Even now, it is highly probable that the truth would have remained undiscovered had the cupidity of La Chausee been less, and the self-control of the Marquise greater. As was the custom, seals were immediately placed upon the effects of the deceased. This was done on the thirtieth of July, 1672. La Chausee, thinking this an excellent op portunity for enrichment, immediately made formal demand upon the officers having charge of the estate for various sums claimed to have been deposited with Sainte Croix. Among these were a certain hundred pistoles contained in a cloth bag kept in a particular cabinet — in all probability his fee for the poisoning of the brothers d'Aubray. He was told to wait until the seals were taken off, when, if he could prove ownership, the property would be rendered to him. The fact that so large an amount should be due to a mere lackey, even though he had been (as he asserted) seven years in the service of his master, naturally aroused comment. It was observed that, as a portion of that time, he evidently counted the period passed with the Counsellor d'Aubray. But if the conduct of La Chaussee pro voked comment, that of the Marquise aroused positive suspicion. The rumor of the Cheva lier's death had been quickly spread abroad. Upon hearing the news, though it was then ten o'clock in the evening, she immediately rushed to the house of Commissioner Picard, who was charged with the affaire Sainte Croix, and breathlessly demanded that a certain box, of which with its contents, she claimed to be the owner, should be delivered to her unopened. She was informed that the officer in question had retired for the evening, and could not be disturbed. On the next morn ing, she sent a messenger who offered the Commissioner fifty louis, if he would deliver up the box. This was refused, and it was explained that nothing could be done before
the removal of the seals. The same evening, panic-stricken, she fled to London. After remaining there for but a few weeks, she went to Germany, and from thence to the Low Countries, finally taking refuge in a con vent at Liege. On the eighth of August the seals were publicly removed. The Marquise appeared by counsel, and had the following declaration inserted in the proccs-verbal : "Then appeared Alexandre Delamarre, procureur of Madame de Brinvilliers, who made formal declaration that, if in the said box (the ownership of which is claimed by his client) there is found a bond (une promesse) signed by her, for the sum of thirty thousand livres, it is a document that has been obtained from her by surprise, and in case her signature should be found genuine, she gives notice of her intention to bring suit to have the instrument declared void. (C'est utle piece qui a e'te surprise d'elle et contre laquellc en cas que sa signature soit veritable, elle e'tend se pourvoir pour la /aire declarer nu/le.)" This formality having been completed, the officers proceeded to an examination of the Sainte Croix papers. Among the first dis covered was a document entitled " My con fession." As there then existed no positive suspicion as to the Chevalier's criminality, the paper was regarded as of too high a degree of privacy to permit of inspection, and under that unfortunate belief was burned unread. The insistance of the Marquise had served to arouse considerable curiosity as to the little box, and it was soon opened. The offi cers found it filled with documents and sealed packages. The first examined was entitled "My Will." In it Sainte Croix asked that box and contents be delivered to Madame de Brinvilliers. In case of her predecease, everything was to be burned unopened. At the end were written these words, " There is
