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.
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