M. de
Sartines obeyed my request; and from that period till the death
of the king I heard no more of this singular personage.
CHAPTER XXI
Extraordinary anecdote of Louis XIV and madame de Maintenon--
The comtesse du Barry at Chantilly--Opinion of king and comte de
la Marche respecting the "Iron Mask"--Madame du Barry visits
madame de Lagarde
My acquaintance with the singular being I was speaking of in the
last chapter did not end here, as you will find in the sequel. I
will now give you an account of an equally strange affair, in
nearly the same words as Louis XV himself related it to me.
Altho' strongly recommended by my sister-in-law and M. de Sartines
to conceal the whole story of my mysterious friend from the
king, yet, unaccustomed to the prudential observation of court
reserve, I, one fine evening, in order to fill up a long blank in
the conversation, related the story from beginning to end. His
majesty listened with attention until I had concluded.
"This is indeed," said he, "a most singular history; and I think
you have acted very wisely in putting an end to all such interference
on the part of the police; for in such cases you frequently run
great risks to procure a trifling gratification. We have seen
something of the same sort in our family."
This discourse excited my curiosity; and I entreated of him to
explain himself more fully. "I ought not to do so," replied he;
"such transactions should be kept for ever concealed; but as more
than half a century has elapsed since the event I allude to took
place, I think I may venture to break the silence I have religiously
observed until now.
Pages:
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290