e; but he was mistaken.

When the Chevalier de Grammont was at first endeavouring to bring
about an intercourse between the Marquis and Matta, he had given a very
advantageous character of the latter, to make the former more
desirous of his acquaintance; and in the display of a thousand other
accomplishments, knowing what an infatuation the Marquis had for the
very name of erudition, he assured him that Matta was one of the most
learned men in Europe.

The Marquis, therefore, from the moment they sat down to supper, had
expected some stroke of learning from Matta, to bring his own into
play; but he was much out in his reckoning; no one had read less, no one
thought less, and no one had ever spoken so little at an entertainment
as he had done as he did not wish to enter into conversation, he opened
his mouth only to eat, or ask for wine.

The other, being offended at a silence which appeared to him affected,
and wearied with having uselessly attacked him upon other subjects,
thought he might get something out of him by changing the discourse of
love and gallantry; and therefore, to begin the subject, he accosted him
in this manner:

"Since you are my wife's gallant--" "I!" said Matta who wished to carry
it discreetly: "those who told you so, told a damned lie." "Zounds,
sir," said the Marquis, "you speak in a tone which does not at
all become you; for I would have you to know, notwithstanding your
contemptuous airs, that the Marchioness de Senantes is perhaps as worthy
of your attentions as any of your French ladies, and that I have known
some greatly your superiors, who have thought it an honour to serve
her." "Very well," said Matta, "I think she is very deserving, and since
you insist upon it, I am her servant and gallant, to oblige you."

"You think, perhaps," continued the other, "that the same custom
prevails in this country as in your own, and that the ladies have
lovers, with no other intentions than to grant them favours: undeceive
yourself if you please, and know, likewise, that even if such events
were frequent in this court, I should not be at all uneasy." "Nothing
can be more civil," said Matta; "but wherefore would you not?" "I will
tell you why," replied he: "I am well acquainted with the affection my
wife entertains for me: I am acquainted with her discretion towards all
the world; and, what is more, I am acquainted with my own merit."

"You have a most uncommon acquaintance then," replied Matta; "I