He added that he would go with me, and swore that he would bring me back with him.
Reassured by this promise, I agreed, on condition that our visit should be a short one.
As I entered, I was greatly astonished at seeing the British Minister beside milord’s bed.
The supposed sick man held out his hand to me and assured me that it needed only my presence for his complete recovery; that he was very sorry for having given me so much trouble, and that it should not happen again.
“I wish you good health,” I replied quickly; “but to return to you is quite impossible; and I declare to you that if it had not been to please my father, you would never have seen me here.”
I got up at once, and signed to my father to leave.
He did not stir; his look revealed the plot to me, and I realized his deceitfulness.
The Minister did all he could to lessen my vexation, and averred that he took upon himself the responsibility for the conduct of my husband in the future.
From that moment that gentleman showed me much attention; he introduced me to his wife, and procured me the acquaintance of several English ladies, among others the Misses C., with whom I became very intimate, especially the second, afterwards the Marchioness of B., my greatest friend.