“I should think,” she observed, “that the careful living prescribed by the cabala must have a good effect on my health.”
“Most certainly,” said I, “and if you continue to observe the rules you will keep both your health and your voice.”
I knew that it is often necessary to deceive before one can instruct; the shadows must come before the dawn.
I took leave of my worthy Madame d’Urfe with an emotion which I had never experienced before; it must have been a warning that I should never see her again. I assured her that I would faithfully observe all my promises, and she replied that her happiness was complete, and that she knew she owed it all to me. In fine, I took d’Aranda and his top-boots, which he was continually admiring, to my inn, whence we started in the evening, as he had begged me to travel by night. He was ashamed to be seen in a carriage dressed as a courier.
When we reached Abbeville he asked me where his mother was.
“We will see about it after dinner.”
“But you can find out in a moment whether she is here or not?”
“Yes, but there is no hurry.”
“And what will you do if she is not here?”
“We will go on till we meet her on the way. In the meanwhile let us go and see the famous manufactory of M. Varobes before dinner.”