50 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

the regency; had placed himself on a footing of consideration
and of familiarity with the Kegent; and often came to my
house. He was good company; had married upon the frontier
of Metz; was very poor; had politeness and much experience
of the world; the reputation of distinguished valour; and
nothing which could render him suspected of being capable of
a crime.

Douglas got into a post-chaise, accompanied by two horse-
men; all three were well armed, and posted leisurely along
this road. Nonancourt is a kind of little village upon this
route, at nineteen leagues from Paris; between Dreux, three
leagues further, and Verneuil au Perche, four leagues this side,
It was at Nonancourt that he alighted, ate a morsel at the
post-house,, inquired with extreme solicitude after a post-chaise
which he described, as well as the manner in which it would
be accompanied, expressed fear lest it had already passed, and
lest he had not been answered truly. After infinite inquiries,
he left a third horseman, who had just reached him, on guard,
with orders to inform him when the chaise he was in search of
appeared; and added menaces and promises of recompense to
the post people, so as not to be deceived by their negligence.

The post-master was named L'Hospital; he was absent, but
his wife was in the house, and she fortunately was a very honest
woman, who had wit, sense, and courage. Nonancourt is only
five leagues from La Fert^, and when, to save distance, you do
not pass there, they send you relays upon the road. Thus I
knew very well this post-mistress, who mixed herself more in
the business than her husband, and who has herself related to
me this adventure more than once. She did all she could, use-
lessly, to obtain some explanation upon these alarms. All that
she could unravel was that the strangers were Englishmen, and
in a violent excitement about something,—that something very
important was at stake,—and that they meditated mischief.
She fancied thereupon that the Pretender was in question; re-
solved to save him; mentally arranged her plans, and fortu-
nately enough executed them.

In order to succeed she devoted herself to the service of these