he at last, "that the fiends had those who take such
delight in disgusting me with my very existence. Heavens! how justly may
I say I despise all men; nor have I a much better opinion of your sex,
madame la comtesse, I must warn you."

"Much obliged, sire," cried I; "really I was not prepared for such
gallantry. It is rather hard that you should quarrel with me because
this disagreeable duchess behaves ill! Upon my word it is very
unpleasant!"

"Come, come," said Louis XV, kissing my cheek, "don't you be a naughty
child; if I had not you, where should I turn for consolation amidst the
torments by which I am surrounded? Shall I tell you? In the midst of all
these perplexing affairs, there are moments in which I fear I may not be
promoting the happiness of my people."

"Your majesty is greatly mistaken," replied the chancellor; "the nation
in general must esteem themselves most happy under your reign; but it
will always happen that ill-disposed persons seek to pervert the public
opinion, and to lead men's minds astray. The duchess, when travelling,
was the faithful and active agent of her brother. The duke, to
secure his stay in the ministry, will eagerly avail himself of every
adventitious aid; within your kingdom he seeks the support of the
parliaments and philosophers; without, he claims the succour of Germany
and Spain. Your majesty is certainly master of your own will, and it
would ill become me to point out the path you should tread; but my duty
compels me to say, that the duc de Choiseul is the greatest enemy of the
royal house: of this he gave me a convincing proof in the case of your
august son; and now, if he fancied he should find it more advantageous
to have the dauphin for his master--"

"Chancellor of France," cried Louis, much agitated, "do you know what
you are asserting?"

"The truth, sire," I exclaimed. "The public voice accuses the duc de
Choiseul of the death of your son; they declare--"

"How! you, too, madam!" exclaimed the king looking at me fixedly.

"And why not, sire? I am merely repeating what is in every one's mouth."

"I have heard this horrible charge before," added the king; "the Jesuits
informed me of it, but I could not give credit to such a monstrosity."

"So much the worse," replied I; "in the world in which we live we should
always be on our guard."

"Sire," added the chancellor, with the most diabolical address, "I am
persuaded that M. de Choiseul is the most honourable man