"
At this moment M. de la Vauguyon entered. He saluted the king
with humility; and asked him, in a mild tone of voice, what his
pleasure was with him.
"A real mark of your zeal," was the king's reply.
"And of your gallantry," added the marechal, who saw the hesitation
of the king. Louis XV was enchanted that another should speak
for him. M. de Richelieu continued:
"His majesty, monsieur le duc, wishes that you should prepare
mesdames to receive our dear countess here, when she shall appear
before them to pay the homage of her respect and devotion."
The king, emboldened by these words, said, "Yes, my dear duke,
I can only find you in the chateau who have any influence over
the princesses, my daughters. They have much respect, and no
less friendship, for you. You will easily bring them to reason."
As M. de la Vauguyon seemed in no hurry to undertake the charge,
the marechal added,
"Yes, sir, to manage this business properly, you and M. de Senlis
are the only men in the kingdom."
The marechal had his reasons for saying this, for a secret jealousy
existed between the governor and the grand almoner. M. de la
Vauguyon made haste to say, that he could not resist his majesty's
orders, and his desire to be agreeable to me.
"Ah! you will then do something for me?" I replied. "I am
delighted and proud."
"Madame," replied the duke with much gravity, "friends are proved
on occasion.
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