ortunate 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 o