"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.
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