The proofs of integrity, attachment, and gratitude which she received in these days of peril, from those whom she had obliged in her prosperity, touched her generous heart so much, that she has often since declared she could not regret having been reduced to distress.  Before she quitted Paris she wrote letters to her friends, recommending her pupils to their protection; she left these letters in the care of Victoire, who to the last moment followed her with anxious affection.  She would have followed her benefactress into exile, but that she was prevented by duty and affection from leaving her mother, who was in declining health.

Madame de Fleury successfully made her escape from Paris.  Some of the municipal officers in the towns through which she passed on her road were as severe as their ignorance would permit in scrutinising her passport.  It seldom happened that more than one of these petty committees of public safety could read.  One usually spelled out the passport as well as he could, whilst the others smoked their pipes, and from time to time held a light up to the lady’s face to examine whether it agreed with the description.

“Mais toi! tu n’as pas le nez gros!” said one of her judges to her.  “Son nez est assez gros, et c’est moi qui le dit,” said another.  The question was put to the vote; and the man who had asserted what was contrary to the evidence of his senses was so vehement in supporting his opinion, that it was carried in spite of all that could be said against it.  Madame de Fleury was suffered to proceed on her journey.  She reached Bordeaux in safety.  Her husband’s friends—­the good have always friends in adversity—­her husband’s friends exerted themselves for her with the most prudent zeal.  She was soon provided with a sum of money sufficient for her support for some time in England; and she safely reached that free and happy country, which has been the refuge of so many illustrious exiles.

CHAPTER XI

   “Cosi rozzo diamante appena splende
   Dalla rupe natia quand’ esce fuora,
   E a poco a poco lucido se rende
   Sotto l’attenta che lo lavora.”

Madame de Fleury joined her husband, who was in London, and they both lived in the most retired and frugal manner.  They had too much of the pride of independence to become burthensome to their generous English friends.  Notwithstanding the variety of difficulties they had to encounter, and the number of daily privations to which they were forced to submit, yet they were happy—­in a tranquil conscience, in their mutual affection, and the attachment of many poor but grateful friends.  A few months after she came to England, Madame de Fleury received, by a private hand, a packet of letters from her little pupils.  Each of them, even the youngest, who had but just begun to learn joining-hand, would write a few lines in this packet.

In various hands, of various sizes, the changes were rung upon these simple words:—­