"Monsieur le Comte, I have given myself up to General Dermoncourt; I pray you to allow him to remain with me. I have also asked him not to let me be separated from my unfortunate companions, and he also promised me that; will you respect his promises?"
"The general has promised nothing that I am not ready to grant, Madame; and you will ask nothing of me which it is in my power to grant that I will not concede with all possible haste."
The duchess was reassured by these words and, seeing that Comte d'Erlon was talking apart with the general in low tones, she drew aside from them and discreetly talked to M. de Ménars and to Mlle, de Kersabiec. Comte d'Erlon then observed to the general that M. de Ménars and Mlle, de Kersabiec might stay with the Duchesse de Berry; but that he was under the conviction that M. Guibourg would be claimed by the judicial authorities to be replaced in the position he occupied before his escape, as a criminal trial was started against him. He thought the duchess ought to be taken to the château as soon as possible; he had even given all the necessary orders for that removal before he came to the duchess. Dermoncourt then returned to Madame and asked her if she felt better.
"Better? Why do you ask me that?"
"Because, if Madame can walk or is not afraid of driving, it is urgent we should leave the house at once."
"Leave the house? Where are we to go?" she asked, looking sharply at the general: "Where are you going to take me?"
"To the château, Madame."
"Oh yes! and from there to Blaye, no doubt!"
Mlle. de Kersabiec went up to the general, and said—
"General, Her Royal Highness cannot go on foot, it is not suitable."