will take care to let them know my displeasure."

All my endeavors were in vain; I could obtain no change of his purpose;
and, summoning the archbishop de Senlis, he spoke to him in a manner
that plainly evinced his intention of making him responsible for the
actions of the princesses. Poor M. de Roquelaure called all the saints
in paradise to witness his innocence.

"Silence, sir," exclaimed the king, "I am perfectly certain this affair
has not gone on without your knowledge and probable participation. I
know you well for a person devoted to the ladies, as a gay, gallant
gentleman need be: I know likewise that you expend the revenues of your
bishopric and livings upon the prettiest girls of Paris; thus I can
hardly suppose you would have counselled my daughters' conduct. No, I
blame those wicked and vindictive scandal-mongers, whose age is their
only protection, and those intriguing men who beset my daughters' ears."

"Sire," protested the trembling bishop, "I entreat you to believe I am
innocent of the whole affair."

"Sir," interrupted the king, "I know well that you are as good a
courtier as a prelate, but still I believe you merely ape your betters;
and far from entertaining any personal dislike to the comtesse du Barry,
you would not object to receive either the archbishopric of d'Albi or
Sens from her hands, were they in her power to bestow."

The conversation went on in this style for more than half an hour. The
king, who had amused himself highly at the terror of the bishop, left
off in excellent humor.

This interview had not been productive of equal amusement to M. de
Roquelaure, whose self-love had been deeply humbled by the way in which
the king had spoken. No sooner did he feel himself at liberty, than he
hastened to communicate to the princesses the violent displeasure they
had excited; and these ladies, so brave and daring whilst their father
appeared to offer no show of authority or anger, durst proceed no
further when they heard of his seriously disapproving of it; and they
felt the full inconsistency of their conduct, in first admitting me into
their presence, and then refusing to meet me at any other place. The
consequence of their deliberation upon the subject was to depute the
bishop de Senlis to call upon me. This accommodating prelate discharged
his mission with the utmost amenity, presenting me with the united
compliments of the royal sisters, who all joined in requesting the
pleasure of m