le marechal, which I greatly fear surpass
my poor merits; and which even you will be compelled to retract
them when I am better known to you."
"Fear it not, madame," said he, "your commencement is a master-stroke;
and the letter you yesterday addressed to the comtesse d'Egmont--"
"Ah, sir," exclaimed I, with unfeigned astonishment, "in her place
I certainly should not have selected you as my confidant in
the affair."
"And who could she better have selected than her father? But
that is not the matter in hand. My daughter is filled with anger
against you; and if I must speak the truth, I do not think your
behavior towards her quite what it should have been."
"Really, monsieur, I was not prepared for a reproach of this kind;
and what can madame d'Egmont allege against me? 'Tis she who
has pursued me with the most bitter sarcasms, the most determined
malice; and, I may add, the most impertinent behavior. I entreat
your pardon for using such strong expressions, but her behavior
allows of none milder. And what have I done in my turn? snatched
from a lingering death an unfortunate young man, whose only
crime consisted in having pleased this unreasonable madame
d'Egmont. I procured the king's protection for the miserable
object of the princess's affection; I obtained his safe removal
to another country; and, having done all this, I communicated my
knowledge of the transaction to the comtesse d'Egmont.
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