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rnment of Guienne to enter on service。 He had much credit with the king； and this （would you believe it？） resulted from his reputation as a man of intrigue。 He told the king every thing that came into his head： he told him one day； that the Choiseuls boasted that he； the king of France； never dared introduce his mistress into the state apartments at Versailles。
〃Yes；〃 added the duke； 〃they boast so loudly； that nothing else is talked of in the province； and at Bordeaux； for instance； there is one merchant who； on the strength of the enemies of the comtesse； has made a bet that she will never be presented。〃
〃And why do you not imprison these persons？〃 inquired the king； angrily。
〃Because； sire； it appears to me injustice to punish the echo of the fooleries of Paris。〃
〃I will conduct myself as regards the presentation of madame du Barry in the manner which I think best。 But is it not an inconceivable contrariety； that one party should wish it with the utmost desire； and another place every obstacle in the way？ In truth； I am very unfortunate； and a cruel tyranny is exercised over me。〃
The duc de Richelieu； not wishing to appear as one of the tyrants of the king； gave a different turn to the conversation。
My presentation was； however； a matter of first…rate importance to me and to my partizans； and the duc de la Vrilliere was gained over to my side； by making him believe that the king would yield to my desires； and that then I should remember all those who opposed my elevation。 The duc d'Aiguillon also drew over to my party M。 Bertin； who bore no love to the Choiseuls； and who saw that the preponderance of interest was on my side of the scale。 When I was assured of a considerable number of defenders； I thought I might venture on the master stroke； and thus I went to work。
One evening the king was with me； and the MM。 de Maupeou and de Richelieu were there also。 We were discoursing of different things； and the king was perfectly tranquillized； little anticipating the scene that was in store for him。 I rose suddenly from my arm…chair； and going up to his majesty； after a profound courtesy cast myself at his feet。 Louis XV would have raised me； but I said；
〃No； I will remain where I am until you have accorded me the favor I ask。〃
〃If you remain in this posture I shall place myself in a similar one。〃
〃Well； then； since you will not have me at your knees I will place myself on them〃； and I seated myself in his lap without ceremony。
〃Listen to me； sire；〃 I said； 〃and repeat what I say to the king of France word for word。 He must authorize my presentation； for else； some fine day； in the presence of the whole court； I will go to the state apartments； and try whether I shall be repulsed at the door。〃
〃Will she have the boldness？〃 inquired the king to the chancellor。
〃I have no doubt of it； sire。 A female； young； beautiful； honored with your kindness； may venture to do anything。〃
〃Is it not distressing to me；〃 I added； 〃that； graced with your majesty's favors； I remain thus concealed； whilst women whom you detest annoy you with their presence。〃
〃Madame is right；〃 replied the duc de Richelieu； 〃and I see that you look for her every evening where she is not； and where she ought to be。〃
〃What！ you too； duc de Richelieu； do you join the cry of the chancellor？〃
〃I would tear out the eyes of these gentlemen；〃 I added； 〃if they thought differently from me。〃
〃Oh；〃 said the king； laughing； 〃this punishment would not be one for M。 Maupeou： justice ought to be blind： and as for you； M。 de Richelieu； you have your left。〃
〃Which he has nobly gained；〃 I replied； 〃by fighting against your majesty's enemies； and of which he still continues worthy； by now defending me from my foes。〃
〃This rebellion；〃 said the king； 〃cannot last； and I see myself compelled to hold a （a judicial sitting or bed）。〃
〃And I swear to you； that I will receive nobody into mine until I have been presented。〃
This sally amused the king； who said； 〃Well； since it must be so； you shall be presented。〃
At this I leaped on the king's neck； giving a cry which might have been heard by my rivals。 After that； I advanced to the two gentlemen who had advocated my cause so well； extending a hand to each； which they took and kissed with great gallantry。
Louis XV became thoughtful； and continued to mutter between his teeth； 〃I wash my hands of itthey will cry out； they will clamor； but it must be so。〃 I saw the feelings of the king； and took care not to allow him to go away in this state。 Whilst I sought to compose him by my caresses； the duc de Richelieu told us one of his thousand and one adventures； which he told so well。 I know not if it will please you； but such as it is I shall give you an abridgment of it。
〃I was； you know；〃 he began； 〃a very good…looking； a very wild fellow： women have no objection to this。 I was travelling； and in my way thro' D； M。； the intendant of the city； insisted on my taking up my abode at his house。 His lady added her entreaties； and I consented。 I must tell you that the lady was handsome。 I had passed the night with her； but when； on the next morning； as I sought to go out of her apartment； I found the outer door double locked and bolted。 I looked round me on all sides； but found no egress。 Whilst I was lamenting this with the lady's ； who was nearly as much distressed as her mistress； I saw in a detached closet a great many machines covered with paper； and all of different shapes。 On inquiry； I was informed that the following Monday was the lady's birthday； which they were to celebrate with fireworks。 I looked at the beautiful fusees and brilliant suns with much admiration。 Suddenly； thinking of the lady's honor which might be compromised； I took a light and set fire to a Roman candle； in a moment the whole was in flames； and everybody took alarm。 Great was the consternation in the house； which was turned out of windows； and in the uproar； the house…door being broken open； a crowd of persons rushed in； I ran this way and that way； everybody admired and praised my exertions。 I was compelled to quit the house at last； and ordered my carriage； whilst M。 the intendant was thanking me for the vast service I had rendered him。 I assure you； sire； that I never laughed more heartily。〃*
*The duc de Richelieu preserved his coolness and talent at repartee in the most trivial circumstances。 The story is well known of the man who came to ask for his aid； saying they were related。 〃How？〃 asked the duke。 〃Sir； by Adam。〃 〃Give this man a penny；〃 said the duke； turning to a gentleman of his train； 〃and if all of his relations give him as much he will soon be a richer man than I am。〃
If our readers will turn to 〃Joe Miller；〃 Page 45； they will find this jest attributed to the witty duke of Buckingham。 It is a very good joke for a duke； but savors more of a desire to be witty than to be charitable。
（translator）
This tale amused the king； and M。 de Richelieu assured him that he had never told it before。 A thousand considerations had induced him to keep it to himself until the present time。 〃But now；〃 said he； 〃the third g