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