to them very ugly and very tiresome:
she soon perceived that her company was disagreeable, and being
determined that they should not be out of humour with her for nothing,
after having passed above a long half hour in diverting herself with
their uneasiness, and in playing a thousand monkey tricks, which she
plainly saw could never be more unseasonable, she pulled off her hood,
scarf, and all that part of her dress which ladies lay aside, when in a
familiar manner they intend to pass the day anywhere. The Chevalier de
Grammont cursed her in his heart, while she continued to torment him for
being in such ill-humour in such good company: at last the Marchioness,
who was as much vexed as he was, said rather drily that she was obliged
to wait on her Royal Highness: Mademoiselle de Saint Germain told her
that she would have the honour to accompany her, if it would not be
disagreeable: she took not the smallest notice of her offer; and the
Chevalier, finding that it would be entirely useless to prolong his
visit at that time, retired with a good grace.

As soon as he had left the house, he sent one of his scouts to desire
the Marquis to sit down to table with his company without waiting
for him, because the game might not perhaps be finished as soon as he
expected, but that he would be with him before supper was over. Having
despatched this messenger, he placed a sentinel at the Marchioness's
door, in hopes that the tedious Saint Germain might go out before her;
but this was in vain, for his spy came and told him, after an hour's
impatience and suspense, that they were gone out together. He found
there was no chance of seeing her again that day, everything falling
out contrary to his wishes; he was forced therefore to leave the
Marchioness, and go in quest of the Marquis.

While these things were going on in the city, Matta was not much
diverted in the country: as he was prejudiced against the Marquis, all
that he said displeased him: he cursed the Chevalier heartily for the
tete-a-tete which he had procured him; and he was upon the point of
going away, when he found that he was to sit down to supper without any
other company.

However, as his host was very choice in his entertainments, and had
the best wine and the best cook in all Piedmont, the sight of the first
course appeased him; and eating most voraciously, without paying any
attention to the Marquis, he flattered himself that the supper would end
without any disput