 that she had consented to set out with them for Belleveüe, but that he did not believe they should be able to carry her farther than three or four leagues that day, and intreated me to go with them. I readily consented, and determined that I would return to Paris that night, as soon as ever Charlotte should retire to bed.
THE captain and I agreed to meet, at the general's house, at eleven o'clock, to follow our fair fugitive, who was to set out with her father from the convent. He told me that Charlotte had made a thousand tender inquiries, about my health; that she rejoiced at my being still in Paris, and seemed delighted at the thought of seeing me that day. I needed not these new proofs of her regard to increase my ardour for her; my soul was on the wing to meet her, yet still the claims of friendship were not unheard.
I RESOLVED to go immediately to lady Ranfford, for the letter that was addressed to her step-son, and found in Barnard's pocket. Then to wait on the marchioness, and make my excuse for absenting myself from her the remainder of that day: but though she had left Paris, it was fated, that I should not quit it for some time.
AS I was coming out of my apartment, I was met by the lieutenant de police, who arrested me as an accomplice with the marchioness, in having

defrauded his majesty, by conveying away her most valuable effects, which were confiscated to his use, and having fled herself, though under an arret.—Never was astonishment greater than mine.
IN vain I pleaded ignorance of the fact, or the innocence of my intentions, or offered to give ample security for those effects, which had been secreted by that mean, that worthless woman! The officer told me he was not quite such an idiot, as the person who had taken my word before, and that no argument I could urge, would have the least weight with him.
AS the last and most prevailing rhetoric I offered him my purse, if he would go with me to general Beaumont's, and take his bail for my appearance the next day; but he withstood my gold, and even refused to let me return into my apartment, to write an apology for not attending my beloved Charlotte.
THIS was the first time, I had ever felt
"the insolence of office."
—I submitted to it, though reluctantly, and was immediately conveyed to the Chatelet.—I sent off a servant to captain Beaumont,
