pulled to pieces at Potsdam.
My dear brother Frederick is about as sweet-tempered as a bear, and I
must not dismiss a minister who is displeasing to me without his passing
a hundred comments and sarcastic remarks. Still, as he is absolute
as the Medes and Persians, surely he can Have no objection to us poor
monarchs imitating him; and allow me the same privilege in mine. After
all, why should I need his or any other person's opinion; let the whole
world applaud or condemn, I shall still act according to my own best
judgment."

On my side I was far from feeling quite satisfied with the accounts I
continued to receive from Chanteloup; above all I felt irritated at the
parade of attachment made by the prince de Beauvau for the exiles, and I
complained bitterly of it to the marechale de Mirepoix.

"What can I do to help it," said she; "my sister-in-law is a simpleton;
who, after having ruined her brother, will certainly cause the downfall
of her husband. I beseech you, my dear, out of regard for me, to put up
with the unthinking conduct of the prince de Beauvau for a little while;
he will soon see his error and amend it." He did indeed return to our
party, but his obedience was purchased at a heavy price.

Some days after the disgrace of the duc de Choiseul, I received a
letter from M. de Voltaire. This writer, who carped at and attacked
all subjects, whether sacred or profane, and from whose satires neither
great nor small were exempt, had continual need of some powerful friend
at court. When his protector, M. de Choiseul, was dismissed, he saw
clearly enough that the only person on whom he could henceforward depend
to aid and support him, was she who had been chiefly instrumental in
removing his first patron. With these ideas he addressed to me
the following letter of condolence or, to speak more correctly, of
congratulation. It was as follows:--

"MADAME LA COMTESSE,--Fame, with her hundred tongues, has announced to,
me in my retreat the fall of M. de Choiseul and your triumph. This piece
of news has not occasioned me much surprise, I always believed in the
potency of beauty to carry all before it; but, shall I confess it? I
scarcely know whether I ought to congratulate myself on the success you
have obtained over your enemies. M, de Choiseul was one of my kindest
friends, and his all-powerful protection sufficed to sustain me against
the malice of my numerous enemies. May a humble creature like me flatter
himself wi