However, the king
was highly displeased with his daughters' proceedings. "I have
a great inclination," said he, "to forbid their going to Chantilly at
all. Upon my word, if I were to listen to them, they would fain
make of me the same puppet they allow themselves to become in
the hands of the greatest simpleton who will take the trouble of
leading them."
I endeavored to appease his anger, by reminding him, that he could
not expect perfection from his daughters; and that, forced as they
were to hear me continually spoken ill of by my enemies, it was
next to impossible they should be able to prevent themselves from
adopting the opinion of those around them. "And that," said he,
"is what I principally find fault with. What have they to do with
aping the tone of those about them; and what point of their duty
teaches them to detest those whom I love? I will take care to let
them know my displeasure."
All my endeavors were in vain; I could obtain no change of his
purpose; and, summoning the archbishop de Senlis, he spoke to
him in a manner that plainly evinced his intention of making him
responsible for the actions of the princesses. Poor M. de
Roquelaure called all the saints in paradise to witness his innocence.
"Silence, sir," exclaimed the king, "I am perfectly certain this
affair has not gone on without your knowledge and probable
participation. I know you well for a person devoted to the
ladies, as a gay, gallant gentleman need be: I know likewise
that you expend the revenues of your bishopric and livings upon
the prettiest girls of Paris; thus I can hardly suppose you would
have counselled my daughters' conduct.
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