That evening I had a large circle at my house. The chancellor,
the bishop of Orleans, M. de Saint-Florentin, M. Bertin, the
prince de Soubise, the ducs de Richelieu, de la Trimouille, de
Duras, d'Aiguillon, and d'Ayen. This last did not hesitate to
come to spy out all that passed in my apartments, that he might
go and spread it abroad, augmented by a thousand malicious
commentaries. I had also M. de Sartines, my brother-in-law,
etc. The duc de la Vauguyon alone was absent. I knew beforehand
that he would not come, and that it was a sacrifice which he thought
himself compelled to make to the cabal. The ladies were mesdames
de Bearn and d'Aloigny, with my sisters-in-law. Amongst the
ladies presented they were the only ones with whom I had formed
any intimacy; as for the rest I was always the "horrible creature,"
of whom they would not hear on any account.
The king, on entering, embraced me before the whole party. "You
are a charming creature," said he to me, "and the brilliancy of
your beauty has to-day reminded me of the device of my
glorious ancestor."
This was a flattering commencement; the rest of the company
chimed in with their master, and each tried to take the first
part in the chorus. The duc d'Ayen even talked of my grace of
manner. "Ah, sir," said I to him, "I have had time to learn it
from Pharamond to the reigning king."
This allusion was bitter, and did not escape the duke, who turned
pale in spite of his presence of mind, on finding that I was aware
of the malicious repartee which he had made to the king when
talking of me, and which I have already mentioned to you.
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