Favour of this gentleman, by the rage he was
informed he had testified at finding him in Padua.
Louisa gave only a scornful smile, denoting how much she disdained a
crime of the nature she was suspected of, and followed one of the
officers, who conducted her to the place appointed for her confinement.
Monsieur du Plessis was touched to the soul at the indignity he thought
offered to this sovereign of his affections; but he restrained himself
when he considered that it had the sanction of law, which in all nations
must be submitted to; and he only told the podestat, that the virtue of
that lady would soon be cleared, to the confusion of those who had
presumed to traduce it.
As, after they were under confinement, they had no opportunity of
advising each other what to do, monsieur du Plessis, uneasy at the
injustice done him, wrote immediately to the prince of Conti, in
these terms:
To his Royal Highness the Prince of CONTI.
"It is with the extremest reluctance I give
your royal highness this trouble, or find myself
obliged to accuse the count de Bellfleur of
an action so dishonourable to our nation; but
as I am here under confinement for preventing
him from committing a rape on a young English
lady, who failing to seduce at Venice, he followed
hither; and under the pretence of being
her husband, gained the people of the house on
his side, and had infallibly compassed his intent,
had it not been for my seasonable interposition:
I am too well convinced of the justice I presume
to implore, to doubt if your highness will
oblige him to clear up the affair to the podestat,
on which she will be at liberty to prosecute her
journey, and I to throw myself, with the utmost
gratitude and submission, at your feet, who have
the honour to be
Your royal highness's
Most devoted
DU PLESSIS."
Padua.
