At first I expressed some perplexity at the questions having emanated from her royal highness, and I told her afterwards that I understood cabalism, but that I could not interpret the meaning of the answers obtained through it, and that her highness must ask new questions likely to render the answers easier to be understood.

She wrote down all she could not make out and all she wanted to know.
"Madam, you must be kind enough to divide the questions, for the cabalistic oracle never answers two questions at the same time." "Well, then, prepare the questions yourself." "Your highness will excuse me, but every word must be written with your own hand.

Recollect, madam, that you will address yourself to a superior intelligence knowing all your secrets." She began to write, and asked seven or eight questions.

She read them over carefully, and said, with a face beaming with noble confidence, "Sir, I wish to be certain that no one shall ever know what I have just written." "Your highness may rely on my honour." I read attentively, and I saw that her wish for secrecy was reasonable, and that if I put the questions in my pocket I should run the risk of losing them and implicating myself.
"I only require three hours to complete my task," I said to the duchess, "and I wish your highness to feel no anxiety.

If you have any other engagement you can leave me here alone, provided I am not disturbed by anybody.