stance, 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