Meanwhile vessels had left Martinique for France bearing the news of these strange proceedings to the mother country.  The prince had written to his family, and had entrusted his letters to the captain of a merchantman who was recommended by Lievain.  And the discomfited governor, the Marquis de Caylus, had forwarded a full account of the extraordinary affair to his government, and had demanded instructions.  Six months passed away and no replies came.  The prince pretended to be seriously discomposed by this prolonged silence, but amused himself in the meantime by defying M. de Caylus, by indulging in the wildest excesses, and by gratifying every absurd or licentious caprice which entered his head.  But at last it became apparent that letters from France might arrive at any moment; the rainy season was approaching; the prince was apprehensive for his health; and the inhabitants had discovered by this time that their visitor was very costly.  Accordingly, when he expressed his intention of returning to France, nobody opposed or gainsaid it; and, after a pleasant sojourn of seven months among the planters of Martinique, he embarked on board the “Raphael,” bound for Bordeaux.  His household accompanied him, and under a salute from the guns of the fort he sailed away.

A fortnight later the messenger whom the governor had despatched to France returned bearing orders to put his so-called highness in confinement.  An answer was also sent to a letter which Lievain had forwarded to the Duc de Penthievre, and in it the simple-minded agent was severely censured for having so easily become the dupe of an impostor.  At the same time he was informed that since his indiscretion was in part the result of his zeal to serve his master, and since he had only shared in a general folly, the duc was not disposed to deal harshly with him, but would retain his services and share the loss with him.  This leniency, and the delay which had taken place, only served to confirm the inhabitants of Martinique in their previous belief, and they were more than ever convinced that the real Prince of Modena had been their guest, although neither his relatives nor the government were willing to admit that he had been guilty of such an escapade.

The “Raphael” in due course arrived at Faro, where her illustrious passenger was received with a salute by the Portuguese authorities.  On landing, the prince demanded a courier to send to Madrid, to the charge d’affaires of the Duke of Modena, and also asked the means of conveying himself and his retinue to Seville, where he had resolved to await the return of his messenger.  These facilities were obligingly afforded to him, and he arrived at Seville in safety.  His fame had preceded him, and he was received with the most extravagant demonstrations of joy by the inhabitants.  The susceptible donnas of the celebrated Spanish city adored this youthful scion of a royal house; sumptuous entertainments were prepared in his honour, and his praises were in every mouth.  His courier came not, but instead there arrived an order for his arrest, which was communicated to him by the governor in person.  He seemed much astonished, but resignedly answered, “I was born a sovereign as well as he:  he has no control over me; but he is master here, and I shall yield to his commands.”