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