"Most assuredly, my dear viscountess, I have had reason to praise your
conduct on all occasions, and I have expressed my gratitude to you more
than once."
"That statement is very precious to me, madame, for it permits me to
solicit your Highness to relieve me from further attendance upon you."
"What!" cried the princess, "you wish to leave me, Claire?"
Claire bowed respectfully, but made no reply. Shame, remorse, or sorrow
could be detected upon every face. A deathlike silence pervaded the
assembly.
"But why do you leave me?" continued the princess at last.
"I have but a few days to live, madame," replied the viscountess, "and
those few days I desire to pass in caring for the welfare of my soul."
"Claire, dear Claire!" cried the princess, "pray reflect--"
"Madame," the viscountess interrupted, "I have two favors to ask at
your hands; may I hope that you will grant them?"
"Oh! speak, speak!" cried Madame de Condé, "for I shall be only too
happy if I can do aught for you."
"You can, madame."
"What are the favors you wish to ask me?"
"The first is the gift of the abbacy of Sainte-Radegonde, vacant since
the death of Madame de Montivy."
"You an abbess, my dear child! surely you cannot think of it!"
"The second, madame," continued Claire, with a slight trembling in her
voice, "is that I may be permitted to inter on my estate at Cambes the
body of my _fiancé,_ Monsieur le Baron Raoul de Canolles, murdered by
the the people of Bordeaux."
The princess turned away and pressed a trembling hand to her heart. The
Duc de La Rochefoucauld turned pale and lost countenance. Lenet opened
the door and fled incontinently.
"Your Highness does not deign to reply," said Claire; "do you refuse?
Perhaps I have asked too much."
Madame de Condé had only enough strength to nod her head in token of
assent, before she fell back in a swoon upon her chair.
Claire turned away as unmoved as if she were of stone, and passed
majestically from the room through the lane of courtiers, standing with
heads bent; not until the door had closed behind her, did they realize
that no one had thought of going to Madame de Condé's assistance.
Five minutes later a carriage rolled slowly out of the court-yard;
Madame de Cambes was taking leave of Bordeaux.
"What is your Highness's decision?" Madame de Tourville inquired of
Madame de Condé when she came to herself.
"Comply with the wishes of Madame la Vicomtesse de Cambes in respect
to both the petitions she addressed to us just now, and implore her to
forgive us."