Page 18 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

sufficiently evinced the fury she was in. The
coaches had already arrived at the little
country house. The King invited his mother-
in-law to follow him, and promised that she
should be treated with the greatest distinction;
but she reflected that the Court was like a sea
in constant motion, and said, "Sire, I have had
too much experience of the world to quit the

quiet retreat it has cost me such trouble to
obtain." "What!" said the King, "will you
continue to keep an eating-house?" "No," she
replied; "you will allow me something to live
on." "At least permit me,“ added the King,
"to give you an establishment and officers to
attend on you." "I thank you, Sire," said the

Princess: "while I live by myself I shall have no
enemies to trouble me; but if I had a train of
domestics I fear I might find some amongst
them." The King admired the sense and
discretion of a woman who thought and spoke
like a philosopher.

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