The duc d'Aiguillon also drew over to my
party M. Bertin, who bore no love to the Choiseuls, and who saw
that the preponderance of interest was on my side of the scale.
When I was assured of a considerable number of defenders, I
thought I might venture on the master stroke, and thus I went
to work.
One evening the king was with me, and the MM. de Maupeou and de
Richelieu were there also. We were discoursing of different things,
and the king was perfectly tranquillized, little anticipating the
scene that was in store for him. I rose suddenly from my arm-chair,
and going up to his majesty, after a profound courtesy cast myself
at his feet. Louis XV would have raised me, but I said,
"No, I will remain where I am until you have accorded me the
favor I ask."
"If you remain in this posture I shall place myself in a similar one."
"Well, then, since you will not have me at your knees I will place
myself on them"; and I seated myself in his lap without ceremony.
"Listen to me, sire," I said, "and repeat what I say to the king of
France word for word. He must authorize my presentation; for else,
some fine day, in the presence of the whole court, I will go to the
state apartments, and try whether I shall be repulsed at the door."
"Will she have the boldness?" inquired the king to the chancellor.
"I have no doubt of it, sire. A female, young, beautiful, honored
with your kindness, may venture to do anything.
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