And suddenly I felt less glad: a change of feeling which I do not seek to defend.
"Then where are you going ?" I asked in much curiosity.
"I am going," said the duchess, assuming in a moment a most serious air, "into religious retirement for a few days." "Religious retirement ?" I echoed in surprise.
"Are you thinking it's not my _mtier_ ?" she asked, her eyes gleaming again.
"But where ?" I cried.
"Why, there, to be sure." And she pointed to where the square white convent stood on the edge of the bay, under the hill of Avranches.

"There, at the convent.

The Mother Superior is my friend, and will protect me." The duchess spoke as though the guillotine were being prepared for her.

I sat silent.

The situation was becoming rather too complicated for my understanding.