Louis XV was very much
inclined to testify his disapprobation to this lady, but was withheld
by the consideration he felt for the duke and (particularly) the
duchesse de Choiseul. This latter lady was not beloved by her
husband, but her noble qualities, her good heart, made her an
object of adoration to the whole court. You could not speak to
any person of madame de Choiseul without hearing an eulogium in
reply. The king himself was full of respect towards her; so much
so, that, on the disgrace of the duke, he in some sort asked her
pardon for the chagrin which he had caused her. Good conduct is
no claim to advancement at court, but it procures the esteem of
the courtiers. Remember, my friend, this moral maxim: there is
not one of greater truth in my whole journal.
The king, unable to interpose his authority in a woman's quarrel,
was yet determined on giving a striking proof of the attachment
he bore to me. I had up to this period occupied Lebel's apartments
in the chateau: it was not befitting my station, and the king
thought he would give me those of madame de Pompadour, to which
I had some claim. This apartment was now occupied by the comte
de Noailles, governor of the chateau, who, as great fool as the
rest of his family, began to exclaim most lustily when the king's
will was communicated to him. He came to his majesty complaining
and lamenting. The king listened very quietly to his list of
grievances; and when he had moaned and groaned out his dolorous
tale, his majesty said to him,
"My dear count, who built the chateau of Versailles?"
"Why, sire, your illustrious grandfather.
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