Claire realized all the advantage that a man as deeply in love as Canolles was might take upon the strength of such instructions, but she also realized how great a service she would render the princess by prolonging the deception of the court. "Write, then," she said, resignedly. Canolles questioned her with his eyes, and in the same way she indicated a secretary, which contained all the essentials for writing. Canolles opened it, took therefrom pen, ink, and paper, placed them upon a table, moved the table as near as possible to the bed, asked permission to be seated, as if Claire were still in his eyes Madame la Princesse, and wrote the following despatch to Monsieur de Mazarin:-- "MONSEIGNEUR,--I arrived at the château of Chantilly at nine o'clock in the evening; you will see that I travelled with all diligence, as I had the honor to take leave of your Eminence at half-past six. "I found the two princesses in bed,--the princess dowager quite seriously ill, Madame la Princesse tired out after hunting all day. "According to your Eminence's instructions I waited upon their Highnesses, who immediately dismissed all their guests, and I am at this moment keeping watch upon Madame la Princesse and her son." "And her son," Canolles repeated, turning to the viscountess. "The devil! that sounds like a lie, and yet I would prefer not to lie." "Have no fear," rejoined Claire, laughing; "if you haven't seen my son yet, you shall see him very soon." "And her son," resumed Canolles, echoing her laugh. "I have the honor of writing this letter to your Eminence in Madame la Princesse's bedroom, sitting by her bedside." He signed his name, and, having respectfully asked Claire's permission, pulled a bell-cord. A _valet de chambre_ answered the bell. "Call my servant," said Canolles; "and when he is in the antechamber inform me." Within five minutes the baron was informed that Monsieur Castorin was waiting. "Take this letter," said Canolles, "and carry it to the officer in command of my two hundred men; bid him send an express to Paris with it." "But, Monsieur le Baron," rejoined Castorin, who looked upon such an errand in the middle of the night as one of the most disagreeable things imaginable, "I thought that I told you that Monsieur Pompée had engaged me to take service with Madame la Princesse." "Very good; I transmit this order to you on behalf of Madame la Princesse.--Will not your Highness deign to confirm what I say?" he added, turning toward the bed. "You are aware how important it is that this letter be delivered at once." "Go," said the spurious princess, with a majestic accent and gesture. Castorin bowed to the ground and left the room. "Now," said Claire, holding out both her little hands imploringly to Canolles, "you will leave me, will you not?" "Pardon me; but your son, madame?" "True," replied Claire, with a smile; "you shall see him."