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 N° 46.

THE GUARDIAN.

265

in polite learning, as well as of good experience in matters of war.

« The ſon of this Daubigné was father to the preſent madam Maintenon. This gentleman was thrown into priſon when he was but a youth, for what reaſon I cannot learn ; but his life it

ſeems, was in queſtion, if the keeper of the pri ſon's daughter (touched with his misfortunes and his merit) had not determined with herſelf to ſet

him at liberty. Accordingly, a favourable op portunity preſenting itſelf, the ſet the priſoner at

large, and accompanied him herſelf in his flight. The lovers finding themſelves now in no danger

of being apprehended, monſieur Daubigné ac

quitted himſelf of the promiſe he had given his fair deliverer, and married her publicly. To pro vide againſt their immediate want in a ſtrange place, the had taken with her what ſhe found at home moſt valuable and eaſy to be carried off. All this was converted into money ; and while their little treaſure lafted our new-married cou

ple thought themſelves the happieſt perſons living. But their proviſion now began to fail, and mon

fieur Daubigné, who plainly ſaw the ſtraits to which they muſt be in little time reduced, not

withſtanding all his love and tenderneſs, thought he ſhould ſoon be in a far worſe condition than

that from which he had ſo lately eſcaped. But what moſt afflicted him was to ſee that his wife,

whom he loved ſo tenderly, muſt be reduced to

the utmoſt neceſſity, and that too at a time when ſhe was big with child. “ Monſieur Daubigne, preſſed with theſe diffi culties, formed to himſelf a very hazardous refo