in the good graces of my master, the Prince of , than you are aware of; and I believe you will hear more of him,'
Now I began to understand him, and resolved, if his Highness did come again, he should see me under no disadvantages, if I could help it. I told him, if his Highness did me the honour to see me again, I hoped he would not let me be so surprised as I was before; that I would be glad to have some little notice of it, and would be obliged to him if he would procure it me. He told me he was very sure that, when his Highness intended to visit me, he should be sent before to give me notice of it, and that he would give me as much warning of it as possible.
He came several times after this on the same errand, that is, about the settlement, the grant requiring several things yet to be done for making it payable, without going every time to the prince again for a fresh war rant. The particulars of this part I did not understand; but as soon as it was finished, which was above two months, the gentleman came one after noon, and said his Highness designed to visit me in the evening, but desired to be admitted without ceremony.
I prepared not my rooms only, but myself; and when he came in there was nobody appeared in the house but his gentleman and my maid Amy;
