ived from his majesty a magnificent diamond
agraffe, worth at least 60,000 francs, and bank notes to the amount of
200,000 livres.

Comte Jean and myself were well nigh stupefied with astonishment at the
sight of such treasures; to us, who had never in our lives possessed
such sums, they appeared inexhaustible. My brother-in-law divided them
into two equal portions, one of which he put into his pocket, and the
other into my _escritoire_. With this arrangement I did not interfere;
nothing seemed to me more simple than that he should satisfy his need
out of my superfluity. I bestowed two thousand crowns upon Henriette,
and expended in the course of the day at least a quarter of my riches
in trifles, as unnecessary as useless; and all this without once
remembering that as I owed my present abundance to a momentary
inclination on the part of the king, so the turn of an hour, or a
fresh fancy on the part of my munificent adorer, might reduce me to the
unprovided state in which I had been so lately. That evening was passed
_tete-a-tete_ with comte Jean; he thought, as I did, that the foundation
of our treasure was firm as a rock, and he gave me many counsels for the
future which I promised to observe; for indeed it was to my own interest
to do so. Upon how many follies did we then debate, which, but a few
days afterwards we found practicable. The different ministers passed in
review before us; some we determined upon retaining, whilst others were
dismissed, and already I began in idea to act with sovereign power over
these illustrious personages, amongst whom I anticipated shortly playing
so important a part. "After all," said I, "the world is but an amusing
theatre, and I see no reason why a pretty woman should not play a
principal part in it."

CHAPTER III

The king's message--Letter from the countess--A second
supper at Versailles--The duc d'Ayen--A short account of M.
de Fleury--The duc de Duras--Conversation with the king--The
next day--A visit from the duc de Richelieu--Visit from the
duc de la Vauguyon--Visit from comte Jean--Visit from the
king--A third supper--Favor

Early the following day I received a message from the king, accompanied
with a bouquet of flowers tied round with a string of diamonds. A short
letter was annexed to this splendid gift, which I would transcribe here,
had it not been taken from me with many others. My reply, which I wrote
upon the spur of the momen