It cannot be concealed from you,
that mesdames contemplate the presentation of this creature with
the utmost displeasure. They will not fail to obtain great influence
over the future dauphin, and will do you mischief with him; so
that, whether in the actual state of things, or in that which the
age and health of the king must lead us to anticipate, you will
be in a most unfortunate situation at court."
The old bishop, with his mischievous frankness, catechised madame
de Bearn so closely, that at length she replied, that so much
respect and deference did she entertain towards the princesses,
that she would not present me until they should accord their
permission for me to appear. M. de Roquelaure took this reply
to the Choiseuls. Madame de Grammont, enchanted, thinking the
point already gained, sent madame de Bearn an invitation to supper
the next day, but this was not the countess's game. She was
compelled to decide promptly, and she thought to preserve a strict
neutrality until fresh orders should issue. What do you suppose
she did? She wrote to us, madame de Grammont and myself, that
she had scalded her foot, and that it was impossible for her to go
from home.
On receiving her note I believed myself betrayed, forsaken. Comte
Jean and I suspected that this was a feint, and went with all
speed to call on the comtesse de Bearn. She received us with her
usual courtesy, complained that we had arrived at the very moment
of the dressing of her wound, and told us she would defer it; but
I would not agree to this.
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