"
I had imagined that this reply would still further irritate the
angry feelings of the duc de Richelieu, but it did not: he easily
guessed that nothing but the king's support could have inspired
me to express myself with so much energy; and, if paternal
vanity strove in his heart, personal interests spoke there with
even a louder voice. He therefore sought to lay aside his anger,
and, like a skilful courtier, changing his angry look and tone
for one of cheerfulness:
"Madame," said he, "I yield; I see it will not do to enter the
lists against you. I confess I came this morning but to sound
your courage, and already you have driven me off the field
vanquished. There is one favor I would implore of your generosity,
and that is, to be silent as to all that has transpired."
"I shall not speak of it, monsieur le duc," replied I, much moved,
"unless you or madame d'Egmont set me the example."
"In that case the affair will for ever remain buried in oblivion;
but, madame, I will not conceal from you, that my daughter has
become your most bitter and irreconcilable enemy. "
"The motives which have actuated me, monsieur le marechal, are
such as to leave me very little concern upon that subject. I
flatter myself this affair will not keep you away from me, who
would fain reckon as firmly on your friendship as yon may do on mine."
The marechal kissed my hand in token of amity, and from that
moment the matter was never mentioned.
Pages:
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255