He knew the jealousy with which the king regarded any person who appeared even remotely likely to interfere with any plans that he had formed, and was sure that a mere hint from some favourite as to the possibility of Rupert's intimacy at Madame de Soissons proving an obstacle to the carrying out of his wishes with regard to the disposal of Adele's hand, would be sufficient to ensure the issue of an order for his instant dismissal from Versailles.

Rupert was astonished and indignant at the order.
"At any rate I may call and say 'Goodbye' to mademoiselle, may I not ?" "I think that you had better not, Rupert; but I have simply orders to leave Versailles at one o'clock today.

I can therefore only ask you to be here at that hour.

It is now eleven." "Very well, sir," Rupert said, "I will be here in time; and as I am not a prisoner, and can go about where I like, I do not think that even the king could object to my paying a visit of adieu." On presenting himself at Madame de Soissons', Rupert heard that, in accordance with the king's command that morning received, Madame de Soissons and Mademoiselle de Pignerolles had gone out to the hunt, one of the royal carriages having come for them.
Rupert, determined not to be baulked, hurried back to the stables where the horses of the marquis, one of which was always at his disposal, were kept.

In a few minutes he was riding out towards the forest of Saint Germains, where he learned that the royal chase had gone.
He rode for some time, until at last he came up with one of the royal carriages which had got separated from the others.