"
"Is it not distressing to me," I added, "that, graced with your
majesty's favors, I remain thus concealed, whilst women whom
you detest annoy you with their presence."
"Madame is right," replied the duc de Richelieu, "and I see that
you look for her every evening where she is not, and where she
ought to be."
"What! you too, duc de Richelieu, do you join the cry of
the chancellor?"
"I would tear out the eyes of these gentlemen," I added, "if
they thought differently from me."
"Oh," said the king, laughing, "this punishment would not be one
for M. Maupeou: justice ought to be blind: and as for you, M. de
Richelieu, you have your
left."
"Which he has nobly gained," I replied, "by fighting against your
majesty's enemies, and of which he still continues worthy, by now
defending me from my foes."
"This rebellion," said the king, "cannot last, and I see myself
compelled to hold a (a judicial sitting or bed)."
"And I swear to you, that I will receive nobody into mine until I
have been presented."
This sally amused the king, who said, "Well, since it must be so,
you shall be presented."
At this I leaped on the king's neck, giving a cry which might have
been heard by my rivals. After that, I advanced to the two
gentlemen who had advocated my cause so well, extending a hand to
each, which they took and kissed with great gallantry.
Louis XV became thoughtful, and continued to mutter between his
teeth, "I wash my hands of it--they will cry out, they will clamor,
but it must be so.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145