the
friendly monk she assured him of her lasting gratitude, and begged of
him to point out how she could best prove it. 'For myself,' replied he,
'I ask nothing; but if you would render me your debtor, confer the first
vacant bishopric on a man whom I greatly esteem, the abbe de Barral.'
You will easily suppose that the abbe de Barral had not long to wait for
his preferment: as for the Jacobite the marchioness never again saw or
heard anything of him. She mentioned him to the newly appointed bishop,
who could not even understand to what she alluded. She related the
affair, when he called heaven to witness that he knew nothing of any
Jacobite either directly or indirectly."

"And how did the marchioness get rid of her rival?" inquired I of madame
de Mirepoix.

"By a very simple and effective expedient. She sent for the duc de Saint
Florentin, whom she requested immediately to expedite two _lettres de
cachet_; one for the _valet de chambre_, who was shut up in the chateau
de Lectoure, and the other for the daughter, whom the marchioness sent
to the isle of St. Marguerite, to occupy the place she had so obligingly
destined for herself."

"And now," asked I, "did these unfortunate people ever get out of
prison?"

"That I know not," answered the marechale; "and, God forgive me, for
aught I ever inquired they may be there now."

"If so," cried I, "the conduct of both the king and the duc de la
Vrilliere is abominable and unpardonable."

"Why, bless your heart, my dear," exclaimed the marechale, "do you
expect that his majesty should recollect all the pretty women he has
intrigued with, any more than the poor duke can be expected to keep a
list in his memory of the different persons he has sent to a prison?
He would require a prodigious recollection for such a purpose." This
unfeeling reply filled me with indignation, and redoubled the pity I
already felt for the poor prisoners. I immediately despatched a note
to the duc de Saint Florentin, requesting he would come to me without
delay: he hastened to obey my summons. When he had heard my recital he
remained silent some minutes, as though collecting his recollections
upon the subject, and then replied,

"I do indeed remember that some obscure female was confined in the
chateau of the isle Sainte Marguerite at the request of madame de
Pompadour, but I cannot now say, whether at the death of the marchioness
any person thought of interceding for her release."

"That is