I beheld her, and her apprehensive look. She seemed to await my answer with bated breath; her marble blue eyes were fixed directly upon me. I glimpsed then in her face what appeared to be the shadow of true fear. She depended upon me, just as I did her. I felt my heart tug with a certain gladness. Although this news disquieted me, it had not altered my resolution to remain in Paris, not when I had begun to effect such good with Orléans, not when I felt myself possessed of a true friend such as her, a true mother to me. I felt the sharp edge of Monsieur Mariot’s letter through my pocket reminding me that I now possessed hope, no matter how small the quantity of it.

I shook my head. ‘It is my intention to remain.’

Such a look of relief came over her. A smile spread between her cheeks, even the corners of her eyes turned upward.

‘You do me a great honour, child,’ said she, planting a kiss upon my forehead. ‘I can fault your character for nothing. You have the courage of Bellona, my dear . . . as must I have now.’

I gripped her arm.

‘I shall think of nothing but your safe arrival at Meudon.’

‘Then do not neglect to write to me. Your letters give me such pleasure and your presence with Orléans and Madame de Buffon has not been without reward.’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘I have received a letter from him. It is no more than a kind note of friendship, but nonetheless, it is an enquiry, and I have had none from him in near to two years.’

At this my face brightened.

‘It is on account of you, ma chère fille, and for this I am more grateful than words can express.’ She pressed my hands in hers again. ‘Remain near to Orléans and Madame de Buffon. At present you are safer in his protection at the Palais-Royal than at any other place in Paris. It will provide me with great comfort to know that you are there.’ She paused and then regarded me as if she were a proud mamma examining her charge. ‘I dare say, if you continue as you have, you will secure your own fortune as well as mine. Now, I must take my leave of you. I fear it is unwise for us to meet again while you live beneath Orléans’s roof.’

We embraced tenderly and then, with much reluctance, I summoned Thérèse to escort my cherished friend to the door. It was here she hesitated and drew her veil about her face.

‘For reasons of discretion, I should prefer to take my leave by the servants’ entrance,’ she insisted, addressing my maid. I moved to follow them, but Mrs Elliot motioned for me to remain before blowing a kiss through the thin gauze.