Bonivard fancied, however, he could see the means of gratifying his dearest wishes. He determined to take advantage of the solicitations addressed to him by Charles to ask for a safe-conduct. 'I will go and see my mother and brother at Seyssel,' he said, 'and ask their advice. We will consult together on this business.' The duke sent Bonivard the required passport, stipulating, however, that it should be available for the month of April only. Charles, delighted at seeing Bonivard quit the neighbourhood of Geneva and venture into the middle of his territories, determined that if this journey did not give him the priory, it should at least give him the prior.... Bonivard's friends, whose judgment was not influenced by filial affection, were justly alarmed when they heard of his approaching departure, and tried to detain him; he could think of nothing, however, but seeing his mother before she died. He accordingly departed, passed the Fort de l'Ecluse, the Perte du Rhone, and reached the little town where the 'ancient dame,' as he called her, resided. The mother, who loved the name, the talents, the glory, and the person of her son, clasped him in her arms with fond affection; but her joy soon gave way to fear, for she knew Charles's perfidy, she remembered Lévrier's story ... and trembled for her child.[825] [Sidenote: BONIVARD'S VISIT TO HIS MOTHER.] Meanwhile Bonivard's enemies in Geneva had not delayed to take advantage of his departure. Some of them were mamelukes. To embroil him with the huguenots seemed likely to be of service to their cause; and they therefore began to report in the city that he had gone to surrender St. Victor's to the duke, and that he was betraying the people and revealing their secrets. The intimate friends of the prior indignantly contradicted the calumny; but his enemies continued repeating it, and, as the most ardent men are often the most credulous, a few huguenots gave credit to these assertions. Bonivard wrote to the council of Geneva, complaining of the injury done him, and reminded them that there was not a man in the city more devoted to its independence than himself. What should he do? He was exceedingly embarrassed. Should he return to Geneva? He feared the anger of those among the huguenots in whose eyes it was a crime to go to Savoy. Should he remain at Seyssel? As soon as the month of April was ended, he would be seized by the duke. His mother conjured him to put himself out of the reach of his enemies, both duke and Genevans.... 'Et qui refuserait une mère qui prie?...