"The first letter, then, must be one of
farewell."
She rose, went into her boudoir, and wrote on a sheet of paper:
"MY DEAR CHILD: I am compelled to take a journey. I shall write to
you when I am ready to return. Until then, I leave you to perform
the duties of hostess, and intrust my money-chest to your care. I
embrace you a thousand times.
"Your old friend and little mama,
"THEMIRE."
She folded and sealed the letter, and handed it to De Fervlans.
"I shall be sure to deliver it," he said. "And now, send Jocrisse for a
fiacre; you must not use your own carriage for this. You can leave the
palace unperceived by the garden gate. Speak German wherever you go, and
remember that you do not understand a word of French. I think you would
better begin your search in Switzerland. And now, adieu, madame, until
we meet again--"
"If only I might take one last look at my little daughter!" pleadingly
interrupted the countess.
"Themire! You are actually beginning to grow sentimental. That does not
become a soldier!"
"Had I suspected this," returned Themire, "I would not have given
Amelie's portrait to M.
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