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came better known； I found myself almost continually in his society； indeed as I have something to confess in the business； I could hardly choose a better opportunity than the present； did I not recollect that the good duc d'Aiguillon is waiting all this while for me to announce the 《 entree 》 of our party into the ante…room of Madame de Valentinois。
My entrance was a complete 。 I had been imagined languishing on the bed of sickness； yet there I stood in all the fulness of health and freshness of beauty。 I could very easily read upon each countenance the vexation and rage my appearance of entire freedom from all ailment excited； however； I proceeded without any delay to the mistress of the house； whom I found busily engaged in seating her visitors； and playing the amiable to the dauphiness。 This princess seemed equally astonished at my unexpected apparition； nevertheless； taken off her guard； she could not prevent herself from courteously returning the profound salutation I made her。 As for the duchesse de la Vauguyon； when she saw me； she turned alternately from red to white； and was even weak enough to give public vent to her fury。 The comte de Provence； who had been told that I was not expected； began to laugh when he perceived me； and taking the first opportunity of approaching me； he said； 〃Ah； madame！ so you too can mystify your friends； I see！ Have a care； the sight of charms like yours is sufficient to strike terror into any adversaries； without having recourse to any expedient to heighten their effect。〃 Saying this he passed on without giving me the opportunity of replying； as I could have wished to have done。
The marechale de Mirepoix； to whom I had confided my secret； and of whose fidelity I was assured； was present at the fete。 I availed myself of the offer of a seat near her and directly we were seated； 〃You are a clever creature；〃 said she； 〃for you have completely bewildered all the female part of this evening's society； and by way of a finishing stroke will run away with the hearts of all the flutterers here； before the fair ladies they were previously hovering around； have recovered their first astonishment。〃
〃Upon my word；〃 said I； smiling； 〃I do not wonder at the kind looks with which the ladies favour me； if my presence is capable of producing so much mischief。〃
〃Pray； my dear；〃 answered the marechale； 〃be under no mistake： you might be as much beloved as others are； if you did not monopolize the king's affections； the consequence is； that every woman with even a passable face looks upon you as the usurper of her right； and as the fickle gentlemen who woo these gentle ladies are all ready to transfer their homage to you directly you appear； you must admit that your presence is calculated to produce no inconsiderable degree of confusion。〃
The commencement of a play which formed part of the evening's entertainment obliged us to cease further conversation。 The first piece represented was 〃；〃a charming pastoral； to which the music of Monsigny gave a fresh charm； the actors were selected from among the best of the Comedie Italiennethe divine Clairval； and the fascinating mademoiselle Caroline。 I was completely enchanted whilst the play lasted； I forgot both my cabals and recent triumph； and for a while believed myself actually transported to the rural scenes it represented； surrounded by the honest villagers so well depicted； but this delightful vision soon passed away； and soon； too soon I awoke from it to find myself surrounded by my friends at court。
〃〃 was followed by a species of comedy mixed with songs。 This piece was wholly in honour of the dauphiness； with the exception of some flattering and gallant allusions to myself and some gross compliments to my cousin the chancellor； who； in new silk robe and a fine powdered wig； was also present at this fete。
The performers in this little piece； who were Favart； the actor； and Voisenon； the priest； must have been fully satisfied with the reception they obtained； for the comedy was applauded as though it had been one of the