ess 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