‘Why ever should I return to England?’ She wagged her head and emitted a short, angry laugh. ‘What have I to gain by abandoning all in my possession? By closing up my houses which I am certain never to see again? All that I have procured from the existence I have led – all that I have toiled for – will be gone. I am no longer a young miss of twenty years who may gather wealthy admirers like wildflowers from a field,’ she shot at me. ‘Those noblemen who support the King, those who have fled to Coblenz, it is upon their purses as much as upon Orléans’s which my existence depends. The Comte de Langeron, the Comte d’Artois, the Prince de Condé . . . I have managed their correspondence and attempted where possible to safeguard their interests whilst they are in exile. I must remain in their good favour, or I am lost. If I flee, I shall be forgotten as readily as the victuals which they last consumed. Nothing would compel me to abandon France. My insinuation that I would was merely to persuade you to write to me, not to incite you to throw yourself upon me!’ she grumbled, her expression growing more cross and stormy by the moment. ‘Madam, you labour under the illusion that you have acquired a certain understanding of the world and its ways. Your hubris has inclined you to believe that you will never again be played for a dupe, but you have failed to apprehend that lesson which all women of our sort must drive into our hearts like shards of ice. Dear little child,’ she tutted, the disgust ripe upon her lips, ‘it is trust that weakens us. If you do not learn to give it up, you will die a martyr to it.’

She stood over me, her long neck poised downward to make a close study of my features. She awaited my response, but I gave her none. I stared directly ahead of me through my silent tears.

‘There is a means by which you can return to Paris without the need for a passport. Langlois knows of a breach in the wall near to the Military School at Invalides, not five miles from here. I have made use of it myself. He will guide you to it, but I would bid you to act with great caution. Do not suffer yourself to be seen passing into the city by this unlawful channel or you will imperil your life. There are soldiers, thieves and ruffians at every turn upon the roads, many of whom will think nothing of reporting you. Take pains to avoid them. Now, I will bid you adieu for you must depart at once.’