"Yes."
"Very well! we will say that this hunting-party is given to celebrate the young prince's first pair of breeches, and that her Highness was so determined that her illness should not interfere with this function that you could but yield to her wishes."
"An excellent idea!" cried the dowager, with a joyful smile, proud and delighted at the thought of this manner of proclaiming the virility of her grandson; "yes, it's an excellent suggestion, and you are indeed a worthy counsellor, Lenet."
"But should Monsieur le Duc d'Enghien follow the hunt in a carriage?" asked the princess.
"No, madame, on horseback. Oh! let not your mother's heart take alarm. I have devised the expedient of a small saddle, which Vialas, his equerry, will place immediately in front of his own; in that way, Monsieur le Duc d'Enghien will be seen, and in the evening we can take our departure in all security; for Monsieur d'Enghien will be able to go anywhere on foot or in the saddle; whereas, in a carriage he would be arrested at the first obstacle."
"You think, then, that we should go?"
"Day after to-morrow in the evening, if your Highness has no reason for postponing your departure."
"Oh, no! on the contrary, let us escape from our prison at the earliest possible moment, Lenet."
"Once away from Chantilly, what is your plan?" the dowager inquired.