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d to admit of my passing the matter over in silence。
There was no accusation too infamous to be laid to my charge； amongst other enormities they scrupled not to allege that I had been the murderess of Lebel； the king's ； who died by poison！ Was it likely； was it probable that I should seek the destruction of him to whom I owed my elevation； the most devoted of friends； and for whom my heart cherished the most lively sense of gratitude？ What interest could I possibly derive from the perpetration of such a crime？ The imputation was too absurd for belief； but slander cares little for the seeming improbability of such an event。 The simple fact remained that Lebel was dead； of course the cruel and unjust consequence became in the hands of my enemies； that I had been the principal accessory to it。
My most trifling actions were misrepresented with the same black malignity。 They even made it a crime in me to have written to madame de Bearn； thanking her for her past kindnesses； and thus setting her at liberty to retire from the mercenary services she pretended to have afforded me。 And who could blame me for seeking to render myself independent of her control； or for becoming weary of the tyrannical guidance of one who had taken it into her head that I had become her sole property； and who； in pursuance of this idea； bored and tormented me to death with her follies and exactions； and even took upon herself to be out of humor at the least indication of my attaching myself to any other lady of the court。 According to her view of things； gratitude imposed on me the rigorous law of forming an intimacy with her alone； in a word； she exercised over me the most galling dominion； which my family had long counselled me to shake off； in truth； I was perfectly tired of bearing the yoke her capricious and overbearing temper imposed upon me； but I determined； if possible； to do nothing hastily； and to endure it with patience as long as I could。 But now that the number of my female friends was augmented by the addition of the marquise de Montmorency and the comtesse de l'Hopital I determined no longer to bear the constant display of madame de Bearn's despotic sway； and finding no chance of accommodating our tastes and humors； I resolved to free myself from her thraldom。 Another powerful reason for this measure was the dislike with which the king regarded her； not that she was deficient in birth or good breeding； but amidst the polish of high life she occasionally introduced the most vulgar and provincial manners； a fault of all others most offensive to the king； whose disgust was further excited by the undisguised avidity with which； at every opportunity； she sought to turn her admission to the king's private society to account； by preferring some request or soliciting some particular favor。 Instead of giving herself up to the joy and hilarity that reigned around； she seemed always on the watch to seize every possible advantage to herself。 Immediately that the king was apprized of my intention of dismissing her from any further cares for me； 〃You are quite right；〃 said he； 〃to get rid of this troublesome woman； who never visits us without calculating the degree of interest she can derive from it； and seems to me； whenever she approaches me； as tho' she were devising some fresh petition to obtain from me。 And now； too； that the first ladies of the court fill your drawing…rooms； why should you endure her importunate presence？〃
Strengthened by these sentiments on the king's part； I lost no time in writing to madame de Bearn a letter； of which many false copies were circulated； however； I subjoin the following as the veritable epistle addressed by me to the countess：
〃MADAME；It would be the height of selfishness on my part to tax further the kindness and attention you have been pleased to show me。 I am well aware how many public and private duties claim your care； and I therefore （with much regret） beg to restore to you that liberty you have so generously sacrificed to my interests。 Conscious of the ennui which oppresses you in this part of the country； I write to entreat that you will allow no consideration connected with me to detain you longer in a place so irksome； but； since our visit to Marly is concluded； fly upon the wings of impatience to the gay scenes of Paris and Luxembourg。 Be assured that it will at all times afford me much pleasure to evince the gratitude with which I shall ever remain；
〃Madame； yours sincerely；
〃THE COMTESSE Du Barry。〃
〃P。 S。 I am commissioned to entreat your acceptance of the accompanying casket； it is the gift of one whose favors are never refused； you will easily guess； to whom I allude； and I doubt not bring yourself to conform to the usual custom。〃
The jewels sent were a pair of ear…rings and an of emeralds encircled with diamonds。 The king was desirous of bestowing upon madame de Bearn this particular mark of his recollection of her services towards me； but it did not allay the indignation with which she expressed her sense of my bitter ingratitude； as she termed it； as tho' her interested cooperation had not been sufficiently repaid 。 Nevertheless； she forbore to come to a decided quarrel with me； but satisfied herself with loading me with every reproach in private； whilst she wrote to thank me for all the favors I had bestowed upon her； and entreated I would keep her remembrance alive in the mind of my royal protector。 As there was nothing offensive in the style of the letter I showed it to the king； when he came to the part where madame de Bearn recommended herself to his kind recollection； and expressed her desire to be permitted to throw herself once more at his feet； 〃Heaven preserve me；〃 cried he； 〃from receiving this mark of the lady's respect。 No； no； she is bad enough at a distance； I should be bored to death were she so near to me as she prays for。 Thank God we have got rid of her； and now trust to your own guidance； try the powers of your own wings to bear you in safety； I feel persuaded you will never be at a loss。〃
About this time the prince de Soubise； anxious to evince that he no longer retained any feelings of coolness towards me； requested his mistress； madame de l'Hopital； to call upon me。 This lady； without being a regular beauty； was yet very attractive。 She was past the meridian of her charms； but what she wanted in youth she amply compensated for by the vivacity and brilliancy of her conversation； as well as the freedom of her ideas； which made her the idol of all the old libertines of the court。 The prince de Soubise was greatly attached to her； and preferred her in reality； to mademoiselle Guimard； whom he only retained for form's sake； and because he thought it suitable to his dignity to have an opera dancer in his pay； this nobleman （as you will find） had rather singular ideas of the duties attached to his station。
Madame de l'Hopital had had a vast number of gallant adventures； which she was very fond of relating。 I shall mention two of the most amusing； which will serve to convey an idea of the skilfulness and ready wit with which she extricated herself from the most embarrassing circumstances。
A young man； w