As it was, however, M. de Choiseul and his
vile sister had gained over one of my servants, for they knew all
that had passed. They soon learned that madame de Bearn had come
to supper with me, and that after supper a visit of the king's had
decided this lady on my presentation: this they determined to prevent.
For this end, they despatched as ambassador the chevalier de
Coigny to the house of madame de Bearn. He, following the
instruction, sought by turns to seduce and intimidate the countess,
but all went for nothing. Madame de Bearn told the chevalier de
Coigny, that she had been with me to ask my influence with the
chancellor. The chevalier left her without being able to obtain
any other information.
This bad success did not dishearten the Choiseuls. They sent
this time to madame de Bearn, M. de Roquelaure, bishop of Senlis,
and grand almoner to the king. This prelate was much liked at
court, and in high favor with mesdames (the king's daughters). We
were good friends together at last, but in this particular he was
very near doing me great wrong. M. de Roquelaure having called
on madame de Bearn, told her that he well knew the nature of her
communications with me.
"Do not flatter yourself," said he, "that you will obtain thro'
the influence of the comtesse du Barry, all that has been promised
you. You will have opposed to you the most powerful adversaries
and most august personages.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165