Mlle. de Montfiquet gave up; she promised to persuade d’Ache to go to England.  It was now Friday, September 6th.  It was settled that at ten o’clock in the evening of the following day she herself should take him to the village of Saint-Vigor-le-Grand, at the gates of Bayeux.  She would advance alone to meet the guide sent by Mme. de Vaubadon; the men would say “Samson,” to which Mlle. de Montfiquet would answer “Felix,” and only after the exchange of these words would she call d’Ache, hidden at a distance.

Mme. de Vaubadon returned to Caen, arriving at home before midday.  Most of the frequenters of her salon at this period were aspirants for her favours, and among whom was a young man of excellent family, M. Alfred de Formigny, very much in love, and consequently very jealous of Ollendon, who was then supposed to be the favoured lover.  In the evening of this day, M. de Formigny went to Mme. de Vaubadon’s.  He was told that she was not at home, but as he saw a light on the ground floor, and thought he could distinguish the silhouette of a man against the curtains, he watched the house and ascertained that its mistress was having an animated conversation with a visitor whose back only could be seen, and whom he believed to be his rival.  Wishing to make sure of it, and determined to have an explanation, he stood sentinel before the door of the house.  “Soon a man wrapped in a cloak came out, who, seeing that he was watched, pulled the folds of it up to his eyes.  M. de Formigny, certain that it was Ollendon, threw himself on the man, and forced off the cloak.”  But he felt very sheepish when he found himself face to face with Foison, quartermaster of gendarmerie, who, not less annoyed, growled out a few oaths, and hastily made off.  The same evening M. de Formigny told his adventure to some of his friends, but his indiscretion had no consequences, it seemed, Mme. de Vaubadon’s reputation being so much impaired that a new scandal passed unnoticed.

Meanwhile Mlle. de Montfiquet had kept her promise.  As soon as her friend left her, she went to Mlle. Dumesnil’s, where d’Ache had lived for the last six weeks, and told him of Mme. de Vaubadon’s proposition.  The offer was so tempting, it seemed so truly inspired by the most zealous and thoughtful affection, and came from so trusted a friend, that he did not hesitate to accept.  It appears, however, that he was not in much danger in Bayeux, and took little pains to conceal himself, for on Saturday morning he piously took the sacrament at the church of Saint-Patrice, then returned to Mlle. Dumesnil’s and arranged some papers.  As soon as it was quite dark that evening Mlle. de Montfiquet came to fetch him, and found him ready to start.  He was dressed in a hunting jacket of blue cloth, trousers of ribbed green velvet and a waistcoat of yellow pique.  He put two loaded English pistols in the pockets of