s to
repeat to me all the names he had mentioned, and the eulogium he had
bestowed on each. "If," said he, "you show that to the Marquise, tell
her how the conversation arose, and that I did not say it in order that
it might come to her ears, and eventually, perhaps, to those of another
person. I am an historiographer, and I will render justice, but I
shall, also, often inflict it."--"I will answer for that," said the
Doctor, "and our master will be represented as he really is. Louis XIV.
liked verses, and patronised poets; that was very well, perhaps, in his
time, because one must begin with something; but this age will be very
superior to the last. It must be acknowledged that Louis XV., in
sending astronomers to Mexico and Peru, to measure the earth, has a
higher claim to our respect than if he directed an opera. He has thrown
down the barriers which opposed the progress of philosophy, in spite of
the clamour of the devotees: the Encyclopaedia will do honour to his
reign." Duclos, during this speech, shook his head. I went away, and
tried to write down all I had heard, while it was fresh. I had the part
which related to the Princes of the Bourbon race copied by a valet, who
wrote a beautiful hand, and I gave it to Madame de Pompadour. But she
said to me, "What! is Duclos an acquaintance of yours? Do you want to
play the 'bel esprit', my dear good woman? That will not sit well upon
you." The truth is, that nothing can be further from my inclination. I
told her that I met him accidentally at the Doctor's, where he generally
spent an hour when he came to Versailles. "The King knows him to be a
worthy man," said she.

Madame de Pompadour was ill, and the King came to see her several times a
day. I generally left the room when he entered, but, having stayed a few
minutes, on one occasion, to give her a glass of chicory water, I heard
the King mention Madame d'Egmont. Madame raised her eyes to heaven, and
said, "That name always recalls to me a most melancholy and barbarous
affair; but it was not my fault." These words dwelt in my mind, and,
particularly, the tone in which they were uttered. As I stayed with
Madame till three o'clock in the morning, reading to her a part of the
time, it was easy for me to try to satisfy my curiosity. I seized a
moment, when the reading was interrupted, to say, "You looked dreadfully
shocked, Madame, when the King pronounced the name of D'Egmont." At
these words, she aga