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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Comtesse du Barry, by
+Baron Etienne Leon Lamothe-Langon
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Memoirs of the Comtesse du Barry
+       With Minute Details of Her Entire Career as Favorite of
+       Louis XV, "Written by Herself"
+
+Author: Baron Etienne Leon Lamothe-Langon
+
+Posting Date: December 6, 2008 [EBook #2563]
+Release Date: March, 2001
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE COMTESSE DU BARRY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer
+
+
+
+
+
+MEMOIRS OF THE COMTESSE DU BARRY
+
+WITH MINUTE DETAILS OF HER ENTIRE CAREER AS FAVORITE OF LOUIS XV
+
+"WRITTEN BY HERSELF"
+
+By Baron Etienne Leon Lamothe-Langon
+
+
+With a special introduction by Robert Arnot, M.A.
+
+
+
+GUTENBERG EDITOR'S NOTE:
+
+This delightful (piquant, the comtesse would say) pseudonymous work
+was in fact written not "by herself" but by Baron Etienne Leon
+Lamothe-Langon (1786-1864). The persona created is that of a woman
+who always tells the truth as she sees it, but it is made clear to the
+reader that what the narrator sees is very seldom exactly the objective
+truth. The author ends as well as begins _in medias res_ (in the middle
+of the action), thus creating an illusion of a slice of a journal but
+simultaneously giving the reader the uneasy feeling that the first and
+last chapters seem to be missing.
+
+The French-style quotation marks have, for ease in typesetting and use,
+been changed to American-style quotation marks, and the dot after the
+name of Louis XV has been removed to conform to American punctuation.
+Captions of illustrations are omitted because the illustrations
+themselves cannot be inserted. A few minor editing errors have been
+silently corrected. No other changes have been made; the irregularity in
+italicizing or not italicizing, in translating or not translating French
+words, and in punctuating quotations of letters, is in the text itself.
+
+Notes are identified as coming from author, tr. (translator), editor, or
+Gutenberg editor.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+Letter from Lebel--Visit from Lebel--Nothing conclusive--Another visit
+from Lebel--Invitation to sup with the king--Instructions of the comte
+Jean to the comtesse
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A slight preface--Arrival at Versailles--_"La toilette"_--Portrait of
+the king--The duc de Richelieu--The marquis de Chauvelin--The duc de la
+Vauguyon-Supper with the king--The first night--The following day--The
+curiosity of comte Jean--Presents from the king--How disposed of
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+The king's message--Letter from the countess--A second supper at
+Versailles--The duc d'Ayen--A short account of M. de Fleury--The duc de
+Duras--Conversation with the king--The next day--A visit from the duc
+de Richelieu--Visit from the duc de la Vauguyon--Visit from comte
+Jean--Visit from the king--A third supper--Favor
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+The duc d'Aiguillon--The duc de Fronsac--The duchesse de Grammont--The
+meeting--Sharp words on both sides--The duc de Choiseul--Mesdames
+d'Aiguillon--Letter from the duc d'Aiguillon--Reply of madame du
+Barry--Mademoiselle Guimard--The prince de Soubise--Explanation--The
+Rohans--Madame de Marsan--Court friendships
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+The duc de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry--The marquis
+de Chauvelin and the comtesse--M. de Montbarrey and the
+comtesse--Intrigues--Lebel--Arrival of the du Barry family--The comte
+d'Hargicourt--The demoiselles du Barry--Marriage of the comtesse--The
+marquis de Bonrepos--Correspondences--The broken glass
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+Journey to Choisy--The comtesse du Barry and Louis XV--The king of
+Denmark--The czar Peter--Frederick II--The abbe de la Chapelle--An
+experiment--New intrigues--Secret agents-The comtesse and Louis
+XV--Of the presentation--Letter of the comtesse to the duc
+d'Aiguillon--Reply--Prince de Soubise
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+The comtesse and the duc d'Aiguillon--M. de Soubise--Louis XV and the
+duc d'Aiguillon--Letter from the comtesse to the king--Answer of
+the king-The "_Nouvelles a la Main_"--The comtesse and Louis XV--The
+supper--The court ladies mystified--The comtesse and M. de Sartines
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+The sieur Ledoux--The _lettre de cachet_--The duc de la
+Vrilliere--Madame de Langeac--M. de Maupeou--Louis XV--The comte Jean
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+The king of Denmark--The courtesans of Paris--The duc de Choiseul and
+the bishop of Orleans--Witty repartees of the king of Denmark--His visit
+to madame du Barry--"The court of king Petaud," a satire--Letter of
+the duc d'Aiguillon to Voltaire--The duchesse de Grammont
+mystified--Unpublished letter of Voltaire's
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+When is the presentation to take place?--Conversation on this subject
+with the king--M. de Maupeou and M. de la Vauguyon--Conversation on
+the same subject with the king and the duc de Richelieu--M. de
+la Vrilliere--M. Bertin---Louis XV and the comtesse--The king's
+promise--The fire-works, an anecdote--The marquise de Castellane--M. de
+Maupeou at the duc de Choiseul's--The duchesse de Grammont
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A word concerning the duchesse de Choiseul--The apartment of the Comte
+de Noailles--The Noailles--Intrigues for presentation--The comte de
+Bearn--M. Morand once more--Visit of the comtesse Bearn to the comtesse
+du Barry--Conversation--Interested complaisance--The king and the
+comtesse du Barry--Dispute and reconciliation
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+The comtesse de Bearn--The supper--Louis XV--Intrigues against
+my presentation--M. de Roquelaure--The scalded foot--The comtesse
+d'Aloigny--The duc d'Aiguillon and madame de Bearn--Anger of the king's
+daughters--Madame Adelaide and the comtesse du Barry--Dissatisfaction of
+the king
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Of the presentation--The king and the duc de Richelieu at comtesse du
+Barry's--M. de la Vauguyon--Conversation--Letter of the duke to the
+comtesse du Barry--Reply--The countess unites herself with the Jesuit
+party--Madame Louise--Madame Sophie--M. Bertin--Madame de Bercheny
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+The princesses consent to the presentation of madame du Barry--Ingenious
+artifice employed by the king to offer a present to the duc de la
+Vauguyon--Madame du Barry's letter respecting it--The duke's reply--The
+king's letter--The court in despair--Couplets concerning madame du
+Barry--Her presentation--A change in public opinion--An evening party at
+the house of the countess--Joy of her partizans--Conversation with the
+chancellor respecting the lady of the marechal de Mirepoix
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+The Comte de la Marche, a prince of the blood--Madame de Beauvoir, his
+mistress--Madame du Barry complains to the prince de Soubise of the
+princess de Guemenee--The king consoles the countess for this--The duc
+de Choiseul--The king speaks to him of madame du Barry--Voltaire writes
+to her--The opinions of Richelieu and the king concerning Voltaire
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+Unpublished letter of Voltaire to madame du Barry--Reply of the
+countess--The marechale de Mirepoix--Her first interview with madame du
+Barry--Anecdote of the diamonds of madame de Mirepoix--The king pays
+for them--Singular gratitude of the marechale--The portfolio, and an
+unpublished letter of the marquise de Pompadour
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+Conversation of the marechale de Mirepoix with the comtesse du Barry
+on court friendship--Intrigues of madame de Bearn--Preconcerted meeting
+with madame de Flaracourt---Rage of madame de Bearn--Portrait and
+conversation of madame de Flaracourt with the comtesse du Barry--Insult
+from the princesse de Guemenee--Her banishment--Explanation of the
+king and the duc de Choiseul relative to madame du Barry--The comtesse
+d'Egmont
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+Intrigue of the comtesse d'Egmont with a shopman--His unhappy
+fate--The comtesse du Barry protects him--Conduct of Louis XV upon the
+occasion--The young man quits France--Madame du Barry's letter to the
+comtesse d'Egmont--Quarrel with the marechal de Richelieu
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+Madame du Barry separates from madame de Bearn--Letters between
+these ladies--Portrait of madame de l'Hopital--The ladder--The
+bell--Conversation with madame de Mirepoix--First visit to
+Chantilly--Intrigues to prevent the countess from going thither--The
+king's Displeasure towards the princesses--The archbishop de Senlis
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Unpublished letter of Louis XV--Madame du Barry's cousin, M. de
+Maupeou--The comtesse du Barry saves the life of a young girl seduced by
+the arts of the cure of her village--She obtains pardon of the comte
+and comtesse de Louerne--The king presents her with Lucienne--A second
+meeting with the youthful prophet--His further predictions--He is sought
+for--His mysterious letter to the countess
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Extraordinary anecdote of Louis XIV and madame de Maintenon--The
+comtesse du Barry at Chantilly--Opinion of king and comte de la Marche
+respecting the "Iron Mask"--Madame du Barry visits madame de Lagarde
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+The chevalier de la Morliere--Portrait of the duc de Choiseul--The
+duc de Choiseul and the comtesse du Barry--No reconciliation
+effected--Madame du Barry and the duc d'Aiguillon--Madame du Barry and
+Louis XV
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+Dorine--Mademoiselle Choin and the marechal d'Uxelles--Zamor--M. de
+Maupeou's wig--Henriette--The duc de Villeroi and Sophie--Letter from
+the comtesse du Barry to the duc de Villeroi--His reply--The countess
+writes again--Madame du Barry and Sophie--Louis XV and the comtesse du
+Barry
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+The prince des Deux Ponts--Prince Max--The dauphin and Marie
+Antoinette--The comtesse du Barry and Bridget Rupert--The countess and
+Genevieve Mathon--Noel--Fresh amours--Nocturnal adventure--Conclusion of
+this intrigue
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+Madame du Barry succeeds in alienating Louis XV from the duc de
+Choiseul--Letter from madame de Grammont--Louis XV--The chancellor
+and the countess--Louis XV and the abbe de la Ville--The marechale de
+Mirepoix and madame du Barry
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+Baron d'Oigny, general post-master--The king and the countess read the
+opened letters--The disgrace of de Choiseul resolved upon--_Lettre de
+cachet _--Anecdote--Spectre of Philip II, king of Spain--The duc de
+Choiseul banished--Visits to Chanteloup--The princesses--The dauphin and
+dauphiness--Candidates for the ministry
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+The comte de la Marche and the comtesse du Barry--The countess and the
+prince de Conde--The duc de la Vauguyon and the countess--Provisional
+minister--Refusal of the secretaryship of war--Displeasure of the
+king--The marechale de Mirepoix--Unpublished letter from Voltaire to
+Madame du Barry--Her reply
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+A few words respecting Jean Jacques Rousseau--The comtesse du Barry
+is desirous of his acquaintance--The countess visits Jean Jacques
+Rousseau--His household furniture--His portrait--Therese--A second visit
+from madame du Barry to Jean Jacques Rousseau--The countess relates her
+visit to the king--Billet from J. J. Rousseau to madame du Barry--The
+two duchesses d'Aiguillon
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+The king's friends--The duc de Fronsac--The duc d'Ayen's remark--Manner
+of living at court--The marquis de Dreux--Breze--Education of
+Louis XV--The _Parc-aux-Cerfs_--Its household--Its inmates--Mere
+Bompart--Livres expended on the _Parc-aur-Cerfs_--Good advice--Madame
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+Fete given by the comtesse de Valentinois--The comtesse du Barry feigns
+an indisposition--Her dress--The duc de Cosse--The comte and comtesse
+de Provence--Dramatic entertainment--Favart and Voisenon--A few
+observations--A pension--The marechale de Luxembourg--Adventure of M.
+de Bombelles--Copy of a letter addressed to him--Louis XV--M. de Maupeou
+and madame du Barry
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+Madame du Barry purchases the services of Marin the gazetteer--Louis
+XV and madame de Rumas--M. de Rumas and the comtesse du Barry--An
+intrigue--_Denouement_--A present upon the occasion--The duc de
+Richelieu in disgrace--100,000 livres
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+A prefatory remark--Madame Brillant--The marechale de Luxembourg's
+cat--Despair of the marechale--The ambassador, Beaumarchais, and the duc
+de Chaulnes--the comte d'Aranda--Louis XV and his relics--The abbe de
+Beauvais--His sermons--He is appointed bishop
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+M. D----n and madame de Blessac--Anecdote--The rendezvous and
+the Ball--The wife of Gaubert--They wish to give her to the
+king--Intrigues--Their results--Letter from the duc de la Vrilliere to
+the countess--Reply--Reconciliation
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+Conversation with the king--Marriage of the comte
+d'Artois--Intrigues--The place of lady of honor--The marechale de
+Mirepoix--The comtesse de Forcalquier and madame du Barry--The comtesse
+de Forcalquier and madame Boncault
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+Marriage of madame Boncault--The comte de Bourbon Busset--Marriage of
+comte d'Hargicourt--Disgrace of the comte de Broglie--He is replaced
+by M. Lemoine--The king complains of ennui--Conversations on the
+subject--Entry into Paris
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+Visit from a stranger--Madame de Pompadour and a Jacobinical
+monk--Continuation of this history--Deliverance of a state prisoner--A
+meeting with the stranger
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+A conspiracy--A scheme for poisoning madame du Barry--The four
+bottles--Letter to the duc d'Aiguillon--Advice of the ministers--Opinion
+of the physicians--The chancellor and lieutenant of police--Resolution
+of the council
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+Conclusion of this affair--A letter from the _incognita_--Her
+examination--Arrest of Cabert the Swiss--He dies in the Bastille of
+poison--Madame Lorimer is arrested and poisoned---The innocence of
+the Jesuits acknowledged--Madame de Mirepoix and the 100,000
+francs--Forgetfulness on the part of the lieutenant of police--A visit
+from comte Jean--Madame de Mirepoix
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+My alarms--An _eleve_ of the _Pare-aux-Cerfs_--Comte Jean endeavours to
+direct the king's ideas--A supper at Trianon--Table talk--The king is
+seized with illness--His conversation with me--The joiner's daughter and
+the small-pox--My despair--Conduct of La Martiniere the surgeon
+
+CHAPTER XL.
+
+La Martiniere causes the king to be removed to Versailles--The young
+prophet appears again to madame du Barry--Prediction respecting
+cardinal de Richelieu--The joiner's daughter requests to see madame du
+Barry--Madame de Mirepoix and the 50,000 francs--A _soiree_ in the salon
+of madame du Barry
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+Interview with the joiner's daughter--Consultation of the physicians
+respecting the king--The small-pox declares itself--the comte de
+Muy--The princesses--Extreme sensibility of madame de Mirepoix--The
+king is kept in ignorance of his real condition--The archbishop of Paris
+visits Versailles
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+First proceedings of the council--The dauphin receives the prelates with
+great coolness--Situation of the archbishop of Paris--Richelieu evades
+the project for confessing the king--The friends of madame du Barry
+come forward--The English physician--The abbe Terray--Interview with the
+prince de Soubise--The prince and the courtiers--La Martiniere informs
+the king of France the true nature of his complaint--Consequences of
+this disclosure
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+
+Terror of the king--A complication--Filial piety of the princesses--Last
+interview between madame du Barry and Louis XV--Conversation with the
+marechale de Mirepoix--The chancellor Maupeou--The fragment--Comte Jean
+
+CHAPTER XLIV
+
+The duc d'Aiguillon brings an order for the immediate departure of
+madame du Barry--The king's remarks recapitulated--The countess holds
+a privy council--Letter to madame de Mirepoix and the ducs de Cosse and
+d'Aiguillon--Night of departure--Ruel--Visit from madame de Forcalquier
+
+CHAPTER XLV
+
+The duc d'Aiguillon's first letter--The marechale de Mirepoix--A second
+letter from the duc d'Aiguillon--Numerous visitors
+
+CHAPTER XLVI
+
+A third letter from the duke--The king receives extreme unction--Letter
+from madame Victoire to the dauphin--M. de Machault--A promenade with
+the duc de Cosse--Kind attention from the prince des Deux Pouts--A
+fourth letter from the duc d'Aiguillon--Comte Jean bids me farewell--M.
+d'Aiguillon's fifth letter, containing an account of the death of Louis
+XV--The duc de la Vrilliere--The _Lettre de cachet_--Letter to the
+queen--Departure for the abbey of _Pont aux Dames_
+
+
+
+
+SPECIAL INTRODUCTION BY ROBERT ARNOT
+
+Up to the time of the Du Barry the court of France had been the stage
+where the whole political and human drama of that country was enacted.
+Under Louis XV the drama had been transformed into parades--parades
+which were of as much importance to the people as to those who took
+part in them. The spectators, hitherto silent, now began to hiss and be
+moved. The scene of the comedy was changed, and the play was continued
+among the spectators. The old theatre became an ante-chamber or a
+dressing-room, and was no longer important except in connection with the
+Cardinal de Bernis and the Duc de Richelieu, or Madame de Pompadour and
+Madame du Barry.
+
+The monarchy had still a step to take towards its downfall. It had
+already created the _Pare aux Cerfs_ (Louis XV's seraglio), but had
+not yet descended to the Parisian house of prostitution. It made this
+descent leaning on the arm of Madame du Barry. Madame du Barry was a
+moral sister to Manon Lescaut, but instead of taking herself off to
+Louisiana to repent, she plunged into the golden whirlpool at Versailles
+as a finish to her career. Could the coaches of a King mean more than
+the ordinary carriage of an abandoned girl?
+
+Jeanne Vaubernier--known in the bagnios by the name of Mademoiselle
+Lange--was born at Vaucouleurs, as was Jeanne d'Arc. Better still, this
+later Jeanne said openly at Versailles--dared she say otherwise?--that
+she was descended in a straight line from the illustrious, the
+venerated, the august, sacred, national maid, Jeanne. "Why did Du Barry
+come to Paris?'" says Leon Gozlan in that account of the Chateau de
+Lucienne which makes a brilliant and learned chapter in the history of
+France. "Does one ever know precisely why things are done? She obeyed
+the magnet which attracts to Paris all who in themselves have a title to
+glory, to celebrity, or to misfortune. Du Barry had a pretty, provincial
+face, bright and charming, a face astonished at everything, hair soft
+and ash-colored, blue eyes, veiled and half open, and a skin fair with
+rose tints. She was a child of destiny. Who could have said, when she
+crossed the great town in her basket cart, which rolled lazily along
+on its massive, creaking wheels, that some day she would have equipages
+more beautiful than any of those which covered her with mud in passing,
+and on her arms more laces and diamonds than any of these ladies
+attended by footmen in liveries?"
+
+When Jeanne left the provinces to come to Paris, she found her native
+country. She was granted the freedom of the city, and expanded in
+her joy like a delicate plant transplanted into a hothouse. She found
+herself at home for the first time; and felt that she could rule as a
+despot over all frequenters of the streets. She learned fashion and
+love at one and the same time. Gourdan had a hat made for her, and, as
+a reward, initiated her into the customs. But she was called to other
+destinies.
+
+One day, when she was walking in the Tuileries, a lunatic--and lunatics
+have second sight--asked her favor when she should become queen. Du
+Barry said to herself: "This man is mad." But then she thought of the
+Pompadour, blushed--it was the only time--and turned her eyes towards
+Versailles.
+
+But Versailles was an unhoped-for shore to such a girl as this, a girl
+known to all Paris. Would the King care to be the lover of one who had
+ruled all his courtesans? Who could say? The King often wearied of what
+he had. Had not a poet already been found who compared her to Venus:
+
+     O Jeanne, thy beauty seduces
+     And charms the whole world;
+     In vain does the duchess redden
+     And the princess growl;
+     They know that Venus rides proudly
+     The foam of the wave.
+
+The poet, while not Voltaire, was no less a man than Bouffiers.
+
+While the King was seeking a mistress--a nocturnal reverse of Diogenes,
+fleeing from the lanterns of the wise--he found Jeanne Vaubernier. He
+thought he could love her for one evening. "Not enough," said she, "you
+must love me until broad daylight." So he loved her for a whole day.
+What should one eat in order to be loved by royalty? Was it necessary to
+have a coat of arms? She had them in number, because she had been loved
+by all the great names in the book of heraldry. And so she begged the
+Viscount Jean du Barry to give her the title of viscountess. "Better
+still," exclaimed Jean, "I will give you the title of countess. My
+brother will marry you; he is a male scamp, and you are the female. What
+a beautiful marriage!"
+
+So they were united. The newly made countess was solemnly presented at
+court by a countess of an ancient date, namely, the Countess de Bearn.
+King Voltaire protested, in a satire entitled "_The Court of King
+Petaud_" (topsy-turvy), afterwards denying it. The duc de Choiseul
+protested, France protested, but all Versailles threw itself
+passionately at the feet of the new countess. Even the daughters of the
+King paid her court, and allowed her to call them by their pet
+names: Loque, Chiffe, and Graille. The King, jealous of this gracious
+familiarity, wished her to call him by some pet name, and so the
+Bacchante, who believed that through the King she held all France in her
+hand, called him "La France," making him a wife to his Gray Musketeers.
+
+Oh, that happy time! Du Barry and Louis XV hid their life--like the
+sage--in their little apartments. She honeyed his chocolate, and
+he himself made her coffee. Royalty consecrated a new verb for the
+dictionary of the Academy, and Madame du Barry said to the King: "At
+home, I can love you to madness." The King gave the castle of Lucienne
+to his mistress in order to be able to sing the same song. Truly the
+Romeo and Juliet _de la main gauche_.
+
+Du Barry threw out her fish-wifely epithets with ineffable tenderness.
+She only opened her eyes half way, even when she took him by the throat.
+The King was enchanted by these humors. It was a new world. But someone
+said to him: "Ah, Sire, it is easy to see that your Majesty has never
+been at the house of Gourdan."
+
+Yet Du Barry was adored by poets and artists. She extended both hands to
+them. Jeanne's beauty had a penetrating, singular charm. At once she
+was blonde and brunette--black eyebrows and lashes with blue eyes,
+rebellious light hair with darker shadows, cheeks of ideal contour,
+whose pale rose tints were often heightened by two or three touches--a
+lie "formed by the hand of Love," as anthology puts it--a nose with
+expressive nostrils, an air of childlike candour, and a look seductive
+to intoxication. A bold yet shrinking Venus, a Hebe yet a Bacchante.
+With much grace Voltaire says:
+
+"Madame:
+
+"M. de la Borde tells me that you have ordered him to kiss me on both
+cheeks for you:
+
+     "What!  Two kisses at life's end
+     What a passport to send me!
+     Two is one too much, Adorable Nymph;
+     I should die of pleasure at the first.
+
+"He showed me your portrait, and be not offended, Madame, when I tell
+you that I have taken the liberty of giving that the two kisses."
+
+Perhaps Voltaire would not have written this letter, had he not read the
+one written by the King to the Duc de Choiseul, who refused to pay court
+to the left-hand queen:
+
+"My Cousin,
+
+"The discontent which your acts cause me forces me to exile you to
+Chanteloup, where you will take yourself within twenty-four hours. I
+would have sent you farther away were it not for the particular esteem
+in which I hold Madame de Choiseul. With this, I pray God, my cousin, to
+take you into His safe and holy protection.
+
+"Louis."
+
+This exile was the only crime of the courtesan. On none of her enemies
+did she close the gates of the Bastille. And more than once did she
+place a pen in the hands of Louis XV with which to sign a pardon.
+Sometimes, indeed, she was ironic in her compassion.
+
+"Madame," said M. de Sartines to her one day, "I have discovered a rogue
+who is scattering songs about you; what is to be done with him?"
+
+"Sentence him to sing them for a livelihood."
+
+But she afterwards made the mistake of pensioning Chevalier de Morande
+to buy silence.
+
+The pleasures of the King and his favorite were troubled only by the
+fortune-tellers. Neither the King nor the countess believed in the
+predictions of the philosophers, but they did believe in divination. One
+day, returning from Choisy, Louis XV found under a cushion of his coach
+a slip of paper on which was transcribed this prediction of the monk
+Aimonius, the savant who could read all things from the vast book of the
+stars:
+
+"As soon as Childeric had returned from Thuringia, he was crowned King
+of France And no sooner was he King than he espoused Basine, wife of the
+King of Thuringia. She came herself to find Childeric. The first night
+of the marriage, and before the King had retired, the queen begged
+Childeric to look from one of the palace windows which opened on a park,
+and tell what he saw there. Childeric looked out and, much terrified,
+reported to the princess that he had seen tigers and lions. Basine sent
+him a second time to look out. This time the prince only saw bears and
+wolves, and the third time he perceived only cats and dogs, fighting
+and combating each other. Then Basine said to him: I will give you
+an explanation of what you have seen: The first figure shows you
+your successors, who will excel you in courage and power; the second
+represents another race which will be illustrious for their conquests,
+and which will augment your kingdom for many centuries; but the third
+denotes the end of your kingdom, which will be given over to pleasures
+and will lose to you the friendship of your subjects; and this because
+the little animals signify a people who, emancipated from fear of
+princes, will massacre them and make war upon each other."
+
+Louis read the prediction and passed the paper to the Countess: "After
+us the end of the world," said she gaily. The King laughed, but the abbe
+de Beauvais celebrated high mass at Versailles after the carnival of
+1774, and dared to say, in righteous anger: "This carnival is the last;
+yet forty days and Nineveh shall perish." Louis turned pale. "Is it God
+who speaks thus?" murmured he, raising his eyes to the altar. The next
+day he went to the hunt in grand style, but from that evening he was
+afraid of solitude and silence: "It is like the tomb; I do not wish
+to put myself in such a place," said he to Madame du Barry. The duc
+de Richelieu tried to divert him. "No," said he suddenly, as if the
+Trappist's denunciation had again recurred to him, "I shall be at ease
+only when these forty days have passed." He died on the fortieth day.
+
+Du Barry believed neither in God nor in the devil, but she believed in
+the almanac of Liege. She scarcely read any book but this--faithful to
+her earliest habits. And the almanac of Liege, in its prediction for
+April, 1774, said: "A woman, the greatest of favorites, will play her
+last role." So Madame the Countess du Barry said without ceasing:
+"I shall not be tranquil until these forty days have passed." The
+thirty-seventh day the King went to the hunt attended with all the
+respect due to his rank. Jeanne wept in silence and prayed to God as one
+who has long neglected her prayers.
+
+Louis XV had not neglected his prayers, and gave two hundred thousand
+livres to the poor, besides ordering masses at St. Genevieve. Parliament
+opened the shrine, and knelt gravely before that miraculous relic. The
+least serious of all these good worshippers was, strange to say, the
+curate of St. Genevieve: "Ah, well!" said he gaily, when Louis was dead,
+"let us continue to talk of the miracles of St. Genevieve. Of what can
+you complain? Is not the King dead?"
+
+At the last moment it was not God who held the heart of Louis--it was
+his mistress. "Ask the Countess to come here again," he said.
+
+"Sire, you know that she has gone away," they answered.
+
+"Ah! has she gone? Then I must go!" So he departed.
+
+His end drew forth some maledictions. There were insults even at his
+funeral services. "Nevertheless," said one old soldier, "he was at the
+battle of Fontenoy." That was the most eloquent funeral oration of Louis
+XV.
+
+"The King is dead, long live the King!" But before the death of Louis
+XVI they cried: "The king is dead, long live the Republic!"
+
+Rose-colored mourning was worn in the good city of Paris. The funeral
+oration of the King and a lament for his mistress were pronounced by
+Sophie Arnould, of which masterpiece of sacred eloquence the last words
+only are preserved: "Behold us orphaned both of father and mother."
+
+If Madame du Barry was one of the seven plagues of royalty, she died
+faithful to royalty. After her exile to Pont aux Dames she returned to
+Lucienne, where the duc de Cosse Brissac consoled her for the death of
+Louis XV. But what she loved in Louis was that he was a king; her true
+country was Versailles; her true light was the sun of court life. Like
+Montespan, also a courtesan of high order, she often went in these dark
+days to cast a loving look upon the solitary park in the maze of the
+Trianon. Yet she was particularly happy at Lucienne.
+
+I have compared her to Manon Lescaut, and I believe her to have been
+also a sister to Ganesin. All three were destroyed by passion.
+
+One day she found herself still young at Lucienne, although her sun was
+setting. She loved the duc de Brissac, and how many pages of her past
+romance would she that day have liked to erase and forget!
+
+"Why do you weep, Countess?" asked her lover.
+
+"My friend," she responded, "I weep because I love you, shall I say it?
+I weep because I am happy."
+
+She was right; happiness is a festival that should know no to-morrow.
+But on the morrow of her happiness, the Revolution knocked at the castle
+gate of Lucienne.
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+"I am justice; prepare for destiny."
+
+The Queen, the true queen, had been good to her as to everybody. Marie
+Antoinette remembered that the favorite had not been wicked. The debts
+of Du Barry were paid and money enough was given to her so that she
+could still give with both hands. Lucienne became an echo of Versailles.
+Foreign kings and Parisian philosophers came to chat in its portals.
+Minerva visited shameless Venus. But wisdom took not root at Lucienne.
+
+For the Revolution, alas! had to cut off this charming head, which was
+at one time the ideal of beauty--of court beauty. Madame du Barry gave
+hospitality to the wounded at the arrest of the queen. "These wounded
+youths have no other regret than that they have not died for a princess
+so worthy as your Majesty," she said. "What I have done for these brave
+men is only what they have merited. I consoled them, and I respect their
+wounds when I think, Madame, that without their devotion, your Majesty
+would no longer be alive. Lucienne is yours, Madame, for was it not your
+beneficence which gave it to me? All I possess has come to me through
+the royal family. I have too much loyalty to forget it."
+
+But negro Zamor became a citizen like Mirabeau. It was Zamor who took to
+Du Barry her lover's head. It was Zamor who denounced her at the club of
+the Jacobins. "The fealty (faith) of the black man is white," said the
+negro. But he learned how to make it red. Jeanne was imprisoned and
+tried before Dumas.
+
+"Your age?"
+
+"Forty-two years." She was really forty-seven. Coquetry even at the
+guillotine.
+
+The public accuser, Fouquier Tinville, was not disarmed by the sweet
+voluptuousness still possessed by this pale and already fading beauty.
+He accused her of treason against the nation. Could the defender of Du
+Barry, who had also defended Marie Antoinette, find an eloquent word?
+No; Fouquier Tinville was more eloquent than Chauveau-Lagarde. So
+the mistress of Louis was condemned. It was eleven o'clock in the
+evening--the hour for supper at Versailles when she was queen!
+
+She passed the night in prayer and weeping, or rather in a frenzy of
+fright. In the morning she said it was "too early to die"; she wished
+to have a little time in order to make some disclosures. The Comite sent
+someone to listen to her. What did she say? She revealed all that was
+hidden away at Lucienne; she gave word by word an inventory of the
+treasures she had concealed, forgetting nothing, for did not each word
+give her a second of time?
+
+"Have you finished?" said the inquisitor. "No," said Jeanne. "I have not
+mentioned a silver syringe concealed under the staircase!"
+
+Meanwhile the horses of destiny stamped with impatience, and spectators
+were knocking at the prison gate. When they put her, already half
+dead, on the little cart, she bent her head and grew pale. The Du Barry
+alone--a sinner without redemption.
+
+She saw the people in the square of Louis XV; she struck her breast
+three times and murmured: "It is my fault!" But this Christian
+resignation abandoned her when she mounted the scaffold--there where the
+statue of Louis XV had been--and she implored of the executioner:
+
+"One moment, Mr. Executioner! One moment more!"
+
+But the executioner was pitiless Sanson. It was block and the
+knife--without the "one moment!"
+
+Such was the last bed of the Du Barry. Had the almanac of Liege only
+predicted to her that the one who would lead her to her bed for the
+last time would not be a King but a citizen executioner, it might have
+been--but why moralize?
+
+    Robert Arnot
+
+
+
+_To the Reader_
+
+_As the early part of Madame du Barry's career had little to
+differentiate it from the life of an ordinary courtezan, the editor has
+deemed it best to confine the memoirs to the years in her life which
+helped to make history._
+
+_--Editor*_
+
+      * "Editor here means the author, who is assuming
+      the persona of the editor of the Comtesse's memoirs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+     Letter from Lebel--Visit from Lebel--Nothing conclusive--
+     Another visit from Lebel--Invitation to sup with the king--
+     Instructions of the comte Jean to the comtesse
+
+One morning comte Jean entered my apartment, his face beaming with
+delight.
+
+"Read," said he, giving me a letter, "read, Jeannette: victory is ours.
+News from Morand. Lebel is coming to Paris, and will dine with us. Are
+we alone?"
+
+"No, there are two of your countrymen whom you invited yesterday."
+
+"I will write and put them off. Morand alone must dine with Lebel; he
+ought to have a place at the feast which he furnishes with such good
+music. Come, my dear girl, we touch the moment of importance, it is in
+your beauty and power of pleasing that I place all my hopes. I think
+I may rely on you; but, above all, do not forget that you are my
+sister-in-law."
+
+"Brother-in-law," said I, laughing, "it is not unnecessary that I should
+know decidedly to which of family I am married? The custom in France is
+not that a woman be the undivided property of three brothers."
+
+"That only happens in Venice," replied the comte; "my brother Elie is
+too young, you must be the wife of Guillaume, my second brother."
+
+"Very well; I am the comtesse Guillaume du Barry; that does famously
+well; we like to know whom we are married to."
+
+After this conversation, comte Jean insisted on presiding at my
+toilette. He acquitted himself of the task, with a most laughable
+attention. During two good hours, at least, he tormented first
+Henriette, and then the female hairdresser, for I had not yet followed
+the mode, which began to be very general, of having my hair dressed by a
+man. Comte Jean passed alternately from my dressing-room to the kitchen.
+He knew Lebel was a gallant and a gourmand, and he was anxious to please
+him in all senses at once.
+
+At one o'clock I was under arms, and prepared to receive him on whom
+my destiny depended. As soon as I reached the drawing-room, comte Jean
+compelled me to submit to the test of a rigid examination.
+
+His serious air amused me much as he gazed at me some time in solemn
+silence. At length his forehead relaxed, a smile of satisfaction played
+on his lips, and extending his arms to me, without venturing to touch
+me, "You are charming, divine," he said; "Lebel ought to go and hang
+himself if he does not fall down at your knees."
+
+Soon afterwards the folding-doors were hastily opened, and a servant
+announced M. Lebel, _premier de sa Majeste_, with M. Morand. The comte
+went to meet the arrivals, and as I now saw Lebel for the first time, he
+presented him to me formally.
+
+"Sister, this is M. Lebel, _premier de sa Majeste _, who has done us the
+honor to come and dine with us."
+
+"And he confers a real pleasure on us," said I, looking smilingly on M.
+Lebel. My look had its effect, for Lebel remained mute and motionless
+from admiration at my person. At length he stammered out a few
+incoherent words, which I imagined to be compliments. The comte watched
+Lebel anxiously, and Morand began to rub his hands, saying:
+
+"Well, sir, what think you of our celestial beauty?"
+
+"She is worthy of a throne," replied Lebel, bending his head before
+me, and taking my hand, which he pressed respectfully to his lips. This
+reply was, perhaps, inadvertently made, but I took it as a good augury.
+"Yes," added Lebel, "you are the most lovely creature I ever met, though
+no one is more in the habit of seeing handsome females than myself."
+
+"And of causing them to be seen by others," replied comte Jean.
+
+This was an opening which was not followed up by Lebel. His first
+enthusiasm having passed, he measured me from head to foot, as if he
+would take an accurate description of my person.
+
+For my part I began to support the looks of Lebel with more assurance.
+He was a man of no particular "mark or likelihood," but had made
+his way. Living at Versailles had given him a certain air of easy
+impertinence, but you could not discover anything distinguished in his
+manners, nothing which concealed his humble extraction. The direction
+of the _Parc aux Cerfs_ gave him much influence with the king, who found
+the convenience of such a man, who was willing to take upon himself all
+the disagreeable part of his clandestine amours. His duties placed
+him in contact with the ministers, the lieutenant of police, and the
+comptroller-general. The highest nobility sought his friendship with
+avidity. They all had a wife, a sister, a daughter, whom they wished to
+make the favorite sultana; and for this it was necessary to get the ear
+of Lebel. Thus, under a libertine prince, the destinies of France were
+at the mercy of a _valet de chambre_.
+
+I should tell you, however, that I never had occasion but to speak well
+of him, and that I have the utmost gratitude for all he did for me. The
+attachment he testified on our first meeting has never been altered. He
+gave me his protection as far as it was necessary for me, and when the
+favor of the king had accorded to me a station, whence all the court
+sought to hurl me, Lebel seconded me with all his power in my efforts
+to preserve it. I will say, that it is to his vigilance that I owe the
+overthrow of more than one conspiracy against me. He was a warm and
+sincere friend, and not at all interested in the services he rendered.
+He did a great deal of good, as well as harm, in private. I know poor
+families whom he has assisted with his own purse, when he could obtain
+nothing for them from the king, for Louis was only prodigal in his
+pleasures.
+
+However, we dined, and Lebel praised me incessantly to the very skies,
+and that with so much warmth, that I was fearful at one time he would
+fall in love with me himself, and would not resign me to another. Thank
+heaven, Lebel was a faithful servant.
+
+After dinner, when we left the table, Lebel paid me some compliments;
+then pulling out his watch, he spoke of an appointment at the Marais,
+and left without saying a word of seeing us again.
+
+At this abrupt departure, comte Jean and I looked at each other with
+astonishment. As for Morand, he was overjoyed.
+
+"Well, comtesse," said he, "behold the number of your slaves increased
+by an illustrious adorer. You have made a conquest of M. Lebel, and I am
+certain he has gone away deeply smitten."
+
+"I hope we shall see him again," said comte Jean.
+
+"Do you doubt it?"
+
+"Assure him," said I, "of the pleasure it will afford us to receive him
+as he merits."
+
+Several persons entered, and M. Morand, profiting by the bustle which
+their entrance occasioned, approached me, and said, in a low tone,
+
+"You are in possession of his heart, will you charge me with any message
+to him?"
+
+"M. Morand," was my reply, "what are you thinking of? A woman of my rank
+throw herself at any person's head?"
+
+"No, certainly not; but you can send him a kind word, or some
+affectionate token."
+
+"I could not think of it; M. Lebel appeared to me a most agreeable man,
+and I shall be at all times delighted to see him."
+
+Morand asked nothing more than this, and there our conversation ended.
+
+Two days elapsed without being marked by any event. Comte Jean had
+spent them with much anxiety. He was absent, when, on the third morning,
+Henriette came hastily into my room. "Madame," she said, "the _valet de
+chambre_ of the king is in the drawing-room, and inquires if you will
+receive him."
+
+At this news I was surprised and vexed. M. Lebel took me unawares; my
+toilette was not begun. I gave a hasty glance at my mirror, "Let M.
+Lebel come in"; and M. Lebel, who was on the heels of my maid, entered
+instantly. After having saluted me, he said,
+
+"It is only you, Madame, whom one might thus surprise. Your beauty needs
+no ornament, your charms are decoration sufficient."
+
+I replied to this compliment with (of course) much modesty, according
+to custom. We entered into conversation, and I found that Lebel
+really thought me the sister-in-law of comte Jean; and I remarked the
+involuntary respect that attended even his familiarity. I left him in
+his error, which was material to my interests. He talked to me some time
+of my attractions, of the part which a female like myself might assume
+in France. But fearing to compromise myself, I made no reply, but
+preserved the reserve which my character imposed upon me. I am not
+clever, my friend, I never could conduct an intrigue: I feared to speak
+or do wrong; and whilst I kept a tranquil appearance, I was internally
+agitated at the absence of comte Jean.
+
+Fortune sent him to me. He was passing the street, when he saw at our
+door a carriage with the royal livery. Lebel always used it when his
+affairs did not demand a positive incognito. This equipage made him
+suspect a visit from Lebel, and he came in opportunely to extricate me
+from my embarrassment.
+
+"Sir," said Lebel to him, when he entered, "here is the lady whose
+extreme modesty refuses to listen to what I dare not thus explain to
+her."
+
+"Is it anything I may hear for her?" said the comte, with a smiling air.
+
+"Yes, I am the ambassador of a mighty power: you are the minister
+plenipotentiary of the lady, and with your leave, we will go into your
+private room to discuss the articles of the secret treaty which I have
+been charged to propose to you. What says madame?"
+
+"I consent to anything that may come from such an ambassador."
+
+Comte Jean instantly led him into another room, and when they were
+alone, Lebel said to him, "Do you know that your sister-in-law is a most
+fascinating creature? She has occupied my thoughts since I have known
+her, and in my enthusiasm I could not help speaking of her in a certain
+quarter. So highly have I eulogized her, that his majesty desires an
+interview with her, that he may judge with his own eyes if I am an
+appreciator of beauty."
+
+At these words comte Jean felt a momentary agitation, but soon
+recovering himself, he replied:
+
+"I am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, for the favorable disposition
+you have evinced towards the comtesse du Barry. She and I have as much
+respect as love for his majesty; but my sister-in-law has not been
+presented, and, consequently, I can scarcely see how she can be allowed
+to pay her respects to his majesty."
+
+"Do not let that disturb you; it is not intended that she shall go
+and partake of the magnificence of Versailles, but be admitted to
+an intimacy much more flattering. Would you refuse to grant him that
+pleasure?"
+
+"It would be a crime of _lese-majeste _," said the comte Jean, laughing,
+"and my family have too much respect for their monarch. We should not be
+content with a fugitive favor."
+
+"You may expect everything from the charms of the comtesse; I am
+certain they will have the utmost success; but for me, I can give you no
+guarantee. You must run the chance."
+
+"Your protection, however, is the only thing which encourages my
+sister-in-law in this affair. But tell me when is this meeting to take
+place?"
+
+"Instantly. The king is impatient to see the comtesse and I have
+promised that she will sup with him to-morrow evening in my apartment at
+Versailles."
+
+"How is she to be introduced to the king?"
+
+"I am to entertain four of my friends."
+
+"Who are they?"
+
+"'First, the baron de Gonesse."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"The king himself."
+
+"Well, who next?"
+
+"The duc de Richelieu."
+
+"Who else?"
+
+"The marquis de Chauvelin."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"The duc de la Vauguyon."
+
+"What, the devotee?"
+
+"The hypocrite. But never mind: the main point is, that you must not
+appear to recognize the king. Instruct your sister-in-law to this
+effect."
+
+"Certainly; if she must sin, she had better do so with some reason."
+
+While these gentlemen were thus disposing of me, what was I doing?
+Alone, in my room, I waited the result of their conference with mortal
+impatience. The character I had to play was a superb one, and at the
+moment was about to enter on the stage, I felt all the difficulties
+of my part. I feared I should not succeed, but fail amid the insulting
+hisses of the Versailles party.
+
+My fears at once disappeared, and then I pictured myself sitting on
+a throne, magnificently attired; my imagination wandered in all the
+enchantments of greatness;--then, as if from remorse, I recalled my past
+life. The former lover of Nicholas blushed before the future mistress of
+Louis XV. A thousand different reflections crowded upon me, and mingled
+in my brain. If to live is to think, I lived a whole age in one quarter
+of an hour. At length I heard some doors open, a carriage rolled away,
+and comte Jean entered my chamber.
+
+"Victory!" cried he, embracing me with transport. "Victory! my dear
+Jeanne, to-morrow you sup with the king."
+
+On this information I turned pale, my strength forsook me, and I was
+compelled to sit down, or rather to fall into a chair; for, according
+to Jean Jacques Rousseau, my legs shook under me (_flageolaient_). This,
+however, was the only movement of weakness which I betrayed. When I
+recovered a little, the comte Jean told me the conversation he had had
+with Lebel. I joked about the title of baron de Gonesse, and I promised
+to treat the king as if ignorant of his incognito. One thing only made
+me uneasy, and that was supping with the duc de Richelieu, who had
+seen me before at madame de Lagarde's; but the idea that he would not
+remember me gave me renewed courage.
+
+On so important an occasion, comte Jean did not forget to repeat his
+instructions over again. These are nearly his words, for I think I
+learnt them by heart.
+
+"Remember that it is on your first interview that your safety depends.
+Let him learn, through you, those utter tendernesses which have been
+sought for him in vain heretofore. He is like the monarch of old, who
+was willing to pay the half of his crown for an unknown pleasure. Lebel
+is wearied in seeking every week for new fruit. He is quite disposed
+to serve you, and will second you in the best manner. You are about
+to become the centre of attraction to all courtiers, and noble
+_courtisanes_. You must expect that they will endeavor to cry you down,
+because you will have carried off from them a gem to which every family
+has its pretensions. You must at first stand firmly before the storm,
+but afterward you will find all enlist themselves under your banner, who
+have no wife, sister, nor daughter; that is, all who have no mistress to
+offer to the king. You must attach these to you by place and favor: they
+must be first thought of, and then you must think of yourself and me, my
+dear girl."
+
+"All this is well enough," I replied, "but as yet I am nothing."
+
+"_Morbleu_! to-morrow you will be everything," cried comte Jean, with
+his determined energy. "But we must think about this morrow. Make haste,
+noble comtesse; go to all the milliners, seek what is elegant rather
+than what is rich. Be as lovely, pleasing, and gay as possible; this is
+the main point, and God will do all the rest."
+
+He pronounced this blasphemy in a laughing tone, and I confess I could
+not help joining in the laugh, and then hastened to comply with his
+directions.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+     A slight preface--Arrival at Versailles--_"La toilette"_--
+     Portrait of the king--The duc de Richelieu--The marquis de
+     Chauvelin--The duc de la Vauguyon-Supper with the king--The
+     first night--The following day--The curiosity of comte Jean--
+     Presents from the king--How disposed of
+
+The chances against our succeeding in our enterprise were at least a
+thousand to one. The sea upon which, trusting to the favorable influence
+of my leading star, we were about to venture, was filled with rocks and
+shoals which threatened the poor mariner who should direct his bark near
+them. In the first place, I had to dread my obscure birth, as well as
+the manner in which my life had been passed; and still more had I to
+fear the indifferent reputation of comte Jean. There was more than
+sufficient in all this to disturb a head far stronger than I could
+boast. However, thanks to my thoughtfulness, no troublesome thoughts
+interfered to break my rest on the night preceding a day so important
+to me, and I slept as tranquilly as though upon waking I had no other
+occupation for my time than a walk on the boulevards, or a drive to the
+Bois de Boulogne.
+
+Comte Jean, however, had passed a very different night; for once, the
+whisperings of ambition had overcome even his natural indifference and
+carelessness, and tired of tossing upon a sleepless pillow, he arose
+at the first break of day, reproached me for slumbering so long, and
+allowed me neither peace nor rest till I joined him dressed for our
+journey. At length, we set out according to our agreement with Lebel; I
+was closely muffled up in my large _caleche_--the carriage rolled along
+till we reached Versailles, where we had for the last month engaged a
+lodging, which might be useful to us in all events; we alighted, and
+after vainly seeking a few moments' repose, proceeded on foot to Lebel,
+in whose apartments we were to attire ourselves in a suitable manner.
+
+"You are welcome," said the comte, "pray consider yourself as at home."
+
+"I accept your augury," replied I, "it would be amusing enough to find
+that my young prophet had predicted rightly."
+
+"Well then," said my conductor, laughing, "I recommend you to manage a
+slip on the staircase, it would be taking possession after the manner of
+the ancients."
+
+"No, no, I thank you," answered I; "no falls if you please, they are not
+propitious in France."
+
+Whilst we were thus speaking, we were crossing a long suite of chambers,
+and reached the one at which we were expected. We knocked cautiously
+at a door, which was opened to us with equal caution. Scarcely had we
+entered, than Lebel came eagerly forward to receive us.
+
+"Ah, madame!" cried he, "I began to fear you might not come, you have
+been looked for with an impatience--"
+
+"Which can hardly equal mine," interrupted I; "for you were prepared
+for your visitor, whilst I have yet to learn who is the friend that so
+kindly desires to see me."
+
+"It is better it should be so," added Lebel; "do not seek either to
+guess or discover more, than that you will here meet with some cheerful
+society, friends of mine, who will sup at my house, but with whom
+circumstances prevent my sitting down at table."
+
+"How!" said I, with affected surprise, "not sup with us?"
+
+"Even so," replied Lebel; and then added with a laugh, "_He_ and I sit
+down to supper together! What an idea! No! you will find that just as
+the guests are about to sit down at table, I shall suddenly be called
+out of the room, and shall only return at the close of the repast."
+
+All this was but of small import to me. Nevertheless, I affected to
+regret the unavoidable absence of Lebel. In fact, I believe that the
+first breath inspired at court is fraught with falsehood and deceit,
+entirely destructive to every feeling of natural candor.
+
+Lebel, with the most ceremonious gallantry, conducted me to a private
+dressing-room, where I found several females waiting to assist me at
+my toilet; I abandoned myself to their cares, which were, indeed, most
+skilfully exercised in my behalf. They wrought wonders in my appearance,
+bathing me after the Eastern fashion, adorning my hair and person, till
+I issued from their hands blooming and beauteous as an houri.
+
+When I returned to the room in which Lebel was expecting me, his
+surprise was almost overpowering.
+
+"You are, indeed," exclaimed he, "the new sun which is to rise upon
+Versailles."
+
+"Excellent!" cried I, laughing extravagantly, "but like the planet you
+are pleased to compare me with, I must reserve my splendid rising till I
+have obtained fresh powers from the aid of night."*
+
+     * _Mais avant de me lever il faut que je me couche_, is the
+     witty reply in the original, but which it is impossible to
+     render fully and piquantly through the dilution of a
+     translation.---tr.
+
+The comte entered, and joined his congratulations upon the beauty of my
+appearance; all at once the hasty, sound of a bell, violently pulled,
+was heard.
+
+"The object of your attack approaches," said Lebel to me, "it would be
+as well to reconnoitre a little. Remember, not a word of his rank, no
+cast down, timid looks at his sovereign power; no bending of knees, or
+faltering of voice."
+
+The advice thus given was useless. Comte Jean, who bore the reputation
+of, at least, a man of much cool impudence, was, I am certain, more
+deficient than myself in courage upon the occasion, and I verily
+believe, asked himself several times whether he dared appear before his
+prince with one whom he was falsely asserting to be his sister-in-law.
+However these thoughts might or might not have disturbed him, we
+proceeded onwards till we reached the apartment where our invited
+friends were expecting us; and here I will, with the reader's
+permission, digress awhile, in order to say a few introductory words
+respecting the four personages with whom I had the honor of supping.
+
+And first, Louis XVth, king of France (or as he was upon the present
+occasion styled the baron de Gonesse), was one of those sentimental
+egotists who believed he loved the whole world, his subjects, and his
+family; while in reality, the sole engrossing object was _self_.
+Gifted with many personal and intellectual endowments, which might have
+disputed the palm with the most lively and engaging personages of the
+court, he was yet devoured by ennui, and of this he was well aware,
+but his mind was made up to meet this ennui, as one of the necessary
+accompaniments of royalty. Devoid of taste in literary matters, he
+despised all connected with the _belles-lettres_, and esteemed men only
+in proportion to the number and richness of their armorial bearings. M.
+de Voltaire ranked him beneath the lowest country-squire; and the very
+mention of a man of letters was terrifying to his imagination from its
+disturbing the current of his own ideas; he revelled in the plenitude
+of power, yet felt dissatisfied with the mere title of king. He ardently
+desired to signalize himself as the first general of the age, and
+prevented from obtaining this (in his opinion) highest of honors,
+entertained the utmost jealousy of Frederick II, and spoke with
+undisguised spleen and ill-humor of the exploits of his brother of
+Prussia.
+
+The habit of commanding, and the prompt obedience he had ever met
+with, had palled upon his mind, and impressed him with feelings of
+indifference for all things which thus appeared so easily obtained;
+and this satiety and consequent listlessness was by many construed into
+melancholy of disposition. He disliked any appearance of opposition to
+his will; not that he particularly resented the opposition itself, but
+he knew his own weakness, and feared lest he should be compelled to make
+a show of a firmness he was conscious of not possessing. For the clergy
+he entertained the most superstitious veneration; and he feared God
+because he had a still greater awe and dread of the devil. In the hands
+of his confessor he confidently believed was lodged the absolute power
+to confer on him unlimited license to commit any or every sin. He
+greatly dreaded pamphlets, satires, epigrams, and the opinion of
+posterity and yet his conduct was that of a man who scoffs at the
+world's judgment. This hasty sketch may with safety be taken as the
+portrait of Louis XV, although much might be added; yet for the present
+I will confine myself to the outline of my picture, which I shall have
+frequent occasion to retouch in the course of my journal; it is my
+intention to present him in all possible lights before the reader, and
+I flatter myself I shall produce a perfect resemblance of the man I seek
+to depict. Let us now proceed to consider the duc de Richelieu.
+
+This nobleman, when in his seventy-second year, had preserved, even in
+so advanced an age, all his former pretensions to notice; his success in
+so many love affairs, a success which he never could have merited, had
+rendered him celebrated; he was now a superannuated coxcomb, a wearisome
+and clumsy butterfly; when however, he could be brought to exercise his
+sense by remembering that he was no longer young, he became fascinating
+beyond idea, from the finished ease and grace of his manner, and the
+polished and piquant style of his discourse; still I speak of him as
+a mere man of outward show, for the duke's attainments were certainly
+superficial, and he possessed more of the jargon of a man of letters
+than the sound reality. Among other proofs of consummate ignorance he
+was deficient even in orthography, and was fool enough to boast of
+so disgraceful a fact, as though it conferred honor on him; perhaps,
+indeed, he found that the easiest way of getting over the business.
+
+He possessed a most ignoble turn of mind; all feelings of an elevated
+nature were wanting within him. A bad son, an unkind husband, and a
+worse father, he could scarcely be expected to become a steady friend.
+All whom he feared, he hesitated not to trample under foot; and his
+favorite maxim, which he has a hundred times repeated to me, was, that
+"we should never hesitate to set our foot upon the necks of all those
+who might in any way interfere with our projects--dead men [he would
+further add] tell no tales!" There was one person, nevertheless, whom he
+detested and flattered at the same time, and this was Voltaire, who well
+repaid him in like coin. He called the duc de Richelieu, the tyrant of
+the tennis-court* (_tripot_), and the duke returned the compliment
+by invariably designating him "Scoundrel" and "Poetaster"; the only
+difference was that the duc de Richelieu only treated the poet thus in
+_sotto voce_, whilst M. de Voltaire sought not to conceal, either in his
+writings or conversation, his candid opinion of the illustrious duke
+and peer; and he might justly accuse the duke of ingratitude, for he,
+no doubt, owed a considerable portion of the reputation he enjoyed as
+a general, to the brilliant verses in which Voltaire had celebrated his
+exploits.
+
+     *La Comedie Francaise--tr.
+
+The marquis de Chauvelin was equally skilful as a warrior and
+diplomatist. Gentle, graceful, and witty, he joined to the most extreme
+versatility of talent the utmost simplicity of character. Once known,
+he could not fail of being valued and esteemed, and the king entertained
+the most lively regard for him. The noble minded marquis was far from
+taking advantage of his sovereign's favor, far from it; he neither
+boasted of it, nor presumed upon it. This truly wonderful man died,
+unhappily, too soon for me, for the king on whom he bestowed the sagest
+counsels, and for foreign courts who knew and appreciated his worth.
+I shall have occasion to speak of him hereafter; he had a brother, a
+wicked little hump-backed creature, brave as Caesar, and a bitter enemy
+to the Jesuits, whom he did not a little contribute to overturn in the
+parliament of Paris, to which he belonged. The king detested this man
+as much as he loved and cherished the brother, and that is saying not a
+little.
+
+The fourth guest was the duc de la Vauguyon, the really _perpetual_
+tutor to the princes of France, for he had educated four successively.
+He had displayed in the army both bravery and talent, but he was a
+confirmed Jesuit, and conducted himself towards me upon the strictest
+principles of his order. He will appear again on the scene hereafter,
+but for the present I must lay him aside, whilst I return to my _entree_
+to the saloon, which I was about to enter.
+
+Immediately after Lebel had conducted me into it, he was called away,
+and quitted us. The king rose and approached me, saluting me with the
+most admirable gallantry, and addressing to me the most encouraging and
+gratifying words. His gentle, yet polished manners, fine countenance,
+noble air, and the free and unrestrained glances of admiration which
+sparkled in his eyes, communicated to me a feeling of support and
+confidence which effectually reassured me, and roused me from the
+involuntary emotion I had felt at the moment when I first appeared in
+his presence. The king addressed a few words to comte Jean, and then
+regarded him steadily, as tho' he were trying to recall his features;
+but his eye quickly turned on me again, upon whom he bestowed the most
+intoxicating attention. Never was first sight more effective, and never
+did a flame so rapidly increase as did the passion of my noble adorer.
+Ere we had seated ourselves at the supper-table, he was ages gone in
+love.
+
+It would have provoked a smile from any countenance to perceive how
+the respect and admiration with which the three courtiers regarded
+me increased in proportion as the sentiments of the king towards me
+betrayed themselves more and more. At first I had been considered as
+a person of little or no importance. Soon, however, as their sagacious
+eyes discovered the state of their master's mind, the air of familiarity
+with which they had regarded me gave place to a more studied politeness,
+which, in its turn, as matters progressed, was superseded by the most
+delicate attention; and ere we rose from table these gentlemen watched
+my looks with the most eager anxiety to obtain the honor of my notice,
+and hopes of future patronage from one whom they easily foresaw would be
+fully qualified to bestow it. Comte Jean observed all that was passing
+in profound silence. As for me, I talked and laughed with perfect
+freedom from restraint, and my frank unaffected mirth appeared to
+enchant the king; I knew that he was weary of the nice formalities of
+courtly beauty, and desired to refresh his eyes and ears with something
+less refined, and I gratified him to his heart's wish. The conversation
+became lively and animated, the merits of men of letters were discussed,
+the French and Italian theatre passed in review before us, and finally,
+we amused ourselves with anecdotes relative to the intrigues of court.
+The baron de Gonesse related to us a circumstance which had just been
+communicated to him by a county magistrate. I must here apprize the
+reader that these administrators of justice were directed to collect all
+the facts, scandalous, horrible, ridiculous, or piquant, which occurred
+within their jurisdiction, in order that, being forwarded to the
+king, they might aid in distracting his mind from the heavy cares of
+government. Alas! how many strange and eventful things have I since
+learned by similar channels.
+
+The supper terminated, the king's friends remained some time conversing
+with us. Whilst these noblemen were busily celebrating my praises in
+words sufficiently loud to reach the king's ear, the baron de Gonesse,
+standing by my side, was prosecuting his suit in the most ardent terms.
+I received his overtures with becoming grace and modesty. As I have
+before said, the exterior of the king was very prepossessing, and what
+he wanted in youth, he made up by all the mature graces of dignified
+royalty. At last Lebel appeared, and made me a sign to rise from my
+seat. Up to this period nothing had arisen to betray the incognito of
+the august monarch, and in order to keep up my pretended ignorance
+of his grandeur, I quitted the apartment with little ceremony. Lebel
+conducted me to an adjoining chamber, furnished with the utmost
+magnificence. When we were seated, he turned to the comte Jean, who had
+followed us, and said, "It rests with yourself whether you will return
+to Paris, or remain at Versailles. But as for _milady_, who seems
+much fatigued, she will, we trust, honor us by accepting a bed at the
+castle."
+
+My self-created brother-in-law understood as well as I did the
+significance of these words, and clearly read in their import how far
+I had attracted the favor of the king. In order to have rendered the
+impression more lasting, we could have wished that matters had been less
+precipitated, but we were under a roof where everything yielded to the
+caprices of its master, and resignation to his will became a matter
+of course. And here I trust I may be pardoned if I pass over certain
+details which could not, at this lapse of time, interest or amuse any
+one; besides, altho' I have found no difficulty in reciting former
+events of my life, I find my pen more prudish and coy than were my ears
+or mouth. All I shall say is, that the following day, as soon as I was
+left alone in my chamber, Lebel entered, and prostrating himself at the
+side of my bed,--
+
+"Madame la comtesse," said he, "is queen and mistress here. Not only has
+your noble lover failed to communicate to me the usual signal of disgust
+or dislike, but he has spoken of you to me in the most favorable light,
+declaring, that, for the first time in his life, he felt the influence
+of a true and sincere affection; for this reason he desired I would not
+convey to you the contents of this casket, as originally intended."
+
+"And what does it contain?" asked I, with childish eagerness.
+
+"Oh, a trifle unworthy of her who is now the mistress of his warmest
+love; only a purse containing a hundred louis, and a suit of emeralds
+worth a similar sum. He bade me say it might have served to recompense a
+mere fleeting fancy, but that it is unworthy of your charms, nor can he
+insult you by the offer of it."
+
+"Will he then see me again?" inquired I.
+
+"To-morrow evening, if agreeable to you."
+
+"Only say that his wishes are mine."
+
+"Would you wish to see the comte Jean before you rise? He has been
+waiting with the utmost impatience to see you since seven o'clock this
+morning."
+
+"Let him come in."
+
+The comte entered, and I saw by the triumphant joy painted on his face,
+that Lebel had told him of propitious state of things. He ran up to me
+with outstretched arms, congratulating me upon my success, and putting
+at the same time several questions, to which, either from mere womanly
+caprice, or presuming upon my recent elevation to the character of prime
+favorite, I refused to reply.
+
+My folly drew down on me his severe anger, and several oaths escaped his
+lips, which, echoed back by walls so unused to similar violence, struck
+Lebel with terror. That faithful ally placed his hand over his mouth,
+imploring of him to recollect himself, and the place he was in. As for
+me, dreading some foolish burst of his impetuosity, I tried some of my
+sweetest smiles, and inviting him to sit beside me, related to him and
+Lebel those particulars which my pen refuses to retrace. Amongst other
+things, I told them I had said to the king, that I had perfectly known
+who he was all the preceding evening when supping with him, and that
+he had the simplicity to say, "he was surprised I had not appeared more
+embarrassed in his presence."
+
+Our conversation terminated, I wished to return to Paris, and I was,
+without further hindrance, allowed to depart. Scarcely had I arrived
+there an hour, than I received from his majesty a magnificent diamond
+agraffe, worth at least 60,000 francs, and bank notes to the amount of
+200,000 livres.
+
+Comte Jean and myself were well nigh stupefied with astonishment at the
+sight of such treasures; to us, who had never in our lives possessed
+such sums, they appeared inexhaustible. My brother-in-law divided them
+into two equal portions, one of which he put into his pocket, and the
+other into my _escritoire_. With this arrangement I did not interfere;
+nothing seemed to me more simple than that he should satisfy his need
+out of my superfluity. I bestowed two thousand crowns upon Henriette,
+and expended in the course of the day at least a quarter of my riches
+in trifles, as unnecessary as useless; and all this without once
+remembering that as I owed my present abundance to a momentary
+inclination on the part of the king, so the turn of an hour, or a
+fresh fancy on the part of my munificent adorer, might reduce me to the
+unprovided state in which I had been so lately. That evening was passed
+_tete-a-tete_ with comte Jean; he thought, as I did, that the foundation
+of our treasure was firm as a rock, and he gave me many counsels for the
+future which I promised to observe; for indeed it was to my own interest
+to do so. Upon how many follies did we then debate, which, but a few
+days afterwards we found practicable. The different ministers passed in
+review before us; some we determined upon retaining, whilst others were
+dismissed, and already I began in idea to act with sovereign power over
+these illustrious personages, amongst whom I anticipated shortly playing
+so important a part. "After all," said I, "the world is but an amusing
+theatre, and I see no reason why a pretty woman should not play a
+principal part in it."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+     The king's message--Letter from the countess--A second
+     supper at Versailles--The duc d'Ayen--A short account of M.
+     de Fleury--The duc de Duras--Conversation with the king--The
+     next day--A visit from the duc de Richelieu--Visit from the
+     duc de la Vauguyon--Visit from comte Jean--Visit from the
+     king--A third supper--Favor
+
+Early the following day I received a message from the king, accompanied
+with a bouquet of flowers tied round with a string of diamonds. A short
+letter was annexed to this splendid gift, which I would transcribe here,
+had it not been taken from me with many others. My reply, which I wrote
+upon the spur of the moment, was concise, and, as I preserved the rough
+copy, under the impression of its being one day useful, I can give the
+reader the exact words.
+
+"The billet traced by your noble hands, renders me the happiest of
+women. My joy is beyond description. Thanks, monsieur le Baron, for your
+charming flowers. Alas! they will be faded and withered by to-morrow,
+but not so fleeting and short-lived are the sentiments with which you
+have inspired me. Believe me, the desire you express to see me again
+is entirely mutual; and in the impatience with which you await our next
+interview, I read but my own sentiments. The ardor with which you long
+to embrace me, is fully equalled by the affection which leads me to
+desire no gratification greater than that of passing my whole life in
+your society. Adieu, monsieur le baron; you have forbidden my addressing
+you as your rank and my respect would have me, I will therefore content
+myself with assuring you of the ardent affection of the
+
+"COMTESSE Du Barry."
+
+The signature I adopted was a bold piece of falsehood, but it was too
+late to recede; besides, I was addressing myself in my letter, not to
+the king, but to the baron de Gonesse; for Louis, by I know not what
+unaccountable caprice, seemed to wish to preserve his incognito. I have
+since learned that Francis I assumed the same name, altho' upon a very
+different occasion. Replying to a letter from Charles V, in which that
+emperor had given himself a long string of high sounding titles, he
+contented himself with simply signing his letter, "_Francois, baron de
+Gonesse._" Louis XV was very fond of borrowed appellations. Unlike the
+vanity so common to mankind, of seeking to set off their pretensions
+by assumed titles, it is the pleasure of royalty to descend to a lower
+grade in society when concealment becomes desirable, either from policy
+or pleasure; and Louis sought in the familiarity in which a plain baron
+might safely indulge, a relief from the ennui attendant upon the rigid
+etiquette of a regal state. I had omitted in my letter to the baron,
+to remind him that we were to meet that very evening, but that did not
+prevent my repairing to Versailles punctually at the appointed hour. I
+was conducted into the same apartment as before, where I found the same
+females who had then assisted at my toilette again prepared to lend
+their aid; and from this moment I had a regular establishment of
+attendants appointed for my use.
+
+The moment the king was informed of my arrival, unable to restrain his
+impatience, he hastened to me to assist at my dressing table, and he
+continued standing beside me so long as the operation lasted; I felt
+greatly embarrassed, not knowing whether I durst take the liberty of
+requesting him to be seated. However, my silence on the subject was
+greatly admired, and ascribed to my perfect acquaintance with polished
+life, when in reality it originated from mere timidity. My triumph was
+complete; the monarch smiled at and admired every word as it fell from
+my lips, kissed my hands, and played with the curls of my long hair,
+sportively twisting his fingers amidst my flowing ringlets with all
+the vivacity of a lover of twenty. The company upon this evening was
+different from that of the former occasion, consisting of the duc de
+Duras, first gentleman of the bedchamber, and the duc d'Ayen, who had
+the reputation of being a great wit; however, in my opinion, he was
+much more deserving the character of a real fiend; his very breath
+was poisonous, and his touch venomous as the bite of an adder. I well
+remember what M. de Fleury said of him to the king in my presence.
+"Sire," said he, "the thing I most dread in the world next to a bite
+from M. d'Ayen, is the bite of a mad dog." For my own part, I did not
+in the end look upon him with less terror, and well he paid me for my
+fears. Upon one occasion, when the king was speaking of me to him, he
+said, "I am well aware that I succeed St. Foix."
+
+"Yes, sire"; replied the duke, "in the same manner as your majesty
+succeeds Pharamond!"
+
+I never forgave him those words, dictated by a fiendish malice. However,
+upon the evening of my first introduction to him, he behaved to me with
+the most marked politeness. I was then an object of no consequence to
+his interests, and his vision had not yet revealed to him the height I
+was destined to attain. He looked upon me but as one of those meteors
+which sparkled and shone in the castle at Versailles for twenty-four
+hours, and sank to rise no more.
+
+The duc de Duras was not an ill-disposed person, but inconceivably
+stupid; indeed, wit was by no means a family inheritance. Both father
+and son, good sort of people in other respects, were for ever saying or
+doing some good thing in support of their reputation for stupidity at
+court. One day the king quite jokingly inquired of the duc de Duras,
+what was done with the old moons. "Upon my word, sire," replied he,
+"I can give you no idea, never having seen, but with your majesty's
+permission, I will endeavor to learn from M. de Cassini*!" To such a
+pitch did the poor man's simplicity extend. Both father and son were
+nominated to attend the king of Denmark, when on his road to visit
+France. The king observed to a person who repeated it to me: "The French
+are generally styled a clever, witty nation; I cannot say I should ever
+have been able to discover it, had I been tempted to form my opinion
+from the specimen they have sent me."
+
+ *The royal astronomer--Gutenberg ed.
+
+As far as I am concerned, after saying so many unfavorable things of the
+Messrs. de Duras, I must do them the justice to say, that their conduct
+towards me was everything that could be desired. I was always glad to
+see them; it gave my own imagination a sort of sedative dose to converse
+with these two simple-minded beings, whose interests I was always ready
+to promote by every means in my power, and I trust the memory of what I
+have done will be long remembered by the noble house of Duras.
+
+This supper did not pass off so gaily as the former one. The duc de
+Duras spoke as little as possible, in the dread of making some unlucky
+speech, and the duc d'Ayen sat devouring the spleen he could not
+give vent to, and meditating fresh objects upon whom to exercise his
+malignity; he vainly endeavored to lead me on to make some ridiculous
+observation, but without success; happily for him, the king did not
+perceive his aim. My royal lover was indeed so entirely engrossed by me,
+that he lost all the duke's manoeuvres; his transports appeared too much
+for his senses to sustain, and he vowed that I should never quit him
+more, but remain to be elevated by his power to the first place at
+court. At the monarch's sign, the two guests withdrew.
+
+When the duc d'Ayen quitted the room, "That nobleman is by no means to
+my taste," said I to the king, "he has the air of a spy, who wishes me
+no good."
+
+"Do you really think so, my lovely comtesse?"
+
+"I am certain of it; and I already shudder at the bare anticipation of
+an enemy having access to your majesty's ear."
+
+"Reassure yourself," said the king, with the utmost tenderness, "in me
+you have a sure defender, who will never forsake you; look upon me from
+this minute as your natural protector, and woe to him on whose head your
+displeasure shall fall."
+
+After this conversation the king and myself retired to rest, and when he
+quitted me in the morning, he entreated me not to return to Paris, but
+to give him my company for a whole week. Lebel made his appearance to
+beg I would consider myself mistress of the apartments I occupied, and
+that he had received orders to provide me with an establishment upon the
+most handsome scale.
+
+That very day Henriette, whom I had sent for, and instituted as my head
+waiting-woman, informed me, that an old gentleman, attired as tho' for a
+grand gala, but who refused to send in his name, begged to be permitted
+to pay his respects. I bade her admit him; it was the duc de Richelieu.
+
+"Madame la comtesse," said he, bowing low, "I come to complain of your
+want of condescension; unless, indeed, your memory has been at fault.
+Was it possible that when I had the honor of supping with you the other
+night, you did not recollect your former old friend?"
+
+"If, indeed, my forgetfulness were a fault, monsieur le marechal, it
+was one in which you bore an equal share; you were not more forward than
+myself in displaying marks of recognition."
+
+"That arose only from the dazzling increase of your beauty. You were but
+a nymph when last my eyes had beheld you, and now you are matured into a
+goddess."
+
+The duke then made some slight allusion to the family of madame Lagarde,
+but guessing with his admirable tact, that such reminiscences could not
+be particularly agreeable to me, he dexterously turned the conversation,
+by requesting permission to present to me his nephew, the duc
+d'Aiguillon, that he might leave a worthy substitute and champion near
+the king when state affairs called him into Gascony; he craved my kind
+offices to obtain the intimate acquaintance of comte Jean. They
+were subsequently at daggers drawn with each other, but this haughty
+overbearing lord conducted himself at first with the most abject
+servility. The third favor he had to solicit was that I would name him
+to the king as frequently as opportunities occurred to form one of our
+supper parties. All this I engaged to do, nor indeed could I refuse
+after the violent protestations of friendship he made me.
+
+"You will, ere long," said he, "see the whole court at your feet, but
+beware of considering them all as your friends; have a care, above all,
+of the duchesse de Grammont. She has been long endeavoring to obtain the
+king's affections, and she will see with hatred and fury another more
+worthy engrossing the place she has so vainly contended for; she and
+her impertinent brother will call in the aid of the devil himself to
+dispossess you of your elevated seat; you are lost if you do not twist
+both their necks."
+
+"How, monsieur le marechal, shall I mark my career by a murder?"
+
+"You take me too literally; I only mean that in your place I would not
+be at the trouble of keeping any terms with them."
+
+"Ah, monsieur le duc, I understand you now; yet it seems a bad augury to
+have to begin my reign by cabals and intrigues."
+
+"Alas! my fair comtesse, you are too good, too guileless for a court
+life; between ourselves we are all hypocrites more or less; mistrust
+every one, even those make the finest protestations."
+
+"In that case the first object of my suspicion would be my old and
+esteemed friend the marechal de Richelieu."
+
+"Ah, madame! this is not fair usage, thus to turn my weapons against
+myself, and to fight me with my own arms."
+
+Upon this the duke quitted me, and scarcely had he left the room, when
+the duc la Vauguyon entered. This gentleman offered me no advice; he
+contented himself by styling the Jesuits his "very good friends," and
+continually turning the conversation upon their merits. I allowed him
+to express his attachment, without interruption, for these disagreeable
+men, whom I determined in my own mind to have nothing to do with,
+recollecting all I had heard of their dislike to our sex. After an hour
+passed in amusing talk, the duc de la Vauguyon retired, well pleased
+with his visit, and his place was immediately supplied by comte Jean,
+to whom I communicated all that had passed between my late visitors and
+myself.
+
+"For heaven's sake," said he, "let us not be the dupes of these great
+lords; before we range ourselves under the banners of either of them let
+us secure our own footing; let us wait till you are presented."
+
+"But, my good friend, I must be a married lady to obtain that honor."
+
+"And so you will be shortly, do not be uneasy about that. I have written
+to my brother William to set out without delay for Paris. Your swain
+will be easily induced to marry you. What do you think of that?"
+
+I gave comte Jean to comprehend, by signs, that I left my destiny in his
+hands, and he kissed my hands and withdrew. The king managed to steal a
+few minutes to converse with me.
+
+"You did not intrust me, my sweet friend," said he, "with the
+circumstance of your having formerly known the duc de Richelieu; less
+reserved on the subject than you were, he told me he had seen you at the
+house of madame Lagarde, who considered you one of her dearest friends."
+
+"Sire," replied I, "I was too much occupied with your majesty, to think
+of any other person in the world."
+
+My answer delighted him, he looked at me in the most gracious manner.
+
+"You would almost persuade me that you love me," said he, smiling.
+
+"Indeed, your majesty," said I, "I only pray that you desire the
+continuance of my affection."
+
+"In that case," replied he, kissing my hand with fervor, "you do but
+partake of my tenderness for you."
+
+These words flattered my vanity, and here I must declare that if I never
+felt for the king that violent attachment which is termed love, I ever
+entertained for him the warmest esteem. He was so attentive, so kind to
+me, that I must have been a monster of ingratitude could I have looked
+upon him with indifference.
+
+Our supper on this night was again lively as the first had been. The
+duc de Richelieu entertained us with several amusing anecdotes; not that
+they contained any thing very piquant, but the duke related them well,
+and we were all in the humor to be pleased, and laughed heartily at
+what he said. Comte Jean, whose eye constantly followed me, appeared
+perfectly satisfied with all I said or did. As for the king, he seemed
+enchanted with me, and seemed wholly occupied in watching my looks, that
+he might anticipate my wants. After supper, in the _tete-a-tete_
+which followed, he explained himself in terms which left me no doubt how
+securely my empire over him was established. Had he been less explicit
+on the subject, the flattering marks of favor, and the adulatory
+compliments I received from all on the following day, would well have
+assured me of it. I was no longer an obscure and friendless individual,
+but the beloved mistress of the king; I was, to use the expression of
+Lebel, a new sun which had arisen to illumine horizon of Versailles.
+I could no longer doubt my power when I saw noble personages present
+themselves to solicit the most servile employments about my person.
+Amongst others, I might instance a certain lady de St. Benoit, who
+continued first lady of my chamber, during the whole time of my
+regency;--my justly-valued Henriette being contented to take the second
+place of honor.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+     The duc d'Aiguillon--The duc de Fronsac--The duchesse de
+     Grammont--The meeting--Sharp words on both sides--The duc de
+     Choiseul--Mesdames d'Aiguillon--Letter from the duc
+     d'Aiguillon--Reply of madame du Barry--Mademoiselle Guimard--
+     The prince de Soubise--Explanation--The Rohans--Madame de
+     Marsan--Court friendships
+
+The duc de Richelieu, who was in haste to go to Guienne, lost no time in
+presenting to me the duc d'Aiguillon. He was not young, but handsome and
+well made, with much amiability and great courage. A sincere friend, no
+consideration could weaken his regard; an adversary to be dreaded, no
+obstacle could repress his boldness. His enemies--and amongst them
+he included the whole magistracy--his enemies, I say, have used him
+shamefully, but he treated them too ill for them to be believed in
+any thing they say of him. If he were ambitious, he had the excuse of
+superior merit, and if he showed himself too severe in one particular,
+it proceeded from an energy of mind which did not allow him to have more
+pity for others than they had for him. Do not, my friend, think that the
+attachment I had for him can transport me beyond just limits. Since he
+is in his grave, my illusions, if I had any, have dissipated. I only
+give to my deceased friends the tribute due to them--truth and tears.
+But really, without thinking of it, I am attributing to myself these
+virtues without necessity, forgetting that you are not one of those who
+would fain render me as black as possible in the eyes of posterity.
+
+In proportion as the first sight of the uncle had prejudiced me against
+him, so much more did it propitiate me towards the nephew. I saw in him
+a generous heart, and a genius capable of lofty actions which you would
+vainly have sought for in the marechal de Richelieu. No doubt at the
+beginning of our _liaison_ the duc d'Aiguillon only saw in me a woman
+who could be useful to his projects and plans; but soon his heart joined
+the alliance, and a devotion of calculation was succeeded by a vehement
+passion, of which I was justly proud, as it subdued to my chains the
+most accomplished of courtiers.
+
+Our first interview was lively. The marechal and he supported the
+conversation with much gaiety. M. de Richelieu, as I have already told
+you, had neither wit nor information, but possessed that ease of the
+first circles, those manners of high breeding, those courtly graces,
+which often surpass wit and information.
+
+"My nephew," said he to the duke, "madame can do much for us, but we
+must first do something for her. Without support, without friends, she
+will be lost at Versailles; let us be her partisans if she will allow
+it, and let her youth have the benefit of our experience."
+
+The tone in which the duc d'Aiguillon replied delighted me. He said he
+was but too happy to serve me, and begged me to rely on him as I would
+on myself.
+
+"But," he continued, "but we have to struggle with a powerful party. The
+duchesse de Grammont and her brother are not the persons to give up the
+field without striking a blow. But, madame, by the assistance of your
+happy and lovely star, I will enter the lists with pleasure, and if a
+glance of your eyes will recompense a conqueror, I shall be he."
+
+"Oh," exclaimed the duke, "my nephew's a second Amadis in gallantry, and
+of undaunted courage. You will be satisfied with him, madame, much more
+than with my son, who only resembles the family in his defects."
+
+The duc de Fronsac was justly hated by his father; he was what is called
+a decided scamp, without one redeeming point or virtue. Dissipated
+without agreeableness, a courtier without address, a soldier without
+courage, he thoroughly deserved his bad reputation. He was not hated,
+because hatred implies a species of honor, but he was universally
+despised. His father hated him; he hated his father. The reciprocity was
+edifying. I have often seen the duc de Fronsac, and always with disgust.
+He had incurred the extremity of punishment; when trying to carry off a
+butcher's daughter, he rendered himself guilty of the triple crimes of
+arson, rape, and robbery. This was the most splendid deed of his life,
+at least his father said so, the only one in which he had shown--guess
+what for, my friend, I will not pen the cynical word made use of by his
+father. It must be confessed that we sometimes kept very bad company at
+Versailles. The king, who abhorred degrading actions, did not like
+the duc de Fronsac, but was full of kindly feeling towards the duc
+d'Aiguillon. The latter experienced the extent of his favor in his
+long and obstinate struggle with the parliament of Bretagne. It must be
+owned, that if he gained the victory at court, he decidedly lost it in
+the city, and I was publicly insulted on this account in the most brutal
+manner. However, the friendship which his first interview inspired me
+with, I have always preserved unaltered.
+
+The week glided away, and each day my fortune seemed more fully assured.
+The love of the king increased, he heaped presents on me perpetually,
+and seemed to think he never could do enough for me. The bounties of
+Louis XV were known, and instantly aroused against me the two enemies
+with whom I had been threatened--the duc de Choiseul and the duchesse de
+Grammont, his sister. I must say, however, that, at first, the brother
+contented himself with despising me, but the duchesse was furious; I had
+offended her feminine self-love, and she could not forgive me. I have
+told you that she obtained possession of the king by stratagem. This is
+fact. She was in a place of concealment during a regal debauch, and when
+Louis left the table, with his head heated by wine, she awaited him in
+his bed to commit a sort of violence on him. What curious ambition! As
+soon as this noble lady learned my position, she was desirous of knowing
+who I was, and I have been told since all the measures she took to learn
+this. She did not confine her search to the circle of Versailles, but
+hastened to prosecute her inquiries in Paris with M. de Sartines. The
+lieutenant of police not suspecting the favor that awaited me, as well
+as that which I already enjoyed, and on the other hand persuaded of that
+of the Choiseul family, set all his bloodhounds on my traces. They did
+not fail to bring him back a thousand horrible tales about me, with
+which he gratified the duchesse, who, thinking thereby to do me a severe
+injury, spread in the chateau a multitude of prejudicial tales against
+me, hoping that they would reach the ears of the king and disgust him
+with his amour. It was at this juncture that appeared in the "_Nouvelles
+a la Main_" those infamous articles, collected in what they call the
+Collection of Bachaumont. From the same source proceeded the songs _a la
+Bourbonnaise_ which filled Paris, and were sung about everywhere. These
+scandals produced no other effect than increasing the attachment which
+the king had for me, and to diminish that which he felt for the duc de
+Choiseul.
+
+Passion never reasons; if it had common sense, it would perceive that it
+cannot disgust a lover by vilifying his mistress, but, on the contrary,
+interests his self-love in supporting her. Thus all these intrigues
+scathed me not; I did not mention to my counsellor comte Jean an insult
+which I met with in the park at Versailles from madame de Grammont. I
+did not tell it to the king, not wishing to create any disturbance
+at court. I avenged myself by myself, and think I conducted myself
+remarkably well in this adventure, which was as follows:
+
+I was walking in the garden with Henriette, who had given me her arm;
+it was early in the morning, and the walks appeared solitary. We walked
+towards towards the side of the Ile d'Amour, when we heard the steps of
+two persons who came behind us. Henriette turned her head and then said
+to me, "Here are mesdames de Brionne and de Grammont." I knew the latter
+but very slightly, and the former not at all. Certainly she could not
+have been there by chance; they knew I should be there, and wished to
+see me closely. Not suspecting what was to follow, I was delighted at
+the rencontre. They passed us with head erect, haughty air; looked at
+me with a disdainful stare, laughed rudely and walked away. Altho' such
+behavior offended me, it did not put me out of humor; I thought it very
+natural for madame de Grammont to be irritated against me. Henriette had
+less magnanimity. She repeated so often how impertinent it was thus to
+insult a female honored by the bounties of the king, and so far excited
+my feelings, that instead of returning as prudence suggested, I followed
+the steps of these ladies. I did not proceed far before I rejoined
+them; they were seated on a bench, awaiting my arrival as it appeared.
+I passed close to them, and at that moment the duchesse de Grammont,
+raising her voice, said,
+
+"It must be a profitable business to sleep with every body."
+
+I was excessively nettled, and instantly retorted, "At least I cannot
+be accused of making a forcible entry into any person's bed." The arrow
+went to the mark and penetrated deeply. The whole countenance of the
+duchesse turned pale, except her lips, which became blue. She would have
+said something foolish, but madame de Brionne, more cool because touched
+less nearly, placed her hand over her companion's mouth. I in my turn
+walked away with Henriette, laughing till tears came into my eyes at
+this pleasing victory.
+
+The duchesse de Grammont, who had no further inclination to laugh, told
+the whole to her brother. He, who loved her excessively, too much so
+perhaps, reprimanded her, nevertheless, and pointed out to her the
+disadvantage in an open struggle with me. Madame de Brionne was enjoined
+to secrecy, but that did not prevent her from confiding the affair to
+the dowager duchesse d'Aiguillon.
+
+This latter was a lady of most superior merit, uniting to much wit more
+solid acquirements. She spoke English like a native. Her death, which
+happened in 1772, was a great misfortune to her son, to whom she
+gave the most excellent counsel. She told my adventure to her
+daughter-in-law, who, excessively ambitious, saw, without any pain,
+the increasing attachment of her husband for me. I must tell you, in a
+parenthesis, that I always lived on the best terms with her, and that,
+in my disgrace, her friendship did not weaken. I must do her this
+justice. All my _faithful friends_ have not been equally faithful
+towards me.
+
+These two ladies knowing this occurrence, the duc d'Aiguillon was not
+long kept in ignorance that something had happened. He came in haste to
+see me, and inquired what it was. But he asked in vain, I would not tell
+him. My secrecy hurt him, and on his return home he wrote to me. As
+I have great pleasure in telling you all that recalls this amiable
+gentleman to my mind, I will transcribe his letter, which will give you
+an opportunity of judging of the turn of his mind.
+
+_I am very unhappy, madame. I had flattered myself with having obtained
+your confidence, but the obstinate silence which you have kept with
+me has cruelly informed me of my mistake. Allow the deep interest with
+which you have inspired me to offer a suggestion. You know nothing of
+forms, you are unacquainted with our usages: you require a friend who
+shall direct and counsel you. Why should you not select a man entirely
+devoted to you, and as equally so to the king, the king whose affections
+you possess--and who could refuse them to you? I pause. Nothing is more
+dangerous than to use a pen where we have a heart overflowing like mine.
+Be more gracious towards me, I ask it of you in charity, and take no
+pleasure in driving me to twofold desperation. Adieu, madame, etc._
+
+"Signed, the Duc D'A."
+
+I read and read again this epistle: it delighted me from beginning to
+end. I found in it a depth of passion which did not displease me: I
+perfectly comprehended the obscurity of the latter phrase. I needed
+a sort of mentor superior to comte Jean, and I preferred the duc
+d'Aiguillon to any other, because he pleased me. This feeling decided
+me, and I replied to him in these terms:--
+
+"You are wrong, monsieur, to be annoyed, and to think that I am not
+disposed to grant you my confidence. It seems to me that I cannot place
+myself in better hands. However, we do not know each other well enough
+for me to repose in you at once: see me frequently, and then, with the
+habit of being in your company, I will allow myself to glide quietly
+into that state of confidence which you desire. Yes, I am indeed a
+stranger to all that passes around me; my only support is the protection
+with which the king honors me. That is all-powerful, but I will not
+employ it unseasonably or improperly. I know that I need the counsels
+of an honorable, prudent, and well-informed man. I accept, therefore, of
+yours; I even ask them from you, if your friendship go along with them.
+Adieu, monsieur. My regards are due to your uncle, the marechal, the
+first time you write to him."
+
+This letter filled the duc d'Aiguillon with joy. Some days afterwards,
+the prince de Soubise, who also wished to give me his advice, did not
+attain the same success. It must be owned, that, for a man of the world,
+he went about it in a very clumsy way. He committed the extreme error of
+selecting mademoiselle Guimard as mediatrix between himself and me. This
+lady came to me on the strength of our former acquaintance; she had so
+little sense as not to perceive the immense distance between us which
+a few days had caused, and that the opera-dancer kept by the prince de
+Soubise could have no relation with the favorite of the king of France.
+I endeavored, in vain, to make her perceive it, without mortifying her
+too much. She always called me her dear friend, and fairly slaughtered
+me with saying that _her_ prince would protect me. It was singular
+for her to speak thus to me; to me from whom _her_ prince solicited
+protection. She did not confine herself to this, she even insinuated to
+me that I should be a gainer in some way. I laughed outright at this,
+and said to the _valet de chambre_, who was stationed at the door, "Call
+mademoiselle's servants." This annoyed her excessively; all the muscles
+of her face were contracted with rage; but she restrained her wrath,
+saluted me with an assumed respect, and went away, after having so
+worthily acquitted herself of her foolish embassy.
+
+She had quitted me for an hour, when I received a letter from him who
+had sent her. The prince de Soubise begged me to grant him an interview,
+in which he could enter into an explanation. I replied that I would
+receive him, and he came the same day.
+
+"I am much pained, madame," said he, on entering, "that mademoiselle
+Guimard has communicated with so little address what I wished to say to
+you."
+
+"Prince, I think you would have done better to have been the bearer of
+your own message. You know my station here, and would not have ridiculed
+me as she has done."
+
+M. de Soubise, much puzzled to know what she had said, asked me the
+question.
+
+"Why," I replied, "she said, that if I would follow your counsels, you
+would pay me for my condescension."
+
+"Ah! madame," he exclaimed, "she has completely murdered me. I only
+charged her to offer my services to you, and throw myself at your feet,
+as I do now."
+
+"Rise, prince, I do not accuse you of such folly, and promise not to
+mention it: it is necessary, however, that you should know I have but
+one part to play here, that of pleasing the king. Any other character
+will not suit me. Honor me with your friendship, and accept mine in
+return. I cannot, must not, have any other union with you."
+
+Thus terminated this interview; it did not suit me to give the prince
+de Soubise any hopes. He and all the Rohans would have lived on it; they
+would have turned my confidence to their gain, and as they were for the
+most part sharpers, or something akin to it, my name would soon have
+been mixed up with some dirty transaction. His family was a hydra of
+avarice, and would alone have swallowed up all the wealth of France. If
+the king had taken one of the Rohan family for his mistress, I believe
+that the finance department would not have sufficed for one year's
+expenditure of this prodigal family. I had no objection to the prince de
+Soubise coming to supper with me, but I did not feel myself disposed to
+give him any control over my mind. I should have been ill-guided by a
+man who had no government of himself.
+
+If M, de Soubise did not depart satisfied, madame de Marsan, his
+relative, to whom he related the bad success of his attempt, was not
+more so. She was a woman to have governed a kingdom, had she been
+allowed to do so. There was in her woman's head a capacity superior to
+that of all the men of her family. She had a great deal of ambition, and
+all her actions were the results of a premeditated plan. She would have
+ruled the king, the princes, the princesses, favorites, mistresses, the
+court, the city, the parliaments, and the army! Nothing would have been
+impossible to her; she was adequate to any thing. Circumstances did not
+give her the opportunity of displaying her genius. With great talents
+and keen perception, she was reduced to the government of her own family
+alone; that was but a trifling matter! In spite of her discontent,
+madame de Marsan preserved a sort of neutrality towards me. She allowed
+all sorts of ill to be spoken of me without ever repressing a word.
+She was then mute and motionless. She saw me torn to pieces without
+any emotion. However, when we were together she tried to cajole me in a
+thousand ways, all the time detesting me in her heart; and I, who could
+scarcely endure the sight of her, paid her a like number of little
+attentions. Thus surrounded by hypocrites, I became one myself. We learn
+to howl in the society of wolves.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+     The duc de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry--The
+     marquis de Chauvelin and the comtesse--M. de Montbarrey and
+     the comtesse--Intrigues--Lebel--Arrival of the du Barry
+     family--The comte d'Hargicourt--The demoiselles du Barry--
+     Marriage of the comtesse--The marquis de Bonrepos--
+     Correspondences--The broken glass
+
+The prince de Soubise was not the only person who wished to act in the
+capacity of mentor to me. M. the duc de la Vauguyon attempted also to
+be the guide of my youth. This nobleman was too much of a Jesuit not to
+have a nose of prodigiously fine scent. He perceived that the wind was
+in my favor, and approached me in consequence. I have mentioned to
+you his first visit, and he made me a second a few days afterwards.
+He appeared very affable, very conciliating, and insisted particularly
+several times, and that without any apparent motive, that the king,
+not being now engaged in the ties of wedlock, he should choose some
+agreeable companion, and assuredly could not do better than select
+me. The day after this visit, early in the morning, the duke sent me a
+splendid bouquet, a homage which he afterwards repeated, and then called
+on me a third time.
+
+During this visit after a conversation on the embarrassments of an
+introduction at Versailles, he proposed that I should avoid them.
+
+"You cannot conceal from yourself," he said, "how powerful will be the
+cabal against you; and, without including the Choiseuls, you will have
+especially to fear the pious party, who will only see in your intimacy
+with the king, allow me to say, a crying scandal, and one not profitable
+for religion."
+
+"If the pious party unite with those who are not so to destroy me," I
+rejoined, laughing, "I shall have all France against me."
+
+"No; but perhaps all the chateau. But there is a way of averting the
+storm. Attach yourself to the party of honest men who have been so
+greatly calumniated--the Jesuits. Philosophy, supported by the duc de
+Choiseul, has repressed them; but the high clergy and the _mesdames
+royales_ are attached strongly to them, and you would interest them in
+your fortune by favoring these worthy fathers."
+
+"What! monsieur le duc," cried I, "will _messeigneurs_ the clergy of
+France, and _mesdames royales_ and their suite be favorable to me, if I
+use my influence with the king in espousing the cause of the society of
+Jesus?"
+
+"Certainly, madame, and I am authorized to promise you. I give you my
+word for this. Endeavor to re-establish the order, and there will not be
+one of us but will be zealous in supporting you."
+
+"I certainly am desirous of pleasing your friends; but I can see that,
+from the first moment of my appearance at court, I shall be at open war
+with the Choiseuls and the parliaments."
+
+"What matters it? I confess that the victory will not be easy at first,
+but there is no need to exaggerate the difficulties. It is true that the
+king has esteem for the duc de Choiseul, but he has much affection for
+you, which avails much more.
+
+"As for the parliaments, he hates them, and for many years has been
+desirous of ridding himself of them entirely, and he will effect this by
+the help of God and your interference."
+
+"This will be hard work for one so weak as I am."
+
+"Oh, you are sufficiently powerful, I assure you. Only confide in me,
+the intermediary between you and my friends, let me guide you, and I
+will steer to the right port. What do you think of this, madame?"
+
+"Oh! monsieur le duc, it is not at a moment that we can give a positive
+reply to such grave matters. I content myself in assuring you, that I
+have for you as much confidence as respect, and should be very happy to
+obtain your protection."
+
+"My protection! Oh, heaven, madame, you are jesting. It is I who should
+be honored by your friendship."
+
+"It is yours; but as yet I am nothing at court, and can do nothing there
+until I have been presented. It is for my speedy presentation that my
+friends should labor now."
+
+"We will not fail, madame; and if you will allow me to come from time to
+time to converse with you, we can take our measures."
+
+"Your visits will always be agreeable."
+
+Such was the conversation which I had with the duc de la Vauguyon. I
+have given it somewhat at length, because it was the preface to a deep
+intrigue which made a vast noise. I think I extricated myself very
+well from the net in which the duke sought to catch me. I knew that his
+situation at Versailles compelled me to act with caution towards him. He
+was in good odor with _mesdames_, had the ear of the young dauphin and
+the princes his brothers. He deceived me like a true Jesuit as he was,
+in telling me that the _mesdames_ were well disposed towards me; and on
+my side I cheated him with a promise of confidence and, friendship which
+I never bestowed. Ah! my friend, again and again must I exclaim, what a
+villainous place is a court!
+
+Whilst the duc de la Vauguyon was seeking to enlist me under the banners
+of heaven or the Jesuits, the marquis of Chauvelin also essayed to make
+me his pupil; but as frank as he was amiable, this nobleman did not go
+to work in a roundabout manner. He came to me loyally, requesting me to
+consider his interests and mine.
+
+"The king likes me," said he, "and I am attached to him body and soul.
+He tenderly loves you, and I should have no difficulty in doing the same
+thing; but as I am no longer of an age to inspire you with the passion
+which I should feel towards you, I content myself with your friendship.
+I have no enemy here, and no wish to hurt any person. Thus you need not
+fear that I shall urge you to any measures that might compromise you. It
+is the hatred of the kingdom that you will have to fear. France is about
+to march in a better track, and the best plan is to follow its lead.
+It pains me, madame, to use language which may appear severe to you; we
+ought only to talk to you of your beauty and the love which it inspires.
+But in your situation, even that beauty may serve the interests of
+France, and it is for that motive that I come to solicit you."
+
+I replied to M. de Chauvelin with equal frankness. I told him that my
+sole intentions were to confine myself to the circle of my duties; that
+I had none but to please the king, and no intention of mixing myself
+up with state affairs. This was my plan I can assure you. I flattered
+myself that I could follow it, not dreaming of those political nuisances
+into which I was precipitated in spite of myself. I added, nevertheless,
+that in my situation, which was delicate, I would not refuse the
+counsels of a faithful servant of the king, and that under this title M.
+de Chauvelin should be consulted on important occasions.
+
+The marquis de Chauvelin had too much good sense, too much knowledge of
+the world, not to perceive a refusal concealed under this politeness.
+The secret inclination of my heart had already led me to select the duc
+d'Aiguillon for my director, and I could not reconcile myself to any
+other. He contented himself with asking me again for my friendship,
+which I willingly accorded him, and I have always found myself fortunate
+in his. Thus did I accept the offers of service from the prince de
+Soubise, the duc de la Vauguyon, and the marquis de Chauvelin.
+
+A fourth sought to swell the ranks; the comte, afterwards prince, de
+Montbarrey. This gentleman made up in pretensions for what he lacked
+in talent. He was weak, self-important, selfish, fond of women, and
+endeavored to preserve all the airs of a man of good breeding in the
+midst of the grossest debauchery. He was full of respect for himself and
+his house, of which in time of need he could cite the whole genealogy.
+His nomination was a real scandal; no one dreamt of his ever being
+minister of war. It was one of the thousand follies of old Maurepas,
+whom the late king knew well, and called the ballad-maker of the
+council.
+
+The comte de Montbarrey, whom I had known at Paris, came to me one fine
+day, fully powdered, performed, and apparelled. He had a smile on
+his lip, a loud tone, and an insolent look. He came not to ask
+my friendship, but my obedience. He told me that he loved me to
+distraction, and of course my head must be equally towards him. He
+amused me. I let him run out the full length of his line; and when he
+had spun it all out, I said to him, "Monsieur, be so good as to call me
+to the recollection of madame de Merfort."
+
+She was one of the gambling ladies, and at her house I had formerly met
+the chevalier de Montbarrey. My reply confounded him: he saw that he had
+gone the wrong way to work with me; and, raising the siege, he left me
+excessively embarrassed.
+
+Figure to yourself, my friend, what confidence a man, lost in the
+crowd of lower courtiers, could inspire me with; for to judge of the
+proceedings of the comte de Montbarrey, it would have been necessary
+to have seen him as he then was, and not what he became since the
+imbecility of M. de Maurepas. When I told comte Jean of his visit, he
+would not believe such insolence. You must know that my brother-in-law
+also wished to direct me, but I did not consider him sufficiently
+clever. His marvellous genius was eclipsed in politics. He swore at my
+ingratitude, and I could only appease him by an offering of plenty of
+money.
+
+In the midst of this cross-fire of intrigues, one was devised against me
+which might have terminated in my ruin; but, thanks to the indefatigable
+activity of comte Jean, only served to fix me more firmly in my
+situation. Lebel, of whom I have said nothing for this age, came to me
+one day: his face was sad, and his look serious. By his manner I augured
+that my reign had passed, and that I must quit my post. I awaited what
+he should say with mortal impatience. At length he began thus:
+
+"Madame, you have many bitter enemies, who are laboring to effect your
+ruin with a blood-thirstiness which nothing can assuage. They have now
+spread a report that you are not married. This infamous calumny--"
+
+"Ah, is that all?" said I with joy; "no, my dear Lebel, this time they
+do not calumniate me. The worthy creatures for once are right."
+
+"What," said Lebel, in a tone of alarm almost comic, "what, are you
+really not married?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Are you not the wife of the comte Guillaume du Barry?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then you have deceived the king, and played with me."
+
+"Lebel, my friend, take another tone. No one has any right to complain.
+You have given me to the king as a person to please him; I do so. The
+rest can be no matter of yours."
+
+"Pardon me, madame; it is a matter of the greatest consequence to me. I
+am terribly compromised in this affair, and you with me."
+
+Lebel told me that the duchesse de Grammont had begged him to call upon
+her, and had bitterly reproached him about the mistress he had procured
+for the king; the duchesse affirmed that I was a nameless and unmarried
+creature; and added, that it was his duty to make the king acquainted
+with these particulars, unless I, the pretended wife of du Barry, would
+consent to go to England when a large pension should be assured to me.
+
+"No, my dear Lebel, I will not go to England; I will remain in France,
+at Versailles, at the chateau. If I am not married I will be; the thing
+is easily managed."
+
+Lebel, somewhat assured, begged me to send for comte Jean, and when he
+came he (Lebel) recommenced his tale of grief.
+
+"You are drowning yourself in a glass of water," said my future
+brother-in-law to him, beginning to treat him with less ceremony; "go
+back to the duchesse de Grammont, and tell her that madame was married
+at Toulouse. She will have an inquiry set on foot; in the mean while my
+brother will arrive, and the marriage will take place. Then we will show
+the rebels a real comtesse du Barry; and whether my sister-in-law be
+a lady of six months' standing or only of yesterday, that is of no
+consequence to the king of France."
+
+After this conversation Lebel delivered the message to the duchesse
+de Grammont, who told him that she should write to Toulouse to the
+attorney-general. This was what the comte Jean wished and he was
+prepared for her.
+
+But, you will say to me, was it certain that your asserted husband would
+marry you? Were there no difficulties to fear? None. Comte Guillaume was
+poor, talented, and ambitious; he liked high living, and would have sold
+himself to the devil for riches. He was happy in marrying me. Comte Jean
+would not have ventured such a proposal to his other brother, the comte
+d'Hargicourt, who had much good sense and great notions of propriety,
+and who at Versailles was called the _honnete homme_; a distinction not
+over flattering to his two brothers.
+
+The same evening the whole family arrived, and was presented to me the
+next day. My two future sisters-in-law frightened me at first with their
+provincial manners and southern accent; but, after a few minutes,
+I found that this Gascon pronunciation had many charms with it.
+Mesdemoiselles du Barry were not handsome but very agreeable. One was
+called Isabelle, whom they had nicknamed _Bischi_, the other's name was
+Fanchon, and her name had been abbreviated to "_Chon_." The latter had
+much talent, and even brought to Versailles with her, an instinctive
+spirit of diplomacy which would have done honor to a practised courtier.
+She would have been thought simple, unsophisticated, and yet was full of
+plot and cunning.
+
+I was soon much pleased with her, and the king became equally so. He was
+always very much amused at hearing her talk _patois_ (provincially), or
+recite the verses of one Gondouli, a poet of Languedoc. He used to make
+her jump upon his knees; and altho' she had passed the first bloom
+of youth, he played with her like a child. But what most particularly
+diverted the king, was calling my sister-in-law by her nickname;
+"_Petite Chon, grande Chon_," he was always saying, "do this, go there,
+come here." Louis XV did the same with his own daughters: he had amongst
+them a _Loque_, a _Graille_, a _Chiffe_, and they were the ladies
+Victoire, Adelaide, and Sophie, whom he thus elegantly designated. I so
+soon saw the taste of the king for nicknames that I gave him one, it
+was Lafrance. So far from being angry with me, he laughed to tears
+every time that I called him so. I must confess, _en passant_, that
+the anecdote about the coffee is true.* I will only justify myself by
+saying, that if I expressed myself coarsely it was not in consequence
+of my vulgar education, but because the king liked such modes of
+expression.
+
+     *Louis XV had a habit of making his own coffee after dinner.
+     One day the coffee boiled over the sides of the pot, and
+     madame du Barry cried out, "Eh, Lafrance, ton cafe f --- le
+     camp."  (author)
+
+Let me revert to my marriage, which was performed secretly at the parish
+of Saint Laurent. I believe the king knew of it, altho' he never alluded
+to it any more than myself. Thus the malice of my enemies was completely
+balked in this affair. Some days afterwards comte Jean received a letter
+from the attorney-general of the parliament of Toulouse, M. the marquis
+de Bonrepos-Riquet. This gentleman informed my brother-in-law that he
+had been applied to, to institute an inquiry at all the notaries, and
+amongst all the registers of the parishes for the proof of my marriage;
+that he warned us to be on our guard, and that whatever diligence he
+might be desired to employ, he should do nothing without informing us.
+We felt the obligation of this proceeding, and my brother-in-law thanked
+the attorney-general in my name as well as in his own. He told him that
+it was not at Toulouse that the parties interested should make their
+researches for my marriage certificate, but at Paris, either at the
+parish church of Saint Laurent, or at the notary's, Lepot d'Auteuil. M.
+de Bonrepos gave part of this reply to the duchesse de Grammont. Great
+was the bustle amongst the Choiseuls! I leave you to judge of the
+fury of the lady or ladies, for the contesse de Grammont was no less
+irritated than the other, always prepossessed with the idea, that to
+please the king was to wrong their family. The comtesse de Grammont had
+not half the talent of the duchesse, she had only her faults. She
+showed herself so rude and impertinent towards me, that I was at length
+compelled, not to exile her of my own accord, but to allow that she
+should be so served. But I anticipate, for this did not occur until the
+following year.
+
+The king by all his kindnesses endeavored to recompense me for these
+attacks: he appeared charmed to see me surrounded by my husband's
+family. He placed amongst the pages the vicomte Adolphe du Barry, son of
+comte Jean, a young man of great promise, but whose destiny was so brief
+and so unfortunate. My husband's family testified much affection for
+me, as did the duc d'Aiguillon, to whom I daily attached myself. He
+carefully kept from me all that could give me pain, and took a thousand
+precautions that no unpleasant reports should reach me. If we passed a
+short time without meeting he wrote to me, and I confess I was delighted
+with a correspondence which formed my own style. Mademoiselle Chon, my
+sister-in-law, and I also wrote to each other, and that from one room to
+another. I remember that one day, having broken a glass of rock crystal
+which she had given me, I announced my misfortune in such solemn style,
+and with so well feigned a tone of chagrin, that the letter amused the
+whole family. The king saw it, and was so much pleased that he kept it,
+and next day sent me a golden goblet enriched with stones, which I gave
+to Chon, to whom it rightfully belonged.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+     Journey to Choisy--The comtesse du Barry and Louis XV--The
+     king of Denmark--The czar Peter--Frederick II--The abbe de
+     la Chapelle--An experiment--New intrigues--Secret agents-The
+     comtesse and Louis XV--Of the presentation--Letter of the
+     comtesse to the duc d'Aiguillon--Reply--Prince de Soubise
+
+Up to this period I had resided constantly at Versailles or Paris,
+according to the pleasure of the king, but had never followed his
+majesty in any of his journeys. He wished to pass some days at his
+delightful chateau at Choisy, situated on the banks of the Seine. It was
+decided that I should be of the party, taking the name of the baroness
+de Pamklek, a German lady, as that would save me from the embarrassment
+in which I should be placed with the king in consequence of my
+non-presentation. The prince de Soubise, the ducs de la Trimoulle,
+d'Ayen, d'Aiguillon, and the marquis de Chauvelin, were also to attend
+the king. The king remained nearly the whole time with me, and the
+_entree_ to my apartment became a favor not accorded to every body.
+A small committee met there, and talked of every thing except what is
+rational; and I can assure you that with such conversation time passes
+very quickly.
+
+One day the king entered my apartment holding in his hand a letter.
+
+"I am about to receive," said he, "a visit that will not give me much
+pleasure. My brother of Denmark is traversing Europe, and is about
+to come to France. _Mon Dieu_! what inconvenient persons are your
+travelling kings! Why do they leave their kingdoms? I think they are
+very well at home."
+
+"Yes, sire, but there is an excuse for them: they are weary of admiring
+your majesty at a distance, and wish for the happiness of knowing you."
+
+At this compliment the king rubbed his hands with a smile, which he
+always did when he was satisfied, and then said,
+
+"There is not in the hearts of foreign potentates the same affection
+towards my person as you feel. It is not me but France they wish to see.
+I remember that when very young I received a visit from the czar Peter
+the Great, Peter the First I mean to say. He was not deficient in sense,
+but yet behaved like a boor: he passed his time in running over the
+academies, libraries, and manufactories: I never saw such an ill-bred
+man. Imagine him embracing me at our first interview, and carrying me in
+his arms as one of my valets would have done. He was dirty, coarse,
+and ill-dressed. Well, all the Frenchmen ran after him; one would
+have supposed by their eagerness that they had never seen a regal
+countenance."
+
+"Yet there was no occasion to run very far to see the handsome face of a
+king."
+
+"Hold your tongue, madame la baronne de Pamklek, you are a flatterer.
+There is a crowned head which for thirty years has desired to visit
+France, but I have always turned a deaf ear, and will resist it as long
+as possible."
+
+"Who, sire, is the king so unfortunate as to banished by you from your
+majesty's presence?"
+
+"Who? The king of philosophers, the rival of Voltaire, my brother of
+Prussia. Ah, my dear baronne, he is a bad fellow; he detests me, and I
+have no love for him. A king does wisely, certainly, to submit his works
+to the judgment of a Freron! It would be outrageous scandal if he came
+here. Great and small would crowd around him, and there would not be
+twenty persons in my train."
+
+"Ah! sire, do you think so?"
+
+"I am sure of it. The French now-a-days do not care for their kings,
+and _la Fronde_ will be renewed at an early day. After all, philosophers
+believe that Frederick II protects them: the honest man laughs both at
+them and me."
+
+"At you, sire? Impossible."
+
+"No, no; I know the impertinences he is guilty of towards me: but let
+him. I prefer making my court to the pretty women of my kingdom instead
+of to my pages. You may depend upon it that if he came to Versailles he
+would debauch some of them."
+
+The king, charmed at having said this malicious speech, rubbed his hands
+again.
+
+"Really, sire," I replied, "I am astonished that this prince, having
+such disgusting inclinations, can have much _eclat_ attached to his
+name."
+
+"Ah, that is because he has great qualities: he will not allow himself
+to be cheated. Do you know that he is acquainted with the disposal of
+his finances to the last farthing?"
+
+"Sire, he must be a miser."
+
+"No, madame, he is a man of method. But enough of him. As to his majesty
+of Denmark, altho' he would have been as welcome to stay at home, I
+shall receive him with as much attention as possible. The kings of
+Denmark and Sweden are my natural allies."
+
+The king changed the subject, and said, "There is an abbe, named la
+Chapelle, whom I think half cracked. He flatters himself that he can,
+thro' the medium of some apparatus, remain on the water without sinking.
+He begs my permission to exhibit his experiment before me; and if it
+would amuse you, we will have the exhibition to-morrow." I accepted the
+king's proposal with pleasure.
+
+On the next day we went in a body to the terrace of the chateau. The
+king was near me with his hat in his hand; the duc de Duras gave me his
+arm. M. l' abbe waited us in a boat: he flung himself bodily into the
+water, dressed in a sort of cork-jacket, moved in any direction in the
+water, drank, ate, and fired off a gun. So far all went off well, but
+the poor abbe, to close the affair, wrote a letter to the king. The
+letter was carried in great pomp to his majesty. It contained two verses
+of Racine, which had some double allusion to the experiment. This, you
+may be sure, was interpreted in the worst manner. The duc d'Ayen gave
+the finishing stroke to the whole, on his opinion being asked by the
+king.
+
+"Sire," said he, "such men ought to be thrown into the water; but all we
+can wish for them is, that they should remain there."
+
+The abbe was not more fortunate in the evening. He presented himself at
+supper, but the king did not address a word to him, and he was compelled
+to bear the malicious jokes of the courtiers. But let us leave Choisy
+and the experimentalist, and return to Versailles and myself.
+
+My friends were excessively desirous for my presentation, which would
+decide my position at the chateau. As yet I only had an equivocal
+existence, having rank neither at play, theatre, or public festival; so
+that if the king should be capricious I could be dismissed as one of
+the demoiselles of the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_. The duc d'Aiguillon, whose
+attachment to me increased, calculated accurately all the advantages of
+this presentation. It would place me on the same footing with madame de
+Pompadour, and compel the ministers to come and work with me. The duke
+did not doubt but that M. de Choiseul would refuse to pay his _devoirs_
+to me, and that his resistance would lead to his fall. But for my
+presentation, it was necessary not only that the king should consent,
+for of that I was certain, but that he should desire it, and his desire
+could not be depended on.
+
+Louis XV was excessively timid: with an air which appeared of a
+dreadnaught quality, he was fearful at heart. The clamors of Versailles
+kept him in alarm; and he kept at his own court and at foreign courts
+secret agents, whose only care was to report to him the complaints
+of the people and the sarcasms and satires of society. The king was
+attached to them; and when the force of circumstances compelled him to
+abandon them, he still supported them clandestinely with all his power.
+A proof of what I advance may be known as regards the chevalier or
+chevaliere d'Eon, I know not which. But these secret agents were,
+unknown to the king, all devoted to the parliaments, and consequently
+inimical to courtiers, favorites, and especially mistresses. God knows
+how they disposed of us! By these unpropitious channels the king had
+learnt all the hatred which was borne to madame de Pompadour. He was
+afraid of exciting the discontent of the people by announcing another
+mistress, and was no less intimidated at the severity of madame Louise,
+and the ill-humor of his other children. He loved his pleasure much, but
+his ease more.
+
+Comte Jean, who was restrained by no considerations, advised me to
+overleap all difficulty, by asking the king myself for the favor which
+I coveted. His advice seemed rational, and I was besides urged on to do
+so. Each day brought to me impertinences said of me by the noble ladies
+of the chateau. I learnt that they boasted that I should never set foot
+in the great apartments, but should remain the obscure mistress of the
+king. This made me impatient, and by degrees deprived me of my natural
+gaiety.
+
+One day when the king was with me, he perceived my want of spirits.
+
+"What ails you?" said be, with the greatest solicitude.
+
+"What ails me!" replied I, "I wish I were dead, rather than see myself
+the butt of all the scandal of the foul-mouthed gossips of your court."
+
+The king, suspecting the confidence I was about to repose in him, was
+sorry he had asked for it, and was silent. He began to play a tattoo
+with his fingers on the chimney-piece. At this moment mademoiselle Chon
+came in. The king, delighted at seeing her, instantly inquired into her
+state of health. She, after a profound reverence, said,
+
+"Sire, how can I be well when there is trouble in my family?"
+
+"Ah, _bon Dieu_! what is this?" said he, turning to me.
+
+"I am insulted, hooted: they say that I have the misfortune to be no
+longer in the good graces of your majesty."
+
+"Ah, tell them they lie in their throats," replied the king, kissing me
+on the forehead; "you are the woman of my heart, and she whom I would
+fain load with honors."
+
+"Your majesty speaks to me," I answered, "with great condescension [my
+sister-in-law left the room that she might not spoil the explanation],
+but yet you are the cause of the insolences which I am subjected to from
+the vile crew."
+
+"What is the matter with you to-day? In truth you are a perfect little
+devil."
+
+"I wish I were, that I might punish evil tongues, since there is no king
+of France to avenge me."
+
+"You are severe, madame," replied Louis XV, turning his imposing and
+handsome face towards me, and to which he vainly endeavored to give an
+air of anger. I saw my success, and added,
+
+"Yes, sire, it is insupportable for me to think that I am supposed not
+to possess your friendship, and that I only play the part of a temporary
+friend. It makes me wretched: you must not be angry if I complain of you
+to your royal self."
+
+"Well, well, you madcap, what must I do? Whom must I banish?"
+
+"Oh, sire, no one: with your august support I fear no person; nothing
+but appearances."
+
+"You are an excellent creature; in your place madame de Pompadour would
+have imprisoned half France."
+
+"That was because she loved revenge better than she loved your majesty.
+As for me, I should be miserable if I were the cause of one single
+family complaining against you."
+
+The king, delighted at these words, which really came from my heart,
+embraced me tenderly two or three times, and said,
+
+"I wish your enemies could understand you, for they would soon be at
+your knees. But if we imprison or exile no person, how shall we strike
+terror into them?"
+
+"It is not terror but envy that I would excite. Let me be presented at
+court, and all my wishes will be satisfied."
+
+"I cannot for the life of me divine why you should lay so much stress
+on coming to weary yourself with the ceremonies of myself and daughters.
+Heaven preserve you from all the irksomeness of court ceremony!" And
+Louis XV sighed. "Did you ever think," he added, "of all the vanities,
+all the interests I have to manage; all the intrigues that are
+perpetually agitating, and all the opposition made to me? The court,
+the city, the people, will rise against me: they will clamor,
+groan, complain; verse, prose, epigram, and pamphlet will appear in
+uninterrupted succession. You would be first attacked, and hatred will
+perhaps extend to me. I shall see again the times when the Damiens,
+in the name of the parliaments, as one party says, in the name of the
+Jesuits, as the other party says, and, what is more true, in the name--"
+
+The king suddenly paused; a deep shade of melancholy settled on his
+features, his noble head dropped on his bosom. Louis XV remained for
+some time motionless; at length,
+
+"Well," he exclaimed, attempting to force a smile, "well! I will write
+to the ladies de Grammont, to inform them that they need not give
+themselves the trouble to remain near me at the chateau."
+
+On his saying these words I darted towards the door, and went into my
+chamber. The king followed, and finding there mademoiselle Chon, who was
+working at some tapestry, said to her,
+
+"Mademoiselle, I confide to your care, and by oral _lettre de cachet_,
+the most amiable little devil in France. And now, mademoiselle du Barry,
+having nothing further to add, I pray God to take you to His powerful
+and holy keeping."
+
+After this pleasantry the king, delighted at the gay termination of
+a somewhat serious scene, went, or rather vanished; for to use a
+proverbial expression, he ran like a thief.
+
+As soon as I was alone with my sister-in-law, I told her all that had
+passed.
+
+"I see," said she, "that the king is fearful of offending the duc de
+Choiseul, and giving annoyance to his daughters. But a step must
+be determined on which will place you out of the reach of complete
+disgrace. Would it not be best to get some nobleman, who can do so with
+influence, to speak to him on the subject? If the duc de Richelieu were
+here--"
+
+"But," I instantly exclaimed, "have we not his nephew, the duc
+d'Aiguillon? He is well with the king, and I am certain will take the
+most lively interest in all that concerns me."
+
+"I have no doubt of it," said Chon, with a sly look. "Write to him to
+come, and you can arrange your ulterior proceedings."
+
+On this advice, which was quite to my taste, I went instantly to my
+writing-table, the last present which the king had made me. It was made
+of silver gilt, and china slabs beautifully painted. When I opened it,
+a glass was lifted which reflected my countenance. I sat down and wrote
+the following note to the duc d'Aiguillon:--
+
+"You must be content. I want your assistance, I really want it. The
+moment has come for deserving all my confidence. Will you have it at all
+risks and perils? Reflect well before you undertake this: if you accept,
+come to-day at five o'clock precisely, neither later nor sooner."
+
+A little while afterwards the following reply was brought.
+
+"One thing displeases me in your letter which else enchants me. You
+appear to doubt my obedience. Am I not your slave? And when you say to
+me _go_, will I not _go_? Rely on me as on yourself; even more: for your
+vivacity may lead you into error, and I shall preserve my reason. Yes,
+madame, I will, when near you, preserve my reason when your interests
+are at stake. At the fixed hour I shall have the honor to lay at your
+feet my respectful homage and boundless devotion."
+
+It was impossible to express a real sentiment with more delicacy. I
+was charmed at it, no longer doubting that the duke would consider my
+interests as his own. I awaited the hour of five with impatience,
+when my good fortune brought the prince de Soubise. After the first
+compliments,
+
+"Well, madame la comtesse, when is your presentation to take place?"
+
+"I do not know, monsieur le marechal; there are obstacles in the way.
+I fear that they who wish to injure me abuse their influence with the
+king."
+
+"I see that his majesty hesitates, altho' he is desirous of giving you
+station. He must be stimulated to know that he is master; and that if he
+shows any wavering in this particular, it will be made use of to govern
+him hereafter."
+
+Heartily did I applaud the language of M. de Soubise: I did not suspect
+that the dear prince had another motive behind. At the end of the
+interview he said,
+
+"Madame, you would not have been as you now are had you been more
+conciliatory towards me. I know the king, and know how to manage him. I
+flatter myself that you would have been now presented had you deigned to
+hear my advice."
+
+"Did I reject it? Was I wrong in declining to have mademoiselle Guimard
+as ambassadress? Were you assured of her silence? Might she not have
+compromised us?"
+
+"You are right; I did as one would have done at your age, and you have
+done as I should do at mine; but there is always time to amend."
+
+"Certainly, prince."
+
+"You accept my advice, then."
+
+"Yes," I replied, seeing the defile in which he wished to entrap me,
+"yes, if I am presented thro' your influence, from that moment you
+become my guide and mentor. But it is important that the presentation be
+not delayed; I rely on you to speak to the king this day about it; and
+I know that he will give me every particular of the immense service you
+will render me."
+
+For once the madcap girl got the better of the practised courtier. M. de
+Soubise, taken in his own snare, politely excused himself, and left me
+with an assurance that he would speak to the king. He did speak, but
+obtained nothing more than any other. You will see in my next letter
+that I did not arrive at the accomplishment of my wishes without much
+trouble. There were in this affair more intrigues for and against me
+than were afterwards set on foot to decide war with America.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+     The comtesse and the duc d'Aiguillon--M. de Soubise--Louis
+     XV and the duc d'Aiguillon--Letter from the comtesse to the
+     king--Answer of the king-The "_Nouvelles a la Main_"--The
+     comtesse and Louis XV--The supper--The court ladies
+     mystified--The comtesse and M. de Sartines
+
+I was still triumphing at the skill which I had displayed in my
+conference with the prince de Soubise when the duc d'Aiguillon entered.
+
+"Good heaven," said he, kissing my hand very tenderly, "into what
+inquietude did you throw me by your dear and cruel letter. The ambiguity
+of your style has caused me inexpressible sorrow; and you have added to
+it by not allowing me to come to you at the first moment."
+
+"I could not: I thought it would be dangerous for you to appear before
+the king previously to having seen me."
+
+"Would the king have thought my visit strange?" asked the duke, not
+without some emotion.
+
+"That is not the point. The black spite of my enemies has not yet
+deprived me of the counsels of a friend. But as it is necessary to speak
+to the king in my favor, I wish that he should not know that you do so
+at my request."
+
+After this I related to the duke my conversation with the king.
+
+"Your situation is delicate," said he to me, "but it should not trouble
+you. The king is weak, we must give him courage. It is his pliancy of
+disposition rather than his resistance that we must contend with, and I
+go to act upon it."
+
+I then instructed the duke with what had passed between me and the
+prince de Soubise. When I had done, the duke replied:
+
+"Expect nothing from the prince de Soubise: he will speak, no doubt; but
+how? In a jesting, laughing way. If, however, you think he can at all
+serve you, give him all your confidence."
+
+"No, no, never," I replied with quickness; "it is not a thing to be done
+lightly; we do not select a confidant, counsellor, or friend, at random.
+Do you not know this, M. le duc? It is requisite that the heart of
+the one who speaks should repose itself on the heart of the friend who
+listens. I repeat to you that I have no feeling of confidence towards
+M. de Soubise. In fact," I added with visible and troubled emotion, "my
+choice is made, and you have too much heroism to wish to combat it."
+
+At these flattering words the duke precipitated himself at my feet, and
+swore to support my cause with all his power and interest. I replied
+that I fully relied on his devotion and prudence. Comte Jean entered,
+and it was agreed between us three that I should say no more to the king
+of my presentation before the duc d'Aiguillon had spoken to him of it;
+that I should content myself with complaining without peevishness, and
+that we should leave the opening measure to the prince de Soubise, and
+let him break the ice to his majesty.
+
+The prince de Soubise behaved exactly as the duke had told me: he came
+to me the next morning with a mysterious air, which already informed
+me of all he had to say. He said that he had vainly tormented the king;
+that his majesty wished things to remain just as they were, and desired
+that until a new order of things nothing should be altered.
+
+"I am sorry for it, monsieur le marechal," I replied. "Whilst I am in
+this precarious situation, whilst I remain in a corner of the stage as a
+confidante of tragedy, I can do nothing for my friends, particularly for
+you, monsieur le marechal."
+
+"On the contrary, madame," he replied, "the king will be more disposed
+to listen to you whilst he will suppose that your influence is unknown."
+
+"Oh," cried I with a feeling of anger, "you gentlemen courtiers think
+of nothing but politics. As for me, who am a woman, I have other matters
+for consideration: I must have honors, title, rank. My self-love suffers
+cruelly when I see myself immolated by the fear which the ladies de
+Grammont and three or four other intriguers of their party are able to
+excite."
+
+The prince was somewhat startled at the freedom of language which I
+used towards ladies in such credit at court: he begged me to moderate my
+feelings, and be less moved and excited. By this the prince de Soubise
+lost the esteem which I might have accorded him, and the second place in
+my counsels, which I might have given him.
+
+I told the duke, who came to see me the moment afterwards, of the
+failure of the prince's attempt. He told me that he had not hoped for
+a better result. He went to the king, flattering himself with hopes of
+better success, but did not find him.
+
+The daughters of Louis XV had united against me with a fury which
+nothing could justify. They were incessantly talking scandal of my past
+life, as if there were only saints at court, as if they had no pranks
+of their own to reproach themselves with. All the chateau knew of their
+lovers, and there was _living_ evidence of the tenderness of madame
+Adelaide: as for madame Louise she was an angel upon earth, and was the
+only one who did not join in the cry against me. On the other hand, the
+king, whilst he had but little love for his dear daughters, preserved
+towards them a complaisance and external appearance of kindness which
+was a substitute for parental love. When _mesdames royales_ cried out,
+he stopped his ears with his two hands, and seemed, whilst looking
+proudly at France, to say, "Am not I a good father, and are not my
+daughters very happy, for I let them cry out with all their might?"
+
+The next day the duc d'Aiguillon went again to the king, and found him
+bewildered with family scenes and the murmurings of the Choiseuls. When
+my ambassador had delivered his message, the king asked him if he, as
+well as the prince de Soubise, had been set upon his haunches by me.
+
+The duke, nothing intimidated at this, told the king that far from
+having wished that he should be my interpreter, I had requested him not
+to allude to the matter.
+
+"Why, then," said Louis XV laughing, "do you not follow the advice of
+the comtesse?"
+
+"Because I entertain a sincere attachment for her, and that I am vexed
+to hear it said that there are persons who lead your majesty."
+
+"Who are the insolents that hold such language?"
+
+"They surround you, sire. There is not a female here but affirms that
+you dare not decide on the presentation of the comtesse."
+
+"I alone am master, and will let them know it when the opportunity
+arrives; but the present moment is not fitting. The comtesse knows how
+well I love her; and if she will prove her friendship towards me, she
+will remain quiet for some time."
+
+The duke thought it best to be silent, and came to me. After relating
+the conversation, he added, "Do not appear at all dejected; the king
+would not then visit you lest he should find you out of temper. Were I
+you I should write to him; a word of peace would set him at ease."
+
+I approved this advice, and instantly penned the following letter:--
+
+"Sire--They tell me that your majesty has been tormented on my account.
+It is a treason of which I alone could believe myself capable. But why
+should I complain? You have done so much for me that I ought to
+esteem myself happy: your august friendship consoles me thro' all my
+annoyances. Be assured that henceforth I shall pout no more; I will be
+the best sheep in the world, relying on my shepherd for not having my
+fleece cut too closely; for after all I think I am the petted ewe, etc."
+
+A short time afterwards a page brought me a splendid box of _bonbons_
+with a pair of ruby ear-rings surrounded with diamonds, and this short
+billet:--
+
+"Yes, assuredly you are my pet ewe, and always shall be. The shepherd
+has a strong crook with which he will drive away those who would injure
+you. Rely on your shepherd for the care of your tranquillity, and the
+peace of your future life."
+
+In the evening the king visited me. He was embarrassed, but I set him at
+ease by showing him a laughing countenance, talking only of his present,
+which I had in my ears, and shaking my head about to keep the drops in
+motion, which sparkled with great brilliancy. He was pleased at this,
+and did not leave me all the evening. In the morning we were the best
+friends in the world.
+
+Some days elapsed, when comte Jean came to me, bringing two infamous
+articles which had appeared in the "_Nouvelles a la Main_," and were
+directed against me. They were atrocious and deeply chagrined me: I
+placed them on the mantel-piece, where all who came in could see them.
+The duc de Duras read them, and said, "Conceal these atrocities from the
+king."
+
+"No," was my reply, "I wish him to read them, that he may know how his
+affections are respected, and how the police of Paris are employed in
+doing their duty to the throne."
+
+These last words annoyed M. de Duras, between whom and M. de Sartines
+there was a connection: the duke was indebted to the lieutenant-general
+of police for the special surveillance which he kept over a young girl
+of whom he, the duc de Duras, was foolishly enamoured. Trembling for
+his _dear friend_ M. de Sartines, he wrote to him in haste, but had not
+courage or talent enough to undertake the defence of the guilty person.
+
+The king came as usual; his general station was at the chimney-piece,
+where he amused himself with looking at the baubles that ornamented it.
+The "_Nouvelles a la Main_" fell in his way. He read them once, then
+again; then, without uttering a word, threw them into the fire. I
+observed him, and saw that he was full of emotion which he sought to
+conceal, but the anger burst forth soon. The prince de Soubise, who
+supped with us that evening, asked the duc de Duras if he had read the
+"_Gazette de France._"
+
+"No," was the reply; "I seldom read such nonsense."
+
+"And you are quite right," said the king. "There is at present a most
+inconceivable mania for writing. What is the use, I ask you, gentlemen,
+of this deluge of books and pamphlets with which France is inundated?
+They only contain the spirit of rebellion: the freedom of writing ought
+not to be given to every body. There should be in a well-regulated state
+seven or eight writers, not more; and these under the inspection of
+government. Authors are the plague of France; you will see whither they
+will lead it."
+
+The king spoke this with an animated air, and if at this moment M. de la
+Vrilliere had come to ask for a _lettre de cachet_ against a writer, the
+king would not have refused it.
+
+"Besides," added the king, in a tone of less anger, but no less
+emphatically, "I see with pain that the police do not do their duty with
+regard to all these indignities."
+
+"Yet," said the duc de Duras, "M. de Sartines does wonders."
+
+"Then why does he tolerate such insults? I will let him know my
+discontent."
+
+The duc de Duras was alarmed, and kept his mouth closed. The king then,
+resuming his gaiety, joked the two gentlemen on their secret intrigues:
+then changing the conversation suddenly, he talked of the expected
+arrival of the king of Denmark.
+
+"Duc de Duras," said he, "you and your son must do the office of master
+of ceremonies to his _Polar_ majesty. I hope you will endeavor to amuse
+him."
+
+"Yes, sire."
+
+"Mind, what you undertake is no joke. It is no easy matter to amuse a
+king."
+
+This was a truth which I perceived at every moment, and our monarch
+was not the one to be amused with trifling exertion. Frequently when
+he entered my apartment he threw himself on an ottoman, and yawned most
+excessively, yes, yawned in my company. I had but one mode of rousing
+him from this apathy, but it was a sure one. I spoke of the high
+magistracy and its perpetual resistance to the throne. Then the king
+aroused, instantly sprung from his seat, traversed the room with rapid
+strides, and declaimed vigorously against the _black gowns_; thus he
+styled the parliaments. I confess, however, that I only had recourse to
+the "black gowns" at the last extremity. Little did I think that at a
+later period I should league myself against them. On the one hand, the
+duc d'Aiguillon hated them mortally, and on the other, the comte Jean,
+like a real Toulousian, would have carried them in his slippers; so that
+wavering between the admiration of the one and the hatred of the other,
+I knew not which to listen to, or which party to side with. But to
+return to present matters.
+
+The king was always thinking of the "_ Nouvelles a la Main,_" and
+determined to avenge me as openly as I had been attacked. Two or three
+days afterwards he gave a supper, to which he invited the duchesse and
+comtesse de Grammont, madame de Forcalquier, the princess de Marsan, the
+marechale de Mirepoix, and the comtesses de Coigny and de Montbarrey.
+They were seated at table laughing and amusing themselves; they talked
+of the pleasure of being to _themselves_, of having no _strangers_; they
+pierced me with a hundred thrusts; they triumphed! And yet the king was
+laughing in his sleeve. At a premeditated signal the duc d'Aiguillon,
+one of the guests, asked his majesty if he had seen the comtesse du
+Barry that day. This terrible name, thrown suddenly into the midst of my
+enemies, had the effect of a thunder-clap. All the ladies looked at each
+other first and then at the king, and the duc d'Aiguillon, reserving
+profound silence. His majesty then replied, that he had not had the
+happiness of visiting me that day, not having had one moment's leisure;
+then eulogized me at great length, and ended by saying to the duke, "If
+you see the comtesse before I do, be sure to say that I drank this glass
+of wine to her health."
+
+The ladies did not anticipate this. The duchesse de Grammont
+particularly, in spite of long residence at court, turned pale to her
+very ears, and I believe but for etiquette she would have fallen into
+a swoon. I learnt afterwards from the marechale de Mirepoix, that the
+duchesse, on going home, gave herself up to a fit of rage, which did
+not terminate even on the following day. When the king related this
+occurrence to me, he was as proud of it as if he had done a most
+courageous deed.
+
+But I have omitted a day which was of great importance to me in
+its consequences. I mean the day which followed that on which I had
+complained to the duc de Duras of M. the lieutenant of police. In the
+morning early my sister-in-law came into my room.
+
+"Sister," said she, "comte Jean is here with M. de Sartines, who begs to
+pay his respects to you. Will you receive him?"
+
+"M. de Sartines! Yes, let him come in; I will treat him as he deserves."
+
+Comte Jean then came in, preceded by the lieutenant of police: he wore
+a large peruke with white powder, and curled with the utmost care. Wigs
+were his mania, and he had a room filled from floor to ceiling with
+these ornaments. The duc d'Ayen said, that he never should be in trouble
+about the council of state, for in case of need, it might be found and
+replenished from the house of the lieutenant of police. Let us leave
+wigs and revert to M. de Sartines.
+
+He appeared before me with the air of Tartuffe, and, forgive the phrase,
+_en vrai capon_.
+
+"Madame," said he to me, "I have been informed that I am in disgrace
+with you, and have come to inquire how I may extricate myself from this
+misfortune."
+
+"You ought to know, sir. Twice in one month have I been shamefully
+insulted; and yet the first intimation of such a thing ought to have put
+you on your guard."
+
+M. de Sartines, whom my tone had much surprised, endeavored to justify
+himself, when comte Jean said to him,
+
+"My dear lieutenant of police, all you have said goes for nothing. One
+thing is certain, and that is, that there is a deficiency of respect
+towards my sister-in-law. You say that it is not your fault: what proof
+do you give us of this? What inquiries have you made? What measures have
+you taken? Any? Why do you come to us if you aid our enemies?"
+
+M. de Sartines would fain have ensconced himself in his own dignity.
+
+"M. du Barry," was his reply, "I shall render an account of my conduct
+to the king."
+
+"Very well, sir," I replied, "but do not suppose that either you or the
+Choiseuls can give me any cause of fear."
+
+M. de Sartines was thunderstruck; my boldness astonished him. At length
+he said,
+
+"Madame, you are angry with me causelessly; I am more negligent than
+culpable. It is useless to say this to the king."
+
+"I will not conceal from you, sir, that he knows it all, and is greatly
+discontented with you."
+
+"I am lost then," said M. de Sartines.
+
+"Lost! not precisely," replied comte Jean; "but you must decide at once
+and for ever what party you will join. If you are with us they will use
+you harshly; if you take the opposite party look to yourself. Choose."
+
+After some turnings and twistings, accompanied with compliments, M. de
+Sartines declared that he would range himself under our banner. Then
+I extended to him my hand in token of reconciliation; he took it with
+respect, and kissed it with gallantry. Up to this time we had conversed
+with feelings of restraint and standing; but now we seated ourselves,
+and begun a conference in form, as to the manner of preventing a
+recurrence of the offensive outrages against me. As a proof of good
+intention M. de Sartines told me the author of the two articles of which
+I complained. He was a wretch, named Ledoux, who for twelve hundred
+livres per annum wrote down all those who displeased the duchesse de
+Grammont. This lady had no fear of doing all that was necessary to
+remove every obstacle to the publication of such infamies.
+
+After M. de Sartines had given us all the details which we desired,
+and after I had promised to reconcile him to his master, he went away
+delighted with having seen me. Believe me, my friend, it is necessary to
+be as handsome as I am, that is to say, as I was, to seduce a lieutenant
+of police.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+     The sieur Ledoux--The _lettre de cachet_--The duc de la
+     Vrilliere--Madame de Langeac--M. de Maupeou--Louis XV--The
+     comte Jean
+
+On that very evening, the king having come to me, I said to him,
+
+"Sire, I have made acquaintance with M. de Sartines."
+
+"What! has he been to make friends with you?"
+
+"Something like it: but he has appeared to me less culpable than I
+thought. He had only yielded to the solicitation of my personal enemy."
+
+"You cannot have one at my court, madame; the lieutenant of police would
+have done well not to have named her to you."
+
+"Thanks to him, however, I shall now know whom I ought to mistrust. I
+know also who is the author of the two scurrilous paragraphs."
+
+"Some scamp, no doubt; some beggarly scoundrel."
+
+"A monsieur Ledoux."
+
+"Ah, I know the fellow. His bad reputation has reached me. It must be
+stopped at last."
+
+So saying, Louis XV went to the chimney, and pulled the bell-rope with
+so much vehemence that ten persons answered it at once.
+
+"Send for the duc de la Vrilliere; if he be not suitably attired let him
+come in his night-gown, no matter so that he appear quickly."
+
+On hearing an order given in this manner a stranger might have supposed
+the king crazy, and not intent on imprisoning a miserable libeller. I
+interceded in his favor, but Louis XV, delighted at an opportunity
+of playing the king at a small cost, told me that it was no person's
+business, and he would be dictated to by no one. I was silent, reserving
+myself until another opportunity when I could undertake the defence of
+the poor devil.
+
+The duc de la Vrilliere arrived, not in a dressing-gown, as the king
+had authorized, but in magnificent costume. He piqued himself on his
+expenditure, and always appeared superbly attired, altho' the splendor
+of his apparel could not conceal the meanness of his look. He was the
+oldest secretary of state, and certainly was the least skilful, least
+esteemed, least considered. Some time after his death some one said of
+him in the presence of the duc d'Ayen, that he had been an unfortunate
+man, for he had been all his life the butt of public hatred and
+universal contempt. "Rather say," replied the duke, "that he has been a
+fortunate man; for if justice had been rendered to him according to his
+deserts, he would have been hanged at least a dozen times."
+
+The duc d'Ayen was right: M. de la Vrilliere was a brazen-faced rogue;
+a complete thief, without dignity, character, or heart. His cupidity
+was boundless: the _lettres de cachet_ emanated from his office, and he
+carried on an execrable trade in them. If any person wished to get rid
+of a father, brother, or husband, they only had to apply to M. de la
+Vrilliere. He sold the king's signature to all who paid ready money for
+it. This man inspired me with an invincible horror and repugnance. For
+his part, as I was not disgusting, he contented himself with hating me;
+he was animated against me by his old and avaricious mistress, madame
+de Langeac, alias Subutin. Langeac could not endure me. She felt that
+it was better to be the mistress of Louis XV than that of the _petit la
+Vrilliere _, for so her lover was called at court. I knew that she was
+no friend of mine, and that her lover sided with the Choiseuls against
+me; and was consequently the more delighted to see the little scoundrel
+come to receive the order for avenging me. He entered with an air of
+embarrassment; and whilst he made me a salute as low as to the king,
+this latter, in a brief severe tone, ordered him to send the sieur
+Ledoux to Saint Lazare forthwith. He departed without reply, and half an
+hour afterwards returned, to say that it was done. The king then said to
+him,
+
+"Do you know this lady?"
+
+"No, sire."
+
+"Well, I desire you henceforward to have the greatest consideration for
+her as my best friend, and whoever wishes to prove his zeal for me, will
+honor and cherish her."
+
+The king then invited him to sup with us, and I am sure that during the
+whole repast I was the hardest morsel he had to digest.
+
+Some days afterwards I made acquaintance with a person much more
+important than the little duke, and destined to play a great part in the
+history of France. I mean M. de Maupeou, the late chancellor, who, in
+his disgrace, would not resign his charge. M. de Maupeou possessed one
+of those firm and superior minds, which, in spite of all obstacles,
+change the face of empires. Ardent, yet cool; bold, but reflective; the
+clamors of the populace did not astonish, nor did any obstacles arrest
+him. He went on in the direct path which his will chalked out. Quitting
+the magistracy, he became its most implacable enemy, and after a deadly
+combat he came off conqueror. He felt that the moment had arrived for
+freeing royalty from the chains which it had imposed on itself. It was
+necessary, he has said to me a hundred times, for the kings of France
+in past ages to have a popular power on which they could rely for the
+overturning of the feudal power. This power they found in the high
+magistracy; but since the reign of Louis XIII the mission of the
+parliaments had finished, the nobility was reduced, and they became no
+less formidable than the enemy whom they had aided in subduing.
+
+"Before fifty years," pursued M. de Maupeou, "kings will be nothing in
+France, and parliaments will be everything."
+
+Talented, a good speaker, even eloquent, M. de Maupeou possessed
+qualities which made the greatest enterprises successful. He was
+convinced that all men have their price, and that it is only to find
+out the sum at which they are purchasable.* As brave personally as a
+marechal of France, his enemies (and he had many) called him a coarse
+and quarrelsome man. Hated by all, he despised men in a body, and jeered
+at them individually; but little sensible to the charms of our sex, he
+only thought of us by freaks, and as a means of relaxation. This is M.
+de Maupeou, painted to the life. As for his person, you know it as well
+as I do. I have no need to tell you, that he was little, ugly, and his
+complexion was yellow, bordering upon green. It must be owned, however,
+that his face, full of thought and intelligence, fully compensated for
+all the rest.
+
+     *This gentleman would have been an able coadjutor for Sir
+     Robert Walpole.--Trans.
+
+You know how, as first president of the parliament of Paris, he
+succeeded his father as vice-chancellor. At the resignation of the
+titular M. de Lamoignon*, the elder Maupeou received his letters of
+nomination, and as soon as they were registered, he resigned in favor of
+his son. The Choiseuls had allowed the latter to be nominated, relying
+on finding him a creature. I soon saw that the Choiseuls were mistaken.
+
+     *In September, 1768.  (au.)
+
+It was in the month of October, that Henriette, always my favorite, came
+to me with an air of unusual mystery, to say, that a black* and ugly
+gentleman wished to see me; that on the usual reply that I was not
+visible, he had insisted, and sent, at the same time, a cautiously
+sealed note. I took it, opened, and read these words:--
+
+    *i.e., black-haired and/or dressed in black (Gutenberg ed.)
+
+"The chancellor of France wishes to have the honor of presenting his
+respectful homage to madame la comtesse du Barry."
+
+"Let him come in," I said to Henriette.
+
+"I will lay a wager, madame, that he comes to ask some favor."
+
+"I believe," replied I, "that he is more frequently the solicited than
+the solicitor."
+
+Henriette went out, and in a few minutes led in, thro' the private
+corridors which communicated with my apartment, his highness monseigneur
+Rene Nicolas Charles Augustin de Maupeou, chevalier and chancellor of
+France. As soon as he entered I conceived a good opinion of him, altho'
+I had only seen him walk. His step was firm and assured, like that of a
+man confident in the resources of his own talents.
+
+"Madame la comtesse du Barry," he said, "would have a right to complain
+of me, if I did not come and lay my person at her feet. I had the more
+impatience to express to her my devotion, as I feared she had been
+prejudiced against me."
+
+"How, monseigneur?"
+
+"The gate by which I entered the ministry--"
+
+"Is not agreeable to me, as being that of my enemies, but I feel assured
+that you will not side with them against me."
+
+"Certainly not, madame; it is my wish to give you pleasure in every
+thing, and I flatter myself I may merit your friendship."
+
+After many other compliments, the Chancellor asked me, with much
+familiarity, when my presentation was to take place, and why it had
+not yet occurred. I replied, that the delay arose from the intrigues
+of Choiseul, and the king shrunk from the discontent of a handful of
+courtiers.
+
+"I am sorry for it," said M. de Maupeou; "in the first place, madame,
+because of the interest I take in you, and also because for his majesty,
+it would be a means of striking terror into the opposing party. You
+know, madame, how annoying parliaments are to all your friends, and
+with what bitterness those of Bretagne and Paris, at this moment, are
+pursuing the duc d'Aiguillon."
+
+"Do you think," I replied with emotion, "that matters are unfavorable
+towards him?"
+
+"I hope not, but he must be warmly supported."
+
+"Ah! I will aid him with all my influence. He is no doubt innocent of
+the crimes imputed to him."
+
+"Yes, certainly. He has done no other wrong than to defend the authority
+of the crown against the enmity of the parliaments."
+
+We continued some time to talk of parliaments and parliament men: then
+we agreed that M. de Maupeou should see me again, accompanied by the duc
+d'Aiguillon, who should have the credit of presenting him, and he left
+me with as much mystery as he had entered.
+
+When the king came to see me, I said to him, "I have made acquaintance
+with your chancellor: he is a very amiable man, and I hope that he will
+not conduct himself improperly towards me."
+
+"Where did you see him?"
+
+"Here, sire, and but a short time since."
+
+"He came then to visit you?"
+
+"Yes, in person, that he might obtain the favor of being permitted to
+pay his court to me."
+
+"Really what you tell me seems perfectly unaccountable. He has then
+burst from the hands of the Choiseuls? It is amusing. Poor Choiseul,
+when soliciting for Maupeou, he most tremendously deceived himself."
+
+"At least, sire, you must own that he has given you no fool."
+
+"True. The chancellor is a man full of talents, and I do not doubt but
+that he will restore to my crown that power which circumstances have
+deprived it of. However, if you see him familiarly, advise him not to
+persuade me to extreme measures. I wish all should work for the best,
+without violent courses and without painful struggles."
+
+These last words proved to me the natural timidity of the king.
+
+"I knew very well," added the king, "that Maupeou would not prove a man
+for the Choiseuls. The main point is, that he should be mine, and I am
+content."
+
+Louis XV was then satisfied with the chancellor, but he was not equally
+so with the comte Jean.
+
+"I do not like," said he to me, "your Du Barry monkey. He is a
+treacherous fellow, who has betrayed his party, and I hope some of these
+mornings we shall hear that the devil has wrung his neck."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+     The king of Denmark--The courtesans of Paris--The duc de
+     Choiseul and the bishop of Orleans--Witty repartees of the
+     king of Denmark--His visit to madame du Barry--"The court of
+     king Petaud," a satire--Letter of the duc d'Aiguillon to
+     Voltaire--The duchesse de Grammont mystified--Unpublished
+     letter of Voltaire's
+
+From this moment, and in spite of all that comte Jean could say
+against it, a new counsellor was admitted to my confidence. He was the
+chancellor. The duc d'Aiguillon and he were on very good terms, and
+these two, with the abbe Teray, of whom I shall speak to you presently,
+formed a triumvirate, which governed France from the disgrace of M. de
+Choiseul to the death of the king. But before I enter upon a detail
+of those politics, of which you will find that I understand something,
+allow me to continue the history of my presentation, and also to give
+some account of Christian VII.
+
+You know that his Danish majesty was expected with anything but pleasure
+by the king of France, and with curiosity by the rest of the nation. Men
+and women were impatient to see a king, under twenty years of age, who
+was traversing Europe with a design of attaining instruction. Married
+to a lovely woman, Caroline Mathilde, he had left her on the instant,
+without suspecting that this separation would prove fatal to both. At
+Paris, the real character of this prince was not known, but a confused
+report of his gallantry was spread abroad, on which all the courtesans
+of note in the city began to try all arts to please him, each hoping
+to attract him to herself, and dip into his strong box. M. de Sartines
+amused us one evening, the king and myself, by telling us of the plans
+of these ladies. Some were going to meet his Danish majesty, others
+were to await him at the barrier, and two of the most renowned,
+mesdemoiselles Gradi and Laprairie, had their portraits painted, to send
+to the young monarch as soon as he should arrive.
+
+Christian VII entered Paris the latter end of the month of October,
+1768. MM. de Duras complimented him in the king's name, and informed him
+that they were charged with the office of receiving his commands during
+his residence in Paris. The interview of the king and the illustrious
+stranger took place at Versailles. Christian VII came thither in the
+state-carriage, and was conducted by the duc de Duras into the apartment
+of the dauphin, where he remained until Louis XV was prepared to receive
+him. I had heard much discussion about this reception. It was said, that
+to make a distinction between sovereign of a petty state and that of the
+superb kingdom of France, it was requisite that the former should await
+for some time the audience which the latter accorded. I am sure that
+when the peace with Frederick was agitated, the face of Louis XV was not
+more grave and serious than during this puerile debate about etiquette.
+
+The duc de Choiseul, who had the control of foreign affairs, was in the
+apartment to receive his Danish majesty, with his colleagues, the duc
+de Praslin, the comte de Saint-Florentin (whom I have called by
+anticipation duc de la Vrilliere), M. Bertin, M. Mainon d'Invau,
+controller of the finances, and M. de Jarente, bishop of Orleans and
+one of the ministry. He kept himself somewhat in the background, as
+tho' from humility. The duc de Choiseul came up to him, and said, with a
+smile,
+
+"Monseigneur, what brings you in contact with a heretic?"
+
+"To watch for the moment of penitence."
+
+"But what will you do if it become necessary to teach him his _credo_?"
+
+M. de Jarente understood the joke, and was the first to jest upon his
+own unepiscopal conduct, replying to the duc de Choiseul,
+
+"There is a person present who knows it; he will whisper it to me, and,
+if necessary, the _Veni Creator_ also."
+
+The king of Denmark was congratulated by the duc de Choiseul,
+who discharged this duty with as much grace as wit. Afterwards M.
+Desgranges, master of the ceremonies, having announced that Louis XV was
+visible, the king of Denmark, preceded by his gentlemen and the French
+ministers and lords, went to the king's cabinet, in which two arm-chairs
+precisely alike were prepared, but his majesty of Denmark positively
+refused to be seated. He entered into conversation, and felicitated
+himself on seeing a monarch, whose renown filled Europe, and whom
+he should take as his model. During this conversation Christian VII
+displayed the greatest amiability. Our king, speaking to him, said, "I
+am old enough to be your father"; to which he replied, "All my conduct
+towards you shall be that of a son." This was thought admirable; and
+at the termination of the interview Louis XV appeared charmed with his
+brother of Denmark. "He is a complete Frenchman," said he to me, "and I
+should be sorry if he left me dissatisfied."
+
+That same evening Christian VII visited monseigneur the dauphin, in whom
+he did not find the urbanity of his grandfather. The conversation was
+short and abridged out of regard to our prince, who only stammered,
+without being able to find one polished phrase. Never was there in his
+youth a more timid and awkwardly conducted prince than the present king.
+I shall mention him and his brothers hereafter, but will now direct my
+immediate attention to the king of Denmark. He supped the same evening
+with Louis XV at a table with four and twenty ladies of the court,
+selected from amongst those most celebrated for the charms of their
+persons or their wit. As his Danish majesty was greatly struck with
+madame de Flaracourt, the king asked him how old the lady might be in
+his opinion.
+
+"Thirty, perhaps," was the reply.
+
+"Thirty, brother! she is fifty."
+
+"Then age has no influence at your court." I shall not copy the
+"_Gazette de France_" to tell you of the sojourn of Christian VII at
+Paris. I am not writing the journal of this prince but of myself. The
+king one day said to me,
+
+"My brother of Denmark has expressed to the duc de Duras a great desire
+to pay his respects to you, if you will accede to his wishes. I leave
+you entirely sovereign mistress of yourself, not without some fear
+however that the young king will steal away your heart from me."
+
+"Ah, sire," I replied, "that is an unjust suspicion; I should be angry
+about it if it were not a joke, and would refuse to see the king of
+Denmark did I not know how fully you are assured of my attachment to
+you."
+
+"I should not be so jealous, madame, if I did not set so much value on
+it," was the reply of the king, as he kissed my hand.
+
+The duc de Duras came the next day to inform me of the request of his
+new king. It was agreed, in order to keep the interview secret, that
+I should receive him at my own mansion in the Rue de la Jussienne,
+and that he should come there without suite, and with the strictest
+incognito. At the day and hour agreed he entered my house, escorting two
+strangers of admirable presence. One was the king of Denmark, under
+the name of comte de ------, and the other a nobleman of his suite.
+Christian VII appeared to me a very handsome man. He had large and
+singularly expressive eyes; too much so, perhaps, for their brilliancy
+was not of good augury; and I was not surprised at hearing subsequently
+that his reason had abandoned him, altho' he possessed and exerted his
+wit most perfectly during our conversation, in which he displayed the
+greatest gallantry. I could not reproach him with one single expression
+that was objectionable, altho' the subject of conversation was delicate.
+He discoursed of the feelings of the king towards me, and yet said not a
+word that was unsuited or out of place, nothing but what was in the best
+taste, and expressed with the utmost delicacy. I asked him if the ladies
+of Denmark were handsome. "I thought, madame," was his reply, "until
+now, that the ladies of my kingdom were the most lovely in Europe."
+
+We did not talk of myself only: Christian VII spoke of Paris with
+enthusiasm. "It is the capital of the world," he remarked, "and our
+states are but the provinces." He sought out our most celebrated
+_savants_ and _literati_, and was particularly delighted with
+d'Alembert, Diderot, la Harpe, and M. the comte de Buffon. He greatly
+regretted that Voltaire was not in Paris, and expressed his great desire
+to see at Ferney the great genius (as he termed him) who instructed and
+amused the world. He appeared weary of the fetes which were given,
+and especially with the deadly-lively company of the two Duras. It was
+enough to kill you to have only one of them, and you may imagine the
+torture of being bored with both. The duke had promised Louis XV to be
+as amusing as possible too! After a conversation of three hours, which
+his majesty (of course) said had appeared but of a moment, he left me
+delighted with his person, wit, and manners.
+
+When Louis XV saw me, he inquired my opinion of his Danish majesty.
+
+"He is," I replied, "a well-educated king, and that they say is a
+rarity."
+
+"True," said Louis XV, "there are so many persons who are interested in
+our ignorance, that it is a miracle if we escape out of their hands as
+reasonable beings."
+
+I went on to tell the king our conversation.
+
+"Ah," cried he, "here is one who will increase the vanity of the
+literary tribe: they want it, certainly. All these wits are our natural
+born enemies; and think themselves above us; and the more we honor them,
+the greater right do they assume to censure and despise us."
+
+This was the usual burden of his song: he hated men of learning.
+Voltaire especially was his detestation, on account of the numerous
+epigrams which this great man had written against him; and Voltaire
+had just given fresh subject of offence by publishing "_La Cour du Roi
+Petaud_" ("The Court of the King Petaud," ) a satire evidently directed
+as strongly against the king as your humble servant. M. de Voltaire had
+doubtless been encouraged to write this libel by the Choiseul party.
+He was at a distance, judged unfavorably of me, and thought he could
+scourge me without compromising himself.
+
+It was comte Jean who brought me these verses, in which there was less
+poetry than malevolence. I read them, was indignant, and wept. The duc
+d'Aiguillon came, and finding me in tears, inquired the cause.
+
+"Here," said I, giving him the poem, "see if you can bear so gross an
+insult." He took the paper, cast his eyes over it, and having folded it
+up, put it into his pocket.
+
+"It was ill done," said he, "to show this to you.  I knew of it
+yesterday, and came now to talk with you of it."
+
+"I rely on you to do me justice."
+
+"_Misericorde!_" cried the duke, "would you lose yourself in the eyes
+of all France? You would place yourself in a fine situation by declaring
+yourself the persecutrix of Voltaire. Only an enemy could have thus
+advised you."
+
+"That enemy was comte Jean."
+
+"Then your imprudence equals your zeal. Do you not perceive the
+advantage it would give to your adversaries were we to act in this
+manner? To the hatred of the court would be united that of the
+_literati_, women, and young persons. Voltaire is a god, who is not to
+be smitten without sacrilege."
+
+"Must I then tamely submit to be beaten?"
+
+"Yes, for the moment. But it will not last long; I have just written
+this letter to M. de Voltaire, that peace may be made between you:--
+
+"SIR,--The superiority of your genius places you amongst the number of
+the potentates of Europe. Every one desires, not only to be at peace
+with you, but even, if it be possible, to obtain your esteem. I flatter
+myself with being included in the ranks of your admirers; my uncle has
+spoken to you many times of my attachment to your person, and I embrace
+the opportunity of proving this by a means that now presents itself.
+
+"Persons in whom you place too much confidence have spread abroad, under
+your name, copies of a poem, entitled '_La Cour du Roi Petaud._' In
+this, wherein insult is cast on a personage who should be exempt from
+such offence, is also outraged, in a most indecent way, a lovely female,
+whom you would adore as we do, if you had the happiness to know her. Is
+it for the poet of the lover of Gabrielle to carry desolation into the
+kingdom of the Graces?
+
+"Your correspondents use you ill by leaving you in ignorance, that this
+young person has immense favor here; that we are all at her feet; that
+she is all powerful, and her anger is to be particularly avoided. She
+is the more to be propitiated, as yesterday, in Presence of a certain
+person whom your verses had greatly irritated, she took up your defence
+with as much grace as generosity. You see, sir, that you ought not to be
+on bad terms with her.
+
+"My uncle allows me to see, as one of the initiated, what you call your
+scraps, which are delicious feasts to us. I read them to the lady in
+question, who takes great delight in reciting, or hearing others recite,
+your verses, and she begs you will send her some as a proof of your
+repentance. Under these circumstances, if your bellicose disposition
+urges you on to war, we hope, before you continue it, that you will
+loyally and frankly declare it.
+
+"In conclusion, be assured that I shall defend you to my utmost, and am
+for life,
+
+"Yours, etc."
+
+Whilst we were awaiting Voltaire's reply, I determined to avenge myself
+on the duchesse de Grammont, who had encouraged him in his attack; and
+thus did I serve this lady. Persuaded that she did not know the writing
+of his Danish majesty, I wrote the following letter to her:--
+
+"MADAME LA DUCHESSE,--I have struggled to this time to avoid confessing
+to you how I am subdued. Happy should I be could I throw myself at your
+feet. My rank alone must excuse my boldness. Nothing would equal my
+joy if this evening, at the theatre at madame de Villeroi's, you would
+appear with blue feathers in your head-dress. I do not add my name; it
+is one of those which should not be found at the bottom of a declaration
+of love."
+
+In spite of all her penetration, the duchesse de Grammont did not
+perceive, in the emphatic tone of this letter, that it was a trick.
+Her self-love made her believe that a woman of more than forty could be
+pleasing to a king not yet twenty. She actually went in the evening to
+madame de Villeroi's dressed in blue, with a blue plumed head-dress. She
+was placed next to his Danish majesty. Christian VII addressed her in
+most courteous terms, but not one word of love.
+
+The duchesse imagining that the prince was timid, looked at him with
+eyes of tenderness, and endeavored to attract and encourage him by all
+means she could devise, but the monarch did not understand her. The
+duchesse then addressed a few words, which she hoped would lead to
+an explanation, but, to her dismay, his majesty did not appear to
+understand her. Madame de Grammont was furious at this affair. The duc
+d'Aiguillon, who was close to her, had seen all, heard all, and related
+particulars to me. The same day I told the king of my trick and
+its success. He laughed excessively, and then scolded me for at all
+compromising his Danish majesty.
+
+"How, sire?" was my reply. "I did not sign his name; I have not forged
+his signature. The vanity of the duchesse has alone caused all the
+ridiculous portion of this joke. So much the worse for her if she did
+not succeed."
+
+I did not, however, limit my revenge to this. A second letter, in
+the same hand, was addressed to my luckless enemy. This time she was
+informed that she been made a butt of, and mystified. I learned from M.
+de Sartines, who, after our compact, gave me details of all, the methods
+she had pursued to detect the author of these two epistles, and put
+a termination to all these inquiries, by denouncing myself to M. de
+Sartines; who then gave such a turn to the whole matter, that the
+duchesse could never arrive at the truth.
+
+Voltaire, in the meantime, was not slow in reply; and as I imagine that
+you will not be sorry to read his letter, I transcribe it for you:--
+
+"MONSIEUR LE DUC,--I am a lost, destroyed man. If I had strength enough
+to fly, I do not know where I should find courage to take refuge. I!
+Good God! I am suspected of having attacked that which, in common with
+all France, I respect! When there only remains to me the smallest power
+of utterance, but enough to chant a _De profundis,_ that I should employ
+it in howling at the most lovely and amiable of females! Believe me,
+monsieur le duc, that it is not at the moment when a man is about to
+render up his soul, that a man of my good feeling would outrage the
+divinity whom he adores. No, I am not the author of the '_Cour du Roi
+Petaud._' The verses of this rhapsody are not worth much, it is true;
+but indeed they are not mine: they are too miserable, and of too bad a
+style. All this vile trash spread abroad in my name, all those pamphlets
+without talent, make me lose my senses, and now I have scarcely enough
+left to defend myself with. It is on you, monsieur le duc, that I rely;
+do not refuse to be the advocate of an unfortunate man unjustly accused.
+Condescend to say to this young lady, that I have been before embroiled
+with madame de Pompadour, for whom I professed the highest esteem;
+tell her, that at the present day especially, the favorite of Caesar is
+sacred for me; that my heart and pen are hers, and that I only aspire to
+live and die under her banner.
+
+"As to the scraps you ask for, I have not at this moment any suitable.
+Only the best viands are served up at the table of the goddesses. If
+I had any I would present them to the person of whom you speak to me.
+Assure her, that one day the greatest merit of my verse will be to have
+them recited by her lips; and entreat her, until she bestows immortality
+on me, to permit me to prostrate myself at her beautiful feet.
+
+"I will not conclude my letter, monsieur le duc, without thanking you
+a thousand times for the advice you have given me. This proof of your
+kindness will, if possible augment the sincere attachment I bear to you.
+I salute you with profound respect."
+
+As it is bold to hold the pen after having transcribed anything of M. de
+Voltaire's, I leave off here for to-day.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+     When is the presentation to take place?--Conversation on
+     this subject with the king--M. de Maupeou and M. de la
+     Vauguyon--Conversation on the same subject with the king and
+     the duc de Richelieu--M. de la Vrilliere--M. Bertin---Louis
+     XV and the comtesse--The king's promise--The fire-works, an
+     anecdote--The marquise de Castellane--M. de Maupeou at the
+     duc de Choiseul's--The duchesse de Grammont
+
+In spite of the love of the duchesse de Grammont, the king of Denmark
+departed at last. Louis XV having resumed his former habits, I began
+to meditate seriously on my presentation; and my friends employed
+themselves to the utmost in furthering my desires and insuring my
+triumph.
+
+The chancellor, who each day became more attached to my interests,
+opened the campaign. One day, when the king was in a rage with the
+parliaments, the chancellor seized the opportunity to tell him that
+the cabal, who were opposed to my presentation, testified so much
+resistance, under the idea, and in the hope, that they would be
+supported by the parliaments of Paris.
+
+"If your majesty," added the chancellor, "had less condescension towards
+these malcontents, they would fear your authority more."
+
+"You will see," replied the king, "that it will be their audacity which
+will urge me on to a step, which otherwise I should wish to avoid."
+
+Whilst the hatred which M. de Maupeou bore towards the parliaments
+served me in this way, the love of M. de la Vauguyon for the Jesuits
+turned to even more advantage. The good duke incessantly talked to me of
+his dear Jesuits; and I as constantly replied, that my influence would
+not be salutary until after my presentation, M. de la Vauguyon had
+sense enough to perceive the embarrassment of my situation, and saw
+that before I could think of others I must think of myself. Having taken
+"sweet counsel" with the powerful heads of his company, he freely gave
+me all his influence with the king.
+
+Fortune sent me an auxiliary not less influential than these two
+gentlemen; I mean the marechal duc de Richelieu. In the month of
+January, 1769, he returned from his government of Guienne to enter on
+service. He had much credit with the king, and this (would you believe
+it?) resulted from his reputation as a man of intrigue. He told the
+king every thing that came into his head: he told him one day, that the
+Choiseuls boasted that he, the king of France, never dared introduce his
+mistress into the state apartments at Versailles.
+
+"Yes," added the duke, "they boast so loudly, that nothing else is
+talked of in the province; and at Bordeaux, for instance, there is one
+merchant who, on the strength of the enemies of the comtesse, has made a
+bet that she will never be presented."
+
+"And why do you not imprison these persons?" inquired the king, angrily.
+
+"Because, sire, it appears to me injustice to punish the echo of the
+fooleries of Paris."
+
+"I will conduct myself as regards the presentation of madame du Barry
+in the manner which I think best. But is it not an inconceivable
+contrariety, that one party should wish it with the utmost desire,
+and another place every obstacle in the way? In truth, I am very
+unfortunate, and a cruel tyranny is exercised over me."
+
+The duc de Richelieu, not wishing to appear as one of the tyrants of the
+king, gave a different turn to the conversation.
+
+My presentation was, however, a matter of first-rate importance to me
+and to my partizans, and the duc de la Vrilliere was gained over to my
+side, by making him believe that the king would yield to my desires, and
+that then I should remember all those who opposed my elevation. The duc
+d'Aiguillon also drew over to my party M. Bertin, who bore no love to
+the Choiseuls, and who saw that the preponderance of interest was on
+my side of the scale. When I was assured of a considerable number of
+defenders, I thought I might venture on the master stroke, and thus I
+went to work.
+
+One evening the king was with me, and the MM. de Maupeou and de
+Richelieu were there also. We were discoursing of different things, and
+the king was perfectly tranquillized, little anticipating the scene that
+was in store for him. I rose suddenly from my arm-chair, and going up to
+his majesty, after a profound courtesy cast myself at his feet. Louis XV
+would have raised me, but I said,
+
+"No, I will remain where I am until you have accorded me the favor I
+ask."
+
+"If you remain in this posture I shall place myself in a similar one."
+
+"Well, then, since you will not have me at your knees I will place
+myself on them"; and I seated myself in his lap without ceremony.
+
+"Listen to me, sire," I said, "and repeat what I say to the king of
+France word for word. He must authorize my presentation; for else, some
+fine day, in the presence of the whole court, I will go to the state
+apartments, and try whether I shall be repulsed at the door."
+
+"Will she have the boldness?" inquired the king to the chancellor.
+
+"I have no doubt of it, sire. A female, young, beautiful, honored with
+your kindness, may venture to do anything."
+
+"Is it not distressing to me," I added, "that, graced with your
+majesty's favors, I remain thus concealed, whilst women whom you detest
+annoy you with their presence."
+
+"Madame is right," replied the duc de Richelieu, "and I see that you
+look for her every evening where she is not, and where she ought to be."
+
+"What! you too, duc de Richelieu, do you join the cry of the
+chancellor?"
+
+"I would tear out the eyes of these gentlemen," I added, "if they
+thought differently from me."
+
+"Oh," said the king, laughing, "this punishment would not be one for M.
+Maupeou: justice ought to be blind: and as for you, M. de Richelieu, you
+have your _baton_ left."
+
+"Which he has nobly gained," I replied, "by fighting against your
+majesty's enemies, and of which he still continues worthy, by now
+defending me from my foes."
+
+"This rebellion," said the king, "cannot last, and I see myself
+compelled to hold a _lit de justice_ (a judicial sitting or bed)."
+
+"And I swear to you, that I will receive nobody into mine until I have
+been presented."
+
+This sally amused the king, who said, "Well, since it must be so, you
+shall be presented."
+
+At this I leaped on the king's neck, giving a cry which might have been
+heard by my rivals. After that, I advanced to the two gentlemen who had
+advocated my cause so well, extending a hand to each, which they took
+and kissed with great gallantry.
+
+Louis XV became thoughtful, and continued to mutter between his teeth,
+"I wash my hands of it--they will cry out, they will clamor, but it must
+be so." I saw the feelings of the king, and took care not to allow him
+to go away in this state. Whilst I sought to compose him by my caresses,
+the duc de Richelieu told us one of his thousand and one adventures,
+which he told so well. I know not if it will please you, but such as it
+is I shall give you an abridgment of it.
+
+"I was, you know," he began, "a very good-looking, a very wild fellow:
+women have no objection to this. I was travelling, and in my way thro'
+D----, M., the intendant of the city, insisted on my taking up my abode
+at his house. His lady added her entreaties, and I consented. I must
+tell you that the lady was handsome. I had passed the night with her;
+but when, on the next morning, as I sought to go out of her apartment, I
+found the outer door double locked and bolted. I looked round me on all
+sides, but found no egress. Whilst I was lamenting this with the lady's
+_femme-de-chambre_, who was nearly as much distressed as her mistress,
+I saw in a detached closet a great many machines covered with paper, and
+all of different shapes. On inquiry, I was informed that the following
+Monday was the lady's birthday, which they were to celebrate with
+fireworks. I looked at the beautiful fusees and brilliant suns with
+much admiration. Suddenly, thinking of the lady's honor which might be
+compromised, I took a light and set fire to a Roman candle; in a
+moment the whole was in flames, and everybody took alarm. Great was the
+consternation in the house, which was turned out of windows; and in the
+uproar, the house-door being broken open, a crowd of persons rushed in;
+I ran this way and that way; everybody admired and praised my exertions.
+I was compelled to quit the house at last, and ordered my carriage,
+whilst M. the intendant was thanking me for the vast service I had
+rendered him. I assure you, sire, that I never laughed more heartily."*
+
+     * The duc de Richelieu preserved his coolness and talent at
+     repartee in the most trivial circumstances. The story is
+     well known of the man who came to ask for his aid, saying
+     they were related.  "How?" asked the duke.  "Sir, by Adam."
+     "Give this man a penny," said the duke, turning to a
+     gentleman of his train; "and if all of his relations give
+     him as much he will soon be a richer man than I am."
+
+     If our readers will turn to "Joe Miller," Page 45, they will
+     find this jest attributed to the witty duke of Buckingham.
+     It is a very good joke for a duke, but savors more of a
+     desire to be witty than to be charitable. (translator)
+
+This tale amused the king, and M. de Richelieu assured him that he had
+never told it before. A thousand considerations had induced him to keep
+it to himself until the present time. "But now," said he, "the third
+generation of madame l'intendante is no longer young, and I have no fear
+of being called out to fight a duel."
+
+Next day there was a general rumor of my presentation. My friends
+asserted that I had the king's promise. This was imprudent on their
+part, and they injured my interest whilst they flattered my vanity. They
+put the Choiseul cabal to work, who intrigued so well that not a person
+could be found who would perform the office of introductress. You
+know the custom: the presentation is effected by the intermediation of
+another lady, who conducts the person to be presented to the princesses,
+and introduces her. This custom had passed into a law, and it would have
+been too humiliating to me to have dispensed with it.
+
+This was a dire blow for me: it distressed me sadly, and I wept over it
+with my friends. The duc de Richelieu said to me,
+
+"With money and promises everything can be managed at court. There is no
+place where they know better how to value complaisance, and the price at
+which it is sold. Do not give yourself any uneasiness; we shall find the
+lady we want."
+
+And we did find her, but her compliance was dearly bought. Two ladies
+who were applied to stipulated for most outrageous conditions. One, the
+marquise de Castellane, consented to present me, but demanded that she
+should be created a duchess, and have a gift of five hundred thousand
+livres: the other, whose name I forget, asked for her husband the order
+of the Holy Ghost and a government, a regiment for her son, and for
+herself I forget what. These ladies seemed to think, like Don Quixote
+and Sancho Panza, that governments and five hundred thousand livres
+were to be picked up on the highway. In truth, they spoke out without
+disguise.
+
+At this juncture the chancellor had a singular conversation concerning
+me with the Choiseuls. He had been one morning to call on the duke, and
+whilst they were discoursing, the duchesse de Grammont came into her
+brother's apartment, and entered at once into conversation.
+
+"Ah, my lord, I am glad to see you. Your new friends carry you off from
+your old ones. You are wrong to adore the rising sun."
+
+"That was the idolatry of a great number of persons: but I beg of you to
+be so very kind as not to speak to me in figures, if you would wish me
+to understand you."
+
+"Oh, you play off the ignorant. You know as well as I do what I mean,
+and your daily visits to this _fille_."
+
+"Which, madame? There are so many at court!"
+
+This sarcastic reply made the brother and sister smile; both of them
+being fully competent to understand the merit of an epigram. The duke
+fearing lest the duchess should go too far, judging by what she had
+already said, thus addressed him:
+
+"You are, then, one of the adorers of the comtesse du Barry?"
+
+"Yes, monsieur le duc; and would to God that, for your own interest, you
+would be so too!"
+
+"My brother set foot in the house of this creature!"
+
+"Why not, madame? We see good company there; the prince de Soubise, the
+ducs de la Trimouille, de la Vauguyon, Duras, Richelieu, d'Aiguillon,
+and many others, not to mention the king of France. A gentleman may be
+seen in such company without any disgrace."
+
+"Monsieur le chevalier," replied the duke, "to speak candidly to you,
+allow me to ask, if any one who would have the friendship of our house
+would be seen in that of the lady in question?"
+
+"Pardon me, duke; that is not the question. Allow me, in turn, to ask
+you, why those of your house should not go there? This, I think, is the
+real question."
+
+"You offer us a splendid alliance!" said the duchess with anger.
+
+"I offer nothing, madame: I only inquire. For my part, I see no
+legitimate motive for this proscription of madame du Barry."
+
+"A woman without character!"
+
+"Character! Why, madame, who has any in these days? M. de Crebillon the
+younger would be at a loss to tell us where to find it."
+
+This reply made the duke and his sister smile again. The chancellor went
+on thus:
+
+"It appears to me that persons were less difficult in the times of
+madame de Pompadour."
+
+"But a creature who has been so low in society!"
+
+"Have you seen her so, madame? And supposing it has been the case, do we
+interdict all ladies of conduct not less blamable from an introduction
+at court. How many can you enumerate, madame, who have led a life much
+more scandalous? Let us count them on our fingers. First, the marechale
+de Luxembourg, one; then--"
+
+"Then the comtesse de Choiseul, my sister-in-law," added the duke; "we
+know it as well as you, sir. But this is not the matter in question. You
+are not ignorant that our enemies surround this madame du Barry; and it
+is of your alliance with them that I complain."
+
+"You see everything with a jaundiced eye, monsieur le duc. But if you
+fear the influence of this lady with the king, why do you not present
+yourself at her apartments? She would be delighted to receive you."
+
+"No, no!" cried the duchess, "my brother will never present himself
+to such a creature. If he would degrade himself so low, I would never
+forgive him as long as I live. Since you show your gratitude for what
+has been done for you by leaguing yourself with this woman, tell her
+from me that I detest her, and that I will never rest until I have sent
+her back again to her dunghill."
+
+"Madame," replied the chancellor, "I will evince my gratitude to the
+duke by not delivering such a message"; and the chancellor went out.
+
+M. de Maupeou came to tell me the whole of this conversation, which
+_Chon_ wrote down under his dictation, that I might show it to the king.
+You will see in my next letter what resulted from all this, and how the
+ill-timed enmity of the Choiseuls served my interests most materially.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+     A word concerning the duchesse de Choiseul--The apartment of
+     the Comte de Noailles--The Noailles--Intrigues for
+     presentation--The comte de Bearn--M. Morand once more--Visit
+     of the comtesse Bearn to the comtesse du Barry--
+     Conversation--Interested complaisance The king and the
+     comtesse du Barry--Dispute and reconciliation
+
+I showed the king this conversation, in which I had so shamefully
+vilified by the duchesse de Grammont. Louis XV was very much inclined
+to testify his disapprobation to this lady, but was withheld by the
+consideration he felt for the duke and (particularly) the duchesse de
+Choiseul. This latter lady was not beloved by her husband, but her noble
+qualities, her good heart, made her an object of adoration to the whole
+court. You could not speak to any person of madame de Choiseul without
+hearing an eulogium in reply. The king himself was full of respect
+towards her; so much so, that, on the disgrace of the duke, he in some
+sort asked her pardon for the chagrin which he had caused her. Good
+conduct is no claim to advancement at court, but it procures the esteem
+of the courtiers. Remember, my friend, this moral maxim: there is not
+one of greater truth in my whole journal.
+
+The king, unable to interpose his authority in a woman's quarrel, was
+yet determined on giving a striking proof of the attachment he bore to
+me. I had up to this period occupied Lebel's apartments in the chateau:
+it was not befitting my station, and the king thought he would give me
+those of madame de Pompadour, to which I had some claim. This apartment
+was now occupied by the comte de Noailles, governor of the chateau, who,
+as great fool as the rest of his family, began to exclaim most lustily
+when the king's will was communicated to him. He came to his majesty
+complaining and lamenting. The king listened very quietly to his list
+of grievances; and when he had moaned and groaned out his dolorous tale,
+his majesty said to him,
+
+"My dear count, who built the chateau of Versailles?"
+
+"Why, sire, your illustrious grandfather."
+
+"Well, then, as I am at home, I mean to be master. You may establish the
+seat of your government where you will; but in two hours the place must
+be free. I am in earnest."
+
+The comte de Noailles departed much disconcerted, took away his
+furniture, and the same evening I installed myself in the apartments.
+You must think that this was a fresh cause of chagrin, and created me
+more enemies. There are certain families who look upon the court as
+their hereditary domain: the Noailles was one of them. However, there
+is no grounds of pretension to such a right. Their family took its rise
+from a certain Adhemar de Noailles, _capitoul_ of Toulouse, ennobled,
+according to all appearance, by the exercise of his charge in 1459. The
+grandfather of these Noailles was a domestic of M. de Turenne's, and his
+family was patronized at court by madame de Maintenon. Everybody knows
+this. But to return to my presentation.
+
+M. de Maupeou, whose good services I can never sufficiently vaunt,
+came to me one day, and said, "I think that I have found a lady
+_presenteuse_. I have a dame of quality who will do what we want."
+
+"Who is it?" said I, with joy.
+
+"A comtesse d'Escarbagnas, a litigious lady, with much ambition and
+avarice. You must see her, talk with her, and understand each other."
+
+"But where can we see her?"
+
+"That is easy enough. She claims from the house of Saluces a property of
+three hundred thousand livres: she is very greedy for money. Send some
+one to her, who shall whisper in her ear that I see you often, and that
+your protection can serve her greatly in her lawsuit: she will come to
+you post haste."
+
+I approved the counsel of the chancellor; and, in concert with comte
+Jean, I once again made use of the ministry of the good M. Morand, whom
+I had recompensed largely for his good and loyal services. This was,
+however, the last he ever rendered me; for I learned some months after
+my presentation that he had died of indigestion: a death worthy of such
+a life and such a man.
+
+M. Morand, after having found out the attorney of madame the comtesse
+de Bearn, went to him under some pretext, and then boasted of my vast
+influence with the chancellor. The lawyer, to whom madame de Bearn was
+to pay a visit on that very day, did not fail to repeat what M. Morand
+had told him. The next day the comtesse, like a true litigant, called
+upon him: she related her affair to him, and begged him to use his
+interest with me.
+
+"I would do it with pleasure," said the worthy, "if I did not think it
+better that you should see the comtesse du Barry yourself. I can assure
+you that she will be delighted to aid you."
+
+Madame de Bearn then came to me with M. Morand. Gracious heavens! how
+simple we were to take so much pains with this lady: had we known her
+better we should not have been so long in coming to the point. Scarcely
+any thing was said at this first visit: I contented myself with assuring
+her of my good will. On the same day the vicomte Adolphe du Barry
+told his father that that the young de Bearn had asked him the evening
+before, if I had found a _stepmother_ to present me; that in case I had
+not, his mother would not refuse such a service, should it be desired
+by the king. Comte Jean and I perfectly understood the lady. She came
+again, and I renewed the expression of my desire to be useful to her.
+She replied in a hackneyed phrase, that she should be charmed to prove
+her gratitude to me. I took her word.
+
+"Madame," said I to her, "you cannot be ignorant that I ardently desire
+to be presented. My husband has sent in his proofs of nobility, which
+have been received; I now only want a _marraine_ (godmother); if you
+will officiate in that capacity, I shall owe you a debt of gratitude all
+my life."
+
+"Madame, I am at the king's orders."
+
+"But, madame, the king has nothing to do with this. I wish to be
+presented; will you be my introductress?"
+
+"Madame, the first wish of my heart is to be agreeable to you; I only
+desire that the king indicate in some way, no matter how trifling, his
+will on this point."
+
+"Well, then," I exclaimed, with impatience, "I see you will not give me
+a direct reply. Why should you wish the king to interfere in what does
+not concern him? Is it your intention to oblige me; yes or no?"
+
+"Yes, madame, certainly; but you must be aware of the tremendous cabal
+which is raised against you. Can I contend against it alone, and who
+will sustain me thro' it?"
+
+"I will to the full extent of my power as long as I am here, and the
+king will always do so. I can assure you, that he will be grateful for
+your exertions in my behalf."
+
+"I should like to have half a line from his majesty as a protection and
+assurance."
+
+"And that you will not get. The king's signature must not be compromised
+in this affair, and I do not think I ought to ask for it; let us
+therefore, madame, cease this discourse, since you ask such terms for
+your complaisance."
+
+The comtesse de Bearn rose; I did the same; and we parted mutually
+dissatisfied with each other.
+
+My friends, my brother-in-law, and his sisters, impatiently awaited the
+result of my conversation with madame de Bearn. I told them all that
+had passed; giving my opinion of this lady as I thought her--a malicious
+provoking creature.
+
+"How soon you torment yourself," said the chancellor to me. "Do you not
+see that this woman wants a price to be bidden for her? She is yours,
+body and soul, but first of all she must be paid."
+
+"Let that be no obstacle," said comte Jean, "we will give her money, but
+present us she must."
+
+On this it was decided, that, on the following morning, my
+brother-in-law should go to Paris to find M. Morand, and get him to
+undertake the arrangement.
+
+The next day my brother-in-law went to M. Morand's, and when he had
+disclosed his message concerning the comtesse, the good Morand began to
+laugh. He told the count, that the previous evening this lady had sent
+for him; and, on going to her house, madame de Bearn, as a set-off
+against the inconveniences which might result to her from being the
+instrument of my presentation, had stipulated for certain compensations;
+such, for instance, as a sum of two hundred thousand livres, a written
+promise of a regiment for her son, and for herself an appointment in the
+establishment of the future _dauphine_. This was the point aimed at
+by all the ambitious courtiers. Comte Jean thought these conditions
+preposterous. He had a _carte blanche_ from me, and desired M. Morand to
+offer the lady one hundred thousand livres, and to add an assurance that
+the king should be importuned to place young Bearn advantageously, and
+to station the mother to her wishes; and thereupon my brother-in-law
+returned to Versailles.
+
+The comte Jean had scarcely returned an hour, when we received a
+letter from M. Morand, stating, that he had gone, in consequence of the
+instructions of comte Jean, to the comtesse de Bearn; that he had found
+the lady pliant enough on the first point, and disposed to content
+herself with the half of the sum originally demanded; that on point the
+second, I mean the appointments of herself and son, she would come to no
+compromise, and stuck hard and fast to the written promise of the king;
+that he, Morand, thought this an obstacle not to be overcome unless
+we subscribed to her wishes. This letter put me in an excessively
+ill-humor. I saw my presentation deferred till doom's day, or, at least,
+adjourned _sine die_. I questioned my friends: the unanimous advice was
+that I ought to mention it to the king at one of his evening visits; and
+I determined to do so without loss of time.
+
+When his majesty came I received him very graciously, and then said to
+him,
+
+"Congratulate me, sire; I have found my godmother."
+
+"Ah, so much the better." (I know that, at the bottom of his heart, he
+said "so much the _worse_.")
+
+"And who," asked the king, with impatience, "may the lady be?"
+
+"Madame de Bearn, a lady of quality in her own right, and of high
+nobility on her husband's side."
+
+"Yes, he was a _garde du corps_, and the son has just left the pages.
+Ah! she will present you then. That's well; I shall feel favored by
+her."
+
+"Would it not be best, sire, to tell her so yourself?"
+
+"Yes, yes, certainly; but after the ceremony."
+
+"And why not previously?"
+
+"Why? because I do not wish to appear to have forced your presentation."
+
+"Well, then," I replied, striking the floor with my foot, "you will not
+do for me what you would do for a woman who is a complete stranger to
+you. Many thanks for your excessive kindness."
+
+"Well, well, do not scold. Anger does not become you."
+
+"No more than this indifference suits you; it is cruel. If you recede
+from saying a word, what will you do when I tell you of the conditions
+of madame de Bearn?"
+
+"What does the good comtesse ask for?"
+
+"Things past conception."
+
+"What?"
+
+"She has stipulations unlimited."
+
+"But what are they then?"
+
+"A hundred thousand livres for herself."
+
+"What, only that? We will grant so much."
+
+"Then a regiment for her son."
+
+"Oh, he is the wood they make colonels of, and if he behave well--"
+
+"But then! She wishes to be annexed in some station or other to the
+household of the future _dauphine_."
+
+"Oh, that is impossible: all the selections have been made: but we will
+make an equivalent by placing one of her family about the person of one
+of the princes, my grandson. Is this all?"
+
+"Yes, sire, that is all, with one small formality excepted. This lady,
+who is one of much punctilio, only considers _written_ engagements as
+binding. She wishes for one word in your majesty's hand-writing--"
+
+"A most impertinent woman!" cried the king, walking with rapid strides
+up and down my room.-- "She has dared not to believe me on my word!
+Writing!--signature! She mistrusts me as she would the lowest scribbler
+of France. A writing! My signature! My grandfather, Louis XIV, repented
+having given his to Charost. I will not commit a similar error."
+
+"But, sire, when a prince has a real desire to keep his word, it is of
+little import whether he gives it in writing."
+
+At these words, Louis XV frowned sternly, but as he had the best sense
+in the world, he saw that he was wrong; and having no reply to make, he
+determined to flee away. I ran after him, and taking him by the arm, he
+said, with assumed anger, which did not deceive me:--
+
+ "Leave me, madame, you have offended my honor."
+
+"Well, then, monsieur la France," replied I, assuming also a scolding
+tone, "I will give you satisfaction. Choose your time, weapons, and
+place; I will meet you, and we shall see whether you have courage
+to kill a woman who lives for you only, and whom you render the most
+miserable creature in existence."
+
+Louis XV gave me a kiss, and laughingly said, "I ought to make you sleep
+in the Bastille to-night."
+
+"I am then more merciful than you, for I think I shall make you sleep in
+the couch you love best."
+
+This reply amused the king excessively, and he himself proposed to send
+for madame de Bearn. I should speak of my presentation before him, and
+then without making any positive concession, he would see what could be
+done to satisfy her.
+
+For want of any other, I accepted this _mezzo termine_.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+
+     The comtesse de Bearn--The supper--Louis XV--Intrigues
+     against my presentation--M. de Roquelaure--The scalded foot--
+     The comtesse d'Aloigny--The duc d'Aiguillon and madame de
+     Bearn--Anger of the king's daughters--Madame Adelaide and
+     the comtesse du Barry--Dissatisfaction of the king
+
+M. Morand was again put in requisition, and went from me to ask madame
+de Bearn to come and sup at my apartments. We were in committee--my
+sisters-in-law, myself, and comte Jean. The comtesse made some
+difficulties at first, under pretence that she was afraid to refuse me
+a second time. Our messenger assured her by saying, that a supper would
+not bind her to any thing, and that she should still be at liberty
+to give any reply she pleased. Madame de Bearn allowed herself to be
+persuaded, and sent me word that she would accept my invitation. She
+would have reflected twice before she so far committed herself, had
+she at all suspected the turn we meant to serve her. But I saw by the
+wording of her note, that she still hoped that the king would be induced
+to grant me the written promise which I asked for her.
+
+She came. I received her with all possible courtesy, and yet not with
+much heartiness. I could not help remembering the vexatious terms she
+set upon her complaisance. However, the supper was gay enough, comte
+Jean and my sisters-in-law, who knew very well how to dissemble, did
+the honors in a most agreeable way. On leaving table we went into the
+drawing-room, and then began to discuss the serious question which had
+brought us together. At the first words which comte Jean uttered, madame
+de Bearn, taking my hands with a respectful familiarity, said to me:--"I
+hope, madame, that you will not have a bad opinion of me, if I put such
+conditions to my desire of obliging you. The situation of my family
+requires it, but it is only a trifle for the king to grant."
+
+"Much more than you imagine, madame," I replied. "The king does not care
+to involve himself in such engagements. He does not like, moreover, that
+his sacred word should be doubted."
+
+"Ah?" replied the cunning creature, "heaven forbid that I should not
+blindly trust to the king's word, but his memory may fail, or he, like
+other men, may forget."
+
+"Madame," replied comte Jean, with the utmost gravity, "madame is a
+lady as full of prudence as of kindness, but yet a little too exacting.
+Madame wishes to have a promise signed for herself and son: that is too
+much. Why does she not content herself in dividing the difficulty, by
+satisfying herself with a verbal promise for what concerns herself, and
+with a written engagement for what relates to her son?"
+
+"_Mon Dieu, monsieur_," replied the countess, "I am anxious to arrange
+all to our mutual satisfaction. But his majesty would not surely refuse
+the entreaties of madame for what I ask."
+
+"I will speak to him of it the first time I see him."
+
+"Oh, you are a charming woman. You will obtain all from the king, and
+make a sure friend--"
+
+"Whose friendship is very difficult to acquire," said I, interrupting
+her.
+
+The countess would have replied to this, when my first
+_valet-de-chambre_, opening the two folding-doors of the room, announced
+the king.
+
+At this unexpected name my guest trembled, and in spite of the thick
+rouge which covered her cheeks, I perceived she turned pale. She then
+saw the scene we had prepared for her: she wished herself a hundred
+leagues off: but she could do nothing, but remain where she was. I took
+her by the hand, all trembling as she was, and presented her to the
+king, saying,
+
+"Sire, I now do for this lady, in my own drawing-room, what she will
+have the kindness to do for me at the state-chamber."
+
+"Ah," replied the king, "is it madame de Bearn that you present to me? I
+am indeed delighted. Her husband was one of my faithful servants: I was
+much pleased with her son when he was one of pages, and I perceive that
+she herself is desirous of testifying to me her attachment to my person.
+I thank you, madame; you cannot confer a greater favor on me, and I
+shall embrace every opportunity of proving to you how much satisfaction
+your conduct affords me."
+
+Each word that the king uttered went to the heart of the countess.
+However, making a virtue of necessity, she replied, that she was proud
+and happy at what the king had said to her, and that it would be her
+constant aim to please his majesty, flattering herself that the king
+would remember the services of the Bearn family, and would think of her
+in the dispensation of his bounties.
+
+"You may rely on it, madame," replied Louis XV, "especially if the
+comtesse du Barry applies to me in your behalf."
+
+Then, turning towards me, "When, then, is this redoubtable presentation
+to take place?"
+
+"On the day, sire, when your majesty shall think proper," I replied.
+
+"Well! I will send the duc de Richelieu to you, who will arrange the
+whole."
+
+This settled, the subject was turned, but madame de Bearn lost her
+tongue entirely. In spite of all her endeavors, her forehead became
+contracted every moment, and I am sure she went away vexed and
+disappointed.
+
+The following morning, the comte Jean and my sister-in-law went to her
+house. They testified their regret for what had occurred the previous
+evening; they assured her that we would not take any advantage of the
+conditionless engagement which she had made to present me, and that
+altho' it was impossible to ask the required guarantees from the king,
+still we should most undeviatingly adhere to the clauses of the treaty:
+they added, that they came to enquire when she should choose to receive
+the hundred thousand livres. The countess replied, that in spite of
+the real disadvantage which she must henceforward labor under in this
+affair, she felt great friendship for me, and would not refuse to oblige
+me, and she flattered herself that I would espouse her cause with the
+king. The comte Jean assured her of this, and settled with her the
+period of the payment of the hundred thousand livres, which were to be
+paid at sight on her drawing on M. de la Borde, the court-banker.
+
+Thus then my presentation was an assured matter: nothing now could
+prevent it, at least I fancied so to myself. I reckoned without my host;
+I did not know yet all the malice of a courtier lady or gentleman. As it
+was, however, M. de Choiseul and his vile sister had gained over one of
+my servants, for they knew all that had passed. They soon learned that
+madame de Bearn had come to supper with me, and that after supper a
+visit of the king's had decided this lady on my presentation: this they
+determined to prevent.
+
+For this end, they despatched as ambassador the chevalier de Coigny to
+the house of madame de Bearn. He, following the instruction, sought by
+turns to seduce and intimidate the countess, but all went for nothing.
+Madame de Bearn told the chevalier de Coigny, that she had been with me
+to ask my influence with the chancellor. The chevalier left her without
+being able to obtain any other information.
+
+This bad success did not dishearten the Choiseuls. They sent this
+time to madame de Bearn, M. de Roquelaure, bishop of Senlis, and grand
+almoner to the king. This prelate was much liked at court, and in
+high favor with mesdames (the king's daughters). We were good friends
+together at last, but in this particular he was very near doing me great
+wrong. M. de Roquelaure having called on madame de Bearn, told her that
+he well knew the nature of her communications with me.
+
+"Do not flatter yourself," said he, "that you will obtain thro' the
+influence of the comtesse du Barry, all that has been promised you. You
+will have opposed to you the most powerful adversaries and most august
+personages. It cannot be concealed from you, that mesdames contemplate
+the presentation of this creature with the utmost displeasure. They will
+not fail to obtain great influence over the future dauphin, and will do
+you mischief with him; so that, whether in the actual state of things,
+or in that which the age and health of the king must lead us to
+anticipate, you will be in a most unfortunate situation at court."
+
+The old bishop, with his mischievous frankness, catechised madame de
+Bearn so closely, that at length she replied, that so much respect and
+deference did she entertain towards the princesses, that she would not
+present me until they should accord their permission for me to appear.
+M. de Roquelaure took this reply to the Choiseuls. Madame de Grammont,
+enchanted, thinking the point already gained, sent madame de Bearn an
+invitation to supper the next day, but this was not the countess's game.
+She was compelled to decide promptly, and she thought to preserve a
+strict neutrality until fresh orders should issue. What do you suppose
+she did? She wrote to us, madame de Grammont and myself, that she had
+scalded her foot, and that it was impossible for her to go from home.
+
+On receiving her note I believed myself betrayed, forsaken. Comte Jean
+and I suspected that this was a feint, and went with all speed to call
+on the comtesse de Bearn. She received us with her usual courtesy,
+complained that we had arrived at the very moment of the dressing of her
+wound, and told us she would defer it; but I would not agree to this.
+My brother-in-law went into another room, and madame de Bearn began to
+unswathe her foot in my presence with the utmost caution and tenderness.
+I awaited the evidence of her falsehood, when, to my astonishment, I
+saw a horrible burn! I did not for a moment doubt, what was afterwards
+confirmed, namely, that madame de Bearn had actually perpetrated this,
+and maimed herself with her own free will. I mentally cursed her Roman
+courage, and would have sent my heroic godmother to the devil with all
+my heart.
+
+Thus then was my presentation stopped by the foot of madame de Bearn.
+This mischance did not dampen the zeal of my friends. On the one hand,
+comte Jean, after having stirred heaven and earth, met with the comtesse
+d'Aloigny. She consented to become my godmother immediately after her
+own presentation, for eighty thousand livres and the expenses of the
+ceremony. But mesdames received her so unsatisfactorily, that my
+own feelings told me, I ought not to be presented at court under her
+auspices.
+
+We thanked the comtesse d'Aloigny therefore, and sent her, as a
+remuneration, twenty thousand livres from the king.
+
+Whilst comte Jean failed on one side, the duc d'Aiguillon succeeded on
+another. He was someway related to madame de Bearn. He went to visit
+her, and made her understand that, as the Choiseuls neither gave nor
+promised her anything, she would be wrong in declaring for them: that,
+on the other hand, if she declared for me, I could procure for her
+the favor of the king. Madame de Bearn yielded to his persuasions, and
+charged the duc d'Aiguillon to say to me, and even herself wrote, that
+she put herself entirely into my hands; and that, as soon as she was
+well, I might rely on her. What, I believe, finally decided this lady
+was, the fear that if she did not comply with what I required, I should
+content myself with the comtesse d'Aloigny.
+
+Now assured of my introductress, I only directed my attention to the
+final obstacle of my presentation; I mean the displeasure of mesdames.
+I do not speak of madame Louise, of whom I can only write in terms of
+commendation; but I had opposed to me mesdames Victoire and Sophie, and
+especially madame Adelaide, who, as the eldest, gave them their plan
+of conduct. This latter, who had given too much cause to be spoken of
+herself to have any right to talk of others, never ceased haranguing
+about the scandal of my life; and I had recently, unknown to myself,
+fallen into complete disgrace with her. This is the case.
+
+The apartment from which I had dislodged M. de Noailles had been
+requested of the king by madame Adelaide. Ignorant of this I had
+installed myself there. I soon learned that I had offended the princess,
+and instantly hastened to offer her the apartments she wished to have.
+She came into them; but as it was necessary for me to be accommodated
+somewhere, the king gave me the former apartments of his daughter. This
+was what madame Adelaide called an act of tyranny; she made the chateau
+echo with her complaints: she said I had driven her out, that I wished
+to separate her from her sisters; that I should wean her father's
+affection entirely from her. Such injustice distressed me excessively.
+I sent to request the king to come to me; and when he entered I threw
+myself at his feet, entreating him to appease his daughter on any terms,
+and to let me go away, since I brought such trouble into his family.
+
+The king, irritated at madame Adelaide 's conduct, went to her, and told
+her, in a private interview, that he would make certain matters public
+if she did not hold her tongue; and she, alarmed, ceased her clamor, or
+rather, contented herself in complaining in a lower key.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+     Of the presentation--The king and the duc de Richelieu at
+     comtesse du Barry's--M. de la Vauguyon--Conversation--Letter
+     of the duke to the comtesse du Barry--Reply--The countess
+     unites herself with the Jesuit party--Madame Louise--Madame
+     Sophie--M. Bertin--Madame de Bercheny
+
+This fit of anger of madame Adelaide had given additional courage to
+the cabal. It began to exclaim and plot against me with redoubled force;
+hoping thus to intimidate the king, and effectually bar my presentation;
+but it only tended to hasten it. One evening, when the king and the
+marechal de Richelieu were with me, he said to me,
+
+"A stop must be put to these clamors. I see that until you are
+presented, there will be doubts perpetually arising and tormenting us on
+the subject; and until it takes place I shall have no ease. _Parbleu_!
+Let us take the best means in our power of reducing these malcontents to
+silence."
+
+"Sire," replied the marechal, "make your will palpable, and you will
+see all the court submit."
+
+"Yes, but my daughters?"
+
+"Mesdames know better than any persons the deference due to your
+orders."
+
+"I assure you," replied the king, "that it will be an unpleasant quarter
+of an hour for me to pass."
+
+"Well, sire, then charge one of us with the mission: the bishop of
+Senlis, for instance, or M. de la Vauguyon. I feel assured that either
+of them will acquit himself admirably in the business, with the previous
+understanding that your majesty will support him with your authority."
+
+"I will do so most assuredly; but it will be best not to use it but at
+the last extremity. I have no wish to be made a bugbear to my family."
+
+"As to the selection of an ambassador," I interrupted, "I beg it may not
+fall on M. de Roquelaure; he has been working against me for some time."
+
+"Why not send M. de Jarente?" inquired the king.
+
+"Ah, sire," replied the duke, "because we cannot trust him; he is a
+gay fellow. Madame Sophie might tell him, that he only took the part of
+madame du Barry, because he passes his life amongst petticoats."
+
+"True enough," said the king, "I prefer the duc de la Vauguyon: he has a
+good reputation--"
+
+"And well deserved," said the old marechal, sneering. "Yes, sire, he is
+a pious man; at least, he plays his part well."
+
+"Peace, viper; you spare nobody."
+
+"Sire, I am only taking my revenge."
+
+"Why do you not like the governor of my grandsons?"
+
+"In truth, sire, I must confess to you, that except yourself and the
+ladies, I have not many likings at Versailles."
+
+Louis XV smiled, and I pulled the bell; when a valet appeared, I said,
+
+"Go and find M. de la Vauguyon for his majesty."
+
+When we were alone, "What, already?" said Louis XV.
+
+"Madame is right," replied the duke, "we must strike while the iron is
+hot."
+
+The king began to pace up and down the room, which was his invariable
+custom when anything disturbed him: then suddenly stopping,
+
+"I should not be astonished at a point blank refusal from M. de la
+Vauguyon."
+
+"Oh, sire, make yourself easy; the governor has no inclination to follow
+the steps of Montausier or Beauvilliers. In truth you are very candid;
+and I must tell you, that you have too good an opinion of us."
+
+At this moment M. de la Vauguyon entered. He saluted the king with
+humility; and asked him, in a mild tone of voice, what his pleasure was
+with him.
+
+"A real mark of your zeal," was the king's reply.
+
+"And of your gallantry," added the marechal, who saw the hesitation of
+the king. Louis XV was enchanted that another should speak for him. M.
+de Richelieu continued:
+
+"His majesty, monsieur le duc, wishes that you should prepare mesdames
+to receive our dear countess here, when she shall appear before them to
+pay the homage of her respect and devotion."
+
+The king, emboldened by these words, said, "Yes, my dear duke, I can
+only find you in the chateau who have any influence over the princesses,
+my daughters. They have much respect, and no less friendship, for you.
+You will easily bring them to reason."
+
+As M. de la Vauguyon seemed in no hurry to undertake the charge, the
+marechal added,
+
+"Yes, sir, to manage this business properly, you and M. de Senlis are
+the only men in the kingdom."
+
+The marechal had his reasons for saying this, for a secret jealousy
+existed between the governor and the grand almoner. M. de la Vauguyon
+made haste to say, that he could not resist his majesty's orders, and
+his desire to be agreeable to me.
+
+"Ah! you will then do something for me?" I replied. "I am delighted and
+proud."
+
+"Madame," replied the duke with much gravity, "friends are proved on
+occasion."
+
+"The present one proves your attachment to me," said I in my turn;
+"and his majesty will not think it wrong of me, if, as a recompense, I
+embrace you in his presence": and, on saying this, I went up to the
+duc de la Vauguyon, and gave him two kisses, which the poor man took as
+quietly as possible.
+
+"That's well," said the king. "You are, la Vauguyon, a man of a
+thousand. Listen attentively to me. I wish much that the comtesse du
+Barry should be presented; I wish it, and that, too, in defiance of all
+that can be said and done. My indignation is excited beforehand against
+all those who shall raise any obstacle to it. Do not fail to let my
+daughters know, that if they do not comply with my wishes, I will let
+my anger fall heavily on all persons by whose counsels they may be
+persuaded; for I only am master, and I will prove it to the last. These
+are your credentials, my dear duke, add to them what you may think
+fitting; I will bear you out in any thing--"
+
+"Mercy!" said the duc de Richelieu to me in an undertone, "the king has
+poured forth all his energy in words; he will have none left to act upon
+if he meets with any resistance." The marechal knew the king well.
+
+"I doubt not, sire," replied the duc de la Vauguyon, "that the
+respectful duty of mesdames will be ready to comply with your desires."
+
+"I trust and believe it will prove so," replied the king hastily. "I am
+a good father, and would not that my daughters should give me cause to
+be angry with them. Let madame Adelaide understand, that she has
+lately had a mistaken opinion of me, and that she has an opportunity
+of repairing her error in the present instance. The princesses are not
+ignorant that I have often shut my eyes upon certain affairs--. Enough;
+they must now testify their attachment for me. Why should they oppose."
+
+At these latter words I could not forbear laughing. La Vauguyon and de
+Richelieu left us and here the conversation terminated.
+
+The next morning they brought me a note from the duc de la Vauguyon.
+Thus it ran:--
+
+"MADAME,--Ready to serve you, I wish to have a few minutes' conversation
+with you. Be persuaded that I will not tell you anything but what will
+be agreeable and useful to you."
+
+The presentation of the comtesse? _Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!_ they were not so
+squeamish in the days of madame de Pompadour."
+
+I instantly answered:--
+
+"You are too good a friend for me to refuse to see you willingly under
+any circumstances, and particularly the present. Your conduct yesterday
+assures you my eternal regard. Come instantly; my grateful heart expects
+you with impatience."
+
+My sister-in-law, to whom I showed this correspondence, said to me,
+"This gentleman does not come to see you for your bright eyes; and yet
+his visit is not disinterested."
+
+"What interest can he have to serve?"
+
+"None of his own, perhaps; but those villainous Jesuits."
+
+"Don't you like them, sister of mine?"
+
+"I hate nobody."
+
+M. de la Vauguyon arrived; and as soon as we were alone, he said to me,
+
+"Well, madame, I am now on the point of going to fight your battles. I
+have to deal with a redoubtable foe."
+
+"Do you fear?"
+
+"Why, I am not over confident; my position is a delicate one. Mesdames
+will perforce obey the orders of the king, but they will not find much
+pleasure in seeing me the ambassador sent to them: all the Choiseul
+party will vociferate loudly. Nevertheless, to prove my devotion to you,
+I brave it all."
+
+"You may rely on it that I will never forget the service you are about
+to render me."
+
+"I have only one favor to ask of you. Authorize me to say to mesdames,
+that if the pleasures of life distract your attention from religious
+duties, your soul is in truth fully devoted to our holy religion;
+and that far from supporting the philosophers, you will aid, by your
+influence with the king, every measure advantageous to the society of
+Jesuits."
+
+The hypocritical tone in which this was uttered, almost compelled me to
+burst out into a fit of laughter; but the serious posture of my affairs
+induced me to preserve my gravity, and I answered in a serious tone,
+
+"Not only, monsieur le duc, do I authorize you to say so much, but I
+beg you to declare to mesdames that I am already filled with love and
+respect for the Jesuits, and that it will not be my fault if they do not
+return amongst us."
+
+"Ah, you are a treasure of wisdom," replied the duke, kissing my hand
+with fervor; "and I am disgusted at the way you are calumniated."
+
+"I know no reason for it, for I have never done harm to any person.
+Assure mesdames that I am sincerely grieved that I am not agreeable to
+them, and would give half my life to obtain, not their friendship, of
+which I do not feel myself worthy, but their indifference. Deign also to
+tell them, that at all times I am at their disposal, and beseech them to
+consider me as their humble servant."
+
+"It is impossible to behave more correctly than you do; and I am
+confident that mesdames will soon discard their unjust prejudices. Thus,
+it is well understood that our friends will be yours."
+
+"Yes, yes, provided they are really mine."
+
+"Certainly. I answer for them as I answer for you."
+
+And thus, my friend, did I find myself allied to the Jesuitical party.
+
+The duke commenced the attack with madame Louise, the most reasonable of
+the king's daughters. This angelic princess, already occupied with
+the pious resolution which she afterwards put into execution in
+the following year, contented herself with saying some words on the
+commotion occasioned by my presence at Versailles, and then, as if her
+delicacy had feared to touch on such a subject, she asked the duc de la
+Vauguyon, if the king ordered her to receive the comtesse du Barry.
+
+"Yes, madame," replied the duke; "it is the express will of his
+majesty."
+
+"I submit to his wish: the lady may come when she will."
+
+The duke, contented with his success so far, went next to madame Sophie.
+This princess was not unkind, but subject to attacks of the nerves,
+which from time to time soured her natural disposition: she had her
+caprices of hatred, her fits of love. The day when the duke talked to
+her of my presentation she was very much provoked against me; and after
+the opening speech of the ambassador, flung in his teeth the report of
+the apartments, which I have already told you. The duke explained
+to her, and that too without saying anything unfavorable of madame
+Adelaide, and concluded by begging her to concede the favor I besought.
+Madame eluded this, by saying, that before she gave a definite reply she
+wished to confer with her sisters.
+
+Madame Victoire was not more easily persuaded. This princess had amiable
+qualities, solid virtues which made her loved and respected by the whole
+court; but she had but little will of her own, and allowed herself to be
+led by the Choiseuls; who, to flatter her, told her that she alone had
+inherited the energy of her grandfather, Louis XIV. She was advised to
+display it in this instance, and, she would willingly have done so. The
+comtesse de Bercheny, one of her ladies in waiting, was the person who
+urged her on to the greatest resistance. This lady did not cease to
+exclaim against me, and to fan the flame of displeasure which, but for
+her, would never have appeared. I was informed of the mode adopted by
+madame de Bercheny to injure me. I sent for M. Bertin, who was devoted
+to my service, and begged him to go and speak to the lady; he went, and
+made her understand that the king, enraged against her, would expel her
+from Versailles, if she were not silent. The comtesse de Bercheny was
+alarmed; and under pretence of taking a tour, left the court for a
+month. You will see anon the result of all these conferences.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+     The princesses consent to the presentation of madame du
+     Barry--Ingenious artifice employed by the king to offer a
+     present to the duc de la Vauguyon--Madame du Barry's letter
+     respecting it--The duke's reply--The king's letter--The
+     court in despair--Couplets concerning madame du Barry--Her
+     presentation--A change in public opinion--An evening party
+     at the house of the countess--Joy of her partizans--
+     Conversation with the chancellor respecting the lady of the
+     marechal de Mirepoix
+
+The departure of the comtesse de Bercheny was announced to the
+princesses in the manner least likely to provoke their regrets.
+Nevertheless, a rumor never slept at Versailles, a whisper was quickly
+circulated thro'-out the castle, that this sudden and unexpected journey
+had originated in the king's weariness of her continual philippics
+against me; and it was clearly comprehended by all, that a similar
+disgrace would be the portion of those who should offend the monarch
+whilst seeking to procure my humiliation. This show of firmness was
+sufficient to repress the daring flights of those self-constituted
+heroines, whose courage lasted only whilst the king was silent, and who
+trembled like a leaf before the slightest manifestation of his will.
+Still the cabal against me, tho' weakened, was not destroyed; it was
+too strong for the present shock to dissolve it; and altho' none was
+sufficiently hardy to declare open war, plots were constantly going on
+to ensnare me.
+
+Meanwhile madame Victoire, left to herself, could not long support such
+excessive animosity; and the duc de la Vauguyon profiting by the species
+of lassitude into which she appeared to have fallen, led her without
+difficulty to act in conformity to the king's wishes.
+
+There remained now therefore but madame Adelaide to overcome, and
+the task became more difficult in proportion to the elevated rank she
+occupied at court. By priority of birth she held the first place there;
+and hitherto this superiority had been ceded to her without dispute,
+more particularly since the hand of death had removed both the queen her
+mother, and the dauphiness her sister-in-law. She therefore could only
+view with uneasiness the prospect of another appearing on the stage
+whose influence would be greater than hers; and who (until the young
+dauphiness should attain to years of maturity) might deprive her of all
+honors but those due to her birth. Madame Adelaide was gifted with
+good sense, affability of manners, and a kind and compassionating heart
+towards all who needed her aid; her disposition was good, but she loved
+dominion, and the least show of resistance to her wishes was painful and
+offensive to her. She was determined to uphold the duc de Choiseul; and
+my decided manner towards that minister plainly evinced how little I
+should feel inclined to support her view of things. There were therefore
+several reasons for my presence at court being unpleasant to madame
+Adelaide.
+
+Against her therefore did the duc de la Vauguyon direct his batteries.
+She received his attack with the most determined obstinacy; all was in
+vain, she was unconquerable, and the most skilfully devised plans were
+insufficient to surmount her resistance; it was therefore necessary to
+have recourse to the clergy, who were at that time completely led by the
+Jesuits; each member of the church, up to the archbishop of Paris, was
+called upon to interfere, or their names were employed in default of
+their presence. It was pointed out to madame Adelaide that I possessed
+good intentions with feelings of religion, which, however stifled by the
+freedom of the age, only required careful management to produce a rich
+development. The success of this last mode of attack astonished the duke
+himself; and madam, dazzled by the hopes of my conversion, as well as
+weary of hostilities, yielded her consent to my being presented. After
+these private negotiations the four sisters met at the house of the
+elder one; and there they decided that since the king had so expressly
+manifested his pleasure relative to my presentation, they should conform
+to the desire of their father, by receiving me with every possible mark
+of courtesy.
+
+The duc de la Vauguyon hastened to communicate to me this happy state of
+things; and my joy was so great, that I embraced him with the sincerest
+warmth, assuring him that I should always look upon him as my best
+friend, and seek to testify my regard at every opportunity that fell in
+my way of forwarding his interests.
+
+Some days afterwards the king brought me a splendid ring, worth
+thirty-six thousand livres.
+
+"You must send this jewel to your good friend the duke," said he.
+
+"I dare not," replied I. "I fear lest it should draw forth his
+displeasure."
+
+"No, no," cried the king, "'tis not the fashion at court to construe
+gifts like this into insults, but I should wish this trifle to be
+presented in an indirect manner"; and, after having considered a moment,
+"I have it," exclaimed he, "I have thought of a clever expedient; let
+us put this ring upon the finger of that Chinese mandarin before us, and
+give the figure with the ring, considering it merely an appendage to
+it. Assuredly the most disinterested man cannot refuse to accept a china
+figure."
+
+I extolled the king's idea as being a most happy one; and he immediately
+fitted the ring upon the little finger of the mandarin, which I caused
+to be carried to the duc de la Vauguyon with the following billet:--
+
+"MONSIEUR LE DUC,--You have been my best friend; 'tis to your kind
+offices that I owe the confirmation of my happiness; but I would secure
+the continuance of your valuable friendship, and for that purpose I send
+you a little magical figure, which, placed in your cabinet, will compel
+your thoughts to occupy themselves with me in spite of yourself. I am
+superstitious enough to rely greatly upon the talismanic virtue of the
+charmed porcelain; and further, I must tell you, that I was not its
+purchaser in the first instance, neither did I adorn it for your
+acceptance. I should not have ventured to offer more than the assurance
+of my everlasting esteem and regard for your acceptance. The trifle sent
+comes from a higher source; and the august hand so dear to both of us,
+deigned to preside over the arrangement. Should there be in it anything
+at all repugnant to your feelings, I beseech you bear me no ill will
+for it; for truly, I may say, I should never have summoned courage to
+do that which has just been done by him whom all unite in loving and
+esteeming."
+
+* The duke replied,--"Your talisman is welcome; yet its magic power,
+far from augmenting the warmth of my feelings towards you, would have
+diminished it on account of a certain accessory with which my friendship
+could have well dispensed: however, what you say on the subject closes
+my lips. I gratefully acknowledge the daily favors bestowed upon me
+from the august hand of whom you speak; and I receive with the deepest
+respect (mingled with regret) the gracious present he deigns to convey
+to me by you. I own that I should have preferred, to the splendid jewel
+which bedecked the finger of your deity, a Chinese counterpart, which
+might indeed have enabled all admiring gazers to say, 'these two are
+truly a pair.' As for yourself, who would fain pass for nobody in the
+munificent gift, I thank you at least for the flattering place you
+assign me in your recollection. Be assured I feel its full value, and
+you may confidently reckon upon the disposal of my poor credit as well
+as command the little influence I may be said to possess in the castle.
+Adieu, madame, I entreat your acceptance of the expression of my most
+sincere and respectful devotion."
+
+The king, having read M. de la Vauguyon's letter, sent immediately to
+the china manufactory to purchase the fellow mandarin so much coveted
+by the duke, and caused it to be conveyed to him with the following
+words:--
+
+"MY DEAR GOVERNOR--You are a kind-hearted creature I know, and a great
+promoter of domestic harmony; to fain unite the wife with the husband.
+Heaven grant that such a measure may indeed bring about your proposed
+felicity! However, by way of furthering your schemes, I send the Chinese
+lady, whose beauty I trust will not disturb your repose, for in spite
+of your sanctity, I know you can be as gallant as the rest of us, and
+possibly this beautiful mandarin may prove to be more lovely in your
+eyes, than in those of the husband for whom she is destined; but, in
+sober earnestness, I would wish you to be convinced that my intention
+is not to attempt payment for the services rendered me, but simply to
+evince my sense of their value. There is one beside me at this moment
+who has given me a kiss to transmit to you--You will easily guess
+who has had the audacity to enlist me into her service upon such an
+occasion."
+
+This was one of the recompenses offered to the duc de la Vauguyon, as a
+compensation for the public clamor and dislike which sprung up against
+him in consequence of his zeal for my service. At Versailles, the
+general ferment was at its height, when it became generally known that I
+had triumphed over all obstacles, and that my presentation was certainly
+to take place. In the midst of all this the desperate odium fell upon
+the duc de la Vauguyon, and a general attack was made upon him: his
+virtues, reputation, talents, qualities, were made the subject of blame
+and scandal--in a word, he was run down by public opinion. But the
+leaders of the cabal were not the less struck by the news of my success,
+which sounded in their ears like the falling of a thunder-bolt.
+
+The silly princess de Guemene, who, with her husband, has since become a
+bankrupt to so enormous and scandalous an amount, flew without delay to
+convey the tidings of my victory to the duchesse de Grammont, to whom
+it was a death-blow. All her courage forsook her; she shed bitter tears,
+and displayed a weakness so much the more ridiculous, as it seemed to
+arise from the utmost despair. She repaired to madame Adelaide, before
+whom she conducted herself in the most absurd and extravagant manner.
+The poor princess, intimidated by the weakness she herself evinced,
+in drawing back after she had in a manner espoused the opposite party,
+durst not irritate her, but, on the contrary, strove to justify her own
+change of conduct towards me, by urging the impossibility of refusing
+obedience to the express command of the king.
+
+The other princesses did not evince greater firmness when overwhelmed by
+the complaints of the cabal, and in a manner bent their knee before the
+wives of the French nobility, asking their pardon for their father's
+error in selecting a mistress from any rank but theirs. About this
+period a song, which I admired greatly, was circulated abroad. My
+enemies interpreted it to my disadvantage, but I was far from being of
+the same opinion. It was successively attributed to the most clever men
+in Paris, and I have myself met with four who each asserted himself to
+be the author; in justice it should be ascribed to him who appeared the
+most calculated to have written it, and who indeed claimed it for his
+own--the chevalier de Boufflers. I do not know whether you recollect the
+lines in question. I will transcribe them from memory, adding another
+couplet, which was only known amongst our own particular circle, but
+which proves most incontestably the spirit of kindness with which the
+stanzas were composed.
+
+     Lise, ta beaute seduit,
+       Et charme tout le monde.
+     En vain la duchesse en rougit,
+       Et la princesse en gronde,
+     Chacun sait que Venus naquit
+       De l'ecume de l'onde.
+
+     En rit-elle moins tous les dieux.
+       Lui rendre un juste hommage!
+     Et Paris, le berger fameux,
+       Lui donner l'avantage
+     Meme sur la reine des cieux
+       Et Minerve la sage?
+
+     Dans le serail du grand seigneur.
+       Quelle est la favorite?
+     C'est la plus belle au gre de coeur
+       Du maitre qui l'habite.
+     C'est le seul titre en sa faveur
+       Et c'est le vrai merite.
+
+     Que Grammont tonne contre toi,
+       La chose est naturelle.
+     Elle voudrait donner la loi
+       Et n'est qu' une mortelle;
+     Il faut, pour plaire au plus grand roi,
+       Sans orgueil etre belle.*
+
+     *From those readers who may understand this chanson in the
+     original, and look somewhat contemptuously on the following
+     version, the translator begs to shelter himself under the
+     well-known observation of Lord Chesterfield, "that
+     everything suffers by translation, but a a bishop!"  Those
+     to whom such a dilution is necessary will perhaps be
+     contented with the skim-milk as they cannot get the cream.--TRANS.
+
+Thy beauty, seductress, leads mortals astray, Over hearts, Lise, how
+vast and resistless thy sway. Cease, duchess, to blush! cease, princess,
+to rave--Venus sprang from the foam of the ocean wave. All the gods
+pay their homage at her beauteous shrine, And adore her as potent,
+resistless, divine! To her Paris, the shepherd, awarded the prize,
+Sought by Juno the regal, and Pallas the wise.
+
+Who rules o'er her lord in the Turkish _serail_, Reigns queen of his
+heart, and e'er basks in his smile? 'Tis she, who resplendent, shines
+loveliest of all, And beauty holds power in her magic thrall. Then heed
+not the clamors that Grammont may raise, How natural her anger! how vain
+her dispraise! 'Tis not a mere mortal our monarch can charm, Free from
+pride is the beauty that bears off the palm.
+
+This song was to be found in almost every part of France. Altho' the
+last couplet was generally suppressed, so evident was its partial tone
+towards me, in the midst of it all I could not help being highly amused
+with the simplicity evinced by the good people of France, who, in
+censuring the king's conduct, found nothing reprehensible but his having
+omitted to select his mistress from elevated rank.
+
+The citizens resented this falling off in royalty with as much warmth
+and indignation as the grandees of the court; and I could enjoy a laugh
+on the subject of their angry displeasure as soon as my presentation was
+decided upon.
+
+The intrigues carried on by those about the princesses, and the
+necessity of awaiting the perfect recovery of madame de Bearn, delayed
+this (to me) important day till the end of the month of April, 1770.
+On the evening of the 21st the king, according to custom, announced a
+presentation for the following day; but he durst not explain himself
+more frankly; he hesitated, appeared embarrassed, and only pronounced my
+name in a low and uncertain voice; it seemed as tho' he feared his own
+authority was insufficient to support him in such a measure. This I did
+not learn till some time afterwards; and when I did hear it, I took the
+liberty of speaking my opinion upon it freely to his majesty.
+
+On the next day, the 22d, I was solely engrossed with my dress: it was
+the most important era of my life, and I would not have appeared on it
+to any disadvantage. A few days previously, the king had sent me, by the
+crown jeweller, Boemer, a set of diamonds, valued at 150,000 livres, of
+which he begged my acceptance. Delighted with so munificent a present I
+set about the duties of the toilette with a zeal and desire of pleasing
+which the importance of the occasion well excused. I will spare you the
+description of my dress; were I writing to a woman I would go into all
+these details; but as I know they would not be to your taste, I will
+pass all these uninteresting particulars over in silence, and proceed to
+more important matter.
+
+Paris and Versailles were filled with various reports. Thro'out the
+city, within, without the castle, all manner of questions were asked, as
+tho' the monarchy itself was in danger. Couriers were dispatched every
+instant with fresh tidings of the great event which was going on.
+A stranger who had observed the general agitation would easily have
+remarked the contrast between the rage and consternation of my enemies
+and the joy of my partizans, who crowded in numbers to the different
+avenues of the palace, in order to feast their eyes upon the pageantry
+of my triumphal visit to court.
+
+Nothing could surpass the impatience with which I was expected; hundreds
+were counting the minutes, whilst I, under the care of my hairdresser
+and robemaker, was insensible to the rapid flight of time, which had
+already carried us beyond the hour appointed for my appearance. The king
+himself was a prey to an unusual uneasiness; the day appeared to him
+interminable; and the eagerness with which he awaited me made my delay
+still more apparent. A thousand conjectures were afloat as to the cause
+of it. Some asserted that my presentation had been deferred for the
+present, and, in all probability, would never take place; that the
+princesses had opposed it in the most decided manner, and had refused
+upon any pretense whatever to admit me to their presence. All these
+suppositions charmed my enemies, and filled them with hopes which their
+leaders, better informed, did not partake.
+
+Meanwhile the king's restlessness increased; he kept continually
+approaching the window to observe what was going on in the court-yard
+of the castle, and seeing there no symptoms of my equipage being
+in attendance, began to lose both temper and patience. It has been
+asserted, that he gave orders to have the presentation put off till a
+future period, and that the duc de Richelieu procured my _entree_ by
+force; this is partly true and partly false. Whilst in ignorance of the
+real cause of my being so late, the king said to the first gentleman of
+the chamber,
+
+"You will see that this poor countess has met with some accident, or
+else that her joy has been too much for her, and made her too ill to
+attend our court to-day; if that be the case, it is my pleasure that her
+presentation should not be delayed beyond to-morrow."
+
+"Sire," replied the duke, "your majesty's commands are absolute."
+
+These words, but half understood, were eagerly caught up, and
+interpreted their own way by those who were eager to seize anything that
+might tell to my prejudice.
+
+At length I appeared; and never had I been more successful in
+appearance. I was conducted by my godmother, who, decked like an altar,
+was all joy and satisfaction to see herself a sharer in such pomp and
+splendor. The princesses received me most courteously; the affability,
+either real or feigned, which shone in their eyes as they regarded me,
+and the flattering words with which they welcomed my arrival, was a
+mortal blow to many of the spectators, especially to the ladies of
+honor. The princesses would not suffer me to bend my knee before them,
+but at the first movement I made to perform this act of homage, they
+hastened to raise me, speaking to me at the same time in the most
+gracious manner.
+
+But my greatest triumph was with the king. I appeared before him in all
+my glory, and his eyes declared in a manner not to be misunderstood
+by all around him the impetuous love which he felt for me. He had
+threatened the previous evening to let me fall at his feet without the
+least effort on his part to prevent it. I told him that I was sure his
+gallantry would not allow him to act in this manner; and we had laid a
+bet on the matter. As soon as I approached him, and he took my hand to
+prevent me, as I began to stoop before him, "You have lost, sire," said
+I to him.
+
+"How is it possible to preserve my dignity in the presence of so many
+graces?" was his reply.
+
+These gracious words of his majesty were heard by all around him. My
+enemies were wofully chagrined; but what perfected their annihilation
+was the palpable lie which my appearance gave to their false assertions.
+They had blazoned forth everywhere that my manners were those of a
+housemaid; that I was absurd and unladylike in my conduct; and that
+it was only requisite to have a glimpse of me to recognize both the
+baseness of my extraction, and the class of society in which my life had
+been hitherto spent.
+
+But I showed manners so easy and so elegant that the people soon shook
+off their preconceived prejudice against me. I heard my demeanor lauded
+as greatly as my charms and the splendor of my attire. Nothing could
+be more agreeable to me. In a word, I obtained complete success, and
+thenceforward learnt experimentally how much the exterior and a noble
+carriage add to the consideration in which a person is held. I have seen
+individuals of high rank and proud behavior who carried no influence in
+their looks, because their features were plain and common place; whilst
+persons of low station, whose face was gifted with natural dignity, had
+only to show themselves to attract the respect of the multitude.
+
+Nothing about me bespoke that I was sprung from a vulgar stock, and thus
+scandal of that kind ceased from the day of my presentation; and public
+opinion having done me justice in this particular, slander was compelled
+to seek for food elsewhere.
+
+That evening I had a large circle at my house. The chancellor, the
+bishop of Orleans, M. de Saint-Florentin, M. Bertin, the prince de
+Soubise, the ducs de Richelieu, de la Trimouille, de Duras, d'Aiguillon,
+and d'Ayen. This last did not hesitate to come to spy out all that
+passed in my apartments, that he might go and spread it abroad,
+augmented by a thousand malicious commentaries. I had also M. de
+Sartines, my brother-in-law, etc. The duc de la Vauguyon alone was
+absent. I knew beforehand that he would not come, and that it was a
+sacrifice which he thought himself compelled to make to the cabal. The
+ladies were mesdames de Bearn and d'Aloigny, with my sisters-in-law.
+Amongst the ladies presented they were the only ones with whom I
+had formed any intimacy; as for the rest I was always the "horrible
+creature," of whom they would not hear on any account.
+
+The king, on entering, embraced me before the whole party. "You are a
+charming creature," said he to me, "and the brilliancy of your beauty
+has to-day reminded me of the device of my glorious ancestor."
+
+This was a flattering commencement; the rest of the company chimed in
+with their master, and each tried to take the first part in the chorus.
+The duc d'Ayen even talked of my grace of manner. "Ah, sir," said I to
+him, "I have had time to learn it from Pharamond to the reigning king."
+
+This allusion was bitter, and did not escape the duke, who turned pale
+in spite of his presence of mind, on finding that I was aware of the
+malicious repartee which he had made to the king when talking of me, and
+which I have already mentioned to you. The chancellor said to me,
+
+"You have produced a great effect, but especially have you triumphed
+over the cabal by the nobility of your manners and the dignity of your
+mien; and thus you have deprived it of one of its greatest engines of
+mischief, that of calumniating your person."
+
+"They imagined then," said I to him, "that I could neither speak nor be
+silent, neither walk nor sit still."
+
+"As they wished to find you ignorant and awkward they have set you down
+as such. This is human nature: when we hate any one, we say they are
+capable of any thing; then, that they have become guilty of every thing;
+and, to wind up all, they adopt for truth to-day what they invented last
+night."
+
+"Were you not fearful?" inquired the king.
+
+"Forgive me, sire," I answered, "when I say that I feared lest I should
+not please your majesty; and I was excessively desirous of convincing
+mesdames of my respectful attachment."
+
+This reply was pronounced to be fitting and elegant, altho' I had not in
+any way prepared it. The fact is, that I was in great apprehension lest
+I should displease the king's daughters; and I dreaded lest they should
+manifest too openly the little friendship which they had towards me.
+Fortunately all passed off to a miracle, and my good star did not burn
+dimly in this decisive circumstance.
+
+Amongst those who rejoiced at my triumph I cannot forget the duc
+d'Aiguillon. During the whole of the day he was in the greatest
+agitation. His future destiny was, in a measure, attached to my fortune;
+he knew that his whole existence depended on mine; and he expected from
+me powerful support to defend him against the pack of his enemies,
+who were yelping open-mouthed against him. He stood in need of all
+his strength of mind and equanimity to conceal the disquietude and
+perplexity by which he was internally agitated.
+
+The comte Jean also participated in this great joy. His situation at
+court was not less doubtful; he had no longer reason to blush for his
+alliance with me, and could now form, without excess of presumption, the
+most brilliant hopes of the splendor of his house. His son, the vicomte
+Adolphe, was destined to high fortune; and I assure you that I deeply
+regretted when a violent and premature death took him away from his
+family. My presentation permitted his father to realize the chimera
+which he had pursued with so much perseverance. He flattered himself
+in taking part with me. I did not forget him in the distribution of
+my rewards; and the king's purse was to him a source into which he
+frequently dipped with both hands.
+
+The next day I had a visit from the chancellor.
+
+"Now," said he, "you are at the height of your wishes, and we must
+arrange matters, that the king shall find perpetual and varied
+amusements, with you. He does not like large parties; a small circle is
+enough for him; then he is at his ease, and likes to see the same faces
+about him. If you follow my advice you will have but few females about
+you, and select that few with discernment."
+
+"How can I choose them at all when I see so very few?" was my reply. "I
+have no positive intimacy with any court lady; and amongst the number
+I should be at a loss to select any one whom I would wish to associate
+with in preference to another."
+
+"Oh, do not let that disturb you," he replied: "they leave you alone
+now, because each is intent on observing what others may do; but as soon
+as any one shall pay you a visit, the others will run as fast after you
+as did the sheep of Panurge. I am greatly deceived if they are not very
+desirous that one of them shall devote herself, and make the first dash,
+that they may profit by her pretended fault. I know who will not be
+the last to come and station herself amongst the furniture of your
+apartment. The marechale de Mirepoix was too long the complaisant friend
+of madame de Pompadour not to become, and that very soon, the friend of
+the comtesse du Barry."
+
+"Good heaven," I exclaimed, "how delighted I should be to have the
+friendship of this lady, whose wit and amiable manners are so greatly
+talked of."
+
+"Yes," said de Maupeou, laughing, "she is a type of court ladies, a
+mixture of dignity and suppleness, majesty and condescension, which is
+worth its weight in gold. She was destined from all eternity to be the
+companion of the king's female friends."
+
+We both laughed; and the chancellor went on to say: "There are others
+whom I will point out to you by and by; as for this one, I undertake to
+find out whether she will come first of the party. She has sent to ask
+an audience of me concerning a suit she has in hand. I will profit by
+the circumstances to come to an explanation with her, about you. She
+is not over fond of the Choiseul party; and I augur this, because I see
+that she puts on a more agreeable air towards them."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+
+     The Comte de la Marche, a prince of the blood--Madame de
+     Beauvoir, his mistress--Madame du Barry complains to the
+     prince de Soubise of the princess de Guemenee--The king
+     consoles the countess for this--The duc de Choiseul--The
+     king speaks to him of madame du Barry--Voltaire writes to
+     her--The opinions of Richelieu and the king concerning
+     Voltaire
+
+Amongst those personages who came to compliment me on the evening of my
+presentation was M. the comte de la Marche, son of the prince du Conti,
+and consequently prince of the blood. He had long been devoted to the
+will of Louis XV. As soon as his most serene highness had wind of my
+favor he hastened to add to the number of my court; and I leave you to
+imagine how greatly I was flattered at seeing it augmented by so august
+a personage.
+
+This conquest was most valuable in my eyes, for I thus proved to the
+world, that by attracting the king to me I did not isolate him from the
+whole of his family. It is very true that for some time the comte de
+la Marche had been out of favor with the public, by reason of his over
+complaisance towards the ministers of the king's pleasure; but he
+was not the less a prince of the blood, and at Versailles this rank
+compensated for almost every fault. He was a lively man, moreover, his
+society was agreeable, and the title he bore reflected his distinction
+amongst a crowd of courtiers. I felt, therefore, that I ought to
+consider myself as very fortunate that he deigned to visit me, and
+accordingly received him with all the civility I could display; and the
+welcome reception which he always experienced drew him frequently to my
+abode.
+
+The friendship with which he honored me was not agreeable to my enemies;
+and they tried by every possible means to seduce him from me. They got
+his near relations to talk to him about it; his intimate friends to
+reason with him; the females whom he most admired to dissuade him from
+it. There was not one of these latter who did not essay to injure me in
+his estimation, by saying that he dishonored himself by an acquaintance
+with me. There was amongst others a marquise de Beauvoir, the issue of
+a petty nobility, whom he paid with sums of gold, altho' she was not
+his mistress by title. Gained over by the Choiseuls, she made proposals
+concerning me to the prince of so ridiculous a nature, that he said to
+her impatiently: "I' faith, my dear, as in the eyes of the world every
+woman who lives with a man who is not her husband is a ------, so I
+think a man is wise to choose the loveliest he can find; and in this way
+the king is at this moment much better off than any of his subjects."
+
+Only imagine what a rage this put the marquise de Beauvoir in: she
+stormed, wept, had a nervous attack. The comte de la Marche contemplated
+her with a desperate tranquillity; but this scene continuing beyond the
+limits of tolerable patience, he was so tired of it that he left her.
+This was not what the marquise wished; and she hastened to write a
+submissive letter to him, in which, to justify herself, she confessed
+to the prince, that in acting against me she had only yielded to the
+instigations of the cabal, and particularly alluded to mesdames de
+Grammont and de Guemenee.
+
+The comte de la Marche showed me this letter, which I retained in spite
+of his resistance and all the efforts he made to obtain possession of
+it again. My intention was to show it to the king; and I did not fail to
+give it to him at the next visit he paid me: he read it, and shrugging
+up his shoulders, as was his usual custom, he said to me,
+
+"They are devils incarnate, and the worst of the kind. They try to
+injure you in every way, but they shall not succeed. I receive also
+anonymous letters against you, they are tossed into the post-box in
+large packets with feigned names, in the hope that they will reach
+me. Such slanders ought not to annoy you: in the days of madame de
+Pompadour, the same thing was done. The same schemes were tried to ruin
+madame de Chateauroux. Whenever I have been suspected of any tenderness
+towards a particular female, every species of intrigue has been
+instantly put in requisition. Moreover," he continued, "madame de
+Grammont attacks you with too much obstinacy not to make me believe but
+that she would employ all possible means to attain her end."
+
+"Ah," I exclaimed, "because she has participated in your friendship you
+are ready to support her."
+
+"Do not say so in a loud tone," he replied laughingly; "her joy would
+know no bounds if she could believe it was in her power to inspire you
+with jealousy."
+
+"But," I said, "that insolent Guemenee; has she also to plume herself
+on your favors as an excuse for overpowering me with her hatred, and for
+tearing me to pieces in the way she does?"
+
+"No," was the king's answer; "she is wrong, and I will desire her
+father-in-law to say so."
+
+"And I will come to an explanation with the prince de Soubise on this
+point; and we will see whether or not I will allow myself to have my
+throat cut like an unresisting sheep."
+
+I did not fail to keep my word. The prince de Soubise came the next
+morning; chance on that day induced him to be extraordinarily gallant
+towards me; never had he praised me so openly, or with so much
+exaggeration. I allowed him to go on; but when at length he had
+finished his panegyric, "Monsieur le marechal," said I to him, "you are
+overflowing with kindness towards me, and I wish that all the members of
+your family would treat me with the same indulgence."
+
+Like a real courtier he pretended not to understand me, and made no
+reply, hoping, no doubt, that the warmth of conversation would lead me
+to some other subject; but this one occupied me too fully to allow me to
+divert my attention from it; and, seeing that he continued silent, I
+continued, "madame your daughter-in-law behaves towards me like a
+declared enemy; she assails me by all sorts of provocation, and at last
+will so act, that I shall find myself compelled to struggle against her
+with open force."
+
+You must be a courtier, you must have been in the presence of a king who
+is flattered from morning to night in all his caprices, to appreciate
+the frightful state in which my direct attack placed the prince de
+Soubise. Neither his political instinct, nor the tone of pleasantry
+which he essayed to assume, nor the more dangerous resource of offended
+dignity, could extricate him from the embarrassment in which he
+was thrown by my words. He could do nothing but stammer out a few
+unintelligible phrases; and his confusion was so great and so visible,
+that the marquis de Chauvelin, his not over sincere friend, came to his
+assistance. The king, equally surprised at what I had just said, hastily
+turned and spoke to Chon, who told me afterwards, that the astonishment
+of Louis XV had been equal to that of the prince de Soubise, and that
+he had evinced it by the absence of mind which he had manifested in his
+discourse and manners.
+
+M. de Chauvelin then turning towards me, said, "Well, madame, on what
+evil herb have you walked to-day? Can it be possible that you would make
+the prince, who is your friend, responsible for the hatred which ought
+to be flattering rather than painful to you, since it is a homage
+exacted towards your brilliant loveliness?"
+
+"In the first place," I replied, "I have no intention to cast on
+monsieur le marechal, whom I love with all my heart, the least
+responsibility relative to the object of which I complain. I only wished
+to evince to him the regret I experienced at not seeing all the members
+of his family like him: this is all. I should be in despair if I thought
+I had said anything that would wound him; and if I have done so, I most
+sincerely ask his pardon."
+
+On saying these words I presented my hand to the prince, who instantly
+kissed it.
+
+"You are," said he, "at the same time cruel and yet most amiable: but if
+you have the painful advantage of growing old at court, you will learn
+that my children have not all the deference and respect towards me which
+they owe to their father; and I often am pained to see them act in a
+manner entirely opposite to my desires, however openly manifested. If
+my daughter does not love you, it is to me, most probably, that you must
+look for the _why_ and _wherefore_: it is because I love you so much
+that she is against you. I have committed an error in praising you
+before her, and her jealousy was not proof against it."
+
+"That is very amiable in you," said I; "and now whatever may be my
+feelings against the princesse de Guemenee, I will endeavor to dissemble
+it out of regard for you; and, I assure you, that however little
+consideration your daughter-in-law may testify towards me, I will show
+her a fair side: endeavor to make peace between us. I only ask to be let
+alone, for I do not seek to become the enemy of any person."
+
+Altho' M. de Soubise said that he had no influence over the princesse
+de Guemenee, I learned, subsequently, that the day after this scene he
+testified to the Guemenee some fears as to his future destiny at court.
+He begged her not to oppose herself to me; to be silent with respect to
+me, and to keep herself somewhat in the shade if she would not make some
+advances towards me. His daughter-in-law, whose arrogance equalled her
+dissipation and dissolute manners, replied, that she was too much above
+a woman of my sort to fear or care for me; that my reign at the chateau
+would be but brief, whilst hers would only terminate with her life: that
+she would never consent to an act of weakness that would be derogatory
+to her character and rank. In vain did the prince try to soften her,
+and make her consider that my influence over the king was immense: he
+preached to the desert, and was compelled to abandon his purpose without
+getting any thing by his endeavors.
+
+I now return to my conversation with him. During the time it lasted
+the king did not cease talking to Chon, all the time listening with
+attention to what the prince and I were saying; and he did not approach
+us until the intervention of M. de Chauvelin had terminated this kind
+of a quarrel. He returned to his seat in front of the fire; and when we
+were alone, said to me,
+
+"You have been very spiteful to the poor marechal, and I suffered for
+him."
+
+"You are an excellent friend; and, no doubt, it is the affection you
+bear to M. de Soubise which makes you behave so harshly to me. Can I
+not, without displeasing you, defend myself when I am attacked?"
+
+"I did not say so; but is it necessary that he must be responsible for
+the follies of his relations?"
+
+"In truth, sire, so much the worse for the father who cannot make his
+children respect him. If the marechal was respected by the public,
+believe me he would be so by his family."
+
+This retort was perhaps too severe. I found this by the silence of the
+king; but as, in fact, it imported little, and, by God's help, I was
+never under much constraint with him, I saw him blush, and then he said
+to me,
+
+"Now, I undertake to bring madame de Guemenee into proper order. The
+favor I ask is, that you would not meddle. I have power enough to
+satisfy you, but, for heaven's sake, do not enter into more quarrels
+than you have already. It seems to me that you ought to avoid them
+instead of creating such disturbances."
+
+He had assumed a grave tone in reading me this lecture: but as we were
+in a place in which majesty could not be committed, I began to laugh
+heartily, and to startle him, I said that henceforward I would pilot
+my bark myself, and defend myself by openly assailing all persons who
+testified an aversion to me. How laughable it was to see the comic
+despair in which this determination threw the king. It seemed to him
+that the whole court would be at loggerheads; and he could not restrain
+himself from exclaiming, that he would a hundred times rather struggle
+against the king of Prussia and the emperor of Germany united, than
+against three or four females of the chateau. In a word, I frightened
+him so completely, that he decided on the greatest act of courage he had
+ever essayed in my favor: it was, to desire the intervention of the duc
+de Choiseul in all these quarrels.
+
+The credit of this minister was immense, and this credit was based on
+four powerful auxiliaries; namely the parliament, the philosophers, the
+_literati_, and the women. The high magistracy found in him a public and
+private protector. The parliaments had themselves a great many clients,
+and their voices, given to the duc de Choiseul, gave him great power in
+the different provinces. The philosophers, ranged under the banner of
+Voltaire, who was their god, and of d'Alembert, their patriarch, knew
+all his inclinations for them, and knew how far they might rely on
+his support in all attempts which they made to weaken the power of the
+clergy, and to diminish the gigantic riches which had been amassed by
+prelates and monasteries. The writers were equally devoted to him: they
+progressed with the age, and as on all sides they essayed to effect
+important reforms, it was natural that they should rally about him in
+whose hands was the power of their operations.
+
+The ladies admired his gallantry: in fact, the duc de Choiseul was a
+man who understood marvellously well how to combine serious labors with
+pleasure. I was, perhaps, the only woman of the court whom he would not
+love, and yet I was not the least agreeable nor the most ugly. It
+was very natural for them to exalt his merit and take him under their
+especial protection. Thus was he supported in every quarter by them;
+they boasted of his measures, and by dint of repeating in the ears of
+every body that M. de Choiseul was a minister _par excellence_, and the
+support of monarchy, they had contrived to persuade themselves of the
+truth of their assertion. In fact, if France found herself freed from
+the Jesuits, it was to the duc de Choiseul that this was owing, and this
+paramount benefit assured to him universal gratitude.
+
+The king was fully aware of this unanimity of public opinion in favor of
+his minister. He was, besides, persuaded, that in arranging the _pacte
+de famille_, and concluding the alliance with the imperial house, the
+duc de Choiseul had evinced admirable diplomatic talents, and rendered
+France real, and important, service. His attachment to him was
+incumbent, and rested on solid foundations. If, at a subsequent period,
+he dismissed him, it was because he was deceived by a shameful intrigue
+which it will cost me pain to develop to you, because I took by far too
+much a leading part in it, which now causes me the deepest regret.
+
+Now, by the act of my presentation, the duc de Choiseul would be
+compelled to meet me often, which would render our mutual situation very
+disagreeable. On this account the king sought to reconcile us, and
+would have had no difficulty in effecting his wishes had he only had the
+resistance of the minister and his wife to encounter. The lady had not
+much influence over her husband, and besides she had too much good sense
+to struggle against the wishes of the king: but the duchesse de
+Grammont was there, and this haughty and imperious dame had so great an
+ascendancy with her brother, and behaved with so little caution, that
+the most odious reports were in circulation about their intimacy.
+
+It could scarcely be hoped that we could tame this towering spirit,
+which saw in me an odious rival. Louis XV did not flatter himself that
+he could effect this prodigy, but he hoped to have a greater ascendancy
+over his minister. It was to the duc de Choiseul, therefore, that he
+first addressed himself, desirous of securing the husband and wife
+before he attacked the redoubtable sister. The next morning, after my
+warm assault on the prince de Soubise, he profited by an audience which
+the duke requested at an unusual hour to introduce this negotiation of
+a new kind, and the details I give you of this scene are the more
+faithful, as the king gave them to me still warm immediately after the
+conversation had terminated.
+
+The state affairs having been concluded, the king, seeking to disguise
+his voluntary embarrassment, said to the duke, smiling,
+
+"Duc de Choiseul, I have formed for my private hours a most delightful
+society: the most attached of my subjects consider themselves highly
+favored when I invite them to these evening parties so necessary for my
+amusement. I see with pain that you have never yet asked me to admit you
+there."
+
+"Sire," replied the duke, "the multiplicity of the labors with which
+your majesty has charged me, scarcely allows me time for my pleasures."
+
+"Oh, you are not so fully occupied but that you have still some time to
+spend with the ladies, and I think that I used to meet you frequently at
+the marquise de Pompadour's."
+
+"Sire, she was my friend."
+
+"Well, and why, is not the comtesse du Barry? Who has put it into
+your head that she was opposed to you? You do not know her: she is an
+excellent woman: not only has she no dislike to you, but even desires
+nothing more than to be on good terms with you."
+
+"I must believe so since your majesty assures me of it; but, sire, the
+vast business with which I am overwhelmed--"
+
+"Is not a sufficing plea; I do not allow that without a special motive,
+you should declare yourself against a person whom I honor with my
+protection. As you do not know her, and cannot have any thing to urge
+against her but prejudices founded on false rumors and scandalous
+fabrications, I engage you to sup with me at her apartments this
+evening, and I flatter myself that when I wish it you will not coin a
+parcel of reasons in opposition to my desire."
+
+"I know the obedience that is due to your majesty," said de Choiseul,
+bowing low.
+
+"Well, then, do first from duty what I flatter myself you will
+afterwards do from inclination. Duc de Choiseul, do not allow yourself
+to be influenced by advice that will prove injurious to you. What I ask
+cannot compromise you; but I should wish that with you all should be
+quiet, that no one should struggle against me, and that too with the
+air of contending against a person's station. Do not reply, you know
+perfectly what I would say, and I know what belongs to myself."
+
+Here the conversation terminated. The duc de Choiseul did not become my
+friend any the more, but behaved towards me with all due consideration.
+He used grace and _finesse_ in his proceedings, without mingling with it
+anything approaching to nonsense. He never allowed himself, whatever
+has been said, to dart out in my face any of those epigrams which public
+malignity has attributed to him. Perhaps like many other persons in the
+world, he has said many pleasantries of me which have been reported as
+said in my presence, but I repeat that he never uttered in my society a
+single word with which I had cause to be offended.
+
+At this juncture I received a letter of which I had the folly to be
+proud, altho' a little reflection should have made me think that my
+situation alone inspired it: it was from M. de Voltaire. This great
+genius was born a courtier. Whether he loved the protection of the
+great, or whether he thought it necessary to him, he was constantly
+aiming, from his youth upwards, at obtaining the countenance of persons
+belonging to a high rank, which made him servile and adulatory whilst
+they were in power, and full of grimace towards them when the wind
+favor ceased to swell their sails. It was in this way that mesdames
+de Chateauroux and de Pompadour had had his homage. He had sung their
+praises, and, of course, he could not forget me. You will recall to mind
+the letter which he wrote to the duc d'Aiguillon, on occasion of the
+piece of poetry entitled "_La Cour du Roi Petaud_." He had denied having
+composed it, but this denial had not been addressed directly to me.
+Having learnt, no doubt, that my credit was increasing, he thought
+himself obliged to write to me, that he might rank me with his party. He
+might have availed himself of the intermediation of the duc d'Aiguillon,
+but preferred putting the duc de Richelieu into his confidence, and
+begged him to fulfil the delicate function of literary Mercury. I was
+alone when the marechal came to me with an assumed air of mystery. His
+first care was to look around him without saying a word; and it was not
+until after he had shaken the curtains, and peeped into every corner of
+the apartment, that he approached me, who was somewhat surprised at his
+monkey tricks.
+
+"I am the bearer," he said, in a low voice, "of a secret and important
+communication, which I have been entreated to deliver after five or six
+hundred cautions at least: it is a defection from the enemy's camp, and
+not the least in value."
+
+Fully occupied by my quarrel with the ladies of the court, I imagined
+that he had brought me a message of peace from some great lady; and,
+full of this idea, I asked him in haste the name of her whose friendship
+I had acquired.
+
+"Good," said he, "it is about a lady, is it? It is from a personage
+fully as important, a giant in power, whose words resound from one
+extremity of Europe to another, and whom the Choiseuls believe their own
+entirely."
+
+ "It is M. de Voltaire," I said.
+
+"Exactly so: your perspicacity has made you guess it."
+
+ "But what does he want with me?"
+
+"To be at peace with you; to range himself under your banner, secretly
+at first, but afterwards openly."
+
+"Is he then afraid openly to evince himself my friend?" I replied, in a
+tone of some pique.
+
+"Rather so, and yet you must not feel offended at that. The situation
+of this sarcastic and talented old man is very peculiar; his unquiet
+petulance incessantly gives birth to fresh perils. He, of necessity,
+must make friends in every quarter, left and right, in France and
+foreign countries. The necessary consequence is, that he cannot follow
+a straight path. The Choiseuls have served him with perfect zeal: do not
+be astonished if he abandon them when they can no longer serve him. If
+they fall, he will bid them good evening, and will sport your cockade
+openly."
+
+"But," I replied, "this is a villainous character."
+
+"Ah, I do not pretend to introduce to you an Aristides or an
+Epaminondas, or any other soul of similar stamp. He is a man of letters,
+full of wit, a deep thinker, a superior genius, and our reputations are
+in his hands. If he flatters us, posterity will know it; if he laugh at
+us, it will know it also. I counsel you therefore to use him well, if
+you would have him behave so towards you."
+
+"I will act conformably to your advice," said I to the marechal; "at the
+same time I own to you that I fear him like a firebrand."
+
+"I, like you, think that there is in him something of the infernal
+stone: he burns you on the slightest touch. But now, to this letter; you
+will see what he says to you. He begs me most particularly to conceal
+from every body the step he has taken with you. What he most dreads is,
+lest you should proclaim from the housetops that he is in correspondence
+with you. I conjure you, on his behalf, to exercise the greatest
+discretion, and I think that you are interested in doing so; for, if
+what he has done should be made public, he will not fail to exercise
+upon you the virulence of his biting wit."
+
+Our conversation was interrupted by a stir which we heard in the
+chateau, and which announced to us the king. The marechal hastily
+desired me not to show Voltaire's letter to the king until I had read
+it previously to myself. "He does not like this extraordinary man," he
+added, "and accuses him of having failed in respect, and perhaps you
+will find in this paper some expression which may displease him."
+
+Scarcely had I put the epistle in my pocket, when the king entered.
+
+"What are you talking about," said he, "you seem agitated?"
+
+"Of M. de Voltaire, sire," I replied, with so much presence of mind as
+to please the duc de Richelieu.
+
+"What, is he at his tricks again? Have you any cause of complaint
+against him?"
+
+"Quite the reverse; he has charged M. d'Argental to say to M. de
+Richelieu, that he was sorry that he could not come and prostrate
+himself at my feet."
+
+"Ah," said the king, remembering the letter to the duc d'Aiguillon,
+"he persists in his coquetries towards you: that is better than being
+lampooned by him. But do not place too much confidence in this gentleman
+of the chamber: he weighs every thing in two scales; and I doubt much
+whether he will spare you when he evinces but little consideration for
+me."
+
+Certainly Richelieu had a good opportunity of undertaking the defence of
+his illustrious friend. He did no such thing; and I have always thought
+that Voltaire was the person whom the duke detested more heartily than
+any other person in the world. He did, in fact, dread him too much to
+esteem him as a real friend.
+
+"M. d'Argental," said the king, "unites then at my court the double
+function of minister of Parma and steward of Ferney.* Are these two
+offices compatible?"
+
+     * The name of Voltaire's residence--TRANS
+
+"Yes, sire," replied the duke, laughing, "since he has not presented
+officially to your majesty the letters of his creation as comte de
+Tournay."
+
+The king began to laugh. This was the name of an estate which Voltaire
+had, and which he sometimes assumed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+     Unpublished letter of Voltaire to madame du Barry--Reply of
+     the countess--The marechale de Mirepoix--Her first interview
+     with madame du Barry--Anecdote of the diamonds of madame de
+     Mirepoix--The king pays for them--Singular gratitude of the
+     marechale--The portfolio, and an unpublished letter of the
+     marquise de Pompadour
+
+By the way in which the king continued to speak to me of M. de Voltaire,
+I clearly saw how right the duke was in advising me to read the letter
+myself before I showed it to my august protector. I could not read it
+until the next day, and found it conceived in the following terms:--
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE:--I feel myself urged by an extreme desire to have
+an explanation with you, after the receipt of a letter which M. the duc
+d'Aiguillon wrote to me last year. This nobleman, nephew of a gentleman,
+as celebrated for the name he bears as by his own reputation, and who
+has been my friend for more than sixty years, has communicated to me
+the pain which had been caused you by a certain piece of poetry, of
+my writing as was stated, and in which my style was recognised. Alas!
+madame, ever since the most foolish desire in the world has excited me
+to commit a great deal of idle trash to paper, not a month, a week, nay,
+even a day passes in which I am not accused and convicted of some
+great enormity; that is to say, the malicious author of all sorts of
+turpitudes and extravagancies. Eh! _mon Dieu_, the entire life-time of
+ten men would not be sufficient to write all with which I am charged,
+to my unutterable despair in this world, and to my eternal damnation in
+that which is to come.
+
+"It is no doubt, much to die in final impenitence; altho' hell may
+contain all the honest men of antiquity and a great portion of those of
+our times; and paradise would not be much to hope for if we must find
+ourselves face to face with messieurs Freron, Nonatte, Patouillet,
+Abraham Chauneix, and other saints cut out of the same cloth. But how
+much more severe would it be to sustain your anger! The hatred of the
+Graces brings down misfortune on men of letters; and when he embroils
+himself with Venus and the Muses he is a lost being; as, for instance,
+M. Dorat, who incessantly slanders his mistresses, and writes nothing
+but puerilities.
+
+"I have been very cautious, in my long career, how I committed such a
+fault. If perchance I have lightly assailed the common cry of scribblers
+or pendants who were worthless, I have never ceased to burn incense on
+the altars of the ladies; them I have always sung when I--could not do
+otherwise. Independently, madame, of the profound respect I bear all
+your sex I profess a particular regard towards all those who approach
+our sovereign, and whom he invests with his confidence: in this I
+prove myself no less a faithful subject than a gallant Frenchman; and
+I venerate the God I serve in his constant friendships as I would do in
+his caprices. Thus I was far from outraging and insulting you still
+more grievously by composing a hateful work which I detest with my whole
+heart, and which makes me shed tears of blood when I think that people
+did not blush to attribute it to me.
+
+"Believe in my respectful attachment, madame, no less than in my cruel
+destiny, which renders me odious to those by whom I would be loved. My
+enemies, a portion of whom are amongst yours, certainly succeed each
+other with frightful eagerness to try my wind. Now they have just
+published under my name some attacks on the poor president Henault, whom
+I love with sincere affection. What have they not attributed to me to
+inculpate me with my friends, with my illustrious protectors, M. le
+marechal duc de Richelieu and their majesties the king of Prussia and
+the czarina of Russia!
+
+"I could excuse them for making war upon strangers in my name, altho'
+that would be a pirate's method; but to attack, under my banner, my
+master, my sovereign lord, this I can never pardon, and I will raise
+against them even a dying voice; particularly when they strike you with
+the same blows; you, who love literature; you, who do me the honor
+to charge your memory with my feeble productions. It is an infamy to
+pretend that I fire on my own troops.
+
+"Under any circumstances, madame, I am before you in a very delicate
+situation. There is in Versailles a family which overwhelms me with
+marks of their friendship. Mine ought to appertain to it to perpetuity;
+yet I learn that it is so unfortunate as to have no conception of your
+merit, and that envious talebearers place themselves between you and it.
+I am told that there is a kind of declared war; it is added, that I have
+furnished supplies to this camp, the chiefs of which I love and esteem.
+More wise, more submissive, I keep myself out of the way of blows; and
+my reverence for the supreme master is such, that I turn away my very
+eyes that they may not be spectators of the fight.
+
+"Do not then, madame, think that any sentiment of affection has
+compelled, or can compel me to take arms against you. I would refuse
+any proposition which should rank me as hostile to you, if the natural
+generosity of your enemies could so far forget it. In reality they are
+as incapable of ordering a bad action as I am of listening to those who
+should show themselves so devoid of sense as to propose such a thing to
+me.
+
+"I am persuaded that you have understood me, and I am fully cleared
+in your eyes. It would be delightful to me to ascertain this with
+certainty. I charge M. le marechal duc de Richelieu to explain to you my
+disquietude on this head, and the favor I seek at your hands, from you
+who command France, whilst I, I ought to die in peace, not to displease
+any person, and live wisely with all. I conclude, madame la comtesse,
+this long and stupid epistle, which is, in fact, less a letter than a
+real case for consideration, by begging you to believe me, etc.,
+
+"VOLTAIRE
+
+"_Ferney_, April 28, 1769. Gentleman in ordinary to the king.
+
+"P. S. My enemies say everywhere that I am not a Christian. I have
+just given them the lie direct, by performing my Easter devotions (_mes
+paques_) publicly; thus proving to all my lively desire to terminate my
+long career in the religion in which I was born; and I have fulfilled
+this important act after a dozen consecutive attacks of fever, which
+made me fear I should die before I could assure you of my respect and my
+devotion."
+
+This apology gave me real pleasure. I pretended to believe the
+sincerity of him who addressed me, altho' he had not convinced me of his
+innocence; and I wrote the following reply to M. de Voltaire, which a
+silly pride dictates to me to communicate to you, in conjunction with
+the letter of the philosopher:
+
+"MONSIEUR:--Even were you culpable from too much friendship towards
+those you cherish, I would pardon you as a recompense for the letter
+you address to me. This ought the more to charm me, as it gives me the
+certainty that you had been unworthily calumniated. Could you have said,
+under the veil of secrecy, things disagreeable to a great king, for
+whom, in common with all France, you profess sincere love? It is
+impossible. Could you, with gaiety of heart, wound a female who never
+did you harm, and who admires your splendid genius? In fact, could
+those you call your friends have stooped so low as not to have feared
+to compromise you, by making you play a part unworthy of your elevated
+reputation? All these suppositions were unreasonable: I could not for a
+moment admit them, and your two letters have entirely justified you. I
+can now give myself up without regret to my enthusiasm for you and your
+works. It would have been too cruel for me to have learnt with certainty
+that he whom I regarded as the first writer of the age had become my
+detractor without motive, without provocation. That it is not so I give
+thanks to Providence.
+
+"M. the duc d'Aiguillon did not deceive you when he told you that I fed
+on your sublime poetry. I am in literature a perfect novice, and yet
+am sensible of the true beauties which abound in your works. I am to be
+included amongst the stones which were animated by Amphion: this is one
+of your triumphs; but to this you must be accustomed.
+
+"Believe also that all your friends are not in the enemy's camp.
+There are those about me who love you sincerely, M. de Chauvelin, for
+instance, MM. de Richelieu and d'Aiguillon: this latter eulogizes you
+incessantly; and if all the world thought as he does, you would be here
+in your place. But there are terrible prejudices which my candor will
+not allow me to dissemble, which you have to overcome. There is _one_
+who complains of you, and this one must be won over to your interests.
+He wishes you to testify more veneration for what he venerates himself;
+that your attacks should not be so vehement nor so constant. Is it then
+impossible for you to comply his wishes in this particular? Be sure that
+you only, in setting no bounds in your attacks on religion, do yourself
+a vast mischief with the person in question.
+
+"It will appear strange that I should hold such language to you: I only
+do it to serve you: do not take my statements unkindly. I have now a
+favor to ask of you; which is, to include me in the list of those to
+whom you send the first fruits of the brilliant productions of your
+pen. There is none who is more devoted to you, and who has a more ardent
+desire to convince you of this.
+
+"I am, _monsieur le gentilhomme ordinaire_, with real attachment, etc."
+
+I showed this letter to M. de Richelieu.
+
+"Why," he inquired, "have you not assured him as to your indiscretion,
+which he fears?"
+
+"Because his fear seemed to me unjust, and I leave you to represent me
+to him as I am; and now," I added, "it does not appear to me necessary
+for the king to know anything of this."
+
+"You think wisely, madame; what most displeased him was to see madame de
+Pompadour in regular correspondence with M. de Voltaire."
+
+I have related to you this episode of my history, that it may recompense
+you for the tiresome details of my presentation. I resume my recital. I
+told you that M. de Maupeou had told me that he would endeavor to bring
+madame la marechale de Mirepoix, and introduce her to me, trusting to
+the friendship she had evinced for madame de Pompadour during the whole
+time of the favor and life of her who preceded me in the affections of
+Louis XV. I found, to my surprise, that he said nothing to me concerning
+it for several days, when suddenly madame la marechale de Mirepoix was
+announced.
+
+At this name and this title I rose quite in a fluster, without clearly
+knowing what could be the object of this visit, for which I was
+unprepared. The marechale, who followed closely on the valet's heels,
+did not give me time for much reflection. She took me really _a
+l'improviste_, and I had not time to go and meet her.
+
+"Madame la marechale," said I, accosting her, "what lucky chance brings
+you to a place where the desire to have your society is so great?"
+
+"It is the feeling of real sympathy," she replied, with a gracious
+smile; "for I also have longed for a considerable time to visit you,
+and have yielded to my wishes as soon as I was certain that my advances
+would not be repulsed."
+
+"Ah, madame.," said I, "had you seriously any such fear? That tells me
+much less of the mistrust you had of yourself than of the bad opinion
+you had conceived of me. The honor of your visits--"
+
+"The honor of my visits! That's admirable! I wish to obtain a portion of
+your friendship, and to testify to the king that I am sincerely attached
+to him."
+
+"You overwhelm me, madame," cried I, much delighted, "and I beg you to
+give me your confidence."
+
+"Well, now, all is arranged between us: I suit you and you please me. It
+is long since I was desirous of coming to you, but we are all under the
+yoke of the must absurd tyranny: soon we shall have no permission to
+go, to come, to speak, to hold our tongues, without first obtaining the
+consent of a certain family. This yoke has wearied me; and on the first
+word of the chancellor of France I hastened to you."
+
+"I had begged him, madame, to express to you how much I should be
+charmed to have you when the king graced me with his presence. He likes
+you, he is accustomed to the delights of your society; and I should
+have been deeply chagrined had I come here only to deprive him of that
+pleasure."
+
+"He is a good master," said the marechale, "he is worthy of all our
+love. I have had opportunities of knowing him thoroughly, for I was most
+intimate with madame de Pompadour; and I believe that my advice will not
+be useless to you."
+
+"I ask it of you, madame la marechale, for it will be precious to me."
+
+"Since we are friends, madame," said she, seating herself in a chair,
+"do not think ill of me if I establish myself at my ease, and take my
+station as in the days of yore. The king loves you: so much the better.
+You will have a double empire over him. He did not love the marquise,
+and allowed himself to be governed by her; for with him--I ask pardon
+of your excessive beauty--custom does all. It is necessary, my dear
+countess, to use the double lever you have, of your own charms and his
+constant custom to do to-morrow what he does to-day because he did it
+yesterday, and for this you lack neither grace nor wit."
+
+I had heard a great deal concerning madame de Mirepoix; but I own to
+you, that before I heard her speak I had no idea what sort of a person
+she would prove. She had an air of so much frankness and truth, that it
+was impossible not to be charmed by it. The greater part of the time I
+did not know how to defend myself from her--at once so natural and so
+perfidious; and occasionally I allowed myself to love her with all my
+heart, so much did she seem to cherish me with all enthusiasm. She had
+depth of wit, a piquancy of expression, and knew how to disguise those
+interested adulations with turns so noble and beautiful that I have
+never met, neither before nor since, any woman worthy of being compared
+with her. She was, in her single self, a whole society; and certainly
+there was no possibility of being wearied when she was there. Her temper
+was most equable, a qualification rarely obtained without a loss of
+warmth of feeling. She always pleased because her business was to
+please and not to love; and it always sufficed her to render others
+enthusiastic and ardent. Except this tendency to egotism, she was
+the charm of society, the life of the party whom she enlivened by her
+presence. She knew precisely when to mourn with the afflicted, and joke
+with the merry-hearted. The king had much pleasure in her company: he
+knew that she only thought how to amuse him; and, moreover, as he had
+seen her from morning till evening with the marquise de Pompadour, her
+absence from my parties was insupportable to him, and almost contrary to
+the rules of etiquette at the chateau.
+
+I cannot tell you how great was his satisfaction, when, at the first
+supper which followed our intimacy, he saw her enter. He ran to meet her
+like a child, and gave a cry of joy, which must have been very pleasing
+to the marechale.
+
+"You are a dear woman," he said to her, with an air which accorded with
+his words, "I always find you when I want you; and you can nowhere be
+more in place than here. I ask your friendship for our dear countess."
+
+"She has it already, sire, from the moment I saw her; and I consider my
+intimacy with her as one of the happiest chances of my life."
+
+The king showed the utmost good humor in the world during the rest
+of the evening. He scolded me, however, for the mystery I had made in
+concealing from him the agreeable visit of the marechale. I justified
+myself easily by the pleasure which this surprise caused him; and, on my
+side, gave my sincere thanks to the chancellor.
+
+"You owe me none," said he; "the good marechale felt herself somewhat
+ill at ease not to be on close terms with her who possesses the
+affections of the king. It is an indispensable necessity that she should
+play a part in the lesser apartments; and as the principal character no
+longer suits her, she is contented to perform that of confidante, and
+ran here on my first intimation."
+
+"Never mind the motive that brought her," I said; "she is a companion
+for me much more desirable than madame de Bearn."
+
+"First from her rank," said the chancellor, smiling maliciously, "and
+then by virtue of her cousinship with the Holy Virgin."
+
+I confess that I was ignorant of this incident in the house of Levi; and
+I laughed heartily at the description of the picture, in which one of
+the lords of this house is represented on his knees before the mother of
+God, who says to him, "_Rise, cousin_"; to which he replies, "_I know my
+duty too well, cousin._" I took care, however, how I joked on this point
+with the marechale, who listened to nothing that touched on the nobility
+of the ancestors of her husband or on those of her own family.
+
+Great had been the outcry in the palace against the duc de la Vauguyon
+and madame de Bearn, but how much louder did it become on the defection
+of the marquise de Mirepoix. The cabal was destroyed; for a woman of
+rank and birth like the marechale was to me a conquest of the utmost
+importance. The princesse de Guemenee and the duchesse de Grammont were
+wofully enraged. This they manifested by satirical sneers, epigrams,
+and verses, which were put forth in abundance. All these inflictions
+disturbed her but little; the main point in her eyes was to possess the
+favor of the master; and she had it, for he felt that he was bound to
+her by her complaisance.
+
+He was not long in giving her an unequivocal proof of his regard. The
+duc de Duras asked her, in presence of the king and myself, why she did
+not wear her diamonds as usual.
+
+"They are my representatives," was her reply.
+
+"What do you mean by representatives?" said I.
+
+"Why, my dear countess, they are with a Jew instead of my sign-manual.
+The rogue had no respect for the word of a relation of the Holy Virgin
+and the daughter of the Beauvau. I was in want of thirty thousand
+francs; and to procure it I have given up my ornaments, not wishing to
+send to the Jew the old plate of my family, altho' the hunks wanted it."
+
+We all laughed at her frankness, and the gaiety with which she gave this
+statement, but we went no further; to her great regret, no doubt, for
+I believe that the scene had been prepared between her and M. de Duras,
+either to let her profit in time of need, or else that she wished to
+pluck a feather from our wing. When I was alone with the king, he said,
+
+"The poor marechale pains me; I should like to oblige her and think I
+will give her five hundred louis."
+
+"What will such a petty sum avail her? You know what she wants; either
+send her the whole or none. A king should do nothing by halves."
+
+Louis XV answered me nothing; he only made a face, and began to walk
+up and down the room. "Ah," said I, "this excellent woman loves your
+majesty so much, that you ought to show your gratitude to her, were it
+only to recompense her for her intimacy with me."
+
+"Well, you shall carry her the sum yourself, which Lebel shall bring
+you from me. But thirty thousand francs, that makes a large pile of
+crown-pieces."
+
+"Then I must take it in gold."
+
+"No, but in good notes. We must not, even by a look, intimate that she
+has _sold_ her visits to us. There are such creatures in the world!"
+
+The next morning Lebel brought me a very handsome rose-colored
+portfolio, embroidered with silver and auburn hair: it contained the
+thirty thousand francs in notes. I hastened to the marechale. We were
+then at Marly.
+
+"What good wind blows you hither?" said madame de Mirepoix.
+
+"A royal gallantry," I replied; "you appeared unhappy, and our excellent
+prince sends you the money necessary to redeem your jewels."
+
+The eyes of the lady became animated, and she embraced me heartily. "It
+is to you that I owe this bounty of the king."
+
+"Yes, partly, to make the present entire; he would only have given you
+half the sum."
+
+"I recognize him well in that he does not like to empty his casket.
+He would draw on the public treasury without hesitation for double the
+revenue of France, and would not make a division of a single crown of
+his own private _peculium_."
+
+I give this speech _verbatim_; and this was all the gratitude which
+madame de Mirepoix manifested towards Louis XV. I was pained at it, but
+made no remark. She took up the portfolio, examined it carefully, and,
+bursting into a fit of laughter, said, while she flung herself into an
+arm-chair,
+
+"Ah! ah! ah! this is an unexpected rencontre! Look at this portfolio, my
+dear friend: do you see the locks with which it is decorated? Well, they
+once adorned the head of madame de Pompadour. She herself used them to
+embroider this garland of silver thread; she gave it to the king on his
+birthday. Louis XV swore never to separate from it, and here it is in my
+hands."
+
+Then, opening the portfolio, and rummaging it over, she found in a
+secret pocket a paper, which she opened, saying, "I knew he had left
+it."
+
+It was a letter of madame de Pompadour, which I wished to have, and the
+marechale gave me it instantly; the notes remained with her. I copy the
+note, to give you an idea of the sensibility of the king.
+
+"SIRE,--I am ill; dangerously so, perhaps. In the melancholy feeling
+which preys upon me, I have formed a desire to leave you a souvenir,
+which will always make me present to your memory. I have embroidered
+this portfolio with my own hair; accept it; never part with it. Enclose
+in it your most important papers, and let its contents prove your
+estimation of it. Will you not accord my prayer? Sign it, I beseech you;
+it is the caprice, the wish of a dying woman."
+
+Beneath it was written,
+
+"This token of love shall never quit me. Louis."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+     Conversation of the marechale de Mirepoix with the comtesse
+     du Barry on court friendship--Intrigues of madame de Bearn--
+     Preconcerted meeting with madame de Flaracourt---Rage of
+     madame de Bearn--Portrait and conversation of madame de
+     Flaracourt with the comtesse du Barry--Insult from the
+     princesse de Guemenee--Her banishment--Explanation of the
+     king and the duc de Choiseul relative to madame du Barry--
+     The comtesse d'Egmont
+
+However giddy I was I did not partake in the excessive gaiety of madame
+de Mirepoix. I was pained to see how little reliance could be placed
+on the sensibility of the king, as well as how far I could esteem the
+consideration of the marechale for madame de Pompadour, from whom she
+had experienced so many marks of friendship. This courtier baseness
+appeared to me so villainous, that I could not entirely conceal how I
+was affected with displeasure. Madame de Mirepoix saw it, and, looking
+at me attentively, said,
+
+"Do you feel any desire to become pathetical in the country we live in?
+I warn you that it will be at your own expense. We must learn to content
+ourselves here with appearances, and examine nothing thoroughly."
+
+"'There is then no reality?" said I to her.
+
+"Yes," she answered me, "but only two things, power and money: the rest
+is 'leather and prunella' (_contes bleus_): no person has time to love
+sincerely; it is hatred only that takes deep root and never dies.
+To hope to give birth to a real passion, an Orestean and Pyladean
+friendship, is a dream from which you must be awakened."
+
+"Then you do not love me?"
+
+"You ask me a very awkward question, my darling, I can tell you. I do
+love you, and very much, too: I have proved it by ranging myself on your
+side, and by declaring, with the utmost frankness, that I would rather
+see you in the situation in which you are, than any other woman of the
+court. But there is a long space between this and heroical friendship: I
+should deceive you if I were to affirm the contrary, and there would
+be no common sense in giving faith to my words. Every one has too much
+business, too much intrigue, too many quarrels on hand, to have any
+leisure to think of others: every one lives for himself alone. Mesdames
+de Guemenee and de Grammont appear very intimate: that is easily
+explained, they unite against a common enemy. But were your station left
+vacant, no sooner would the king have thrown the apple to one of them,
+but the other would detest her instantly."
+
+Contrary to custom I made no reply: I was absorbed in painful
+reflections to which this conversation had given rise. The marechale
+perceived it, and said,
+
+"We should fall into philosophy if we probed this subject too deeply.
+Let us think no more of this: besides, I have a new defection to tell
+you of. Madame de Flaracourt told me yesterday that she much regretted
+having misunderstood you, and that you were worth more than all those
+who persecute you. She appeared to me disposed to ally herself to you
+for the least encouragement which you might be induced to hold out to
+her."
+
+"You know very well," I replied, "that I am willing to adopt your
+advice. The house of Flaracourt is not to be despised, and I ask no
+better than to be on amicable terms with the lady."
+
+"Well, then, come this morning and walk in the grove nearest the
+pavilion, I shall be there with madame de Flaracourt: we will meet by
+chance, compliments will follow, and the alliance will be formed."
+
+The marechale and I had scarcely separated when madame de Bearn was
+announced. This lady besieged me night and day. Gifted with a subtle and
+penetrating spirit--that talent which procures advancement at court,
+she saw, with pain, that I sought to attract other females about me:
+she would fain have remained my only friend, that she might, unopposed,
+influence me in all I did. She saw, therefore, the appearance of madame
+de Mirepoix in my drawing-room with uneasiness: her bad humor was
+sufficiently apparent to attract the notice of the marechale, who
+laughed at it: her social position as a titled woman, and the king's
+friendship, giving her confidence that her credit would always exceed
+that of my godmother.
+
+Madame de Bearn was compelled to submit to the ascendancy of the
+marechale, but yet did not the less relax in her efforts to keep from
+me all other female society, she hoped that at last the king would
+distinguish her, and call her into his intimacy as my friend; she was
+not more fond of the comtesse d'Aloigny, altho' the nullity of this
+lady need not have alarmed her much. For me, I began to resent the
+irksomeness of having incessantly at my side a person who manifested too
+openly her desire to compel me to submit to her wishes, and I waited, to
+secure my freedom, only until the circle of females I could admit to my
+society should be extended.
+
+Such were our reciprocal feelings during our stay at Marly. The madame
+de Bearn watched me with more care than at Versailles, fearing, no
+doubt, that the freedom of the country might facilitate connections
+prejudicial to her interests. Little did she anticipate on this day the
+stroke which was in preparation for her. I asked her spitefully to
+take a turn with me into the park, and I took care not to announce the
+meeting which we had arranged.
+
+Behold us then walking this way and that, quite by chance, without
+however going any distance from the pavilion. Madame de Bearn, not
+liking the vicinity of the chateau, was desirous to go into the wood. I
+declined this under vain excuses, when suddenly madame de Mirepoix and
+madame de Flaracourt appeared at the end of a very short walk.
+
+"Let us turn this way," said the countess to me, "here comes one of our
+enemies, whom it would be as well to avoid."
+
+"Why turn away?" I replied; "she is alone, we are two, and then the
+marechale de Mirepoix is not opposed to us."
+
+Saying this, I advanced towards them. Madame de Flaracourt appeared very
+gracious: I replied to her advances with due politeness, and instead
+of separating, we continued to walk about together. Madame de Bearn
+saw clearly that chance was not the sole cause of this meeting: she
+dissembled as well as she could. I afterwards learnt that she owed me a
+spite, particularly for the mystery which I had made of this occurrence.
+The marked silence, and the sullen air she assumed during this
+interview, and which her sense and knowledge of the world should have
+prevented her from manifesting, proved to me, on this occasion, as on
+many other others, that temper cannot always be conquered, and that at
+times it will burst forth in spite of the experience and caution of the
+courtier.
+
+I did not give myself much trouble on this subject: I had well
+recompensed the good offices of the countess: I had ample proof that in
+serving me she had acted on the impulse of self-interest: we were quits,
+I thought, and I saw no reason why I should remain isolated just to
+serve her pleasure.
+
+When we returned to my apartments I saw plainly, by her mutterings, her
+sighs, and the shrugging of her shoulders, that she was deeply
+irritated at what had just taken place. She was desirous of provoking
+an explanation, but as that could only tend to her disadvantage, she
+contented herself with leaving me earlier than her usual want, without
+saying anything disagreeable. Her custom was not to leave me alone, and
+her abrupt departure confirmed me in the idea I had imbibed, that this
+sort of comedy had much thwarted her.
+
+In the course of the same day I received a visit from the comtesse
+de Flaracourt. This lady, whose sparkling eyes shone with an air of
+mischief, presented herself to me with an appearance of openness and
+confidence which completely cloaked the malignity and treachery of
+her character. She threw her arms round my neck with as much grace as
+tenderness, and taking my hand, as if to arrest my attention, said:
+
+"I ought, madame, to explain to you the delay that I have made before
+I introduce myself to you, as well as the promptitude of this my first
+visit. I was prejudiced against you, and had formed a false estimate of
+you. My _liaison_ with mesdames d'Egmont, de Brionne, and de Grammont
+naturally placed me in the rank opposed to you: so much for what has
+passed. But I have seen you: I have studied you at a distance, as well
+as close, and I have recognised, without difficulty, the injustice of
+your enemies. I have been enraged with myself for having been deceived
+regarding you: I wish to repair my wrongs. Enlightened by the opinion
+of the marechale de Mirepoix, I have not hesitated to approach you under
+her auspices, and our first meeting has so happily furnished me with an
+opportunity of appreciating you, that I would not delay any longer the
+pleasure of making you a personal avowal of my past sentiments, and of
+those with which you now inspire me."
+
+The tone in which madame de Flaracourt uttered these words was so
+gracious and so persuasive, that I could not resist the pleasure of
+embracing her. She returned my kiss with the same eagerness, and would
+not listen to my thanks.
+
+"All is explained between us," she continued, "let us forget the past,
+and let us do as if meeting for the first time to-day; we henceforward
+date this as the first of our acquaintance."
+
+"The affability with which you have presented yourself to me," I
+replied, "does not permit me to believe that I have only known you from
+this morning; I am in an illusion which will only allow me to look on
+our recent alliance as an ancient friendship."
+
+After having exchanged some conversation of the same tenor, we talked of
+my situation as regarded the other females of the court.
+
+"They hate you for two reasons," said the countess: "in the first
+place, because you have made a conquest which all the world envies you;
+secondly because you are not one of us. There is not one family who can
+lean on you in virtue of the rights of blood, or alliances which stand
+instead of it. You have superseded a woman who more than any other could
+have a claim to your good fortune: she is sister to the prime minister,
+who has in her train, like Lucifer, more than a third part of heaven,
+for all the courtiers hang on her brother.
+
+"On the other hand, we are not accustomed to remain so long in
+opposition to the will of the king. Such a resistance is not natural to
+us; it weighs upon us, it harms us, the favor of our master being our
+chief good. We are only something thro' him, and when combatting against
+him we have neither the courage nor the perseverance. Thus you may be
+very certain that the majority of women who oppose you do it against the
+grain: and if you add to this that they are incessantly exposed to the
+murmurs and complaints of their husbands, sons, brothers, and lovers,
+you will easily be convinced that they only aspire to finding a means
+of reconciling the regard they owe to the Choiseuls and the terror which
+they inspire, with the desire they have to seek your protection and the
+friendship of the king. The cabal only flies on one wing, and I cannot
+divine its situation at the commencement of the next winter. Do not
+disquiet yourself any more with what it can do: keep yourself quiet;
+continue to please the 'master,' and you will triumph over the multitude
+as easily as you have conquered the resistance of mesdames."
+
+Such was the language of the comtesse de Flaracourt: it agreed, as you
+will perceive, with that of madame de Mirepoix, and I ought the more
+to believe it, as it was the fruit of their experience and profound
+knowledge of court manners. Their example proved to me, as well as their
+words, that all those who approached the king could not bear for a long
+time the position in which he placed those whom he did not look upon
+with pleasure. However, Louis XV evinced more plainly from day to day
+the ascendancy I had over his mind. He assisted publicly at my toilette,
+he walked out with me, left me as little as possible, and sought by
+every attention to console me for the impertinences with which my
+enemies bespattered me. The following anecdote will prove to you how
+little consideration he had for those persons who dared to insult me
+openly.
+
+One day at Marly, I entered the drawing-room; there was a vacant seat
+near the princesse de Guemenee, I went to it, and scarcely was seated
+when my neighbor got up, saying, "What horror!" and betook herself to
+the further end of the room. I was much confused: the offence was too
+public for me to restrain my resentment, and even when I wished to do so
+the thing was scarcely possible. The comte Jean, who had witnessed
+it, and my sisters-in-law, who learnt it from him, were enraged. I was
+compelled to complain to the king, who instantly sent the princesse de
+Guemenee an order to quit Marly forthwith, and betake herself to the
+princesse de Marsan, _gouvernante_ of the children of the royal family
+of France, of whose post she had the reversion.
+
+Never did a just chastisement produce a greater effect. The outcry
+against me was louder than ever, it seemed as tho' the whole nobility
+of France was immolated at "one fell swoop." To have heard the universal
+clamor, it would have been thought that the princess had been sent to
+the most obscure prison in the kingdom. This proof of the king's regard
+for me did much mischief, no doubt, as it furnished my enemies with a
+pretext to accuse me of a vindictive spirit. Could I do otherwise? Ought
+I to have allowed myself to be overwhelmed with impunity, and was it
+consistent with the dignity of my august protector, that I should be
+insulted thus openly by his subjects, his courtiers, his guests, even in
+the private apartments of his palace?
+
+However, this wrath of the nobility did not prevent the Choiseul family
+from experiencing a feeling of fright. They had just received a signal
+favor. The government of Strasbourg, considered as the key of France and
+Alsace, had been given in reversion to the comte de Stainville, brother
+of the duc de Choiseul. Certainly this choice was a very great proof of
+the indulgence of the king, and the moment was badly chosen to pay with
+ingratitude a benefit so important. This did not hinder the duchesse de
+Grammont, and all the women of her house, or who were her allies, from
+continuing to intrigue against me. It was natural to believe that the
+king would not permit such doing for a long time, and that should he
+become enraged at them, that I should attempt to soothe his anger.
+
+Matters were in this state, when one morning, after his accustomed
+routine, the duc de Choiseul requested a private audience of the king.
+"I grant it this moment," said the prince, "what have you to say to me?"
+
+"I wish to explain to your majesty how excessively painful is the
+situation in which I am placed with regard to some of the members of my
+family. All the females, and my sister at their head, attack me about a
+quarrel which is strange to me, and with which I have declared I would
+not meddle."
+
+"You do well, monsieur le duc," said the king, with cool gravity, "I am
+much vexed at all that is going on, and have resolved not to suffer it
+any longer."
+
+The decision of this discourse made a deep impression M. de Choiseul: he
+sought to conceal it whilst he replied:
+
+"It is difficult, sire, to make women listen to reason."
+
+"All are not unreasonable," rejoined the king: "your wife, for instance,
+is a model of reason and wisdom: she has perfect control of herself. She
+is the wise woman of scripture."
+
+This flattery and justly merited eulogium, which the king made of the
+duchess whenever he found an opportunity, was the more painful to M. de
+Choiseul, as his conduct was not irreproachable towards a woman whose
+virtues he alone did not justly appreciate. It was a direct satire
+against his sister's conduct, whose ascendancy over him, her brother,
+the king well knew. He replied that the good behavior of his wife was
+the safeguard of his family, and he greatly regretted that the duchesse
+de Grammont had not a right to the same eulogium.
+
+"I beg you," said the prince, "to engage her to change her language, and
+to conduct herself with less boldness, if she would not have me force
+her to repent."
+
+"That, sire, is a mission painful to fulfil, and words very hard to
+convey to her."
+
+"So much the worse for her," replied the king, elevating his voice, "if
+she bear any friendship for you, let her prove it in this particular:
+your interests should keep her mouth shut."
+
+The duke had no difficulty to comprehend the indirect menace implied: he
+instantly renewed his regrets for the _disagreeable_ disturbances that
+had occurred.
+
+"Add _insulting_," said Louis XV. "I am content with you and your
+services, duke. I have just proved this to you, by giving your brother
+more than he could expect from me; but have not I the right to have my
+intimacies respected? It appears to me that if you spoke more decidedly
+in your family you would command more attention."
+
+"This makes me fear, sire, that your majesty does not believe me sincere
+in my expression of the regret which I just took the liberty to utter to
+your majesty."
+
+"_Mon Dieu_, monsieur le duc, you certainly do not like madame du
+Barry."
+
+"I neither like nor hate her, sire; but I see with trouble that she
+receives at her house all my enemies."
+
+"Whose fault is that if it be so? Your own; you, who would never visit
+her; she would have received you with pleasure, and I have not concealed
+from you the satisfaction I should have experienced."
+
+These last words made the duke start, his eyes became animated. After a
+moment's reflection he said to the king,
+
+"Sire, is it indispensably necessary for the service of the state that I
+endeavor to attain the good-will of madame la comtesse du Barry?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, then, sire, allow matters to remain as they are. It would cost me
+much to quarrel with my whole family, the more so as this sacrifice
+is not useful to you, and would in no wise alter my position with your
+majesty."
+
+However painful to the king such a determination might be, he did not
+allow the duke to perceive it; he dissembled the resentment he felt, and
+contented himself with saying,
+
+"Duc de Choiseul, I do not pretend to impose chains on you; I have
+spoken to you as a friend rather than as a sovereign. Now I return to
+what was said at first, and accept with confidence the promise you make
+me not to torment a lady whom I love most sincerely."
+
+Thus ended a conversation from which the duke, with a less haughty
+disposition, might have extracted greater advantages and played a surer
+game. It was the last plank of safety offered in the shipwreck which
+menaced him. He disdained it: the opportunity of seizing it did not
+present itself again. I doubt not but that if he would have united
+himself freely and sincerely with me I should not have played him false.
+Louis XV, satisfied with his condescension in my behalf, would have kept
+him at the head of his ministry: but his pride ruined him, he could not
+throw off the yoke which the duchesse de Grammont had imposed on him: he
+recoiled from the idea of telling her that he had made a treaty of peace
+with me, and that was not one of the least causes of his disgrace.
+
+The journey to Marly gave birth to a multitude of intrigues of persons
+who thought to wrap themselves up in profound mystery, and all whose
+actions we knew. The police were very active about the royal abodes,
+especially since the fatal deed of the regicide Damiens. To keep them
+perpetually on the watch, they were ordered to watch attentively the
+amours of the lords and ladies of the court.
+
+The daughter of the duc de Richelieu, the comtesse d'Egmont, whose age
+was no pretext for her follies, dearly liked low love adventures. She
+used to seek them out in Paris, when she could find none at Versailles.
+She was not, however, the more indulgent towards me. This lady was not
+always content with noble lovers, but sought them in all classes, and
+more than once, simple mortals, men of low order, obtained preference
+over demi-gods. Her conduct in this respect was the result of long
+experience. She used to go out alone, and traverse the streets of Paris.
+She entered the shops, and when her eye rested on a good figure, having
+wide shoulders, sinewy limbs, and a good looking face, she then called
+up all the resources of her mind to form and carry on an intrigue, of
+which the consequences, at first agreeable to him who was the object
+of it, terminated most frequently fatally. The following adventure will
+give you an idea of the talent of madame d'Egmont in this way, and how
+she got rid of her adorers when she had exhausted with them the cup of
+pleasure.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+     Intrigue of the comtesse d'Egmont with a shopman--His
+     unhappy fate--The comtesse du Barry protects him--Conduct of
+     Louis XV upon the occasion--The young man quits France--
+     Madame du Barry's letter to the comtesse d'Egmont--Quarrel
+     with the marechal de Richelieu
+
+The comtesse d'Egmont was one day observed to quit her house attired
+with the most parsimonious simplicity; her head being covered by an
+enormously deep bonnet, which wholly concealed her countenance, and the
+rest of her person enveloped in a pelisse, whose many rents betrayed its
+long service. In this strange dress she traversed the streets of Paris
+in search of adventures. She was going, she said, wittily enough, "to
+return to the cits what her father and brother had so frequently robbed
+them of." Chance having led her steps to the rue St. Martin, she was
+stopped there by a confusion of carriages, which compelled her first to
+shelter herself against the wall, and afterwards to take refuge in an
+opposite shop, which was one occupied by a linen-draper.
+
+She looked around her with the eye of a connoisseur, and perceived
+beneath the modest garb of a shopman one of those broad-shouldered
+youths, whose open smiling countenance and gently tinged complexion
+bespoke a person whose simplicity of character differed greatly from the
+vast energy of his physical powers: he resembled the Farnese Hercules
+upon a reduced scale. The princess approached him, and requested to see
+some muslins, from which she selected two gowns, and after having paid
+for them, requested the master of the shop to send his shopman with
+them, in the course of half an hour, to an address she gave as her usual
+abode.
+
+The comtesse d'Egmont had engaged an apartment on the third floor of
+a house in the rue Tiquetonne, which was in the heart of Paris. The
+porteress of the dwelling knew her only as madame Rossin: her household
+consisted of a housekeeper and an old man, both devoted to a mistress
+whose character they well understood, and to whom they had every motive
+to be faithful.
+
+Here it was, then, that the lady hastened to await the arrival of the
+new object of her plebeian inclinations. Young Moireau (for such was
+the shopman's name) was not long ere he arrived with his parcel. Madame
+d'Egmont was ready to receive him: she had had sufficient time to
+exchange her shabby walking dress for one which bespoke both coquetry
+and voluptuousness; the softness of her smile, and the turn of her
+features announced one whose warmth of passions would hold out the most
+flattering hopes of success to him who should seek her love.
+
+Madame Rossin and the young shopman were soon engaged in conversation,
+further animated by the bright glances sent direct from the eyes of
+madame to the unguarded heart of her admiring visitor. Emboldened by
+the graciousness of her manner, he presumed to touch her fair hand: the
+lady, in affected anger, rose, and commanded him to quit the house. The
+terrified youth fell at her feet, imploring pardon for his boldness,
+and then hastily quitted the room ere the feigned madame Rossin could
+pronounce the forgiveness he demanded. "The fool," was (doubtless) the
+princess's exclamation, "had he been brought up at court he would have
+conducted himself very differently."
+
+This silliness of proceeding was, however, far from being displeasing to
+the princess: on the contrary, it seemed to increase her determination
+to prosecute the adventure. Accordingly, on the following day she
+hastened to resume her former walking dress, and in it to take the
+road which led to the rue St. Martin, and again to present herself as a
+customer at the linen-draper's shop. This time she purchased cloth for
+chemises. Indescribable and unspeakable was the joy of young Moireau,
+when, after having served the mistress of his thoughts, he heard her
+request of his master to allow the goods she had selected to be sent to
+her residence; and equally was he surprised that she omitted to name
+him as the person she wished should convey them. Nevertheless, as may be
+imagined, Moireau obtained possession of the parcel, and was soon on his
+way to the rue Tiquetonne, where he found the lady more languishing and
+attractive than before; and soon they were deep in the most earnest and
+interesting conversation. Moireau, who now saw that his boldness was
+not displeasing to the lady, became more and more presuming: true, his
+overtures were refused, but so gently, that it only fanned his flame;
+nor was it till after reiterated prayers that he succeeded in obtaining
+her promise to meet him on the following Sunday. The princess, like
+a skilful manoeuvrer, reckoned upon the additional violence his ardor
+would receive from this delay. The affection with which she had inspired
+him would only gain strength by thus deferring the day for their next
+meeting, whilst he would have time to meditate upon the virtue as well
+as the charms of her he had won.
+
+The long looked for Sunday at length arrived, and Moireau was first at
+the place of rendezvous. His simple dress augmented his natural good
+looks, whilst the countess had spared no pains to render her appearance
+calculated to captivate and seduce. All reserve was thrown aside; and to
+satisfy the eager curiosity of her lover, she stated herself to be the
+widow of a country lawyer, who had come to Paris to carry on a lawsuit.
+It would be useless to follow the princess during the further course
+of this meeting. Suffice it to say, that Moirreau and madame d'Egmont
+separated mutually happy and satisfied with each other.
+
+The youth, who was now ages gone in love, had only reached his
+twenty-second year, and madame Rossin was his first attachment. So
+ardent and impetuous did his passion hourly grow, that it became a
+species of insanity. On the other hand, the high-born dame, who had thus
+captivated him, felt all the attractions of his simple and untutored
+love, further set off by the fine manly figure of the young shopman.
+Indeed, so much novelty and interest did she experience in her new
+amour, that, far from finding herself, as she had expected, disposed
+to relinquish the affair (as she had anticipated) at the end of two
+or three interviews, which she had imagined would have satisfied her
+capricious fancy, she put off, to an indefinite period, her original
+project of ending the affair by feigning a return to the country.
+
+This resolution, however, she did not feel courage to carry into effect;
+and two or three months rolled rapidly away without any diminution of
+their reciprocal flame, when one fine Sunday evening Moireau, whose time
+hung heavily on his hands, took it into his head to visit the opera.
+This species of amusement constitutes the _ne plus ultra_ of the
+delights of a French cit. Moireau seated himself in the pit, just
+opposite the box of the gentlemen in waiting. The performance was
+"Castor and Pollux." At the commencement of the second act a sudden
+noise and bustle drew Moireau from the contemplative admiration into
+which the splendor of the piece had thrown him. The disturbance arose
+from a general move, which was taking place in the box belonging to the
+gentlemen in waiting. Madame d'Egmont had just arrived, attended by four
+or five grand lords of the court covered with gold, and decorated with
+the order of the Holy Ghost, and two ladies richly dressed, from whom
+she was distinguished as much by the superior magnificence of her attire
+as by her striking beauty.
+
+Moireau could not believe his eyes; he felt assured he beheld madame
+Rossin, yet he fancied he must be under the influence of some fantastic
+dream; but every look, every gesture of the princess, a thousand
+trifles, which would have escaped the notice of a common observer, but
+which were engraved in indelible characters on the heart of her admirer,
+all concurred to assure him that he recognised in this lovely and
+dazzling female, so splendidly attired and so regally attended, the
+cherished mistress of his affections; she whom that very morning he had
+held in his embrace. He addressed a thousand questions to those about
+him, from whom he learnt his own good fortune and the exalted rank
+of her he had won. Scarcely could he restrain the burst of joy, when
+informed that the fair object, glittering with jewels and radiant
+in beauty, was the daughter of Richelieu, and the wife of one of the
+princes of the noble houses of Egmont.
+
+A thousand tumultuous and flattering ideas rushed in crowds to the brain
+of young Moireau, and he saw in anticipation a long and brilliant vista
+opening before him. Poor inexperienced youth! He mistook the wisest and
+safest path, which would have been to have appeared ignorant of the
+high rank of his mistress, and to have induced her, from motives of
+affection, to preside over his fortunes, and to rise by her means
+without allowing her to suspect he guessed her ability to bestow riches
+and preferment. He, on the contrary, hastened to her with the account of
+his having discovered her real rank and station. Madame d'Egmont, whose
+self-possession enabled her to conceal the terror and uneasiness his
+recital inspired her with, listened calmly and silently till he had
+ceased speaking, and then asked him, with a playful smile, if he was
+quite sure of being in his right senses? "For how otherwise could you,"
+said she, "confuse a poor obscure widow like myself with the rich and
+powerful princess you speak of? My friend, you are under the influence
+of a dream; believe me, I am neither more nor less than poor widow
+Rossin, and can boast of no claim to the illustrious name of Egmont or
+Richelieu."
+
+But the more she spoke the less she persuaded, and young Moireau was not
+to be reasoned out of his conviction of her identity with the high-born
+princess of Egmont, and he alternately employed threats and promises
+to induce her to confess the fact; but the lady was firm and immovable.
+Resolved at all risk to preserve her incognito, she found herself
+compelled to bring the affair to a conclusion, by feigning extreme anger
+at the pertinacity with which Moireau importuned her upon a subject
+which she protested she knew nothing: her lover retaliated, and a
+desperate quarrel ensued. Moireau rushed angrily from her presence,
+vowing that he would publish his adventure thro'out Paris; an empty
+threat, which his devotion to the princess would never have permitted
+him to carry into execution.
+
+Madame d'Egmont, however, was not so sure that her secret was safe, and
+she lost not an instant in repairing to the house of M. de Sartines, to
+obtain from him a _lettre de cachet_ against the aspiring shopman, who,
+seized in the street, was conveyed away, and confined as a maniac in
+a madhouse, where, but for a circumstance you shall hear, he would
+doubtless be still.
+
+I happened to be with the king when the lieutenant of police arrived
+upon matters connected with his employment. According to custom, Louis
+inquired whether he had anything very amusing to communicate to him?
+"Many things, sire," replied he, "and amongst others an anecdote of
+madame d'Egmont"; and he began to relate to us, word for word, what I
+have written you. The king laughed till he cried; as for me, altho' I
+could not help finding the tale sufficiently comic to induce risibility,
+I listened with more coolness; and when it was completed, I exclaimed,
+
+"Can it be, sire, that you will permit this unfortunate young man to be
+the eternal victim of so unprincipled a woman?"
+
+"What would you have me do?" said Louis; "how can I interfere without
+compromising the reputation of madame d'Egmont?"
+
+"Allow me to say," replied I, "that this fear ought not to prevent your
+majesty's interference. You are father of your subjects; and the respect
+you entertain for madame d'Egmont should not outweigh your duty, which
+imperatively calls upon you to command the release of this wretched
+young man."
+
+"But," argued the king, "by such a step I shall for ever disoblige the
+duc de Richelieu and his family."
+
+"Fear it not," cried I, "if your majesty will trust to me, I will
+undertake to bring the marechal and his nephew to approve of your
+proceedings; and as for the rest of his family, let them go where
+they will; for the empire of the world I should be sorry to bear them
+company."
+
+This manner of speaking pleased the king; and, turning to M. de
+Sartines, "Lieutenant of police," said he, "you have heard my fair
+chancellor; you will act in strict conformity with the orders she will
+transmit you from me."
+
+"Then take these orders now, sir," said I: "in the first place, this
+ill-treated young Moireau must immediately be set at liberty, and my
+own police (for I must tell you I had them) will give me the faithful
+account of all your proceedings in this affair."
+
+The king comprehended my meaning. "You will keep a careful watch," added
+he to M. de Sartines, "that no harm befalls this unfortunate youth,
+whom, I beg, you will discreetly recommend to quit France ere the malice
+of those who have reason to fear his reappearance works him some evil."
+
+"And who, sire," asked I, "shall dare injure one whom your majesty
+deigns to honor with your protection?"
+
+"Madame," replied M. de Sartines, "even his majesty's high patronage
+cannot prevent a secret blow from some daring hand; a quarrel purposely
+got up; a beverage previously drugged; a fall from any of the bridges
+into the river; or, even the supposition of one found dead, having
+destroyed himself."
+
+"You make me shudder," said I, "in thus unveiling the extent of human
+depravity. So, then, this young man, whose only fault appears to have
+been that captivating the eyes of a noble lady, should perish in
+a dungeon, or save his life at the sacrifice of country, friends,
+connections; and all this for having listened to the passion of a
+woman, as licentious in manners as illustrious by birth: this frightful
+injustice rouses all my indignation. Well, then, since the power of the
+monarch of France is insufficient to protect his oppressed subject
+in his own realms, let him shield him from want in a foreign land, by
+allowing him a pension of one hundred louis. I will take upon myself to
+defray the expenses of his journey."
+
+Thus saying, I was hastening to the adjoining room, where stood my
+_secretaire_, to take from it a thousand crowns I wished to give for the
+purpose. The king held me back by my arm, saying to me,
+
+"You are the most excellent creature I know of, but you see I am always
+master. I will undertake to provide for this young man. M. de Sartines,"
+pursued he, "I wish to secure to him a thousand crowns yearly; and,
+further, you will supply him with six thousand francs ready money,
+which M. de la Borde will repay to your order. _Now are you satisfied,
+Couci?_" said the king, turning to me.
+
+My only reply was to throw my arms around his neck without ceremony,
+spite of the presence of a witness, who might blush at my familiarity.
+"You are indeed," said I, "a really good prince; it is only a pity you
+will not assert your right to rule alone."
+
+"You are a little rebel," cried he, "to doubt my absolute power." This
+tone of playful gaiety was kept up some time after the departure of the
+lieutenant of police.
+
+M. de Sartines returned next day to tell me that everything had been
+accomplished to my desire. "M. Moireau," said he, "has left prison,
+and departs for Spain to-morrow morning: his intention is to join
+some friends of his at Madrid. He is informed of all he owes you,
+and entreats your acceptance of his most grateful and respectful
+acknowledgments. Will you see him?"
+
+"That would be useless," answered I; "say to him only, that I request he
+will write to me upon his arrival at Madrid, and give me the history of
+his late adventure in its fullest details."
+
+Moireau did not disappoint me; and so soon as his letter reached me I
+hastened to copy it, merely suppressing the date of the place from which
+it was written, and forwarded it immediately to the comtesse d'Egmont,
+with the following note:--
+
+"The many proofs of tender attachment with which the widow Rossin
+honored young Moireau make me believe that she will learn with pleasure
+of my having the good fortune to rescue the ill-fated youth from the
+cruelty of the comtesse d'Egmont. This interesting young man no longer
+groans a wretched prisoner in the gloomy abode that haughty lady had
+selected for him, but is at this minute safe in a neighboring kingdom,
+under the powerful patronage of king of France, who is in possession of
+every circumstance relative to the affair. I likewise know the whole of
+the matter, and have in my keeping the most irrefragable proofs of all
+that took place and should I henceforward have any reason to complain of
+the comtesse d'Egmont, I shall publish these documents with permission
+of those concerned.
+
+"The public will then be enabled to judge of the virtue and humanity of
+one who affects to treat me with a ridiculous disdain. There exists
+no law against a fair lady having lovers and admirers, but a stern one
+forbids her to command or procure their destruction. I KNOW ALL; and
+madame d'Egmont's future conduct will decide my silence and discretion.
+The affair with Moireau is not the only one, others of even a graver
+sin preceded it. I can publish the whole together; and, I repeat, my
+determination on this head depends wholly and entirely upon the manner
+in which madame d'Egmont shall henceforward conduct herself towards me.
+I beg madame de Rossin will allow me to subscribe myself, with every
+feeling she so well, merits,
+
+"Her very humble and most obedient servant,
+
+"THE COMTESSE DU BARRY"
+
+I had communicated to no one the secret of this vengeance; I wished to
+keep the delight of thus exciting the rage of the princesse d'Egmont all
+to myself. I was certain, that whatever might henceforward be her line
+of conduct towards me, that whenever she found herself in my presence,
+she would bitterly feel the stings of an accusing conscience, and the
+gnawings of that worm which dieth not in the heart of hypocritical and
+wicked persons, more especially when compelled to meet the eye of those
+who could unmask them in a minute.
+
+On the following day I received a visit from the duc de Richelieu. Spite
+of the many endeavors he made to appear smiling and good humored, a deep
+rage kept its station round his mouth, and contracted his lips even in
+the midst of the artificial smile with which he sought to dissimulate
+his wrath.
+
+"Madame, good morning," said he to me, "I come to offer my
+congratulations, you really are become quite one of us; upon my word,
+the most experienced courtier has nothing more to teach you."
+
+"I am as yet in ignorance of the cause to which I may ascribe these
+compliments, M. le marechal, which I greatly fear surpass my poor
+merits; and which even you will be compelled to retract them when I am
+better known to you."
+
+"Fear it not, madame," said he, "your commencement is a master-stroke;
+and the letter you yesterday addressed to the comtesse d'Egmont--"
+
+"Ah, sir," exclaimed I, with unfeigned astonishment, "in her place I
+certainly should not have selected you as my confidant in the affair."
+
+"And who could she better have selected than her father? But that is not
+the matter in hand. My daughter is filled with anger against you; and if
+I must speak the truth, I do not think your behavior towards her quite
+what it should have been."
+
+"Really, monsieur, I was not prepared for a reproach of this kind; and
+what can madame d'Egmont allege against me? 'Tis she who has pursued me
+with the most bitter sarcasms, the most determined malice; and, I may
+add, the most impertinent behavior. I entreat your pardon for using such
+strong expressions, but her behavior allows of none milder. And what
+have I done in my turn? snatched from a lingering death an unfortunate
+young man, whose only crime consisted in having pleased this
+unreasonable madame d'Egmont. I procured the king's protection for
+the miserable object of the princess's affection; I obtained his safe
+removal to another country; and, having done all this, I communicated
+my knowledge of the transaction to the comtesse d'Egmont. Does this bear
+any comparison with her line of conduct towards me?"
+
+"But your letter, madame; your letter--"
+
+"Would bear alterations and amendments, sir, I am aware: I admit I did
+not sufficiently insist upon the atrocity of such an abuse of power."
+
+"You are then resolved, madame, to make us your enemies."
+
+"I should be very sorry, monsieur le duc, to be compelled to such
+extremities; but if your friendship can only be purchased at the price
+of my submitting to continually receive the insults of your family, I
+should be the first to cease to aspire to it. If Madame d'Egmont
+holds herself aggrieved by me, let her carry her complaint before
+the parliament; we shall then see what redress she will get. She has
+compromised the king's name by an arbitrary act; and since you thus
+attack me, you must not take it amiss if I make the king acquainted with
+the whole business."
+
+The marechal, surprised at so severe a reply, could no longer restrain
+the rage which filled him. "I should have thought, madame," said he,
+"that my daughter, in whose veins flows royal blood, might have merited
+some little consideration from the comtesse du Barry."
+
+"It is well, then, monsieur le duc," replied I, "to point out to you
+your error. I see in my enemies their works and actions alone, without
+any reference to their birth, be it high or low; and the conduct of
+madame d'Egmont has been so violent and unceasing towards me, that it
+leaves me without the smallest regret for that I have pursued towards
+her."
+
+I had imagined that this reply would still further irritate the angry
+feelings of the duc de Richelieu, but it did not: he easily guessed that
+nothing but the king's support could have inspired me to express myself
+with so much energy; and, if paternal vanity strove in his heart,
+personal interests spoke there with even a louder voice. He therefore
+sought to lay aside his anger, and, like a skilful courtier, changing
+his angry look and tone for one of cheerfulness:
+
+"Madame," said he, "I yield; I see it will not do to enter the lists
+against you. I confess I came this morning but to sound your courage,
+and already you have driven me off the field vanquished. There is one
+favor I would implore of your generosity, and that is, to be silent as
+to all that has transpired."
+
+"I shall not speak of it, monsieur le duc," replied I, much moved,
+"unless you or madame d'Egmont set me the example."
+
+"In that case the affair will for ever remain buried in oblivion; but,
+madame, I will not conceal from you, that my daughter has become your
+most bitter and irreconcilable enemy."
+
+"The motives which have actuated me, monsieur le marechal, are such as
+to leave me very little concern upon that subject. I flatter myself this
+affair will not keep you away from me, who would fain reckon as firmly
+on your friendship as you may do on mine."
+
+The marechal kissed my hand in token of amity, and from that moment the
+matter was never mentioned.
+
+A similar scene had already occurred with the prince de Soubise,
+relative to the exile of his daughter. Was it not somewhat strange, as
+well as unjust, that all the noblemen of the day wished to preserve
+to their relations the right of offending me with impunity, without
+permitting me even the right of defending myself.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+     Madame du Barry separates from madame de Bearn--Letters
+     between these ladies--Portrait of madame de l'Hopital--The
+     ladder--The bell--Conversation with madame de Mirepoix--
+     First visit to Chantilly--Intrigues to prevent the countess
+     from going thither--The king's Displeasure towards the
+     princesses--The archbishop de Senlis The spoiled child of
+     fortune, I had now attained the height of my wishes. The
+     king's passion augmented daily, and my empire became such as
+     to defy the utmost endeavors of my enemies to undermine it.
+     Another woman in my place would have employed her power in
+     striking terror amongst all who were opposed to her, but for
+     my own part I contented myself with repulsing their attempts
+     to injure me, and in proceeding to severity only when my
+     personal interests were too deeply concerned to admit of my
+     passing the matter over in silence.
+
+There was no accusation too infamous to be laid to my charge; amongst
+other enormities they scrupled not to allege that I had been the
+murderess of Lebel, the king's _valet-de-chambre_, who died by poison!
+Was it likely, was it probable that I should seek the destruction of him
+to whom I owed my elevation, the most devoted of friends, and for whom
+my heart cherished the most lively sense of gratitude? What interest
+could I possibly derive from the perpetration of such a crime? The
+imputation was too absurd for belief, but slander cares little for the
+seeming improbability of such an event. The simple fact remained that
+Lebel was dead, of course the cruel and unjust consequence became in the
+hands of my enemies, that I had been the principal accessory to it.
+
+My most trifling actions were misrepresented with the same black
+malignity. They even made it a crime in me to have written to madame
+de Bearn, thanking her for her past kindnesses, and thus setting her
+at liberty to retire from the mercenary services she pretended to
+have afforded me. And who could blame me for seeking to render myself
+independent of her control, or for becoming weary of the tyrannical
+guidance of one who had taken it into her head that I had become her
+sole property, and who, in pursuance of this idea, bored and tormented
+me to death with her follies and exactions, and even took upon herself
+to be out of humor at the least indication of my attaching myself to
+any other lady of the court. According to her view of things, gratitude
+imposed on me the rigorous law of forming an intimacy with her alone; in
+a word, she exercised over me the most galling dominion, which my family
+had long counselled me to shake off; in truth, I was perfectly tired of
+bearing the yoke her capricious and overbearing temper imposed upon me,
+but I determined, if possible, to do nothing hastily, and to endure it
+with patience as long as I could. But now that the number of my female
+friends was augmented by the addition of the marquise de Montmorency and
+the comtesse de l'Hopital I determined no longer to bear the constant
+display of madame de Bearn's despotic sway, and finding no chance of
+accommodating our tastes and humors, I resolved to free myself from her
+thraldom. Another powerful reason for this measure was the dislike with
+which the king regarded her; not that she was deficient in birth or
+good breeding, but amidst the polish of high life she occasionally
+introduced the most vulgar and provincial manners, a fault of all others
+most offensive to the king, whose disgust was further excited by the
+undisguised avidity with which, at every opportunity, she sought to turn
+her admission to the king's private society to account, by preferring
+some request or soliciting some particular favor. Instead of giving
+herself up to the joy and hilarity that reigned around, she seemed
+always on the watch to seize every possible advantage to herself.
+Immediately that the king was apprized of my intention of dismissing her
+from any further cares for me, "You are quite right," said he, "to get
+rid of this troublesome woman, who never visits us without calculating
+the degree of interest she can derive from it, and seems to me, whenever
+she approaches me, as tho' she were devising some fresh petition to
+obtain from me. And now, too, that the first ladies of the court fill
+your drawing-rooms, why should you endure her importunate presence?"
+
+Strengthened by these sentiments on the king's part, I lost no time in
+writing to madame de Bearn a letter, of which many false copies were
+circulated; however, I subjoin the following as the veritable epistle
+addressed by me to the countess:--
+
+"MADAME,--It would be the height of selfishness on my part to tax
+further the kindness and attention you have been pleased to show me. I
+am well aware how many public and private duties claim your care, and I
+therefore (with much regret) beg to restore to you that liberty you have
+so generously sacrificed to my interests. Conscious of the ennui which
+oppresses you in this part of the country, I write to entreat that you
+will allow no consideration connected with me to detain you longer in a
+place so irksome, but, since our visit to Marly is concluded, fly upon
+the wings of impatience to the gay scenes of Paris and Luxembourg. Be
+assured that it will at all times afford me much pleasure to evince the
+gratitude with which I shall ever remain,
+
+"Madame, yours sincerely,
+
+"THE COMTESSE Du Barry."
+
+"P. S. I am commissioned to entreat your acceptance of the accompanying
+casket; it is the gift of one whose favors are never refused; you
+will easily guess, to whom I allude, and I doubt not bring yourself to
+conform to the usual custom."
+
+The jewels sent were a pair of ear-rings and an _agrafe_ of emeralds
+encircled with diamonds. The king was desirous of bestowing upon madame
+de Bearn this particular mark of his recollection of her services
+towards me, but it did not allay the indignation with which she
+expressed her sense of my bitter ingratitude, as she termed it, as
+tho' her interested cooperation had not been sufficiently repaid.
+Nevertheless, she forbore to come to a decided quarrel with me, but
+satisfied herself with loading me with every reproach in private, whilst
+she wrote to thank me for all the favors I had bestowed upon her, and
+entreated I would keep her remembrance alive in the mind of my royal
+protector. As there was nothing offensive in the style of the letter I
+showed it to the king; when he came to the part where madame de Bearn
+recommended herself to his kind recollection, and expressed her desire
+to be permitted to throw herself once more at his feet, "Heaven preserve
+me," cried he, "from receiving this mark of the lady's respect. No, no,
+she is bad enough at a distance; I should be bored to death were she so
+near to me as she prays for. Thank God we have got rid of her, and now
+trust to your own guidance; try the powers of your own wings to bear you
+in safety, I feel persuaded you will never be at a loss."
+
+About this time the prince de Soubise, anxious to evince that he no
+longer retained any feelings of coolness towards me, requested his
+mistress, madame de l'Hopital, to call upon me. This lady, without being
+a regular beauty, was yet very attractive. She was past the meridian of
+her charms, but what she wanted in youth she amply compensated for by
+the vivacity and brilliancy of her conversation, as well as the freedom
+of her ideas, which made her the idol of all the old libertines of the
+court. The prince de Soubise was greatly attached to her, and preferred
+her in reality, to mademoiselle Guimard, whom he only retained for
+form's sake, and because he thought it suitable to his dignity to have
+an opera dancer in his pay; this nobleman (as you will find) had rather
+singular ideas of the duties attached to his station.
+
+Madame de l'Hopital had had a vast number of gallant adventures, which
+she was very fond of relating. I shall mention two of the most amusing,
+which will serve to convey an idea of the skilfulness and ready wit with
+which she extricated herself from the most embarrassing circumstances.
+
+A young man, whose love she permitted, whose name was the chevalier
+de Cressy, was obliged, in order to visit her, to scale a terrace upon
+which a window opened, which conducted to the sleeping-room of his
+mistress. He was generally accompanied by his valet, a good-looking
+youth, who, disliking a state of idleness, had contrived to insinuate
+himself into the good graces of the lady's maid. The valet, during
+his master's stay with madame, had likewise ascended the terrace, and
+penetrated, by the aid of another window, into the chamber where reposed
+the object of his tender love. All this was accomplished with as little
+noise as possible, in order to prevent the mischance of awakening the
+marquis de l'Hopital, who was quietly asleep in an adjoining room.
+
+One clear moonlight night, at the very instant when M. de Cressy
+was about to step out of the window, in order to return to his own
+apartment, a terrible crash of broken glass was heard. The terrified
+chevalier sought the aid of his ladder, but it had disappeared. Not
+knowing what to do, the chevalier returned to madame de l'Hopital, who,
+seized with terror, had only just time to conceal him in her chamber,
+when the marquis opened his window to ascertain the cause of all this
+confusion. In an instant the alarm spread, and heads were popped out
+of the different windows of the castle, each vieing with the other in
+vociferating "Thieves! thieves! murder! fire!"
+
+The unfortunate author of all this disturbance was the unlucky valet;
+who, in his overeagerness to reach his Dulcinea, had attempted to climb
+his ladder so nimbly, that it fell down, and, striking against the
+windows of a room near which he had fixed it, had broken several panes
+of glass. The poor valet never stopped to replace the ladder; but,
+terrified as well as hurt by his rapid descent, scrambled off as well as
+he could, abandoning his master in his present critical situation.
+
+The ladder thrown down in the courtyard was abundant proof that some
+audacious attempt had been made upon the lives and safety of the
+inhabitants of the castle; and the general determination was to catch
+the thieves: for, it was presumed, as no outlet for their escape was
+discernible, that they must be concealed within its walls. The servants,
+with their master at their head, were speedily assembled for the
+purpose, when the absence of the chevalier de Cressy was observed. Where
+could he be? was the general wonder. Was it possible that, amidst the
+universal uproar with which the castle had resounded, he had slept so
+soundly as to be yet unconscious of all this bustle? An over-officious
+friend was upon the point of going to his chamber, to ascertain
+the cause of his absenting himself at such a moment, when madame de
+l'Hopital sent to request her husband would come to her immediately.
+"Sir," said she, when they were alone, "the disturbance which has
+thus broken our rest is not the work of thieves, but originates in the
+shameless licentiousness of a man unworthy of his name and the rank he
+occupies. The chevalier de Cressy, forgetful of his being your guest,
+and of respecting the honor of all beneath your roof, has dared to carry
+on a base intrigue with my woman, in whose apartment you will find him
+at this very minute. A conduct so profligate and insulting fills me with
+an indignation which I think that you, sir, after what you have heard,
+cannot but partake."
+
+The marquis de l'Hopital, who did not see the thing in the same serious
+light, sought to appease the virtuous indignation of his lady, and went
+himself to release the chevalier from his place of concealment; leading
+him thro' his own apartment to join the crowd of armed servants, who,
+as may be supposed, were unable to detect the supposed invaders of their
+repose.
+
+On the following morning the chevalier as agreed upon, wrote a
+penitential letter to madame, entreating her pardon for his improper
+attentions to her servant, whom she affected to dismiss with every mark
+of gravest displeasure. The weeping Abigail threw herself at the feet of
+her mistress: and the compassionate marquis (before whom the scene was
+enacted), touched with pity, implored his lady to receive the afflicted
+and penitent Javotte once more into her service. This was at length
+granted to his solicitations; and Javotte received a hundred louis as
+the price of her silence, and found it sufficient compensation for the
+bad opinion the marquis entertained of her virtue.
+
+The second trick the marchioness played her husband was not less
+amusing.
+
+The chevalier de Cressy and herself could not meet so frequently as both
+desired; and whilst suffering under the void occasioned by his absence,
+chance threw in her way a young relative of her husband's, a youth of
+about eighteen, as beautiful as Love, and as daring as that god. They
+were then in the country during the fine days of summer, and both time
+and place were favorable to the prosecution of their growing passion.
+One day madame de l'Hopital and her cousin were sauntering about the
+park heedless of the approaching dinner-hour, and equally deaf to the
+sound of the dinner-bell, which rung its accustomed peal in vain for
+them whose ears were occupied in listening to sweeter sounds. At length
+the master of the house, alarmed at the protracted absence of his wife
+and friend, went himself, attended by many guests assembled at his
+house, in search of the stray ones; the servants likewise received
+orders to disperse themselves over the grounds in different directions;
+and madame de l'Hopital and her companion were only aroused to a
+recollection of the flight of time by hearing their names loudly shouted
+by a dozen different voices. Fortunately they were just in time to
+separate in opposite paths, and thus to enter the castle without any
+suspicion being excited of their having been so recently in each other's
+company. The marquis angrily remonstrated with his lady for having
+obliged him to send in search of her, and she excused herself by
+protesting that she had not heard the dinner-bell. The marquis replied,
+that the thing was impossible; and after some angry discussion the
+matter rested there.
+
+A few days after this the marchioness, with her husband and cousin, were
+rambling over the grounds, when they found themselves at the entrance of
+a hermitage, where madame de l'Hopital had told the marquis she had
+sat down to rest herself on the day of her failing to attend the
+dinner-hour. M. de l'Hopital resumed the dispute, by protesting that
+from this situation the dinner-bell might easily be heard: the lady
+continued firm in protesting it could not, till, at last, feigning
+extreme anger, she exclaimed. "Well then, sir, since you refuse to
+believe _my_ assertion, go yourself and ring the bell as loudly as you
+please, your cousin will remain here with me, and determine if it be
+possible to distinguish the sound from here."
+
+The fool of a marquis set off in the height of his zeal to convince
+his wife, and, arriving at the turret where the bell was placed, began
+ringing it with all his might and main, leaving the lovers the
+undisturbed opportunity they were not slow in taking advantage of. When
+the marquis had ceased his chimes, the loving pair went to meet him.
+
+"Well, my good cousin," inquired he, as they approached, "which of us
+was right? Could you hear it or not?"
+
+"Yourself, most assuredly," replied the young man, not without a slight
+blush. "I can assure you that both madame and myself heard the bell the
+whole time you were ringing it."
+
+"There, I told you so; I told you so"; cried the delighted husband,
+triumphantly rubbing his hands.
+
+I thought when this lively and piquant adventure was related to me, that
+it was well worthy of being immortalized by the pen of a La Fontaine.
+The marchioness gave these anecdotes with a grace and talent peculiarly
+her own; and I sometimes imagined that some of the many she favored
+us with had perhaps taken place in a more recent period than that she
+assigned to them; and that, in order to divert our suspicions as to who
+were the real actors, she frequently substituted the _past_ for what
+should have been with more correctness the _present_ time. With manners
+so calculated to win, she could not fail being a delightful companion,
+altho' in my heart I could not help giving the preference to the society
+of the marechale de Mirepoix.
+
+Besides, the preference evinced by this lady in so generously separating
+herself from all her family, in order to attach herself to me, was
+not without its full value in my eyes. I knew myself to be generally
+disliked by her brother and sister-in-law, the prince and princesse
+de Beauvau, the latter of whom was secretly the mistress of the duc de
+Choiseul, over whom she exercised an equal empire with the duchesse de
+Grammont, and I was every day the object of some fresh attack on their
+part. I used sometimes to complain of this to the marechale. "My dear
+friend," she would reply, "I am sorry, but cannot help it; in the midst
+of times such as we live in, and in such a court too, the prince de
+Beauvau aspires to be a noble Roman, and would fain be the Cato of his
+country at least. When I recommend to him a greater degree of prudence,
+he talks to me of virtue, as tho' at Versailles duty did not consist in
+implicit obedience to the wishes of our royal master; either obedience
+or absence from court is the golden rule laid down, from which none dare
+deviate. As to my sister-in-law she aims at the heroic likewise, altho
+her models are formed from another school; in fact, she has pored
+over the romances of Cyrus. Cassander, and Clelia, till she is half
+bewildered, and holds forth upon the virtues of these famous heroines,
+till I am frequently upon the point of exclaiming, 'Ah, my dear, it is
+all very fine; but Clelia and Mandane would not have shared their bed
+with the duc de Choiseul.'"
+
+By these lively sallies the marechale succeeded in diverting my anger
+from her relations, and I generally forgot my resentment in a hearty fit
+of laughter, brought on by her sprightly conversation. I found myself
+becoming daily more attached to her, and her presence helped to console
+me for the many vexations I continually encountered.
+
+The greatest disagreeableness I encountered was occasioned by the
+capricious behavior of the princesses, who sometimes received me with
+pleasure and at others evinced a disposition to annoy me in every
+possible way, according as it suited the whims and wishes of those about
+them. The following may serve as an instance of their versatility.
+
+The prince de Conde having announced his intention of giving a grand
+Fete at Chantilly, the princesses declared they would not be present if
+I were there. The prince de Conde, spite of his claims to the character
+of a great man, was nevertheless one of the most subtle courtiers;
+and as soon as he was informed of the princesses' intention, he came,
+without ceremony, to explain the matter to me. This was the first visit
+he had honored me with. "Madame," said he, "I had flattered myself you
+would have embellished Chantilly with your presence; but the beauties
+of the court, too justly alarmed at the idea of being eclipsed by your
+dazzling charms, have so successfully manoeuvred, that they have wrought
+upon the royal daughters of our august monarch to declare, that the
+beauty of their attending nymphs shall not be effaced by yours. You have
+too much good sense to see the affair in any but its true light; and the
+disappointment your absence will inflict on me would be too cruelly
+felt for endurance, did I not seek to pacify my anxious wishes on the
+subject, by obtaining your promise to pay me a visit when the king next
+honors Chantilly with his presence."
+
+I felt deeply flattered by the invitation. The prince continued to pay
+me several elegant and gallant compliments; and I was, upon the whole,
+charmed with our interview. However, the king was highly displeased with
+his daughters' proceedings. "I have a great inclination," said he,
+"to forbid their going to Chantilly at all. Upon my word, if I were to
+listen to them, they would fain make of me the same puppet they allow
+themselves to become in the hands of the greatest simpleton who will
+take the trouble of leading them."
+
+I endeavored to appease his anger, by reminding him, that he could not
+expect perfection from his daughters; and that, forced as they were
+to hear me continually spoken ill of by my enemies, it was next to
+impossible they should be able to prevent themselves from adopting
+the opinion of those around them. "And that," said he, "is what I
+principally find fault with. What have they to do with aping the tone
+of those about them; and what point of their duty teaches them to detest
+those whom I love? I will take care to let them know my displeasure."
+
+All my endeavors were in vain; I could obtain no change of his purpose;
+and, summoning the archbishop de Senlis, he spoke to him in a manner
+that plainly evinced his intention of making him responsible for the
+actions of the princesses. Poor M. de Roquelaure called all the saints
+in paradise to witness his innocence.
+
+"Silence, sir," exclaimed the king, "I am perfectly certain this affair
+has not gone on without your knowledge and probable participation. I
+know you well for a person devoted to the ladies, as a gay, gallant
+gentleman need be: I know likewise that you expend the revenues of your
+bishopric and livings upon the prettiest girls of Paris; thus I can
+hardly suppose you would have counselled my daughters' conduct. No, I
+blame those wicked and vindictive scandal-mongers, whose age is their
+only protection, and those intriguing men who beset my daughters' ears."
+
+"Sire," protested the trembling bishop, "I entreat you to believe I am
+innocent of the whole affair."
+
+"Sir," interrupted the king, "I know well that you are as good a
+courtier as a prelate, but still I believe you merely ape your betters;
+and far from entertaining any personal dislike to the comtesse du Barry,
+you would not object to receive either the archbishopric of d'Albi or
+Sens from her hands, were they in her power to bestow."
+
+The conversation went on in this style for more than half an hour. The
+king, who had amused himself highly at the terror of the bishop, left
+off in excellent humor.
+
+This interview had not been productive of equal amusement to M. de
+Roquelaure, whose self-love had been deeply humbled by the way in which
+the king had spoken. No sooner did he feel himself at liberty, than he
+hastened to communicate to the princesses the violent displeasure they
+had excited; and these ladies, so brave and daring whilst their father
+appeared to offer no show of authority or anger, durst proceed no
+further when they heard of his seriously disapproving of it; and they
+felt the full inconsistency of their conduct, in first admitting me into
+their presence, and then refusing to meet me at any other place. The
+consequence of their deliberation upon the subject was to depute the
+bishop de Senlis to call upon me. This accommodating prelate discharged
+his mission with the utmost amenity, presenting me with the united
+compliments of the royal sisters, who all joined in requesting the
+pleasure of meeting me at Chantilly. Had not the prince de Conde held
+out the flattering prospect of giving me a Fete wholly to myself, in all
+probability I should have profited by their invitation; but knowing of
+the secret intention of the prince, I returned for answer, "that it
+was sufficiently flattering and gratifying to me, to find that I still
+preserved any portion of the princesses' kind favor, but that I was
+abundantly honored by the intimation of my presence being agreeable.
+Nevertheless, as I had good authority for conjecturing that it might
+not be equally so to many of the ladies of their court, I should abstain
+from giving offence to any one by my presence."
+
+"Ah, madame," cried M. de Roquelaure, "I entreat of you not to insist
+upon my carrying the latter part of this message to the princesses, they
+would be so much grieved."
+
+"Well, then, sir," said I, "tell them that I am indisposed, and that the
+state of my health will detain me at Versailles."
+
+"That indeed," said he, "is a more respectful message; and further
+I would venture to ask of your goodness, that since it is not your
+pleasure to honor Chantilly with your presence, that you will have the
+kindness to mention in the proper quarter, that far from my royal ladies
+opposing any obstacle to your going, they would have been much delighted
+with your presence there."
+
+"Be assured, sir," answered I, "that I shall ever feel proud and honored
+by the princesses' notice; and I will take care that the faithful
+account of all their gracious condescension shall be faithfully and
+loudly reported."
+
+The bishop departed much pleased with the success of his negotiation;
+and, above all, with the agreeable turn the affair had taken.
+
+When I next saw the king, I said to him, "Your daughters, sire, are as
+amiable as you would have them; they have been informed that some evil
+disposed persons have asserted, that they had prohibited my being of the
+party to Chantilly; and in order to testify how differently they were
+disposed towards me, they despatched the bishop de Senlis."
+
+"A most fit person to be intrusted with such a commission," replied the
+king; "for I have, in every instance, endeavored to justify the
+wishes of this holy pillar of the church, this worthy prelate with his
+double-faced politeness, towards those whom he openly compliments, and
+reviles in private, just as his interest may require it. Well! and what
+did you say to him?"
+
+"That I most humbly thanked the princesses, but that the state of my
+health did not permit of my visiting Chantilly for the present."
+
+"That is all very well," answered Louis XV; "you have framed your
+excuse with much generosity, which I greatly fear will meet with a very
+different turn; for if you do not accompany me to Chantilly, the
+report circulated will be, that the princesses have forbidden you their
+presence; which my dearly beloved daughters, whose characters I fully
+understand, will neither affirm nor deny before the public, whilst in
+private they will vow that they prohibited you from following them.
+Always excepting madame Louise, who is an angel upon earth, as she will
+most assuredly be one day in heaven, where I trust her prayers for me
+and mine will be heard."
+
+I did not at the time pay any particular attention to the latter part
+of the king's discourse, for, indeed, the beginning was far more
+interesting to me; but when I afterwards learnt that madame Louise had
+quitted the grandeurs of Versailles for the gloom and austerity of a
+convent I recollected it, and easily comprehended that it was spoken in
+allusion to an event which took place some time afterwards, and of which
+I shall speak in its proper place. However, the king's prediction was
+exactly verified; and the report in general circulation was, that the
+princesses had declared their intention of not going to Chantilly; it
+was further rumored, that I was there, but in a private and concealed
+manner. This is wholly untrue; the king would never have permitted such
+a humiliation; nor do I believe I should have submitted to it had he
+even desired it. However all this may be, he sought to recompense me for
+his absence by writing a most delightful letter, which I will subjoin
+for your gratification. To me it was of so much the greater value, that
+having its royal writer's permission to show it, it became the first
+death-blow I aimed at the cabal against me. The king possessed a much
+greater portion of wit and talent than the weakness and timidity of his
+character permitted to appear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+
+     Unpublished letter of Louis XV--Madame du Barry's cousin, M.
+     de Maupeou--The comtesse du Barry saves the life of a young
+     girl seduced by the arts of the cure of her village--She
+     obtains pardon of the comte and comtesse de Louerne--The
+     king presents her with Lucienne--A second meeting with the
+     youthful prophet--His further predictions--He is sought for--
+     His mysterious letter to the countess
+
+"How does my sweet friend contrive to bear our tedious separation?
+is she happy and amused? In that case I can say, she has greatly the
+advantage over him who now addresses her. No, my lovely countess, I am
+dragging on a tedious and uninteresting existence, spite of the great
+and earnest endeavors of my good cousin and host to provide for my
+enjoying the gaiety by which I am surrounded; but, alas! amidst the many
+faces with which his mansion is thronged, that one which is dearest
+to me is wanting, and all becomes a blank in my eyes; and I yawn with
+irrepressible weariness in the midst of the glittering pageants given
+to honor my arrival; and you may rest assured that I shall hail with
+delight the termination of a visit, which seems already to have swelled
+the period of our separation into ages. I will not attempt to conceal
+from you, that those who have good cause to envy your supreme dominion
+over my heart, have set every scheme in action to lead me even into
+a temporary oblivion of you, but their attempts are as vain as their
+impotent rivalry, and need cause no uneasiness to you, my beloved
+friend. I frequently smile at the vast pains and precautions of which
+my '_sacred person_' is the object; and I am _continually_ encountering
+'_by chance_' some of those fair ladies who would fain usurp your place,
+sometimes bedecked with jewels rare, and sometimes, as Racine says,
+
+"_------ dans le simple appareil D'une beaute, qu'on vient d'arracher au
+sommeil._'
+
+"Madame de Grammont, for instance, takes an infinity of trouble
+respecting my choice of your successor, which she is resolved shall be
+either herself or one of her choosing. I protest to you that I find all
+these plots and counterplots very amusing; and can only say, that my
+daughters, who are completely duped by those practising them, must be
+more completely deceived than I had imagined possible. Nor can I quite
+deny that I feel a half mischievous delight in reducing to despair,
+
+"'_------- ce peuple de rivales Qui toutes, disputant, d'un si grand
+interet, Des yeux d'Assuerus attendent leur arret._'
+
+"_Assuerus_ (which, of course, means me) keeps one perpetual reply to
+all their high-sounding praises and eulogiums of such or such a lady.
+'She is well enough, certainly; but the comtesse du Barry excels her a
+hundredfold': then follow such shrugs, such contortions of countenance,
+and such vain efforts to repress the rage of disappointed vanity and
+ambition, that I am nearly ready to die with laughter.
+
+"Apropos of dying; I inquired the number of deaths which took place at
+Chantilly last week; only four, they say! Now I think that number quite
+sufficient for the size of the place. I walked as far as the village
+cemetery, which is large and judiciously placed. I must tell you, that
+one of my footmen has gone to that last journey from which none return:
+he was a tall, presuming sort of fellow, remarkable for nothing but
+his impertinence, and the continual scrapes he was forever getting into
+amongst the soubrettes. However, he met with his death in some sudden
+brawl. My people sought to conceal this piece of intelligence from me;
+but having once heard of it, I despatched Flamarens to ascertain in what
+corner of the cemetery he has been interred.
+
+"The duc de Tresmes talks much of you, and boasts greatly to the honor
+of your friendship; he has dubbed himself your '_sapajou_'; this is not
+amiss for a peer of France, and what is still more gratifying, he has
+assumed a title which, I believe, no one in the kingdom will attempt
+to dispute his incontestable claim to call his own. Villeroi is
+all impatience to return to Versailles. The dukes of Richelieu and
+d'Aiguillon, both uncle and nephew, recommend themselves to your
+kind recollection. Thus you see you may reckon upon a few devoted and
+attached friends, even without him, whose hand is busily tracing these
+lines, and he, I can promise you, is inferior to none in the truest love
+and affection for you.
+
+"The ladies of whom I would have you be most on your guard are mesdames
+de C., de B., de P., de G. They really throw themselves in my way till I
+can call them nothing but fools for their pains; but I must do them the
+justice to say that they are less ambitious than you, and so that they
+could rob you of your place would care very little whether I could offer
+them my heart with the other honors to which they aspire; in fact, 'tis
+time we were together again, for the people here seem determined to
+profit by my stay amongst them. My cousin entertains us magnificently,
+and pleasure succeeds pleasure in a continual round of enchantment: he
+tells me he has others still more charming in store against the time
+when you will honor him with your presence. Am I right in promising this
+will be ere very long? Adieu, what a long letter have I written you. I
+will now conclude by bestowing an imaginary kiss on that lovely face,
+which must satisfy me till I have the felicity of seeing you again.
+
+"And now, my dear friend and fairest countess, I will end my lengthened
+epistle by praying God to have you ever in His holy care and keeping."
+
+The receipt of this letter afforded me the liveliest pleasure, and
+I wrote to the king regularly every night and morning. I might here
+introduce a specimen of my own epistolary style, but I will not; for
+altho' the whimsical and extravagant things my pen gave utterance to
+were exactly to the king's taste, they might surprise you; but my royal
+correspondent loved the wild and bizarre turn of my expressions, and I
+fulfilled his wishes; perhaps it was not the only instance in which I
+gratified his inclination.
+
+My _cousin_, the chancellor of France, had remained to keep me company
+instead of joining the party at Chantilly. _My cousin_, say you, and by
+what right or title could M. de Maupeou become such? I will tell
+you. First of all he only aspired to the honor of relationship, but
+afterwards, turning over the archives of his family, he found the most
+incontestable proofs of his belonging to the ancient families of the
+du Barry; and full of joy, he hurried to me, unrolling at my feet
+his genealogical tree, to the great amusement of comte Jean and my
+sisters-in-law, who, after a long examination, declared that he was
+justly entitled to the appellation of first cousin; from that period
+he always addressed me _cousin_, which I flattered him by returning
+whenever I was in the humor.
+
+About this period I was the happy instrument in saving from death a
+young girl whose judges (as will be seen) were about to sentence her
+to be hanged without fully understanding whether she were innocent or
+guilty. This unfortunate creature was a young and pretty country girl,
+whose worthy pastor, the cure de Liancourt, had availed himself of the
+influence he possessed, and of the advantages of his authority over
+the poor creature's mind, to seduce her from the paths of virtue.
+Unfortunately, just at the time when she expected to produce a living
+witness of their amour, and when she trusted to the cares of the cure to
+procure for her those comforts her unfortunate situation required, the
+author of her shame was suddenly carried off by a violent death, and the
+wretched girl, either thro' ignorance or the shame of having listened to
+the illicit passion of a priest, neglected to make any of those formal
+declarations required by the law, and gave birth to a dead infant.
+The justice of the village, informed of her fault, caused her to be
+arrested, and recorded against her sentence of death, a decision which
+was afterwards approved by parliament.
+
+The poor girl was in this extremity when, happily for her, M. de
+Mandeville, a worthy man from either Normandy or Picardy, who had served
+in the black musketeers, resolved upon attempting the revocation of the
+severe sentence which had been passed upon her, by addressing the king
+thro' my mediation; he accordingly followed me to Marly, where I then
+was, and lost no time in forwarding to me the following billet:--
+
+"MADAME,--Beauty has ever been found the inseparable companion of
+goodness; to yours I would appeal to obtain the favor of an immediate
+audience. My reasons for requesting it are not to solicit either place
+or pension, but to save the life of an erring creature whose crime
+has been that of ignorance. I await your reply with the most lively
+impatience, and have the honor to remain, etc., etc."
+
+This note puzzled me excessively, however I gave orders for the
+immediate introduction of M. de Mandeville, whose appearance was even
+more prepossessing than his note; he looked and spoke like an honorable
+man endowed with that sensibility so precious and so rare; he put
+into my hands the petition, whilst he explained to me the particulars
+relative to it, and I instantly wrote to the chancellor the following
+note, of which a thousand copies were taken in the course of the day.
+Altho' it has been many times in print, I shall offer no apologies for
+again submitting it to your perusal.
+
+"MONSIEUR LE CHANCELLOR,--I do not profess to understand your laws, but
+they seem to me as unjust as barbarous. They are contrary to both reason
+and humanity, if they put to death an unfortunate female for giving
+birth to a still-born child without having previously disclosed her
+situation to any one; and yet, according to the memorial annexed to
+this, the petitioner is so circumstanced. Here is an unhappy girl about
+to pay with the forfeit of her life for her ignorance of such a law,
+or because the modesty and even shame attendant upon her disgraced
+condition prevented her conforming to it. I appeal to your sense of
+justice; the wretched girl, concerning whom I write, is a fit object
+for the exercise of your lenity, and I venture to assure myself that you
+will at least effect the commutation of her punishment. Your own kind
+feelings will dictate all I would ask further for her.
+
+"I am, etc., etc."
+
+I felt very certain that, from the manner in which I had expressed
+myself, the consent of M. de Maupeou was quite certain; I therefore said
+to my visitor, the handsome musketeer,
+
+"And now, sir, the noble work of charity, in which you have associated
+me must be completed: go yourself and see the chancellor, tell him
+you come from me, and do not quit him till you obtain the reply I have
+solicited."
+
+M. de Mandeville loaded me with thanks and praises which I did not
+really merit, because in the present instance I acted as much from
+the wish to gratify my own feelings as his. My name and my letter were
+talismans before which all doors flew open, and he reached, without
+difficulty, the presence of the chief administrator of justice, who,
+having read the memorial and the note I had affixed to it, said, "That
+is sufficient, sir; have the goodness to assure madame la comtesse du
+Barry, my cousin, that the reprieve she desires is already granted; and
+as my fair relation appears to fear trusting implicitly to my personal
+friendship and humanity, I will set her mind at rest by putting you in
+possession of the legal forms requisite for the prisoner."
+
+He immediately issued the necessary orders for suspending the execution
+of the sentence, which M. de Mandeville lost no time in communicating to
+the poor girl, who, a very few days afterwards, received a full pardon,
+and was thus, in a manner, snatched from an unmerited and ignominious
+death. The musketeer requested permission to present my _protegee_ to my
+notice. She really was a very pretty girl, her feelings overpowered
+her, and she fainted in her attempt to throw herself at my feet; I soon
+revived her by the aid of those restoratives which my staring people
+stupidly did not try to offer, and then to send her away perfectly happy
+and cheerful, I slipped into the pocket of her apron a _rouleau_ of
+fifty louis which the king had given me for her use. And here I must
+remark, that this prince, avaricious as he naturally was, was yet
+always ready to perform a good action, and, indeed, in this respect,
+he possessed many excellent qualities to which no one has ever yet done
+justice. When I next saw the chancellor--"Do you know, my fair cousin,"
+said he, "that if I wished to set you and the parliament quarreling
+together I need only just whisper in what manner you treat our laws?"
+
+"Your laws," exclaimed I, "are barbarous edicts, made rather for
+tigers than for men. Your punishments are atrocious, nor do I see their
+application to correct a single malefactor; particularly in the case
+of this young girl it is abominable, and if the king would listen to me
+such savage edicts should not long remain unrepealed."
+
+"That may do very well," replied M. de Maupeou, "some time hence, but
+not just now; ere our penal code can be revised we must have magistrates
+more supple than those who now dispute our slightest innovation; and if,
+by the grace of God, we can manage to make a clear house of them, why we
+may confidently anticipate the noblest results."
+
+By these and similar insinuations the chancellor bespoke that aid and
+assistance which I afterwards so largely rendered him when he commenced
+the ruin of parliaments.
+
+Upon another occasion my credit and influence were employed with equal
+success. The objects of my present exertions were the comte and comtesse
+de Louerne. Both husband and wife were deeply loaded with debts, a thing
+common enough with the nobility of the time; these debts they never
+paid, another thing by no means unusual; their creditors, whose flinty
+hearts were but little moved by the considerations of their rank and
+high blood, sent officers to enforce payment, when the Louernes opposed
+them with positive force and violence, and the laws, thus outraged,
+condemned them to suffer death. In vain did persons of the highest rank
+in the kingdom intercede in their behalf, imploring of the chancellor
+to interpose with the king; altho' deaf to every other entreaty he
+instantly granted a reprieve at my solicitation, declaring I was the
+only person who could have effected so much in behalf of the distressed
+culprits, as well as being the only source thro' which the king's mercy
+could be obtained.
+
+Immediately upon this notification, I was waited upon by the comtesse de
+Moyau, their daughter, and the baronne d'Heldorf, their daughter-in-law;
+both these ladies came to me in the deepest sorrow, and I mingled
+my sighs and tears with those they so plentifully shed; but this was
+rendering poor service, and if I desired to aid their cause it was
+requisite I should speak to the king, who was little disposed to show
+any indulgence in such cases, and was never known to pass over any
+attempts on the part of the nobility to resist the laws; he looked with
+horror on every prospect of the return of those times which he hoped
+and believed were passed and gone never to return. I well knew his
+sentiments on the subject, and yet, trusting to my great influence over
+his mind, I did not despair of success; besides Chon, my sister-in-law,
+was constantly reminding me that people of a certain rank should support
+one another, and that now was the time or never. I therefore resolved
+upon befriending the daughters of comte de Louerne to the utmost of
+my power, and for that purpose I placed them both in a corner of the
+drawing-room so as to catch the king's eye as he entered; he observed
+them, and inquired who those two ladies were. "Sire," replied I, "they
+are the heart-broken daughters of the comte and comtesse de Louerne,
+who implore clemency of your majesty to save the lives of the authors of
+their being."
+
+"Ah!" returned he, "madame, you know I can do nothing against the law
+which they have offended."
+
+At these cruel words the two young ladies threw themselves at his
+feet, exclaiming, "Pardon, pardon, sire; in the name of heaven and your
+illustrious ancestors."
+
+"Rise, ladies," said the king; "I would willingly serve you, but I have
+not the power."
+
+"No, sire," cried I, "you must not, you cannot refuse our united
+prayers; and I here vow to remain kneeling at your feet till your lips
+shall pronounce the word which shall restore life and happiness to so
+many afflicted hearts."
+
+"Madame," said the king, altho' in a tone less firm, "you force me to do
+what my principles condemn; but since it must be so, I yield; and only
+rejoice that the first personal favor you request of me is to perform an
+act of beneficence. Ladies," added he, turning towards the comtesse de
+Moyau and her sister-in-law, "you owe the lives of your parents to the
+generous mediation of the comtesse du Barry."
+
+The joy of the Louernes was only equalled by the base calumny of my
+enemies, who accused me of having prepared this scene, which was got up
+by the king and myself to produce effect and excite popularity. Could
+such disgusting falsehoods have entered the minds of any but the most
+depraved? Yet those who continually watched and misrepresented my least
+action appeared anxious to deprive me of even the taste for, as well
+as the power of, doing good. This took place at Choisy, which we
+very shortly after quitted for Compiegne, where I passed my time very
+agreeably. The king would not suffer either the duchesse de Grammont
+or the comtesses d'Egmont and de Brienne to accompany us upon this
+excursion. It has likewise been asserted, that neither the duchesse
+de Grammont nor the princesse de Beauvau was present during the king's
+first visit to Chantilly: that is not correct; it was at the second that
+they were forbidden by Louis to join the party. Those who fabricated
+such accounts, in all probability derived their information from either
+the stable or the kitchen, which was all they knew of the court of Louis
+XV.
+
+During my abode at Compiegne I dined several times at the house of
+my brother-in-law, Cleon du Barry, then a captain in the regiment de
+Beauce, who was, with a detachment, quartered in the neighborhood of the
+castle; and he, with the rest of his brother officers, vied in endeavors
+to please and amuse me. They gave fetes in my honor, were perpetually
+devising fresh schemes to render the place agreeable to me; and in that
+they perfectly succeeded, for I quitted Compiegne with no other regret than
+that my stay there was at an end.
+
+The king appeared each day more and more solicitous to render me happy,
+and even anticipated any wishes I might form. Amongst other marks of his
+favor, he bestowed upon me the splendid pavilion de Lucienne, sold
+by the duc de Penthievre after the death of his son, the prince de
+Lamballe. You know this charming spot, which both nature and art have
+so liberally contributed to adorn: I have converted it into the most
+perfect and delightful habitation in which a mortal could desire to
+end her days. Nevertheless, this hope of passing my life tranquilly and
+happily within its sheltering bosom will prove but fallacious, if I
+may credit a prediction which has been verified already in part. You
+doubtlessly remember the young man who so obstinately pursued me to
+announce the high destiny to which I should attain, ere I had for one
+moment contemplated such an elevation. Well! You will scarcely credit
+me when I declare, that all recollection of him had entirely escaped me;
+but, in truth, the constant vortex of a court life leaves no time for
+the recollection of the past, and fills our minds with no other ideas
+but to provide for the present, and occasionally to glance at the
+future.
+
+However, I thought no more of my young prophet, when one Sunday, after
+my return to Versailles from Compiegne, I attended mass at the castle;
+all at once I caught a glimpse of my mysterious acquaintance, leaning
+his back against the wall behind the altar. He was examining my
+countenance with a deep and fixed attention. You may picture to yourself
+my astonishment and surprise at recognising in this place the person who
+had so long ago foretold my brilliant destiny. The color rushed to my
+cheeks, and he could distinctly observe how much I was agitated by
+his presence, and his beautiful countenance was lit up with a pleasant
+smile; after which he gracefully waved his hand round his head as tho'
+he would say, "Are you not queen of France?" This gesture excited my
+astonishment still further; however, I returned his mute inquiry by a
+slight inclination of the head, intended to say, "You are right." In
+a moment a sort of cloud seemed to cover my eyes. So soon as I could
+recover from the sudden dimness which obscured my vision, I endeavored
+to bend my looks in an opposite direction; for so greatly was I the
+point of general observation, that I feared to awaken suspicion by an
+indiscreet attention to one particular person or place: and when after
+some little time had elapsed, and I ventured to turn my eyes again to
+the spot where the young man had been standing, he had disappeared.
+
+I was unable to recover my astonishment at the whole affair, and the
+suddenness of his departure inspired me with a lively desire to know
+more of him, whether he were man or demon. I mentioned it to Chon the
+same day, who, having listened to me with extreme attention, "Upon my
+word," said she, "this is a most marvellous event in your history. Why
+do you not mention the fact to M. de Sartines?"
+
+"Because it appears to me folly to disturb or annoy a person who has
+given me no offence; and were I to put him into the hands of the police,
+I might possibly find reason to repent having acted so. On the other
+hand, I would give any sum of money for one more interview with this
+wonderful person."
+
+There the conversation ended; but my sister-in-law, by an unpardonable
+curiosity she ought not to have indulged in, wrote, unknown to me, to
+the lieutenant of the police, entreating of him to use the most active
+measures to trace out the object of my curiosity. M. de Sartines
+delighted at having an opportunity of proving to me and mine his skill
+and zeal, turned all his bloodhounds loose upon the track of this
+unfortunate being. During these proceedings I received a letter, sealed
+with five black seals, bearing the impress of a death's head. I thought
+at first that it was to notify the decease of some friend, and I looked
+upon the style as gloomy as it was strange; but, upon opening it, I
+found it to contain the following words:--
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE,--I am perfectly aware that the strict pursuit made
+after me in your name is without your knowledge or sanction: those sent
+in search of me have spared no pains nor trouble to ascertain my name
+and abode.  My abode! Let all as they value themselves avoid meeting me
+there; for, when they enter it, it will be never to quit it more. Who am
+I? That can only be known when this life has been exchanged for another.
+I charge you, madame, to command the lieutenant, M. de Sartines., to
+cease his researches after me; they would be fruitless, and might only
+compromise your safety. Remember, I predicted your good fortune; was I
+not correct in it? I have also foretold reverses: I am equally correct
+in them also. You will see me twice more; and should I unfortunately
+cross your path a third time, prepare to bid adieu to the light of
+heaven and the pleasures of this world."
+
+It is impossible to convey an idea of the excessive terror with which I
+was filled upon the perusal of this billet. I summoned my sister-in-law,
+and complained of the harshness of conduct thus adopted against my
+pleasure. Chon was equally alarmed, and confessed to me what she had
+done in asking the aid of M. de Sartines; at the same time that she was
+the first to declare that it was requisite to put an end to all further
+search, which, in one shape or other, might bring on the most fatal
+consequences. I therefore wrote myself to M. de Sartines, thanking him
+for his exertions; but saying, that my sister-in-law and myself had
+learned from the lips of the mysterious stranger all we were desirous of
+knowing, and that any future researches being unpleasant to him would be
+equally disagreeable to me. M. de Sartines obeyed my request; and from
+that period till the death of the king I heard no more of this singular
+personage.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+
+     Extraordinary anecdote of Louis XIV and madame de Maintenon--
+     The comtesse du Barry at Chantilly--Opinion of king and
+     comte de la Marche respecting the "Iron Mask"--Madame du
+     Barry visits madame de Lagarde
+
+My acquaintance with the singular being I was speaking of in the last
+chapter did not end here, as you will find in the sequel. I will now
+give you an account of an equally strange affair, in nearly the same
+words as Louis XV himself related it to me. Altho' strongly recommended
+by my sister-in-law and M. de Sartines to conceal the whole story of
+my mysterious friend from the king, yet, unaccustomed to the prudential
+observation of court reserve, I, one fine evening, in order to fill up a
+long blank in the conversation, related the story from beginning to end.
+His majesty listened with attention until I had concluded.
+
+"This is indeed," said he, "a most singular history; and I think you
+have acted very wisely in putting an end to all such interference on the
+part of the police; for in such cases you frequently run great risks
+to procure a trifling gratification. We have seen something of the same
+sort in our family."
+
+This discourse excited my curiosity; and I entreated of him to
+explain himself more fully. "I ought not to do so," replied he; "such
+transactions should be kept for ever concealed; but as more than half
+a century has elapsed since the event I allude to took place, I think I
+may venture to break the silence I have religiously observed until now.
+You are the only person I have ever mentioned it to, and I must bind you
+to the strictest secrecy."
+
+This I faithfully promised; and so long as Louis XV lived I kept my
+word.
+
+"At the conclusion of the last century, during the month of September,"
+resumed the king, "it happened that Louis XIV, and madame de Maintenon
+formed the wish of consulting together some learned astrologer, in order
+to ascertain whether the coming age would be productive of good or ill
+to them. As neither of them knew to whom to apply, in order to attain
+their object, madame de Maintenon was compelled to confide her wishes to
+her friend, madame de Montchevreuil, who readily engaged to find for her
+the person she required; for, spite of the severity with which the law
+visited such practices, there was no scarcity of dealers in augury, who
+promised good or bad fortune accordingly as they were paid for it.
+
+"Whilst this lady was making diligent search after one perfectly
+competent to satisfy madame de Maintenon, this latter, in conjunction
+with the king, despite the superiority of their minds, was greatly
+disturbed at the probable consequences of the step they meditated. Their
+desire to penetrate into futurity appeared to them as ridiculous as it
+was criminal, but their weaker feelings triumphed; and the result of
+their deliberations was that far from relinquishing their intention of
+searching the book of fate, they should lose neither pains nor trouble
+to attain their object; and to encourage each other, they reckoned upon
+their fingers the names of every person of their acquaintance, or even
+belonging to the court, who had derived profit and advantage from the
+predictions of fortune-tellers.
+
+"The minds of all at this period were still imbued with those
+superstitious feelings, of which many of the most illustrious persons
+had given ample proof even in the preceding reign. We have become either
+more wicked or more sceptical, whichever you please to term it; but this
+is certain, that many of the things predicted were accomplished with an
+exact punctuality, which might serve to overthrow the finest arguments
+of the greatest philosophers, and which has indeed destroyed many
+ingenious theories. Doubtless the hidden laws of nature have reference
+to other beings than ourselves; and, beyond dispute, may be said to
+govern the creatures of an unknown world as well as exercising control
+over poor mortals like us." After this short digression, of which I give
+you the precise wording, the king continued as follows:
+
+"On the following day madame de Montchevreuil paid a visit to madame de
+Maintenon, in which she declared, that upon mature reflection, she could
+not proceed with the commission she had undertaken: that it was tempting
+Providence, and had better be abandoned. This remonstrance had no effect
+upon madame de Maintenon, who shielded herself from any necessity of
+retracting, by repeating to herself, that she had pledged herself to
+join Louis XIV in the undertaking, and it would never do for her to
+forfeit her character for firmness and good sense by now appearing
+trifling and capricious. However, she feigned a seeming compliance with
+the advice of madame de Montchevreuil, whilst, in reality, her mind was
+resolved upon executing her project.
+
+"There was in her household a female who was not immediately one of her
+establishment, altho' generally ranking as such; one of those active,
+stirring persons, who thrust themselves into a noble family under the
+equivocal title of half servant, half lady. This one had charge of all
+the necessary purchases of linen, Engaged the servants, kept watch over
+their conduct, procured for the marchioness whatever particulars she
+might require upon any subject; and took upon herself, in a word, any
+piece of service by which she could more firmly plant herself in the
+family of her employers. She received no fixed wages, but their absence
+was abundantly compensated in the numerous rich presents that were
+continually made her. Her sleeping apartment was always immediately
+adjoining that of madame de Maintenon in the castle. A person of this
+description (as may be readily supposed) knew the world too well to find
+any difficulty in procuring a mere fortune-teller; and as her discretion
+might be confidently relied on, it was resolved by her mistress to
+intrust her with the design.
+
+"Two days after, she had removed all difficulties by discovering an
+Italian priest, famed as the most skilful necromancer of his day, one
+who undertook to reveal the decrees of fate to all those who should
+consult him, as clearly and readily as tho' its leaves lay open, as a
+book before his eyes. But this gifted person lived in the utmost dread
+of attracting the notice of parliament, and exercised his art only under
+the strictest assurances of secrecy, in the most retired and secluded
+manner, with every precaution to prevent the possibility of a surprise.
+
+"These conditions were too gratifying to madame de Maintenon to cause
+much delay in subscribing to them; and it was finally arranged, that
+the prophet and his new applicants should meet at a house in Sevres
+belonging to the royal family, then in the occupation of madame Cerfol
+(the lady of whom mention has been already made). The marchioness was
+to repair thither at one o'clock in the morning with a single friend. To
+have taken such a measure in open daylight would have been to proclaim
+their secret to all Paris. One person besides madame de Cerfol was
+necessarily admitted into their confidence, and that was the duc de
+Noailles, who was charged, by the king's express orders, to take every
+possible precaution to ensure their safety, as far as it could be done
+without attracting public attention to so extraordinary an affair.
+
+"At the hour appointed madame de Maintenon and the duc de Noailles
+ascended a carriage which awaited them at one of the park gates, and
+soon conveyed them to Sevres, whither the Italian priest had gone the
+preceding night. This wretched man had celebrated alone the sacrifice of
+the mass, and had consecrated several wafers.
+
+"Everything confirmed the opinion, that the conjuror, up to the present
+moment, merely supposed himself sent for to satisfy the curiosity of
+some country nobleman and his lady, who were both anxious and eager to
+read their future fortune thro' his assistance. I can only suppose, if
+he had been in ignorance of the real rank of those who addressed
+him, the sight of the king must have quickly undeceived him, as the
+conclusion of the story proves he well knew to whom he spoke when he
+delivered his prediction. However this may have been, he was no sooner
+alone with the marchioness, than he commenced the necessary preparations
+for the performance of his sorceries and enchantments; he burned
+perfumes, offered prayers, and with loud invocations adjured the powers
+of hell to answer him; and in the midst of a wild and agitating sound
+which pervaded the whole building, during the heavy swell of noises
+too dreadful to have arisen from mortal sources, and whilst a thousand
+visions were flitting to and fro, he drew the horoscope of the king and
+madame de Maintenon. He promised Louis XIV that he should succeed in all
+his undertakings; and that, on the very day on which he spoke the
+words (the 2nd of October) one of his children had been called to the
+inheritance of an immense fortune. Then giving him a small packet,
+wrapped in new parchment, 'The day in which you form the fatal
+resolution of acquainting yourself with the contents of this packet,'
+said he, 'will be the last of your prosperity; but if you desire to
+carry your good fortune to the highest pitch, be careful upon every
+great festival, that is to say, Easter, Whit-Sunday, the Assumption,
+and Christmas, to plunge a pin in this talisman, so that the point shall
+pass directly thro' it; observe to do this, and you will live perfectly
+happy.'
+
+"The king accepted this fatal present, and swore upon the Gospel never
+to open the packet; he richly rewarded the priest, who from that period
+lived in a retreat so well concealed as to evade the most diligent
+researches of those who sought to discover it.
+
+"Some time after news was received, that on the very 2nd of October,
+1700, named by the priest, Charles II, king of Spain, had appointed in
+his will Philip of France, son of the dauphin, his successor and heir,
+an inheritance truly immense, as the astrologer had foretold. You may
+well think how highly this realization of the prediction inspired the
+king with confidence as to the fulfilment of the remainder: and, on his
+part, he never failed upon any saint's day or other solemn festival to
+stick the mysterious pin in the talisman upon which so much depended.
+
+"Nevertheless, spite of all these observances, his undertakings d id not
+invariably succeed, which astonished him greatly; when one day the great
+Bossuet, happening to be at madame de Maintenon's, the conversation
+turned upon magic and sorcery, necromancy and their horrible
+profanations; and he expressed himself with so much force and energy,
+that the king and madame de Maintenon looked at each other without
+knowing what to say, and began, for the first time, to feel compunction
+for what they had done, and to regret their imprudence. They talked of
+it much together, and at length resolved to reveal their crime to their
+confessors. The punishment imposed on the king by his spiritual adviser
+was, that he should evince his contempt for the talismanic properties of
+the parchment packet, by immediately opening it.
+
+"Louis XIV did not by any means admire this method of expiating his
+fault; and a sort of involuntary dread took possession of him, as, in
+obedience to the command of his confessor, he went to procure the magic
+parcel, which he tore open in the presence of madame de Maintenon and
+father la Chaise. The packet contained nothing but a consecrated wafer,
+pierced thro' with as many pins as there had been saints' days since
+the king had received it. At the sight of this horrible sacrilege my
+grandfather was filled with deep remorse and consternation, from
+which it was a long time ere he recovered; and it was not until he had
+undergone many severe penances, fastings, and caused numberless masses
+to be said, that he felt himself at all relieved from the weight of his
+crime.
+
+"But all this was only the commencement of the divine vengeance: and
+those in the secret of this unfortunate affair remarked, that this great
+monarch lost from that time as many male descendants in a direct line as
+he had stuck pins into the holy wafer."
+
+Louis XV here terminated his singular history, which struck my mind
+with a sort of religious terror. I strove by every possible effort
+to dissimulate, concealing from the king the emotions to which his
+narration had given rise. I contented myself with observing, "that after
+hearing his marvelous recital, I should only be more confirmed in my
+determination to leave my young prophet to the tranquillity he desired."
+
+"It will be far best so," added Louis; "I know so many fatal results
+which have followed any indiscreet curiosity, that I am persuaded
+you had much better leave such mysterious affairs to work their own
+solution."
+
+I promised to follow his advice, and we then conversed upon other
+subjects. Since then this anecdote has recurred to my memory; and
+without wishing to impeach the sincerity of Louis XV, I have asked
+myself, whether, by the opportune relation of this adventure, probably
+invented by himself, he did not seek to destroy the confidence I
+appeared to entertain in the predictions of my prophet. I say invented,
+because the king had a peculiar readiness and facility in composing
+these sort of wonderful tales, carefully noting down every circumstance
+which fell under his knowledge deviating from the ordinary course of
+things. He had a large collection of these legends, which he delighted
+in narrating; and this he did with an ease and grace of manner I have
+never seen equalled.
+
+About this period the prince de Conde, whose gallantry never failed,
+entreated the king to pay a second visit to Chantilly: and it was upon
+this occasion that Louis erased from the list of court ladies all those
+whose presence would be disagreeable to me during our stay at Chantilly.
+One scene of pleasure followed another, and one fete succeeded another.
+I accompanied his majesty without ever quitting him; and if hitherto
+there had existed any doubts as to the sincerity of the king's
+attachment, the most sceptical person would now have been convinced of
+the fact. Louis XV was never from my side, and appeared solely occupied
+in gratifying my slightest wish; the princes of the court carefully
+followed his example; and such a life as I then led was abundant
+compensation for all the pains and anxieties I had endured from the
+malice and jealousy of certain females, as well as the sarcastic
+bitterness of men, who feared lest my influence should destroy theirs.
+
+I may, with truth, affirm that I received the honors and attention of a
+queen; verses, plays, all written to convey some praise or compliment to
+me; and the king testified the lively gratification it afforded him
+to see me thus an object of general solicitude, as well as of the most
+flattering distinction. His conduct towards the prince de Conde became
+more gracious than it had ever been observed to be to the princes of the
+blood; for there existed a singular coolness in the royal family towards
+all the princes of this branch. The king looked upon it as vastly
+inferior to his own, because it had been separated from the throne
+before the accession of Henry IV to the crown; he even asserted, that
+there was much to be said upon this subject, and prudence compels me to
+pass over the many histories and circumstances related by him to me of
+this brilliant portion of his noble race.
+
+Neither the prince de Conde, whom I knew well, nor the prince de la
+Marche, entertained much regard for their relations; and they had always
+some spiteful story in store respecting the posterity of Louis XIII.
+There is one historical fact which has never been cleared up.
+
+One day I was conversing with the comte de la Marche upon the disputes
+concerning the parliaments, and expressing my fear, that, if driven to
+desperate measures, the people would rise in open rebellion in favor of
+the magistracy. "They would be still more clamourous," replied he, "if
+they knew all I could tell them."
+
+"And what do you know more than myself?'" asked I; "your highness alarms
+me by speaking thus."
+
+"Amongst events now passed and gone is one that would materially affect
+the public peace, if known."
+
+"You must explain yourself, my lord," said I. He refused; but I
+persisted in pressing the matter with so much earnestness, that at last
+he said, in a low voice,
+
+"Did you ever hear of the man who wore the iron mask?"
+
+"Yes, certainly," replied I, "who was he?"
+
+"A great prince, and a most unfortunate man."
+
+"But who was he really?"
+
+"In the eyes of the law the crown of France should have been his; but in
+the conscientious view of things he certainly had no claim."
+
+The comte de la Marche stopped here; and, as I was not very deeply read
+in history, I did not exactly comprehend the distinction he had just
+made. I had frequently heard talk of the "Iron Mask," whom people
+reported to be either allied to, or sprung from, the royal family; but
+all these particulars were confused in my memory. However, I was much
+struck with the conversation I had had with the comte de la Marche; and
+when next the conversation fell on this mysterious personage, I asked
+the duc de Richelieu what he thought of him.
+
+"Upon my honor," replied he, "I never could find out who he really was;
+not that I did not try," added he, assuming an air of modest vanity,
+which well became his green old age. "I had a mistress of tolerably high
+birth, mademoiselle d'Orleans, as indeed I had the honor of having the
+princesses, her august sisters. However, the former, known under the
+name of mademoiselle de Charollais, was dying to do some act of kindness
+that should be agreeable to me. Well, I requested she would obtain from
+the regent, her father, the solution of the secret relative to the 'Iron
+Mask.' She used every possible device, but nothing could she obtain from
+her father, who protested that the mystery should never escape his lips;
+and he kept his word, he never did divulge it. I even imagine that the
+king himself is ignorant of it, unless indeed the cardinal de Fleury
+informed him of it." The marechal told me afterwards that he thought the
+opinion adopted by Voltaire the most probable, viz: that this unknown
+person was the son of the queen Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV.
+These last words helped, in a measure, to resolve the enigma which comte
+de la Marche had left me to unravel; and, with a view to satisfy myself
+more positively on the subject, I availed myself of the first time I was
+alone with the king, to lead the conversation to this story.
+
+At the mention of the "Iron Mask," Louis XV started. "And do you really
+credit such a fable?" asked he.
+
+"Is it then entirely untrue?" inquired I.
+
+"Certainly not," he replied; "all that has been said on the matter is
+destitute of even common sense."
+
+"Well," cried I, "what your majesty says only confirms what I heard from
+the marechal de Richelieu."
+
+"And what has he been telling you?"
+
+"Very little, sire; he told me only, that the secret of who the 'Iron
+Mask' really was had not been communicated to you."
+
+"The marechal is a simpleton if he tells you so. I know the whole
+affair, and was well acquainted with the unhappy business."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed I, clapping my hands in triumph, "just now you affected
+perfect ignorance; you knew nothing at all about it, and now--"
+
+"You are a very dangerous woman," cried the king, interrupting me by
+loud fits of laughter, "and you are cunning enough even to surprise the
+secrets of the state."
+
+"'Tis you, rather, who could not resist the inclination to let me see
+that you knew what the marechal had declared you ignorant of. Which of
+us two is the more to blame, I wonder?"
+
+"Myself, I think," answered the king; "for after all, you did but
+act with the candor and curiosity of your sex: it was for me to
+have employed more of the prudence of a king in my replies to your
+interrogatories."
+
+"Well, but," said I, "since you really do know all about this man with
+the iron mask, you will tell it to me, will you not?"
+
+"I should be very careful how I gratified your curiosity," said he;
+"this is a point of history which must never be cleared up; state
+reasons require that it should for ever remain a matter of doubt."
+
+"And _I_ must have you tell me," returned I; "do pray tell, and I will
+love you with all my heart."
+
+"It cannot be."
+
+"And why not? This unfortunate person has been long dead without leaving
+any posterity."
+
+"Are you quite sure of that?" inquired the king, in a serious tone.
+
+"But what signifies," said I, "whether he be dead or alive? I entreat
+of you to bestow upon me this proof of your confidence. Who of all those
+who have spoken of him have told the truth?"
+
+"Nobody; but Voltaire has approached it more nearly than any one else."
+
+After this partial confession the king implored of me to change the
+conversation, which I could easily perceive was extremely disagreeable
+to him. Nevertheless, it seemed to me quite clear, that this celebrated
+person belonged to the royal family, but by what title I could not
+devise. It was in vain that I afterwards revived the subject; not even
+during the most tender confidences could I obtain the information I
+desired. Possibly had I lived with him some years more I might have
+succeeded in drawing from him all he knew respecting the object of my
+curiosity. Old men, like children, can conceal nothing from those they
+love, and who have obtained over them an influence they willingly submit
+to.
+
+Before I proceed to more important events, I would fain speak of persons
+with whom I lived before my elevation. My godfather, M. Billard du
+Monceau, was still living, as well as madame Lagarde, with whom I had
+resided as companion. My interview with the former is well known; and
+the authors of "Anecdotes of My Life," published thirteen years
+since, have strictly adhered to the truth, with the exception of some
+vulgarisms they have put into the mouth of that excellent man which he
+never uttered.
+
+As to madame Lagarde, she was strangely surprised to see me arrive at
+her house; and the evident embarrassment my presence occasioned her was
+a sufficient revenge on my part for the many unkind things she had said
+and done respecting me. I would not prolong her uncomfortable situation,
+but studied to conduct myself with the same unaffected simplicity of
+former days. I talked over the past, inquired after her family, and
+offered my best services and protection without malice for what was
+gone by, and with perfect sincerity for the future. But spite of all
+my endeavors to spare her feelings, it was evident that rage and
+humiliation at the advantage my altered fortunes gave me over her,
+struggled within her, and the conflict of her mind was but too plainly
+depicted in her countenance. However, that was the least of my troubles;
+I soon restored her to comparative calmness; and before I quitted her,
+made her promise she would come and see me.
+
+She would gladly have evaded this request; but her son, the master of
+requests, who sufficiently misjudged me to fear my resentment, and who
+possessed great influence over her, induced her to present herself at my
+house. She accordingly came to call upon me, with a mind bursting with
+spite and jealousy; yet she choked down her angry passions, and so far
+humbled herself, as to entreat my pardon for her own sake and that of
+her family, for all her unkindness towards me. I would not allow her to
+finish; "Madame," said I, "I only allow agreeable recollections to find
+a place in my memory; had I entertained the slightest resentment against
+either you or yours, you may be quite certain I should not have again
+entered your dwelling; and I again repeat the offer I made the other
+day, of gladly seizing the first opportunity of being useful to you."
+
+Each of these words expressive of the kindest feelings towards her was
+like the stab of a poniard. She, however, extolled them with the most
+exaggerated praise, imploring me to believe how deeply she regretted her
+behavior, and talked so long and so much about it, that when she quitted
+me, it was with the most certain impression on my mind, that in her I
+possessed a most violent and implacable enemy, and in this conclusion I
+was quite correct. M. Dudelay, her son, had the effrontery to request
+to be presented to me, and charged the excellent M. de Laborde to make
+known his wishes to me. I begged he would inform M. Dudelay, that I
+admitted into the circle of my acquaintance only such as were known
+to the king; and that if he thought proper to apply to his majesty,
+I should obey his royal will on the subject, whatever it might be. He
+justly considered this repulse as a biting raillery, for which he never
+forgave me. I entertained no ill will against him for his past perfidy,
+but I considered it strange that he should presume to approach me with
+familiarity. I should not have adopted the same line of conduct towards
+the farmer-general, his brother, who, less assuming, contented himself
+with assuring me of his devotion, and the sincere regret with which he
+contemplated the past, without ever seeking to introduce himself into my
+presence.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+
+     The chevalier de la Morliere--Portrait of the duc de
+     Choiseul--The duc de Choiseul and the comtesse du Barry--
+     No reconciliation effected--Madame du Barry and the duc
+     d'Aiguillon--Madame du Barry and Louis XV
+
+About this period I received a piece of attention, any thing
+but gratifying if considered in a strictly honourable sense. The
+contemptible chevalier de la Morliere, who detested me, and subsequently
+pursued me with rage, presumed to dedicate to me some wretched
+collection of his compositions, and I had the weakness to accept the
+dedication; I had even the still greater folly to receive its author
+at my house; this piece of condescension injured me greatly. Until that
+period I had not, like madame de Pompadour, shown myself the protectress
+and patroness of men of letters; and even my warmest friends could not
+deny, that in stepping forwards as the encourager of literature, I had
+made a very unfortunate choice in selecting the chevalier de la
+Morliere as the first object of my patronage. But how could I have done
+otherwise? The prince de Soubise, who found this man serviceable
+upon many occasions, would have sacrificed any thing to promote his
+advancement; and I have been assured, that had the marechal taken half
+the pains on the day previous to the battle of Rasbach, we should not
+have left it so disgracefully.
+
+The king well knew the unfortunate chevalier for a man as destitute of
+modesty as merit; when therefore he saw his book upon the mantel-piece
+of my drawing-room, he said,
+
+"So! you are the inspiring muse of the chevalier de la Morliere; I only
+warn you, when the day comes for him to be hanged, not to ask me to
+pardon him."
+
+"Be assured," replied I, "that I will never deprive the Place de Greve
+of one so formed to do honour to it."
+
+In fact, the chevalier was within an ace of reaching it before his
+friends anticipated; for, very shortly after this conversation, he
+was guilty of the most detestable piece of knavery I ever heard of.
+He learned that an unfortunate young man from the country, into whose
+confidence he had wormed himself, was to receive 15,000 livres on his
+father's account; he invited him to supper, and, by the aid of two
+villains like himself, stripped him of his last sous. Not satisfied with
+this, he wrote the father such an exaggerated account of his son's loss
+and general bad habits, that the enraged and irritated parent procured
+an order to confine his son at Saint Lazare! Did you ever hear of a more
+infamous and accomplished rogue than my honourable _protege_? However,
+I shall give him up to his fate, be it good or bad, and proceed with the
+relation of my affair with duc de Choiseul.
+
+I had named to madame de l'Hopital the hour at which I could receive the
+duke. She had requested, in pursuance of her directions, no doubt, that
+the conversation between us should take place either amidst the groves
+of Versailles or in the labyrinth of Marly;--the self-love of M.
+de Choiseul inducing him to desire that this interview should be so
+contrived, as to wear the air of a mere chance rencontre. To this I
+would not consent; saying, that it did not suit my pleasure to quit the
+house; and that when a gentleman solicited the favour of speaking to
+a lady, it became his business to wait upon her, without expecting she
+should come in search of him; and, spite of all the arguments of madame
+de l'Hopital, I persisted in my determination: she had no alternative
+but to submit, and I awaited the coming of M. de Choiseul on the
+following day.
+
+The duc de Choiseul possessed a greater reputation than his talents were
+entitled to; and his advancement was more attributable to his good fort
+ powerful assistants in both philosophers and women; he was a confirmed
+egotist, yet passed for a man who cared little for self. He was quick
+at matters of business, and he obtained the character of a deep and
+profound politician. It must, however, be admitted, that he was witty,
+gallant, and gifted with manners so elegant and fascinating, that they
+never failed to remove the first unfavourable impression caused by his
+excessive plainness. The tide of public favour was with him; and, in
+order to contest it, it required all the influence of a woman, and that
+woman to be no less than the beloved mistress of the king of France.
+
+He presented himself before me tastefully and magnificently dressed,
+both look and voice wearing the stamp of high-born pride and
+haughtiness. Nevertheless, amidst all this pomp, it was evident that he
+did not entirely feel the ease he assumed, and that a species of remorse
+rankled at his heart, spite of the courtier-like gallantry with which he
+had invested himself.
+
+"Madam," said he, bowing twice most profoundly, "the moment has arrived
+which I have long most ardently desired."
+
+"The fault has not been mine, my lord," said I, "that it has been
+delayed until now. My door has never been shut against any visit you
+might have honoured me with."
+
+"Ah, madam! why have I not known this sooner? Some evil planet ruled my
+thoughts when it occurred to me that I might not be so happy as to meet
+with a favourable reception."
+
+"There, my lord, you were indeed in error; for though I might not feel
+a very tender friendship towards you whilst supposing I had many causes
+for complaint, I could not refuse you those marks of respect your rank
+and station entitle you to receive."
+
+"Then, madam, I may flatter myself that I should have been kindly
+received?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you would ever have been welcome, but not those belonging to
+you, for I will be perfectly candid; always excepting the duchesse de
+Choiseul, for whom I entertain the greatest veneration and respect."
+
+"She is indeed well worthy the exalted opinion you express of her; and
+had I followed her advice, I should not have been found amongst the
+ranks of your enemies."
+
+"You confess the fact then, monsieur le duc?" said I.
+
+"I trust, madam, you will not take advantage of an inadvertent
+expression to turn it against myself. What I fear is, that without ever
+having been your enemy, I may have passed for such in your estimation;
+and such indeed is the cruel position in which I am placed."
+
+"Stay, my lord duke," cried I; "be candid, and acknowledge that you are
+my enemy as you have ever been; and that it is only because there
+has been war between us that you are now come to conclude a treaty of
+peace--"
+
+"Peace or war, madam," replied he, "as you please to will it; all I will
+admit is, that things have turned out most unfavourably for my wishes.
+Your arrival at Versailles, your grace, beauty, and wit, excited
+universal jealousy; and, amidst the general panic caused by your
+all-excelling merit, was it not necessary I too should keep myself on my
+guard? For the first time in my life a beautiful woman became an object
+of alarm to me; you may further believe me, when I protest that, at
+the outset, I warmly defended you; but how could I wage war against so
+many--how oppose the general torrent? It bore me down."
+
+"And you fear lest it should carry you beyond your depth, and would fain
+return to _terra firma_; is it not so, my lord duke?"
+
+At this ironical speech an expression of heavy displeasure rose to the
+countenance of M. de Choiseul, and he remained for several minutes like
+a man who fears to trust himself to reply. Then he added,
+
+"Madam, when I solicited the favour of this conversation, it was with
+the sincerest desire of adjusting all differences between us, and it
+would but ill advance that purpose were I now to reply to you with
+warmth and petulance; condescend, on your part, to lay aside sarcasm and
+raillery. You have already too many advantages over me, and it would ill
+accord with your wonted generosity to insult a half-conquered foe."
+
+"You are right, my lord," answered I; "jests and recrimination will
+effect nothing; let us rather proceed at once to consider what is best
+for the interest of both."
+
+"Willingly," replied he. "Now you speak to the purpose; and as I was
+prepared to hear you--are you inclined for a serious discussion of our
+business?"
+
+"Pray begin, my lord, I am all attention."
+
+"Well, madam, I deeply regret all that has passed, and deplore that my
+friends and part of my family should be disagreeable to you; I take
+upon myself to engage that their hostility shall end, and am willing to
+afford you the most perfect satisfaction upon this point. Impressed with
+highest respect for his majesty, and the most lively desire to serve
+him, I ask for nothing more than to be on good terms with those he
+loves; and as for the future, my unshrinking loyalty may be relied on."
+
+"I am well assured of it, my lord duke; and likewise you have never
+taken any part in the calumnies which have been aimed at me. Let us then
+forgive the and since we are agreed as to the future, let us speak but
+of the present. I have friends fitted to serve the king, whose ambition
+leads them to aspire to that honour. What will you do to assist them?"
+
+"Ere I promise that, madam, it is necessary I should be acquainted with
+them."
+
+"What would it avail to name them to you? You perfectly well comprehend
+to whom I allude. I am resolutely decided to support them, and to employ
+for this purpose the friendship with which his majesty deigns to honour
+me."
+
+The duke coloured deeply at these words.
+
+"Then, madam," said he, "you would fain strip me to enrich others?"
+
+"No, my lord, I ask but a division of your possessions. You cannot have
+every thing; and it would not be fair that our reconciliation should be
+profitable to you only." "I did not anticipate, madam, in coming hither,
+that you would command me to offer up myself as a sacrifice upon an
+altar raised by you to the interests of your friends."
+
+"Meaning to say, my lord duke, that you will keep every thing to
+yourself. I cannot compliment you upon your liberality, however I may
+for your candour."
+
+"Madam, I have never since my entry into the ministry sought to live at
+the expense of my country, and let me resign office when I may, I shall
+retire loaded only with debts, whilst you and your friends draw large
+revenues from the nation."
+
+The conversation became warm and angry, the duke and myself, with
+crimson cheeks and inflamed countenances, surveyed each other with
+haughty defiance. At length he added,
+
+"I had hoped that I should have quitted you more kindly disposed towards
+me."
+
+"And I, my lord, fancied that you were coming with an ardent desire for
+peace; but no, the spirit of your sister leads you astray, and you would
+fain punish me for her absence from court."
+
+"Madam, I beseech you to leave my sister in peace; she has gone, that
+ought to satisfy you. We will not, if you please, speak of her."
+
+"I only wish that she would likewise do me the honour to be silent
+respecting me. I am not ignorant that she continues to aim her slanders
+at me from afar as she did when near me. One might suppose that the sole
+object of her journeyings was but to excite all France against me."
+
+"Madam, you are mistaken. My sister--"
+
+"Continues to play the same part in the country she did in Paris. She
+detests me because I happen to have youth and beauty on my side. May her
+hatred last forever."
+
+"Ah, madam, say not so; for with your charms you are indeed too
+formidable an antagonist; and the more so, as I clearly perceive you are
+not inclined for peace."
+
+"At least," said I, "the war on my side shall be fair and open, and
+those belonging to you have not always waged it with me upon those
+terms."
+
+The duke merely warded off this last assertion by some unmeaning
+compliment, and we separated greater enemies than ever.
+
+The first person to whom I could communicate what had passed was the duc
+d'Aiguillon. He listened to my recital without any decided expression of
+his opinion; but no sooner had I concluded, than he took me by the hand,
+and pressing it with a friendly grasp,
+
+"How I congratulate you," said he, "upon the good fortune which has
+extricated you from this affair. Do you know that a reconciliation with
+the duc de Choiseul would have involved your inevitable disgrace? What
+evil genius counselled you to act in such a manner?"
+
+"I fancied I was doing right," said I, "in thus proving to the king that
+I was not an unreasonable woman."
+
+"The Choiseuls," replied he, "would have entangled you in their nets,
+and, separated from your real friends, would have made you the innocent
+author of your own destruction. Tell the king just so much, that the duc
+de Choiseul has been to see you, that you conversed together some time,
+and that he has offended you more than ever."
+
+"I promise you, my kind friend," said I, "to follow your advice."
+
+When I next saw the king, I apprized him of the visit.
+
+"That does not astonish me," said Louis XV, "the duke is anxious to be
+on friendly terms with you."
+
+"He has then taken a very contrary road to arrive at my friendship,"
+said I; "if he really desires that we should be on good terms, he must
+conduct himself very differently"; and there the conversation ended. But
+several days afterwards, having sent away my _maitre d'hotel_, with whom
+I had reason to be dissatisfied, and the king appearing surprised at
+seeing a fresh countenance amongst my household, I said to him, "Sir,
+I have got rid of _my_ Choiseul, when will it please you to get rid of
+yours?" The king, without replying to me, began to laugh; in which, for
+want of a better termination to my remark, I was constrained to join.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+
+     Dorine--Mademoiselle Choin and the marechal d'Uxelles--
+     Zamor--M. de Maupeou's wig--Henriette--The duc de Villeroi
+     and Sophie--Letter from the comtesse du Barry to the duc de
+     Villeroi--His reply--The countess writes again--Madame du
+     Barry and Sophie--Louis XV and the comtesse du Barry
+
+Among the number which composed my household were three beings who
+played conspicuous parts in my family, and who received the kindest
+caresses in honour of their mistress. These three favoured objects were
+Dorine, Zamor, and Henriette. Following the order or disorder in which
+I have written thus far, I will first introduce my dear Dorine to your
+notice.
+
+Sweet, beautiful Dorine! how amiably affectionate and attached to thy
+mistress wert thou! The poor animal still exists; for I would have you
+know that I am speaking of a most faithful little dog; now indeed grown
+old, asthmatic and snappish; but fifteen years since, distinguished for
+her lightness, swiftness, and grace, for her pretty little countenance,
+white teeth, large sparkling eyes, long tufted tail, and above all,
+for her snow-white coat, spotted here and there with the most beautiful
+brown.
+
+Dorine was just three months old when madame de Montmorency brought
+her to me in her muff; her throat was adorned with a rich gold collar,
+bearing the arms of the du Barrys, and clasped with a large sapphire
+surrounded with diamonds. The moment she saw me Dorine leaped upon my
+lap with the most endearing familiarity, and from that period has never
+quitted me. My train of courtiers hastened to become those of the new
+favourite likewise; and pastrycooks and confectioners racked their
+brains to procure tempting morsels for the gentle Dorine. She sipped her
+coffee daily from a golden saucer, and Zamor (between whom and Dorine
+a mutual dislike existed) was appointed her cupbearer. The wonderful
+instinct of the highly gifted animal soon taught her, that although she
+had free permission to bark at all the rest of the world, there was one
+person in it to whom it behoved her to show herself in her most gracious
+and smiling moods; who this person was I leave it to your sagacity to
+divine. She, however, indemnified herself for this extra complaisance
+by barking and biting at all who approached; and the handsomest,
+best turned leg in the court was not secure from the sharp teeth of
+mademoiselle Dorine. Nevertheless, all vied in praising and fondling
+her, and I was enchanted with the general admiration she excited,
+as well as the attention she received. One day that I was exultingly
+relating to the duc d'Aguillon the cares and praises lavished on my dog,
+he replied, "The grand dauphin, son of Louis XIV, after the death of his
+wife, Marie Christine of Bavaria, secretly espoused mademoiselle Choin.
+The marechal d'Uxelles, who was not ignorant of this marriage, professed
+himself the most devoted friend of the lady; he visited her regularly
+morning and evening, and even carried his desire to please her so far,
+as to send a servant with a dish of grilled hare for the house dog, who
+had a particular fancy for game dressed in that manner! These attentions
+and assiduities were faithfully continued for several years, till the
+grand dauphin died, and then no more morning and evening visits, no more
+presents to either mistress or dog. Apply the story well," added the
+duke, as he terminated his recital. Unfortunately the application of the
+tale presented itself but too soon, and I have experienced the sad truth
+of the history of mademoiselle Choin. At the death of the king so, did
+my visitors disappear; and poor Dorine has partaken of the disgrace of
+the comtesse du Barry.
+
+The second object of my regard was Zamor, a young African boy, full of
+intelligence and mischief; simple and independent in his nature, yet
+wild as his country. Zamor fancied himself the equal of all he met,
+scarcely deigning to acknowledge the king himself as his superior. This
+son of Africa was presented to me by the duc de Richelieu, clad in
+the picturesque costume of his native land; his head ornamented with
+feathers of every colour, a short petticoat of plaited grass around his
+waist, while the richest bracelets adorned his wrists, and chains of
+gold, pearls, and rubies, glittered over his neck and hung from his
+ears. Never would any one have suspected the old marechal, whose
+parsimony was almost proverbial, of making such a magnificent present.
+
+In honour of the tragedy of Alzire, I christened my little negro Zamor,
+to whom by degrees I became attached with all the tenderness of a
+mother. You ask me why? Indeed that is more than I can tell; perhaps
+at first I looked upon him as a sort of puppet or plaything, but,
+imperceptibly to myself, I became passionately fond of my little page,
+nor was the young urchin slow in perceiving the ascendancy he had gained
+over me, and, in the end, to abuse his influence, and attained, as
+I have before said, an almost incredible degree of insolence and
+effrontery. Still I pardoned all his folly, and amused myself from
+morning to night with watching his nimble fingers perform a thousand
+tricks of jugglery. Even now that I have lost the gaiety of my happy
+days, when I recall his irresistibly comic ways, I catch myself
+laughing, like an old simpleton, at the bare recollection of his monkey
+feats. I could relate twenty of his mischievous pranks, each more
+amusing than the other. I will, however, excuse you from hearing
+nineteen of them, upon condition that you shall listen to the twentieth,
+which I select as being the shortest.
+
+One day, upon which I had invited some select friends to dinner, a
+superb pie was brought to table as a present which the ungallant M. de
+Maupeou had had the politeness to send me in the morning. One of the
+company proceeded to cut it, when scarcely had he pierced the
+crust, than its perfidious contents proved to be an immense swarm of
+cockchafers, which spread humming and buzzing all over the chamber.
+Zamor, who had never before seen these insects, began to pursue them
+all over the room, buzzing and humming as loudly as they did. The chase
+lasted a long time; but at last the poor cockchafers weary of carrying
+on the war, and mistaking the peruke of M. de Maupeou for an impregnable
+fortress, flew to take refuge there. What did Zamor do, but run to the
+chancellor, snatch off his wig, and carry it in triumph to a corner of
+the room with its colony of cockchafers, leaving us all to admire the
+bald head of the chief magistrate. I could willingly have enjoyed a
+hearty laugh at this scene, but, out of respect for M. de Maupeou, I
+feigned to be much displeased with Zamor, whom I desired one of the
+attendants to flog for his rudeness. However, the guests and the
+chancellor uniting in entreaties that I would pardon him, I was obliged
+to allow my assumed anger to give way to their request, and the culprit
+received a pardon.
+
+There was but one person in the world whom Zamor really feared; he
+was however on good terms with all my friends, and did not disdain
+the society of the king. You have heard that the latter, by way of
+amusement, bestowed on my little negro the title of governor of the
+Pavillon de Lucienne, with a revenue arising therefrom of a thousand
+crowns, and that the chancellor caused the necessary papers to be
+prepared and delivered to him sealed with the state seal.
+
+But of all the persons who visited me, the one most beloved by Zamor was
+madame de Mirepoix, who never came without bringing him amusing presents
+or some sweetmeats. The sight of her threw him into ecstasies of
+delight; and the moment he caught sight of her, he would clap his hands,
+leap with joy, dance around her, and kiss her hand, exclaiming, "_Ah!
+mame la chale!_" ("Ah! Madame la marechale "). The poor marechale
+always dreaded meeting the king when she came to visit me and Zamor; for
+the great delight of his majesty was to make my little negro repeat a
+name of Israelitish origin, which he did in so ridiculous a manner, that
+the modesty of my fair friend was most shockingly put to the blush.
+
+One person alone never vouchsafed to bestow the slightest glance of
+encouragement upon my little imp of Africa, and this was comte Jean,
+who even went so far as to awe him into silence either by a frown or a
+gesture of impatience; his most lively tricks could not win a smile from
+the count, who was either thoughtful or preoccupied with some ambitious
+scheme of fortune. Zamor soon felt a species of instinctive dread of
+this overpowering and awe-inspiring genius, whose sudden appearance
+would chill him in his wildest fits of mirthful mischief, and send
+him cowering to a corner of the room; where he would remain huddled
+together, and apparently stupefied and motionless, till the count
+quitted the apartment.
+
+At the moment of my writing this, Zamor still resides under my roof.
+During the years he has passed with me he has gained in height, but
+in none of the intellectual qualities does he seem to have made any
+progress; age has only stripped him of the charms of infancy without
+supplying others in their place; nor can I venture to affirm, that his
+gratitude and devotion to me are such as I have reason to expect they
+should be;* for I can with truth affirm, that I have never ceased to
+lavish kindness on him, and to be, in every sense of the word, a good
+mistress to him.
+
+     * This wretch, whom the comtesse du Barry loaded with her
+     favours and benefits, conducted her to the scaffold.--EDITOR
+     (i.e., author)
+
+There was one member of my establishment, however, whom I preferred
+to either Dorine or Zamor and this was Henriette, who was sincerely
+attached to me, and who, for that very reason, was generally disliked
+throughout the castle. I bad procured a good husband for her, on whom I
+bestowed a post which, by keeping both himself and his wife in the
+close vicinity of the castle, prevented my kind friend from quitting
+me. However, my poor Henriette was not fated to enjoy a long connubial
+felicity, for her husband, being seized with a violent fever, in a fit
+of delirium threw himself from a window into the court below, and was
+taken up dead. Slander availed herself even of this fatal catastrophe
+to whisper abroad, that the death of the unhappy man arose from his deep
+sense of his wife's misconduct and infidelity. This I can positively
+assert was not the case, for Henriette was warmly and truly attached
+to him, and conducted herself as a wife with the most undeviating
+propriety. The fact was, that Henriette had drawn upon herself a
+general hatred and ill will, because she steadily refused all gossiping
+invitations, where my character would have been pulled to pieces, and
+the affairs of my household discussed and commented upon: there, indeed,
+she had sinned beyond all hope of pardon.
+
+She it was who pointed out to me the perfidious conduct of the duc de
+Villeroi. This gentleman, from the very beginning of my rise in the
+royal favour, had demonstrated the most lively friendship for me, of
+which he sought to persuade me by the strongest protestations, which,
+weak and credulous as I was, I implicitly believed, until one day that
+Henriette, availing herself of my being quite alone, let me into
+the secrets of my establishment and furnished me with a key to the
+assiduities of M. de Villeroi.
+
+Amongst the females in my service was one named Sophie, young, beautiful
+both in face and form, of a sweet disposition, and every way calculated
+to inspire the tender passion. M. de Villeroi felt the full force of her
+charms, and became the whining, sighing lover--her very shadow. Up to
+this period I had had no cause of complaint against M. de Villeroi; and
+certainly I should not have interfered with his plebeian flame had he
+not thought proper, when questioned by my enemies as to his continual
+presence at the castle, and great assiduities there, to protest that
+his visits thither were not in honour of my charms, but for those of my
+waiting-maid. However, my vanity had rendered me his constant dupe.
+
+ I felt perfectly astonished as I listened to Henriette's recital;
+and when she had ceased, I conjured her to tell me candidly, whether she
+had not invented the whole tale either out of spite to Sophie or with
+a design to make me break off further friendship with the duke. This she
+most solemnly denied, and recommended me to make inquiries amongst my
+friends, who would be compelled to bear testimony to the truth of all
+she had asserted. I determined to do so; and the first person whom I was
+enabled to interrogate respecting the affair was the bishop de Senlis.
+This prelate came frequently to see me, and I found his society each day
+more pleasing. He served me as a kind of gazette of all that passed with
+the princesses, in whose opinion I had still the misfortune not to be in
+the very highest estimation. When occasion required it, M. de Roquelaure
+would venture to take my part, and that without making a single enemy;
+for who could be offended with one so affable, so good, so full of
+kindness towards all? In fact, the worthy bishop was so fortunate as to
+obtain the love of every person who knew him; and, in the most select
+society of opposing parties, each would reserve a place for good M. de
+Roquelaure.
+
+When I questioned him as to his knowledge of the affair, his
+embarrassment was evident.
+
+"What a world is this!" cried he. "Why, let me ask, do you listen to
+those who repeat such mortifying tales to you?"
+
+"Because, my lord, my friends will not see me made the sport of a
+heartless and perfidious friend; and, if you entertain the slightest
+regard for me, I conjure you to tell me all you know upon the subject."
+
+"And do you, my good madam, conceive that it would become my sacred
+calling to speak ill of my neighbour? besides, surely you would not
+attach any belief to the idle reports spread about the castle by
+ill-disposed persons?"
+
+"All this has nothing to do with my question, my lord," resumed I. "I
+ask you once again, whether you ever heard the duc de Villeroi assign
+his passion for one of my women as the reason for his visits to me? Have
+you, my lord bishop? I entreat you to answer."
+
+"Madam, I have not," said the good prelate, colouring deeply.
+
+"Ah, monsieur de Roquelaure," cried I, "you must not say mass to-morrow,
+for I greatly fear you have just committed a certain fault which is
+styled fibbing."
+
+The bishop made no reply, and his silence spoke volumes of confirmation.
+
+Scarcely had he quitted me than the duc d'Aiguillon entered, to whom I
+put the same question; and he frankly confessed, that the excuse alleged
+to have been used by the duc de Villeroi was strictly the expression of
+that gentleman.
+
+"I was wrong," said the duke, "not to have mentioned it to you, but I
+was silent from a desire to preserve peace between you. Now that
+the affair has been revealed to you, I will not sully my lips with a
+falsehood for the pleasure of upholding an unprincipled man."
+
+"I will not ask you to tell me more," replied I. "I know enough to make
+me despise the cowardly spirit of him whom I reject as unworthy of my
+friendship." So saying, I ran to my writing-table, and wrote to the duc
+de Villeroi the following note:--
+
+"MONSIEUR LE DUC,--I love my friends with all their faults, but I cannot
+pardon their perfidy; and, since from what I have heard I am left to
+conclude, that but for the charms of my attendant Sophie, I should not
+have been favoured with so many of your visits, I now write to warn you,
+that I this day dismiss the unfortunate object of your admiration
+from my service, and therefore recommend you to cease all further
+communication. Your presence in my house would be any thing but
+agreeable to me; and since the fair object which has hitherto attracted
+you will no longer dwell under my roof, I presume your presenting
+yourself before me would only be more painful than you have hitherto
+found it. The frankness of my conduct may offend you, but it cannot
+surprise or grieve you more than your duplicity has me.
+
+"I remain with befitting sentiments, monsieur le duc,
+
+"Your most humble and obedient servant."
+
+When I had completed my letter, I rang, and a footman attended. "Go,"
+said I to him, "carry this note immediately to the duc de Villeroi, and
+wait, if it be necessary, the whole day, until you can return with the
+assurance that you have delivered it into his own hand."
+
+Whilst I was thus speaking to the man, who had been engaged by my
+steward, and very recently entered into my service, I chanced to look at
+him inadvertently, when my attention was arrested by seeing him rapidly
+change colour. I could not at the moment conceive what could thus
+agitate him, and making a sign for him to depart immediately upon his
+commission, he slowly left the room, regarding me as he went in such a
+manner, that I could not fail recognising him: and here, my friend, I
+must lay aside every particle of self-love and vanity ere I can make you
+a complete confession; the retrospect of my life brings many events,
+of which the remembrance is indeed painful to me, and only the solemn
+promise I am under to conceal nothing restrains me from consigning many
+particulars to oblivion. I am once more about to incur the chance of
+drawing down your contempt by my candour, but before I enter upon the
+subject, permit me to conclude my affair with the duc de Villeroi.
+
+My letter was a thunderbolt to the duke. He better than any one knew
+the extent of my credit, which he dreaded, lest I might employ it to his
+injury; he therefore hastened to reply to me in the following words:--
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE,--I am a most unhappy, or rather a vilely
+calumniated man; and my enemies have employed the most odious means of
+making me appear despicable in your eyes. I confess, that not daring to
+aspire to you, I stopped at the footstool of your throne, but I wholly
+deny the words which have been laid to my charge. I venture to expect
+from your justice that you will grant me the favour of an opportunity of
+exculpating myself from so black a charge. It would be cruel indeed to
+condemn a man without hearing him.
+
+"I am with the most profound respect, &c."
+
+To this hypocritical epistle I replied by another note as follows:--
+
+"Every bad and unfavourable case may be denied, monsieur le duc,
+therefore I am not astonished at your seeking to repel the charge of
+having uttered the disrespectful words laid to your charge. As for the
+explanations you offer me they would be fruitless; I will have none with
+those who have either been my friends or appeared to be such. I must
+therefore beg you will cease all attempts at a correspondence which can
+lead to no good results.
+
+"I have the honour to remain, &c., &c."
+
+After this business was despatched, I caused Sophie to be sent for to
+attend me.
+
+"Well, Sophie," said I, "you perceive the confusion you have occasioned
+through your folly. Is it then true that the duc de Villeroi has spoken
+of love to you?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, madam," replied the poor girl, weeping bitterly.
+
+"And you return his passion."
+
+"I believe so, madam."
+
+This _naif_ confession made me smile. I continued--
+
+"Then you are not quite sure of the fact?"
+
+"No, madam; for when I do not see him I forget all about it; but when
+he is before me, so handsome and so generous, so full of love, I try to
+make myself equally fond of him; but somehow I cannot help preferring
+his courier, M. l'Eclair."
+
+These last words completely destroyed all attempts at preserving my
+gravity, and I burst into the most uncontrollable laughter, which,
+however, soon gave place to a painful recollection of how soon this
+young and artless creature, as simple as she was beautiful, was likely
+to lose this open-heartedness in the hands of her seducer.
+
+"Sophie," said I to her at last, "this unfortunate affair forbids my
+retaining you any longer in my service; I am compelled to send you from
+me. I trust this noble lover of yours will never forsake you; have a
+care only to conceal from him, should you persist in encouraging his
+addresses, that he has a rival in the person of his courier, l'Eclair."
+
+Sophie threw herself weeping at my feet. I raised and encouraged her by
+the kindest words to pursue the right path, but I remained steady in my
+determination of sending her from me.
+
+I was not mistaken. The duc de Villeroi became the possessor of poor
+Sophie, and publicly boasted of having her under his protection. He did
+not, however, proceed to these extreme measures until he had essayed
+every possible means of effecting a reconciliation with me, and he
+employed more than a hundred persons in the vain attempt of inducing me
+to pardon him. With this view the marechale de Mirepoix, whose succour
+he had implored, observed to me that it was sometimes necessary to feign
+to overlook an insult; I replied, that dissimulation was an art I knew
+nothing of, nor did I wish ever to acquire it.
+
+"Really, my dear countess," cried she, "you should not live at court,
+you are absolutely unfit for it."
+
+"It may be so," replied I; "but I would rather quit Versailles
+altogether than be surrounded by false and perfidious friends."
+
+All the remonstrances of the good-natured marechale were fruitless, I
+could not bring myself to pardon a man who had so openly outraged my
+friendship.
+
+Directly I saw the king, I related the whole affair to him.
+
+"It must be confessed," said he, "that the duke has behaved very ill
+towards you, but he has certainly shown his taste as far as regards
+Sophie. She is a sweet creature."
+
+"Ah! you are all alike," cried I. "You gentlemen think a pretty face
+an excuse for every fault; and he only deserves blame who can attach
+himself where beauty is wanting."
+
+"Because he is a simpleton for so doing," said Louis XV with the utmost
+gravity, giving me at the same time an affectionate embrace.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+
+     The prince des Deux Ponts--Prince Max--The dauphin and Marie
+     Antoinette--The comtesse du Barry and Bridget Rupert--The
+     countess and Genevieve Mathon--Noel--Fresh amours--Nocturnal
+     adventure--Conclusion of this intrigue
+
+All my friends were not treacherous as the duc de Villeroi; and I may
+gratefully assert I have possessed many true and sincere ones who
+have ever faithfully adhered to my fortunes. One in particular I shall
+mention here, that I may recommend him to your warmest esteem; for,
+although of high and distinguished rank, he did not despise the good
+opinion of the meanest citizen. I speak of the prince de Deux Ponts,
+Charles Auguste Christian. This prince, who chanced to visit France
+during the zenith of my court favour, was very desirous of seeing me,
+and both he and his brother were presented to me by the comte de
+la Marche, their friend, and they quickly requested the honor of my
+friendship. Auguste Christian pleased me most by his gentle and amiable
+manners, although most persons gave the preference to his brother,
+Maximilian Joseph, better known by the name of prince Max. Auguste
+Christian, in the fervour of his attachment, speaking openly to me of
+the delicacy of the situation, proposed to me, in case of any reverse,
+that I should seek an asylum in his dominions; and I must do him the
+justice to say, that at the death of the king, far from forgetting his
+proffer, he lost no time in reminding me of it. Fidelity and attachment
+such as his, is sufficiently rare to merit a place in my journal. The
+prince des Deux Pouts was presumptive heir to an immense inheritance,
+that of the electorate of Bavaria, and the electorate Palatine, to the
+latter of which he was direct heir after the decease of his cousin, the
+present elector. I could almost wish that he had already succeeded to
+these possessions: he can never reign too soon for the happiness of his
+subjects.
+
+Prince Max had served in France; he was extremely well looked upon
+at court both by the king and the princesses. As for the dauphiness,
+prejudiced against him as she was by her mother, she naturally regarded
+him with an eye of cool mistrust, and manifested her open dislike by
+never inviting him to any of her parties. Prince Max spoke of this
+pointed neglect to the king, who immediately summoned the dauphin. "My
+son," said he to him, "I see with regret that prince Max is never an
+invited guest at any of your balls and fetes. Remember, he belongs to
+a family which has been our most ancient ally, and do not take up the
+quarrels of a house which, until your marriage, has ever been disposed
+in deadly hatred to us."
+
+If the dauphin was not gifted with a very extensive capacity, he was
+possessed of sufficient plain sense to comprehend, and to enter into the
+views of his grandfather, to whom he pledged his word, that henceforward
+prince Max should be treated with more respect; and he kept his word,
+for the instant he returned to his apartments, he commanded the duc
+de la Vauguyon to add the name of prince Max to the list of invited
+persons. When the paper was drawn out it was carried to the dauphiness,
+who was with her husband. She read on till she came to the name
+of prince Max, which she desired might be erased; but the dauphin
+interfered. "Oblige me," cried he, "by suffering this name to remain;
+his ancestors have for ages been the friends of our family, and his
+alliance may one day be useful to us in Germany."
+
+The dauphiness comprehended the signification of these words, and her
+fine eyes were filled with tears. However, she no longer insisted upon
+the erasure, when her husband, who most tenderly loved her, further
+declared it to be the king's desire that nothing should be done which
+could in any way displease the prince des Deux Ponts. He was, therefore,
+from that period invited to the house of Marie Antoinette, who
+indemnified herself for this compulsory civility, by refusing to bestow
+upon him one single smile or gracious word. It must indeed be agreed
+that the dauphiness had brought with her into France too many Austrian
+notions, which she was long in losing for those of a wife and mother;
+but now at the moment of my writing this, she is much changed, and is
+as true a French woman as though she had been born and bred in Paris.
+Unfortunately, the people appear slow in giving her credit for her
+altered opinions, and to this mistake will she owe the loss of that
+general love and popularity to which she has such just claims.
+
+Prince Auguste Christian entertained for me a sincere regard, which I
+returned with the truest friendship. My feelings were as pure and simple
+as his own, spite of the odious calumnies with which my enemies have
+attacked this harmless acquaintance; but their slander in this matter
+was no worse than the manner in which they spoke of every person who
+visited me. According to their report, I was the mistress of all who
+presented themselves. 'Tis well for you, ye courtly dames, that you may
+convert friends into lovers with impunity; be the number ever so
+large none dares arraign your conduct; but for those of more humble
+pretensions it is indeed considered atrocious to number more than two
+admirers; should we ask to swell the list to a third--what comments,
+what scandal, what vilifying reports are in circulation! In this letter,
+my friend, I shall speak to you exclusively of myself. You will find
+little in my conduct to praise, and I fear, much to blame. You will
+easily perceive my heart was better than my head; and dear as your
+opinion is to me, I write on in the hope, that should my candid avowal
+lose me any portion of your esteem, it will yet obtain me a larger share
+of your friendship. The dismissal of Sophie from my service occasioned a
+vacancy in my household. Immediately her departure was known, I
+received numberless solicitations from all who heard of it. Three days
+afterwards, Henriette came to inform me that the wife of an attorney of
+Chatelet solicited the task of serving me in Sophie's stead; that she
+was a well-looking and respectable person, and might very probably suit
+me.
+
+"Will you see her, madam?" continued Henriette. "She is recommended by
+the marchioness de Montmorency."
+
+"Willingly," answered I; "desire her to come in." Henriette left me and
+quickly returned, introducing the new candidate.
+
+At the first glimpse I recognised Brigitta Rupert, that haughty girl,
+who had been my early friend and companion at Saint Aure, but who
+found it impossible to continue her friendship and favour to a humble
+milliner's girl. The sight of her occasioned me a surprise by no means
+of a pleasing nature; and the involuntary start I gave, evidently
+recalled me to her recollection. In a moment her cheeks assumed the
+paleness of death, and her self-love seemed to suffer the most horrible
+torments at the light in which our rencontre mutually placed us. As soon
+as she could command herself sufficiently to speak, she cried,
+
+"Ah! madam, do I then appear in your presence?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, "before the poor and humble milliner to whom you so
+harshly refused your friendship."
+
+"Fortune has well avenged you, madam," said Brigitta, in a melancholy
+tone; "and as I can easily imagine how unpleasant the sight of me must
+be, I will hasten to relieve you from it."
+
+These last words touched me, and restored me in a degree to my natural
+good temper.
+
+"Brigitta," said I to her, "after the little affection you have ever
+manifested for me, it would be impossible as well as unwise to take
+you into my service; but let me know in what way I can best promote the
+interest of yourself and husband, and I pledge myself to accomplish it
+for you."
+
+"I thank you, madam," answered she, resuming her accustomed haughtiness,
+"I came to solicit a situation near the person of the comtesse du Barry.
+Since that is refused me, I have nothing more to request."
+
+"Be it as you please," replied I. Brigitta made a low courtesy, and
+quitted the room.
+
+Henriette, who had been the witness of this scene, expressed her
+apprehensions that I should be displeased with her for introducing an
+unwelcome visitor to me. "No," cried I, "'tis not with you I am vexed.,
+but myself."
+
+"And why so, dear madam?"
+
+"Because I reproach myself with having in my own prosperity forgotten
+one of my earliest and dearest friends, who loved me with the tenderest
+affection. Possibly she may now be in trouble or difficulties, from
+which I might have a thousand ways of relieving her; but it is never
+too late to do good. To-morrow, early, you shall set out for Paris; when
+there, go to the rue Saint Martin, inquire for the sign of la Bonne Foi;
+it is kept by a pastrycook, named M. Mathon, of whom I wish you to learn
+every particular relative to his daughter Genevieve."
+
+My wishes were laws to Henriette, who instantly retired to prepare for
+her journey. I had not ventured to desire her to glean any information
+concerning the brother of Genevieve, and yet at the recollection of the
+handsome Nicolas my heart beat impetuously. With what impatience did I
+await the return of Henriette! at length she came.
+
+"Well!" said I.
+
+"I have found out M. Mathon," answered Henriette.
+
+"Which, the father?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"And what is his present occupation?"
+
+"As usual, madam, superintending his kitchen and shop."
+
+"Is he alone in his business?"
+
+"Oh, no! madam; he is assisted by his son, a fine dark handsome young
+man."
+
+"His son then lives with him?"
+
+"Yes, madam, and he is married."
+
+"Married!--but it is not of this young man I wish to speak, but of his
+sister, of Genevieve; tell me of her."
+
+"I only learned, madam, that she had married a tailor, named
+Guerard--who, after having been very unsuccessful in business, died
+suddenly, leaving her wholly destitute with two young children."
+
+I immediately wrote the following note to my early friend:--
+
+"The comtesse du Barry having heard of the misfortunes of madame
+Guerard, and knowing how much she is deserving of a better fate, is
+desirous of being useful to her. She therefore requests madame Guerard
+will call next Monday, at two o'clock, on her at her hotel, rue de la
+Pussienne."
+
+Poor Genevieve nearly fainted when she received this note, which was
+conveyed to her by a footman wearing my livery. She could not imagine to
+whom she was indebted for procuring her such exalted patronage, and
+she and her family spent the intervening hours before her appointed
+interview in a thousand conjectures on the subject. On Monday,
+punctually at two o'clock, she was at the hotel dressed in her best,
+her lovely countenance setting off the humble style of even her holiday
+garb. She knew me the instant she saw me; and, in the frank simplicity
+of her own heart imagining she could judge of mine, she ran to me, and
+threw herself into my arms, exclaiming,
+
+"Oh, my dear Jeannette, what pleasure does it afford me to meet you
+again. Oh! I see how it is; you are the friend of the comtesse du
+Barry, and it is to you I shall owe my future good fortune, as I do this
+present mark of her favor."
+
+"No, my good Genevieve," cried I, weeping for joy, "she who now embraces
+you is the comtesse du Barry."
+
+After we had a little recovered ourselves, I took my friend by the hand,
+and led her to a sofa, where we seated ourselves side by side. Returning
+to the scenes of our early youth, I related to Genevieve all that had
+occurred since--my adventures, faults, and favour. When I had concluded
+my recital, Genevieve commenced hers, but it was soon told. There is
+little to relate in the life of a woman who has passed her days in the
+virtuous discharge of her duties.
+
+Our mutual confidences being over, and having again exchanged a most
+affectionate embrace, I put into the hands of my companion a portfolio,
+containing 30,000 livres in bank bills. I promised her likewise to
+obtain for her some lucrative situation. "Do more than this for me!"
+cried Genevieve. "Since you will still grant me your friendship, secure
+for me the happiness of occasionally meeting you. I can with truth
+declare, that of all your proofs of kindness and regard, that which I
+prefer is the pleasure of seeing you."
+
+This ingenuous request touched my heart, and I replied to it by fondly
+caressing the warm-hearted Genevieve, and assuring her that my purse
+and my house should be ever open to her. We then resumed our interesting
+reminiscences, and Genevieve was the first to speak of her brother. At
+the name of Nicolas I felt the blood mount to my very forehead, and
+an indefinable sensation passed over me at the mention of him who had
+possessed my virgin love. I strove, however, to conceal from my friend
+the powerful emotion which agitated me, and I replied, with apparent
+tranquillity, that I should be happy to assist her brother with the best
+of my credit and influence; and I kept my word by obtaining for him,
+at the solicitation, of his sister, some lucrative situation, the exact
+nature of which I do not now recollect, where they resided together in
+ease and comfort. I had only to recommend them to the notice of M. de
+Boulogne, who felt himself much flattered at being selected by me to
+make the fortunes of my two friends.
+
+From this time Genevieve visited me as frequently as she could, and her
+society delighted me; whilst, in her conversation I found a frankness
+and sincerity which I had vainly sought for at court. She had loved me
+when a simple milliner, and she cherished the same fond regard for me in
+my improved situation. Her friendship has not forsaken me in my
+reverses; and I feel quite assured that death only will dissolve the
+tender friendship which still subsists between us. As for her brother,
+he spared me much shame and confusion by never seeking my presence; a
+meeting with him would indeed have overwhelmed me with painful
+recollections.
+
+And now, my friend, I am about to relate to you an adventure, the bare
+mention of which covers my cheek with guilty blushes; fain would I
+conceal it from you, but my promise is given to lay my whole heart
+before you, and it shall be done, cost what it may.
+
+I know not why it should ever have been permitted you gentlemen to
+frame laws, which, while they permit you, in the gratification of your
+passions, to descend ever so low in the scale of society without any
+disgrace attaching itself to you from the obscure condition of the
+object of your search, to us females it is prohibited, under penalty
+of incurring the utmost degradation, to gratify the inclination of our
+hearts when awakened by one of more humble rank than our own. A great
+lord may love a kitchen maid, a noble duke, like M. de Villeroi, may
+indulge his fancy for a waiting-woman, and yet lose no portion of his
+dignity, or of the esteem in which the world holds him; but, on the
+other hand, woe to the high-born dame who should receive the homage of
+an obscure citizen, or the noble countess who should lend a favourable
+ear to the sighs of her _valet de chambre_; the public voice would loud
+and angrily inveigh against so flagrant a breach of decorum. And why
+should this be? But, my friend, do you not see in my seeking to defend
+so weak a cause sufficient intimation that such a justification involves
+a consciousness of requiring it? Alas! I plead guilty, and will no
+longer delay the painful confession I have to make.
+
+Do you remember a singularly handsome young man, who, during my abode
+with madame Lagarde, fascinated me till my very senses seemed bewildered
+by my passion. You know how he betrayed me, and how, through him, I
+was expelled the house, as well as the termination of this foolish
+adventure. You are now to pass over seven or eight years, and take
+your place with me in the drawing-room, in which I stood when I rang
+to summon a servant to convey a letter to the duc de Villeroi. You may
+remember what I told you in the last chapter of the person who entered,
+of his agitation and his blushes, and of his fixing his eyes with deep
+meaning upon me till he quitted the room-this servant was Noel!
+
+Had I listened to the dictates of prudence, I should, without loss of
+time, have obtained against him a _lettre de cachet_, which would have
+freed me from all chance of discovery through his means; but I could not
+listen to such cool-blooded, though cautious, suggestions. One idea only
+took possession of my mind--the absurd desire to know what had become of
+Noel since we separated, and by what accident I now found him wearing
+my livery in the castle. With this intent I availed myself of the first
+moment I was secure from interruption, to summon him to my presence. He
+threw himself at my feet, imploring of me to pardon his audacity. "Alas,
+madam!" said he, "I am more unfortunate than guilty. I saw you walking
+some time since, and I could obtain no rest or peace till I was
+fortunate enough to obtain admission to your establishment. Punish me
+for my temerity if you will; expel me from the castle, have me confined
+in a prison, I deserve it all; but, voluntarily, I cannot leave this
+house; and if you will only permit my stay, I solemnly vow you shall
+see nothing in my conduct but the zeal of an attached and respectful
+servant."
+
+I was weak enough to pardon Noel and shortly after to raise him to the
+rank of _valet de chambre_, which brought him infinitely too much about
+me.
+
+Yes, my friend, the woman is, after all attempts to excuse it, blamable
+for bestowing her affection on one below herself in the scale of
+society. Nature herself appears to have planted in our bosoms a kind of
+instinct, which warns us from it, and a prejudice against all those who
+so degrade themselves. It is different with men; they can confer rank
+and elevation on the beloved object. A woman should always have reason
+to look up to and feel proud of the man to whom she consigns her heart;
+this species of vanity is mixed with the noblest love, and the woman who
+can overlook it, acts from passion of the lowest, basest kind. How easy
+is it to reason! Alas! Why have I not always acted as well as I speak.
+
+I was thus again a second time enthralled by Noel, and much more so,
+too, than I will now tell you. My faithful Henriette, whose devoted
+attachment for me kept her ever watchful of my safety and reputation,
+was thunderstruck at perceiving what I vainly strove to conceal from
+her; and, as she has since told me, was long in deciding whether to
+speak to me of the affair, when an unexpected incident arose, which
+determined her, at every risk of my displeasure, to use her endeavors
+to put an end to so disgraceful a connexion, which must infallibly have
+ended in my disgrace.
+
+One night, or rather midnight, all was at rest in the castle, and I was
+sleeping peacefully in the arms of Noel, when all at once I was awakened
+by the sudden opening of an outer door, which announced to me the
+approach of the king, who had merely one more door to open ere he would
+be in my apartment. Noel, terrified, leaped quickly out of bed, and
+ran to seek refuge in a small chamber adjoining where Henriette
+slept. Happily she was yet awake; and, by the light of a night-lamp or
+_veilleuse_ recognized Noel, who, with clasped hands, conjured her to
+take pity upon him. Henriette saw the danger, and putting out her hand,
+seized him, and drawing him rapidly towards her, made him lie down
+beside her. Noel, struck with her goodness, was preparing to offer her
+the same marks of his gratitude he had shown me of his respect; but
+repulsing him, she said in a low voice, "Wretch, think not it is on your
+account I thus expose my reputation; 'tis to save that of my beloved
+mistress; either conduct yourself with silent respect or you are
+lost." At this threat Noel 's courage melted away and he lay still as
+a frightened child. "Listen," said Henriette, "if you do not quit this
+place to-morrow at break of day, without seeking to see madame again,
+I will denounce you to the king, who will inflict upon you the most
+dreadful punishment."
+
+Whilst these things were passing in the chamber of Henriette, I did not
+feel perfectly at ease on my side, and many were the wise reflections I
+made upon my folly, as well as the promises I gave never again to expose
+myself to such imminent danger. Nor did my terrors abate till after the
+king had quitted me. At the sound of my bell Henriette hastened to my
+bed-side.
+
+"My good Henriette," said I to her, trembling from head to foot, "what a
+night of anxiety have I passed, I must indeed confess--"
+
+"Fear not, my beloved mistress," replied she; "I will watch over your
+safety, and trust to be enabled fully to provide for it."
+
+I durst not then ask for any further explanation of her words, for such
+was the ascendancy her good and steady conduct had given her over me,
+that she would certainly have blamed me for my glaring imprudence. I
+pressed her hand in mute thankfulness; she comprehended my silence and
+left me to myself.
+
+At the end of some days, seeing nothing of Noel, I ventured to question
+her as to his fate: she then related to me all you have been told, and
+added, that the day following this shameful and unfortunate night she
+had lost no time in apprizing the comte Jean of all that had occurred,
+who had quickly despatched Noel out of the kingdom, furnishing him with
+a purse of ten thousand livres to defray his travelling expenses. Such
+was the fortunate termination of this disgraceful affair; and now,
+having completed my painful confession, I will change the subject to
+others doubtless more calculated to interest you than the recital of
+such lapses.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+
+     Madame du Barry succeeds in alienating Louis XV from the duc
+     de Choiseul--Letter from madame de Grammont--Louis XV--The
+     chancellor and the countess--Louis XV and the abbe de la
+     Ville--The marechale de Mirepoix and madame du Barry
+
+Matters now assumed an air of importance. My struggle with the des
+Choiseuls had become a deadly war, which could only be terminated either
+by his downfall or my dismissal from court; this latter measure was not
+very probable; an old man is not easily detached from a woman whom he
+loves, and each day only added to my ascendancy over the mind of the
+king. It is true, that the same force of habit which enchained Louis XV
+to me bound him likewise to M. de Choiseul. The idea of change terrified
+him; and so great was his dread of fresh faces, that he would have
+preferred dying with his old minister, to creating a younger one who
+might witness his end. Happily the duke himself brought on the crisis of
+his fate; his power was cramped on all sides, yet, resolved not to lay
+it down till the last extremity, he sought to stay his failing credit
+with the rising influence of the dauphiness. His enemies were not slow
+in pointing out to the king his minister's frequent visits and great
+assiduities to a foreign princess, and enlarged upon the fatal effects
+this new alliance might produce to the monarchy.
+
+Meanwhile the chancellor, threatened by the parliaments, saw only one
+way of averting the storm which was about to burst on his head. This was
+to introduce into the cabinet persons entirely devoted to himself;
+but to accomplish his purpose, it was necessary to exclude the duc de
+Choiseul and his party. M. de Maupeou came to me in December, and after
+having gently scolded me for what he termed my carelessness, he showed
+me a letter from the duchesse de Grammont, which, he said, would
+wonderfully aid our plans. This letter was written to one of the
+presidents of the parliament of Toulous, M. de ----. I cannot give you
+his name; for, although I have preserved the original of the letter, I
+have mislaid the envelope on which the address was written. I here give
+you a copy of this curious and important production:--
+
+"MONSIEUR LE PRESIDENT,--I promised to give you the exact details of all
+that passed in this gay metropolis, and 'tis with much pleasure I sit
+down to fulfill my engagement. Things go on much as usual, or, perhaps,
+I should be speaking more correctly, were I to say they are rapidly
+progressing from bad to worse. We have no longer a king in France;
+all power is lodged in the hands of one sprung from the most infamous
+origin; who, in conjunction with others as intriguing as herself,
+seeks only to ruin the kingdom, and to degrade it in the eyes of other
+nations.
+
+"The noble firmness of sovereign courts is odious to people of this
+class; thus you may imagine the detestation in which they regard the
+candid and loyal conduct of the duke. I n the hopes of procuring the
+dismissal of my brother, they have chosen for his successor wretch
+loaded with crimes, a coward, an extortioner, a murderer--the duc
+d'Aiguillon. As for you gentlemen, who now constitute our parliament,
+your places will soon be filled by a magistracy drawn from the dregs of
+society; a troop of slaves, deaf and blind, except as he who pays them
+best will have them exercise those powers.
+
+"This is no time for indolent repose; we must at once courageously and
+unanimously defeat the guilty schemes of our enemies. So long as my
+brother retains his present post he will support you with his best
+interest; but, should he be dismissed, your business will soon be
+finished.
+
+"I beg my best remembrances, first, to your excellent lady, and after
+her, to madame B. and madame L., not forgetting the marquise de Chalret,
+whose wit is truly Attic; nor the marquise de P--s, who conceals beneath
+the graceful exterior of a Languedocian the soul of one of Corneille's
+Roman matrons. For yourself rely upon my warmest friendship and
+endeavours to serve you. My brother is most anxious to know you, after
+the flattering manner in which I have mentioned you to him. When will
+you gratify us both by visiting Paris?
+
+"Ever yours,"
+
+Nothing could have arrived more _a propos_ for our purpose than this
+letter. I was still engaged in its perusal when the king was announced;
+I wished to hurry it back into the hands of M. de Maupeou; but he, more
+crafty than I, requested I would keep it.
+
+"It is fitting," said he, "that it should be seen by the right person."
+
+Louis XV, astonished at the strange scene, inquired what it meant.
+
+"A most shameful piece of scandal, sire," replied I.
+
+"An infamous epistle," added the chancellor, "which one of my friends
+managed to abstract from the post-office, and forwarded to me: I brought
+it to madame la comtesse, that she might admire the determined malice of
+our enemies."
+
+"You excite my curiosity," cried Louis XV. "Madame, have the kindness to
+allow me to see this paper."
+
+"Indeed, sire," exclaimed I, "I know not whether I ought to obey your
+majesty, so entirely has the writer of the letter forgotten the respect
+duc to your sacred person."
+
+"Oh," said the king, "I do not fear that; I am but too well used to the
+offence to feel astonishment at its occurrence."
+
+I placed the paper in the hand of Louis XV, whose eye easily recognised
+the handwriting of madame de Grammont. "Ah, ah!" cried he, "is it so?
+let us see what this restless lady has to say of us all." I watched the
+countenance of the king as he read, and saw the frown that covered it
+grow darker and darker; nevertheless he continued to read on without
+comment till he had reached the end; then sitting down and looking full
+at the chancellor, he exclaimed,
+
+"Well, M. de Maupeou, and what do you think of this business?"
+
+"I am overwhelmed with consternation, sire," replied he, "when I think
+that one of your majesty's ministers should be able to conspire thus
+openly against you."
+
+"Stay," cried Louis hastily, "that fact is by no means proved. The
+duchesse de Grammont is a mad woman, who involves the safety of her
+brother; if I only believed him capable of such treachery, he
+should sleep this night in the Bastille, and to-morrow the necessary
+proceedings should be commenced against him: as for his sister, I will
+take care of her within four good walls, and avenge myself for her past
+misconduct, by putting it out of her power to injure me further."
+
+"Sire," said I, in my turn, "remember she is a woman; I beseech you to
+pardon her, and let the weight of your just indignation fall upon her
+brother."
+
+"Chancellor," cried the king, "this business must not be lightly passed
+over."
+
+"Nor without due consideration," replied M. de Maupeou, "your majesty
+may look upon this letter as the basis of a secret plot: as for the
+duchess, I am of my cousin's opinion; despise her audacious attempts,
+but spare not her brother; he alone is the guilty as well as dangerous
+person."
+
+The king made no answer, but rose, and crushing the letter in his hand,
+threw it from him.
+
+"Would," exclaimed he at last, "that the fiends had those who take such
+delight in disgusting me with my very existence. Heavens! how justly may
+I say I despise all men; nor have I a much better opinion of your sex,
+madame la comtesse, I must warn you."
+
+"Much obliged, sire," cried I; "really I was not prepared for such
+gallantry. It is rather hard that you should quarrel with me because
+this disagreeable duchess behaves ill! Upon my word it is very
+unpleasant!"
+
+"Come, come," said Louis XV, kissing my cheek, "don't you be a naughty
+child; if I had not you, where should I turn for consolation amidst the
+torments by which I am surrounded? Shall I tell you? In the midst of all
+these perplexing affairs, there are moments in which I fear I may not be
+promoting the happiness of my people."
+
+"Your majesty is greatly mistaken," replied the chancellor; "the nation
+in general must esteem themselves most happy under your reign; but it
+will always happen that ill-disposed persons seek to pervert the public
+opinion, and to lead men's minds astray. The duchess, when travelling,
+was the faithful and active agent of her brother. The duke, to
+secure his stay in the ministry, will eagerly avail himself of every
+adventitious aid; within your kingdom he seeks the support of the
+parliaments and philosophers; without, he claims the succour of Germany
+and Spain. Your majesty is certainly master of your own will, and it
+would ill become me to point out the path you should tread; but my duty
+compels me to say, that the duc de Choiseul is the greatest enemy of the
+royal house: of this he gave me a convincing proof in the case of your
+august son; and now, if he fancied he should find it more advantageous
+to have the dauphin for his master--"
+
+"Chancellor of France," cried Louis, much agitated, "do you know what
+you are asserting?"
+
+"The truth, sire," I exclaimed. "The public voice accuses the duc de
+Choiseul of the death of your son; they declare--"
+
+"How! you, too, madam!" exclaimed the king looking at me fixedly.
+
+"And why not, sire? I am merely repeating what is in every one's mouth."
+
+"I have heard this horrible charge before," added the king; "the Jesuits
+informed me of it, but I could not give credit to such a monstrosity."
+
+"So much the worse," replied I; "in the world in which we live we should
+always be on our guard."
+
+"Sire," added the chancellor, with the most diabolical address, "I am
+persuaded that M. de Choiseul is the most honourable man in the world,
+and that he would shudder at the bare idea of any attempt upon the life
+of your majesty; but his relations, friends, and creatures believe,
+that, supported by the dauphiness, he would continue in office under
+your successor. Who can answer for their honour? Who can assure you,
+that some one among them may not do that for the duke which he would
+never venture to attempt himself?
+
+"This is the personal danger your majesty runs so long as M. de Choiseul
+continues in office; were he dismissed, the world would soon abandon the
+disgraced minister, and the dauphiness be amongst the first to forget
+him."
+
+The king was pale with agitation, and for some minutes continued
+traversing the apartment with hasty strides; then he suddenly stopped.
+
+"You are then convinced, M. de Maupeou," cried he, "that the duke is
+leagued with the parliaments to weaken my authority?"
+
+"There are palpable proofs to that effect," replied the chancellor;
+"your majesty may recollect the skilful manner in which, on the 3d of
+last September, he avoided attending you to parliament; most assuredly,
+had he not been the friend of rebels, he would not have shrunk from
+evincing by his presence how fully he shared your just indignation."
+
+"That is but too true," cried Louis XV; "and I felt much annoyed at the
+time, that he preferred going to amuse himself at the house of M. de
+Laborde, when his duty summoned him to my side."
+
+"Your majesty cannot fail to perceive how everything condemns him; his
+personal conduct, equally with that of his sister, proves how little he
+regards his royal master's interest; and should your clemency resolve
+upon sparing him now, you may find your mercy produce fatal effects to
+yourself."
+
+"His dismissal," resumed the king, "would disorganize all my political
+measures. Who could I put in his place? I know no one capable of filling
+it."
+
+"Your majesty's wisdom must decide the point," replied the chancellor.
+"My duty is to lay before you the true state of things; this I have
+done, and I know myself well enough not to intrude my counsel further.
+Nevertheless, I cannot help remarking, that in your majesty's court
+there are many as capable as M. de Choiseul of directing affairs--M.
+d'Aiguillon, for example."
+
+"Ah!" answered Louis XV; "this is not the moment, when M. d'Aiguillon
+is smarting from his severe contest with the long robes, to elevate him
+over the head of my hitherto-esteemed minister."
+
+M. de Maupeou and myself perceived that we should best serve my friend's
+cause by refraining from pressing the matter further, and we therefore
+changed the conversation. Nevertheless, as what had already passed had
+taken its full effect upon the king's mind, he suggested an idea which
+I should never have dreamed of recommending; and that was to consult the
+abbe de la Ville on the subject.
+
+The abbe de la Ville, head clerk of foreign affairs, was a man who, at
+the advanced period of fourscore, preserved all the fire and vivacity of
+youth; he was acquainted with ministerial affairs even better than M.
+de Choiseul himself. Having formerly belonged to the Jesuits, to whom he
+was entirely devoted, he had appeared to accelerate the period of their
+destruction; never had he been able to pardon his patron the frightful
+part he had compelled him to enact in the business. Years had not
+weakened his ancient rancour, and it might be said, that he had clung
+to life with more than natural pertinacity, as unwilling to lay it
+down till he had avenged himself on de Choiseul. Louis XV wrote to him,
+desiring he would avail himself of the first pretext that occurred to
+request an audience. This note was forwarded by a footman, the good
+abbe easily divined that this mystery concealed some great design; he
+therefore hastened to solicit an audience as desired. When introduced
+into the cabinet of the king, his majesty inquired at once,
+
+"Monsieur l' abbe, can I depend upon your discretion?"
+
+"Sire," replied the abbe, with a blunt frankness, "I am sorry your
+majesty can doubt it."
+
+"Be satisfied, sir," replied the king, "I had no intention to offend
+you; but I wish to consult you upon a point, the importance of which you
+will fully appreciate; answer me without disguise. Do you believe that
+the services of the duc de Choiseul are useful to my kingdom, and that
+my interests would suffer were I to dismiss him?"
+
+"Sire," replied M. de la Ville, without hesitation, "I protest to you,
+as a man of honour, that the presence of the duc de Choiseul is by no
+means essential to the ministry, and that your majesty's interests would
+sustain not the slightest injury by his absence."
+
+After this the abbe de la Ville entered into particulars unnecessary to
+repeat here; it is sufficient to say, that all he advanced materially
+aided our wishes. He afterwards reaped the reward of his friendly
+services, for when the duc d'Aiguillon had displaced the duc de
+Choiseul, he bestowed on M. de la Ville the title of _director of
+foreign affairs_, an office created for him, and the bishopric _in
+partibus_ of Tricomie. The good abbe did not, however, long enjoy his
+honours, but ended his career in 1774.
+
+This conversation had been repeated to me; and, on my side, I left no
+means untried of preventing Louis XV from placing further confidence in
+his minister; but, feeble and timid, he knew not on what to determine,
+contenting himself with treating the duke coolly; he sought, by
+continual rebuffs and denials to his slightest request, to compel him to
+demand that dismissal he had not the courage to give.
+
+Whilst these things were in agitation, madame de Mirepoix, who had been
+for some days absent from Versailles, came to call upon me. This
+lady possessed a considerable share of wit; and, although on the most
+intimate terms with me, had not altogether broken off with the des
+Choiseuls, to whom she was further bound on account of the prince de
+Beauvau, her brother. It therefore excited in me no surprise, when I
+heard that the des Choiseuls had called on her to ascertain, whether it
+would not be possible, through her mediation, to come to some terms with
+me.
+
+"And you must not be angry with me," continued she, "for undertaking the
+_negotiation_; I well foresaw all the difficulties, and entertained no
+hopes of its success, but upon second thoughts, I considered it better I
+should accept the mission; for, in case of a negative being returned,
+it will be safe in my keeping, and I will not add to the chagrin of a
+failure the shame of a defeat."
+
+"It is my opinion," replied I, "that all propositions coming from these
+people should be rejected; they have compelled me to raise between them
+and myself an immense wall of hatred, not less difficult to surmount
+than the grand wall of China."
+
+"Yet," replied the marechale, smiling, "they are disposed to pay any
+price for so doing."
+
+"I have friends," said I, "from whom I can never separate myself."
+
+"They are willing that your friends shall be theirs likewise," cried
+she, "for they see that M. de Maupeou, the duc de la Vrilliere, and
+the abbe Terray, are provided for, and that the duc d'Aiguillon alone
+remains to be suitably established; M. de Choiseul would be happy to aid
+him in obtaining the post of minister of naval affairs."
+
+"Well, and the duchesse de Grammont," inquired I, "would she visit me?"
+
+"Oh, as to that, I know nothing about it, and can venture no opinion; my
+commission does not extend so far."
+
+"I understand you," said I; "she seeks for peace only as it would enable
+her the better to carry on her hostilities against me. I am
+sorry, madame la marechale, that I cannot accept your terms for a
+reconciliation."
+
+"Remember, I pray of you, that I have been an ambassadress, and nothing
+more," said madame de Mirepoix; "recollect I have spoken to you in the
+words of others, not my own. I must beg of you to be secret; if you
+divulge the particulars of this morning's conversation, it is I who
+will suffer by it: your friends will be displeased with me for my
+interference; and I have no inclination to provoke the anger of a party
+so powerful as yours."
+
+I promised the marechale to observe an inviolable secrecy; and, so well
+have I kept my promise, that you are the first person to whom I ever
+breathed one syllable of the affair. I must own, that it struck me as
+strange, that the duc de Choiseul should abandon his cousin, and consent
+to take his seat beside the duc d'Aiguillon, whom he detested: perhaps
+he only sought to deceive us all by gaining time, till the death of
+the king. But what avails speculation upon the words and actions of
+a courtier, whose heart is an abyss too deep for gleam of light to
+penetrate?
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+
+     Baron d'Oigny, general post-master--The king and the
+     countess read the opened letters--The disgrace of de
+     Choiseul resolved upon--_Lettre de cachet _--Anecdote--
+     Spectre of Philip II, king of Spain--The duc de Choiseul
+     banished--Visits to Chanteloup--The princesses--The dauphin
+     and dauphiness--Candidates for the ministry
+
+The interference of madame de Mirepoix, originating, as it did, in the
+duc de Choiseul, let me at once into the secret of his fears and the
+extent of my own power. The knowledge of the weakness of my adversary
+redoubled my energy; and from this moment, I allowed no day to pass
+without forwarding the great work, till I succeeded in effecting the
+duke's ruin and securing my own triumph. The pamphleteers in the pay of
+my enemies, and those who merely copied these hirelings, assert that
+one evening after supper, when Louis was intoxicated with wine and my
+seductions, I prevailed upon him to sign a _lettre de cachet_ against
+his minister, which he immediately revoked when the break of day had
+restored to him his senses. This was a malicious falsehood. You shall
+hear the exact manner in which the _lettres de cachet_ were signed.
+
+On the evening of the 23d of December, his majesty having engaged to sup
+with me, I had invited M. de Maupeou, the duc de la Vrilliere, and the
+prince de Soubise. It appears, that the king, previously to coming, had
+gone to visit the dauphiness; he had not mentioned whither he was going,
+so that his attendants believed him to be in my apartments, and directed
+M. d'Oigny, post-master general, to seek him there. The baron brought
+with him a packet of opened letters; when he saw me alone he wished
+to retire, for the servants, believing him to be one of the expected
+guests, had ushered him in. However, I would not permit him to go until
+the king's arrival; and, half sportively, half seriously, I took from
+him his letters, protesting I would detain them as hostages for his
+obedience to my desires. At this moment Louis XV entered the room; and
+M. d'Oigny, having briefly stated his business, bowed and departed. The
+baron was a very excellent man, possessing an extensive and intelligent
+mind; he wrote very pleasing poetry, and had not his attention been
+occupied by the post he filled, he might have made a conspicuous figure
+in literature.
+
+When we were left to ourselves, I said to the king,
+
+"Now, then, for this interesting and amusing budget; for such, I doubt
+not, it will prove."
+
+"Not so fast, madam, if you please," replied Louis XV; "perhaps these
+papers may contain state secrets unfit for your eye."
+
+"Great secrets they must be," said I, laughing, "confided thus to the
+carelessness of the post." So saying, I broke the seal of the envelope
+so hastily, that the greater part of the letters and notes were
+scattered over the carpet.
+
+ "Well done," cried the king.
+
+"I entreat your majesty's pardon," said I, "but I will repair the
+mischief as far as I can."
+
+I stooped to collect the fallen papers, and the king had the gallantry
+to assist me: we soon piled the various letters upon a tray, and began
+eagerly to glance over their contents. My good fortune made me select
+from the mass those epistles addressed to the members of the country
+parliaments; they were filled with invectives against me, insulting
+mention of the king, and praises of the duc de Choiseul. I took especial
+care to read them in a loud and distinct voice.
+
+"This really is not to be endured," cried Louis XV; "that the mistaken
+zeal of these long-robed gentlemen should make them thus compliment my
+minister at my expense."
+
+"So much the worse for you, sire," replied I, "considering that you
+continue to prefer your minister to every other consideration."
+
+As I continued searching through the letters, I found and read the
+following phrase:--"Spite of the reports in circulation, I do not
+believe it possible that M. de Choiseul will be dismissed; he is too
+necessary to the king, who, without him would be as incapable as a child
+of managing his affairs: his majesty must preserve our friend in office
+in spite of himself."
+
+When I had finished, the king exclaimed, in an angry tone, "We shall see
+how far the prophecy of these sapient gentlemen is correct, and whether
+their 'friend' is so important to me that I dare not dismiss him. Upon
+my word, my minister has placed himself so advantageously before his
+master, as to exclude him entirely from the eyes of his subjects."
+
+Whilst these words were speaking, M. de Maupeou and M. de la Vrilliere
+were announced; the king, still warm, let fall some words expressive of
+his displeasure at what had happened. The gauntlet was thrown; and
+so well did we work upon the irritated mind of Louis XV, that it
+was determined M. de Choiseul should be dismissed the following day,
+December 24, 1770. Chanteloup was chosen for the place of his retreat,
+and M. de la Vrilliere, by the dictation of the king, wrote the
+following letter to the duke:--
+
+"Cousin,-, The dissatisfaction caused me by your conduct compels me to
+request you will confine yourself to your estate at Chanteloup, whither
+you will remove in four and twenty hours from the date hereof. I should
+have chosen a more remote spot for your place of exile, were it not
+for the great esteem I entertain for the duchesse de Choiseul, in whose
+delicate health I feel much interest. Have a care that you do not, by
+your own conduct, oblige me to adopt harsher measures; and hereupon I
+pray God to have you in his keeping."
+
+(Signed) "Louis,"
+
+(and lower down) "PHILIPPEAUX"
+
+When this letter was completed, I said to the king,
+
+"Surely, sire, you do not mean to forget the duke's faithful ally, M.
+de Praslin? It would ill become us to detain him when the head of the
+family has taken leave of us."
+
+"You are right," replied the king, smiling; "besides, an old broom taken
+from a masthead would be as useful to us as he would."
+
+Then, turning to M. de la Vrilliere, the king dictated the following
+laconic notice:--
+
+"COUSIN,--I have no further occasion for your services; I exile you to
+Praslin, and expect you will repair thither within four and twenty hours
+after the receipt of this."
+
+"Short and sweet," cried I.
+
+"Now let us drop the subject," said Louis; "let madame de Choiseul
+repose in peace to-night, and to-morrow morning, at eleven o'clock, go
+yourself, M. de la Vrilliere, and carry my orders to the duke, and bring
+back his staff of office."
+
+"To whom will you give it, sire?" inquired the chancellor.
+
+"I have not yet considered the subject," replied the king.
+
+At this instant M. de Soubise was announced. "_Motus!_" exclaimed
+the king, as M. de Soubise, little suspecting the nature of our
+conversation, entered the room. I profited by his coming to slip out of
+the room into my boudoir, from which I despatched the following note to
+M. d'Aiguillon:
+
+"MY DEAR DUKE,--Victoria! We are conquerors; master and man quit Paris
+to-morrow. We shall replace them by our friends; and you best know
+whether you are amongst the number of them."
+
+When I returned to the drawing-room, the king exclaimed,
+
+"Come, madam., you are waited for; the prince de Soubise has a very
+curious anecdote to relate, which befell a lady of his acquaintance; I
+begged of him to defer telling it till you rejoined us."
+
+"Are you afraid of ghosts?" inquired the marechal of me.
+
+"Not this evening," replied I; "to-morrow, perhaps, or the next day, I
+may be."
+
+This jest amused the king and the duc de la Vrilliere, whilst M. de
+Maupeou, who seemed to fear lest I should by any indiscretion, reveal
+our secret, made a signal of impatience; to which I replied, by
+shrugging up my shoulders. Poor M. de Soubise, although he did not
+comprehend my joke, laughed at it as heartily as heartily as the rest
+who saw its application. "Oh! you courtier," thought I We then entreated
+of him to commence the recital of his tale, which he did in the
+following words--
+
+"There is in Lower Brittany a family gifted with a most singular
+endowment: each member of the family, male or female, is warned exactly
+one month previous to his or her decease of the precise hour and day
+in which it will take place. A lady belonging to this peculiar race was
+visiting me rather more than a month since; we were conversing quietly
+together, when, all at once, she uttered a loud cry, arose from her
+seat, endeavored to walk across the room, but fell senseless upon the
+floor. Much grieved and surprised at this scene, I hastily summoned my
+servants, who bestowed upon the unfortunate lady the utmost attention,
+but it was long ere she revived. I then wished to persuade her to
+take some rest. 'No,' cried she, rising and giving me orders for her
+immediate departure, 'I have not sufficient time for rest; scarcely will
+the short period between me and eternity allow me to set my affairs in
+order.' Surprised at this language, I begged of her to explain herself.
+'You are aware,' said she, 'of the fatal power possessed by my family;
+well, at the moment in which I was sitting beside you on this sofa,
+happening to cast my eyes on the mirror opposite, I saw myself as a
+corpse wrapped in the habiliments of death, and partly covered with
+a black and white drapery; beside me was an open coffin. This is
+sufficient; I have no time to lose: farewell, my friend, we shall meet
+no more' Thunderstruck at these words, I suffered the lady to depart
+without attempting to combat her opinion. This morning I received
+intelligence from her son that the prophecy had been fulfilled--she was
+no more."
+
+When the marechal had finished, I exclaimed,
+
+"You have told us a sad dismal tale; I really fear I shall not be able
+to close my eyes at all to-night for thinking of it."
+
+"We must think of some means of keeping up your spirits," answered
+Louis XV. "As for your story, marechal, it does not surprise me; things
+equally inexplicable are continually taking place. I read in a letter
+addressed by Philip V, of Spain, to Louis XIV, 'that the spirit of
+Philip II, founder of the Escurial, wanders at certain intervals around
+that building.' Philip V affirms that he himself witnessed the apparition
+of the spectre of the king."
+
+At this moment supper was announced. "Come, gentlemen," said I, "let us
+seek to banish these gloomy ideas around our festive board." Upon
+which the king conducted me to the supper-room, the rest of the company
+following us. Spite of all my efforts to be gay, and induce others to be
+so likewise, the conversation still lingered upon this dismal subject.
+
+"Heaven grant," exclaimed the chancellor, "that I may not soon have to
+dread a visit from the ghost of the deceased parliament; however, if
+such were the case, it would not prevent my sleeping."
+
+"Oh!" cried the king, "these long-robed gentlemen have often more
+effectually robbed me of sleep than all the spectres in the world could
+do; yet one night--"
+
+"Well, sire," said I, seeing that Louis was silent, "and what happened
+to you that night?"
+
+"Nothing that I can repeat," answered Louis XV, glancing around with a
+mournful look.
+
+A dead silence followed, which lasted several minutes; and this
+evening, which was to usher my day of triumph, passed away in the most
+inconceivable dullness. What most contributed to render me uneasy was
+the reflection, that, at the very moment when we had freed ourselves of
+our enemies, we were ignorant who would fill their vacant places.
+This was an error, and a great one. My friends would not listen to the
+nomination of the Comte de Broglie, the Comte de Maillebois, the duc de
+la Vauguyon, any more than either M. de Soubise or M. de Castries.
+The abbe Terray, having upon one occasion proposed the marechal duc
+de Richelieu, he very narrowly escaped having his face scratched by
+M. d'Aiguillon, who cared very little for his dear uncle; but I have
+unintentionally wandered from the thread of my narrative; I will
+therefore resume it at once.
+
+I had hoped that the king would this night have retired to his own
+apartment, and that I should have been enabled to hold a secret council
+with M. de Maupeou, and the ducs de la Vrilliere and d'Aiguillon; but no
+such thing. Imagining, no doubt, that I should be kept awake by my
+fear of ghosts, his majesty insisted upon remaining with me, and I
+was compelled to acquiesce. He passed a very agitated night, much more
+occupied with the des Choiseuls than me; he could think of nothing,
+speak of nothing, but the sensation which their disgrace would produce;
+he seemed to dread his family, the nobility, the nation, Europe, and the
+whole world. I strove to re-assure him, and to inspire him with fresh
+courage; and, when he quitted me in the morning, I felt convinced that
+he would not again alter his determination.
+
+As soon as Louis XV had left me, Comte Jean entered. Although concealed
+behind the curtain, and apparently not on the best terms with me,
+my brother-in-law nevertheless directed my actions, and gave me most
+excellent advice. It was not long ere the duc d'Aiguillon arrived; he
+had seen M. de Maupeou during the night, and learned from him the exile
+of the late minister, but beyond that fact he knew nothing. He inquired
+of me, with much uneasiness, whether anything had been decided in his
+behalf. I replied, that the king was as yet undecided in his choice of
+ministers, but that, if the duc d'Aiguillon came into office, he would,
+in all probability, be nominated to the administration of foreign
+affairs: the direction of the war-office had been my noble friend's
+ardent desire.
+
+Whilst we were thus conversing together on the 24th of December, 1770,
+eleven o'clock struck; and we could, from the windows, perceive M. de la
+Vrilliere taking his way towards that part of the building occupied by
+M. de Choiseul when at the castle. This latter was in conversation with
+M. Conzie, bishop of Arras, when the arrival of the duc de la Vrilliere,
+bearing the king's commands, was signified to him. The prelate, not
+doubting but the mission related to affairs of importance, took
+his leave; de la Vrilliere then presented the _lettre de cachet_,
+accompanying it with some remarks of his own upon the talents of the
+minister, and his regret at being selected for so unpleasant an office.
+"A truce to your feigned regrets, my lord duke," replied the disgraced
+minister, sarcastically, "I am well assured my dismissal could not have
+been brought me by hands more ready to discharge the trust than yours."
+Saying this, M. de Choiseul placed his credentials in the hands of the
+duke, and slightly bowing, turned his back upon him, as though he
+had forgotten his presence. M. de Choiseul then retired to summon his
+sister, to communicate to her and his wife the misfortune which
+had befallen him: he then set out for Paris, to make the necessary
+preparations for removing to Chanteloup. There an officer from the king,
+charged to accompany him to his place of exile, gave him his majesty's
+orders that he should see no person, and receive no visits.
+
+This order did not proceed from me, but was the work of the duc de la
+Vrilliere, who sought, by this paltry action, to avenge himself upon M.
+de Choiseul for the reception he had given him. It was wholly useless,
+however, for in the exile of the duke was seen a thing unheard of,
+perhaps, before, and, in all probability, unlikely ever to occur
+again--the sight of a whole court espousing the part of an exiled
+minister, and openly censuring the monarch who could thus reward his
+services. You, no doubt, remember equally well as myself the long file
+of carriages that for two days blocked up the road to Chanteloup. In
+vain did Louis XV express his dissatisfaction; his court flocked in
+crowds to visit M. de Choiseul.
+
+On the other hand, the castle was not in a more tranquil state. At the
+news of the dismissal and banishment of M. de Choiseul, a general hue
+and cry was raised against me and my friends: one might have supposed,
+by the clamours it occasioned, that the ex-minister had been the atlas
+of the monarchy; and that, deprived of his succour, the state must fall
+into ruins. The princesses were loud in their anger, and accused me
+publicly of having conspired against virtue itself! The virtue of such
+a sister and brother! I ask you, my friend, is not the idea truly
+ludicrous?
+
+The dauphiness bewailed his fall with many tears; at least, so I was
+informed by a lady of her suite, madame de Campan. This lady was a most
+loquacious person; she frequently visited my sister-in-law; and, thanks
+to her love of talking, we were always well-informed of all that was
+passing in the household of Marie Antoinette. However, the dauphin was
+far from sharing the grief Of his illustrious spouse. When informed
+of the dismissal of the duke, he cried out, "Well, madame du Barry has
+saved me an infinity of trouble--that of getting rid of so dangerous a
+man, in the event of my ever ascending the throne." The prince did not
+usually speak of me in the most flattering terms, but I forgave him on
+the present occasion, so much was I charmed with his expression relative
+to the late minister; it afforded me the certainty that I should not
+have to dread the possibility of his recalling de Choiseul.
+
+Whilst many were bewailing the downfall of the des Choiseuls, others,
+who had an eye more to self-interest, presented themselves to share
+in the spoils of his fortune. There were the princes de Soubise and de
+Conde, the duc de la Vauguyon, the comtes de Broglie, de Maillebois, and
+de Castries, the marquis de Monteynard and many others, equally anxious
+for a tempting slice of the ministry, and who would have made but one
+mouthful of the finest and best.
+
+The marquise de 1' Hopital came to solicit my interest for the prince
+de Soubise, her lover. I replied, that his majesty would rather have the
+marechal for his friend than his minister; that, in fact, the different
+appointments had taken place; and that, if the names of the parties
+were not immediately divulged, it was to spare the feelings of certain
+aspirants to the ministry: madame de 1' Hopital withdrew, evidently much
+disconcerted at my reply. Certainly M. de Soubise must have lost his
+reason, when he supposed that the successor of M. de Choiseul would be
+himself, the most insignificant prince of France; he only could suppose
+that he was equal to such an elevation. However this may be, he took
+upon himself to behave very much like an offended person for some days;
+but, finding such a line of conduct produced no good, he came round
+again, and presented himself as usual at my parties, whilst I received
+him as though nothing had occurred.
+
+I had more difficulty in freeing myself from the importunities of
+Messieurs de Broglie and de Maillebois. I had given to each of them a
+sort of promise; I had allowed them to hope, and yet, when the time
+came to realize these hopes, I told them, that I possessed much less
+influence than was generally imagined; to which they replied, that they
+knew my power to serve them was much greater than I appeared to believe.
+After a while, I succeeded in deadening the expectations of M. de
+Broglie, but M. de Maillebois was long ere he would abandon his pursuit.
+When every chance of success had left him, he gave way to so much
+violence and bitterness against M. d'Aiguillon, that the duke was
+compelled to punish him for his impudent rage. I will mention the other
+candidates for the ministry at another opportunity.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+
+     The comte de la Marche and the comtesse du Barry--The
+     countess and the prince de Conde--The duc de la Vauguyon and
+     the countess--Provisional minister--Refusal of the
+     secretaryship of war--Displeasure of the king--The marechale
+     de Mirepoix--Unpublished letter from Voltaire to Madame du
+     Barry--Her reply
+
+The comte de la Marche had always evinced the warmest regard for me,
+and he sought, on the present occasion, to be repaid for his attachment.
+Both he and the prince de Conde had their ambitious speculations in
+the present change of ministers; and both fancied, that because their
+relation, the duke, had governed during the king's minority, the right
+to the several appointments now vacant, belonged as a matter of course
+to their family. The count had already sent to solicit my interest,
+through the mediation of madame de Monaco, mistress to the prince
+de Conde; and, as I shrewdly suspect, the occasional _chere amie_ of
+himself. Finding this measure did not produce all the good he expected,
+he came, without further preface, to speak to me himself about it.
+Unwilling to come to an open rupture with him, I endeavoured to make
+him comprehend, that the policy of the sovereign would never permit his
+placing any of the administrative power in the hands of the princes of
+his family; that he had consented, most reluctantly, to investing them
+with military command, and that it would be fruitless to urge more.
+
+The comte de la Marche appeared struck by the justness of my arguments;
+he replied,
+
+"Well, madam, since I cannot be a minister, I must e'en give up my
+wishes; but, for the love of heaven intreat of the king to bestow his
+favours in the shape of a little pecuniary aid. Things look ill at
+present; they may take a worse turn, but he may confidently rely on my
+loyalty and devotion: the supreme courts, driven to the last extremity,
+will make a stand, and princes and peers will range themselves under
+the banners. We well know how much this resistance will displease his
+majesty; I pledge myself never to forsake your cause, but to defend it
+with my life; that is, if my present pressing necessity for money be
+satisfied. How say you, madam; can you procure it for me?"
+
+"Very probably I may be enabled to assist you," replied I; "but you must
+first inform me how much will satisfy you."
+
+"Oh," answered he, carelessly, "something less than the mines of Peru
+will suffice; I am not extravagant, and merely ask for so much as is
+absolutely necessary. In the first place 60,000 livres paid down, and
+secondly, a yearly payment of 200,000 more."
+
+This demand did not appear to me unreasonable, and I undertook to
+arrange the matter to the prince's satisfaction, well pleased on my own
+side to secure so illustrious an ally at so cheap a rate, I procured the
+assent of the king and the comptroller-general; the 60,000 livres were
+bestowed on the comte de la Marche in two separate payments, the pension
+settled on him, and, still further, an annuity of 30,000 livres was
+secured to madame de Monaco; and I must do the count the justice to
+say, that he remained faithful to our cause amidst every danger and
+difficulty; braving alike insults, opprobrium, and the torrent of
+pamphlets and epigrams of which he was the object; in fact, we had good
+reason for congratulating ourselves upon securing such devotion and zeal
+at so poor a price.
+
+The prince de Conde, surrounded by a greater degree of worldly state and
+consideration, was equally important to us, although in another way.
+He had in some degree compromised popularity by attaching himself to me
+from the commencement of my court favour, and the reception he bestowed
+on me at Chantilly had completed his disgrace in the eyes of nobility.
+He visited at my house upon the most friendly footing; and whenever he
+found me, he would turn the conversation upon politics, the state of
+affairs, and the great desire he felt to undertake the direction of them
+in concert with me; he would add, "You might play the part of madame de
+Pompadour, and yet you content yourself with merely attempting to do
+so; you are satisfied with possessing influence when you might exercise
+power and command. Your alliance with a prince of the blood would render
+you sole mistress in this kingdom; and should I ever arrive, through
+your means, to the rank of prime minister, it would be my pleasure and
+pride to submit all things to you, and from this accord would spring an
+authority which nothing could weaken."
+
+I listened in silence, and, for once, my natural frankness received
+a check; for I durst not tell him all I knew of the king's sentiments
+towards him. The fact was, Louis XV was far from feeling any regard for
+the prince de Conde; and, not to mince the matter, had unequivocally
+expressed his contempt for him. He often said to me, when speaking of
+him, "He is a conceited fellow, who would fain induce persons to believe
+him somebody of vast importance." Louis XV had prejudices, from which
+no power on earth could have weaned him; and the princes of the house
+of Conde were amongst his strongest antipathies: he knew a score of
+scandalous anecdotes relating to them, which he took no small pleasure
+in repeating.
+
+However, all the arguments of the prince de Conde were useless, and
+produced him nothing, or, at least, nothing for himself, although he
+procured the nomination of another to the ministry, as you will hear in
+its proper place; but this was not sufficient to allay the cravings of
+his ambition; and, in his rage and disappointment, when open war was
+proclaimed between the king and his parliament, he ranged himself on the
+side of the latter. He soon, however, became weary of his new allies;
+and, once more abandoning himself to the guidance of interest, he
+rejoined our party. Well did M. de Maupeou know men, when he said they
+all had their price; and great as may be the rank and title of princes,
+with plenty of money, they too may be had.
+
+But amongst all the candidates for the ministry, the one who occasioned
+me the greatest trouble was the duc de la Vauguyon, who insisted upon it
+that he had done much for me, and complained bitterly of his unrequited
+services, and of my having bestowed my confidence on others. Up to the
+moment of the disgrace of the des Choiseuls, he had been amongst the
+most bitter of the malcontents; but no sooner were they banished from
+court than M. de la Vauguyon forgot every thing, and hastened to me with
+every mark of the warmest friendship.
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed he, "I have much to scold you for, but I will forgive
+you all your past misdeeds, if you will perform your promise to me."
+
+"My dear father," cried I (for I used jestingly to style him so, in the
+same manner as I designated the bishop of Orleans _gros pere_), "are
+you, indeed displeased with me? That is very naughty: for you know I
+love you with all my heart."
+
+"If it be true that you entertain any regard for me, why have you
+evinced so little towards me? Am I not of the right materials for making
+ministers? Why, then, have you never procured my appointment to any of
+the vacant situations?"
+
+"Stay, stay, my dear father," cried I, "how you run on! To hear you
+talk, any person would suppose that places and appointments rained down
+upon me, and that I had only to say to you, my dear duke, choose which
+you please; then, indeed, you might complain with justice; but you know
+very well, that all these delightful things are in the hands of the
+king, who alone has a right to bestow them as he judges best, whilst I
+am wholly powerless in the business."
+
+"Say, rather," replied the duke, quickly, "that you find it suits your
+present purpose to put on this want of power. We all know, that your
+veto is absolute with his majesty, and it requires nothing more to
+obtain whatsoever you desire."
+
+The duc de la Vauguyon was powerful, and represented the whole of a
+party--that of the religionists, which was still further supported by
+the _princesses_; but for this very reason the triumvirate, consisting
+of messieurs d' Aiguillon, de Maupeou, and the abbe Terre, would not
+have accepted his services at any price.
+
+The good duke returned several times to the charge; sometimes
+endeavouring to move me by gentle intreaties and, at others, holding
+out threats and menaces; good and bad words flowed from his lips like
+a mixture of honey and gall, but when he found that both were equally
+thrown away upon me, he retired offended; and by the expression of his
+rage and disappointment, succeeded in incensing both the dauphin and
+dauphiness against me. May heaven preserve you, my friend, from the
+anger of a bigot!
+
+I think I have detained you long enough with the relation of the
+intrigues by which I was surrounded upon the dismissal of the des
+Choiseuls, and I will now return to the morning of the 24th of December.
+When the exiles were fairly out of Paris, the king found himself not a
+little embarrassed in the choice of a prime minister. Those who would
+have suited our purposes did not meet with the king's approbation,
+and he had not yet sufficient courage to venture upon electing one
+who should be disagreeable to us; he therefore hit upon a curious
+provisional election; the abbe Terray, for instance, was placed at the
+head of the war department. This measure was excused by the assertion,
+that it would require the head of a financier to look into and settle
+the accounts, which the late minister had, no doubt, left in a very
+confused state. Upon the same principle, M. Bertin was appointed to the
+direction of foreign affairs, and M. de Boynes was invested solely with
+the management of naval affairs. This man, who was counsellor of state,
+and first president of the parliament of Besancon, knew not a letter of
+the office thus bestowed upon him, but then he was bound body and soul
+to the chancellor; and it was worth something to have a person who, it
+might be relied on, would offer no opposition to the important reforms
+which were to be set on foot immediately. We required merely automata,
+and M. de Boynes answered our purpose perfectly well; for a provisional
+minister nothing could have been better.
+
+The king had at length (in his own opinion), hit upon a very excellent
+minister of war; and the person selected was the chevalier, afterwards
+comte de Muy, formerly usher to the late dauphin: he was a man of the
+old school, possessing many sterling virtues and qualities. We were in
+the utmost terror when his majesty communicated to us his election of
+a minister of war, and declared his intention of immediately signifying
+his pleasure to M. de Muy. Such a blow would have overthrown all our
+projects. Happily chance befriended us; the modern Cato declared that
+he should esteem himself most honored to serve his sovereign by every
+possible endeavour, but that he could never be induced to enter my
+service upon any pretext whatever. The strangeness of this refusal
+puzzled Louis XV not a little. He said to me. "Can you make out the
+real motive of this silly conduct? I had a better opinion of the man;
+I thought him possessed of sense, but I see now that he is only fit for
+the cowl of a monk; he will never be a minister." The king was mistaken;
+M. de Muy became one under the auspices of his successor.
+
+Immediately that the prince de Conde was informed of what had passed, he
+recommenced his attack; and finding he could not be minister himself, he
+determined, at least, to be principally concerned in the appointment
+of one; he therefore proposed the marquis de Monteynard, a man of such
+negative qualities, that the best that could be said of him was, that
+he was as incapable of a bad as of a good action; and, for want of a
+better, he was elected. Such were the colleagues given to M. de
+Maupeou to conduct the war which was about to be declared against the
+parliaments. I should tell you, _en passant_, that the discontent of the
+magistracy had only increased, and that the parliament of Paris had even
+finished by refusing to decide the suits which were referred to them;
+thus punishing the poor litigants for their quarrel with the minister.
+
+Meanwhile, the general interest expressed for the duc de Choiseul
+greatly irritated the king.
+
+"Who would have thought," said he to me, "that a disgraced minister
+could have been so idolized by a whole court? Would you believe that I
+receive a hundred petitions a day for leave to visit at Chanteloup? This
+is something new indeed! I cannot understand it."
+
+"Sire," replied I, "that only proves how much danger you incurred by
+keeping such a man in your employment."
+
+"Why, yes," answered Louis XV; "it really seem as though, had he chosen
+some fine morning to propose my abdicating the throne in favour of the
+dauphin, he would only have needed to utter the suggestion to have it
+carried into execution. Fortunately for me, my grandson is by no means
+partial to him, and will most certainly never recall him after my
+death. The dauphin possesses all the obstinacy of persons of confined
+understanding: he has but slender judgment, and will see with no eye but
+his own."
+
+Louis XV augured ill of his successor's reign, and imagined that the
+cabinet of Vienna would direct that of Versailles at pleasure. His late
+majesty was mistaken; Louis XVI is endowed with many rare virtues,
+but they are unfortunately clouded over by his timidity and want of
+self-confidence.
+
+The open and undisguised censure passed by the whole court upon the
+conduct of Louis XV was not the only thing which annoyed his majesty,
+who perpetually tormented himself with conjectures of what the rest of
+Europe would say and think of his late determinations.
+
+"I will engage," said he, "that I am finely pulled to pieces at Potsdam.
+My dear brother Frederick is about as sweet-tempered as a bear, and I
+must not dismiss a minister who is displeasing to me without his passing
+a hundred comments and sarcastic remarks. Still, as he is absolute
+as the Medes and Persians, surely he can Have no objection to us poor
+monarchs imitating him; and allow me the same privilege in mine. After
+all, why should I need his or any other person's opinion; let the whole
+world applaud or condemn, I shall still act according to my own best
+judgment."
+
+On my side I was far from feeling quite satisfied with the accounts I
+continued to receive from Chanteloup; above all I felt irritated at the
+parade of attachment made by the prince de Beauvau for the exiles, and I
+complained bitterly of it to the marechale de Mirepoix.
+
+"What can I do to help it," said she; "my sister-in-law is a simpleton;
+who, after having ruined her brother, will certainly cause the downfall
+of her husband. I beseech you, my dear, out of regard for me, to put up
+with the unthinking conduct of the prince de Beauvau for a little while;
+he will soon see his error and amend it." He did indeed return to our
+party, but his obedience was purchased at a heavy price.
+
+Some days after the disgrace of the duc de Choiseul, I received a
+letter from M. de Voltaire. This writer, who carped at and attacked
+all subjects, whether sacred or profane, and from whose satires neither
+great nor small were exempt, had continual need of some powerful friend
+at court. When his protector, M. de Choiseul, was dismissed, he saw
+clearly enough that the only person on whom he could henceforward depend
+to aid and support him, was she who had been chiefly instrumental in
+removing his first patron. With these ideas he addressed to me
+the following letter of condolence or, to speak more correctly, of
+congratulation. It was as follows:--
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE,--Fame, with her hundred tongues, has announced to,
+me in my retreat the fall of M. de Choiseul and your triumph. This piece
+of news has not occasioned me much surprise, I always believed in the
+potency of beauty to carry all before it; but, shall I confess it? I
+scarcely know whether I ought to congratulate myself on the success you
+have obtained over your enemies. M, de Choiseul was one of my kindest
+friends, and his all-powerful protection sufficed to sustain me against
+the malice of my numerous enemies. May a humble creature like me flatter
+himself with the hope of finding in you the same generous support? for
+when the god Mars is no longer to be found, what can be more natural
+than to seek the aid of Pallas, the goddess of the line arts? Will she
+refuse to protect with her aegis the most humble of her adorers?
+
+"Permit me, madam, to avail myself of this opportunity to lay at your
+feet the assurance of my most respectful devotion. I dare not give
+utterance to all my prayers in your behalf, because I am open to a
+charge of infidelity from some, yet none shall ever detect me unfaithful
+in my present professions; at my age, 'tis time our choice was made,
+and our affections fixed. Be assured, lovely countess, that I shall
+ever remain your attached friend; and that no day will pass without my
+teaching the echoes of the Alps to repeat your much-esteemed name.
+
+"I have the honour to remain, malady, yours, etc., etc."
+
+You may be quite sure, my friend, that I did not allow so singular an
+epistle to remain long unanswered. I replied to it in the following
+words:--
+
+"SIR,--The perusal of your agreeable letter made me almost grieve
+for the disgrace of the duc de Choiseul. Be assured, that to his own
+conduct, and that of his family, may be alone attributed the misfortune
+you deplore.
+
+"The regrets you so feelingly express for the calamity which has
+befallen your late protector do honour to your generous heart; but
+recollect that your old friends were not the only persons who could
+appreciate and value your fine talents; to be esteemed worthy the
+honourable appellation of your patron is a glory which the proudest
+might envy; and, although I cannot boast of being a Minerva, who, after
+all, was possibly no wiser than the rest of us, I shall always feel
+proud and happy to serve you with my utmost credit and influence.
+
+"I return you my best thanks for the wishes you express, and the
+attachment you so kindly profess. You honour me too much by repeating
+my name amidst the bosom of the Alps! be assured, that I shall not be
+behindhand in making the saloons of Paris and Versailles resound with
+yours. Had I leisure for the undertaking, I would go and teach it to the
+only mountain worthy of re-echoing it--at the foot of Parnassus.
+
+"I am, sir, yours, etc., etc."
+
+You perceive, my friend, that I intended this reply should be couched in
+the wittiest style imaginable, yet, upon reading it over at this lapse
+of time, it appears to me the silliest thing ever penned; nevertheless,
+I flattered myself I had caught the tone and manner in which M. de
+Voltaire had addressed me: he perceived my intention, and was delighted
+with the flattering deference it expressed. You know the vanity of
+men of letters; and M. de Voltaire, as the first writer of the age,
+possessed, in proportion, the largest portion of conceit.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+
+     A few words respecting Jean Jacques Rousseau--The comtesse
+     du Barry is desirous of his acquaintance--The countess
+     visits Jean Jacques Rousseau--His household furniture--His
+     portrait--Therese--second visit from madame du Barry to Jean
+     Jacques Rousseau--The countess relates her visit to the
+     king--Billet from J. J. Rousseau to madame du Barry--The two
+     duchesses d'Aiguillon
+
+Spite of the little estimation in which I held men of letters, generally
+speaking, you must not take it for granted that I entertained an equal
+indifference for all these gentlemen. I have already, I fear, tired your
+patience when dwelling upon my ardent admiration of M. de Voltaire; I
+have now to speak to you of that with which his illustrious rival, Jean
+Jacques Rousseau, inspired me--the man who, after a life so filled
+with constant trouble and misfortunes, died a few years since in so
+deplorable a manner. At the period of which I am now speaking this man,
+who had filled Europe with his fame, was living at Paris, in a state
+bordering upon indigence. I must here mention, that it was owing to
+my solicitation that he had been permitted to return from his exile,
+I having successfully interceded for him with the chancellor and the
+attorney-general. M. Seguier made no difficulty to my request, because
+he looked upon Jean Jacques Rousseau as the greatest enemy to a set of
+men whom he mortally hated--the philosophers. Neither did M. de Maupeou,
+from the moment he effected the overthrow of the parliament, see any
+objection to bestowing his protection upon a man whom the parliaments
+had exiled. In this manner, therefore, without his being aware of it,
+Rousseau owed to me the permission to re-enter Paris. Spite of the
+mortifying terms in which this celebrated writer had spoken of the
+king's mistresses, I had a lively curiosity to know him; all that his
+enemies repeated of his uncouthness, and even of his malicious nature,
+far from weakening the powerful interest with which he inspired me,
+rather augmented it, by strengthening the idea I had previously formed
+of his having been greatly calumniated. The generous vengeance which
+he had recently taken for the injuries he had received from Voltaire
+particularly charmed me.* I thought only how I could effect my design
+of seeing him by one means or another, and in this resolution I was
+confirmed by an accident which befell me one day.
+
+     * Jean Jacques Rousseau in his journey through Lyons in June
+     1770 subscribed for the statue of Voltaire.--author
+
+It was the commencement of April, 1771, I was reading for the fourth
+time, the "_Nouvelle Heloise_," and for the tenth, or, probably, twelfth,
+the account of the party on the lake, when the marechale de Mirepoix
+entered the room. I laid my open volume on the mantel-piece, and the
+marechale, glancing her eye upon the book I had just put down, smilingly
+begged my pardon for disturbing my grave studies, and taking it in her
+hand, exclaimed,
+
+"Ah! I see you have been perusing '_La Nouvelle Heloise_'; I have just
+been having more than an hour's conversation respecting its author."
+
+"What were you saying of him?" asked I.
+
+"Why, my dear, I happened to be at the house of madame de Luxembourg,
+where I met with the comtesse de Boufflers."
+
+"Yes, I remember," said I, "the former of these ladies was the
+particular friend of Jean Jacques Rousseau."
+
+"And the second also," answered she; "and I can promise you, that
+neither the one or the other spoke too well of him."
+
+"Is it possible?" exclaimed I, with a warmth I could not repress.
+
+"The duchess," resumed madame de Mirepoix, "says he is an ill-bred
+and ungrateful man, and the countess insists upon it he is a downright
+pedant."
+
+"Shameful, indeed," cried I; "but can you, my dear friend, account for
+the ill-nature with which these ladies speak of poor Rousseau?"
+
+"Oh! Yes," replied the marechale, "their motives are easily explained,
+and I will tell you a little secret, for the truth of which I can vouch.
+Madame de Luxembourg had at one time conceived the most lively passion
+for Jean Jacques."
+
+"Indeed!" cried I; "and he--"
+
+"Did not return it. As for madame de Bouffiers, the case was exactly
+reversed; and Rousseau has excited her resentment by daring long to
+nurse a hopeless flame, of which she was the object: this presumption on
+the part of the poet our dignified countess could never pardon. However,
+I entreat of you not to repeat this; remember, I tell you in strictest
+secrecy."
+
+"Oh, be assured of my discretion," said I; "I promise you not to publish
+your secret" (which, by the way, I was very certain was not communicated
+for the first time when told to me).
+
+This confidence on the part of the marechale had, in some unaccountable
+manner, only increased the ardent desire I felt to see the author of the
+"_Nouvelle Heloise_"; and I observed to madame de Mirepoix, that I had a
+great curiosity to be introduced to Rousseau.
+
+"I fear," said she, "you will never be able to persuade him to visit at
+the chateau."
+
+"How then can I accomplish my desire of seeing this celebrated man?"
+
+"By one simple method; if he will not come to you, you must go to him.
+I would willingly accompany you, but he knows me, and my presence would
+spoil all. The best thing you can do is to dress yourself quite
+plainly, as a lady from the country, taking with you one of your female
+attendants. You may take as a pretext for your visit some music you
+would wish to have copied. Be sure to treat M. de Rousseau as a mere
+copyist, and appear never to have heard of his superior merit: do this,
+and you will receive the best possible reception."
+
+I greatly approved of the marechale 's advice, which I assured her I
+would delay no longer than till the following day to put into practice;
+and, after some further conversation upon J. J. Rousseau, we parted.
+
+Early the next day I set out for Paris accompanied by Henriette; there,
+in pursuance of the suggestion of madame de Mirepoix, I dressed myself
+as a person recently arrived from the country, and Henriette, who was
+to accompany me, disguised herself as a villager. I assure you, our
+personal attractions lost nothing by the change of our attire. From
+the rue de la Jussienne to the rue Platriere is only a few steps;
+nevertheless, in the fear of being recognised, I took a hired carriage.
+Having reached our place of destination, we entered, by a shabby door,
+the habitation of Jean Jacques Rousseau: his apartments were on the
+fifth floor. I can scarcely describe to you, my friend, the emotions I
+experienced as I drew nearer and nearer to the author of "Heloise." At
+each flight of stairs I was compelled to pause to collect my ideas,
+and my poor heart beat as though I had been keeping an assignation. At
+length, however, we reached the fifth story; thereafter having rested a
+few minutes to recover myself, I was about to knock at a door which was
+opposite to me, when, as I approached, I heard a sweet but tremulous
+voice singing a melancholy air, which I have never since heard anywhere;
+the same voice repeated the romance to which I was listening several
+times. When it had entirely ceased I profited by the silence to tap with
+my knuckles against the door, but so feeble was the signal, that even
+Henriette, who was close behind me, could not hear it. She begged I
+would permit her to ring a bell which hung near us; and, having done so,
+a step was heard approaching the door, and, in a minute or two, it was
+opened by a man of about sixty years of age, who, seeing two females,
+took off his cap with a sort of clumsy gallantry, at which I affected to
+be much flattered.
+
+"Pray, sir," said I, endeavouring to repress my emotion, "does a person
+named Rousseau, a copier of music, live here?"
+
+"Yes, madam; I am he. What is your pleasure?"
+
+"I have been told, sir, that you are particularly skilful in copying
+music cheaply; I should be glad if you would undertake to copy these
+airs I have brought with me."
+
+"Have the goodness to walk in, madam."
+
+We crossed a small obscure closet, which served as a species of
+antechamber, and entered the sitting-room of M. de Rousseau, who seated
+me in an arm-chair, and motioning to Henriette to sit down, once more
+inquired my wishes respecting the music.
+
+"Sir," said I, "as I live in the country, and but very rarely visit
+Paris, I should be obliged to you to get it done as early as possible."
+
+"Willingly, madam; I have not much upon my hands just now."
+
+I then gave to Jean Jacques Rousseau the roll of music I had brought. He
+begged I would continue seated, requested permission to keep on his cap,
+and went to a little table to examine the music I had brought.
+
+Upon my first entrance I had perceived a close and confined smell in
+these miserable apartments, but, by degrees, I became accustomed to
+it, and began to examine the chamber in which I sat with as strict a
+scrutiny as though I had intended making an inventory of its contents.
+Three old elbow-chairs, some rickety stools, a writing-table, on
+which were two or three volumes of music, some dried plants laid on
+white-brown paper; beside the table stood an old spinet, and, close to
+the latter article of furniture, sat a fat and well-looking cat. Over
+the chimney hung an old silver watch; the walls of the room were
+adorned with about half a dozen views of Switzerland and some inferior
+engravings, two only, which occupied the most honourable situations,
+struck me; one represented Frederick II, and under the picture were
+written some lines (which I cannot now recollect) by Rousseau himself;
+the other engraving, which hung opposite, was the likeness of a very
+tall, thin, old man, whose dress was nearly concealed by the dirt which
+had been allowed to accumulate upon it; I could only distinguish that
+it was ornamented with a broad riband. When I had sufficiently surveyed
+this chamber, the simplicity of which, so closely bordering on want
+and misery, pained me to the heart, I directed my attention to the
+extraordinary man who was the occasion of my visit. He was of middle
+height, slightly bent by age, with a large and expansive chest; his
+features were common in their cast, but possessed of the most perfect
+regularity. His eyes, which he from time to time raised from the music
+he was considering, were round and sparkling but small, and the heavy
+brows which hung over them, conveyed an idea of gloom and severity; but
+his mouth, which was certainly the most beautiful and fascinating in
+its expression I ever saw, soon removed this unfavourable impression.
+Altogether there belonged to his countenance a smile of mixed sweetness
+and sadness, which bestowed on it an indescribable charm.
+
+To complete my description, I must not forget to add his dress, which
+consisted of a dirty cotton cap, to which were fixed strings of a
+riband that had once been scarlet; a pelisse with arm-holes, a flannel
+waistcoat, snuff-coloured breeches, gray stockings, and shoes slipped
+down at the heel, after the fashion of slippers. Such was the portrait,
+and such the abode of the man who believed himself to be one of the
+potentates of the earth and who, in fact, had once owned his little
+court and train of courtiers; for, in the century in which he lived,
+talent had become as arbitrary as sovereign power--thanks to the
+stupidity of some of our grandees and the caprice of Frederick of
+Prussia.
+
+Meanwhile my host, undisturbed by my reflections, had quietly gone over
+his packet of music. He found amongst it an air from "_Le Devin du
+Village_," which I had purposely placed there; he half turned towards
+me and looking steadfastly at me, as if he would force the truth from my
+lips.
+
+"Madam," said he, "do you know the author of this little composition?"
+
+"Yes," replied I, with an air of as great simplicity as I could assume,
+"it is written by a person of the same name as yourself, who writes
+books and composes operas. Is he any relation to you?"
+
+My answer and question disarmed the suspicions of Jean Jacques, who
+was about to reply, but stopped himself, as if afraid of uttering a
+falsehood, and contented himself with smiling and casting down his eyes.
+Taking courage from his silence, I ventured to add,--"The M. de Rousseau
+who composed this pretty air has written much beautiful music and many
+very clever works. Should I ever know the happiness of becoming a mother
+I shall owe to him the proper care and education of my child." Rousseau
+made no reply, but he turned his eyes towards me, and at this moment
+the expression of his countenance was perfectly celestial, and I could
+readily imagine how easily he might have inspired a warmer sentiment
+than that of admiration.
+
+Whilst we were conversing in this manner, a female, between the age of
+forty and fifty, entered the room. She saluted me with great affectation
+of politeness, and then, without speaking to Rousseau, went and seated
+herself familiarly upon a chair on the other side of the table: this was
+Therese, a sort of factotum, who served the master of these apartments
+both as servant and mistress. I could not help regarding this woman with
+a feeling of disgust; she had a horrible cough, which she told us was
+more than usually troublesome on that day. I had heard of her
+avarice; therefore to prevent the appearance of having called upon an
+unprofitable errand, I inquired of Jean Jacques Rousseau how much the
+music would cost.
+
+"Six sous a page, madam," replied he, "is the usual price."
+
+"Shall I, sir," asked I, "leave you any cash in hand for the purchase of
+what paper you will require?"
+
+"No, I thank you, madam," replied Rousseau, smiling; "thank God! I
+am not yet so far reduced that I cannot purchase it for you. I have a
+trifling annuity--"
+
+"And you would be a much richer man," screamed Therese, "if you would
+insist upon those people at the opera paying you what they owe you."
+These words were accompanied with a shrug of the shoulders, intended to
+convey a vast idea of her own opinion.
+
+Rousseau made no reply; indeed he appeared to me like a frightened child
+in the presence of its nurse; and I could quickly see, that from the
+moment of her entering the room he had become restless and dejected,
+he fidgeted on his seat, and seemed like a person in excessive pain.
+At length he rose, and requesting my pardon for absenting himself, he
+added, "My wife will have the honour to entertain you whilst I am away."
+With these words he opened a small glass-door, and disappeared in the
+neighbouring room.
+
+When we were alone with Therese, she lost no time in opening the
+conversation.
+
+"Madam," cried she, "I trust you will have the goodness to excuse M.
+Rousseau; he is very unwell; it is really extremely vexatious."
+
+I replied that M. Rousseau had made his own excuses. Just then Therese,
+wishing to give herself the appearance of great utility, cried out,
+
+"Am I wanted there, M. Rousseau?"
+
+"No, no, no," replied Jean Jacques, in a faint voice, which died away as
+if at a distance.
+
+He soon after re-entered the room.
+
+"Madam," said he, "have the kindness to place your music in other hands
+to copy; I am truly concerned that I cannot execute your wishes, but I
+feel too ill to set about it directly."
+
+I replied, that I was in no hurry; that I should be in Paris some time
+yet, and that he might copy it at his leisure. It was then settled that
+it should be ready within a week from that time; upon which I rose,
+and ceremoniously saluting Therese, was conducted to the door by M.
+Rousseau, whose politeness led him to escort me thither, holding his cap
+in his hand. I retired, filled with admiration, respect, and pity.
+
+When next I saw the duc d'Aiguillon, I could not refrain from relating
+to him all that had happened. My recital inspired him with the most
+lively curiosity to see Rousseau, whom he had never met in society. It
+was then agreed, that when I went to fetch my music he should accompany
+me, disguised in a similar manner to myself, and that I should pass him
+off as my uncle. At the end of the eight days I repaired early as
+before to Paris; the duke was not long in joining me there. He was so
+inimitably well disguised, that no person would ever have detected the
+most elegant nobleman of the court of France beneath the garb of a plain
+country squire. We set out laughing like simpletons at the easy air
+with which he wore his new costume; nevertheless our gaiety disappeared
+as we reached the habitation of J. J. Rousseau. Spite of ourselves we
+were compelled to honour and respect the man of talent and genius, who
+preferred independence of ideas to riches, and before whom rank and
+power were compelled to lay aside their unmeaning trappings ere they
+could reach his presence. When we reached the fifth landing-place
+I rang, and this time the door was opened by Therese, who told us M
+Rousseau was out.
+
+"But, madam," answered I, "I am here by the direction of your husband to
+fetch away the music he has been engaged in copying for me."
+
+"Ah, madam," exclaimed she, "is it you? I did not recollect you again;
+pray walk in. M. Rousseau will be sure to be at home for you."
+
+"So, then," thought I, "even genius has its visiting lists." We entered;
+Jean Jacques formally saluted us, and invited us to be seated. He then
+gave me my music; I inquired what it came to; he consulted a little
+memorandum which lay upon the table, and replied, "So many pages, so
+much paper, eighteen livres twelve sous;" which, of course, I instantly
+paid. The duc d'Aiguillon, whom I styled my uncle, was endeavoring to
+lead Rousseau into conversation, when the outer bell rang. Therese went
+to open the door, and a gentleman entered, of mature age, although
+still preserving his good looks. The duke regarded him in silence and
+immediately made signs for me to hasten our departure; I obeyed, and
+took leave of Rousseau, with many thanks his punctuality. He accompanied
+us as before to door, and there I quitted him never to see him more. As
+we were descending the staircase, M. d'Aiguillon told me that the person
+who had so hastened our departure was Duclas, and that his hurry to quit
+Rousseau arose from his dread of being recognised by him. Although M.
+Duclas was a very excellent man, I must own that I owed no small grudge
+for a visit which had thus abridged ours.
+
+In the evening the duc d'Aiguillon and myself related to the king our
+morning's pilgrimage. I likewise recounted my former visit, which I had
+concealed until now. Louis XV seemed greatly interested with the recital
+of it; he asked me a thousand questions, and would fain hear the most
+trifling particulars.
+
+"I shall never forget," said Louis XV, "the amazing success obtained by
+his '_Devin du Village._' There certainly were some beautiful airs", and
+the king began to hum over the song of
+
+     "_J'ai perdu tout mon bonheur._"
+
+"Yes, madam," continued his majesty, "I promise you, that had Rousseau
+after his success chosen to step forward as a candidate for public
+favour, he would soon have overthrown Voltaire."
+
+"Pardon me," replied I; "but I cannot believe that would have been
+possible under any circumstances."
+
+"And why not?" asked the king; "he was a man of great talent."
+
+"Doubtless, sire, but not of the kind to compete with Voltaire."
+
+The king then changed the conversation to Therese, inquiring whether she
+possessed any attractions?
+
+"None whatever, sire," replied the duke; "at least none that we could
+perceive."
+
+"In that case," rejoined his majesty, "she must have charmed her master
+by some of those unseen perfections which take the deepest hold of the
+heart; besides I know not why we should think it strange that others see
+with different eyes to ourselves."
+
+I made no secret with the comte Jean of my visit, and he likewise
+expressed his desire to know a man so justly celebrated, and, in its
+proper place, you, may hear how he managed to effect this, and what
+befell him in consequence--but, to finish for the present with Rousseau,
+for I will not promise that I shall not again indulge in speaking of
+him. I will just say, that after the lapse of two or three days from the
+time of my last visit, the idea occurred to me of sending him a thousand
+crowns in an Indian casket. This I sent by a servant out of livery, whom
+I strictly enjoined not to name me but to say simply that he came from
+a lady. He brought back the casket to me unopened, and the following
+billet from Rousseau:--
+
+"MADAM,--I send back the present you would force upon my acceptance in
+so concealed a manner; if it be offered as a testimony of your esteem I
+may possibly accept it, when you permit me to know the hand from which
+it comes. Be assured, madam, that there is much truth in the assertion
+of its being more easy to give than to receive.
+
+"I have the honour to remain, madam, yours, etc., etc.,
+
+"J. J. ROUSSEAU."
+
+This was rather an uncouth manner of refusing; nevertheless, when at
+this distance of time I review the transaction, I cannot help admitting
+that I well deserved it. Perhaps when it first occurred I might have
+felt piqued, but since I have quitted the court I have again read over
+the works of J. J. Rousseau, and I now speak of him, as you see, without
+one particle of resentment.
+
+I must now speak to you of a new acquaintance I made about this
+Period--that of the two duchesses d'Aiguillon. From my first entrance
+into the chateau until the close of 1770, madame d'Aiguillon, the
+daughter-in-law, observed a sort of armed neutrality towards me; true,
+she never visited me, but she always met me with apparent satisfaction
+at the houses of others; thus she managed to steer clear of one
+dangerous extreme or the other till the downfall of the des Choiseuls;
+when the duc d'Aiguillon having been nominated to the ministry, she
+perceived that she could not, without great ingratitude, omit calling
+to offer me her acknowledgments, and accordingly she came. On my side, I
+left no means untried of rendering myself agreeable to her; and so
+well did I succeed, that from that moment her valuable friendship was
+bestowed on me with a sincerity which even my unfortunate reverses have
+been unable to shake; and we are to this day the same firm and true
+friends we were in the zenith of my power. Not that I would seek
+to justify the injury she sought to do our queen, but I may and do
+congratulate myself, that the same warmth which pervades her hatreds
+likewise influences her friendships.
+
+I cannot equally boast of the treatment I received from the duchess
+dowager d'Aiguillon, who, as well as her daughter-in-law, came to see me
+upon the promotion of her son. She overloaded me with caresses, and even
+exceeded her daughter-in-law in protestations of devotion and gratitude.
+You should have heard her extol my beauty, wit, and sweetness of
+disposition; she, in fact, so overwhelmed me with her surfeiting
+praises, that at last I became convinced that, of the thousand
+flattering things she continually addressed to me, not one was her
+candid opinion; and I was right, for I soon learned, that in her circle
+of intimates at the houses of the Beauffremons, the Brionnes, and above
+all, the marquise du Deffant, she justified her acquaintance with me, by
+saying it was a sacrifice made to the interests of her son, and
+amused these ladies by censuring my every word and look. The dowager's
+double-dealing greatly annoyed me; nevertheless, not wishing to vex
+her son, or her daughter-in-law, I affected to be ignorant of her
+dishonourable conduct. However, I could not long repress my indignation,
+and one day that she was praising me most extravagantly, I exclaimed,
+"Ah, madam, how kind it would be of you to reserve one of these pretty
+speeches to repeat at madame du Deffant's." This blow, so strong yet
+just, rather surprised her; but, quickly rallying her courage, she
+endeavoured to persuade me that she always spoke of me in the same
+terms. "It may be so," replied I; "but I fear that you say so many
+flattering things to me, that you have not one left when out of my
+sight."
+
+The marechale de Mirepoix used to say, that a caress from madame
+d'Aiguillon was not less to be dreaded than the bite of M. d'Ayen. Yet
+the duchess dowager has obtained a first-rate reputation for goodness;
+every one styled her _the good duchesse d'Aiguillon_. And why, do you
+suppose? Because she was one of those fat, fresh, portly-looking dames
+of whom you would have said, her very face and figure bespoke the
+contented goodness of her disposition; for who would ever suspect malice
+could lurk in so much _embonpoint_? I think I have already told you that
+this lady expired whilst bathing, of an attack of apoplexy, in the month
+of June, 1772. Her son shed many tears at her loss, whilst I experienced
+but a very moderate share of grief.
+
+Adieu, my friend; if you are not already terrified at the multiplicity
+of the letters which compose my journal, I have yet much to say; and I
+flatter myself the continuance of my adventures will be found no less
+interesting than those you have perused.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+
+     The king's friends--The duc de Fronsac--The duc d'Ayen's
+     remark--Manner of living at court--The marquis de Dreux
+     -Breze--Education of Louis XV--The _Parc-aux-Cerfs_--Its
+     household--Its inmates--Mere Bompart--Livres expended on the
+     _Parc-aur-Cerfs_--Good advice--Madame
+
+I was now firmly fixed at court, the king, more than ever devoted to
+me, seemed unable to dispense with my constant presence. I had so
+successfully studied his habits and peculiarities, that my empire over
+him was established on a basis too firm to be shaken, whilst my power
+and unbounded influence convinced my enemies, that, so long as the
+present monarch sat upon the throne of France, their attempts at
+diminishing my credit and influence would only recoil upon themselves.
+Louis XV generally supped in my apartments every evening, unless indeed,
+by way of change, I went to sup with him. Our guests were of course of
+the first order, but yet not of the most exemplary morals. These persons
+had tact, and saw that, to please the king, they must not surpass him;
+so that, if by chance he should reflect on himself, he would appear to
+advantage amongst them. Poor courtiers! It was labour in vain. The king
+was in too much fear of knowing himself to understand that study: he
+knew the penetration and severity of his own judgment, and on no account
+would he exercise it at his own expense.
+
+The duc de Duras, although a man of little wit, was yet gay and always
+lively. He amused me; I liked his buoyant disposition, and forgave him
+although he had ranged himself with the protesting peers. In fact, I
+could not be angry with him. The folly of opposition had only seized
+on him because it was epidemic. The dear duke had found himself
+with wolves, and had begun to howl with them. I am sure that he was
+astonished at himself when he remembered the signature which he had
+given, and the love he had testified for the old parliament, for
+which, in fact, he cared no more than Jean de Vert. God knows how he
+compensated for this little folly at the chateau. It was by redoubling
+his assiduities to the king, and by incessant attentions to me. In
+general, those who wished to thrive at court only sought how to make
+their courage remembered; M. de Duras was only employed in making his
+forgotten.
+
+The prince de Terigny, the comte d'Escars, the duc de Fleury, were not
+the least amusing. They kept up a lively strain of conversation, and the
+king laughed outrageously. But the vilest of the party was the duc
+de Fronsac. Ye gods! what a wretch! To speak ill of him is no sin. A
+mangled likeness of his father, he had all his faults with not one of
+his merits. He was perpetually changing his mistresses, but it cannot be
+said whether it was inconstancy on his part, or disgust on theirs, but
+the latter appears to me most probable. Though young, he was devoured by
+gout or some other infirmity, but it was called gout out of deference
+to the house of Richelieu. They talked of the duchess de ------, whose
+husband was said to have poisoned her.
+
+The saints of Versailles--the duc de la Vauguyon, the duc d'Estissac,
+and M. de Durfort--did like others. These persons practised religion in
+the face of the world, and abstained from loose conversation in presence
+of their own families; but with the king they laid aside their religion
+and reserve, so that these hypocrites had in the city all the honours
+of devotion, and in the royal apartments all the advantages of loose
+conduct. As for me, I was at Versailles the same as everywhere else. To
+please the king I had only to be myself. I relied, for the future, on
+my uniformity of conduct. What charmed him in the evening, would delight
+again the next day. He had an equilibrium of pleasure, a balance of
+amusement which can hardly be described; it was every day the same
+variety; the same journeys, the same fetes, the balls, the theatres,
+all came round at fixed periods with the most monotonous regularity. In
+fact, the people knew exactly when to laugh and when to look grave.
+
+There was in the chateau a most singular character, the grand master of
+the ceremonies of France. His great-grandfather, his grandfather, his
+father, who had fulfilled these functions for a century, had transmitted
+to him their understanding and their duties. All he thought of was how
+to regulate the motions and steps of every person at court. He adored
+the dauphin and dauphiness, because they both diverted and fatigued
+themselves according to the rules in such cases made and provided. He
+was always preaching to me and quoted against me the precedents of Diane
+de Poitiers, or Gabrielle d'Estrees. One day he told me that all the
+misfortunes of Mademoiselle de la Valliere occurred in consequence of
+her neglect of etiquette. He would have had all matters pass at court
+during the old age of Louis XV as at the period of the childhood
+of Louis XIV, and would fain have had the administration of the
+_Parc-aux-Cerfs_, that he might have arranged all with due ceremonies.
+
+Since this word _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ has escaped my pen, I will tell you
+something of it. Do you know, my friend, that but little is known of
+this place, of which so much has been said. I can tell you, better
+than any other person, what it really was, for I, like the marquise de
+Pompadour, took upon myself the superintendence of it, and busied myself
+with what they did there. It was, _entre nous_, the black spot in the
+reign of Louis XV, and will cost me much pain to describe.
+
+The vices of Louis XV were the result of bad education. When an infant,
+they gave him for governor the vainest, most coxcombical, stupidest
+of men--the duc de Villeroi, who had so well served the king (_si bien
+servi le roi_),*
+
+     * The countess alludes to the _chanson_ written, after his
+     famous defeat, "_Villeroi, Villeroi a fort bien servi le
+     roi_." (Ed.) i.e., author
+
+Never had courtier so much courtiership as he. He saw the young prince
+from morning till night, and from morning till night he was incessantly
+repeating in his ears that his future subjects were born for him, and
+that they were all dependent on his good and gracious pleasure. Such
+lessons daily repeated, necessarily destroyed the wise instructions
+of Massillon. When grown up, Louis XV saw the libertinism of cardinal
+Dubois and the orgies of the regency: madame de Maillis' shameless
+conduct was before his eyes and Richelieu's also. Louis XV could not
+conduct himself differently from his ministers and his family. His timid
+character was formed upon the example of others. At first he selected
+his own mistresses, but afterwards he chose some one who took that
+trouble off his hands. Lebel became purveyor in chief to his pleasures;
+and controlled in Versailles the house known as the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_.
+
+As soon as the courtiers knew of the existence and purposes of this
+house, they intrigued for the control of it. The king laughed at
+all their efforts, and left the whole management to Lebel, under the
+superintendence of the comte de Saint-Florentin, minister of the royal
+household. They installed there, however, a sort of military chief,
+formerly a major of infantry, who was called, jestingly, M. de
+Cervieres; his functions consisted in an active surveillance, and in
+preventing young men from penetrating the seraglio.  The soldiers at the
+nearest station had orders to obey his first summons. His pay was twelve
+thousand livres a year.
+
+A female styled the _surintendante_ had the management of the domestic
+affairs; she ruled with despotic sway; controlled the expenses;
+preserved good order; and regulated the amusement of her charges,
+taking care that they did not mix one with the other. She was an elderly
+canoness of a noble order, belonging to one of the best families in
+Burgundy. She was only known at the _Parc_ as _Madame_, and no one
+ventured to give her any other title. Shortly after the decease of Mme.
+De Pompadour, she had succeeded in this employ a woman of low rank, who
+had a most astonishing mind. Louis XV thought very highly of her, and
+said that if she were a man he would have made her his minister. She put
+the harem on an admirable system, and instructed the _odalisques_ in all
+the necessary etiquette.
+
+The Madame of my time was a woman of noble appearance, tall, ascetic,
+with a keen eye and imperious manner. She expressed a sovereign contempt
+for all the low-born beauties confided to her trust. However, she did
+not treat her wards ill, for some one of them might produce a passion
+in the heart of the king, and she was determined to be prepared
+for whatever might fall out. As to the noble ladies, they were her
+favourites. Madame did not divide her flock into fair and dark, which
+would have been natural, but into noble and ignoble. Besides Madame,
+there were two under-mistresses, whose duties consisted in keeping
+company with the young ladies who were placed there. They sometimes
+dined with new comers, instructed them in polite behaviour, and aided
+them in their musical lessons or in dancing, history, and literature
+in which these _eleves_ were instructed. Then followed a dozen women
+of lower station, creatures for any service, half waiting women, half
+companions, who kept watch over the young ladies, and neglected nothing
+that could injure each other at every opportunity. The work of the house
+was performed by proper servants and male domestics, chosen expressly
+for their age and ugliness. They were paid high, but in return for the
+least indiscretion on their part, they were sent to linger out their
+existence in a state prison. A severe watch was kept over every person
+of either sex in this mysterious establishment. It was requisite, in
+fact, that an impenetrable veil should be cast over the frailties of the
+king; and that the public should know nothing of what occurred at the
+_Parc-aux-Cerfs_.
+
+The general term _eleves_ was applied to the young persons who were kept
+there. They were of all ages from nine to eighteen years. Until fifteen
+they were kept in total ignorance of the city which they inhabited.
+When they attained that age, no more mystery was made of it; they only
+endeavoured to prevent them from believing that they were destined for
+the king's service. Sometimes they were told that they were imprisoned
+as well as their family; sometimes, a lover rich and powerful kept them
+concealed to satisfy his love. One thought she belonged to a German
+prince, another to an English lord. There were some, however, who,
+better informed, either by their predecessors, or by chance, knew
+precisely what was in store for them, and accordingly built some
+exceedingly fine castles in the air. But when they were suspected to be
+so knowing, they were sent away, and either married (if pregnant), or
+compelled to enter a cloister or chapter.
+
+The noble damsels were served with peculiar etiquette, their servants
+wore a green livery. Those who belonged to the ignobles, had their
+valets clothed only in gray. The king had arranged this, and applauded
+it as one of the most admirable decisions of his life, and contended
+with me that the families who paid this impost for his pleasures, were
+greatly indebted to him for it. I assure you, my friend, that there are
+often very peculiar ideas in the head of a king.
+
+After _madame_, the _sous-madames_, the young ladies, came a lady,
+who had no title in the house, because she "carried on the war" out
+of doors, but still was a most useful personage. In very truth la Mere
+Bompart was a wonderful animal. Paint to yourself a woman rather small
+than large, rather fat than lean, rather old than young, with a good
+foot, a good eye, as robust as a trooper, with a decided "call" for
+intrigue, drinking nothing but wine, telling nothing but lies, swearing
+by, or denying God, as suited her purpose. Fancy such an one, and you
+will have before you _la Mere Bompart, Pourvoyeuse en chef des celludes
+du Parc-aux-Cerfs_.
+
+She was in correspondence with all sorts of persons, with the most
+celebrated _appareilleuses_, and of course with the most noted pimps.
+She treated Lebel as her equal, went familiarly to M. de Sartines and
+occasionally condescended to visit M. de Saint-Florentin. Everybody at
+court received her graciously; everybody but the king and myself, who
+held her in equal horror.
+
+The _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ cost enormous sums. The lowest expense was
+calculated at 150,000 livres, to pay only the functionaries and the
+domestics, the education and the board of the _eleves_, etc. This does
+not include the cost of the _recruiting service_, the indemnities paid
+to families, the dowry given with them in marriage, the presents made to
+them, and the expenses of the illegitimate children: this was enormous
+in cost, at least 2,000,000 livres a year, and yet I make the lowest
+estimation. The _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ was kept up for thirty-four years:
+it cost annually 4 or 5,000,000 livres, and that will amount to nearly
+150,000,000 (L 6,250,000). If you think I mistake, go through the
+calculation.
+
+A short time after my sojourn at Versailles, when I was the acknowledged
+mistress of the king, the duc de Richelieu asked me if I had heard of
+the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_? I asked him, in my turn, what he meant, and if
+I could procure any account of the place. He then told me of the care
+which madame de Pompadour bestowed On the place, the advantage she drew
+from it, and assured me of the necessity for following her example. I
+spoke of this to comte Jean, and begged his advice. My brother-in-law
+replied:--
+
+"You must do as the marquise de Pompadour did, and as the duc de
+Richelieu has advised. They spend a vast deal of money in this house,
+and I undertake to look over their accounts. Nominate me your prime
+minister, and I shall be the happiest of men. It is impossible but there
+must be something to be gleaned from his majesty."
+
+"In truth, my dear brother-in-law, you would be in your element; money
+to handle and young girls to manage. What more could you covet? You
+will establish a gaming table at the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_, and never quit it
+again."
+
+Comte Jean began to laugh, and then seriously advised me to follow the
+plain counsel of the duc de Richelieu.
+
+I decided on doing so. I sent for Madame. She came with all the
+dignity of an abbess of a regally founded convent. But in spite of
+her pretensions, I only saw in her the rival of Gourdan and Paris, and
+treated her as such; that is, with some contempt, for with that feeling
+her office inspired me. She told me all I have described to you, and
+many other things which have since escaped me. At that time there were
+only four _eleves_ in the house. When she had given me all the details
+I wished, I sent her away, desiring to be informed of all that passed in
+her establishment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+
+     Fete given by the comtesse de Valentinois--The comtesse du
+     Barry feigns an indisposition--Her dress--The duc de Cosse--
+     The comte and comtesse de Provence--Dramatic entertainment--
+     Favart and Voisenon--A few observations--A pension--The
+     marechale de Luxembourg--Adventure of M. de Bombelles--Copy
+     of a letter addressed to him--Louis XV--M. de Maupeou and
+     madame du Barry
+
+My present situation was not a little embarrassing; known and recognised
+as the mistress of the king, it but ill accorded with my feelings to be
+compelled to add to that title the superintendent of his pleasures; and
+I had not yet been sufficiently initiated into the intrigues of a
+court life to accept this strange charge without manifest dislike and
+hesitation. Nevertheless, whilst so many were contending for the honour
+of that which I condemned, I was compelled to stifle my feelings and
+resign myself to the bad as well as the good afforded by my present
+situation; at a future period I shall have occasion again to revert to
+the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ during the period of my reign, but for the present
+I wish to change the subject by relating to you what befell me at a fete
+given me by madame de Valentinois, while she feigned to give it in the
+honour of madame de Provence.
+
+The comtesse de Valentinois, flattered by the kindness of the
+dauphiness's manner towards her, and wishing still further to insinuate
+herself into her favour, imagined she should promote her object by
+requesting that princess would do her the honour to pass an evening at
+her house; her request was granted, and that too before the duchesse de
+la Vauguyon could interfere to prevent it. Furious at not having been
+apprized of the invitation till too late to cause its rejection, she
+vowed to make the triumphant countess pay dearly for her triumph; for
+my own part I troubled myself very little with the success of madame
+de Valentinois, which, in fact, I perceived would rather assist than
+interfere with my projects. Hitherto I had not made my appearance at any
+of the houses of the nobility when the princesses were invited thither;
+this clearly proved to the public, in general, how great was the
+opposition I experienced from the court party. I was now delighted
+to prove to the Parisians that I was not always to lead the life of
+a recluse, but that I could freely present myself at those parties to
+which other ladies were invited. However, as my friends apprehended that
+the comtesse de Provence might prevail upon her lady of honour not to
+invite me, by the advice of the chancellor and the minister for foreign
+affairs, it was arranged that I should for a week previous to the fete
+feign a severe indisposition. It would be impossible to describe the joy
+with which these false tidings were received by my enemies. We are
+all apt to picture things as we would have them, and already the eager
+imaginations of the opposing party had converted the account of my
+illness into an incurable and mortal disease.
+
+Every hour my friends brought me in fresh anecdotes of the avidity with
+which the rumour of my dangerous state had been received, whilst I lay
+upon what the credulous hopes of my enemies had determined to be my
+death-bed, laughing heartily at their folly, and preparing fresh schemes
+to confound and disappoint their anticipated triumph.
+
+One very important object of consideration was my dress for the coming
+occasion. The king presented me with a new set of jewels, and himself
+selected the materials for my robe and train, which were to be composed
+of a rich green satin embroidered with gold, trimmed with wreaths of
+roses, and looped up with pearls; the lower part of this magnificent
+dress was trimmed with a profusion of the finest Flemish lace. I wore on
+my head a garland of full blown roses, composed of the finest green and
+gold work; round my forehead was a string of beautiful pearls, from the
+centre of which depended a diamond star; add to this a pair of splendid
+ear-rings, valued at 100,000 crowns, with a variety of jewels equally
+costly, and you may form some idea of my appearance on that eventful
+evening. The king, who presided at my toilette, could not repress his
+admiration; he even insisted upon clasping my necklace, in order that he
+might, as he said, flatter himself with having completed such a triumph
+of nature and art.
+
+At the hour fixed upon I set out, conducted by the ducs d'Aiguillon and
+de Cosse, and now I remember I have introduced this latter to you for
+the first time, however I will promise that it will not be for the last;
+he possessed, and still possesses all the virtues of his noble house,
+he was impetuous from a deeply feeling heart, and proud from a
+consciousness of being properly appreciated. Young, handsome, and
+daring, he was pre-eminently calculated both to inspire love, and
+to feel it; it was quite impossible for him to fail in winning the
+affections of any female he exerted himself to please, and even at the
+present time that he has lost some of his earlier graces, he is still
+irresistible as ever; his naturally gay disposition was but ill suited
+to nourishing grave or philosophic reasoning, but then he was the soul
+of company, and possessed a fine and delicate wit which ever vented
+itself in the most brilliant sallies. M. de Cosse, like the knights of
+old, was wholly devoted to his king and his mistress, and would, I
+am sure, had the occasion required it, have nobly died in defence of
+either; I only pray he may never be put to the proof. I saw much of him
+at the beginning of our acquaintance, but as his many amiable qualitie
+ became better known, I found myself almost continually in his society,
+indeed as I have something to confess in the business, I could hardly
+choose a better opportunity than the present, did I not recollect that
+the good duc d'Aiguillon is waiting all this while for me to announce
+the _entree_ of our party into the ante-room of Madame de Valentinois.
+
+My entrance was a complete _coupe-de-theatre_. I had been imagined
+languishing on the bed of sickness, yet there I stood in all the fulness
+of health and freshness of beauty. I could very easily read upon each
+countenance the vexation and rage my appearance of entire freedom from
+all ailment excited; however, I proceeded without any delay to the
+mistress of the house, whom I found busily engaged in seating her
+visitors, and playing the amiable to the dauphiness. This princess
+seemed equally astonished at my unexpected apparition; nevertheless,
+taken off her guard, she could not prevent herself from courteously
+returning the profound salutation I made her. As for the duchesse de la
+Vauguyon, when she saw me, she turned alternately from red to white,
+and was even weak enough to give public vent to her fury. The comte de
+Provence, who had been told that I was not expected, began to laugh when
+he perceived me, and taking the first opportunity of approaching me, he
+said, "Ah, madame! so you too can mystify your friends, I see! Have a
+care; the sight of charms like yours is sufficient to strike terror into
+any adversaries, without having recourse to any expedient to heighten
+their effect." Saying this he passed on without giving me the
+opportunity of replying, as I could have wished to have done.
+
+The marechale de Mirepoix, to whom I had confided my secret, and of
+whose fidelity I was assured, was present at the fete. I availed myself
+of the offer of a seat near her and directly we were seated, "You are a
+clever creature," said she, "for you have completely bewildered all the
+female part of this evening's society, and by way of a finishing stroke
+will run away with the hearts of all the flutterers here, before the
+fair ladies they were previously hovering around, have recovered their
+first astonishment."
+
+"Upon my word," said I, smiling, "I do not wonder at the kind looks with
+which the ladies favour me, if my presence is capable of producing so
+much mischief."
+
+"Pray, my dear," answered the marechale, "be under no mistake: you might
+be as much beloved as others are, if you did not monopolize the king's
+affections; the consequence is, that every woman with even a passable
+face looks upon you as the usurper of her right, and as the fickle
+gentlemen who woo these gentle ladies are all ready to transfer their
+homage to you directly you appear, you must admit that your presence is
+calculated to produce no inconsiderable degree of confusion."
+
+The commencement of a play which formed part of the evening's
+entertainment obliged us to cease further conversation. The first piece
+represented was "_Rose et Colas_," a charming pastoral, to which the
+music of Monsigny gave a fresh charm; the actors were selected from
+among the best of the Comedie Italienne--the divine Clairval, and the
+fascinating mademoiselle Caroline. I was completely enchanted whilst the
+play lasted; I forgot both my cabals and recent triumph, and for a while
+believed myself actually transported to the rural scenes it represented,
+surrounded by the honest villagers so well depicted; but this delightful
+vision soon passed away, and soon, too soon I awoke from it to find
+myself surrounded by my _excellent_ friends at court.
+
+"_Rose et Colas_" was followed by a species of comedy mixed with songs.
+This piece was wholly in honour of the dauphiness, with the exception
+of some flattering and gallant allusions to myself and some gross
+compliments to my cousin the chancellor, who, in new silk robe and a
+fine powdered wig, was also present at this fete.
+
+The performers in this little piece, who were Favart, the actor, and
+Voisenon, the priest, must have been fully satisfied with the reception
+they obtained, for the comedy was applauded as though it had been one of
+the _chefs d'oeuvre_ of Voltaire. In general a private audience is very
+indulgent so long as the representation lasts, but no sooner has the
+curtain fallen than they indulge in a greater severity of criticism
+than a public audience would do. And so it happened on the evening in
+question; one couplet had particularly excited the discontent of the
+spectators, male and female; I know not what prophetic spirit inspired
+the lines.
+
+The unfortunate couplet was productive of much offence against the
+husband and lover of madame Favart, for the greater part of the persons
+present perfectly detested my poor cousin, who was "to clip the wings
+of chicanery." Favart managed to escape just in time, and the abbe de
+Voisenon, who was already not in very high favour with his judges, was
+compelled to endure the full weight of their complaints and reproaches;
+every voice was against him, and even his brethren of the French
+academy, departing from their accustomed indulgence upon such matters,
+openly reprimanded him for the grossness of his flattery; the poor abbe
+attempted to justify himself by protesting that he knew nothing of the
+hateful couplet, and that Favart alone was the guilty person upon whom
+they should expend their anger.
+
+"I am always," cried he, "doomed to suffer for the offences of others;
+every kind of folly is made a present to me."
+
+"Have a care, monsieur l' abbe," exclaimed d'Alembert, who was among the
+guests, "have a care! men seldom lavish their gifts but upon those who
+are rich enough to return the original present in a tenfold degree."
+This somewhat sarcastic remark was most favourably received by all
+who heard it, it quickly circulated through the room, while the poor,
+oppressed abbe protested, with vehement action.
+
+The fete itself was most splendidly and tastefully conducted, and
+might have sent the different visitors home pleased and gratified in an
+eminent degree, had not spite and ill-nature suggested to madame de
+la Vauguyon, that as the chancellor and myself were present, it must
+necessarily have been given with a view of complimenting us rather
+than madame de Provence. She even sought to irritate the dauphiness by
+insinuating the same mean and contemptible observations, and so far did
+she succeed, that when madame de Valentinois approached to express her
+hopes that the entertainment which she had honoured with her presence
+had been to her royal highness's satisfaction, the dauphiness coolly
+replied, "Do not, madame, affect to style this evening's fete one
+bestowed in honour of myself, or any part of my family; 'tis true we
+have been the ostensible causes, and have, by our presence, given it all
+the effect you desired, but you will pardon our omitting to thank you
+for an attention, which was in reality, directed to the comtesse du
+Barry and M. de Maupeou."
+
+FACSIMILE OF LETTER FROM MME.  DU BARRY
+
+TO THE DUC DE BRISSAC.
+
+(photograph of original handwritten note omitted) TRANSLATION
+
+Heavens!  my dear friend, how sad are the days when I am deprived of the
+happiness of passing the time with you, and with what joy do I watch for
+the moment which will bring you to me. I shall not go to Paris to-day,
+because the person I was going to see is coming Thursday. As you will be
+going away, I shall visit the barracks instead, for I believe you
+approve of the object. Adieu. I await you with impatience, with a heart
+wholly yours, which, in spite of your injustice, could never belong to
+any other, even if I had the wish. I think of you and that word of yours
+which you will surely regret; and still another regret is that I am
+deprived of you. That is the watchword of each instant.
+
+THE COUNTESS Du Barry
+
+At Louvecienne, Noon.
+
+Madame de Valentinois came to me with tears in her eyes to repeat the
+cruel remark of the princess; the marechale de Mirepoix, who heard her,
+sought to console her by assurances, that it would in no degree affect
+her interest at court. "Never mind, my good friend," said she; "the
+pretty bird merely warbles the notes it learns from its keeper la
+Vauguyon, and will as quickly forget as learn them. Nevertheless, the
+king owes you recompense for the vexation it has occasioned you."
+
+Immediately that I found myself alone with the marechale, I inquired
+of her what was the nature of the reparation she considered madame
+de Valentinois entitled to expect from the hands of his majesty. She
+replied, "'Tis on your account alone that the poor countess has received
+her late mortification; the king is therefore bound to atone for it
+in the form of a pension. Money, my dear, money is a sovereign cure at
+court; calms every grief and heals every wound."
+
+I fully agreed with the good-natured marechale; and, when I bade the
+sorrowful madame de Valentinois good night, I assured her I would
+implore his majesty to repair the mischief my presence had caused.
+Accordingly on the following day, when the king questioned me as to how
+far I had been amused with the fete given by madame de Valentinois, I
+availed myself of the opening to state my entire satisfaction, as well
+as to relate the disgrace into which she had fallen, and to pray his
+majesty to bestow upon her a pension of 15,000 livres.
+
+"Upon my word," exclaimed Louis XV, hastily traversing the chamber,
+"this fete seems likely to prove a costly one to me."
+
+"Nay, sire," said I, "it was a most delightful evening; and you will
+not, I hope, refuse me such a trifle for those who lavished so much for
+my amusement."
+
+"Well," cried he, "be it so; the countess shall have the sum she
+requires, but upon condition that she does not apply to me again."
+
+"Really your majesty talks," replied I, "as though this trifling pension
+were to be drawn from your own purse."
+
+The king began to smile at my remark, like a man who knows himself found
+out. I knew him well enough to be certain that, had he intended the
+pension awarded madame de Valentinois to come from his own privy purse,
+he would scarcely have consented to bestowing on her more than a shabby
+pittance of a thousand livres per annum. It is scarcely possible to
+conceive an idea of the excessive economy of this prince. I remember,
+that upon some great occasion, when it was requisite to support the
+public treasury, which was failing, by a timely contribution, the duc
+de Choiseul offered the loan of 250,000 livres, whilst the king, to the
+astonishment of all who heard him, confined his aid to 2,000 louis! The
+marechale de Mirepoix used to assert that Louis XV was the only prince
+of his line who ever knew the value of a crown. She had, nevertheless,
+managed to receive plenty from him, although, I must own, that she had
+had no small difficulty in obtaining them; nor did the king part with
+his beloved gold without many a sigh of regret.
+
+At the house of madame de Valentinois I met the marechale de Luxembourg,
+who had recently returned from Chanteloup. There really was something of
+infatuation in the general mania which seemed to prevail of treating the
+king's sentiments with indifference, and considering his displeasure as
+an affair of no consequence. Before the disgrace of the Choiseuls they
+were equally the objects of madame de Luxembourg's most bitter hatred,
+nor was madame de Grammont backward in returning her animosity; yet,
+strange as it may seem, no sooner was the Choiseul party exiled, than
+the marechale never rested till she saw her name engraved on the famous
+pillar erected to perpetuate the remembrance of all those who had
+visited the exiles. She employed their mutual friends to effect a
+reconciliation, which was at length effected by letter, and a friendly
+embrace exchanged by proxy. These preliminaries over, the marechale came
+to the king to make the request to which he had now become accustomed,
+but which did not the less amuse him. Of course Louis XV made no
+hesitation in granting her the request she solicited. Speaking to me of
+the subject, he said, "The _tender_ meeting of madame de Grammont and
+the marechal de Luxembourg must indeed be an overpowering sight; I only
+trust these two ladies may not drop the mask too soon, and bite each
+other's ear while they are embracing."
+
+Madame de Luxembourg, daughter of the duc de Villeroi, had been first
+married to the duc de Boufflers, whose brows she helped to adorn with
+other ornaments than the ducal coronet; nor whilst her youth and beauty
+lasted was she less generous to her second husband: she was generally
+considered a most fascinating woman, from the loveliness of her person
+and the vivacity of her manners; but behind an ever ready wit, lurked
+the most implacable malice and hatred against all who crossed her
+path or purpose. As she advanced in life she became more guarded and
+circumspect, until at last she set herself up as the arbitress of high
+life, and the youthful part of the nobility crowded around her, to hear
+the lessons of her past experience. By the number and by the power of
+her pupils, she could command both the court and city; her censures were
+dreaded, because pronounced in language so strong and severe, as to fill
+those who incurred them with no hope of ever shining in public opinion
+whilst so formidable a _veto_ was uttered against them; and her decrees,
+from which there was no appeal, either stamped a man with dishonour, or
+introduced him as a first-rate candidate for universal admiration and
+esteem, and her hatred was as much dreaded as ever her smiles had
+been courted: for my own part, I always felt afraid of her, and never
+willingly found myself in her presence.
+
+After I had obtained for madame de Valentinois the boon I solicited, I
+was conversing with the king respecting madame de Luxembourg, when the
+chancellor entered the room; he came to relate to his majesty an affair
+which had occasioned various reports, and much scandal. The viscount de
+Bombelles, an officer in an hussar regiment, had married a mademoiselle
+Camp, Reasons, unnecessary for me to seek to discover, induced him,
+all at once, to annul his marriage, and profiting by a regulation which
+forbade all good Catholics from intermarrying with those of the reformed
+religion, He demanded the dissolution of his union with mademoiselle
+Camp. This attempt on his part to violate, upon such grounds, the
+sanctity of the nuptial vow, whilst it was calculated to rekindle the
+spirit of religious persecution, was productive of very unfavourable
+consequences to the character of M. de Bombelles; the great cry was
+against him, he stood alone and unsupported in the contest, for even the
+greatest bigots themselves would not intermeddle or appear to applaud a
+matter which attacked both honour and good feeling: the comrades of M.
+de Bombelles refused to associate with him; but the finishing stroke
+came from his old companions at the military school, where he had
+been brought up. On the 27th of November, 1771, the council of this
+establishment wrote him the following letter:--
+
+"The military school have perused with equal indignation and grief the
+memorials which have appeared respecting you in the public prints.
+Had you not been educated in this establishment, we should merely
+have looked upon your affair with mademoiselle Camp as a scene too
+distressing for humanity and it would have been buried in our peaceful
+walls beneath the veil of modesty and silence; but we owe it to the
+youth sent to us by his majesty, for the inculcation of those principles
+which become the soldier as the man, not to pass over the present
+opportunity of inspiring them with a just horror of your misguided
+conduct, as well as feeling it an imperative duty to ourselves not
+to appear indifferent to the scandal and disgraceful confusion your
+proceedings have occasioned in the capital. We leave to the ministers of
+our religion, and the magistrates who are appointed to guard our
+laws, to decide upon the legality of the bonds between yourself and
+mademoiselle Camp, but by one tribunal you are distinctly pronounced
+guilty towards her, and that is the tribunal of honour, before that
+tribunal which exists in the heart of every good man. You have been
+universally cited and condemned. There are some errors which all the
+impetuosity of youth is unable to excuse, and yours are unhappily
+of that sort. The different persons composing this establishment,
+therefore, concur not only in praying of us to signify their sentiments,
+but likewise to apprize you, that you are unanimously forbidden to
+appear within these walls again."
+
+The chancellor brought to the king a copy of this severe letter, to
+which I listened with much emotion, nor did the king seem more calm than
+myself.
+
+"This is, indeed," said he at length, "a very sad affair; we shall have
+all the quarrels of Protestantism renewed, as if I had not had already
+enough of those of the Jansenists and Jesuits. As far as I can judge,
+M. de Bombelles is entitled to the relief he seeks, and every marriage
+contracted with a Protestant is null and void by the laws of France."
+
+"Oh, sire," cried I, "would I had married a Protestant."
+
+The king smiled for a moment at my jest, then resumed:
+
+"I blame the military school."
+
+"Is it your majesty's pleasure," inquired the chancellor, "that I should
+signify your displeasure to them?"
+
+"No, sir," replied Louis, "it does not come within your line of duty,
+and devolves rather upon the minister of war; and very possibly he would
+object to executing such a commission; for how could I step forward as
+the protector of one who would shake off the moral obligation of an oath
+directly it suits his inclinations to doubt its legality? This affair
+gives me great uneasiness, and involves the most serious consequences.
+You will see that I shall be overwhelmed with petitions and pamphlets,
+demanding of me the revocation of the edict of Nantes."
+
+"And what, sire," asked the chancellor gravely, "could you do, that
+would better consolidate the glory of your reign?"
+
+"Chancellor," exclaimed Louis XV, stepping back with unfeigned
+astonishment, "have you lost your senses? What would the clergy say
+or do? The very thought makes me shudder. Do you then believe, M. de
+Maupeou, that the race of the Clements, the Ravaillacs, the Damiens, are
+extinct in France?"
+
+"Ah, sire, what needless fears."
+
+"Not so needless as you may deem them," answered the king. "I have been
+caught once, I am not going to expose myself to danger a second time.
+You know the proverb,--no, no, let us leave things as my predecessors
+left them; besides, I shall not be sorry to leave a little employment
+for my successor; he may get through it how he can, and spite of all the
+clamouring of the philosophers, the Protestants shall hold their present
+privileges so long as I live. I will have neither civil nor religious
+war, but live in peace and eat my supper with a good appetite with you,
+my fair comtesse, for my constant guest, and you, M. de Maupeou, for t
+his evening's visitor."
+
+The conversation here terminated.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+
+     Madame du Barry purchases the services of Marin the
+     gazetteer--Louis XV and madame de Rumas--M. de Rumas and the
+     comtesse du Barry--An intrigue--_Denouement_--A present
+     upon the occasion--The duc de Richelieu in disgrace--100,000
+     livres
+
+This Marin, a provencal by birth, in his childhood one of the
+choristers, and afterwards organist of the village church, was, at the
+period of which I am speaking, one of the most useful men possible.
+Nominated by M. de St. Florentin to the post of censor royal, this
+friend to the philosophers was remarkable for the peculiar talent, with
+which he would alternately applaud and condemn the writings of these
+gentlemen. Affixing his sanction to two lines in a tragedy by Dorat had
+cost him twenty-four hours' meditation within the walls of the Bastille;
+and for permitting the representation of some opera (the name of which
+I forget) he had been deprived of a pension of 2,000 francs; but, wedded
+to the delights of his snug post, Marin always contrived, after every
+storm, to find his way back to its safe harbor. He had registered a
+vow never to resign the office of censor, but to keep it in despite
+of danger and difficulty. I soon discovered that he passed from
+the patronage of Lebel to that of Chamilly, and I was not slow in
+conjecturing that he joined to his avocations of censor and gazetteer
+that of purveyor to his majesty's _petits amours_.
+
+Spite of my indefatigable endeavors to render Louis XV happy and
+satisfied with the pleasures of his own home, he would take occasional
+wandering fits, and go upon the ramble, sometimes in pursuit of a
+high-born dame, at others eager to obtain a poor and simple _grisette_;
+and so long that the object of his fancy were but new to him, it
+mattered little what were her claims to youth, beauty, or rank in life.
+The marechale de Mirepoix frequently said to me, "Do you know, my dear
+creature, that your royal admirer is but a very fickle swain, who is
+playing the gay gallant when he ought to be quietly seated at his own
+fireside. Have a care, he is growing old, and his intellect becomes more
+feeble each day; and what he would never have granted some few years
+back, may be easily wrung from him now. Chamilly aspires at governing
+his master, and Marin seconds him in his project."
+
+At length, roused to a sense of impending evil, by the constant
+reminding of the marechale, I summoned Marin to my presence. "Now, sir,"
+said I, as he approached, "I would have you to know that I am apprised
+of all your tricks: you and your friend Chamilly are engaged in a very
+clever scheme to improve your own fortunes at the expense of the king
+your master."
+
+Marin burst into loud protestations of his innocence, declaring that he
+was as innocent as the lamb just born. I refused to believe this,
+and desired he would explain to me why he went so frequently to the
+apartments of M. Chamilly.
+
+"Alas, madam!" replied Marin, "I go thither but to solicit his aid in
+craving the bounty of his majesty."
+
+"You are for ever pleading poverty, miserly being," cried I; "you are
+far richer than I am; but since you want money I will supply you with
+it, and in return you shall be my secret newsman, and royal censor in
+my service. Now understand me clearly; every month that you faithfully
+bring me an account of certain goings on, I will count into your hand
+five and twenty _louis d'or_."
+
+I must confess that Marin only accepted my proposition with much
+reluctance, but still he did accept it, and withdrew, meditating, no
+doubt, how he should be enabled to satisfy both Chamilly and myself.
+
+A long time elapsed before Marin brought me any news of importance, and
+I began to feel considerable doubts of his fidelity, when he came to
+communicate a very important piece of intelligence. He had just learned
+that Chamilly frequently went to Paris, the bearer of letters from the
+'king to a young and pretty female, named madame de Rumas, who resided
+in the old rue du Temple.
+
+Here was a pretty discovery; the king actually engaged in a love affair,
+letters passing between him and his mistress, whilst the head _valet
+de chambre_ was acting the part of Mercury to the lovers. This indeed
+required some speedy remedy, and I lost no time in summoning my privy
+counsellor, Comte Jean, whom I acquainted with what had occurred, and
+begged his advice as to the best measures to be pursued. "Indeed,"
+replied my brother-in-law, "what others would do in our place would be
+to throw M. Chamilly from one of the windows of the chateau, and treat
+this his friend Marin with a lodging in the Bastille; but, as we are
+persons of temper and moderation, we will go more gently to work. I
+will, in the first place, gain every information relative to the affair,
+that I may satisfy myself Marin is not seeking to show his honest claims
+to your gold, by imposing a forged tale upon your credulity; when that
+is ascertained we will decide upon our next best step."
+
+Comte Jean departed to seek the assistance of M. de Sartines, who was at
+that time entirely devoted to my interests; and, after having diligently
+searched the whole rue du Temple, he succeeded in discovering madame de
+Rumas. He learnt that this lady had recently married a person of her own
+rank, to whom she professed to be violently attached; that they lived
+together with great tranquillity, and had the reputation of conducting
+themselves as persons of extreme propriety and regularity; paid their
+debts, and avoided, by their air of neatness, order, and modest reserve,
+the scandal of even their most ill-natured neighbors. The husband was
+said to be a great religionist, which increased the suspicions of Comte
+Jean. With regard to the epistolary correspondence carried on by the
+lady, no information could be gleaned in in that quarter.
+
+Marin was again sent for by my brother-in-law, who questioned and
+cross-questioned with so much address, that Marin found it impossible
+to conceal any longer the remaining part of the affair, of which he
+had before communicated but so much as his policy deemed advisable.
+He confessed that he had originally mentioned madame de Rumas (whom
+he himself had long known) to Chamilly, had shown him several of her
+letters; and, as he expected, the style of these epistles so pleased
+the head valet, that he expressed a wish to see the fair writer. Marin
+accordingly introduced him to the rue du Temple, where he was most
+graciously received, and returned home enchanted with the lady: he
+spoke of her to the king, strongly recommending his majesty to judge for
+himself. Accordingly his majesty wrote to madame de Rumas, who received
+ the letter from the hands of her friend Chamilly with all pomp and
+state, talked first of her own virtue and honor, and afterwards of her
+dutiful respect for his majesty. She replied to the royal note in
+so prudent yet obliging a manner, that the king was enchanted. This
+effective billet was answered by a second letter from the king, which
+obtained a reply even more tenderly charming than the one which preceded
+it. An interview was next solicited and granted; for a visit was such
+a trifle to refuse. The royal guest became pressing and the lady more
+reserved, till the time was lost in attempts at convincing each other.
+At the next interview madame de Rumas freely confessed her sincere
+attachment for his majesty, but added, that such was her desire to
+possess his whole and undivided regard, that she could never give
+herself up to the hope of keeping him exclusively hers whilst I
+interposed between her and the king's heart--in a few words then she
+demanded my dismissal. This was going too far; and Louis XV, who thought
+it no scandal to have a hundred mistresses, was alarmed at the thoughts
+of occasioning the bustle and confusion attendant upon disgracing his
+acknowledged favorite and recognised mistress; he therefore assured her,
+her request was beyond his power to grant.
+
+Madame de Rumas now sought to compromise the affair, by talking of a
+share in his favor. She asked, she said, but the heart of her beloved
+monarch, and would freely leave me in possession of all power and
+influence. The king whose heart was regularly promised once a day,
+did not hesitate to assure her of his fidelity, and his wily enslaver
+flattered herself, that with time and clever management, she should
+succeed in inducing him to break off those ties which he now refused to
+break.
+
+Things were in this state when Marin divulged to us the intrigue
+conducted by Chamilly, and directed, though in a covert manner, by the
+marechal duc de Richelieu. This spiteful old man possessed no share of
+the talent of his family; and, not contented with the favor bestowed on
+his nephew, thought only of his personal credit and influence, which he
+fancied he should best secure by introducing a new mistress to the
+king. This well-concocted scheme threw both Comte Jean and myself into
+a perfect fury. We dismissed Marin with a present of fifty louis, and
+my brother-in-law besought of me to grant him four and twenty hours
+undisturbed reflection, whilst, on my side, I assured him I should not
+rest until we had completely discomfited our enemies.
+
+On the following day Comte Jean laid before me several projects, which
+were far from pleasing in my eyes; too much time was required in
+their execution. I knew the king too well to be blind to the danger of
+allowing this mere whim of the moment to take root in his mind. One idea
+caught my fancy, and without mentioning it to Comte Jean, I determined
+upon carrying it into execution.
+
+The marechale de Mirepoix happened at this moment not to be at Paris at
+her hotel in the rue Bergere, but at her country house, situated au Port
+a l'Anglaise. I signified to the king my intention of passing a couple
+of days with the marechale, and accordingly set out for that purpose.
+Upon my arrival at Paris I merely changed horses, and proceeded onwards
+with all possible despatch to rejoin the marechale, who was quite taken
+by surprise at my unexpected arrival. After many mutual embraces and
+exchange of civilities, I explained to her the whole affair which had
+brought me from Versailles. The good-natured marechale could not believe
+her ears. She soon, however, comprehended the nature of my alarms;
+and so far from seeking to dissipate them, urged me to lose no time in
+crushing an affair, which grew more threatening from each day's delay. I
+was fully of her opinion, and only asked her assistance and co-operation
+in my plan of writing to M. de Rumas, and inviting him to come on the
+following day to the house of madame de Mirepoix.
+
+That lady would doubtless have preferred my asking her to assist me in
+any other way, but still she could not refuse to serve me in the manner
+described: for I either bestowed on her all she desired, or caused
+others to gratify her slightest request; and how could she be sure, that
+were my reign to end, she might derive the same advantages from any
+new favorite? Self-interest therefore bound her to my service, and
+accordingly she wrote to M. de Rumas a very pressing letter, requesting
+to see him on the following day upon matters of the highest importance.
+This letter sent off, I dined with the marechale, and then returned to
+sleep at Paris.
+
+On the following day, at an early hour, I repaired to the Port a
+l'Anglaise; M. de Rumas arrived there a few minutes after myself. He had
+the air and look of an honest man, but perhaps no species of deceit is
+more easily detected than that quiet, subdued manner, compressed lips,
+and uplifted eye. Now-a-days such a mode of dissembling would be too
+flimsy to impose even on children; and hypocrites are ever greater
+proficients in their art than was even M. de Rumas.
+
+Madame de Mirepoix left us alone together, in order that I might
+converse more freely with him. I knew not how to begin, but made many
+attempts to convey, in an indirect manner, the reasons for his being
+summoned to that day's conference. However, hints and insinuations were
+alike thrown away upon one who had determined neither to use eye's nor
+ears but as interest pointed out the reasonableness of so doing;
+and accordingly, unable longer to repress my impatience, I exclaimed
+abruptly,
+
+"Pray, sir, do you know who I am?"
+
+"Yes, madam," replied he, with a profound bow, and look of the deepest
+humility, "you are the comtesse du Barry."
+
+"Well, sir," added I, "and you are equally well aware, no doubt, of the
+relation in which I stand to the king?"
+
+"But, madam--"
+
+"Nay, sir, answer without hesitation; I wish you to be candid, otherwise
+my exceeding frankness may displease you."
+
+"I know, madam," replied the hypocrite, "that his majesty finds great
+pleasure in your charming society."
+
+"And yet, sir," answered I, "his majesty experiences equal delight in
+the company of your wife. How answer you that, M. de Rumas?"
+
+"My wife, madam!"
+
+"Yes, sir, in the company of madame de Rumas; he pays her many private
+visits, secretly corresponds with her--"
+
+"The confidence of his majesty must ever honor his subjects."
+
+"But," replied I, quickly, "may dishonor a husband."
+
+"How, madam! What is it you would insinuate?"
+
+"That your wife would fain supplant me, and that she is now the mistress
+of the king, although compelled to be such in secret."
+
+"Impossible," exclaimed M. de Rumas, "and some enemy to my wife has thus
+aspersed her to you."
+
+"And do you treat it as a mere calumny?" said I. "No, sir, nothing can
+be more true; and if you would wish further confirmation, behold the
+letter which madame de Rumas wrote to the king only the day before
+yesterday; take it and read it."
+
+"Heaven preserve me, madam," exclaimed the time-serving wretch, "from.
+presuming to cast my eyes over what is meant only for his majesty's
+gracious perusal; it would be an act of treason I am not capable of
+committing."
+
+"Then, sir," returned I, "I may reasonably conclude that it is with your
+sanction and concurrence your wife intrigues with the king?"
+
+"Ah, madam," answered the wily de Rumas, in a soft and expostulating
+tone, "trouble not, I pray you, the repose of my family. I know too well
+the virtue of madame de Rumas, her delicacy, and the severity of
+her principles; I know too well likewise the sentiments in which her
+excellent parents educated her, and I defy the blackest malice to injure
+her in my estimation."
+
+"Wonderfully, sir!" cried I; "so you determine to believe your wife's
+virtue incorruptible, all the while you are profiting by her intrigues.
+However, I am too certain of what I assert to look on with the culpable
+indifference you are pleased to assume, whilst your _virtuous_ wife is
+seeking to supplant me at the chateau; you shall hear of me before long.
+Adieu, sir."
+
+So saying, I quitted the room in search of the marechale, to whom I
+related what had passed.
+
+"And now, what think you of so base a hypocrite?" asked I, when I had
+finished my account.
+
+"He well deserves having the mask torn from his face," replied she; "but
+give yourself no further concern; return home, and depend upon it, that,
+one way or other, I will force him into the path of honor."
+
+I accordingly ordered my carriage and returned to Versailles, where, on
+the same evening, I received the following letter from the marechale:--
+
+"MY DEAR COUNTESS,--My efforts have been attended with no better success
+than yours. Well may the proverb say, 'There is none so deaf as he who
+will not hear,' and M. de Rumas perseveres in treating all I advanced
+respecting his wife as calumnious falsehoods. According to his version
+of the tale, madame de Rumas has no other motive in seeing Louis XV
+so frequently, but to implore his aid in favor of the poor in her
+neighborhood. I really lost all patience when I heard him attempting
+to veil his infamous conduct under the mask of charity; I therefore
+proceeded at once to menaces, telling him that you had so many
+advantages over his wife, that you scorned to consider her your rival:
+but that, nevertheless, you did not choose that any upstart pretender
+should dare ask to share his majesty's heart. To all this he made no
+reply; and as the sight of him only increased my indignation, I at
+length desired him to quit me. I trust you will pardon me for having
+spoken in as queenlike a manner as you could have done yourself.
+
+"Adieu, my sweet friend."
+
+This letter was far from satisfying me, and I determined upon striking
+a decisive blow. I sent for Chamilly, and treating him with all the
+contempt he deserved, I told him, that if the king did not immediately
+give up this woman he might prepare for his own immediate dismissal.
+At first Chamilly sought to appease my anger by eager protestations of
+innocence, but when he found I already knew the whole affair, and was
+firmly fixed in my determination, he became alarmed, threw himself at my
+knees, and promised to do all I would have him. We then agreed to tell
+Louis XV some tale of madame de Rumas that should effectually deter him
+from thinking further of her.
+
+In pursuance with this resolution, Chamilly informed the king, that he
+had just been informed that madame de Rumas had a lover, who boasted
+of being able to turn his majesty which way he pleased, through the
+intervention of his mistress. Louis XV wrote off instantly to M. de
+Sartines, to have a watchful eye over the proceedings of the Rumas
+family. The lieutenant of police, who had some regard for me, and
+a still greater portion of fear, was faithful to my interests, and
+rendered to Louis XV the most horrible particulars of the profligate
+mode of life pursued by madame de Rumas; assuring him, that from
+every consideration of personal safety, his majesty should shun the
+acquaintance. The king, incensed at the trick put upon him by these
+seemingly virtuous people, was at first for confining both husband
+and wife in prison, but this measure I opposed with all my power; for,
+satisfied with the victory I had gained, I cared for no further hurt
+to my adversaries. I contrived, to insinuate to the worthy pair the
+propriety of their avoiding the impending storm by a timely retreat into
+the country, a hint they were wise enough to follow up, so that I was
+entirely freed from all further dread of their machinations.
+
+All those who had served me in this affair I liberally rewarded; Marin
+received for his share 500 louis. It is true he lost the confidence of
+Chamilly, but he gained mine instead, so that it will easily be believed
+he was no sufferer by the exchange. I caused the marechale to receive
+from the king a superb Turkey carpet, to which I added a complete
+service of Sevres porcelain, with a beautiful breakfast set, on which
+were landscapes most delicately and skilfully drawn in blue and gold: I
+gave her also two large blue porcelain cots, as finely executed as those
+you have so frequently admired in my small saloon. These trifles cost
+me no less a sum than 2800 livres. I did not forget my good friend M.
+de Sartines, who received a cane, headed with gold, around which was a
+small band of diamonds. As for Chamilly, I granted him his pardon; and I
+think you will admit that was being sufficiently generous.
+
+After having thus recompensed the zeal of my friends, I had leisure to
+think of taking vengeance upon the duc de Richelieu for the part he had
+acted. He came of his own accord to throw himself into the very heat of
+my anger. He had been calling on the marechale de Mirepoix, where he had
+seen with envious eyes the magnificent carpet I had presented her with;
+the cupidity of the duke induced him, after continually recurring to
+the subject, to say, that where my friends were concerned, no one could
+accuse me of want of liberality. "No, sir," answered I, "I consider that
+no price can sufficiently repay the kind and faithful services of a
+true friend, nor can baseness and treachery be too generally exposed
+and punished." From the tone in which I spoke the old marechal easily
+perceived to what I was alluding. He was wise enough to be silent,
+whilst I followed up this first burst of my indignation, by adding,
+
+"For instance, monsieur le duc, how can I sufficiently repay your
+friendly zeal to supply the king with a new mistress?"
+
+"I, madam?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you; I am aware of all your kind offices, and only lament my
+inability to reward them in a suitable manner."
+
+"In that case I shall not attempt to deny my share in the business."
+
+"You have then sufficient honor to avow your enmity towards me?"
+
+"By no means enmity, madam. I merely admit my desire to contribute to
+the amusement of the king, and surely, when I see all around anxious
+to promote the gratification of their sovereign, I need not be withheld
+from following so loyal an example. The duc de Duras was willing to
+present his own relation for his majesty's acceptance, the abbe Terray
+offers his own daughter, Comte Jean his sister-in-law, whilst I simply
+threw a humble and modest female in his majesty's path. I cannot see in
+what my fault exceeds that of the gentlemen I have just mentioned."
+
+"You really are the most audacious of men," replied I, laughing; "I
+shall be obliged to solicit a _lettre de cachet_ to hold you a prisoner
+in Guienne. Upon my word, your nephew and myself have a valuable and
+trustworthy friend in you."
+
+"Hark ye, madam," rejoined the marechal. "I know not, in the first
+place, whether his majesty would very easily grant you this _lettre
+de cachet_, which most certainly I do not deserve. You have served my
+nephew and neglected me; I wished to try the strength of my poor wings,
+and I find, like many others, that I must not hope to soar to any
+height."
+
+While we were thus talking the marechale de Mirepoix was announced. I
+was still much agitated, and she immediately turned towards the duke,
+as if to inquire of him the cause of my distress: upon which, M. de
+Richelieu related all that had passed with a cool exactitude that
+enraged me still further. When he had finished, I said,
+
+"Well, madame la marechale, and what is your opinion of all this?"
+
+"Upon my word, my dear countess," answered madame de Mirepoix, "you have
+ample cause for complaint, but still this poor duke is not so culpable
+as you imagine him to be. He has large expenses to provide for: and
+to obtain the money requisite for them he is compelled to look to
+his majesty, whose favor he desires to win by administering to his
+pleasures."
+
+"Alas!" replied the duke, "can you believe that but for the pressure of
+unavoidable circumstances I would have separated myself from my nephew
+and my fair friend there?"
+
+"Come, come," cried the marechale, "I must restore peace and harmony
+between you. As for you, my lord duke, be a true and loyal subject; and
+you, my sweet countess, use your best endeavors to prevail on the king
+to befriend and assist his faithful servant."
+
+I allowed myself to be managed like a child; and instead of scratching
+the face of M. de Richelieu, I obtained for him a grant of 100,000
+livres, which the court banker duly counted out to him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+
+     A prefatory remark--Madame Brillant--The marechale de
+     Luxembourg's cat--Despair of the marechale--The ambassador,
+     Beaumarchais, and the duc de Chaulnes--the comte d'Aranda--
+     Louis XV and his relics--The abbe de Beauvais--His sermons--
+     He is appointed bishop
+
+When I related to comte Jean my reconciliation with the duc de
+Richelieu, and the sum which this treaty had cost me, my brother-in-law
+flew into the most violent fury; he styled the marechal a plunderer of
+the public treasury. Well may the scripture tell us we see the mote in
+our neighbor's eye, but regard not the beam which is in our own eye. I
+was compelled to impose silence on comte Jean, or in the height of his
+rage he would have offered some insult to the old marechal, who already
+most heartily disliked him for the familiarity of his tone and manner
+towards him. I did all in my power to keep these two enemies from coming
+in each other's way, counselled to that by the marechale de Mirepoix,
+whose line of politics was of the most pacific nature; besides I had no
+inclination for a war carried on in my immediate vicinity, and, for my
+own part, so far from wishing to harm any one, I quickly forgave every
+affront offered to myself.
+
+But hold! I perceive I am running on quite smoothly in my own praise.
+Indeed, my friend, it is well I have taken that office upon myself, for
+I fear no one else would undertake it. The most atrocious calumnies have
+been invented against me; I have been vilified both in prose and verse;
+ number of persons on whom I have conferred the greatest obligations,
+none has been found with sufficient courage or gratitude to stand
+forward and undertake my defence. I do not even except madame de
+Mirepoix, whose conduct towards me in former days was marked by the most
+studied attention. She came to me one evening, with a face of grief.
+
+"Mercy upon me," cried I, "what ails you?"
+
+"Alas!" replied she, in a piteous tone, "I have just quitted a most
+afflicted family; their loss is heavy and irreparable. The marechale de
+Luxembourg is well nigh distracted with grief."
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed I, "can the duchesse de Lauzun be dead?"
+
+"Alas! no."
+
+"Perhaps poor madame de Boufflers?"
+
+"No, my friend."
+
+"Who then is the object of so much regret? Speak; tell me."
+
+"Madame Brillant."
+
+"A friend of the old marechale 's?"
+
+"More than a friend," replied madame de Mirepoix; "her faithful
+companion; her only companion; her only beloved object, since her lovers
+and admirers ceased to offer their homage--in a word, her cat."
+
+"Bless me!" cried I, "how you frightened me! But what sort of a cat
+could this have been to cause so many tears?"
+
+"Is it possible that you do not know madame Brillant, at least by name?"
+
+"I assure you," said I, "this is the very first time I ever heard her
+name."
+
+"Well, if it be so, I will be careful not to repeat such a thing to
+madame de Luxembourg; she would never pardon you for it. Listen, my
+dear countess," continued madame de Mirepoix; "under the present
+circumstances it will be sufficient for you to write your name in her
+visiting-book."
+
+I burst into a fit of laughter.
+
+"It is no joke, I promise you," exclaimed the marechale; "the death of
+madame Brillant is a positive calamity to madame de Luxembourg. Letters
+of condolence will arrive from Chanteloup; madame du Deffant will be in
+deep affliction, and the virtues and amiable qualities of the deceased
+cat will long furnish subjects of conversation."
+
+"It was then a singularly engaging animal, I presume?"
+
+"On the contrary, one of the most stupid, disagreeable, and dirty
+creatures of its kind; but still it was the cat of madame de
+Luxembourg."
+
+And after this funeral oration the marechale and myself burst into a
+violent fit of laughter.
+
+When the king joined us, I acquainted him with this death, and my
+conversation with the marechale. Louis XV listened to my recital with an
+air of gravity; when I had finished, he said, "The present opportunity
+is admirably adopted for satisfying the request of one of my retinue,
+one of the best-hearted creatures, and at the same time one of the
+silliest men in the kingdom."
+
+"I beg your pardon, sire," cried I, "but what is his name? For the
+description is so general, that I fear lest I should be at a loss to
+recollect of whom you are speaking."
+
+"You are very ill-natured," cried Louis XV, "and I hardly know whether
+you deserve to be gratified by hearing the name of the poor gentleman:
+however, I will tell it to you; he is called Corbin de la Chevrollerie.
+A few days since this simple young man, having solicited an audience,
+informed me, that he was desirous of marrying a rich heiress, but that
+the young lady's family were resolved she should marry no one who was
+not previously employed as an ambassador. I expressed my surprise at
+so strange a caprice, but the poor fellow endeavored to vindicate his
+bride's relations, by stating that that they were willing to consider
+him as my ambassador if I would only commission him to carry some
+message of compliment or condolence. Accordingly I promised to employ
+him upon the occasion of the first death or marriage which should take
+place in a ducal family. Now, I think I cannot do better than make him
+the bearer of my inquiries after the marechale de Luxembourg."
+
+This idea struck me as highly amusing, and I immediately dispatched a
+servant to summon M. de la Chevrollerie to the presence of the king.
+This being done, that gentleman presented himself with all the dignity
+and importance of one who felt that a mission of high moment was about
+to be entrusted to him.
+
+His majesty charged him to depart immediately to the house of madame de
+Luxembourg, and to convey his royal master's sincere condolences for the
+heavy loss she had sustained in madame Brillant.
+
+M. Corbin de la Chevrollerie departed with much pride and
+self-complacency upon his embassy: he returned in about half an hour.
+
+"Sire," cried he, "I have fulfilled your royal pleasure to madame de
+Luxembourg. She desires me to thank you most humbly for your gracious
+condescension: she is in violent distress for the severe loss she has
+experienced, and begged my excuse for quitting me suddenly, as she had
+to superintend the stuffing of the deceased."
+
+"The stuffing!" exclaimed the king; "surely you mean the embalming?"
+
+"No, sire," replied the ambassador, gravely, "the stuffing."
+
+"Monsieur de la Chevrollerie," cried I, bursting into a violent fit
+of laughter, "do you know in what degree of relationship the deceased
+madame Brillant stood to madame de Luxembourg?"
+
+"No, madam," replied the ambassador, gravely, "but I believe she was
+her aunt, for I heard one of the females in waiting say, that this poor
+madame Brillant was very old, and that she had lived with her mistress
+during the last fourteen years."
+
+Thus finished this little jest. However, Louis XV, who was extremely
+kind to all about him, especially those in his service, shortly after
+recompensed his simple-minded ambassador, by intrusting him with a
+commission at once profitable and honorable.
+
+Another event which took place at this period, caused no less noise than
+the death of madame Brillant. At this time, mademoiselle Mesnard was,
+for her many charms of mind and person, the general rage throughout
+Paris. Courtiers, lawyers, bankers, and citizens crowded alike to offer
+their homage. Frail as fair, mademoiselle Mesnard received all kindly,
+and took with gracious smiles the rich gifts showered upon her by
+her various adorers. The first noblemen of the court, knights of the
+different orders, farmers-general, all aspired to the honor of ruining
+themselves for her. She had already satisfied the ruinous propensities
+of at least a dozen of lovers, when the duc de Chaulnes entered the
+lists, and was fortunate enough to eclipse all his rivals. He might
+long have enjoyed the preference thus obtained, but for an act of
+the greatest imprudence of which a lover could be guilty. He was so
+indiscreet as to invite several of his most intimate friends to sup
+with himself and Mademoiselle Mesnard. Amongst the number was Caron de
+Beaumarchais, a man possessed of the grace of a prince and the generous
+profusion of a highwayman. Caron de Beaumarchais attracted the fancy
+of the fickle mademoiselle Mesnard, a mutual understanding was soon
+established between them, and in a snug little cottage surrounded by
+beautiful grounds in the environs of Pere la Chaise, the enamored lovers
+frequently met to exchange their soft vows.
+
+Happily the deity who presided over the honor of the duke was carefully
+watching their proceedings. This guardian angel was no other than madame
+Duverger, his former mistress, who, unable to bear the desertion of her
+noble admirer, had vowed, in the first burst of rage and disappointment,
+to have revenge sooner or later upon her triumphant rival. With this
+view she spied out all the proceedings of mademoiselle Mesnard, whose
+stolen interviews and infidelity she was not long in detecting; she even
+contrived to win over a _femme de chambre_, by whose connivance she was
+enabled to obtain possession of several letters containing irrefragable
+proofs of guilt, and these she immediately forwarded to the duc de
+Chaulnes.
+
+This proud and haughty nobleman might have pardoned his mistress had she
+quitted him for a peer of the realm and his equal, but to be supplanted
+by a mere man of business, an author, too!--the disgrace was too
+horrible for endurance. The enraged lover flew to Beaumarchais, and
+reproached him bitterly with his treachery; the latter sought to deny
+the charge, but the duke, losing all self-possession, threw the letters
+in his face, calling him a base liar. At this insult, Beaumarchais,
+who, whatever his enemies may say of him, was certainly not deficient
+in courage, demanded instant satisfaction. The duke, by way of answer,
+seized the man of letters by the collar, Beaumarchais called his
+servants, who, in their turn, summoned the guard, which speedily arrived
+accompanied by the commissary, and with much difficulty they succeeded
+in removing M. de Chaulnes (who appeared to have entirely lost his
+reason) from the room.
+
+The conduct of the duke appeared to us completely out of place, and he
+would certainly have answered for it within the walls of the Bastille,
+had not his family made great intercession for him. On the other hand,
+Beaumarchais, who eagerly availed himself of every opportunity of
+writing memorials, composed one on the subject of his quarrel with M. de
+Chaulnes, complaining that a great nobleman had dared to force himself
+into his house, and lay forcible hands on him, as though he were a thief
+or a felon. The whole of the pamphlet which related to this affair
+was admirably written, and, like the "Barber of Seville," marked by a
+strongly sarcastic vein. However, the thing failed, and the duc de la
+Vrilliere, the sworn enemy of men of wit and talent, caused Beaumarchais
+to be immediately confined within Fort l'Eveque. So that the offended
+party was made to suffer the penalty of the offence.
+
+In the same year the comte de Fuentes, ambassador from Spain to the
+court of Louis XV, took leave of us. He was replaced by the comte
+d'Aranda, who was in a manner in disgrace with his royal master: this
+nobleman arrived preceded by a highly flattering reputation. In the
+first place, he had just completed the destruction of the Jesuits,
+and this was entitling him to no small thanks and praises from
+encyclopedists. Every one knows those two lines of Voltaire's--
+
+     "Aranda dans l'Espagne instruisant les fideles,
+     A l'inquisition vient de rogner les ailes." *
+
+     * "Aranda in Spain instructing the faithful
+     at the Inquisition has just clipped wings."
+     --Gutenberg ed.
+
+The simplicity of comte d'Aranda indemnified us in some degree for the
+haughty superciliousness of his predecessor. Although no longer young,
+he still preserved all the tone and vigor of his mind, and only the
+habit which appeared to have been born with him of reflecting, gave
+him a slow and measured tone in speaking. His reserved and embarrassed
+manners were but ill-calculated to show the man as he really was, and
+it required all the advantages of intimacy to see him in his true value.
+You may attach so much more credit to what I say of this individual, as
+I can only add, that he was by no means one of my best friends.
+
+When Louis XV heard of the nomination of the comte d'Aranda to the
+embassy from Spain to France, he observed to me,
+
+"The king of Spain gets rid of his Choiseul by sending him to me."
+
+"Then why not follow so excellent an example, sire?" replied I; "and
+since your Choiseul is weary of Chanteloup, why not command him upon
+some political errand to the court of Madrid."
+
+"Heaven preserve me from such a thing," exclaimed Louis XV. "Such a
+man as he is ought never to quit the kingdom, and I have been guilty
+of considerable oversight to leave him the liberty of so doing. But to
+return to comte d'Aranda; he has some merit I understand; still I like
+not that class of persons around me; they are inexorable censors, who
+condemn alike every action of my life."
+
+However, not the king's greatest enemy could have found fault with
+his manner of passing his leisure hours. A great part of each day was
+occupied in a mysterious manufacture of cases for relics, and one of his
+_valets de chambre_, named Turpigny, was intrusted with the commission
+of purchasing old shrines and reliquaries; he caused the sacred bones,
+or whatever else they contain, to be taken out by Grandelatz, one of his
+almoners, re-adjusted, and then returned to new cases. These reliquaries
+were distributed by him to his daughters, or any ladies of the court
+of great acknowledged piety. When I heard of this I mentioned it to the
+king, who wished at first to conceal the fact; but, as he was no adept
+at falsehood or disguise, he was compelled to admit the fact.
+
+"I trust, sire," said I, "that you will bestow one of your prettiest and
+best-arranged reliquaries on me."
+
+ "No, no," returned he, hastily, "that cannot be."
+
+ "And why not?"  asked I.
+
+"Because," answered he, "it would be sinful of me. Ask anything else in
+my power to bestow, and it shall be yours."
+
+This was no hypocrisy on the part of Louis XV, who, spite of his
+somewhat irregular mode of life, professed to hold religion in the
+highest honor and esteem; to all that it proscribed he paid the
+submission of a child. We had ample proofs of this in the sermons
+preached at Versailles by the abbe de Beauvais, afterwards bishop of
+Senetz.
+
+This ecclesiastic, filled with an inconsiderate zeal, feared not openly
+to attack the king in his public discourses; he even went so far as to
+interfere with many things of which he was not a competent judge, and
+which by no means belonged to his jurisdiction: in fact, there were
+ample grounds for sending the abbe to the Bastille. The court openly
+expressed its dissatisfaction at this audacity, and for my own part I
+could not avoid evincing the lively chagrin it caused me. Yet, would you
+believe it, Louis XV declared, in a tone from which there was no appeal
+ abbe had merely done his duty, and that those who had been less
+scrupulous in the performance of theirs, would do well to be silent on
+the subject. This was not all; the cardinal de la Roche Aymon, his grand
+almoner, refused to sanction the nomination of M. de Beauvais to the
+bishopric, under the pretext of his not being nobly descended.
+
+M. de Beyons, bishop of Carcassone, a prelate of irreproachable
+character, was deeply distressed to find that the want of birth would
+exclude M. de Beauvais from the dignities of his holy profession. He
+went to discuss the matter with the grand almoner, who again advanced
+his favorite plea for excluding M. de Beauvais. "My lord," replied M. de
+Beyons, "if I believed that nobility of descent were the chief requisite
+for our advancement in our blessed calling, I would trample my crosier
+under foot, and renounce for ever all church dignities."
+
+M. de Beyons sought the king, and loudly complained to him of the
+infatuation and obstinacy of M. de la Roche Aymon. Louis XV however
+commanded that M. de Beauvais should be appointed to the first
+vacant see, and when the grand almoner repeated his objections to the
+preferment, the king answered, "Monsieur le cardinal, in the days of our
+blessed Saviour the apostles had no need to present their genealogical
+tree, duly witnessed and attested. It is my pleasure to make M. de
+Beauvais a bishop; let that end the discussion of the matter."
+
+The command was too peremptory to admit of any course but instant and
+entire submission.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+
+     M. D----n and madame de Blessac--Anecdote--The rendezvous
+     and the Ball--The wife of Gaubert--They wish to give her to
+     the king--Intrigues--Their results--Letter from the duc de
+     la Vrilliere to the countess--Reply--Reconciliation
+
+Amongst the pages of the chapel was one whom the king distinguished
+so greatly, that he raised him to the rank of a gentleman of the
+bedchamber, and confided to his charge the cabinet of medals, for which
+he had imbibed a taste since his liaison with madame de Pompadour. This
+esteemed page was named M. D-----n, who united to the most amiable wit a
+varied and deep knowledge of men and things. He had had adventures at an
+age when they are usually just understood, and talked of them with the
+utmost indiscretion. But this so far from doing him any injury in the
+eyes of the world only served to make him the more admired; for women
+in general have an inclination for those who do not respect their
+reputation.
+
+At the period I allude to a madame de Blessac, a very well-looking
+woman, took upon herself to be very kindly disposed towards the
+gentleman-in-waiting. She told him so, and thereupon M. de D------n
+ranged himself under her banner, and swore eternal constancy. However,
+the lady, by some accident, became greatly smitten with the prince de la
+Trimouille, and without quitting the little keeper of medals, gave him
+a lord for a substitute. M. D------n soon learnt this fact, that he was
+not the sole possessor of a heart which formed all his joy and glory. He
+found he was deceived, and he swore to be revenged.
+
+Now the prince de la Trimouille had for his mistress mademoiselle
+Lubert, an opera-dancer, very pretty and extraordinarily silly. M.
+D------n went to her; "Mademoiselle," said he, "I come to offer my
+services to you in the same way that M. de la Trimouille has offered his
+to madame de Blessac, with whom I was on exceedingly intimate terms."
+
+The services of young D------n were accepted, and he was happy. He then
+wrote to his former mistress, saying, that anxious to give her a proof
+of his sincere attachment he had visited mademoiselle Lubert, that he
+might leave her at leisure to receive the visits of the prince de la
+Trimouille.
+
+Madame de Blessac, stung to the quick, quarrelled with the prince, who
+was excessively enraged with his rival; and there certainly would have
+been an affair between these two gentlemen, had not the king preserved
+the peace by sending his gentleman to St. Petersburg as _attache_ to the
+embassy. M. D------n went to Russia, therefore, and on his return came
+to see me, and is now one of the most welcome and agreeable of the men
+of my private circle.
+
+As to madame de Blessac, she continued to carry on the war in grand
+style. Her husband dying she married again a foolish count, three parts
+ruined, and who speedily dissipated the other quarter of his own fortune
+and the whole of his wife's. Madame Ramosky then attacked the rich men
+of the day one after another. One alone stood out against her; it was
+M. de la Garde, who had been one of my admirers. Madame Ramoski wrote
+to him; he did not answer. At length she determined on visiting him, and
+wrote him a note, to say that she should call upon him about six o'clock
+in the evening. What did M. de la Garde? Why he gave a ball on that
+very evening; and, when madame Ramoski reached his hotel, she found
+it illuminated. As she had come quite unprepared she was compelled to
+return as she came, very discontentedly.
+
+But to leave madame de Blessac and M. D------n, and to talk of my own
+matters. We had at this period a very great alarm at the chateau, caused
+by the crime of a man, who preferred rather to assassinate his wife than
+to allow her to dishonor him. It is worthy of narration.
+
+A pretty shopkeeper of Paris, named Gaubert, who lived in the rue de
+la Montagne Sainte-Genevieve, had recently married a woman much younger
+than himself. From the Petit Pont to the rue Mouffetard, madame Gaubert
+was talked of for her lovely face and beautiful figure; she was the
+Venus of the quarter. Everybody paid court to her, but she listened to
+none of her own rank, for her vanity suggested that she deserved suitors
+of a loftier rank.
+
+Her husband was very jealous. Unfortunately M. Gaubert had for cousin
+one of the valets of the king: this man, who knew the taste of his
+master, thought how he could best turn his pretty cousin to account.
+He spoke to her of the generosity of Louis XV, of the grandeur of
+Versailles, and of the part which her beauty entitled her to play there.
+In fact, he so managed to turn the head of this young woman, that she
+begged him to obtain for her a place in the king's favor. Consequently
+Girard (that was his name) went to madame de Laugeac, and told her the
+affair as it was. She pleased with an opportunity of injuring me, went
+to Paris, and betook herself _incog._ to the shop of madame Gaubert. She
+found her charming, and spoke of her to the duc de la Vrilliere, and
+both agreed to show her portrait to his majesty. But how to procure this
+portrait? Her husband was her very shadow, and never left her. _Le petit
+saint_, who was never at a loss, issued a _lettre de cachet_ against
+him, and the unfortunate man was shut up in Fort l'Eveque. It was not
+until the portrait was finished that he was set at liberty.
+
+He returned to his home without guessing at the motives of his
+detention, but he learned that his wife had had her portrait painted
+during his absence, and his jealousy was set to work. Soon a letter from
+Girard, a fatal letter, which fell into his hands, convinced him of the
+injury done him. He took his wife apart, and, feigning a resignation
+which he did not feel, "My love," he said, "I loved thee, I love thee
+still: I thought, too, that thou wert content with our competence, and
+wouldst not have quitted thine husband for any other in the world: I
+have been convinced otherwise. A letter from Girard informs me, that
+with thine own consent the king, whom thy portrait has pleased, desires
+to see thee this very day. It is a misfortune, but we must submit. Only
+before thou art established at Versailles, I should wish thee to dine
+with me once more. You can invite cousin Girard, too, for I owe him
+something for what he has done for thee."
+
+The young wife promised to return and see her husband. That evening at
+the performance at the court she was seated in the same box with the
+marquise de Laugeac; the king's glass was directed towards her the whole
+time, and at the termination of the spectacle it was announced to her,
+that she was to sleep at the chateau the next evening. The project was
+never realized.
+
+The next day, according to promise, the young wife went to Paris with
+the valet. She informed her husband of the success which had befallen
+her, and he appeared delighted. Dinner being ready, they seated
+themselves at table, ate and drank. Girard began to laugh at his cousin
+for his complaisance, when suddenly all desire to jest left him. He
+experienced most horrible pains, and his cousin suffered as well as
+himself. "Wretches!" said Gaubert to them, "did you think I would
+brook dishonor? No, no! I have deceived you both the better to wreak my
+vengeance. I am now happy. Neither king nor valet shall ever possess my
+wife. I have poisoned you, and you must die." The two victims implored
+his pity. "Yes," said he to his wife, "thy sufferings pain me, and I
+will free you from them." e then plunged a knife to her heart; and,
+turning to Girard, said, "As for thee, I hate thee too much to kill
+thee; die." And he left him.
+
+The next day M. de Sartines came and told me the whole story. He had
+learnt them from the valet, who had survived his poisoning for some
+hours. Gaubert could not be found, and it was feared that he would
+attempt some desperate deed. No one dared mention it to the king, but
+the captain of the guards and the first gentleman in waiting took every
+possible precaution; and when Louis XV asked for the young female who
+was to be brought to him, they told him that she had died of a violent
+distemper. It was not until some days afterwards that the terror which
+pervaded the chateau ceased. They had found the body of the unfortunate
+Gaubert on the banks of the Seine.
+
+In spite of what had passed, the duc de la Vrilliere had the impudence
+to present himself to me. I treated him with disdain, reproaching him
+and Laugeac for their conduct. He left me in despair, and wrote me the
+following letter:--
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE,-Your anger kills me. I am guilty, but not so much
+so as you may imagine. The duty of my office compels me to do many
+things which are disagreeable to me. In the affair for which you have
+so slightingly treated me there was no intent to injure you, but only
+to procure for the king an amusement which should make him the more
+estimate your charms and your society. Forgive a fault in which my heart
+bore no share; I am sufficiently miserable, and shall not know repose
+until I be reinstated in your good graces.
+
+"As for the poor marchioness she is no more to blame than myself. She
+feels for you as much esteem as attachment, and is anxious to prove it
+at any opportunity. I beseech you not to treat her rigorously. Think
+that we only work together for the good of the king, and that it would
+be unjust of you to hate us because we have endeavored to please this
+excellent prince. I hope that, contented with this justification, you
+will not refuse to grant me the double amnesty which I ask of your
+goodness."
+
+I replied thus:--
+
+"Your letter, monsieur le duc, seduces me no more than your words. I
+know you well, and appreciate you fully. I was ignorant up to this time,
+that amongst the duties of your office, certain such functions were
+imposed upon you. It appears that you attend to them as well as to
+others, and I sincerely compliment you thereupon; I beg of you to
+announce it in the 'Court Kalendar.' It will add, I am convinced, to the
+universal esteem in which you are held.
+
+"As to madame de Laugeac, she is even more insignificant than you, and
+that is not saying much. I thank her for her esteem and attachment, but
+can dispense with any marks of them; no good can come from such an
+one as she. Thus, M. le duc, keep quiet both of you, and do not again
+attempt measures which may compromise me. Do your business and leave me
+to mine.
+
+"I am, with all due consideration,
+
+"Your servant,
+
+"COMTESSE DU BARRY"
+
+I mentioned this to the king, who insisted on reconciling me with _le
+petit saint_, who came and knelt to me. I granted the pardon sought, out
+of regard for Louis XV; but from that moment the contempt I felt for the
+duke increased an hundredfold.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+
+     Conversation with the king--Marriage of the comte d'Artois--
+     Intrigues--The place of lady of honor--The marechale de
+     Mirepoix--The comtesse de Forcalquier and madame du Barry--
+     The comtesse de Forcalquier and madame Boncault
+
+The king was much annoyed at the indifference I evinced for all state
+secrets, and frequently observed to me, "You are not at all like madame
+de Pompadour: she was never satisfied unless she knew all that was going
+on, and was permitted to take an active part in every transaction; she
+would frequently scold me for not telling her things of which I was
+myself ignorant. She was at the bottom of the most secret intrigues, and
+watched every turn of my countenance, as though she sought to read in
+my eyes the inmost thoughts of my mind. Never," continued the king, "did
+woman more earnestly desire supreme command; and so completely had she
+learned to play my part, that I have frequently surprised her giving
+private instructions to my ambassadors, differing altogether from what
+I myself had dictated to them. Upon the same principle she maintained at
+various courts envoys and ministers, who acted by her orders, and in her
+name; she even succeeded in obtaining the friendship of the grave and
+austere Marie Therese, who ultimately carried her condescension so far,
+as only to address the marchioness by the title of 'cousin' and 'dear
+friend.' I must confess, however, that these proceedings on the part of
+madame de Pompadour were by no means agreeable to me, and I even prefer
+your ignorance of politics to her incessant interference with them."
+
+This was said by Louis XV upon the occasion of the approaching marriage
+of the comte d'Artois, the object of universal cabal and court intrigue
+to all but myself, who preserved perfect tranquillity amidst the general
+excitement that prevailed.
+
+Various reasons made the marriage of this prince a matter of imperative
+necessity. In the first place, the open gallantry of the young count
+had attracted a crowd of disreputable personages of both sexes to
+Versailles, and many scandalous adventures occurred within the chateau
+itself; secondly, a motive still more important in the eyes of Louis XV,
+originated in the circumstance of neither the marriage of the dauphin
+nor that of the comte de Provence having been blest with any offspring.
+The king began to despair of seeing any descendants in a direct line,
+unless indeed heaven should smile upon the wedded life of the comte
+d'Artois. Louis XV disliked the princes of the blood, and the bare idea
+that the duc d'Orleans might one day wield his sceptre would have been
+worse than death.
+
+Many alliances were proposed for the prince. Marie Josephe, infanta of
+Spain, was then in her twentieth year, and consequently too old. The
+princess Marie-Francoise-Benedictine-Anne-Elizabeth-Josephe-Antonine
+Laurence-Ignace-Therese-Gertrude-Marguerite-Rose, etc., etc., of
+Portugal, although younger than the first-mentioned lady, was yet
+considered as past the age that would have rendered her a suitable match
+for so young a bridegroom. The daughter of any of the electoral houses
+of Germany was not considered an eligible match, and the pride of the
+house of Bourbon could not stoop to so ignoble an alliance. There was no
+alternative left therefore, but to return to the house of Savoy, and
+take a sister of the comtesse de Provence. This proposal was well
+received by the royal family, with the exception of the dauphiness, who
+dreaded the united power and influence of the two sisters, if
+circumstances should ever direct it against herself or her wishes; and I
+heard from good authority, that both the imperial Marie Therese and her
+daughter made many remonstrances to the king upon the subject. "The
+empress," said Louis XV, one day, "believes that things are still
+managed here as in the days of the marquise de Pompadour and the duc de
+Choiseul. Thank heaven, I am no longer under the dominion of my friend
+and her pensionaries. I shall follow my own inclinations, and consult,
+in the marriage of my grandson, the interests of France rather than
+those of Austria."
+
+The little attention paid by Louis XV to the representations of Marie
+Therese furnished my enemies with a fresh pretext for venting their
+spleen. They accused me of having been bribed by the court of Turin,
+which ardently desired a second alliance with France. I was most
+unjustly accused, for I can with truth affirm, that the comte de la
+Marmora, ambassador from Piedmont to Paris, neither by word nor deed
+made any attempt to interest me in his success. The king was the first
+person who informed me of the contemplated marriage, and my only fault
+(if it could be called one) was having approved of the match.
+
+More than one intrigue was set on foot within the chateau to separate
+the princes. Many were the attempts to sow the seeds of dissension
+between the dauphin and the comte d'Artois, as well as to embroil the
+dauphin with _monsieur_. The first attempt proved abortive, but the
+faction against _monsieur_ succeeded so far as to excite a lasting
+jealousy and mistrust in the mind of Marie Antoinette. This princess
+was far from contemplating the marriage of the comte d'Artois with any
+feelings of pleasure, and when her new sister-in-law became a mother,
+she bewailed her own misfortune in being without children with all the
+feelings of a young and affectionate heart.  Heaven did not, however,
+always deny her the boon she so ardently desired.
+
+You will, readily believe that the same anxiety prevailed upon the
+occasion of this approaching marriage as had existed at the unions of
+the dauphin and the comte de Provence, to obtain the various posts
+and places the ambition of different persons led them to desire in the
+establishment of the newly married pair. Wishing on my own part to
+offer the marechale de Mirepoix a proof of my high estimation of her
+friendship towards me, I inquired of her whether a superior employment
+about the person of the comtesse d'Artois would be agreeable to her?
+
+"Alas! my dear creature," replied the good-natured marechale, "I am too
+old now to bear the toil and confinement of any service. The post of
+lady of honor would suit me excellently well as far as regards the
+income attached to it, but by no means agree with my inclinations as far
+as discharging its functions goes. You see I am perfectly candid
+with you. Listen to me; if you really wish to oblige me, you can do
+this--give the title to another, and bestow the pecuniary part of the
+engagement on me. In that manner you will be able to gratify two persons
+at the same time."
+
+"I will endeavor," said I, "to meet your wishes as far as I possibly
+can, and you may be assured that you shall derive some advantage from
+this marriage."
+
+And I kept my word by shortly after obtaining for the marechale a sum
+of 50,000 livres; a most needful supply, for the poor marechale had to
+re-furnish her house, her present fittings-up being no longer endurable
+by the eye of modish taste: she likewise received an augmentation of
+20,000 livres to her pension. This proceeding was highly acceptable to
+her, and the king afforded his assistance with the best possible grace.
+He could be generous, and do things with a good grace when he pleased.
+
+The refusal of the marechale, which it was agreed we should keep secret,
+obliged me to cast my eyes upon a worthy substitute, and I at length
+decided upon selecting the comtesse de Forcalquier, a lady who
+possessed every charm which can charm and attract, joined to a faultless
+reputation; and, setting aside her strict intimacy with myself, the
+court (envious as it is) could find no fault with her. I was convinced
+she would not be long in acquiring an ascendency over the mind of
+the princess and I was equally well assured she would never turn this
+influence against myself; this was a point of no small importance to me.
+
+Madame de Forcalquier most ardently desired the place of lady of honor,
+without flattering herself with any hopes of obtaining it; and, not
+liking to ask me openly for it, she applied to the duc de Cosse. I felt
+some regret that she had gone to work in so circuitous a manner, and in
+consequence wrote her the following note:--
+
+"MADAM,--I am aware that you are desirous of obtaining the post of lady
+of honor. You should not have forgotten that I am sufficiently your
+friend to have forwarded your wishes by every possible exertion. Why did
+you apply to a third person in preference to seeking my aid? I really am
+more than half angry with you for so doing. Believe me, my friends need
+not the intervention of any mediator to secure my best services. You,
+too, will regret not having made your first application to me, when I
+tell you that I was reserving for you the very place you were seeking by
+so circuitous a route. Yes, before you had asked it, the post of lady of
+honor was yours. I might have sought in vain for a person more eminently
+qualified for the office than yourself, or one in whom I could place
+more unlimited confidence. Come, my friend, I pray of you, not to thank
+me, who have found sufficient reward in the pleasure of obliging you,
+but to acknowledge the extreme kindness and alacrity with which his
+majesty has forwarded your wishes.
+
+"Believe me, dear madam,
+
+"Yours, very sincerely,
+
+"THE COMTESSE Du Barry."
+
+Madame de Forcalquier was not long in obeying the summons contained
+in my note; she embraced me with the warmest gratitude and friendship,
+delighted at finding herself so eligibly established at court, for at
+that period every person regarded the comte d'Artois as the only hope of
+the monarchy; and blinded by the universal preference bestowed on him,
+the young prince flattered himself that the crown would infallibly
+ornament his brows. I have been told, that when first the queen's
+pregnancy was perceived, a general lamentation was heard throughout the
+castle, and all ranks united in deploring an event which removed the
+comte d'Artois from the immediate succession to the throne.
+
+Up to the present moment I knew Madame de Forcalquier only as one whose
+many charms, both of mind and person, joined to great conversational
+powers and the liveliest wit, had rendered her the idol of society, and
+obtained for her the appellation of _Bellissima_. I knew not that this
+woman, so light and trifling in appearance, was capable of one of those
+lively and sincere attachments, which neither time nor change of
+fortune could destroy or diminish. She had a particular friend, a madame
+Boncault, the widow of a stockbroker, and she was anxious to contribute
+to her well-doing. With this view she solicited of me the place of lady
+in waiting for this much-esteemed individual. Astonished at the request
+I put a hasty negative on it.
+
+"If you refuse me this fresh favor," said madame de Forcalquier, "you
+will prevent me from profiting by your kindness to myself."
+
+"And why so?" inquired I.
+
+"I owe to madame Boncault," answered she, "more than my life; I am
+indebted to her for tranquillity, honor, and the high estimation in
+which the world has been pleased to hold me. I have now an opportunity
+of proving my gratitude, and I beseech of you to assist my endeavors."
+
+"But tell me, first," cried I, "what is the nature of this very
+important service you say madame de Boncault has rendered you; is it a
+secret, or may I hear it?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the countess, "although the recital is calculated
+to bring the blush of shame into my cheek. Are we alone, and secure from
+interruption?"
+
+I rang and gave orders that no person should be suffered to disturb us;
+after which madame de Forcalquier proceeded as follows:--
+
+"I was scarcely seventeen years old, when my parents informed me that
+they had disposed of my hand, and that I must prepare myself to receive
+a husband immediately. My sentiments were not inquired into, nor, to
+confess the truth, was such an investigation usual, or deemed a
+matter of any import. A young female of any rank has no voice in any
+transaction till the day which follows her marriage; until then her
+wishes are those of her family, and her desires bounded by the rules
+of worldly etiquette. I had scarcely conversed twice or thrice with
+my future lord, and then only for a few minutes at a time, before he
+conducted me to the foot of the altar, there to pronounce the solemn vow
+which bound me his for life. I had scarcely seen him, and barely knew
+whether he was agreeable or disagreeable. He was neither young nor old,
+handsome nor ugly, pleasing nor displeasing; just one of those persons
+of whom the world is principally composed; one of those men who enter or
+leave a saloon without the slightest curiosity being excited respecting
+him. I had been told that I ought to love my husband, and accordingly
+I taught myself to do so; but scarcely had the honeymoon waned, than
+my fickle partner transferred his affections from me to one of my
+attendants; and to such a height did his guilty passion carry him, that
+he quitted his home for Italy, carrying with him the unfortunate victim
+of his seductive arts. It was during his absence that I first became
+acquainted with madame Boncault; she was my own age, and equally
+unfortunate in her domestic life; the same tests, griefs, and a great
+similarity of temper and disposition soon united us in the bonds of the
+firmest friendship; but as she possessed a stronger and more reasonable
+mind than I did, she forgot her own sorrows to administer to mine.
+However, if the whole truth must be owned, I ought to confess that my
+chief consolation was derived from a young cousin of my own, who freely
+lavished upon me that unbounded affection I would fain have sought from
+my husband.
+
+"Meanwhile, wearied of his folly, this latter returned; and, after
+having transferred his capricious fancies to at least half a dozen
+mistresses, he finished where he should have begun by attaching himself
+to her, who, as his wife, had every claim to his homage. Men are
+unaccountable creatures, but unfortunately for my husband his senses
+returned too late; my heart was too entirely occupied to restore him to
+that place he had so hastily vacated. My affections were no longer mine
+to bestow, but equally shared by my estimable friend madame Boncault and
+my young and captivating cousin. I was a bad hand at dissimulating,
+and M. de Forcalquier perceived enough of my sentiments to excite
+his jealous suspicions, and immediately removed with me to one of his
+estates.
+
+"However, my cousin (whom my husband was far from suspecting) and madame
+Boncault accompanied me in my retreat; there myself and my admirer, more
+thrown together than we had been at Paris, began insensibly to lay aside
+the restraint we had hitherto imposed on our inclinations, and commenced
+a train of imprudences which would quickly have betrayed us had not
+friendship watched over us. The excellent madame Boncault, in order to
+save my reputation, took so little care to preserve her own, that M. de
+Forcalquier was completely caught by her manoeuvre. One morning, finding
+me alone, he said,
+
+"' Madam, I am by no means satisfied with what is going on here. Your
+friend is wholly devoid of shame and modesty; she has been with us but
+one short fortnight, and is now the open and confessed mistress of your
+cousin.'
+
+"'Sir,' exclaimed I, trembling for what was to follow, 'you are,
+you must be mistaken: the thing is impossible. Madame Boncault is
+incapable--'
+
+"'Nonsense, madam,' replied M. de Forcalquier; 'I know what I am saying.
+Several things have induced me to suspect for a long while what I
+now assert with perfect confidence of its truth; but if you are still
+incredulous, behold this proof of guilt which I found just now in your
+cousin's chamber.'
+
+"So saying, my husband put into my hands a letter written by my cousin
+evidently to some female in the chateau, whom he solicited to admit
+him that evening to the usual place of rendezvous, where he flattered
+himself their late misunderstanding would be cleared up.
+
+"After having read, or, to speak more correctly, guessed at the contents
+of this fatal letter, I conjured my husband to replace it where he had
+found it, lest his guests should suspect him of having dishonorably
+obtained possession of their secret. He quitted me, and I hastened in
+search of my friend: I threw myself on my knees before her, and related
+all that had passed, accusing myself of the basest selfishness in having
+consented to save my honor at the expense of hers; then rising with
+renewed courage I declared my intention of confessing my imprudence to
+my husband. Madame Boncault withheld me. 'Do you doubt my regard for
+you?' asked she; 'if indeed you do justice to my sincere attachment to
+you, permit me to make this one sacrifice for your safety. Leave your
+husband at liberty to entertain his present suspicions respecting me,
+but grant me one favor in your turn. Speak to your cousin; request him
+to quit the chateau, for should he remain the truth will be discovered,
+and then, my friend, you are lost past my endeavors to save you.'
+
+"Less generous than madame Boncault, I consented to follow her advice.
+However, I have never forgotten her generous devotion; and now that the
+opportunity has presented itself of proving my gratitude, I beseech
+of you, my dear countess, to aid me in the discharge of my debt of
+gratitude."
+
+As madame de Forcalquier finished speaking, I threw myself into her
+arms. "From this moment," cried I, "madame Boncault is my dear and
+esteemed _protegee_; and if I have any influence over the mind of the
+king, she shall be appointed lady in waiting to our young princess. Such
+a woman is a treasure, and I heartily thank you for having mentioned her
+to me."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+     Marriage of madame Boncault--The comte de Bourbon Busset--
+     Marriage of comte d'Hargicourt--Disgrace of the comte de
+     Broglie--He is replaced by M. Lemoine--The king complains of
+     ennui--Conversations on the subject--Entry into Paris
+
+Spite of the merit of madame Boncault, and the many eulogiums I bestowed
+on her whilst relating her history to the king, I could not immediately
+obtain the post madame de Forcalquier had requested for this paragon
+of friends. His majesty replied to me by saying, that no doubt so many
+virtues merited a high reward, but that ere madame Boncault could be
+appointed lady in waiting to his granddaughter, she must be presented at
+court under some other name than the one she now bore.
+
+"Oh, if that be all, sire," replied I, "it will soon be effected.
+Ladies who have the good fortune to possess a rich dowry and powerful
+friends need never look far for a choice of husbands. Only let madame
+Boncault have reason to reckon upon your patronage, and she will have no
+lack of admirers."
+
+The king, always ready to oblige me, caused it to be understood
+throughout the chateau that he was desirous of seeing madame Boncault
+well established, as he had it in contemplation to confide to her
+a place of great trust. Immediately a score of suitors presented
+themselves; the preference was given to the comte de Bourbon Busset as
+the person most calculated in every respect to answer our purpose; he
+possessed elegant manners, an unblemished reputation, and a descent so
+illustrious as to be traced even to the reigning family. No sooner
+were the celebrations of this marriage over, than I procured the formal
+appointment of madame de Bourbon Busset to the post of lady in waiting
+to the new princess. This nomination tended greatly to increase the high
+opinion entertained of the judgment and discrimination of the comtesse
+de Forcalquier, and you may easily believe, from the friendship I bore
+this lady, that I fully entered into her triumph on the occasion.
+
+When the comtesse de Bourbon Busset came to return me her
+acknowledgments for what I had done, she accompanied it with a request
+for a fresh interference on my part: this was to obtain for her husband
+the title of duke and peer. Accordingly I mentioned her wishes to the
+king, observing at the same time how very surprising it was that one
+so nearly related to the house of Bourbon should not have reached the
+honors of the ducal peerage: to which Louis XV replied, that he had no
+desire to increase the number of princes of the blood, of whom
+there were quite sufficient of legitimate birth without placing the
+illegitimate upon the same footing; that Louis XIV had been a sufficient
+warning of the folly of acting too indulgently towards these latter, who
+were only so many additional enemies to the royal authority. To all
+this I answered, that it was not fitting to treat the family of Bourbon
+Busset, however illegitimate might be its origin, as though it merely
+belonged to the _petite noblesse_, etc.; but my arguments were in vain,
+and, as the proverb says, "I talked to the wind." My friends recommended
+me not to press the subject, and the matter ended there. However,
+in order to smooth the refusal as much as possible, I procured M. de
+Bourbon Busset the appointment of first gentleman usher to the young
+prince.
+
+The establishment of the comtesse d'Artois was now formed. M. de
+Cheglus, bishop of Cahors, had the post of first almoner; and strange
+to say, although a prelate, was a man of irreproachable virtue; he had
+little wit but strong sense, and was better known by his many charitable
+deeds than by the brilliancy of his sayings. He was eminently suited for
+the office now conferred on him; and those who knew him best were the
+least surprised to find the nomination had fallen on him.
+
+I also procured a post in the establishment of the young couple for my
+sister-in-law, the comtesse d'Hargicourt. Her maiden name was Fumel, an
+ancient family in Guienne, and M. de Fumel, her father, was governor
+of the chateau Trompette at Bordeaux. This marriage had at first
+encountered many difficulties from the deadly hatred which existed in
+the chateau against us. Comte Jean, perceiving that things were going
+against us, applied to the king himself for assistance in the affair.
+Louis XV could not endure him, but his dislike was manifested only by an
+uneasy timidity in his presence, and he freely granted any request that
+would the soonest free him from his presence. The king acted upon the
+same principle in the present conjuncture; he bestowed a million of
+livres upon the comte d'Hargicourt, that is to say, 500,000 livres to be
+employed in paying the debts of the comte de Fumel, and in freeing his
+estates from a dowry of 60,000 livres to be paid to his daughter on her
+marriage, with various other clearances and payments; besides this
+my brother-in-law, comte d'Hargicourt, was appointed captain in the
+prince's Swiss guards, one of the most honorable commissions that could
+have been conferred on him.
+
+The comte de Crussel and the prince d'Henin were named captains of the
+guard to M. d'Artois. This prince d'Henin was of such diminutive stature
+that he was sometimes styled, by way of jest, the "prince of dwarfs,"
+"the dwarf of princes." He was the beloved nephew of the marechale
+de Mirepoix, whose fondness could not supply him with the sense he so
+greatly needed; he was besides very profligate, and continually running
+into some difficulty or other by his eager pursuit after pleasure. It
+is related of him, that the duc de Lauragnais, wearied with seeing the
+prince d'Henin for ever fluttering about his mistress, mademoiselle
+Arnoult, drew up a consultation, to inquire whether it were possible
+to die of ennui: this he submitted to several physicians and celebrated
+lawyers, who having united in replying affirmatively, he caused the
+consultation with its answer to be forwarded to the prince d'Henin,
+warning him henceforward to cease his visits to mademoiselle Arnoult;
+or, in the event of her death, he would certainly be taken up as a party
+concerned in effecting it.
+
+The opposite party was now more irritated than ever by the many places
+and employments I caused to be given either to my own friends, or to
+those for whom they solicited my interest. The duchesse de Grammont,
+flattering herself that she might now take the field against me with
+advantage, arrived in Paris one fine morning from Chanteloup. Those
+about me were full of wrath, I know not for why, at her arrival, but
+I explained to them, that they were mistaken in supposing madame de
+Grammont an exile; she had voluntarily accompanied her brother into his
+retreat, and when that was no longer agreeable to her she returned to
+Paris. However, her journey did neither good nor harm; she had many
+invitations to fetes given in honor of herself, was frequently asked to
+dinners, balls, etc., but that was all; no person set their wits to work
+to reinstate her in the good graces of the king. I soon comprehended the
+forlorn hopes of my poor enemy, and my former animosity soon gave way to
+the play with which she inspired me.
+
+About the period of the marriage of the comtesse d'Artois, an individual
+of some eminence fell into disgrace; this was the comte de Broglie. This
+gentleman, as you know, was private minister to Louis XV, intrusted
+for some time past with his correspondence, and affected the airs of a
+favorite. He solicited upon the present occasion the honor of going
+to meet the princess at the bridge of Beauvoisin, a request which was
+granted. This was not sufficient for him; he begged for a month's leave
+of absence, with permission to proceed to Turin: this depended on the
+duc d'Aiguillon, who was by no means partial to the comte de Broglie. He
+said to me when speaking of him,
+
+"I feel no inclination to oblige this minister; on the contrary, he may
+wait long enough for what he desires as far as I am concerned.
+
+"I fear he will be greatly offended with you," answered I.
+
+"Oh, never mind that," replied the duke; "if he grows sullen about it,
+why well; if he is loud and vehement, better still; and should his anger
+lead him to the commission of any act of folly, depend upon it we will
+take advantage of it."
+
+As I foresaw, the comte de Broglie was deeply offended, and wrote to the
+duc d'Aiguillon a letter full of imprudent expressions. This was exactly
+what this latter desired, who eagerly carried and read the paper to the
+different members of the council, who heard it with every expression
+of surprise and displeasure; the king viewed it as a piece of open
+rebellion, and resolved to punish the writer with his heaviest
+displeasure; the duc d'Aiguillon asked nothing better, and ere an
+hour had elapsed, the duc de la Vrilliere received orders to draw up
+a _lettre de cachet_ in which the king expressed his discontent of the
+comte de Broglie, deprived him of the commission he had given him to go
+and receive the princess of Savoy, and exiled him to Buffee, one of his
+estates near Angouleme.
+
+This was a matter of great talk at the chateau; no one could imagine
+what had made the comte de Broglie conduct himself so foolishly. It was
+at this period that M. d Marchault said of him, when he saw him pass his
+house on his way to Buffee, "He has the ministry by the tail."
+
+M. de Broglie having gone, his majesty was compelled to look out for
+another confidant, and raised to that eminence M. Lemoine, clerk of his
+closet. M. Lemoine, in an inferior station had shown himself competent
+to fill the highest offices in the state. Such abilities are rare. He
+was an excellent lawyer, admirable chancellor of exchequer, and had the
+king said to him, "I make thee a general," he would, the next day, have
+commanded armies and gained victories. Despite his merit he lived long
+unknown: the reason was obvious--he knew nothing of intrigue; and
+his wife, though pretty, was discreet; and these are not the means to
+advance a man at court.
+
+Louis XV, who knew something of men when he chose to study them., was
+not slow in detecting the talent of Lemoine, and in consequence gave
+him that station in which de Broglie had been installed. No sooner
+had Lemoine glanced over the affairs submitted to his control, than he
+became master of them, as much as though they had occupied the whole
+of his life, and in a short time he gave to his situation an importance
+which it had never before reached. Unwilling, however, to incur hatred,
+he enveloped himself in profound mystery, so much so that nobody, with
+the exception of Messrs. d'Aiguillon and de Sartines, knew anything of
+his labors. This pleased the king, who was averse to publicity.
+
+The duc d'Aiguillon could not conceal his joy at being freed from de
+Broglie, his most troublesome colleague. It was a grand point gained for
+him, as he could now make sure of the post of secretary-at-war, the main
+object of his ambition. He wished to be placed in the duc de Choiseul's
+position, and to effect this he redoubled his attentions towards the
+king, who, though not really regarding him, at length treated him as
+the dearest of his subjects. There are inexplicable mysteries in weak
+characters; obstinacy alarms them, and they yield because they hate
+resistance.
+
+The king was _ennuied_ to death, and became daily more dull and heavy. I
+saw his gloom without knowing how to disperse it, but it did not make
+me particularly uncomfortable. Occupied with my dear duc de Brissac I
+almost forgot his majesty for him: the marechale de Mirepoix, who had
+more experience than I had in the affairs at Versailles, and who knew
+the king well, was alarmed at my negligence, and spoke to me of it.
+
+"Do you not see," she said, one day, "what a crisis is at hand?"
+
+"What crisis?" I asked.
+
+"The king is dying of ennui."
+
+"True."
+
+"Does it not alarm you?" said the marechale.
+
+"Why should it?"
+
+"What makes him so? Think well when I tell you that your mortal enemy
+has seized Louis XV; your most redoubtable enemy, _ennui_!"
+
+"Very well; but what would you have me do?"
+
+"You must amuse him."
+
+"That is easier said than done."
+
+"You are right, but it is compulsory. Believe me, kings are not moulded
+like other men: early disgusted with all things, they only exist in a
+variety of pleasures; what pleases them this evening will displease them
+tomorrow; they wish to be happy in a different way. Louis XV is more
+kingly in this respect than any other. You must devise amusements for
+him."
+
+"Alas," I replied, "how? Shall I give him a new tragedy of la
+Harpe's,--he will yawn; an opera of Marmontel,--he will go to sleep.
+Heavens! how unfortunate I am!"
+
+"Really, my dear," replied the marechale, "I cannot advise you; but I
+can quote a powerful example. In such a case madame de Pompadour would
+have admitted a rival near the throne."
+
+"Madame de Pompadour was very amiable, my dear," I replied, "and I would
+have done so once or twice, but the part of Mother Gourdan does not suit
+me; I prefer that of her young ladies."
+
+At these words the marechale laughed, whilst I made a long grave face.
+At this instant comte Jean entered, and exclaimed,
+
+"Really, ladies, you present a singular contrast. May I ask you, sister,
+what causes this sorrow? What ails you?"
+
+"Oh, brother!" was my response, "the king is dying of ennui."
+
+"That is no marvel," said my brother-in-law.
+
+"And to rouse him," I added, "it is necessary, the marechale says, that
+I must take a pretty girl by the hand, and present her to the king with
+these words: 'Sire, having found that you grow tired of me, I present
+this lady to you, that you may amuse yourself with her."
+
+"That would be very fine," replied comte Jean; "it would show
+him that you had profited by my advice." Then, whispering in my ear,
+"You know, sister, I am capable of the greatest sacrifices for the
+king."
+
+"What are you saying, Comte Jean?" asked the marechale, who had heard
+some words.
+
+"I said to my sister," answered he, coolly, "that she ought to be
+executed to please the king."
+
+"And you, too, brother," I cried.
+
+"Yes, sister," said he, with a theatrical tone, "I see the dire
+necessity, and submit to it unrepiningly. Let us yield to fate, or
+rather, let us so act as to make it favorable to us. The king requires
+some amusement, and let us find him a little wench. We must take heed
+not to present any fine lady: no, no; by all the devils--! Excuse me,
+marechale, 'tis a habit I have."
+
+"It is nature, you mean," replied the marechale: "the nightingale is
+born to sing, and you, comte Jean, were born to swear; is it not true?"
+
+ "_Morbleu_, madam, you are right."
+
+After this conversation the marechale went out, and Comte Jean departed
+to arrange his plans for the king's amusement.
+
+However, the ennui of Louis XV was somewhat dissipated by the tidings of
+the various incidents which occurred at the grand entry of the dauphin
+and dauphiness into Paris. We learnt that the duc de Brissac, as
+governor of Paris, on receiving the dauphiness, said,
+
+"Madam, you see about you two hundred thousand lovers." He was right;
+the princess looked like an angel. I had taken a mortal aversion to her.
+Alas! circumstances have too fully avenged me: this unfortunate queen
+loses popularity daily; her perfidious friends have sacrificed her to
+their interests. I pity her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+     Visit from a stranger--Madame de Pompadour and a Jacobinical
+     monk--Continuation of this history--Deliverance of a state
+     prisoner--A meeting with the stranger
+
+One day, at an hour at which I was not accustomed to see any person, a
+lady called and requested to see me; she was informed that I was visible
+to no person. No matter, she persisted in her request, saying that she
+had to speak to me upon matters of the first importance, and declared,
+that I should be delighted with her visit. However, my servants,
+accustomed to the artifices practised by persons wishing to see me for
+interested purposes, heeded very little the continued protestations of
+my strange applicant, and peremptorily refused to admit her; upon which
+the unknown retired with the indication of extreme anger.
+
+Two hours afterwards a note, bearing no signature, was brought me, in
+which the late scene was described to me, and I was further informed,
+that the lady, so abruptly repulsed by my servants, had presented
+herself to communicate things which concerned not only my own personal
+safety but the welfare of all France; a frightful catastrophe was
+impending, which there was still time to prevent; the means of so doing
+were offered me, and I was conjured not to reject them. The affair, if
+treated with indifference, would bring on incalculable misfortunes
+and horrors, to which I should be the first victim. All this apparent
+mystery would be cleared up, and, the whole affair explained, if I would
+repair on the following day, at one o'clock, to the Baths of Apollo. A
+grove of trees there was pointed out as a safe place of rendezvous, and
+being so very near my residence, calculated to remove any fears I might
+entertain of meeting a stranger, who, as the note informed me, possessed
+the means of entering this secluded spot. I was again conjured to be
+punctual to the appointed hour as I valued my life.
+
+The mysterious and solemn tone of this singular epistle struck me with
+terror. Madame de Mirepoix was with me at the moment I received it. This
+lady had a peculiar skill in physiognomy, and the close attention
+she always paid to mine was frequently extremely embarrassing and
+disagreeable She seemed (as usual) on the present occasion to read all
+that was passing in my mind; however, less penetrating eyes than hers
+might easily have perceived, by my sudden agitation, that the paper I
+held in my hand contained something more than usual.
+
+"What ails you?" asked she, with the familiarity our close intimacy
+warranted; "does that note bring you any bad news?"
+
+"No," said I; "it tells me nothing; but it leaves me ample room for much
+uneasiness and alarm: but, after all, it may be merely some hoax, some
+foolish jest played off at my expense; but judge for yourself." So
+saying, I handed her the letter: when she had perused it, she said,
+
+"Upon my word, if I were in your place, I would clear up this mystery;
+good advice is not so easily met with as to make it a matter of
+difficulty to go as far as the Baths of Apollo to seek it. It is by no
+means impossible but that, as this paper tells you, some great peril
+is hanging over you. The marquise de Pompadour," continued madame de
+Mirepoix, "received more than once invitations similar to this, which
+she never failed to attend; and I recollect one circumstance, in which
+she had no cause to regret having done so: without the kind offices of
+one of these anonymous writers it is very possible that she might have
+expired heart broken, and perhaps forsaken in some state prison, instead
+of ending her days in the chateau of Versailles, honored even to the
+tomb by the friendship and regard of the king of France."
+
+I asked my friend to explain her last observation, and she replied as
+follows:--
+
+"One day an anonymous billet, similar to this, was left for madame
+de Pompadour: it requested her to repair, at a specified hour, to
+the church of the Jacobins, rue Saint Honore, in Paris, where she was
+promised some highly important communications. The marchioness was
+punctual to the rendezvous; and, as she entered the church, a Jacobite,
+so entirely wrapped in his capuchin as to conceal his features,
+approached her, took her by the hand, and conducted her to an obscure
+chapel; where, requesting her to sit down, he took a seat himself, and
+began as follows:--
+
+"'Madam, you are about to lose the favor of the king; a party is at work
+to give a new mistress to the king; the lady is young, beautiful, witty,
+and possessed of an insatiable ambition; for the last six months she has
+been in the daily habit of seeing the king, unknown to you and all
+the court, and this has been accomplished in the following manner:
+her father is _valet de chambre_ to his majesty, and she has an only
+brother, two years younger than herself, whose astonishing resemblance
+to her has created continual mistakes; this brother is promised the
+inheritance of his father's office; and, under pretext of acquiring
+the due initiation for future post, has been permitted every morning to
+attend the king's rising.
+
+"'However, this embryo page is the sister, who comes each morning
+disguised in her brother's clothes. The king has had many private
+conversations with the designing beauty; and, seduced by her many charms
+of mind and person, as well as dazzled by the hidden and concealed
+nature of their intrigue, finds his passion for her increases from day
+to day. Many are the designing persons ready to profit by the transfer
+of the king's affections from you to this fresh favorite; and they
+flatter themselves the desired event is close at hand. You are to be
+confined by a _lettre de cachet_ to the isle of St. Margaret, for the
+place of your exile is already chosen. The principal conspirators are
+two powerful noblemen, one of whom is reputed your most intimate friend.
+I learned all these particulars,' continued the Jacobite, 'from a young
+penitent, but not under the seal of confession. This penitent is the
+particular friend of the female in question, who confided the secret
+to her, from whom I received it, accompanied by the most flattering
+promises of future protection and advancement. These splendid prospects
+excited her jealous envy, and she came here to confess the whole to me,
+requesting I would seek you out and inform you of the whole affair.
+Here is a letter she obtained unknown to her aspiring friend, which she
+wishes you to see, as a pledge of the veracity of her statement.'
+The marchioness cast her eyes over the paper held out to her by the
+Jacobite. It was a letter addressed by the king to his new mistress.
+
+"You may imagine the terror of madame de Pompadour, her anxiety and
+impatience to return to Versailles. However, ere she quitted the
+friendly monk she assured him of her lasting gratitude, and begged of
+him to point out how she could best prove it. 'For myself,' replied he,
+'I ask nothing; but if you would render me your debtor, confer the first
+vacant bishopric on a man whom I greatly esteem, the abbe de Barral.'
+You will easily suppose that the abbe de Barral had not long to wait for
+his preferment: as for the Jacobite the marchioness never again saw or
+heard anything of him. She mentioned him to the newly appointed bishop,
+who could not even understand to what she alluded. She related the
+affair, when he called heaven to witness that he knew nothing of any
+Jacobite either directly or indirectly."
+
+"And how did the marchioness get rid of her rival?" inquired I of madame
+de Mirepoix.
+
+"By a very simple and effective expedient. She sent for the duc de Saint
+Florentin, whom she requested immediately to expedite two _lettres de
+cachet_; one for the _valet de chambre_, who was shut up in the chateau
+de Lectoure, and the other for the daughter, whom the marchioness sent
+to the isle of St. Marguerite, to occupy the place she had so obligingly
+destined for herself."
+
+"And now," asked I, "did these unfortunate people ever get out of
+prison?"
+
+"That I know not," answered the marechale; "and, God forgive me, for
+aught I ever inquired they may be there now."
+
+"If so," cried I, "the conduct of both the king and the duc de la
+Vrilliere is abominable and unpardonable."
+
+"Why, bless your heart, my dear," exclaimed the marechale, "do you
+expect that his majesty should recollect all the pretty women he has
+intrigued with, any more than the poor duke can be expected to keep a
+list in his memory of the different persons he has sent to a prison?
+He would require a prodigious recollection for such a purpose." This
+unfeeling reply filled me with indignation, and redoubled the pity I
+already felt for the poor prisoners. I immediately despatched a note
+to the duc de Saint Florentin, requesting he would come to me without
+delay: he hastened to obey my summons. When he had heard my recital he
+remained silent some minutes, as though collecting his recollections
+upon the subject, and then replied,
+
+"I do indeed remember that some obscure female was confined in the
+chateau of the isle Sainte Marguerite at the request of madame de
+Pompadour, but I cannot now say, whether at the death of the marchioness
+any person thought of interceding for her release."
+
+"That is precisely what I wish to ascertain," cried I; "return to
+your offices, monsieur le duc, and use your best endeavors to discover
+whether this unfortunate girl and her parent are still in confinement;
+nor venture again in my presence until you have despatched the order
+for their deliverance: you will procure a conveyance for them from their
+prison to Paris at the expense of government. You understand, my lord?"
+
+The following morning the duke brought me the desired information. He
+told me, that the father had been dead seven years, but the daughter
+still remained a prisoner: the order for restoring her to liberty had
+been forwarded the night preceding. I will now briefly relate the end of
+this mournful story.
+
+Three weeks after this I received an early visit from the duc de la
+Vrilliere, who came to apprize me, that my protegee from the isle of
+St. Marguerite was in my antechamber awaiting permission to offer me
+her grateful thanks. I desired she might instantly be admitted; her
+appearance shocked me; not a single trace of that beauty which had
+proved so fatal to its possessor now remained. She was pale, emaciated,
+and her countenance, on which care and confinement had imprinted the
+wrinkles of premature old age, was sad and dejected even to idiocy. I
+could have wished that madame de Pompadour, by way of punishment for her
+cruelty, could but have seen the object of her relentless persecution. I
+think she would have blushed for herself. When the poor girl entered my
+apartment she looked wildly around her, and casting herself at my feet,
+inquired with many tears to what motive she was indebted for my generous
+interference in her behalf. The duc de la Vrilliere contemplated with
+the utmost _sang froid_ the spectacle of a misery he had so largely
+contributed to. I requested of him to leave us to ourselves. I then
+raised my weeping _protegee_, consoled her to the best of my ability,
+and then requested her to give me the history of her captivity. Her
+story was soon told: she had been an inhabitant of the same prison for
+seventeen years and five months, without either seeing a human being, or
+hearing the sound of a human voice. Her recital made me shudder, and I
+promised her that henceforward her life should be rendered as happy as
+it had hitherto been miserable.
+
+The king supped with me that evening. By some singular chance he was on
+this occasion in the happiest temper possible: he laughed, sung, joked
+with such unusual spirits, that I hesitated ere I disturbed a gaiety to
+which Louis XV was so little prone. However, I took him aside, saying,
+"Sire, I have to ask atonement and reparation for a most horrible
+piece of injustice." After which, I proceeded to acquaint him with the
+distressing history of his unfortunate mistress. He appeared perfectly
+well to recollect the female to whom I alluded; and when I ceased
+speaking, he said, with a half-suppressed sigh,
+
+"Poor creature! she has indeed been unfortunate; seventeen years and
+five months in prison! The duc de la Vrilliere is greatly to blame in
+the affair; but when once he has placed persons between four walls, he
+thinks he has fulfilled the whole of his duty. He should recollect, that
+a good memory is a necessary qualification for situation he holds; it
+is indeed an imperative duty in him to think of the poor wretches he
+deprives of their liberty."
+
+"And in you too, sire," interrupted I; "and it appears to me that
+you have lost sight of it, in the present affair, as culpably as your
+minister."
+
+"I confess it, indeed," answered Louis XV; "but the unfortunate
+sufferer herself was not without a due share of blame in the matter. Her
+presumption had greatly irritated madame de Pompadour, who punished her
+as she thought fit: of course I could not, consistently with the regard
+I professed for the marchioness, interfere in the execution of her
+vengeance."
+
+"I do not agree with you," said I.
+
+"Why, what else could I do?" asked Louis XV, with the most imperturbable
+calmness; "she had superior claims, was acknowledged as chief favorite,
+and I could not refuse her the sacrifice of a mere temporary caprice."
+
+"Very well said," answered I, "and founded upon excellent principles;
+but surely it was not necessary to shut up the object of your caprice in
+a state prison, and, above all, to leave her there for such a length of
+time. However, the mischief is done; and all we have to think of is to
+repair it. You have now, sire, a fine opportunity of displaying your
+royal munificence."
+
+"You think, then," returned Louis XV, "that I am bound to make this
+unhappy girl some present? Well, I will; to-morrow I will send her
+10,000 louis."
+
+"A thousand louis!" exclaimed I, clasping my hands; "what, as a
+recompense for seventeen years' imprisonment? No, no, sire, you shall
+not get off so easily; you must must settle on her a pension of 12,000
+livres, and present her with an order for 100,000 more as an immediate
+supply."
+
+"Bless me!" ejaculated the king, "why all, the girls in my kingdom would
+go to prison for such a dowry: however, she shall have the pension; but,
+in truth, my treasury is exhausted."
+
+"Then, sire," returned I, "borrow of your friends."
+
+"Come, come, let us finish this business; I will give your _protegee_
+4000 louis."
+
+"No, I cannot agree," answered I, "to less than 5000."
+
+The king promised me I should have them; and, on the following day, his
+valet Turpigny brought me the order for the pension, and a bag, in which
+I found only 4000 louis. This piece of meanness did not surprise me, but
+it made me shrug up my shoulders, and sent me to my cabinet to take the
+sum deficient from my own funds. With this dowry my poor _protegee_ soon
+found a suitable husband in the person of one of her cousins, for whom
+I procured a lucrative post under government. These worthy people have
+since well repaid me by their grateful and devoted attachment for the
+service I was enabled to render them. One individual of their family
+was, however, far from resembling them either in goodness of heart or
+generosity of sentiment--I allude to the brother of the lady; that same
+brother who formerly supplied his sister with his clothes, that she
+might visit the king unsuspected. Upon the incarceration of the father
+the son succeeded him in his office of _valet de chambre_, and acquired
+considerable credit at court; yet, although in the daily habit of seeing
+the king, he neither by word nor deed sought to obtain the deliverance
+of either his parent or sister. On the contrary, he suffered the former
+to perish in a dungeon, and allowed the latter to languish in one during
+more than seventeen years, and in all probability she would have ended
+her days without receiving the slightest mark of his recollection of
+his unfortunate relative. I know no trait of base selfishness more truly
+revolting than the one I have just related.
+
+But this story has led me far from the subject I was previously
+commencing: this narrative, which I never call to mind without a feeling
+of pleasure, has led me away in spite of myself. Still I trust that my
+narrative has been sufficiently interesting to induce you to pardon the
+digression it has occasioned, and now I will resume the thread of my
+discourse.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+
+     A conspiracy--A scheme for poisoning madame du Barry--The
+     four bottles--Letter to the duc d'Aiguillon--Advice of the
+     ministers--Opinion of the physicians--The chancellor and
+     lieutenant of police--Resolution of the council
+
+Have you any curiosity to learn the denouement of the story I was
+telling you of my anonymous correspondent? Read what follows, then, and
+your wishes shall be gratified: that is, if you have patience to hear a
+rather long story; for I cannot promise you that mine will very speedily
+be completed. Let me see: where did I leave off? Oh, I recollect.
+
+I was telling you that madame de Mirepoix urged me to repair, as I was
+requested, to the Baths of Apollo. I had a key which opened all the park
+gates; we entered the park, took the path which turns off to the left,
+and after having walked for about five minutes, found ourselves opposite
+the person we were in search of. It was a female of from thirty to forty
+years of age, of diminutive stature, dressed after the fashion of the
+_bourgeoises_ of the day, but still an air of good taste was evident
+through the simplicity of her attire. Her countenance must once have
+been handsome, if one might judge by the beauty of her eyes and mouth,
+but she was pale, withered and already impressed with the traces of a
+premature old age. But her beauties, although faded, were still animated
+by a quick and ever-varying expression of a keen and lively wit.
+
+Whilst I made these hasty remarks the stranger saluted me, and
+afterwards the marechale de Mirepoix, with a ease of manner which
+perfectly surprised me. Nor did she in any other instance betray the
+embarrassment of a person who finds herself for the first time in the
+presence of persons of a rank superior to her own.
+
+"Madam," she said, addressing herself to me, "I trust you will pardon me
+for having given you the trouble of coming hither; I might have spared
+it you, had your people permitted me to see you when I called at your
+house yesterday."
+
+"Your invitation," replied I, "was so pressingly enforced, that I
+confess my curiosity has been most keenly awakened."
+
+"I will immediately satisfy it," answered she, "but what I have to say
+must be told to yourself alone."
+
+"Well, then," said the marechale, "I will leave you for the present:
+I am going to admire that fine group of Girardon"; and so saying, she
+quitted the walk in which I was standing.
+
+Directly she was gone the stranger said to me, "Madam, I will explain
+myself without reserve or unnecessary prolixity; I beseech of you to
+listen attentively whilst I tell you, in the first place, that both your
+life and that of the king is in imminent danger."
+
+"Heavens!" cried I, "what do I hear?"
+
+"That which I well know to be true," answered the female, with a firm
+voice; "I repeat that your life and that of the king is in danger."
+
+These words, pronounced in a low, solemn voice, froze me with terror; my
+limbs tottered under me, and I almost sank to the ground. The stranger
+assisted me to a bench, offered me her arm, and when she saw me a little
+recovered, she continued,
+
+"Yes, madam, a conspiracy is afoot against yourself and Louis XV. You
+are to be made away with out of revenge, and Louis XV is to suffer,
+in the hopes of his death effecting a change in the present face of
+affairs."
+
+"And who," inquired I, "are the conspirators?"
+
+"The Jesuits and parliamentarians; these ancient rivals, equally
+persecuted by the royal government, have determined to make common
+cause against their mutual foe. The Jesuits flatter themselves that the
+dauphin inherits the kind feelings entertained by his father for
+their order, and the parliamentarians justly reckon upon the friendly
+disposition of the young prince towards the old magistracy. Both parties
+equally flatter themselves that a fresh reign would bring about their
+re-establishment, and they are impatient to accelerate so desirable an
+event: the conspiracy is directed by four Jesuits and the same number
+of the ex-members of the parliament of Paris. The remainder of the two
+corporations are not initiated in the secret of the enterprise. I am
+not able at present to give you the names of the eight conspirators, the
+person from whom I derive my information not having as yet confided them
+even to myself, but I trust ere long to obtain such a mark of confidence."
+
+The female ceased speaking, and I remained in a state of doubt, fear,
+and alarm, impossible to describe. Still one thing appeared clear to me,
+that information so mysteriously conveyed was not deserving of belief,
+unless supported by more corroborating testimony. My unknown friend
+evidently divined all that was passing in my mind, for she observed,
+
+"I perceive that my recital appears to you improbable; one particular
+which I will state may perhaps overcome your incredulity. Are you not
+in the habit, madam, of taking every evening _eau sucree_ mixed with a
+large proportion of orange-flower water?"
+
+"I am," replied I.
+
+"This day," continued my informant, "you will receive four bottles of
+orange-flower water contained in a box bearing the usual appearances of
+having come from the perfumers', but it is sent by other hands, and the
+liquor contained in the flasks is mingled with a deadly poison."
+
+These last words made me tremble. "You must complete your kind offices,"
+cried I to my visitor, "by bringing me acquainted with the person
+from whom you have derived your intelligence: that individual must be
+acquainted with the whole of the plot; and, believe me, I will not be
+unmindful of either of you."
+
+"Stay one instant," replied the lady, without evincing the slightest
+emotion; "the man who was my informant is assuredly aware of the names
+of those concerned in the conspiracy, but he has charged me not to state
+who he is but upon certain conditions; a recommendation I shall most
+certainly attend to."
+
+"Be assured," interrupted I, "that your demands shall be acceded to;
+you shall yourself fix the price of your entire disclosure of every fact
+connected with the business."
+
+"It will not be an exorbitant one," replied the lady; "merely 600,000
+francs, to be equally divided between the friend you desire to know and
+myself; for this sum, which is not a very large one, you may command the
+services of both of us. One word more, madam, and I am gone. Observe
+a strict silence upon all I have told you; or, if you must have a
+counsellor in such perilous circumstances, confide merely in some tried
+friend; say the duc d'Aiguillon or the chancellor, or both should
+you deem it necessary; but have a care how you admit a third to a
+participation of the affair; you could scarcely select another person
+without choosing one already corrupted by your enemies. It is said that
+they are in correspondence with even those persons immediately about the
+person of the king. Adieu, madam; I will see you at your own apartments
+the day after to-morrow, when I trust you will have ready 100,000
+francs, on account of the 600,000 I have stipulated for."
+
+So saying, she curtsied and left me, overcome with surprise. A thousand
+fearful ideas pressed upon my brain, and my heart sickened at the long
+train of gloomy images which presented themselves. I had had sufficient
+proofs since my elevation of the deadly hatred borne me by those whom
+my good fortune had rendered my enemies: yet, hitherto, my strongest
+apprehensions had never been directed to anything more terrible than
+being supplanted in the favor of the king, or being confined in
+my chateau du Lucienne. The horrible ideas of murder, poison, or
+assassination by any means, had never presented themselves to me. All
+at once I recollected the young man in the garden of the Tuileries; his
+predictions of my future greatness had been accomplished. He had also
+announced to me fearful vicissitudes, and had threatened to appear to me
+when these catastrophes were about to occur. Doubtless he would keep his
+word; now was the time for so doing, and I timidly glanced around as I
+caught the sound of a slight rustle among the branches, fully expecting
+to see my young prophet; but the figure which met my eye was that of
+madame de Mirepoix, who, tired of waiting, had come to rejoin me.
+
+"What!" said she, "are you alone? I did not observe your visitor leave
+you. Did she vanish into air?"
+
+"Very possibly," answered I.
+
+"So then," replied the marechale, "she proved a fairy, or some
+beneficent _genie_, after all?"
+
+"If she were a spirit," said I, "it certainly was not to the better sort
+she belonged."
+
+"Have a care," cried the marechale; "I have already formed a thousand
+conjectures as to what this woman has been telling."
+
+"And all your suppositions," replied I, "would fall short of the
+reality. Listen, my dear marechale," added I, rising, and taking her arm
+to proceed homewards, "I have been strictly prohibited from admitting
+any counsellor but the duc d'Aiguillon and the chancellor; still I can
+have no reserves with you, who I know, f rom the regard you bear both to
+the king and myself, will advise me to the best of your power."
+
+As we walked towards the chateau, I explained to my companion the joint
+conspiracy of the Jesuits and ancient members of the parliament against
+the king's life and my own. When I had ceased speaking, she replied,
+
+"All this is very possible; despair may conduct the Jesuits and
+parliamentarians to the greatest extremities; but still this mysterious
+female may be nothing more than an impostor. At any rate, I am anxious
+to learn whether the box she described has been left at your house; if
+so, it will be a strong corroboration, if not, a convincing proof of the
+falsehood of what she asserts."
+
+We had by this time reached the bottom of the staircase which conducted
+to my apartments; we ascended the stairs rapidly, and the first person I
+met in the anteroom was Henriette.
+
+"Henriette," said I, "has any thing been brought for me during my
+absence?"
+
+"Nothing except a box of orange-flower water from Michel the perfumer's,
+which I presume you ordered, madam."
+
+A glance of mutual surprise and consternation passed between the
+marechale and myself. We entered my chamber, where madame de Mirepoix
+opened the fatal box; it contained the four bottles exactly as had been
+described. We regarded each other in profound silence, not daring to
+communicate our reflections. However, it was requisite to take some
+steps, and, catching up a pen, I hastily wrote the following billet to
+the duc d'Aiguillon,
+
+"MONSIEUR LE DUC,--Whatever may be the affairs with which you are at
+present occupied, I pray of you to throw them aside, and hasten to me
+instantly upon receipt of this. Nothing can equal in importance the
+subject upon which I wish to see you; I cannot now explain myself fully,
+but prepare for news of the most horrible description, and it refers to
+the safety and preservation of the most valuable life in the kingdom. I
+cannot delay time by writing more; I can only beseech of you not to lose
+one moment in obeying this summons. Adieu; fail not to come and bring me
+back this note."
+
+The duke hastened to me full of terror and alarm.
+
+"Your letter has really frightened me," said he; "what can be the
+matter? Surely the life of his majesty is not in danger?"
+
+"Too truly is it," answered I; "but sit down, and you shall know all
+the affair. The marechale is already aware of the matter and need not
+withdraw."
+
+The duke listened with extreme attention to the recital of my interview
+in the grove surrounding the Baths of Apollo, as well as to the account
+of the discourse I had held there with the strange female. I endeavoured
+to relate the conversation as minutely and accurately as possible, but
+still the duke sought further particulars. He inquired the style
+of countenance, dress, manner, and tone of voice possessed by the
+_incognita_. One might have supposed, by the closeness of his questions,
+that he already fancied he had identified this mysterious personage: he
+then examined the box, which stood on the table, and remarked, "This is
+a very serious affair, nor can I undertake the management of it alone;
+it involves a too great responsibility. Spite of the lady's assertions,
+I am confident the fullest confidence might be placed in all the
+ministers. However, I will first have a conference with M. de
+Saint-Florentin and the chancellor, in whose presence I will send for
+the lieutenant of police; and the contents of these bottles shall be
+immediately analyzed."
+
+The duke, without quitting me, wrote immediately to his two colleagues
+as well as to M. de Sartines, requesting this latter to repair to my
+apartment without delay. One of the ministers summoned by M. d'Aiguillon
+was not at that moment at Versailles, having left at an early hour in
+the morning for Paris. Neither he nor M. de Sartines could possibly be
+with us before eight o'clock in the evening; it was therefore agreed to
+adjourn our conference till their arrival. Meanwhile M. d'Aiguillon, the
+marechale, and myself, remained in a state of the most cruel anxiety.
+The duke first blamed me for not having caused the woman to be arrested,
+and afterwards he confessed to the marechale, that perhaps it was better
+the conspiracy should be allowed time to ripen into maturity. Daring
+this time the liquid contained in the four bottles was being decomposed:
+M. Quesnay, first physician, Messrs. Thiebault and Varennes, visiting
+physicians, M. de la Martiniere, counsellor of state, surgeon to
+his majesty, as well as Messrs. Ducor and Prost, apothecaries to
+his majesty, had been collected together for this purpose by the duc
+d'Aiguillon.
+
+These gentlemen came to report the termination of their experiments at
+the very moment when the chancellor and lieutenant of police entered the
+room; the duc de la Vrilliere had preceded them by about five minutes;
+the duc d'Aiguillon requested these gentlemen to be seated. The doctors
+Quesnay and la Martiniere were introduced, and desired to make known
+the result of their operations. My newly-arrived guests, who as yet
+understood nothing of what was going on, were struck with astonishment
+at hearing it said, that the four bottles of orange-flower water
+contained a considerable proportion of a most active poison, of which a
+few drops would be sufficient to cause instantaneous death. Having thus
+executed their commission, the medical gentlemen bowed and retired.
+
+M. d'Aiguillon then explained to my wondering friends the horrible
+affair which had occasioned their being sent for so hastily. I cannot
+tell you what effect this disclosure produced on M. de la Vrilliere or
+M. de Maupeou, my whole attention being fixed upon M. de Sartines. You
+may suppose that a lieutenant of police, particularly one who piqued
+himself upon knowing every thing, could not feel very much at his ease,
+when each word that was uttered convicted him either of incapacity or
+negligence. His brow became contracted, he hemmed, choked, fidgeted
+about, and appeared as though he would have given every thing in the
+world f or liberty to justify himself, but etiquette forbade it, and he
+was only permitted to speak after the secretaries of state then present,
+or if called upon by either of them.
+
+When M. d'Aiguillon had ceased speaking, the chancellor in his turn took
+up the conversation. M. de Maupeou was by nature cold and sarcastic,
+delighting in annoying any person; but, on the present occasion, the
+ill-nature inherent in him was still excited by the decided hatred he
+bore to the unfortunate M. de Sartines. He began by saying, that
+the conspiracy was evident, and was easily explained by the state of
+exasperation in which the Jesuits and parliamentarians now were; both
+orders looking for no other prospect of amendment in their condition
+than such as might arise from some sudden convulsion of the kingdom. He
+expressed his opinion of the necessity of instituting a rigorous
+inquiry into the conduct of these two bodies; and then, turning to M. de
+Sartines, whose cheek grew pale at the movement, he charged him to
+lay before the council all those particulars which he must necessarily
+possess as head of the police, either respecting the present plot, or
+relating to any of the ancient members of parliament or the order of
+Jesuits.
+
+This was a dagger to the heart of M. de Sartines, who in vain sought
+to frame a suitable reply: but what could he say? He did not in reality
+possess any of the information for which he had received credit, and
+after many awkward endeavours at explaining himself, he was compelled
+frankly to confess, that he knew not a word more of the conspiracy than
+he had just then heard.
+
+It was now the turn of M. de la Vrilliere to speak. He also would fain
+have attacked the unfortunate lieutenant of police; but, whether M. de
+Maupeou thought that his own correction had been sufficiently strong,
+or whether he begrudged any other person interfering with his vengeance
+upon his personal foe, he abruptly interrupted the tirade of M. de
+la Vrilliere, by observing, that a conspiracy conducted by only eight
+persons might very possibly escape the eye of the police; but, furnished
+as it now was with so many circumstances and particulars, it was
+impossible that the plot should any longer defy their vigilant
+researches.
+
+M. d'Aiguillon fully concurred in this observation, and M. de Sartines,
+recovered in some measure from his first alarm, promised every thing
+they could desire; and it was finally arranged that the police should
+this night use every precautionary measure in Paris, and that the
+officers of the guard should receive orders to redouble their zeal
+and activity in watching the chateau; and that when the unknown female
+called again on me, she should be conducted by madame de Mirepoix to the
+duc d'Aiguillon, who would interrogate her closely.
+
+These measures decided on, the council broke up, and I went to receive
+the king, who was this evening to do me the favour of taking his supper
+in my apartments.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+
+     Conclusion of this affair--A letter from the incognita--Her
+     examination--Arrest of Cabert the Swiss--He dies in the
+     Bastille of poison--Madame Lorimer is arrested and poisoned--
+     The innocence of the Jesuits acknowledged--Madame de
+     Mirepoix and the 100,000 francs--Forgetfulness on the part
+     of the lieutenant of police--A visit from comte Jean--Madame
+     de Mirepoix
+
+M. de Sartines did not sleep on his post, but his researches were
+fruitless; and, on the following day, three successive messengers came
+to announce to us that they had as yet made no discovery. The day passed
+without bringing any fresh intelligence, and our anxiety increased
+daily. At length arrived the period fixed for the visit of the
+_incognita_. I awaited the coming of this female with an impatience
+impossible to describe. About mid-day a note was brought me; I instantly
+recognized the writing as that of my mysterious friend, and hastily
+breaking the seal, read as follows:
+
+"MADAM,--I must entreat your pardon for breaking the appointment for
+to-day, imperative duties still detain me in Paris.
+
+"Since our last interview I have been unceasingly occupied in
+endeavouring to discover the names of the eight persons of whom I spoke
+to you, and, I am sorry to say, I have but partially succeeded. The
+person who has hitherto furnished me with my information obstinately
+refuses to state who are the parliamentarians concerned in the
+conspiracy. I am, however, enabled to forward you the names of the four
+Jesuits, with some few particulars relating to these worthy fathers.
+
+"The Jesuits in question are Messrs. Corbin, Berthier, Cerulti, and
+Dumas; the first of whom was employed in the education of the dauphin,
+the second and the third are sufficiently known; as for the fourth, he
+is a bold and enterprising Parisian, capable of conceiving and executing
+the most daring schemes. Whilst the order remained in possession of
+power he had no opportunity of displaying his extraordinary talents,
+and consequently he obtained but a trifling reputation; but since its
+banishment he has become its firmest support and principal hope. All the
+treasures of the brotherhood are at his disposal, and I learn, that the
+day before yesterday he received a considerable sum from Lyons.
+
+"This intrepid and daring spirit is the very soul of the conspiracy;
+he it is who conceived the plan and set the whole machine in action. It
+would be effectually extinguished could we but once secure him, but this
+is by no means an easy task; he has no fixed abode; never sleeps two
+nights following in the same home; one day he may be found in one part
+of Paris and the next at the very opposite corner; he changes his manner
+of dress as frequently as he does his abode.
+
+"I shall have the honour of seeing you to-morrow or the day after at
+furthest. Meanwhile lay aside all uneasiness for his majesty's safety:
+I pledge you my word he is for the present in perfect security. The
+execution of the plot is still deferred for the want of a Damiens
+sufficiently sanguinary to undertake the task.
+
+"Deign, madam, to accept the assurance of my sincere devotion, and
+believe that I will neglect no opportunity of affording you proofs of
+it.
+
+"Yours, madam, etc., etc."
+
+I immediately communicated this letter to the duc d'Aiguillon, who
+convoked a fresh meeting of the persons who had been present on the
+preceding day. It was at first deliberated whether or not to arrest the
+whole body of Jesuits then in Paris, but this, although the advice of
+M. d'Aiguillon, was by no means approved of by the chancellor. M.
+de Sartines and M. de la Vrilliere were for carrying the idea into
+execution, but the objections of M. de Maupeou were too powerful to be
+overruled, and the scheme was for the present abandoned. The chancellor
+maintained that the other conspirators, warned of their own, danger by
+the seizure of their friends, would either escape the vengeance of
+the laws by flight or by close confinement in their houses; he greatly
+dreaded as it was, that his foes, the parliamentarians, would avoid the
+punishment he longed to inflict on them. Indeed, in his estimation,
+it seemed as though every measure would be anticipated so long as the
+female, who seemed so intimately acquainted with their design, was at
+liberty; and this last opinion was unanimously concurred in.
+
+All the delays greatly irritated me, and rendered my impatience to
+witness the termination of the affair greater than it had ever been. The
+stranger had promised to make her appearance on the following day; it
+passed away, however, without my hearing anything of her. On the day
+following she came; I immediately sent to apprize M. d'Aiguillon, who,
+with M. de la Vrilliere and the chancellor, entered my apartments ere
+the lady had had time to commence the subject upon which she was there
+to speak. This unexpected appearance did not seem to disconcert her in
+the least, nor did her _sang-froid_ and ordinary assurance in any degree
+fail her. She reproached me for having intrusted the secret to so many
+persons, but her reproof was uttered without bitterness, and merely as
+if she feared lest my indiscretion might compromise our safety. She was
+overwhelmed with questions, and the chancellor interrogated her with the
+keenest curiosity; but to all the inquiries put to her she replied with
+a readiness and candour which surprised the whole party. She was desired
+to give the names of those engaged in the conspiracy, as well as of
+him who first informed her of it. She answered that her own name was
+Lorimer, that she was a widow living upon her own property. As for the
+man, her informant, he was a Swiss, named Cabert, of about thirty years
+of age, and had long been her intimate friend: however, the embarrassed
+tone with which she pronounced these last words left room for the
+suspicion, that he had been something dearer to her than a friend. She
+was then urged to give up the names of the four parliamentarians, but
+she protested that she had not yet been able to prevail on Cabert
+to confide them to her, that she was compelled to use the utmost
+circumspection in her attempts at discovering the facts already
+disclosed, but flattered herself she should yet succeed in gaining a
+full and unreserved disclosure. M. de Maupeou encouraged her, by every
+possible argument, to neglect no means of arriving at so important a
+discovery.
+
+The examination over, and the 100,000 francs she had demanded given to
+her, she retired, but followed at a distance by a number of spies, who
+were commissioned to watch her slightest movement.
+
+Cabert, the Swiss, was arrested in a furnished lodging he occupied in
+rue Saint Roch, and sent without delay to Versailles, where, as before,
+M. d'Aiguillon with his two colleagues waited in my study to receive
+and question the prisoner. Cabert was a young and handsome man, whose
+countenance bore evident marks of a dissolute and profligate life. He
+confessed, without any difficulty, that his only means of gaining a
+livelihood were derived from the generosity of a female friend, but when
+he was pressed upon the subject of the conspiracy, he no longer replied
+with the same candour, but merely answered in short and impatient
+negatives the many questions put to him, accompanied with fervent
+protestations of innocence; adding, that implacable enemies had
+fabricated the whole story, only that they might have an opportunity of
+wreaking their vengeance, by implicating him in it.
+
+"Accuse not your enemies," cried I, for the first time mingling in the
+conversation, "but rather blame your benefactress; it is madame Lorimer
+who has denounced you, and far from intending to harm you by so doing,
+she purposes dividing with you the 100,000 livres which are to reward
+her disclosures."
+
+I easily found, by the frowning looks directed towards me by the three
+gentlemen present, that I had been guilty of great imprudence in
+saying so much; but Cabert, wringing his hands, uttered, with the most
+despairing accent,
+
+"I am lost! and most horribly has the unfortunate woman avenged
+herself."
+
+"What would you insinuate?"
+
+"That I am the victim of an enraged woman," replied he.
+
+He afterwards explained, that he had been the lover of madame Lorimer,
+but had become wearied of her, and left her in consequence; that she
+had violently resented this conduct; and, after having in vain sought
+to move him by prayers and supplications, had tried the most horrible
+threats and menaces. "I ought not indeed," continued he, "to have
+despised these threats, for well I knew the fiendlike malice of the
+wretched creature, and dearly do I pay for my imprudence, by falling
+into the pit she has dug for me."
+
+In vain we endeavoured to induce him to hold a different language. He
+persisted with determined obstinacy in his first statement; continually
+protesting his own innocence, and loading the author of his woes with
+bitter imprecations. It was deemed impossible to allow this man to go at
+large; accordingly M. de la Vrilliere issued a _lettre de cachet_, which
+sent him that night to seek a lodging in the Bastille. It was afterwards
+deemed advisable to put him to the torture, but the agonies of the
+rack wrung from him no deviation from, or contradiction of, what he had
+previously alleged.
+
+The affair had now become mysterious and inexplicable. However, a speedy
+termination was most imperatively called for; if it were permitted to
+become generally known, it could not fail of reaching the ears of the
+king, whose health was daily declining; and M. de Quesnay had assured
+us, that in his present languid state, the shock produced by news so
+alarming, might cause his instantaneous death.
+
+Whilst we remained in uncertainty as to our mode of proceeding in the
+business, Cabert, the Swiss, three days after his admission into the
+Bastille, expired in the most violent convulsions. His body was opened,
+but no trace of poison could be discovered: our suspicions were however
+awakened, and what followed confirmed them.
+
+Madame Lorimer was arrested. She protested that she had been actuated
+by no feelings of enmity against her unfortunate lover, whom she had
+certainly reproached for having expended the money she furnished him
+with in the society of other females, and to the anger which arose
+between herself and Cabert on the occasion could she alone ascribe his
+infamous calumnies respecting her; that, for her own part, she had
+never ceased to love him, and, as far as she knew, that feeling was
+reciprocal; and, in betraying the conspiracy, her principal desire, next
+to the anxious hope of preserving the king, was to make the fortune of
+Cabert. She was confined in the Bastille, but she did not long
+remain within its walls; for at the end of a fortnight she died of an
+inflammatory disease. Her death was marked by no convulsions, but the
+traces of poison were evident.
+
+These two violent deaths occurring so immediately one after another (as
+not the slightest doubt existed that Cabert had likewise died of poison)
+threw the ministers into a sad state of perplexity. But to whom could
+they impute the double crime unless to some accomplice, who dreaded what
+the unhappy prisoners might be tempted to reveal. Yet the conduct of
+the Jesuitical priests stated by madame Lorimer to be the principal
+ring-leaders in the plot, although exposed to the most rigorous
+scrutiny, offered not the slightest grounds for suspicion. Neither did
+their letters (which were all intercepted at the various post-houses)
+give any indication of a treasonable correspondence.
+
+M. de Sartines caused the private papers of the suspected parties to be
+opened during their owners' absence, without discovering anything which
+could compromise their character. I am speaking, however, of the fathers
+Corbin, Berthier, and Cerulti, for all our efforts could not trace
+father Dumas throughout all Paris. Nor was the innocence of the
+parliamentarians less evident; they vented their hatred against
+the ministry, and particularly against M. de Maupeou, in pamphlets,
+couplets, and epigrams, both in French and Latin, but they had no idea
+of conspiracies or plots.
+
+And thus terminated an affair, which had caused so much alarm, and
+which continued for a considerable period to engage the attention
+of ministers. How was the mystery to be cleared up? The poisoned
+orange-flower water, and the sudden deaths of the two prisoners, were
+facts difficult to reconcile with the no less undeniable innocence
+of the three accused Jesuits. The whole business was to me an
+incomprehensible mass of confusion, in which incidents the most horrible
+were mingled. At last we agreed that the best and only thing to be done
+was to consign the affair to oblivion; but there were circumstances
+which did not so easily depart from the recollection of my excellent
+friend, the marechale de Mirepoix. "My dear soul," said she to me one
+day, "have you ever inquired what became of the 100,000 livres given
+to madame Lorimer? she had no time to employ them in any way before her
+imprisonment in the Bastille. You ought to inquire into what hands they
+have fallen."
+
+I fully comprehended the drift of this question, which I put to M. de
+Sartines the first time I saw him.
+
+"Bless me," exclaimed he, "you remind me that these 100,000 livres have
+been lying in a drawer in my office. But I have such a terrible memory."
+
+"Happily," replied I, "I have a friend whose memory is as good as yours
+seems defective upon such occasions. It will not be wise to permit such
+a sum to remain uselessly in your office: at the same time I need not
+point out that you, by your conduct in the late affair, have by no means
+earned a right to them."
+
+He attempted to justify himself; but, interrupting him, I exclaimed,
+"My good friend, you have set up a reputation of your own creating and
+inventing; and well it is you took the office upon yourself for no one
+else would have done it for you; but you perceive how frail have been
+its foundations; for the moment you are compelled to stand upon your own
+resources you faint, and are easily overcome."
+
+He endeavoured to make a joke of the affair, but indeed it seemed to
+accord as ill with his natural inclination as did the restitution of the
+100,000 livres. However, he brought them to me the following day, and
+as I was expecting the arrival of madame de Mirepoix, I placed them in a
+porcelain vase which stood upon my chimney-piece. Unfortunately for
+the marechale, comte Jean presented himself before she did. He came to
+inform me, that my husband (of whose quitting Toulouse I had forgotten
+to tell you) had again arrived in Paris. I did not disguise the vexation
+which this piece of intelligence excited in me.
+
+"And wherefore has comte Guillaume returned to Paris?" inquired I,
+angrily.
+
+"Because he is afraid."
+
+"Afraid of what?" replied I.
+
+"Of being murdered," answered comte Jean: "it is a most horrible and
+authentic story. Imagine to yourself the dangers of his situation: some
+brigands, who have a design on his life, have written him an anonymous
+billet, in which they protest they will certainly murder him, unless he
+deposits 50,000 livres in a certain place. You may suppose his terror;
+money he had none, neither was his credit sufficiently good to enable
+him to borrow any. As a last and only chance, he threw himself into a
+carriage, and hastened, tremblingly, to implore your assistance."
+
+"And I am quite certain you will not withhold yours from him," answered
+I
+
+"You are perfectly right," cried he, "but unfortunately just now I have
+not a single crown I can call my own; so that it rests with you alone,
+my dearest sister, to save the life of this hapless comte du Barry."
+
+"I am extremely distressed, my dear brother-in-law," replied I, "that I
+am just as poor, and as unable to afford the necessary aid as yourself;
+my purse is quite empty."
+
+"Faith, my dear sister-in-law, I am not surprised at that if you convert
+a china vase into a receptacle for your bank notes."
+
+Saying this, he drew a bundle of notes from the hiding-place in which I
+had deposited them. "Do you know," continued comte Jean, "I really think
+we shall find money enough here." He began to count them: and when he
+had finished he said, "My dear sister, neither your husband nor myself
+wish to importune you, or put you to any inconvenience, therefore
+you shall merely oblige him with the loan of these 50,000 livres to
+extricate him from his present peril; they shall be faithfully and
+quickly restored to you, and a note of hand given you for that purpose
+if you desire it." So saying, he divided the money into two parts,
+replaced one in the vase, and pocketed the other.
+
+I was very indignant at the cool impudence with which this was done, and
+my patience had well nigh forsaken me: however, I restrained myself;
+and I was happy enough that I could so far conquer myself. My reproaches
+would not have induced comte Jean to give me back my money, and would
+only have roused his violence; which, when once excited, found vent in
+language so vehement and energetic, that I did not desire to hear any
+more of it than I could help. At these moments he selected not the
+politest expressions, but those which were the strongest: and besides,
+such was the ungovernable nature of comte Jean's temper, that
+once roused, he would have treated the king himself with as little
+consideration as he did me. Still, he never deliberately insulted me,
+nor did he compose those insulting verses respecting me, which were
+printed as his, in "_Les Anecdotes sur Madame du Barry_." This would
+have been an indignity I would quickly have caused him to repent having
+offered.
+
+"Well," inquired I, "are you very glad to see your brother in Paris?"
+
+"No, 'pon my soul!" returned he; "but since he is here, we must do the
+best we can with him; he was very anxious to see his sister-in-law
+and niece. He says the former is ugly as sin, and the latter almost as
+handsome as you."
+
+"Very gallant," replied I; "but tell me, comte Jean, does this elegant
+compliment proceed from my husband or yourself?"
+
+We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the marechale, and comte
+Jean retired.
+
+"Well, my dear," she began, "have you seen M. de Sartines, and did you
+speak to him respecting those 100,000 livres?"
+
+ "Oh, yes," replied I, "he gave them back to me; but I have
+already had half of them stolen from me."
+
+"By comte Jean, I'll engage," cried she. "Upon my word, that man is a
+perfect spendthrift, a prodigal; who, if you do not take great care,
+will certainly ruin you. And what will you do with the remaining 50,000
+livres, my dear friend; where will you place them?"
+
+"In your hands, my dear marechale; 'tis his majesty's command."
+
+"To that command," answered she, "I must perforce submit"; and, taking
+the bundle of notes, she continued, "Assure his majesty that it will
+ever be my greatest pride and pleasure to obey his slightest wish. My
+respect for his orders can only be equalled by my tender friendship for
+her who is the bearer of the royal mandate." Then, deliberately putting
+the money in her pocket, she exclaimed, "You must own that comte Jean is
+a great rogue."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+
+     My  alarms--An _eleve_ of the _Pare-aux-Cerfs_--Comte Jean
+     endeavours to direct the king's ideas--A supper at Trianon--
+     Table talk--The king is seized with illness--His
+     conversation with me--The joiner's daughter and the
+     small-pox--My despair--Conduct of La Martiniere the surgeon
+
+I had occasionally some unaccountable whims and caprices. Among other
+follies I took it into my head to become jealous of the duchesse de
+Cosse, under the idea that the duke would return to her, and that
+I should no longer possess his affections. Now the cause of this
+extravagant conduct was the firmness with which madame de Cosse refused
+all overtures to visit me, and I had really become so spoiled and
+petted, that I could not be brought to understand the reasonableness of
+the duchesse de Cosse refusing to sanction her rival by her presence.
+
+You may perceive that I had not carried my heroic projects with regard
+to madame de Cosse into execution. Upon these occasions, the person most
+to be pitied was the duke, whom I made answerable for the dignified and
+virtuous conduct of his wife. My injustice drove him nearly to despair,
+and he used every kind and sensible argument to convince me of my error,
+as though it had been possible for one so headstrong and misguided as
+myself to listen to or comprehend the language of reason. I replied
+to his tender and beseeching epistles by every cutting and mortifying
+remark; in a word, all common sense appeared to have forsaken me. Our
+quarrel was strongly suspected by part of the court; but the extreme
+prudence and forbearance of M. de Cosse prevented their suppositions
+from ever obtaining any confirmation. But this was not the only subject
+I had for annoyance. On the one hand, my emissaries informed me that
+the king still continued to visit the baroness de New---k, although
+with every appearance of caution and mystery, by the assistance and
+connivance of the duc de Duras, who had given me his solemn promise
+never again to meddle with the affair. The _gouvernante_ of the
+_Parc-aux-Cerfs_ furnished me likewise with a long account of the many
+visits paid by his majesty to her establishment. The fact was, the king
+could not be satisfied without a continual variety, and his passion,
+which ultimately destroyed him, appeared to have come on only as he
+advanced in years.
+
+All these things created in my mind an extreme agitation and an alarm,
+and, improbable as the thing appeared even to myself, there were moments
+when I trembled lest I should be supplanted either by the baroness or
+some fresh object of the king's caprice; and again a cold dread stole
+over me as I anticipated the probability of the health of Louis XV
+falling a sacrifice to the irregularity of his life. It was well known
+throughout the chateau, that La Martiniere, the king's surgeon, had
+strongly recommended a very temperate course of life, as essentially
+necessary to recruit his constitution, wasted by so many excesses, and
+had even gone so far as to recommend his no longer having a mistress;
+this the courtiers construed into a prohibition against his possessing
+a friend of any other sex than his own; for my own part, I experienced
+very slight apprehensions of being dismissed, for I well knew that Louis
+XV reckoned too much on my society to permit my leaving the court, and
+if one, the more tender, part of our union were dissolved, etiquette
+could no longer object to my presence. Still the advice of La Martiniere
+was far from giving me a reason for congratulation, but these minor
+grievances were soon to be swallowed up in one fatal catastrophe, by
+which the honours, and pleasures of Versailles were for ever torn from
+me.
+
+The _madame_ of the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_, fearing that some of the
+subordinate members of that establishment might bring me intimation of
+what was going on there without her cognizance, came one day to apprize
+me that his majesty had fallen desperately in love with a young orphan
+of high birth, whom chance had conducted within the walls of her harem;
+that to an extraordinary share of beauty, Julie (for that was the name
+of my rival) united the most insatiate ambition; her aims were directed
+to reducing the king into a state of the most absolute bondage, "and
+he," said madame, "bids fair to become all that the designing girl would
+have him."
+
+Julie feigned the most violent love for her royal admirer, nay she did
+not hesitate to carry her language and caresses far beyond the strict
+rules of decency; her manners were those of one accustomed to the most
+polished society, whilst her expressions were peculiarly adapted to
+please one who, like the king, had a peculiar relish for every thing
+that was indecent or incorrect. His majesty either visited her daily or
+sent for her to the chateau. I heard likewise from M. d'Aiguillon,
+that the king had recently given orders that the three uncles and two
+brothers of Julie should be raised by rapid promotion to the highest
+military rank; at the same time the grand almoner informed me he had
+received his majesty's express command to appoint a cousin of the young
+lady to the first vacant bishopric.
+
+These various reports threw me into a train of painful and uneasy
+reflections. Louis XV. had never before bestowed such marks of favour
+upon any _eleve_ of the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_, and the intrigue had attained
+this height with the most inconceivable rapidity. Chamilly interrupted
+my meditations, by presenting himself with an account of his having been
+commissioned by his majesty to cause a most splendid suit of diamonds to
+be prepared for mademoiselle Julie, the king not considering any jewels
+of Paris worthy her acceptance. By way of a finish to all this, I
+learned that two ladies, one of whom was a duchess, had openly boasted
+at Versailles of their relationship to Julie. This was a more decided
+corroborative than all the rest. Courtiers of either sex are skilful
+judges of the shiftings of the wind of court favour, and I deemed it
+high time to summon my brother-in-law to my assistance, as well as to
+urge him to exert his utmost energies to support my tottering power.
+
+My communication tormented comte Jean as much as it did me; he proposed
+several means of combating this rising inclination on the part of Louis
+XV. I assented to whatever he suggested, and we set to work with an
+eagerness, increased on my part by a species of gloomy presentiment,
+which subsequent events but too fatally confirmed. The marechale de
+Mirepoix, who, from being on good terms with every person, was sure to
+be aware of all that was going on, spoke to me also of this rival who
+was springing up in obscurity and retirement; and it was from the same
+source I learned what I have told you of the two ladies of the court.
+She advised me not to abandon myself to a blind confidence, and this
+opinion was strengthened when I related all I had gathered upon the
+subject.
+
+"You may justly apprehend," said she, "that Julie will instil some of
+her bold and fearless nature into the king, and should she presume to
+put herself in competition with you, victory would in all probability
+incline to the side of the last comer"; and I felt but too truly that
+the marechale spoke with truth.
+
+A few days after this, the king being alone with me, comte Jean entered.
+After the usual salutations, he exclaimed, "I have just seen a most
+lovely creature."
+
+"Who is she?" inquired his majesty, hastily.
+
+"No high-born dame," answered comte Jean, "but the daughter of a
+cabinet-maker at Versailles; I think I never beheld such matchless
+beauty."
+
+"Always excepting present company," replied the king.
+
+"Assuredly," rejoined my brother-in-law, "but, sire, the beauteous
+object of whom I speak is a nymph in grace, a sylph in airy lightness,
+and an angel in feature."
+
+"Comte Jean seems deeply smitten indeed, madam," exclaimed Louis XV,
+turning towards me.
+
+"Not I indeed," replied my brother-in-law, "my lovemaking days are
+over."
+
+"Oh! oh!" cried the king, smiling, "_fructus belli_."
+
+"What does your majesty say?" inquired I.
+
+"Nay, let the comte explain," cried Louis XV.
+
+"The king observed, my dear sister," answered comte Jean, "that
+ladies--but, in fact, I can neither explain the observation, nor was it
+intended for you--so let it rest."
+
+He continued for some time to jest with comte Jean upon his supposed
+passion for the fair daughter of the cabinet-maker; and the king,
+whilst affecting the utmost indifference, took every pains to obtain the
+fullest particulars as to where this peerless beauty might be found.
+
+When my brother-in-law and myself were alone, he said to me, "I played
+my part famously, did I not? How eagerly the bait was swallowed!"
+
+"Explain yourself," said I.
+
+"My good sister, what I have said respecting this perfection of
+loveliness is no fiction, neither have I at all exaggerated either her
+perfections or her beauty, and I trust by her aid we shall obliterate
+from the king's mind every recollection of the syren of the
+_Parc-aux-Cerfs_."
+
+"Heaven grant it," exclaimed I.
+
+"My dear sister," replied comte Jean, "heaven has nothing to do with
+such things."
+
+Alas! he was mistaken, and Providence only employed the present occasion
+as a means of causing us to be precipitated into the very abyss of ruin
+we had dug for others. On the following morning, Chamilly came to me
+to inquire whether it was my pleasure that the present scheme should be
+carried into execution.
+
+"Yes, yes," answered I eagerly, "by all means, the more we direct the
+inclinations of the king for the present, the better for him and for us
+likewise."
+
+Armed with my consent, Chamilly dispatched to the unhappy girl that
+_madame_, whose skill in such delicate commissions had never been
+known to fail. Not that in the present instance any great bribes were
+requisite, but it was necessary to employ some agent whose specious
+reasoning and oily tongue should have power to vanquish the virtuous
+reluctance of the victim herself, as well as to obtain a promise of
+strict silence from her family. They were soon induced to listen to
+their artful temptress; and the daughter, dazzled by the glittering
+prospect held out to her, was induced to accompany _madame_ back to
+Trianon, where the king was to sup, in company with the ducs d'Aiguillon
+and de Richelieu, the prince de Soubise, the ducs de Cosse, de Duras,
+and de Noailles, mesdames de Mirepoix, de Forcalquier, de Flaracourt,
+and myself; my brother-in-law and Chon were also of the party, although
+not among the number of those who sat down to supper. Their presence was
+merely to keep up my spirits, and with a view to divert me from dwelling
+on the presumed infidelity of the king.
+
+We had promised ourselves a most delightful evening, and had all come
+with the expectation of finding considerable amusement in watching the
+countenances and conduct of those who were not aware of the real state
+of the game, whilst such as were admitted into my entire confidence,
+were sanguine in their hopes and expectations of employing the simple
+beauty of the maiden of Versailles to crush the aspiring views of my
+haughty rival of the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_. This was, indeed, the point
+at which I aimed, and my further intention was to request the king to
+portion off mademoiselle Julie, so that she might be ever removed from
+again crossing my path.
+
+Meanwhile, by way of passing the tedious hours, I went to satisfy my
+curiosity respecting those charms of which comte Jean had spoken so
+highly. I found the object of so many conjectures possessed of an
+uncommon share of beauty, set off, on the present occasion, by every aid
+that a splendid and elaborate toilette could impart; her features were
+perfect, her form tall and symmetrical, her hair was in the richest
+style of luxuriance; but by way of drawback to so many advantages, both
+her hands and feet were large and coarse. I had expected to have found
+her timid, yet exulting, but she seemed languid and dejected even to
+indisposition. I attributed the lassitude and heaviness which hung over
+her to some natural regrets for sacrificing some youthful passion at
+the shrine of ambition; but I was far from guessing the truth. Had I but
+suspected the real cause! but I contented myself with a silent scrutiny
+(I should have questioned her on the subject), but passed on to the
+saloon, where the guests were already assembled. The evening passed away
+most delightfully; the marechale de Mirepoix excelled herself in keeping
+up a continual flow of lively conversation. Never had messieurs de Cosse
+and de Richelieu appeared to equal advantage. The king laughed heartily
+at the many humorous tales told, and his gaiety was the more excited,
+from his believing that I was in utter ignorance of his infidelity. The
+champagne was passed freely round the table, till all was one burst of
+hilarious mirth. A thousand different topics were started, and dismissed
+only to give way to fresh subjects more piquant than the preceding.
+
+The king, in a fit of good humour, began to relate his adventures with
+madame de Grammont; but here you must pardon me, my friend, for so
+entirely did his majesty give the reins to his inclination for a plain
+style of language, that, although excess of prudery formed no part of
+the character of any of the ladies assembled, we were compelled to sit
+with our eyes fixed upon our plate or glass, not daring to meet the
+glance of those near us. I have little doubt but that Louis XV indulged
+himself to this extent by a kind of mental vow to settle the affair with
+his confessor at the earliest opportunity.
+
+We were still at table when the clock struck two hours past midnight.
+
+"Bless me! so late?" inquired the king.
+
+"Indeed, sire," replied the marechale de Mirepoix, "your agreeable
+society drives all recollection of time away."
+
+"Then 'tis but fit I should furnish you all with memory enough to
+recollect what is necessary for your own health. Come, my friends,
+morning will soon call us to our different cares, so away to your
+pillows."
+
+So saying, the king bade us a friendly farewell, and retired with
+the ducs de Duras and de Noailles. We remained after his majesty, and
+retiring into the great saloon, threw ourselves without any ceremony
+upon the different couches and ottomans.
+
+"For my own part," said the prince de Soubise, "I shall not think of
+separating from so agreeable a party till daylight warns me hence."
+
+"The first beams of morn will soon shine through these windows," replied
+M. d'Aiguillon.
+
+"We can already perceive the brightest rays of Aurora reflected in the
+sparkling eyes around us," exclaimed M. de Cosse.
+
+"A truce with your gallantry, gentlemen," replied madame de Mirepoix,
+"at my age I can only believe myself capable of reflecting the last rays
+of the setting sun."
+
+"Hush!" interrupted madame de Forcalquier, "you forget we are at
+Versailles, where age is never thought of, but where, like our gracious
+sovereign, all are young."
+
+"Come, ladies," said madame de Flaracourt, "let us retire; I for one,
+plead guilty of being in need of repose."
+
+"No, no!" replied the duc de Richelieu, "let us employ the remaining
+hours in pleasing and social converse," and with a tremulous voice he
+began that charming trio in "Selina and Azor," "_Veillons mes soeurs_."
+We joined chorus with him, and the echoes of the palace of Louis XV
+resounded with the mirthful strain. This burst of noisy mirth did not
+last long, and we relapsed into increased taciturnity, spite of our
+endeavours to keep up a general conversation. We were all fatigued,
+though none but madame de Flaracourt would confess the fact. Tired
+nature called loudly for repose, and we were each compelled to seek it
+in the different apartments assigned us. The duc d'Aiguillon alone was
+compelled, by the duties of his office, to return to Versailles.
+
+Upon entering my chamber I found my brother-in-law there, in the most
+violent fit of ill humour, that the king (who was in fact ignorant of
+his being at Trianon) had not invited him to supper. As I have before
+told you, comte Jean was no favourite with his majesty, and as I had
+displayed no wish for his company, Louis XV had gladly profited by my
+indifference to omit him upon the present occasion. I endeavoured to
+justify the king, without succeeding, however, in appeasing comte Jean,
+who very unceremoniously consigned us all to the care and company of a
+certain old gentleman, whose territory is supposed to lie beneath "the
+round globe which we inhabit."
+
+ "I have to thank you," replied I, "for a very flattering mode of
+saying 'good night.'"
+
+"Perhaps," answered comte Jean roughly, "you would prefer--"
+
+"Nothing from your lips if you please, my polite brother," cried I,
+interrupting him, "nothing you will say in your present humour can be at
+all to my taste."
+
+Chon interfered between us, and effected a reconciliation, which I was
+the more willing to listen to, that I might enjoy that sleep my weary
+eye-lids craved for. Scarcely was my head on my pillow, than I fell into
+a profound sleep: could I but have anticipated to what I should awake!
+It was eleven o'clock on the following morning when an immense noise of
+some person entering my chamber, aroused me from the sweet slumbers I
+was still buried in. Vexed at the disturbance, I inquired, in a peevish
+tone, "Who is there?"
+
+"Tis I, my sister," replied Chon, "M. de Chamilly is here, anxious to
+speak with you upon a matter of great importance."
+
+Chamilly, who was close behind mademoiselle du Barry, begged to be
+admitted.
+
+"What is the matter, Chamilly?" cried I, "and what do you want? Is
+mademoiselle Julie to set off into the country immediately?"
+
+"Alas! madam," replied Chamilly, "his majesty is extremely ill."
+
+These words completely roused me, and raising myself on my arm, I
+eagerly repeated, "Ill! of what does he complain?"
+
+"Of general and universal pain and suffering," replied Chamilly.
+
+"And the female who was here last night, how is she?"
+
+"Nearly as bad, madam; she arose this morning complaining of illness
+and languor, which increased so rapidly, that she was compelled to be
+carried to one of the nearest beds, where she now is."
+
+All this tormented me to the greatest degree, and I dismissed Chamilly
+for the purpose of rising, although I had no distinct idea of what
+it would be most desirable to say or do. My sister-in-law, with more
+self-possession, suggested the propriety of summoning Bordeu, my
+physician; a proposal which I at once concurred in, more especially when
+she informed me, that La Martiniere was already sent for, and hourly
+expected.
+
+"I trust," said I, "that Bouvart knows nothing of this, for I neither
+approve of him as a man or a doctor."
+
+The fact was, I should have trembled for my own power, had both Bouvart
+and La Martiniere got the king into their hands. With La Martiniere I
+knew very well I was no favourite; yet it was impossible to prevent his
+attendance; the king would never have fancied a prescription in which he
+did not concur.
+
+Meanwhile I proceeded with my toilette as rapidly as possible, that I
+might, by visiting the king, satisfy myself of the nature of his malady.
+Ere I had finished dressing, my brother-in-law, who had likewise been
+aroused by the mention of his majesty's illness, entered my chamber
+with a gloomy look; he already saw the greatness of the danger which
+threatened us, he had entirely forgotten our quarrel of the preceding
+evening, but his temper was by no means improved by the present state
+of things. We had no need of explaining ourselves by words, and he
+continued walking up and down the room with, his arms folded and
+his eyes fixed on the floor, till we were joined by the marechale de
+Mirepoix and the comtesse de Forcalquier. Madame de Flaracourt had taken
+her departure at an early hour, either ignorant of what had occurred or
+with the intention of being prepared for whatever might happen.
+
+As yet, it was but little in the power of any person to predict the
+coming blow. "The king is ill," said each of us as we met. "The king is
+ill," was the morning salutation of the ducs de Richelieu, de Noailles,
+de Duras, and de Cosse. The prince de Soubise had followed the example
+of madame de Flaracourt, and had quitted Trianon; it seemed as though
+the hour for defection were already arrived. A summons now arrived from
+his majesty who wished to see me. I lost not a moment in repairing to
+his apartment, where I found him in bed, apparently in much pain and
+uneasiness. He received me tenderly, took my hands in his, and kissed
+them; then exclaimed,
+
+ "I feel more indisposed than I can describe, a weight seems
+pressing on my chest, and universal languor appears to chain my
+faculties both of body and mind. I should like to see La Martiniere."
+
+"And would you not likewise wish to have the advice of Bordeu?"
+
+"'Yes," said he, "let both come, they are both clever men, and I have
+full confidence in their skill. But do you imagine that my present
+illness will be of a serious nature?"
+
+"By no means, sire," returned I, "merely temporary, I trust and
+believe."
+
+"Perhaps I took more wine than agreed with me last evening; but where is
+the marechale?"
+
+"In my chamber with madame de Forcalquier."
+
+"And the prince de Soubise?"
+
+"He has taken flight," replied I, laughing.
+
+"I suppose so," returned Louis XV, "he could not bear a long absence
+from Paris; company he must have."
+
+"In that respect he resembles you, sire, for you generally consider
+company as a necessary good."
+
+He smiled, and then closing his eyes remained for some minutes silent
+and motionless, after a while he said,
+
+"My head is very heavy, so farewell, my sweet friend, I will endeavour
+to get some sleep."
+
+"Sleep, sire!" said I, "and may it prove as healthful and refreshing as
+I pray it may."
+
+So saying, I glided out of the room and returned to my friends, I found
+madame de Mirepoix and the duc de Cosse waiting for me in the anteroom.
+
+"How is the king?" inquired they both in a breath.
+
+"Better than I expected," I replied, "but he is desirous of sleeping."
+
+"So much the worse," observed the duc de Cosse; "I should have thought
+better of his case had he been more wakeful."
+
+"Are you aware of the most imperative step for you to take?" inquired
+the marechale de Mirepoix.
+
+"No," said I, "what is it?"
+
+"To keep his majesty at Trianon," replied she; "it will be far better
+for you that the present illness should take its course at Trianon
+rather than at Versailles."
+
+"I second that advice," cried the duc de Richelieu, who just then
+entered the room; "yes, yes, as madame de Mirepoix wisely observes, this
+is the place for the king to be ill in."
+
+"But," exclaimed I, "must we not be guided by the physicians' advice?"
+
+"Do you make sure of Bordeu," said the duke, "and I will speak to La
+Martiniere."
+
+M. de Cosse took me aside, and assured me that I might rely upon him
+in life or death. When we had conversed together for some minutes, I
+besought of him to leave the place as early as possible; "Take madame de
+Forcalquier with you," said I, "your presence just now at Trianon would
+be too much commented upon."
+
+He made some difficulties in obeying me, but I insisted and he went.
+After his departure, the duc de Richelieu, the marechale and myself
+walked together in the garden. Our walk was so directed that we could
+see through the colonnade every person who arrived up the avenue. We
+spoke but little, and an indescribable feeling of solemnity was mingled
+with the few words which passed, when, all at once, our attention was
+attracted by the sight of comte Jean, who rushed towards me in a state
+of frenzy.
+
+"Accursed day," cried he, stopping when he saw us, "that wretched girl
+from Versailles has brought the small-pox with her."
+
+At this fatal news I heaved a deep sigh and fainted. I was carried under
+the portico, while the poor marechale, scarcely more in her senses than
+myself, stood over me weeping like a child, while every endeavour
+was being made to restore me to life. Bordeu, who chanced to be at
+Versailles, arrived, and supposing it was on my account he had been
+summoned, hastened to my assistance. The duc de Richelieu and comte Jean
+informed him of all that had passed, upon which he requested to see
+the unfortunate female immediately; while he was conducted thither, I
+remained alone with the marechale and Henriette, who had come to Trianon
+with my suite. My first impulse upon regaining the use of my senses, was
+to throw myself in the arms of the marechale.
+
+"What will become of me?" exclaimed I, weeping, "if the king should take
+this fatal malady, he will never survive it."
+
+"Let us hope for the best," answered madame de Mirepoix; "it would be
+encouraging grief to believe a misfortune, which we have at present no
+reason to suspect."
+
+Comte Jean now rejoined us, accompanied by Bordeu and the duc de
+Richelieu; their countenances were gloomy and dejected. The miserable
+victim of ambition had the symptoms of the most malignant sort of
+small-pox; this was a finishing stroke to my previous alarms. However,
+comte Jean whispered in my ear, "Bordeu will arrange that the king shall
+remain here."
+
+This assurance restored me to something like composure; but these hopes
+were speedily dissipated by the arrival of La Martiniere.
+
+"What is the matter?" inquired he, "is the king very ill?"
+
+"That remains for you to decide"; replied the duc de Richelieu; "but
+however it may be, madame du Barry entreats of you not to think of
+removing the king to Versailles."
+
+"And why so?" asked La Martiniere, with his accustomed abruptness. "His
+majesty would be much better there than here."
+
+"He can nowhere be better than at Trianon, monsieur," said I.
+
+"That, madam," answered La Martiniere, "is the only point upon which
+you must excuse my consulting you, unless, indeed, you are armed with a
+physician's diploma."
+
+"Monsieur la Martiniere," cried the duc de Richelieu, "you might employ
+more gentle language when speaking to a lady."
+
+"Was I sent for hither," inquired the angry physician, "to go through a
+course of politeness?"
+
+For my own part I felt the utmost dread, I scarcely knew of what.
+Bordeu, seeing my consternation, hastened to interfere, by saying,
+
+"At any rate, monsieur la Martiniere, you will not alarm the king
+needlessly."
+
+ "Nor lull him into a false security," answered the determined
+La Martiniere. "But what is his malady have you seen him, doctor
+Bordeu?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"Then why do we linger here? Your servant, ladies and gentlemen."
+
+The medical men then departed, accompanied the duc de Richelieu.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+
+     La Martiniere causes the king to be removed to Versailles--
+     The young prophet appears again to madame du Barry--
+     Prediction respecting cardinal de Richelieu--The joiner's
+     daughter requests to see madame du Barry--Madame de Mirepoix
+     and the 50,000 francs--A _soiree_ in the salon of madame
+     du Barry
+
+We continued for some minutes silently gazing on the retreating figures
+of La Martiniere and his companions.
+
+"Come," said the marechale, "let us return to the house"; saying which,
+she supported herself by the arm of comte Jean, whilst I mechanically
+followed her example, and sadly and sorrowfully we bent our steps
+beneath the splendid colonnade which formed the entrance to the mansion.
+
+When I reached my chamber, I found mademoiselle du Barry there, still
+ignorant of the alarming news I had just learned. She earnestly pressed
+me to return to bed, but this I refused; for my burning anxiety to learn
+every particular relative to the king would have prevented my sleeping.
+How different was the style of our present conversation to that of the
+preceding evening; no sound of gaiety was heard; hushed alike were the
+witty repartee, and the approving laugh which followed it. Now, we
+spoke but by fits and starts, with eye and ear on the watch to catch
+the slightest sound, whilst the most trifling noise, or the opening of
+a door, made us start with trepidation and alarm. The time appeared to
+drag on to an interminable length.
+
+At last the duc de Richelieu made his appearance.
+
+"Well, my friends," said he, "the king is to be removed to Versailles,
+spite of your wishes, madam, spite of his own royal inclination, and
+against mine, likewise. La Martiniere has thundered forth his edict, and
+poor Bordeu opposed him in vain. His majesty, who expresses a wish to
+remain here, stated his pleasure to La Martiniere."
+
+"'Sire,' answered the obstinate physician, 'it cannot be. You are
+too ill to be permitted to take your choice in the matter, and to the
+chateau at Versailles you must be removed.'
+
+"'Your words imply my being dangerously indisposed,' said the king,
+inquiringly.
+
+"'Your majesty is sufficiently ill to justify every precaution, and to
+require our best cares. You must return to the chateau; Trianon is not
+healthy; you will be much better at Versailles.'
+
+"'Upon my word, doctor,' replied the king, 'your words are far from
+consoling; there must be danger, then, in my present sickness?'
+
+"'There would be considerable danger were you to remain here, whilst
+it is very probable you may avoid any chance of it by following my
+directions with regard to an immediate removal to Versailles.'
+
+"'I feel but little disposed for the journey,' said his majesty.
+
+"'Still, your majesty must be removed, there is an absolute necessity
+for it, and I take all the responsibility upon myself.'
+
+"'What do you think of this determination, Bordeu?'
+
+"'I think, sire, that you may be permitted to please yourself.'
+
+"'You hear that, La Martiniere?'
+
+"'Yes, sire, and your majesty heard my opinion likewise.' Then turning
+towards Bordeu, 'Sir,' exclaimed he, 'I call upon you in my capacity
+of head physician to the king, to state your opinion in writing, and to
+abide by the consequences of it; you who are not one of his majesty's
+physicians.'
+
+"At this direct appeal, your doctor, driven to extremities, adopted
+either the wise or cowardly resolution of maintaining a strict silence.
+The king, who was awaiting his reply with much impatience, perceiving
+his reluctance to speak, turned towards the duc de Duras, who was in
+attendance upon him, and said, 'Let them take me when and where my head
+physician advises.'"
+
+At this recital I shed fresh tears. The duke afterwards told us that
+when La Martiniere had quitted his majesty, he went to ascertain the
+condition of the wretched girl who had introduced all this uneasiness
+among us, and after having attentively examined her, he exclaimed, "She
+is past all hope, God only knows what the consequences may be." This
+gloomy prognostic added still more to my distress, and whilst those
+around me strove to communicate fresh hopes and confidence to my
+tortured mind, I remained in a state too depressed and dejected to admit
+one, even one ray of consolation.
+
+The king was removed from Trianon, followed by all the persons belonging
+to his suite. The marechale insisted upon deferring her departure till
+I quitted the place. We set out a few minutes after his majesty, and
+my coachman had orders to observe the same slow pace at which the
+royal carriage travelled. Scarcely had we reached Versailles, when
+mechanically directing my eyes towards the iron gate leading to the
+garden, a sudden paleness overspread my countenance, and a cry of terror
+escaped me, for, leaning against the gate in question, I perceived that
+singular being, who, after having foretold my elevation, had engaged to
+present himself before me, when a sudden reverse was about to overtake
+me. This unexpected fulfilment of his promise threw me into the most
+cruel agitation, and I could not refrain from explaining the cause of my
+alarm to those who were with me. No sooner had I made myself understood
+than Comte Jean stopped the carriage, and jumped out with the intention
+of questioning this mysterious visitor. We waited with extreme
+impatience the return of my brother-in-law, but he came back alone,
+nor had he been able to discover the least trace of the object of his
+search. In vain had he employed the two footmen from behind the carriage
+to examine the different avenues by which he might have retired. Nothing
+could be heard of him, and I remained, more than ever, convinced that
+the entire fulfilment of the prophecy was at hand, and that the fatal
+hour would shortly strike, which would witness my fall from all my pomp
+and greatness. We continued our route slowly and silently; the marechale
+accompanied me to the door of my apartment, where I bade her adieu,
+spite of her wish to remain with me; but even her society was now
+fatiguing to me, and I longed to be alone with merely my own family.
+
+My two sisters-in-law, the wife of comte d'Hargicourt and that of my
+nephew, were speedily assembled to talk over with me the events of the
+last twelve hours. I threw myself upon my bed in a state of mental and
+bodily fatigue, impossible to describe. I strove in vain to collect my
+ideas, and arm myself for what I well saw was approaching, and the exact
+appearance of the singular predicter of my destiny prepared me for the
+rapid accomplishing of all that had been promised.
+
+Louis XV, during this fatal illness, was placed under the care of Bordeu
+and Lemonnier. No particularly alarming symptoms appeared during that
+day, and we remained in a state of suspense more difficult to bear
+than even the most dreadful certainty. As soon as the king felt himself
+sufficiently recovered from the fatigues of his removal he requested to
+see me. After bestowing on me the most gratifying marks of the sincerest
+attachment, he said,
+
+"I am well punished, my dear countess, for my inconstancy towards you,
+but forgive me. I pray and believe that, however my fancy may wander, my
+heart is all your own."
+
+"Is that quite true?" said I, smiling. "Have you not some reservations?
+Does not a noble female in the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ come in for a share as
+well as the baroness de New----k?"
+
+The king pressed my hand, and replied,
+
+"You must not believe all those idle tales; I met the baroness by
+chance, and, for a time, I thought her pretty. As for the other, if
+she renders you in any way uneasy, let her be married at once, and sent
+where we need never see her again."
+
+"This is, indeed, the language of sincerity," cried I, "and from this
+moment I shall have the fullest confidence in you."
+
+The conversation was carried on for a long while in this strain. The
+physicians had made so light of the complaint, that the king believed
+his illness to be merely of a temporary nature, and his gaiety and
+good spirits returned almost to their natural height. He inquired after
+madame de Mirepoix, and whether my sisters-in-law were uneasy respecting
+his state of health. You may imagine that my reply was worded with all
+the caution necessary to keep him in profound ignorance as to his real
+condition. When I returned to my apartment I found Bordeu there, who
+appeared quite at a loss what to say respecting the king's malady, the
+symptoms still remained too uncertain to warrant any person in calling
+it the small-pox.
+
+"And should it prove that horrible complaint?" inquired I.
+
+"There would, in that case, be considerable danger," replied Bordeu, not
+without extreme embarrassment..
+
+ "Perhaps even to the extinction of all hope?"  asked I.
+
+ "God alone can tell," returned Bordeu.
+
+"I understand," interrupted I, quickly, "and, spite of the mystery with
+which you would fain conceal the extent of his majesty's danger, I know,
+and venture to assert, that you consider him already as dead."
+
+"Have a care, madam," exclaimed Bordeu, "how you admit such an idea,
+and still more of proclaiming it. I pledge you my word that I do
+not consider the king is in danger; I have seen many cures equally
+extraordinary with his."
+
+I shook my head in token of disbelief. I had uttered what I firmly
+supposed the truth, and the sight of my evil genius in the person of the
+prophet who had awaited my return to Versailles, turned the encouraging
+words of Bordeu into a cold, heavy chill, which struck to my heart.
+Bordeu quitted me to resume his attendance upon the king. After him came
+the duc d'Aiguillon, whose features bore the visible marks of care and
+disquiet. He met me with the utmost tenderness and concern, asked of
+me the very smallest details of the disastrous events of the morning. I
+concealed nothing from him, and he listened to my recital with the most
+lively interest; and the account of the apparition of the wonderful
+being who seemed destined to follow me throughout my career was not the
+least interesting part of our conversation.
+
+"There are," said the duke, "many very extraordinary things in this
+life, reason questions them, philosophy laughs at them, and yet it
+is impossible to deny that there are various hidden causes, or sudden
+inspirations, which have the greatest effect upon our destiny. As a
+proof, I will relate to you the following circumstance. You are aware,"
+continued the duke, "that the cardinal de Richelieu, the author of our
+good fortune, spite of the superiority of his mind, believed in judicial
+astrology. When his own immediate line became extinct by the unexpected
+death of his family and relatives, he wished to ascertain what would be
+the fate of those children belonging to his sister, whom he had adopted
+as the successors of his name, arms, and fortune. The planets were
+consulted, and the answer received was, that two centuries from the day
+on which Providence had so highly elevated himself, the family, upon
+whom rested all his hopes of perpetuating his name, should fail entirely
+in its male descent. You see that the duc de Fronsac has only one child,
+an infant not many days old. I also have but one, and these two feeble
+branches seem but little calculated to falsify the prediction. Judge, my
+dear countess, how great must be my paternal anxiety!"
+
+This relation on the part of the duc d'Aiguillon was but ill calculated
+to restore my drooping spirits, and although I had no reason for
+concluding that the astrologer had spoken prophetically to the grand
+cardinal, I was not the less inclined to believe, with increased
+confidence, the predictions uttered respecting myself by my inexplicable
+visitor of the morning. My ever kind friend, the duchesse d'Aiguillon,
+was not long ere she too made her appearance, with the view, and in the
+hope of consoling me. I could not resist her earnest endeavours to rouse
+me from my grief, and a grateful sense of her goodness obliged me to
+deck my features with at least the semblance of cheerfulness. Every
+hour fresh accounts of the king's health were brought me, of a most
+encouraging nature; by these bulletins one might naturally suppose him
+rapidly recovering, and we all began to smile at our folly in having
+been so soon alarmed; in fact, my spirits rose in proportion as the
+mysterious visit of my evil genius gradually faded from my recollection.
+
+In this manner the day passed away. I visited the king from time
+to time, and he, although evidently much oppressed and indisposed,
+conversed with me without any painful effort. His affection for me
+seemed to gain fresh strength as his bodily vigour declined, and the
+fervent attachment he expressed for me, at a time when self might
+reasonably have been expected to hold possession of his mind, filled me
+with regret at not being able more fully to return so much tenderness.
+ wished to be alone, the marechale de Mirepoix had sent to request a
+private interview, and I awaited her arrival in my chamber, whilst an
+immense concourse of visitors filled my salons. The king's danger was
+not yet sufficiently decided for the courtiers to abandon me, and the
+favour to warrant any one of them in withdrawing from me their usual
+attentions. Comte Jean, however, presented himself before me, spite of
+the orders I had given to exclude every person but the marechale.
+
+"My dear sister," cried he, as he entered, "Chamilly has just told me
+that he has received the royal command to have Julie married off without
+delay; now this is a piece of delicacy towards yourself on the part
+of the king for which you owe him many thanks. But I have another
+communication to make you, of a less pleasing nature. The unfortunate
+girl who has been left at Trianon, has called incessantly for you the
+whole of this day; she asserts that she has matters of importance to
+communicate to you."
+
+Whatever surprise I experienced at this intelligence, it was impossible
+it could be otherwise than true, for was it likely that, at a time like
+the present, comte Jean would attempt to impose such a tale upon me.
+
+"What would you have me do?" asked I of my brother-in-law.
+
+"Hark ye, sister," replied he, "we are both of us in a very critical
+situation just now, and should spare no endeavour to extricate ourselves
+from it. Very possibly this girl may be in possession of facts more
+important than you at present conceive possible; the earnestness with
+which she perseveres in her desire of seeing you, and her repeated
+prayers to those around her to beg your attendance, proves that it is
+something more than the mere whim of a sick person, and in your place, I
+should not hesitate to comply with her wishes."
+
+"And how could we do so?" said I.
+
+"To-night," returned he, "when all your guests have retired, and
+Versailles is in a manner deserted, I will fetch you; we have keys which
+open the various gates in the park, and walking through which, and the
+gardens, we can reach Trianon unobserved. No person will be aware of our
+excursion, and we shall return with the same caution with which we went.
+We will, after our visit, cause our clothes to be burnt, take a bath,
+and use every possible precaution to purify ourselves from all chance of
+infection. When that is done you may venture into the apartment of his
+majesty, even if that malady which at present hangs over him should turn
+out to be the small-pox."
+
+I thought but little of the consequences of our scheme, or of the
+personal danger I incurred, and I promised my brother-in-law that I
+would hold myself in readiness to accompany him. We then conversed
+together upon the state of the king, and, what you will have some
+difficulty in crediting, not one word escaped either of us relative
+to our future plans or prospects; still it was the point to which the
+thoughts of comte Jean must naturally have turned.
+
+We were interrupted in our _tete-a-tete_ by the arrival of the
+marechale, whose exactitude I could not but admire. Comte Jean, having
+hastily paid his compliments, left us together.
+
+"Well, my dear countess," said she, taking my hand with a friendly
+pressure, "and how goes on the dear invalid?"
+
+"Better, I hope," replied I, "and indeed, this illness, at first so
+alarming to me, seems rather calculated to allay my former fears and
+anxieties by affording the king calm and impartial reflection; the
+result of it is that my dreaded rival of the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ is
+dismissed."
+
+"I am delighted to hear this," replied madame de Mirepoix, "but, my dear
+soul, let me caution you against too implicitly trusting these deceitful
+appearances, to-morrow may destroy these flattering hopes, and the next
+day--"
+
+"Indeed!" cried I, interrupting her, "the physicians answer for his
+recovery."
+
+"And suppose they should chance to be mistaken," returned my cautious
+friend, "what then? But, my dear countess, my regard or you compels me
+to speak out, and to warn you of reposing in tranquillity when you ought
+to be acting. Do not deceive yourself, leave nothing to chance; and if
+you have any favour to ask of the king, lose no time in so doing while
+yet you have the opportunity."
+
+"And what favour would you advise me to ask?" said I
+
+"You do not understand me, then?" exclaimed the marechale, "I say that
+it is imperatively necessary for you to accept whatever the king may
+feel disposed to offer you as a future provision, and as affording
+you the means of passing the remainder of your days in ease and
+tranquillity. What would become of you in case of the worst? Your
+numerous creditors would besiege you with a rapacity, still further
+excited by the support they would receive from court. You look at me
+with surprise because I speak the language of truth; be a reasonable
+creature I implore of you once in your life, and do not thus sacrifice
+the interests of your life to a romantic disregard of self."
+
+I could not feel offended with the marechale for addressing me thus, but
+I could not help fancying the moment was ill chosen, and unable to frame
+an answer to my mind, I remained silent. Mistaken as to the cause of my
+taciturnity, she continued,
+
+"Come, I am well pleased to see you thus reflecting upon what I have
+said; but lose no time, strike the iron while it is hot. Do as I have
+recommended either to-night or early to-morrow; possibly, after that
+time it may be too late. May I venture also to remind you of your
+friends, my dear countess. I am in great trouble just now, and I trust
+you will not refuse to obtain for me, from his majesty, a favour
+of which I stand in the utmost need--50,000 francs would come very
+seasonably; I have lost that sum at cards, and must pay it, but how I
+know not."
+
+"Let not that distress you," said I, "for I can relieve you of that
+difficulty until the king's convalescence enables him to undertake the
+pleasing office of assisting your wishes. M. de Laborde has orders to
+honour all my drafts upon him, I will therefore draw for the sum you
+require." So saying, I hastily scrawled upon a little tumbled piece of
+paper those magic words, which had power to unlock the strong coffers of
+a court banker. The marechale embraced me several times with the utmost
+vivacity.
+
+"You are my guardian angel," cried she, "you save me from despair. But,
+tell me, my generous friend, do you think M. de Laborde will make any
+difficulty?"
+
+"Why," said I, "should you suppose it possible he will do so?"
+
+"Oh, merely on account of present circumstances."
+
+"What circumstances?"
+
+"The illness--no, I mean the indisposition of his majesty."
+
+"He is an excellent man," said I, "and I doubt not but he will act nobly
+and honourably."
+
+"If we could but procure his majesty's signature--"
+
+"But that is quite impossible to-night."
+
+"I know it is, and, therefore, I will tell you what I think of doing.
+Perhaps, if I were to set out for Paris immediately, I might be able to
+present this cheque before Laborde is acquainted with our misfortune. It
+is not late, so farewell, my dearest countess. I shall return to-morrow
+before you are up, but do not forget what I have said to you; and
+remember, that under any circumstances, the king should secure you a
+safe and ample independence. If his death finds you well provided for,
+you will still have a court, friends, relatives, partisans, in a word,
+the means of gratifying every inclination. Be guided by me, and follow
+my advice."
+
+And after this lesson of practical morality, the marechale quitted me to
+hurry to Paris; and I, wearied and heartsick, flew to my crowded salons
+as a remedy against the gloomy ideas her conversation had given rise to.
+
+On this evening my guests were more numerous and brilliant than usual,
+for no person entertaining the least suspicion of the king's danger,
+all vied with each other in evincing, by their presence, the desire
+they felt of expressing their regard for me. My friends, acquaintances,
+people whom I scarcely knew at all, were collected together in my
+drawing-rooms; this large assemblage of joyous and cheerful faces, drove
+away for a moment all the gloom which had bung over me. I even forgot
+the morning's visitor, and if the health of the king were at all alluded
+to, it was only _en passant_. It seemed a generally understood thing not
+to believe him seriously ill; in fact, to deny all possibility of such
+a thing being the case. Thus all went on as usual, scandal, slander,
+epigrams, _jeux d'esprits_, all the lively nonsense usually circulated
+upon such occasions, went round, and were laughed at and admired
+according to the tastes of those to whom they were addressed.
+
+Could a stranger have seen us, so careless, thoughtless, and gay, he
+would have been far from suspecting that we were upon the eve of a
+catastrophe which must change the whole face of affairs in France. For
+my own part, my spirits rose to a height with the giddy crowd around me,
+and in levity and folly, I really believe I exceeded them.
+
+At a late hour my rooms were at length forsaken, and I retired to my
+chamber where, having dismissed my other attendants, I remained alone
+(as was frequently my custom) with my faithful Henriette, whom I caused
+to exchange my evening dress for a dark robe, which I covered with
+a large Spanish mantle I had never before worn, and thus equipped,
+I waited the arrival of comte Jean. Henriette, surprised at these
+preparations, pressed me with so many questions, that at last I
+explained my whole purpose to her. The attached creature exerted all her
+eloquence to point out the dangers of the enterprise, which she implored
+of me to abandon, but I refused to listen to her remonstrances, and she
+ceased urging me further, only protesting she should await my return
+with the most lively impatience.
+
+At length, comte Jean appeared, armed with a small sword-stick and
+pistols in his pocket, with every other precaution necessary for
+undertaking so perilous an adventure. We descended into the garden with
+many smiles at the singular figures we made, but no sooner were we in
+the open air, than the sight of the clear heavens sparkling with sta
+ lined with statues, which resembled a troop of white phantoms, the
+gentle waving of the branches, as the evening breeze stirred their
+leaves, with that feeling of awe and solemnity generally attendant
+upon the midnight hour, awoke in our minds ideas more suitable to our
+situation. We ceased speaking and walked slowly down the walk past
+the basin of the dragon, in order, by crossing the park, to reach the
+chateau de Trianon.
+
+Fortune favoured us, for we met only one guard in the park, this man
+having recognised us as we drew near, saluted us, and was about to
+retire, when my brother-in-law called him back an desired him to take
+our key, and open with it the nearest gates to the place which we wished
+to go to. He also commanded him to await our return. The soldier was
+accustomed to these nocturnal excursions even on the part of the most
+scrupulous and correct gentlemen and ladies of the court. He, therefore,
+assured us of his punctuality, and opened for us a great iron gate,
+which it would have cost my brother-in-law much trouble to have turned
+upon its hinges.
+
+The nearer we approached the end of our journey, the more fully did our
+minds become impressed with new and painful disquietudes. At length, we
+reached the place of our destination.
+
+My brother-in-law desired he might be announced but said nothing of who
+I was. We were expected, for a Swiss belonging to the palace conducted
+us to a chamber at one end of the chateau, where, stretched on a bed
+of loathsome disease, was the creature who, but a few hours before, had
+been deemed worthy the embraces of a powerful monarch. Beside her were
+an elderly female, her mother, and an aged priest, who had been likewise
+summoned by the unfortunate girl, and her brother, a young man of about
+twenty-four years of age, with an eye of fire, and a frame of Herculean
+power. He was sitting with his back turned towards the door; the mother,
+half reclining on the bed, held in her hand a handkerchief steeped in
+her tears, while the ecclesiastic read prayers to them from a book which
+he held. A nurse, whom we had not before perceived, answered the call of
+the Swiss, and inquired of him what he wanted.
+
+"I want nothing, myself," answered he, "but here is comte Jean du
+Barry with a lady from Versailles; they say they come at the request of
+mademoiselle Anne."
+
+We were now on the threshold of the door, and the nurse, crossing
+the chamber, spoke to the mother, who hastily rose, while the priest
+discontinued his prayers. The mother looked at us, then whispered some
+words to her daughter. The patient stirred in her bed, and the nurse
+returning to us, said to comte Jean that he might approach the bed of
+the invalid.
+
+He advanced and I followed him, although the noisome effluvia with which
+the air was loaded produced a sickness I scarcely could surmount. The
+gloom of the place was still further increased by the dim light of two
+wax candles placed in a nook of the room.
+
+The priest, having recognised my brother-in-law, and suspecting
+doubtless who I was, was preparing to withdraw, but the sick girl made
+signs for him to remain. He obeyed, but removing to a distance, he took
+his place beside the young man, who, understanding only that strangers
+had arrived, rose from his seat and displayed his tall gigantic height
+to the fullest advantage.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+
+     Interview with the joiner's daughter--Consultation of the
+     physicians respecting the king--The small-pox declares
+     itself--the comte de Muy--The princesses--Extreme
+     sensibility of madame de Mirepoix--The king is kept in
+     ignorance of his real condition--The archbishop of Paris
+     visits Versailles
+
+The gloomy and mysterious air scattered over the group which presented
+itself to our eyes filled us with desponding thoughts. There appeared
+throughout the party a kind of concentrated grief and silent despair
+which struck us with terror. We remained motionless in the same spot
+without any persons quitting their f ixed attitude to offer us a seat.
+After some minutes of a deep silence, which I durst not interrupt any
+more than comte Jean, whose accustomed hardihood seemed effectually
+checked, the suffering girl raised herself in her bed, and in a hollow
+voice exclaimed,
+
+"Comtesse du Barry, what brings you here?"
+
+The sound of her hoarse and grating voice made me start, spite of
+myself.
+
+"My poor child," answered I, tenderly, "I come to see you at your
+request."
+
+"Yes, yes," replied she, bursting into a frightful fit of laughter, "I
+wished to see you to thank you for my dishonour, and for the perdition
+into which you have involved me."
+
+"My daughter," said the priest, approaching her, "is this what you
+promised me?"
+
+"And what did I promise to God when I vowed to hold myself chaste and
+spotless? Perjured wretch that I am, I have sold my honour for paltry
+gold; wheedled by the deceitful flattery of that man who stands before
+me, I joined his infamous companion in the path of guilt and shame.
+But the just vengeance of heaven has overtaken me, and I am rightly
+punished."
+
+Whether this language was the result of a previously studied lesson I
+know not, but it was ill-calculated to raise my failing spirits.
+
+"My child, my beloved child!" exclaimed the weeping mother, "fear not,
+God is merciful and will accept your sincere abhorrence of your fault.
+I have this day offered in your name a fine wax taper to your patroness,
+St. Anne, who will, no doubt, intercede for you."
+
+"No, no!" replied the unhappy girl, "there is no longer any hope for me;
+and the torments I now suffer are but the preludes to those which I am
+doomed to endure everlastingly."
+
+This singular scene almost convulsed me with agitation. I seized the arm
+of my brother-in-law with the intention of escaping from so miserable a
+spot; the invalid perceived my design and vehemently exclaimed,
+
+"Stay, comtesse du Barry; I have not yet finished with you, I have not
+yet announced the full revenge I shall take for your share in my present
+hopeless condition; your infamous exaltation draws to a close, the same
+poison which is destroying me, circulates in the veins of him you have
+too long governed; but your reign is at an end. He will soon quit his
+earthly crown, and my hand strikes the blow which sends him hence. But
+still, dying a victim to a cruel and loathsome complaint, I go to
+my grave triumphing over my haughty rival, for I shall die the last
+possessor of the king's affections. Heavens! what agonies are these?"
+cried she; then, after a short silence, she continued, extending to me
+her arms hideous with the leprous blotches of her disgusting malady,
+"yes, you have been my destruction; your accursed example led me to sell
+myself for the wages of infamy, and to the villainous artifices of the
+man who brought you here I owe all my sufferings. I am dying more young,
+more beautiful, more beloved than you; I am hurried to an untimely end.
+God of heaven! die I did I say die? I cannot, will not--Mother, save
+your child!--Brother, help me, save me!"
+
+"My daughter, my darling child!" cried the despairing mother, wringing
+her hands and weeping bitterly.
+
+"My dearest sister Anne, what can I do for you?" inquired the young man,
+whose stern features were melted into mere womanish tenderness.
+
+"Daughter," interrupted the priest, "God is good; he can and will
+forgive you if you heartily turn to him, with a sincere desire to atone
+for your fault."
+
+All this took place in less time than it has taken in the recital. My
+brother-in-law seemed completely deprived of his usual self-possession
+by this burst of frightful raving; his feet appeared rooted to the
+floor of the chamber; his colour changed from white to red, and a cold
+perspiration covered his brows. For my own part, I was moved beyond
+description; but my faculties seemed spell-bound, and when I strove to
+speak, my tongue cleaved to my mouth.
+
+The delirium of poor Anne continued for some time to find utterance,
+either by convulsive gesticulation, half-uttered expressions, and,
+occasionally, loud and vehement imprecations. At length, quite exhausted
+with her violence, which required all the efforts of her brother to
+subdue by positive force, she sunk into a state of insensibility. The
+priest, on his knees, implored in a loud voice the mercy of Providence
+for the king and all his subjects. Had any person conceived the design
+of working on my fears so far as to induce me to abandon a life at
+court, they could not have succeeded more entirely than by exhibiting
+to me the scene I have been describing. Had not many contending ideas
+enabled me to bear up under all I saw and heard, my senses must have
+forsaken me; under common circumstances, the aspect of the brother alone
+would have terrified me exceedingly; and even now, I cannot recollect
+without a shudder, the looks of dark and sinister meaning he alternately
+directed at me and at comte Jean. At this moment, the doctor who had the
+charge of the unhappy girl arrived. The warmth and eagerness of manner
+with which he addressed me directly he perceived my presence, might
+have proved to all around that I was not the hateful creature I had been
+described. This well-timed interruption restored me to the use of my
+faculties, and repulsing the well-meant attentions of my medical friend,
+I exclaimed, "Do not heed me, I conjure you, I am only temporarily
+indisposed. But hasten to that poor girl whose dangererous state
+requires all your care."
+
+My brother-in-law, recovering himself by a strong effort, profited by
+the present opportunity to remove me into another apartment, the pure
+air of which contributed to cool my fevered brain; but my trembling
+limbs refused to support me, and it was necessary to apply strong
+restoratives ere I was sufficiently recovered to quit the fatal spot. At
+Trianon, as well as at Versailles, I was considered absolute mistress;
+those of the royal household, who were aware of my being at the former,
+earnestly solicited me to retire to the chamber I had occupied on the
+preceding night, but to this arrangement the comte and myself were
+equally opposed. A sedan chair was therefore procured, in which I was
+rapidly transported back to Versailles.
+
+You may easily conceive in what a state I arrived there. My good
+Henriette was greatly alarmed, and immediately summoned Bordeu, who, not
+venturing to bleed me, contented himself with administering some
+cordials which revived me in some degree. But the events of the last few
+hours seemed indelibly fixed in my mind; and I heard, almost with
+indifference, the bulletin issued respecting the state of the king's
+health during the fatal night which had just passed. One object alone
+engrossed my thoughts;--eyes seemed still to behold the miserable girl
+stretched on her dying bed, whose ravings of despair and threatening
+words yet rung in my ears, and produced a fresh chill of horror, as with
+painful tenacity my mind dwelt upon them to the utter exclusion of every
+other consideration. The unfortunate creature expired on the third day,
+a victim to the rapid progress of the most virulent species of small-pox.
+She died more calmly and resigned than I had seen her. For my own
+part, I freely pardoned her injustice towards myself, and sincerely
+forgive the priest if he (as I have been told) excited her bitterness
+against me.
+
+The severe shock I had experienced might have terminated fatally for
+me, had not my thoughts been compelled to rouse themselves for the
+contemplation of the alarming prospect before me. It was more than four
+o'clock in the morning when I returned to the chateau, and at nine I
+rose again without having obtained the least repose.  The king had
+inquired for me several times.  I instantly went to him, and my languid
+frame, pale countenance and heavy eyes, all which he took as the
+consequences of my concern for his indisposition, appeared greatly to
+affect him; and he sought to comfort me by the assurance of his being
+considerably better. This was far from being true, but he was far from
+suspecting the nature of the malady to which his frame was about to
+become a prey. The physicians had now pronounced with certainty on the
+subject, nor was it possible to make any mystery of it with me, who had
+seen Anne on her sick-bed.
+
+In common with all who knew the real nature of the complaint, I sought
+to conceal it from the king, and in this deception the physicians
+themselves concurred. In the course of the morning a consultation took
+place; when called upon for their opinion, each of them endeavoured
+to evade a direct answer, disguising the name of his majesty's disease
+under the appellation of a cutaneous eruption, chicken-pox, etc., etc.,
+none daring to give it its true denomination. Bordeu and Lemonnier
+pursued this cautious plan, but La Martiniere, who had first of
+all pronounced his decision on the subject, impatient of so much
+circumlocution on the part of those around him, could no longer repress
+his indignation.
+
+"How is this, gentlemen!" exclaimed he, "is science at a standstill with
+you? Surely, you cannot be in any doubt on the subject of the king's
+illness. His majesty has the small-pox, with a complication of other
+diseases equally dangerous, and I look upon him as a dead man."
+
+"Monsieur de la Martiniere," cried the duc de Duras, who, in quality of
+his office of first gentleman of the bed-chamber, was present at this
+conference, "allow me to remind you that you are expressing yourself
+very imprudently."
+
+"Duc de Duras," replied the abrupt La Martinier, "my business is not to
+flatter the king, but to tell him the truth with regard to his health.
+None of the medical gentlemen present can deny the truth of what I have
+asserted; they are all of my opinion, although I alone have the courage
+to act with that candour which my sense of honour dictates."
+
+The unbroken silence preserved by those who heard this address, clearly
+proved the truth of all La Martiniere advanced. The duc de Duras was but
+too fully convinced of the justice of his opinion.
+
+"The king is then past all hope," repeated he, "and what remains to be
+done?"
+
+"To watch over him, and administer every aid and relief which art
+suggests," was the brief reply of La Martiniere.
+
+The different physicians, when separately questioned, hesitated no
+longer to express their concurrence in the opinion that his majesty's
+case was entirely hopeless, unless, indeed, some crisis, which human
+foresight could not anticipate, should arise in his favour.
+
+This opinion changed the moral face of the chateau. The duc de Duras,
+who had not previously suspected even the existence of danger, began to
+feel how weighty a burthen reposed on his shoulders; he recommended to
+the medical attendants the utmost caution and silence, pointing out,
+at the same time, all the ill consequences which might arise, were any
+imprudent or sudden explanation of his real malady made to the august
+sufferer. Unable to attend to everything himself, and not inclined to
+depend upon his son, whose natural propensity he was fully aware of,
+he recalled to his recollection that the comte de Muy, the sincere and
+attached friend of the dauphin, son to Louis XV, was then in Versailles.
+He immediately sought him out in the apartments he occupied in the
+chateau, and communicated to him the result of the consultation
+respecting the king's illness.
+
+The comte de Muy was one of those rare characters reserved by Providence
+for the happiness of a state, when kings are wise enough to employ them.
+He thought not of personal interest or advantage, but dictated to the
+duke the precise line of conduct he himself would have pursued under
+similar circumstances.
+
+"The first thing to be done," said he, "is to remember that the king
+is a Christian, and to conform in every respect to the customs of his
+predecessors. You are aware, my lord duke, that directly any member of
+the royal family is attacked by the small-pox, he ought immediately
+to receive extreme unction; you will, therefore, make the necessary
+arrangements, and apprize those whose duty it becomes to administer it."
+
+"This is, indeed, an unpleasant commission," replied the duke; "to
+administer extreme unction to his majesty, is to announce to him cruelly
+and abruptly that his last hour has arrived, and to bid him prepare for
+death."
+
+"The duty is nevertheless imperative," answered the comte de Muy, "and
+you incur no slight responsibility by neglecting it."
+
+The consequence of this conversation was, that the duke sent off
+two couriers immediately, one to madame Louise, and the other to the
+archbishop of Paris. He also apprized the ministers of the result of the
+consultation which had taken place, whilst the comte de Muy took upon
+himself the painful office of acquainting the dauphin with the dangerous
+state of his grandfather. This young prince, whose first impulses were
+always amiable, immediately burst into tears; the dauphiness endeavoured
+to console him. But from that moment her royal highness appeared to
+show by her lofty and dignified bearing, her consciousness of the fresh
+importance she had necessarily acquired in the eyes of the nation.
+Meanwhile, the dauphin hastened to the sick room of his beloved
+relative, anxious to bestow upon him the cares and attentions of a son;
+but in the anteroom his progress was stopped by the duc de la Vrilliere,
+who informed him, that the interests of the throne would not permit
+his royal highness to endanger his life by inhaling the contagious
+atmosphere of a room loaded with the venom of the small-pox. He adjured
+him, in the name of the king and his country, not to risk such fearful
+chances. The lords in attendance, who did not partake the heroism the
+young prince, added their entreaties to those of _le petit saint_,
+and succeeded, at length, in prevailing upon him to return to his
+apartments, to the great joy of Marie Antoinette, who could not endure
+the prospect of being separated from her husband at so important a
+juncture.
+
+No sooner had the princesses learned the danger of their august parent,
+than without an instant's hesitation they hurried to him. I was in his
+chamber when they arrived; they saluted me with great gentleness and
+affability. When the king saw them, he inquired what had brought them
+thither at so unusual an hour.
+
+"We are come to see you, my dearest father," replied madame Adelaide;
+"we have heard of your indisposition, and trifling as it is said to be,
+we could not rest without satisfying our anxious wish to know how you
+found yourself."
+
+The other sisters expressed themselves in similar terms.
+
+"It is all very well, my children," said Louis XV, with a pleasing
+smile, "and you are all three very excellent girls, but I would rather
+you should keep away from this close room; it can do you no good, and I
+promise to let you know if I find myself getting any worse."
+
+After a slight resistance the princesses feigned an obedience to his
+will; but, in reality, they merely retired into an adjoining chamber,
+concealed from the sight of their parent, where they remained, until
+the moment when they undertook the charge of the patient. Their heroic
+devotion was the admiration of all France and Europe.
+
+Much as their presence constrained me, I still kept my place beside the
+sick-bed of his majesty, who would not suffer me to leave him for a
+minute.
+
+At an early hour the marechale de Mirepoix returned, according to her
+promise. I met her in the corridor as I was passing along on my way to
+the king's apartment; her face was full of cheerful smiles.
+
+"How greatly am I obliged to you for your prompt succour," said she,
+without even inquiring after my health or that of the king. "Do you
+know, I was but just in time; ten minutes later, and I should have been
+refused payment for your cheque. M. de Laborde, who was so devotedly
+your friend only yesterday, counted out to me the glittering coin I
+was so anxious to obtain. He even accompanied me to my carriage, when
+behold, just at the moment, when, with his hat in his hand, he was most
+gallantly bowing, and wishing me a pleasant journey, a courier arrived
+from Versailles bringing him the news of the king's illness. He looked
+so overwhelmed with consternation and alarm, that I could not prevent
+myself from bursting into a hearty fit of laughter, nor has my gaiety
+forsaken me up to the present moment."
+
+"You are very fortunate," said I, "to be enabled thus to preserve your
+good spirits."
+
+"My dear creature, I would fain cheat time of some of his claims upon
+me. But now I think of it, what is the matter since I was here? Is the
+king worse, and what is this I hear whispered abroad of the small-pox?"
+
+"Alas, madam," answered I, much hurt at the insensibility she displayed,
+"we run but too great danger of losing our friend and benefactor for
+ever."
+
+"Dear me, how very shocking! But what has he settled on you? What have
+you asked him for?"
+
+"Nothing!" replied I, coolly.
+
+"Nothing! very admirable, indeed; but, my good soul, these fine
+sentiments sometimes leave people to eat the bread of charity. So,
+then, you have not followed my advice. Once more, I repeat, lose not the
+present opportunity, and, in your place, I would set about securing my
+own interest without one instant's delay."
+
+"That I could not do, madam," said I; "it is wholly foreign to my nature
+to take advantage of the weakness of a dying man."
+
+"Dying man!" repeated the marechale incredulously, "come, come, he is
+not dead yet; and whilst there is life there is hope; and I suppose
+you have carried your ideas of disinterestedness so far as to omit
+mentioning your friends, likewise. You will never have any worldly
+sense, I believe. My dear soul," said she, stooping down and whispering
+in my ear, "you are surrounded by a set of selfish wretches, who care
+nothing for you unless you can forward their interests."
+
+"I see it, I know it," exclaimed I impatiently; "but though I beg my
+bread, I will not importune the king."
+
+"As you please," cried madame de Mirepoix, "pray do not let me disturb
+your intentions. Silly woman that you are, leave others to act the
+sublime and grand, your part should be that of a reasonable creature.
+Look at myself, suppose I had not seized the ball at the bound."
+
+"You were born at Versailles," answered I, smiling in spite of myself.
+
+"True, and I confess that with me the greatest of all sense is common
+sense, which produces that instinctive feeling of self-preservation
+implanted even in animals. But is the king indeed so very ill?"
+
+"He is, indeed, dangerously ill."
+
+"I am very sorry," answered she, "his majesty and myself were such old
+friends and companions; but things will now be very different, and we
+shall soon see the court filled with new faces, whilst you and I, my
+poor countess, may hide our diminished heads. A set of hungry wretches
+will drive us away from the princely banquet at which we have so long
+regaled, and scarcely will their eagerness leave us a few scattered
+crumbs--how dreadful! Yes, I repeat that for many reasons, we shall have
+just cause for regretting the late king."
+
+"The _late_ king!" exclaimed I. "His majesty is not yet dead, madame la
+marechale."
+
+"I know that, but he will die; and by speaking of the event as if it had
+already taken place, we prepare our minds to meet the blow with greater
+resignation when it does fall. I am much concerned, I can assure you;
+but let us quit the close confined air of this corridor, and go where we
+may breathe a purer atmosphere."
+
+She took me by the arm with a greater familiarity than she had ever
+before assumed, and led the way to my chamber, where I found the duc de
+la Vrilliere awaiting me, to request I would return to the king, who
+had asked for me more than once. This consummate hypocrite seized
+the present opportunity of renewing his assurances of an unalterable
+attachment to me, vowing an eternal friendship. I was weak enough to
+believe him, and when I gave him my hand in token of reconciliation,
+I espied the marechale standing behind him, making signals to me to
+distrust his professions.
+
+I know not the reason of this conduct on the part of the duc de l a
+Vrilliere, but I can only suppose it originated in his considering the
+king in less danger than he was said to be; however, I suffered him to
+lead me to the chamber of the invalid. When Louis XV saw me return,
+he inquired why I had quitted him? I replied, because I was fearful
+of wearying him; upon which he assured me, that he only felt easy and
+comfortable so long as I was with him.
+
+"But, perhaps, there is some contagion in my present complaint?"
+exclaimed he, as though labouring under some painful idea.
+
+"Certainly not," replied I; "it is but a temporary eruption of the skin,
+which will, no doubt, carry off the fever you have suffered with."
+
+"I feared it was of a more dangerous nature," answered the king.
+
+"You torment yourself needlessly, sire," said I; "why should you thus
+create phantoms for your own annoyance and alarm? Tranquillize yourself,
+and leave the task of curing you to us."
+
+I easily penetrated the real import of his words; he evidently suspected
+the truth, and was filled with the most cruel dread of having his
+suspicions confirmed. During the whole of this day he continued in the
+same state of uncertainty; the strictest watch was set around him that
+no imprudent confession should reveal to him the real nature of
+his situation. I continued sitting beside him in a state of great
+constraint, from the knowledge of my being closely observed by the
+princesses, of whose vicinity we durst not inform him, in the fear of
+exciting his fears still more.
+
+The courier, who had been despatched to madame Louise, returned,
+bringing a letter from that princess to her sisters, under cover
+to madame Adelaide, in which she implored of them not to suffer any
+consideration to prevent their immediately acquainting their father with
+the dangerous condition he was in. The duty, she added, was imperative,
+and the greatest calamity that could befall them, would be to see this
+dearly loved parent expire in a state of sinful indifference as to his
+spiritual welfare.
+
+The august recluse, detached from all sublunary considerations, saw
+nothing but the glorious hereafter, where she would fain join company
+with all her beloved friends and connexions of this world.
+
+The archbishop of Paris, M. de Beaumont, a prelate highly esteemed for
+his many excellent private qualities, but who had frequently embarrassed
+the king by his pertinacity, did not forget him on this occasion; for
+no sooner did the account of his majesty's illness reach him, than,
+although suffering with a most painful complaint, he hastened to
+Versailles, where his presence embarrassed every one, particularly
+the grand almoner, who, a better courtier than priest, was excessively
+careful never to give offence to any person, even though the king's
+salvation depended upon it; he, therefore, kept his apartment, giving
+it out that he was indisposed, and even took to his bed, the better
+to avoid any disagreeable or inconvenient request. The sight of the
+archbishop of Paris was far from being agreeable to him. This prelate
+went first in search of the princesses who were not to be seen on
+account of their being with their father. A message was despatched to
+them, and mesdames Adelaide and Sophie, after having a long conference
+with him, by his advice, summoned the bishops of Meaux, Goss, and de
+Senlis, and held a species of council, in which it was unanimously
+agreed that nothing ought to prevent their entering upon an explanation
+with the king, and offering him spiritual succour.
+
+Who was to undertake the delicate commission, became the next point
+to consider. M. de Roquelaire declined, not wishing, as he said,
+to infringe upon the rights of the grand almoner, who was now at
+Versailles. M. de la Roche Aymon was therefore sent for, requesting his
+immediate attendance. Never did invitation arrive more _mal a propos_,
+or more cruelly disturb any manoeuvring soul. However, to refuse
+was impossible, and the cardinal arrived, execrating the zeal of his
+reverend brother of Paris; who, after having explained the state
+of affairs to him, informed him that he was sent for the purpose of
+discharging his office by preparing the king for confession.
+
+The grand almoner replied, that the sacred duty by no means belonged
+to him; that his place at court was of a very different nature, and had
+nothing at all to do with directing the king's conscience. His majesty,
+he said, had a confessor, who ought to be sent for, and the very
+sight of him in the royal chamber would be sufficient to apprize the
+illustrious invalid of the motives which brought him thither. In a word,
+the grand almoner got rid of the affair, by saying, "that, as it was one
+of the utmost importance, it would be necessary to confer with his royal
+highness, the dauphin, respecting it."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+
+     First proceedings of the council--The dauphin receives the
+     prelates with great coolness--Situation of the archbishop of
+     Paris--Richelieu evades the project for confessing the king--
+     The friends of madame du Barry come forward--The English
+     physician--The abbe Terray--Interview with the prince de
+     Soubise--The prince and the courtiers--La Martiniere informs
+     the king of France the true nature of his complaint--
+     Consequences of this disclosure
+
+The different members of this _concile impromptu_ declared themselves
+in favour of this advice, much to the grief and chagrin of the princess
+Adelaide. She easily perceived by this proposition that the court would
+very shortly change masters, and could she hope to preserve the same
+influence during the reign of her nephew she had managed to obtain
+whilst her father held the sceptre? However, she made no opposition to
+the resolution of the prelates, who forthwith proceeded to the dauphin,
+who received them with considerable coolness. As yet, but ill-assured
+in the new part he had to play, the prince showed himself fearful and
+embarrassed. The dauphiness would willingly have advised him, but that
+prudence would not permit her to do, so that the dauphin, left wholly to
+himself, knew not on what to determine.
+
+This was precisely what the grand almoner had hoped and expected, and
+he laughed in his sleeve at the useless trouble taken by the archbishop;
+and whilst he openly affected to promote his desires as much as was in
+his power, he secretly took measures to prevent their success. M.
+de Beaumont, who was of a most open and upright nature, was far from
+suspecting these intrigues; indeed, his simple and pious character but
+ill-qualified him for the corrupt and deceitful atmosphere of a court,
+especially such a one as Versailles. His situation now became one of
+difficulty; abandoned by the bishops and the grand almoner, disappointed
+in his hopes of finding a supporter in the dauphin, what could he do
+alone with the princesses, who, in their dread of causing an emotion,
+which might be fatal to their parent, knew not what to resolve upon. As
+a last resource, they summoned the abbe Mandaux, the king's confessor.
+The prelate excited his zeal in all its fervour, and this simple and
+obscure priest determined to undertake that which many more eminent
+personages had shrunk from attempting.
+
+He therefore sought admittance into the chamber of the king, where he
+found the ducs de Duras and de Richelieu, to whom he communicated the
+mission upon which he was come.
+
+At this declaration, the consequences of which he plainly foresaw, the
+duc de Duras hesitated to reply, scarcely knowing how to ward off a
+blow the responsibility of which must fall upon him alone. The duc
+de Richelieu, with greater self-command, extricated him from his
+difficulty.
+
+"Sir," said he to the abbe, "your zeal is highly praise-worthy, both
+the duke and myself are aware of all that should be done upon such an
+occasion as the present; and although I freely admit that the sacred act
+you speak of is of an imperative nature, yet I would observe, that the
+king being still in ignorance of his fatal malady, neither your duties
+nor ours can begin, until the moment when the physicians shall have
+thought proper to reveal the whole truth to his majesty. This is a
+matter of form and etiquette to which all must submit who have any
+functions to fulfil in the chateau."
+
+The duc de Duras could have hugged his colleague for this well-timed
+reply. The abbe Mandaux felt all the justness of the observation, yet
+with all the tenacity of his profession, he replied,
+
+"That since it rested with the physicians to apprize the king of his
+being ill with the small-pox, they ought to be summoned and consulted as
+to the part to take."
+
+At these words the duc de Duras slipped away from the group, and went
+himself in search of Doctor Bordeu, whom he brought into an angle of
+the chamber out of sight of the king's bed. The duc de Duras having
+explained to him what the abbe had just been saying to them, as well as
+the desire he had manifested of preparing the king to receive the last
+sacraments, the doctor regarded the abbe fixedly for some instance, a
+ n a severe tone, "Whether he had promised any person to murder the
+king?"
+
+This abrupt and alarming question made the priest change colour, whilst
+he asked for an explanation of such a singular charge.
+
+"I say, sir," replied Bordeu, "that whoever speaks at present to his
+majesty of small-pox, confession, or extreme unction, will have to
+answer for his life."
+
+"Do you, indeed, believe," asked the duc de Richelieu, "that the mention
+of these things would produce so fatal a result?"
+
+"Most assuredly I do; and out of one hundred sick persons it would have
+the same effect upon sixty, perhaps eighty; indeed, I have known the
+shock produce instantaneous death. This I am willing to sign with my
+own blood if it be necessary, and my professional brother there will not
+dispute its truth."
+
+At these words he made a sign for Lemonnier to advance, and after having
+explained to him the subject of conversation, begged of him to speak his
+opinion openly and candidly. Lemonnier was somewhat of a courtier, and
+one glance at the two noblemen before whom he stood, was sufficient to
+apprize him what opinion was expected from him. He, therefore, fully and
+unhesitatingly confirmed all that Bordeu had previously advanced.
+
+Strong in these decisions, the duc de Duras expressed his regret to the
+confessor at being unable to accord his request. "But," added he, "You
+perceive the thing is impossible, unless to him who would become a
+regicide."
+
+This terrible expression renewed the former terror of the abbe, who,
+satisfied with having shown his zeal, was, perhaps, not very sorry for
+having met with such insurmountable obstacles. He immediately returned
+to the apartment of madame Sophie, where the council was still
+assembled, and related the particulars of his visit; whilst the poor
+archbishop of Paris, thus foiled in every attempt, was compelled to
+leave Versailles wholly unsuccessful.
+
+I heard all these things from the duc de Richelieu; he told me that
+nothing could have been more gratifying than the conduct of Bordeu and
+Lemonnier, and that I had every reason for feeling satisfied with the
+conduct of all around me. "It is in the moment of peril," said he, "that
+we are best able to know our true friends."
+
+"I see it," replied I; "and since our danger is a mutual one ought we
+not to forget our old subjects of dispute?"
+
+"For my own part, madam," returned he, "I do not remember that any ever
+existed; besides, is not my cause yours likewise? A new reign will
+place me completely in the background. The present king looks upon me as
+almost youthful; while, on the contrary, his grandson will consider me
+as a specimen of the days of Methuselah. The change of masters can be
+but to my disadvantage; let us, therefore, stand firmly together, that
+we may be the better enabled to resist the attacks of our enemies."
+
+"Do you consider," inquired I, "that we may rely upon the firmness of
+the duc de Duras?"
+
+"As safely as you may on mine," answered he, "so long as he is not
+attacked face to face; but if they once assail him with the arms of
+etiquette, he is a lost man, he will capitulate. It is unfortunate for
+him that I am not likely to be near him upon such an occasion."
+
+Comte Jean, who never left me, then took up the conversation, and
+advised M. de Richelieu to leave him to himself as little as possible;
+it was, therefore, agreed that we should cause the duc de Duras to be
+constantly surrounded by persons of our party, who should keep those of
+our adversaries at a distance.
+
+We had not yet lost all hope of seeing his majesty restored to health;
+nature, so languid and powerless in the case of poor Anne, seemed
+inclined to make a salutary effort on the part of the king.
+
+Every instant of this day and the next, that I did not spend by the
+sick-bed of Louis XV, were engrossed by most intimate friends, the ducs
+d'Aiguillon, de Cosse, etc., mesdames de Mirepoix, de Forcalquier, de
+Valentinois, de l'Hopital, de Montmorency, de Flaracourt, and others.
+As yet, none of my party had abandoned me; the situation of affairs was
+not, up to the present, sufficiently clear to warrant an entire defect
+ Mathon, whom chance had conducted to Versailles during the last week,
+came to share with Henriette, my sisters-in-law, and my niece, the
+torments and uncertainties which distracted my mind. We were continually
+in a state of mortal alarm, dreading every instant to hear that the king
+was aware of his malady, and the danger which threatened, and our fears
+but too well proclaimed our persuasion that such a moment would be the
+death-blow to our hopes. It happened that in this exigency, as it most
+commonly occurs in affairs of great importance, all our apprehensions
+had been directed towards the ecclesiastics, while we entirely
+overlooked the probability that the abrupt la Martiniere might, in one
+instant, become the cause of our ruin. All this so entirely escaped us,
+that we took not the slightest precaution to prevent it.
+
+No sooner was the news of the king being attacked with small-pox
+publicly known, than a doctor Sulton, an English physician, the
+pretended professor of an infallible cure for this disease, presented
+himself at Versailles, and tendered his services. The poor man was
+simple enough to make his first application to those medical attendants
+already intrusted with the management of his majesty, but neither of
+them would give any attention to his professions of skill to overcome
+so fatal a malady. On the contrary, they treated him as a mere quack,
+declared that they would never consent to confide the charge of their
+august patient to the hands of a stranger whatever he might be. Sulton
+returned to Paris, and obtaining an audience of the duc d'Orleans,
+related to him what had passed between himself and the king's
+physicians. The prince made it his business the following day to call
+upon the princesses, to whom he related the conversation he had held
+with doctor Sulton the preceding evening.
+
+In their eagerness to avail themselves of every chance for promoting
+the recovery of their beloved parent, the princesses blamed the duke for
+having bestowed so little attention upon the Englishman, and conjured
+him to return to Paris, see Sulton, and bring him to Versailles on the
+following day. The duc d'Orleans acted in strict conformity with their
+wishes; and although but little satisfied with the replies made by
+Sulton to many of his questions relative to the measures he should
+pursue in his treatment of the king, he caused him to accompany him to
+Versailles, in order that the princesses might judge for themselves.
+The task of receiving him was undertaken by madame Adelaide. Sulton
+underwent a rigorous examination, and was offered an immense sum for
+the discovery of his secret, provided he would allow his remedy to be
+subjected to the scrutiny of some of the most celebrated chemists of the
+time. Sulton declared that the thing was impossible; in the first place,
+it was too late, the disease was too far advanced for the application
+of the remedy to possess that positive success it would have obtained
+in the earlier stage of the malady; in the next place, he could not
+of himself dispose of a secret which was the joint property of several
+members of his family.
+
+Prayers, promises, entreaties were alike uselessly employed to change
+the resolution of Sulton; the fact was evidently this, he knew himself
+to be a mere pretender to his art, for had he been certain of what he
+advanced, had he even conceived the most slender hopes of saving the
+life of the king, he would not have hesitated for a single instant to
+have done all that was asked.
+
+This chance of safety was, therefore, at an end, and spite of the
+opinion I entertained of Sulton, I could not but feel sorry Bordeu had
+not given him a better reception when he first made known his professed
+ability to surmount this fatal disorder. However, I was careful not to
+express my dissatisfaction, for it was but too important for me to
+avoid any dispute at a time when the support of my friends had become so
+essentially necessary to me.
+
+In proportion as the king became worse, my credit also declined. Two
+orders, addressed to the comptroller-general and M. de la Borde,
+for money, met with no attention. The latter replied, with extreme
+politeness, that the 100,000 francs received by comte Jean a few days
+before the king was taken ill, and the 50,000 paid to madame de Mirepoix
+recently, must be a convincing proof, in my eyes, of his friendly
+intentions towards me, but that he had no money at present in his
+possession, the first he received should be at my disposal.
+
+The abbe Terray acted with less ceremony, for he came himself to say,
+that, so long as the king remained ill, he would pay no money without
+his majesty's signature, for which my brother-in-law might either ask or
+wait till there no longer existed any occasion for such a precaution;
+and that, for his own part, he could not conceive how he could have
+consumed the enormous sums he had already drawn from the treasury.
+
+This manner of speaking stung me to the quick.
+
+"I find you," said I to him, "precisely the mean, contemptible wretch
+you were described to me; but you are premature. I am not yet an exile
+from court, and yet you seem already to have forgotten all you owe to
+me."
+
+"I have a very good memory, madam," replied he, "and if you wish it, I
+can count upon my fingers the money you and your family have received of
+me. You will see--"
+
+"What shall I see?" interrupted I, "unless, indeed, it be an amount of
+your regrets that such a sum was not left in your hands to be pillaged
+by your mistresses and their spurious offspring. Really, to hear you
+talk, any one would suppose you a Sully for integrity, and a Colbert in
+financial talent."
+
+This vigorous reply staggered the selfish and coarse-minded abbe, who
+easily perceived that he had carried matters too far, and had reckoned
+erroneously upon the feebleness and timidity of my natural disposition;
+he attempted to pacify me, but his cowardly insolence had exasperated me
+too highly to admit of any apology or peace-making.
+
+"Have a care what you do," said I, "or rather employ yourself in packing
+up whatever may belong to you, for you shall quit your post whatever may
+befall. In the event of the king's death you will certainly be turned
+out by his successor, and if he regain his health, he must then choose
+between you and me, there can be no medium. Henceforward, you may
+consider me only in the light of your mortal enemy."
+
+He wished to insist upon my hearing him, but I exclaimed, "Quit the
+room, I wish neither to see nor hear more of you."
+
+The abbe saw that it was necessary to obey, he therefore bowed and
+retired. Two hours afterwards he sent me the sum which I had asked of
+him for my brother-in-law, accompanied by a most humble and contrite
+letter. Certainly, had I only listened to the inspiration of my heart,
+I should have sent back the money without touching it, and the epistle
+without reading it; but my heroism did not suit comte Jean, who chanced
+to be present. "Take it, take it," cried he; "the only way of punishing
+a miscreant, is to break his purse-strings. He would, indeed, have
+the laugh on his side were your fit of anger to change into a fit of
+generosity; besides, this may be the last we shall ever see."
+
+My brother-in-law and the comptroller-general were an excellent pair.
+I treated the latter with silent contempt, not even replying to his
+letter; this was, however, my first and only stroke of vengeance, the
+disastrous events which followed did not permit me to pursue my plans
+for revenging this treacherous and contemptible conduct.
+
+This quarrel, and the defection of the _worthy_ abbe, had the effect of
+rendering me much indisposed. My illness was attributed to an excess of
+sorrow for the dangerous condition of his majesty, nor did I contradict
+the report; for, in truth, I did most sincerely lament the malady with
+which the king was suffering, and my regrets arose far more from a
+feeling of gratitude and esteem, than any self-interested calculations.
+It was, therefore, in no very excellent humour that I saw the prince
+de Soubise enter my apartment. You may remember that this nobleman had
+quitted Trianon without saying one word to me, and since that period I
+had never seen him, although he had punctually made his inquiries
+after the king. When I perceived him, I could not help inquiring,
+with something of a sarcastic expression, whether his majesty had been
+pronounced convalescent? The prince comprehended the bitterness of the
+question.
+
+"You are severe, madam," replied he, "yet I can solemnly affirm that
+circumstances, and not inclination, have kept me from your presence
+until now."
+
+"May I believe you?" said I. "Are you quite sure you have not been
+imitating the policy of the abbe Terray?" Upon which I related the
+behaviour of the comptroller-general.
+
+ "Priest-like," answered the prince.
+
+"And is it not _courtier_-like also?" inquired I.
+
+"Perhaps it may," rejoined M. de Soubise; "for the two species of priest
+and courtier so nearly resemble each other in many particulars, as to
+have become well nigh amalgamated into one; but I claim your indulgence
+to make me an exception to the general rule, and to class me as a
+soldier and a man of honour; besides which, you are too lovely ever to
+be forgotten, and your past goodness to me will ensure you my services
+let what may occur."
+
+"Well, then," said I, extending my hand, "as a reward for your candour,
+which I receive as genuine, I will request your forgiveness for any
+annoyance I may have caused you on your family's account, I ought never
+to have resented any thing they have done. My presence here could not
+fail of being highly disagreeable to them; however, they will soon be
+relieved from that source of uneasiness, my stay draws rapidly to a
+close."
+
+The prince de Soubise, with a ready grace and obliging manner, for which
+I shall ever remember him with a grateful recollection, endeavoured
+to dispel my apprehensions as to the state of the king; but whilst I
+acknowledged the kindness of his intention, my heart refused all comfort
+in a case, which I too well knew was utterly hopeless.
+
+The state of affairs was now so manifest, that already an obsequious
+crowd beseiged the doors of the dauphin, anxious to be first in the
+demonstration of their adoration of the rising sun; but the young
+prince, aided by the clear-minded advice of his august spouse, refused,
+with admirable prudence, to receive such premature homage; and since he
+was interdicted by the physicians from visiting the royal invalid, he
+confined himself within his apartments, admitting no person but a select
+few who possessed his confidence.
+
+The disappointed satellites, frustrated in their endeavours to in
+gratiate themselves with the dauphin, turned their thoughts towards
+the comte de Provence, imagining that this prince, spite of his extreme
+youth, might have considerable influence over the mind of his brother,
+the dauphin. But this idea, however plausible, was by no means correct;
+it was too much the interest of ambitious and mercenary men to create a
+want of harmony between the royal pair, and up to the moment in which
+I am writing, no attempts have been made to produce a kinder and more
+fraternal feeling between two such near relatives.
+
+I quitted the king as little as possible, watching with deep concern the
+progress of a malady, the nature of which was a secret to himself alone;
+for, in the dread of incurring my displeasure, no person had ventured to
+acquaint him with the awful fact. By the aid of the grand almoner, I had
+triumphed over the wishes of the archbishop of Paris, and those of the
+confessor. The princes and princesses awaited the event; all was calm
+composure; when, all at once, the barriers I had been so carefully
+erecting were crushed beneath my feet, at one sudden and unexpected
+blow.
+
+The king was by no means easy in his own mind with regard to his
+illness. The many messages that were continually whispered around him,
+the remedies administered, and, above all, the absence of his grandsons,
+all convinced him that something of a very unusual and alarming nature
+was progressing. His own feelings might, likewise, well assure him that
+he was attacked by an illness of no ordinary nature. Tortured beyond
+further bearing by the suggestions of his fancy, Louis XV at length
+resolved to ascertain the truth, and, with this intent, closely
+questioned Bordeu and Lemonnier, who did their best to deceive
+him. Still, dissatisfied with their evasive replies, he watched an
+opportunity, when they were both absent, to desire La Martiniere would
+at once explain the true malady with which he was then suffering. La
+Martiniere puzzled and confused, could only exclaim,
+
+"I entreat of you, sire, not to fatigue yourself with conversation;
+remember how strongly you have been forbidden all exertion."
+
+"I am no child, La Martiniere," cried Louis XV, his cheeks glowing
+with increased fire; "and I insist upon being made acquainted with the
+precise nature of my present illness. You have always served me loyally
+and faithfully, and from you I expect to receive that candid statement
+every one about me seems bent upon concealing."
+
+"Endeavour to get some sleep, sire," rejoined La Martiniere, "and do not
+exhaust yourself by speaking at present."
+
+"La Martiniere, you irritate me beyond all endurance. If you love
+me, speak out, I conjure you, and tell me, frankly, the name of my
+complaint."
+
+ "Do you insist upon it, sire?"
+
+"I do, my friend, I do."
+
+"Then, sire, you have the small-pox; but be not alarmed, it is a disease
+as frequently cured as many others."
+
+"The small-pox!" exclaimed the king, in a voice of horror; "have I
+indeed that fatal disease?  and do you talk of curing it?"
+
+"Doubtless, sire; many die of it as well as other disorders, but we are
+sanguine in our hopes and expectations of saving your majesty."
+
+The king made no reply, but, turned heavily in his bed and threw the
+coverlet over his face. A silence ensued, which lasted until the return
+of the physicians, when, finding they made no allusion to his condition,
+the king addressed them in a cool and offended tone.
+
+"Why," said he, "have you concealed from me the fact of my having the
+small-pox?" This abrupt inquiry petrified them with astonishment, and
+unable to frame a proper reply, they stood speechless with alarm and
+apprehension. "Yes," resumed the king, "but for La Martiniere, I should
+have died in ignorance of my danger. I know now the state in which I am,
+and before long I shall be gathered to my forefathers."
+
+All around him strove to combat this idea, and exerted their utmost
+endeavours to persuade the royal patient that his disorder had
+assumed the most favourable shape, and that not a shadow of danger was
+perceptible, but in vain; for the blow had fallen, and the hapless king,
+struck with a fatal presentiment of coming ill, turned a deaf ear to all
+they could advance.
+
+Bordeu, deeply concerned for what had transpired, hastened to announce
+to the duc de Richelieu the turn which had taken place in the face of
+affairs. Nothing could exceed the rage with which the news was received.
+The duke hurried to the king's bedside.
+
+"Is it, indeed, true, sire," inquired he, "that your majesty doubts of
+your perfect restoration to health? May I presume to inquire whether any
+circumstance has occurred to diminish your confidence in your medical
+attendants?"
+
+"Duc de Richelieu," replied the king, looking as though he would search
+into his very soul, "I have the small-pox."
+
+"Well," returned the duke, "and, as I understand, of a most favourable
+sort; perhaps, it might have been better that La Martiniere had said
+nothing about it. However, it is a malady as readily subdued by art as
+any other; you must not allow yourself to feel any uneasiness respecting
+it, science has now so much improved in the treatment of this malady."
+
+"I doubt not its ability to cure others, but me! Indeed, duc de
+Richelieu, I would much rather face my old parliament than this
+inveterate disease."
+
+"Your majesty's being able to jest is a good sign."
+
+At this moment, ignorant of all that had taken place, I entered the
+room; for, in the general confusion, no person had informed me of it.
+The moment Louis XV perceived me, he exclaimed in a hollow tone,
+
+"Dearest countess, I have the small-pox."
+
+At these words a cry of terror escaped me.
+
+"Surely, sire," exclaimed I, "this is some wandering of your
+imagination, and your medical attendants are very wrong to permit you to
+indulge it for a minute."
+
+"Peace!" returned Louis XV; "you know not what you say. I have the
+small-pox, I repeat; and, thanks to La Martiniere, I now know my real
+state."
+
+I now perceived whose hand had dealt the blow, and seeing at once all
+the consequences of the disclosure, exclaimed in my anger, turning
+towards La Martiniere,
+
+"You have achieved a noble work, indeed, sir; you could not restrain
+yourself within the bounds of prudence, and you see the state to which
+you have reduced his majesty."
+
+La Martiniere knew not what to reply; the king undertook his defence.
+
+"Blame him not," said he; "but for him I should have quitted this world
+like a heathen, without making my peace with an offended God."
+
+At these words I fainted in the arms of doctor Bordeu, who, with the aid
+of my attendants, carried me to my chamber, and, at length, succeeded in
+restoring me. My family crowded around me, and sought to afford me that
+consolation they were in equal need of themselves.
+
+Spite of the orders I had given to admit no person, the duc d'Aiguillon
+would insist upon seeing me. He exerted his best endeavours to persuade
+me to arm myself with courage, and, like a true and attached friend,
+appeared to lose sight of his own approaching fall from power in his
+ardent desire to serve me.
+
+In this mournful occupation an hour passed away, and left my dejected
+companions sighing over the present, and, anticipating even worse
+prospects than those now before them.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+
+
+     Terror of the king--A complication--Filial piety of the
+     princesses--Last interview between madame du Barry and Louis
+     XV--Conversation with the marechale de Mirepoix--The
+     chancellor Maupeou--The fragment--Comte Jean
+
+Perhaps no person ever entertained so great a dread of death as Louis
+XV, consequently no one required to be more carefully prepared for the
+alarming intelligence so abruptly communicated by La Martiniere, and
+which, in a manner, appeared to sign the king's death-warrant.
+
+To every person who approached him the despairing monarch could utter
+only the fatal phrase, "I have the small-pox," which, in his lips, was
+tantamount to his declaring himself a dead man. Alas! had his malady
+been confined to the small-pox, he might still have been spared to our
+prayers; but, unhappily, a complication of evils, which had long been
+lurking in his veins, burst forth with a violence which, united to his
+cruel complaint, bade defiance to surgical or medical skill.
+
+Yet, spite of the terror with which the august sufferer contemplated his
+approaching end, he did not lose sight of the interests of the nation as
+vested in the person of the dauphin, whom he positively prohibited, as
+well as his other grandsons, from entering his chamber or even visiting
+the part of the chateau he occupied. After this he seemed to divest
+himself of all further care for sublunary things; no papers were brought
+for his inspection, nor did he ever more sign any official document.
+
+The next request made by Louis XV was for his daughters, who presented
+themselves bathed in tears, and vainly striving to repress that grief
+which burst forth in spite of all their endeavours. The king replied to
+their sobs, by saying, "My children, I have the small-pox; but weep not.
+These gentlemen [pointing towards the physicians] assure me they can
+cure me." But, while uttering this cheerful sentence, his eye caught the
+stern and iron countenance of La Martiniere, whose look of cool
+disbelief seemed to deny the possibility of such an event.
+
+With a view to divert her father from the gloom which all at once came
+over his features, the princess Adelaide informed him that she had a
+letter addressed to him by her sister, madame Louise.
+
+"Let me hear it," cried the king; "it is, no doubt, some heavenly
+mission with which she is charged. But who knows?" He stopped, but it
+was easy to perceive that to the fear of death was added a dread of his
+well-being in another world. Madame Adelaide then read the letter with
+a low voice, while the attendants retired to a respectful distance.
+All eyes were directed to the countenance of the king, in order to read
+there the nature of its contents; but already had the ravages of his
+fatal disease robbed his features of every expression, save that of pain
+and suffering.
+
+The princesses now took their stations beside their parent, and
+established themselves as nurses, an office which, I can with truth
+affirm, they continued to fill unto the last with all the devotion of
+the purest filial piety.
+
+ On this same day Louis XV caused me to be sent for.  I ran to
+his bedside trembling with alarm. The various persons engaged in his
+apartment retired when they saw me, and we were left alone.
+
+"My beloved friend," said the king, "I have the small-pox; I am still
+very ill."
+
+"Nay, sire," interrupted I, "you must not fancy things worse than they
+are; you will do well, depend upon it, and we shall yet pass many happy
+days together."
+
+"Do you indeed think so?" returned Louis XV. "May heaven grant your
+prophecy be a correct one. But see the state in which I now am; give me
+your hand."
+
+He took my hand and made me feel the pustules with which his burning
+cheeks were covered. I know not what effect this touch of my hand might
+have produced, but the king in his turn patted my face, pushed back the
+curls which hung negligently over my brow; then, inclining me towards
+him, drew my head upon his pillow. I submitted to this whim with all the
+courage I could assume; I even went so far as to be upon the point of
+bestowing a gentle kiss upon his forehead. But, stopping me, with a
+mournful air, he said, "No, my lovely countess; I am no longer myself,
+but here is a miniature which has not undergone the same change as its
+unfortunate master."
+
+I took the miniature, which I placed with respectful tenderness in my
+bosom, nor have I ever parted with it since.
+
+This scene lasted for some minutes, after which I was retiring, but the
+king called me back, seized my hand, which he tenderly kissed, and then
+whispered an affectionate "Adieu." These were the last words I ever
+heard from his lips.
+
+Upon re-entering my apartments I found madame de Mirepoix awaiting me,
+to whom I related all that had taken place, expressing, at the same
+time, my earnest hope of being again summoned, ere long, to the presence
+of my friend and benefactor.
+
+"Do not deceive yourself, my dear," said she; "depend upon it you have
+had your last interview; you should have employed it more profitably.
+His portrait! why, if I mistake not, you have _five_ already. Why
+did you not carry about with you some deed of settlement ready for
+signature? he would have denied you nothing at such a moment, when you
+may rest assured he knew himself to be taking his last farewell."
+
+"Is it possible?" exclaimed I. "And can you really suppose the king
+believed he spoke to me for the last time?"
+
+"I have not the slightest doubt of it; I have known him for many a day.
+He remembers the scene of Metz, and looks upon you as forming the second
+edition of the poor duchesse de Chateauroux, who, by the by, was not
+equal to you in any respect."
+
+I burst into a fit of tears, but not of regret for having allowed
+my late interview with the king to pass in so unprofitable a manner.
+However, the marechale, misconceiving the cause of this burst of grief,
+exclaimed, "Come, come; it is too late now, and all your sorrow cannot
+recall the last half-hour. But, mademoiselle du Barry," continued she,
+"I advise you to commence your packing up at once, that when the grand
+move comes you may not in your hurry, leave anything behind you."
+
+These remarks increased my affliction, but the marechale had no
+intention of wounding my feelings, and worldly-minded as she was,
+considered all that could be saved out of the wreck as the only subject
+worthy attention. Meanwhile, comte Jean, with a gloomy and desponding
+air, continued silently with folded arms to pace the room, till all at
+once, as if suddenly struck by the arguments of madame de Mirepoix, he
+exclaimed,
+
+"The marechale is right"; and abruptly quitted the apartment, as if to
+commence his own preparations.
+
+Ere madame de Mirepoix had left me and she remained till a late
+hour, the ducs d'Aiguillon and de Cosse arrived, who, although less
+experienced in their knowledge of the king's character, were yet fully
+of her opinion respecting my last visit to him.
+
+Scarcely had these visitors withdrawn, than I was apprized that the
+chancellor of France desired to see me. He was admitted, and the first
+glance of the countenance of M. de Maupeou convinced me that our day of
+power was rapidly closing.
+
+"Your servant, cousin," said he, seating himself without the smallest
+ceremony; "at what page of our history have we arrived?"
+
+"By the unusual freedom and effrontery of your manner," answered I, "I
+should surmise that we have reached the word _finis_."
+
+"Oh," replied the chancellor, "I crave your pardon for having omitted
+my best bow; but, my good cousin, my present visit is a friendly one, to
+advise you to burn your papers with as little delay as possible."
+
+"Thank you for your considerate counsel," said I, coolly, "but I have
+no papers to destroy. I have neither mixed with any state intrigue, nor
+received a pension from the English government. Nothing will be found in
+my drawers but some unanswered billets-doux."
+
+"Then as I can do nothing for you, my good cousin, oblige me by giving
+this paper to the duc d'Aiguillon."
+
+"What is it?" inquired I, with much curiosity.
+
+"Have you forgotten our mutual engagement to support each other, and not
+to quit the ministry until the other retired also? I have lately been
+compelled (from perceiving how deeply the duke was manoeuvering against
+me) to send him a copy of this agreement. Under other circumstances I
+might have availed myself of this writing, but now it matters not; the
+blow which dismisses me proceeds from other hands than his, and I am
+willing to leave him the consolation of remaining in power a few days
+after myself. Give him, then, this useless document; and now, farewell,
+my pretty cousin, let us take a last embrace."
+
+Upon which the chancellor, presuming until the last upon our imaginary
+relationship, kissed my cheek, and having put into my hands the paper in
+question, retired with a profound bow.
+
+This ironical leave taking left me stupefied with astonishment, and well
+I presaged my coming disgrace from the absurd mummery the chancellor had
+thought fit to play off.
+
+Comte Jean, who had seen M. de Maupeou quit the house, entered my
+apartment to inquire the reason of his visit. Silent and dejected, I
+allowed my brother-in-law to take up the paper, which he read without
+any ceremony. "What is the meaning of this scrawl?" cried comte Jean,
+with one of his usual oaths; "upon my word our cousin is a fine fellow,"
+continued he, crushing the paper between his fingers. "I'll engage that
+he still hopes to keep his place; however, one thing consoles me, and
+that is, that both he and his parliament will soon be sent to the right
+about."
+
+Our conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Chamilly, who came
+to acquaint me that the king was sleeping, and did not wish to be again
+disturbed that night. Remembering my usual omnipotence in the chateau,
+I was about, like a true idiot, to prove to Chamilly that the king's
+interdict did not extend to me, when I was stopped in my purpose by
+the appearance of the duc d'Aiguillon; and as it was now nearly eleven
+o'clock at night, I could scarcely doubt his being the bearer of some
+extraordinary message.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV
+
+
+     The duc d'Aiguillon brings an order for the immediate
+     departure of madame du Barry--The king's remarks
+     recapitulated--The countess holds a privy council--Letter to
+     madame de Mirepoix and the ducs de Cosse and d'Aiguillon--
+     Night of departure--Ruel--Visit from madame de Forcalquier
+
+I said I did not expect the duc d'Aiguillon; and the grief which was
+spread over his features, and the large tears which stood in his eyes,
+persuaded me but too plainly that all hope was at an end.
+
+"Is the king dead?" cried I, in a stifled voice.
+
+"No, madam," replied he, "Louis XV still lives, nor is it by any means
+certain that the misfortune you apprehend is in store for us."
+
+"He sends me from him, then," exclaimed I, with a convulsive cry, "and
+my enemies have triumphed."
+
+"His majesty is but of human nature, madam," replied the duke; "he feels
+himself dangerously ill, dreads the future, and believes that he owes
+his people a sort of reparation for past errors."
+
+"How, my lord duke," interrupted I, "this grave language in your
+lips--but no matter. Inform me only at whose desire you state these
+melancholy facts; speak, I am prepared for your mission, be it what it
+may."
+
+"You shall hear everything, madam," replied the duke, leading me to an
+arm-chair. I seated myself; my sisters-in-law, my niece, and comte Jean
+stood around me, eagerly waiting the duke's communication. "A few hours
+after you had been removed from his chamber, the king inquired of the
+princess Adelaide whether it were generally known at Paris that he had
+the small-pox. The princess replied in the affirmative, adding:
+
+"'The archbishop of Paris was here twice during yesterday to inquire
+after you.'
+
+"'Yet I belong more properly to the diocese of Chartres,' returned the
+king, 'and surely M. de Fleury would not interest himself less about me
+than M. de Beaumont.'
+
+"'They are both truly anxious about you, my dearest father, and if you
+would only see them--'
+
+"'No, no,' answered Louis XV; 'they must not be taken from the duties
+of their respective dioceses; besides, in case of need, I have my grand
+almoner.'
+
+"Madame Adelaide did not venture to urge the matter further just then,
+and, after a short interval of silence, a message was brought from you,
+inquiring whether you could see the king, to which he himself replied,
+that he felt inclined to sleep, and would rather not see any person that
+night. I was in the chamber, and he very shortly called me to him, and
+said:
+
+"'Duc d'Aiguillon, I have the small-pox; and you are aware that there
+is a sort of etiquette in my family which enjoins my immediately
+discharging my duties as a Christian.'
+
+"'Yes, sire, if the malady wore a serious aspect; but in your case--'
+
+"'May God grant,' replied he, 'that my disorder be not dangerous;
+however, it may become so, if it is as yet harmless, and I would fain
+die as a believer rather than an infidel. I have been a great sinner,
+doubtless; but I have ever observed Lent with a most scrupulous
+exactitude. I have caused more than a hundred thousand masses to be
+said for the repose of unhappy souls; I have respected the clergy, and
+punished the authors of all impious works, so that I flatter myself I
+have not been a very bad Christian.'
+
+"I listened to his discourse with a heavy heart, yet I still strove to
+reassure the king respecting his health, of which, I assured him, there
+was not the slightest doubt.
+
+"'There is one sacrifice,' said the king, in a low and hurried tone,
+'that my daughter Louise, her sisters, and the clergy, will not be long
+in exacting from me in the name of etiquette. I recollect the scene of
+Metz, and it would be highly disagreeable to me to have it repeated at
+Versailles; let us, therefore, take our precautions in time to prevent
+it. Tell the duchesse d'Aiguillon that she will oblige me by taking the
+comtesse du Barry to pass two or three days with her at Ruel.'
+
+"'How, sire!' exclaimed I, 'send your dearest friend from you at a time
+when you most require her cares?'
+
+"'I do not send her away,' answered the king, with mournful tenderness,
+'I but yield to present necessity; let her submit as she values my
+happiness, and say to her, that I hope and believe her absence will be
+very short.'"
+
+The duke here ceased his recital, which fully confirmed all my previous
+anticipations. My female relatives sobbed aloud, while comte Jean,
+compressing his lips, endeavoured to assume that firmness he did not
+really possess. By a violent effort I forced myself to assume a sort of
+resignation.
+
+"Am I required to depart immediately?" inquired I.
+
+"No," said the duke; "to leave the chateau in the middle of the night
+would be to assume the air of a flight, we had better await the coming
+day; it will, besides, afford time to apprize the duchess."
+
+While the duc d'Aiguillon was thus gone to arrange for my departure, I
+requested to be left alone. My heart was oppressed, and I felt the need
+of venting my grief upon some friendly bosom. After a few moments, spent
+in collecting my thoughts, I addressed two letters, one to the marechale
+de Mirepoix, and the other to the duc de Cosse; to the former I wrote on
+account of my retirement to Ruel, bewailed the sad turn my prospects
+had assumed, expressed my deep concern for the severe illness of my
+excellent friend and benefactor, begging of her to defend my character
+from all unjust attacks, and to allow me to be blamed for no faults but
+such as I had really been guilty of. I concluded with these words, "I
+set out at seven o'clock to-morrow morning; the duchesse d'Aiguillon
+will conduct me to Ruel, where I shall remain until I am ordered
+elsewhere."
+
+To the duke I merely sent a short account of my present prospects, hour
+of departure, etc. And, my feelings somewhat relieved by the penning of
+these epistles, I threw myself upon a couch to await the morning. Upon
+awaking, I received the following note from the duchesse d'Aiguillon:--
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE,--I owe his majesty many thanks for the pleasing,
+yet mournful, task he has allotted me. Your kindness to my family,
+independently of my private regard for you, gives you the surest claim
+of my best services during this afflicting period. Let me beseech of you
+not to despair, but cheerfully anticipate brighter days.
+
+"I will call for you at seven o'clock, and if you approve of it, we
+will use my carriage. Ruel is entirely at your disposal and that of your
+family."
+
+This note was truly characteristic of its amiable writer, who at court
+passed for a cold-hearted, frigid being, whilst, in reality, the warm
+feelings of her excellent heart were reserved for her chosen friends.
+
+I have never admired those general lovers who profess to love every one,
+nor do I feel quite sure it is a very strong recommendation to say a
+person is beloved by all who know her. Read, now, a striking contrast
+to the short but sympathizing billet of madame d'Aiguillon, in the
+following heartless letter f rom the marechale de Mirepoix, which was
+put into my hands as I was ascending the carriage.
+
+"MY LOVELY COUNTESS,--I am all astonishment! Can it be possible that you
+are to quit Versailles? You are right in saying you have been the friend
+of every one, and those who could speak ill of you are to be pitied
+for not having had better opportunities of understanding your real
+character. But fear not, the dauphiness is virtue personified, and the
+dauphin equally perfect. Every thing promises a peaceful and indulgent
+reign, should we have the misfortune to lose his present majesty. Still
+there will always be a great void left at Versailles; as far as I am
+concerned, I have passed so much of my time with you, that I cannot
+imagine what I shall do with my evenings; it will cost me much of my age
+to alter habits and customs now so long fixed and settled, but such is
+life; nothing certain, nothing stable. We should imitate cats in our
+attachments, and rather identify ourselves with the house than the
+possessor of it. I trust you have secured an ample provision for the
+future; neglect not the present, to-morrow may come in vain for you.
+
+"Be sure you let me know the spot to which you permanently retire, and I
+will endeavour to see you as frequently as my engagements will admit of."
+
+"Adieu, _ma belle petite_."
+
+Spite of the bitterness of my feelings, this letter drew a smile to
+my lips; the allusion to cats which had escaped the marechale exactly
+applied to her own character, of which I had been warned before I became
+acquainted with her; but her protestations of warm and unutterable
+attachment had gained my confidence, and I allowed myself to be guided
+implicitly by her.
+
+The duchesse d'Aiguillon was waiting for me while I perused the above
+letter; at length, with a sigh, I prepared to quit that palace of
+delights where I had reigned absolute mistress. I cast a mournful look
+around me, on those splendid walks, fountains and statues, worthy the
+gardens of Armida, but where there reigned, at this early hour, a sort
+of gloomy silence; whilst, in that chamber where love had well nigh
+deified me and recognised me as queen of France, lay extended the
+monarch so lately my protector and friend.
+
+It was the Wednesday of the fifth of May that I took my seat in the
+carriage of the duchesse d'Aiguillon accompanied by my sister-in-law and
+the vicomtesse Adolphe, who would not forsake me. Bischi remained
+with madame d'Hargicourt, whose duties detained her with the comtesse
+d'Artois. Her husband also remained at Versailles, while comte Jean and
+his son proceeded to Paris. I will not attempt to describe the emotions
+with which I quitted my magnificent suite of apartments, and traversed
+the halls and staircases already crowded by persons anxiously awaiting
+the first intimation of the king's decease. I was wrapped in my pelisse,
+and effectually eluded observation. It has been said that I left
+Versailles at four o'clock in the morning, but that was a mere invention
+on the part of my servants to baffle the curiosity of those who might
+have annoyed me by their presence.
+
+We pursued our way in mournful reflection, whilst madame d'Aiguillon,
+with her wonted goodness, sought by every means to distract me from
+the dejection in which I was buried. Her husband, who remained with the
+king, engaged to write me a true account of all that transpired during
+my absence, and I shall very shortly present you with a specimen of
+the fidelity with which he performed his promise. The duchess did the
+honours of Ruel.
+
+"Here," said she, "the great cardinal Richelieu loved to repose himself
+from the bustle and turmoil of a court."
+
+"I think," answered I, "it would have been less a favourite with his
+eminence had it been selected for his abode on the eve of his disgrace."
+
+Immediately upon my arrival I retired to bed, for fatigue had so
+completely overpowered me that I fell into a heavy slumber, from which
+I did not awake till the following day; when I found the duchesse
+d'Aiguillon, my sister-in-law, Genevieve Mathon, and Henriette, seated
+by my bed: the sight of them was cheering and gratifying proof of my not
+being as yet abandoned by all the world.
+
+I arose, and we were just about to take our places at table, when
+madame de Forcalquier arrived. I must confess that her presence was an
+agreeable surprise to me; I was far from reckoning on her constancy in
+friendship, and her present conduct proved her worthy of her excellent
+friend, madame Boncault, whose steady attachment I had so frequently
+heard extolled. The sight of her imparted fresh courage to me, and I
+even resumed my usual high spirits, and in the sudden turn my ideas
+had taken, was childish enough to express my regrets for the loss of
+my downy and luxurious bed at Versailles, complaining of the woful
+difference between it and the one I had slept on at Ruel.
+
+The duchesse d'Aiguillon, who must have pitied the puerility of such a
+remark, gently endeavoured to reconcile me to it by reminding me that
+both the marquise de Pompadour and the cardinal de Richelieu had reposed
+upon that very couch.
+
+I endeavoured to return some sportive reply, but my thoughts had flown
+back to Versailles, and my momentary exhilaration was at an end. Tears
+rose to my eyes and choked my attempts at conversation; I therefore
+begged the duchess would excuse me, and retired to my apartment until
+I could compose myself; but the kind and attentive friend to whose
+hospitality I was then confided needed no further mention of my hard
+couch, but caused the best bed Ruel contained to be prepared for me by
+the time I again pressed my pillow.
+
+This same evening brought M. de Cosse, who could no longer repress his
+impatience to assure me of his entire devotion. He appeared on this
+occasion, if possible, more tender and more respectful in his manner of
+evincing it than ever.
+
+We supped together without form or ceremony, the party consisting of
+mesdames d'Aiguillon, de Forcalquier, and myself, mademoiselle du Barry,
+and the vicomtesse Adolphe, the prince de Soubise and the duc de Cosse.
+But the meal passed off in sorrowful silence; each of us seemed to
+abstain from conversation as though the slightest remark might come
+fraught with some painful allusion. On the following day I received the
+letter from the duc d'Aiguillon which you will find in the following
+chapter.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV
+
+
+     The duc d'Aiguillon's first letter--The marechale de
+     Mirepoix--A second letter from the duc d'Aiguillon--Numerous
+     visitors
+
+"My much esteemed friend,--I promised you upon your departure to inform
+you of all that transpired, and although the task is a mournful one,
+I will do my best to acquit myself with zeal and sincerity, and each
+evening I will write you an exact detail of all that has occurred during
+the day. The king remains much as you left him, and you must know
+that already his medical attendants differ in their opinion respecting
+him--Lemonnier utterly despairing of his recovery, while Bordeu is
+most sanguine that he shall be enabled to restore him to health. La
+Martiniere persists in his assertion that the attention of the king
+should be immediately directed to his spiritual concerns. The archbishop
+of Paris remains until called for in the ante-chamber, and the
+princesses never leave the bedside of their august parent.
+
+"The king spoke with me concerning you for some time this morning, and I
+can assure you, you are the first object in his thoughts; he has begged
+of me never to forsake you, and has deigned to repose in me the enviable
+post of your future protector. 'I bequeath my beloved friend to
+your fidelity,' added the suffering prince. I took advantage of this
+opportunity to remark that I looked upon your quitting Versailles as too
+precipitate and premature a step. 'No, no,' replied the king, 'I have
+acted for the best; I have once been deceived as to my condition, and I
+would willingly prevent being again taken by surprise. Tell my beloved
+and excellent countess how truly I love her'; and hearing the prince de
+Soubise mention his design of supping at Ruel, he charged him to embrace
+you for him.
+
+"The dauphin still remains secluded in his apartment, but I know that he
+keeps up a regular correspondence with madame Victoire, whose letters,
+after being immersed in vinegar, are carried to the comte de Muy, who
+fumigates them previously to allowing them to reach the hands of the
+dauphin.
+
+"I am, etc., etc.
+
+"VERSAILLES, May 5, 1774, nine o'clock, evening."
+
+Upon awaking the following morning I again received news of the king,
+who was stated to have passed a good night, and even La Martiniere
+seemed inclined to hope. As yet, then, there were no safe grounds for
+abandoning me, and about two o'clock in the afternoon I was favoured
+with a visit from madame de Mirepoix, who, running up to me, exclaimed
+with her usual vivacity,
+
+"Oh, my dear creature, how I longed to see you!" and then leading me
+into another chamber, she added,
+
+"Do you know I quite missed you? As I wrote you, my time hung heavily
+on my hands. What in the world will become of me if I am compelled to
+resign the delightful hours granted to the envied few who are permitted
+the _entree_ to the _petits appartements_? For you see, my dear, the
+dauphiness will be far from bestowing that honour upon me. I am too old
+to form one of her coterie, and I shall be laid aside like the rest
+of the antiquities of the chateau. By the way," continued the voluble
+marechale, "there is already a great cabal in the chateau respecting the
+formation of a new ministry, in which, besides desiring lucrative posts
+for themselves, all are anxious to introduce their private friends;
+in the midst of so many absorbing interests you appear to be already
+forgotten, which, by the way, is no bad thing for you. Your best plan
+is to remain perfectly tranquil." Then rapidly passing to her most
+prevailing idea, this excellent friend proceeded to inquire what the
+king had bestowed on me as a parting present, "for," said she, "he would
+not certainly permit you to leave Versailles empty-handed."
+
+"It is a point," replied I, "that neither his majesty nor myself once
+thought of."
+
+"Then such an omission proves him a vile egotist, and you a prodigious
+simpleton," answered she; "and were I in your place, I would commission
+the duc d'Aiguillon to make a direct demand of a future provision for
+you; you really should see about this, and secure to yourself a noble
+establishment for yourself and your friends, who ought not to suffer for
+your overstrained delicacy. Look at the duc de Choiseul, who has kept a
+regular court at Chanteloup, and never wanted for a train of courtiers
+at it."
+
+After this lesson of worldly wisdom, the excellent marechale gave me a
+friendly kiss, returned to her carriage, and I saw her no more during my
+stay at Ruel.
+
+The evening brought with it a second letter from the duc d'Aiguillon, it
+was as follows:--
+
+"MADAM,--I hasten to acquaint you with the pleasing information of his
+majesty being considerably better; his strength appears to have returned,
+and he himself, in the consciousness of improving health, expressed
+aloud his regret for having been so hasty in advising your removal from
+him. He has continually repeated, 'How weak and selfish of me thus to
+afflict my dearest countess! would you not advise me, my friend,
+to request her immediate return?' Of course, my reply was in the
+affirmative. His majesty then put the same question to the duc de
+Richelieu, who answered, that in his opinion it was the best plan he
+could decide upon. The bulletin signed by the different physicians
+accompanies this: it leaves me nothing to add but to recommend your
+bearing with patience this temporary absence from court, to which you
+will ere long return, more idolized, more sought after, than ever. The
+duc de la Vrilliere and the abbe Terray present the assurance of their
+unbounded respect and devotion, etc., etc."
+
+The duchess, my sister-in-law, and niece shared in joy at such
+gratifying intelligence, and the ensuing day brought a concourse of
+visitors to Ruel; indeed, any one might have supposed that fresh swarms
+of flatterers and courtiers had been created only to swell my numbers
+of humble and obsequious adorers. I bestowed on each unmeaning guest a
+smiling welcome, for indeed, my heart was too light and I felt too happy
+to be enabled to frown even upon those who, when the storm appeared
+near, had basely deserted me.
+
+It was amusing enough to see with what zeal any person, whom I had
+previously recommended was assisted by the various ministers in the
+pursuit of their object; the _petit saint_ found himself all at once at
+leisure to pay his respects to me. He confirmed all the kind messages
+sent me by the king through the duc d'Aiguillon. Madame de Mirepoix,
+who had visited me the preceding evening, reserved her next call for the
+following day, but a few hours effected a cruel change in my fortune.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI
+
+
+     A third letter from the duke--The king receives extreme
+     unction--Letter from madame Victoire to the dauphin--M. de
+     Machault--A promenade with the duc de Cosse--Kind attention
+     from the prince des Deux Ponts--A fourth letter from the duc
+     d'Aiguillon--Comte Jean bids me farewell--M. d'Aiguillon's
+     fifth letter, containing an account of the death of Louis
+     XV--The duc de la Vrilliere--The _lettre de cachet_--Letter
+     to the queen--Departure for the abbey of _Pont aux Dames_
+
+The account received in the evening from the duc d'Aiguillon I shall
+not transcribe, as it was merely a repetition of the good tidings of
+the morning. The day following still brought a continuation of favorable
+accounts, but the next letter was in these words:--
+
+"MADAM, AND MOST HONORED FRIEND,--Arm yourself with courage; the king
+is extremely ill, and I ought not to conceal from you that serious
+apprehensions are entertained for his life; he has passed a wretched
+night, His daughters, who never quitted his bedside, whispered to him
+that the archbishop of Paris and his grand almoner were in the anteroom
+if he desired to see them. The king did not seem to hear their words,
+but about three o'clock in the morning he called the duc de Duras, whom
+he bade inquire whether M. Mandoux were in the chateau; and, if so, to
+apprize him he wished to speak with him.
+
+"At these words the princesses and all who heard them burst into a fit
+of weeping, which was only interrupted by the arrival of the confessor,
+who, approaching the bedside of the penitent, held a conference with him
+of nearly a quarter of an hour: this being concluded, the king, in a
+low and firm voice, inquired for his almoner. The latter soon presented
+himself, anxious to discharge the duties of his sacred office. His
+majesty kept continually repeating to his afflicted children, 'My
+daughters, why should what I am now about to do agitate or alarm you?
+You are well aware, that having the small-pox, the etiquette established
+in my family compels me to receive the last solemn rites of the church,
+and I but acquit myself of an obligation in submitting to it.'
+
+"The tone in which the king spoke convinced his attendants that he
+rather strove to re-assure himself than his children, by the persuasion
+that the receiving extreme unction was not so much the consequence of
+his own dangerous state as a mere act of obedience to an established
+custom. It was then decided that the sacred ceremony should take place
+at seven o'clock in the morning; and here arose some little
+embarrassment; the ecclesiastics insisting upon the necessity of the
+king's making some striking and open atonement for what they were
+pleased to term the scandal of his private life.
+
+"The king's chamber now presented a picture at once solemn and gloomy.
+Grouped together on one side the bed might be seen the different
+noblemen in attendance upon his majesty; a little removed stood the
+clergy, concealed from the invalid by the closely-drawn curtains; in the
+midst of these contending parties were the princesses going from one
+to the other, vainly seeking by mild and gentle mediation to produce a
+satisfactory arrangement. It was at length understood, that, on account
+of the extreme weakness of the invalid, the grand almoner should
+pronounce in his name a kind of honorable apology for past offences.
+
+"You can scarcely imagine, madam, the universal consternation spread
+throughout the chateau by the information that the king was about
+to receive the last rites of his church. The terror and alarm became
+overpowering for a while, but subsiding into a more religious feeling
+crowds of persons followed with solemn reverence the holy procession as
+it passed along, bearing the holy sacrament to the expiring monarch. At
+the moment when it was administered the grand almoner, turning towards
+all present, pronounced the following words in the king's name:--
+
+"'Gentlemen, the weakness of his majesty preventing him from expressing
+himself, he has commanded me to inform you, that although he is
+responsible to God alone for his conduct, he yet regrets having caused
+any scandal to his people by the irregularities of his life, that he
+sincerely repents of his sins, and, should Providence restore him t
+ purposes living henceforward in all the virtue and morality of his
+youth, in the defence and maintenance of religion, in preserving a true
+faith, and in watching over the best interests of his people.'
+
+"Yours, madam, etc., etc."
+
+I learned also, through another channel, that (according to custom)
+forty hours' prayer had been enjoined in every church in France to
+implore the mercy of heaven for the king. I heard too that the shrine of
+Saint Genevieve had been displayed for the veneration of true believers.
+
+I passed a miserable night, dreaming of graves, winding-sheets, and
+funeral-torches, from which I only awoke to receive the morning's
+despatches. Alas! the news but confirmed the distressing state of the
+king. The very solitude in which I was left at Ruel might alone have
+served to convince me of my misfortune; for, with the exception of the
+duc de Cosse, no person came near us. M. de Cosse invited me to walk
+with him in the garden; I accepted the arm of this noble friend, and
+we directed our steps towards the wood. When we were there secure from
+interruption, the duke inquired what were my plans for the future?
+
+"How can I tell you," answered I; "what is henceforward to be my fate is
+better known to our future queen than to myself."
+
+"That is precisely what I dread," replied M. de Cosse. "Unfortunately
+you have deeply offended the queen elect, who has irritated her
+husband's mind against you; and then the Choiseul faction will, in all
+probability, come into power."
+
+"I see all this," returned I, "and am prepared for whatever may happen."
+
+"I admire your calmness in a moment like the present," cried the duke;
+"but have a care. Perhaps the best thing would be to remove you beyond
+the reach of the first shock of court displeasure. In your place I would
+request passports from the duc d'Aiguillon and travel into England."
+
+"Oh, speak not of such a thing, I conjure you," interrupted I; "I have
+a horror of such journeys, and would much rather trust to the generosity
+of the dauphiness. She is about to become a great queen, while I shall
+be a creature so humiliated and abased, that the very difference between
+our situations will be a sufficient vengeance in her eyes."
+
+We returned to the house, and had scarcely entered, when M. de
+Palchelbel, plenipotentiary to the prince des Deux Ponts, was announced.
+
+"M. de Palchelbel," cried I, extending my hand, "what good wind brings
+you here?"
+
+"I have been honoured by the commands of the prince, my master, madam,"
+replied he, "to bring you the assurances of his unalterable friendship;
+and to say further, that whenever you feel dissatisfied with your
+residence in France, you will find at Deux Ponts an asylum, which the
+most earnest endeavors of the prince, my gracious patron, will strive to
+render agreeable to you."
+
+I was much affected by this mark of generous regard on the part of
+prince Charles Auguste; and, turning quickly towards the duke, I
+exclaimed,
+
+"What think you of all this? Will you henceforward believe those
+self-dubbed philosophers, who assert that friendship is unknown to
+royalty? You have here a proof of the contrary. For my own part, M.
+de Palchelbel," continued I, turning towards the minister, "I am
+much gratified by your message, and entreat of you to thank his royal
+highness most sincerely for me. I will write to him myself on the
+subject, but beg of you to repeat that, kind as are his offers, I cannot
+accept of them; but shall certainly remain in France until the new
+sovereign commands or permits me to quit it."
+
+I afterwards repeated to the minister of Deux Ponts what I had
+previously stated in the garden to M. de Cosse, and had the satisfaction
+of hearing madam d'Aiguillon approve of my sentiments.
+
+When I retired to my apartment I was followed by my niece.
+
+"How happy are you, dear aunt," said she, "to preserve such friends in
+your present troubles."
+
+"I owe them," replied I, "to my simplicity and candor."
+
+"Will you not retire to Germany?"
+
+"Certainly not," answered I.
+
+"Yet it would be better to allow the first burst of displeasure on the
+part of the dauphiness to pass over."
+
+"Who gave you this counsel, my dear niece? I am quite sure it does not
+originate in yourself."
+
+"I had promised not to tell," answered she; "but if you insist upon it,
+I must confess, that I was persuaded by the prince de Conde and M. de
+Soubise to urge you to follow it."
+
+"Do they then wish for my absence?" inquired I, angrily.
+
+"Only for your own sake, dearest aunt."
+
+"I thank them; but my resolution is formed to commit myself entirely to
+Providence in this melancholy affair."
+
+The day passed on; and with feverish impatience I waited the arrival of
+the next courier: he came, at length, and confirmed my worst fears; the
+king was entirely given over by his physicians, and his dissolution was
+hourly expected. The letter containing this mournful tidings concluded
+thus:--
+
+"I have just seen comte Jean, he is here incognito. We had entirely
+forgotten that passports would be necessary; however, I have now
+furnished him with four for England, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
+The count is far from partaking of your sense of security, and is wisely
+anxious (as I think) of shielding himself from the first burst of royal
+vengeance. The duchess has informed me of your refusal of an asylum at
+Deux Ponts; and, while I admire your courage, permit me to add, that you
+should rather have listened to the dictates of prudence than magnanimity
+under present circumstances."
+
+The following morning, at an early hour, comte Jean entered my chamber,
+saying,
+
+"I understand the king is dead; have you heard anything of it?"
+
+"Were the report correct," answered I, "I should have known it ere the
+intelligence reached Paris."
+
+"Well, living or dead, I am advised to keep out of the way; and this
+night will see me on my journey from Paris. Will you accompany me?"
+
+"No," I replied I; "I have refused travelling with a much more creditable
+companion than yourself."
+
+"There you are wrong then; for, depend upon it, a cloister will be your
+fate; at any rate my business here is at an end. The new monarch is
+young, and attached to his wife, and my daughter-in-law is too great a
+simpleton to be turned to any account at court."
+
+My brother-in-law then requested I would furnish him with money. I gave
+him what I had, and placed in his hands diamonds to the value of 30,000
+francs. He was very anxious to obtain all my jewels, under pretence of
+conveying them safely out of the kingdom, but this I was too wise to
+agree to; he would have staked them at the first gaming-table he met
+with. We separated without much emotion on either side. He next took
+leave of Chon and his daughter-in-law. The former wept bitterly, for she
+was a most excellent and amiable girl--but the latter, who knew but too
+much of the villainy of her father-in-law, could scarcely repress her
+joy at his departure. Comte Jean perceived it; and, according to his
+brutal custom, indulged in a coarse jest at her expense; for one of his
+maxims was to hold all women in sovereign contempt but such as could
+be useful to him. For my own part, his absence gave me something like
+pleasure; his presence was wearisome to me; it was like the dregs of the
+cup which had intoxicated my senses.
+
+During the day several false reports arrived of the death of the king;
+but at length, about half past four o'clock in the afternoon, I received
+the following letter:--
+
+"MADAM,-You have lost your best friend and I an excellent master: at
+three clock this day his majesty breathed his last. I can scarcely
+describe to you the horrors of his death-bed. The princesses Adelaide
+and Sophie braved the frightful contagion to the last and never
+quitted him till the last spark had flown. Alas! with the exception
+of themselves, every attendant openly expressed their weariness and
+disgust.
+
+"For several days the physicians have forbidden the windows to be
+opened; and those condemned to inhale the pestilential vapor of the room
+vainly sought to counteract them by every powerful fumigation. Alas,
+madam, what is a king when he can no longer grasp the sceptre? How great
+a leveller is death! The prelates abandoned the sick chamber, and left a
+simple cure of the chapel to take their place; the lords in waiting and
+other officers shrunk from the duties of their office, and with their
+eyes fixed on a time-piece eagerly awaited the hour which should free
+them from it. The princesses, who perceived this impatience,
+ durst make no complaint, while the king, occasionally recovering his
+senses, uttered broken sentences, expressive of the religious terror
+which had seized his mind. At length, at a few minutes past three
+o'clock, Lemonnier, in his capacity of first physician, said, after
+laying his hand upon the heart of the patient, and placing a glass
+before his lips, 'The king is dead.' At these words all present strove
+with indecent haste to quit the chamber; not a single sigh, not one
+regret was heard. The princesses were carried insensible to their
+apartments.
+
+"The extinction of a _bougie_ which had been placed in a certain window,
+announced the accession of the dauphin ere the duc d'Aumont had informed
+him of the decease of his august grandsire."
+
+This letter wrung from me some bitter tears, as well for the king, who
+had so lavishly bestowed his affections upon me, as for myself. What
+would now be my fate? Alas! I knew not; all my brilliant prospects were
+buried in the coffin of my late protector.
+
+The duc d'Aiguillon arrived at Ruel about midnight; he, as well as the
+other ministers who had been about the late monarch during his last
+illness, being prohibited by etiquette from following the present
+monarch to Choisy, whither the whole of the royal family had retired
+for a few days. He told us that the duc d'Aumont, having commanded
+La Martiniere to proceed with the embalming of the royal corpse, that
+physician replied, "Certainly, my lord, it shall be done if you command
+it, but, in that case, the duties of your office compel you to receive
+his majesty's bowels in a golden dish; and I protest, that such is the
+state of the body, that of all who may assist at the operation, not one
+will survive eight days. It is for your grace to determine what shall be
+done."
+
+M. d'Aumont thought no more of embalming his late master, but gave
+orders for the body being immediately placed in a leaden coffin, from
+which here still issued frightful effluvia.
+
+Up to the moment of my quitting Ruel madame de Mirepoix gave me no token
+of recollection: I heard that herself and the prince de Beauvau were
+reconciled, and for her sake I rejoiced at it. No person came near us
+the whole of the day with the exception of M. de Cosse, and I sat in
+hourly expectation of some order from court. At length we descried a
+travelling carriage with six horses, proceeding at a rapid pace up
+the avenue. "I know that livery," exclaimed I; "'tis that of my
+humble adorer, my obsequious slave, my friend at court, the duc de la
+Vrilliere, commonly called _le petit saint_. You see that the good soul
+could not delegate to another the pleasing task of arresting me; but
+permit me to retire to my apartment; it is fitting he should seek me
+there if he has any communication to make to me." The duchess, approved
+my resolution; and the duc de la Vrilliere having been introduced into
+the salon, after the first compliments, requested to see me, that he
+might acquaint me with the king's pleasure.
+
+Mademoiselle du Barry undertook to inform me of the duke's arrival.
+
+"You were not mistaken, dear sister," said she; "the duc de la Vrilliere
+is the bearer of the king's orders respecting you: but compose yourself,
+I beseech you."
+
+"Fear not," said I; "I am as calm as you would have me. Tell the vile
+dissembler, I mean the duke, I await him."
+
+M. Tartuffe was but a faint copy of _le petit saint_ as he presented
+himself before me. His manners still retained part of their former
+servility, but there was a lurking smile about him, which proved how
+well he was pleased with the part he had to perform.
+
+He approached me with lingering steps and an air of mysterious
+importance, while a sort of sardonic grin contradicted the sorrow he
+endeavored to force into his countenance. For my own part, I caused the
+folding-doors to be thrown open, and advancing ceremoniously, stood to
+receive the orders of the king. I bowed stiffly and silently; and, with
+something like a malicious satisfaction, I witnessed the embarrassment
+into which my cool and collected manner threw him.
+
+"Madam," said he at last, "I have a painful duty to perform: in a word,
+I am the bearer of a _lettre de cachet_."
+
+"Well, sir!" said I, tranquilly.
+
+"Madam, I must request you to believe how greatly I regret the task
+imposed upon me; but my duty and obedience to the king--"
+
+"Would enable you to strangle your nearest relative. All that is well
+known; but, in the name of all that is base, cowardly, and unmanly,
+could no one but _you_ be found to remind a distressed and afflicted
+woman that she has lost her only friend and support?"
+
+"Madam, I repeat, obedience--necessity--"
+
+"Enough, sir; I pity you."
+
+"Madam, you outrage the king in my person."
+
+"No, sir; I respect the king too highly to believe that there could ever
+be any relation between him and one who is too contemptible to remind me
+that he was but a few days back the most cringing of my servile slaves."
+
+_Le petit saint_, boiling with rage, with an unsteady hand, unfolded and
+read, in a trembling voice, the following words:
+
+"MADAME LA COMTESSE Du Barry,--For reasons, which have for their object
+the preservation of the tranquillity of my kingdom, and the prevention
+of any state secrets confided to you being promulgated, I send this
+order for your immediate removal to _Pont aux Dames_, accompanied by one
+female attendant only, and under the escort of the exempt who has the
+necessary orders. This measure is by no means intended to be either
+disagreeable or of long duration. I therefore pray God to have you in
+his holy keeping,
+
+"(Signed) Louis."
+
+"That, madam," continued the duke, "is his majesty's pleasure, and you
+have nothing to do but to submit."
+
+"Your advice was not asked, my lord," returned I; "I honor and obey the
+king's slightest wish, but your presence is no longer requisite; you
+will therefore be pleased to rid me of it."
+
+The duke, resuming his air of mock humility, bowed low, and departed.
+
+When I was alone, I must confess a few tears escaped me, but I soon
+wiped them away; my resolution was taken.
+
+The duchesse d'Aiguillon and my female friends hastened to question
+me relative to the duke's visit. I showed them the _lettre de cachet_,
+which confirmed the misfortune they had suspected from seeing Hamond,
+who was to be my escort, waiting in the anteroom to conduct me to the
+abbey of _Pont aux Dames_, near Meaux, the place of my exile. They all
+evinced the utmost sorrow, and both Chon and my niece protested that
+with the king's permission, they would willingly attend me in my
+seclusion. I felt grateful for this mark of attachment; then sending
+for the exempt, I inquired whether I might be allowed sufficient time
+to write a letter, and cause a few necessary preparations to be made?
+"Madam," replied he, "my only orders are to accompany you to _Pont aux
+Dames_, the hour of departure is left to yourself."
+
+I then penned a few hasty lines to the king, indicative of my wishes for
+the happiness and prosperity of his reign, of my ready obedience to his
+commands, and of my earnest wishes that my sister-in-law and niece
+might be permitted to visit me. This letter I was promised should be
+punctually delivered. I had now the painful duty to perform of choosing
+between Henriette and Genevieve, as only one attendant was allowed me at
+_Pont aux Dames_. Henriette pleaded her claim as my servant, while the
+excellent Genevieve timidly urged her early friendship.
+
+"Let chance decide it," cried I. They drew lots, and Genevieve was
+selected.
+
+We reached Pont aux Dames in the middle of the night; it was a miserable
+looking place, which took its date from the time of Saint Louis or
+Charlemagne for ought I know. What a contrast met my eyes between
+this ruinous old building, its bare walls, wooden seats, and gloomy
+casements, and the splendor of Versailles or Choisy; all my firmness
+forsook me, I threw myself weeping into the arms of Genevieve.
+
+A courier-had announced my intended arrival, and I found all the good
+sisters impatient to see me. What eager curiosity did the pious nuns
+evince to behold one of whom they had heard so much even in their quiet
+retreat, and how many questions had I to reply to from those who had
+the courage to address me. Alas! I, of all the throng assembled, was the
+most anxious for quiet and solitude.
+
+I was lodged in the best apartments, which, however magnificent the good
+people of _Pont aux Dames_ might consider them, were not on a par with
+the granaries of Lucienne. But complaint was useless, and I could only
+resign myself to what was offered me.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Comtesse du Barry, by
+Baron Etienne Leon Lamothe-Langon
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