"
"How, monseigneur?"
"The gate by which I entered the ministry--"
"Is not agreeable to me, as being that of my enemies, but I feel
assured that you will not side with them against me."
"Certainly not, madame; it is my wish to give you pleasure in
every thing, and I flatter myself I may merit your friendship."
After many other compliments, the Chancellor asked me, with much
familiarity, when my presentation was to take place, and why it had
not yet occurred. I replied, that the delay arose from the intrigues
of Choiseul, and the king shrunk from the discontent of a handful
of courtiers.
"I am sorry for it," said M. de Maupeou; "in the first place,
madame, because of the interest I take in you, and also because
for his majesty, it would be a means of striking terror into the
opposing party. You know, madame, how annoying parliaments are
to all your friends, and with what bitterness those of Bretagne and
Paris, at this moment, are pursuing the duc d'Aiguillon."
"Do you think," I replied with emotion, "that matters are
unfavorable towards him?"
"I hope not, but he must be warmly supported."
"Ah! I will aid him with all my influence. He is no doubt
innocent of the crimes imputed to him."
"Yes, certainly. He has done no other wrong than to defend the
authority of the crown against the enmity of the parliaments."
We continued some time to talk of parliaments and parliament men:
then we agreed that M.
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