le at the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_, and never quit it
again."

Comte Jean began to laugh, and then seriously advised me to follow the
plain counsel of the duc de Richelieu.

I decided on doing so. I sent for Madame. She came with all the
dignity of an abbess of a regally founded convent. But in spite of
her pretensions, I only saw in her the rival of Gourdan and Paris, and
treated her as such; that is, with some contempt, for with that feeling
her office inspired me. She told me all I have described to you, and
many other things which have since escaped me. At that time there were
only four _eleves_ in the house. When she had given me all the details
I wished, I sent her away, desiring to be informed of all that passed in
her establishment.

CHAPTER XXX

Fete given by the comtesse de Valentinois--The comtesse du
Barry feigns an indisposition--Her dress--The duc de Cosse--
The comte and comtesse de Provence--Dramatic entertainment--
Favart and Voisenon--A few observations--A pension--The
marechale de Luxembourg--Adventure of M. de Bombelles--Copy
of a letter addressed to him--Louis XV--M. de Maupeou and
madame du Barry

My present situation was not a little embarrassing; known and recognised
as the mistress of the king, it but ill accorded with my feelings to be
compelled to add to that title the superintendent of his pleasures; and
I had not yet been sufficiently initiated into the intrigues of a
court life to accept this strange charge without manifest dislike and
hesitation. Nevertheless, whilst so many were contending for the honour
of that which I condemned, I was compelled to stifle my feelings and
resign myself to the bad as well as the good afforded by my present
situation; at a future period I shall have occasion again to revert to
the _Parc-aux-Cerfs_ during the period of my reign, but for the present
I wish to change the subject by relating to you what befell me at a fete
given me by madame de Valentinois, while she feigned to give it in the
honour of madame de Provence.

The comtesse de Valentinois, flattered by the kindness of the
dauphiness's manner towards her, and wishing still further to insinuate
herself into her favour, imagined she should promote her object by
requesting that princess would do her the honour to pass an evening at
her house; her request was granted, and that too before the duchesse de
la Vauguyon could interfere to prevent it. Furious at not h