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track; and the best plan is to follow its lead。 It pains me; madame; to use language which may appear severe to you; we ought only to talk to you of your beauty and the love which it inspires。 But in your situation; even that beauty may serve the interests of France; and it is for that motive that I come to solicit you。〃
I replied to M。 de Chauvelin with equal frankness。 I told him that my sole intentions were to confine myself to the circle of my duties; that I had none but to please the king; and no intention of mixing myself up with state affairs。 This was my plan I can assure you。 I flattered myself that I could follow it; not dreaming of those political nuisances into which I was precipitated in spite of myself。 I added; nevertheless; that in my situation; which was delicate; I would not refuse the counsels of a faithful servant of the king; and that under this title M。 de Chauvelin should be consulted on important occasions。
The marquis de Chauvelin had too much good sense; too much knowledge of the world; not to perceive a refusal concealed under this politeness。 The secret inclination of my heart had already led me to select the duc d'Aiguillon for my director; and I could not reconcile myself to any other。 He contented himself with asking me again for my friendship; which I willingly accorded him; and I have always found myself fortunate in his。 Thus did I accept the offers of service from the prince de Soubise; the duc de la Vauguyon; and the marquis de Chauvelin。
A fourth sought to swell the ranks; the comte; afterwards prince; de Montbarrey。 This gentleman made up in pretensions for what he lacked in talent。 He was weak; self…important; selfish; fond of women; and endeavored to preserve all the airs of a man of good breeding in the midst of the grossest debauchery。 He was full of respect for himself and his house; of which in time of need he could cite the whole genealogy。 His nomination was a real scandal; no one dreamt of his ever being minister of war。 It was one of the thousand follies of old Maurepas; whom the late king knew well; and called the ballad…maker of the council。
The comte de Montbarrey; whom I had known at Paris; came to me one fine day; fully powdered; perfumed; and apparelled。 He had a smile on his lip; a loud tone; and an insolent look。 He came not to ask my friendship; but my obedience。 He told me that he loved me to distraction; and of course my head must be equally towards him。 He amused me。 I let him run out the full length of his line; and when he had spun it all out; I said to him; 〃Monsieur; be so good as to call me to the recollection of madame de Merfort。〃
She was one of the gambling ladies; and at her house I had formerly met the chevalier de Montbarrey。 My reply confounded
him: he saw that he had gone the wrong way to work with me; and; raising the siege; he left me excessively embarrassed。
Figure to yourself; my friend; what confidence a man; lost in the crowd of lower courtiers; could inspire me with; for to judge of the proceedings of the comte de Montbarrey; it would have been necessary to have seen him as he then was; and not what he became since the imbecility of M。 de Maurepas。 When I told comte Jean of his visit; he would not believe such insolence。 You must know that my brother…in…law also wished to direct me; but I did not consider him sufficiently clever。 His marvellous genius was eclipsed in politics。 He swore at my ingratitude; and I could only appease him by an offering of plenty of money。
In the midst of this cross…fire of intrigues; one was devised against me which might have terminated in my ruin; but; thanks to the indefatigable activity of comte Jean; only served to fix me more firmly in my situation。 Lebel; of whom I have said nothing for this age; came to me one day: his face was sad; and his look serious。 By his manner I augured that my reign had passed; and that I must quit my post。 I awaited what he should say with mortal impatience。 At length he began thus:
〃Madame; you have many bitter enemies; who are laboring to effect your ruin with a blood…thirstiness which nothing can assuage。 They have now spread a report that you are not married。 This infamous calumny〃
〃Ah; is that all?' said I with joy; 〃no; my dear Lebel; this time they do not calumniate me。 The worthy creatures for once are right。〃
〃What;〃 said Lebel; in a tone of alarm almost comic; 〃what; are you really not married?〃
〃No。〃
〃Are you not the wife of the comte Guillaume du Barry?〃
〃No。〃
〃Then you have deceived the king; and played with me。〃
〃Lebel; my friend; take another tone。 No one has any right to complain。 You have given me to the king as a person to please him; I do so。 The rest can be no matter of yours。〃
〃Pardon me; madame; it is a matter of the greatest consequence to me。 I am terribly compromised in this affair; and you with me。〃
Lebel told me that the duchesse de Grammont had begged him to call upon her; and had bitterly reproached him about the mistress he had procured for the king; the duchesse affirmed that I was a nameless and unmarried creature; and added; that it was his duty to make the king acquainted with these particulars; unless I; the pretended wife of du Barry; would consent to go to England when a large pension should be assured to me。
〃No; my dear Lebel; I will not go to England; I will remain in France; at Versailles; at the chateau。 If I am not married I will be; the thing is easily managed。〃
Lebel。 somewhat assured; begged me to send for comte Jean; and when he came he (Lebel) recommenced his tale of grief。
〃You are drowning yourself in a glass of water;〃 said my future brother…in…law to him; beginning to treat him with less ceremony; 〃go back to the duchesse de Grammont; and tell her that madame was married at Toulouse。 She will have an inquiry set on foot; in the mean while my brother will arrive; and the marriage will take place。 Then we will show the rebels a real comtesse du Barry; and whether my sister…in…law be a lady of six months' standing or only of yesterday; that is of no consequence to the king of France。〃
After this conversation Lebel delivered the message to the duchesse de Grammont; who told him that she should write to Toulouse to the attorney…general。 This was what the comte Jean wished and he was prepared for her。
But; you will say to me; was it certain that your asserted husband would marry you? Were there no difficulties to fear? None。 Comte Guillaume was poor; talented; and ambitious; he liked high living; and would have sold himself to the devil for riches。 He was happy in marrying me。 Comte Jean would not have ventured such a proposal to his other brother; the comte d'Hargicourt; who had much good sense and great notions of propriety; and who at Versailles was called the ; a distinction not over flattering to his two brothers。
The same evening the whole family arrived; and was presented to me the next day。 My two future sisters…in…law frightened me at first with their provincial manners and southern accent; but; after a few minutes; I found that this Gascon pronunciation had many charms with it。 Mesdemoiselles du Barry we