"
"There, my lord, you were indeed in error; for though I might not
feel a very tender friendship towards you whilst supposing I had
many causes for complaint, I could not refuse you those marks of
respect your rank and station entitle you to receive."
"Then, madam, I may flatter myself that I should have been
kindly received?"
"Yes, sir, you would ever have been welcome, but not those
belonging to you, for I will be perfectly candid; always excepting
the duchesse de Choiseul, for whom I entertain the greatest
veneration and respect."
"She is indeed well worthy the exalted opinion you express of her;
and had I followed her advice, I should not have been found
amongst the ranks of your enemies."
"You confess the fact then, monsieur le duc?" said I.
"I trust, madam, you will not take advantage of an inadvertent
expression to turn it against myself. What I fear is, that without
ever having been your enemy, I may have passed for such in your
estimation; and such indeed is the cruel position in which I
am placed."
"Stay, my lord duke," cried I; "be candid, and acknowledge that
you are my enemy as you have ever been; and that it is only
because there has been war between us that you are now come to
conclude a treaty of peace--"
"Peace or war, madam," replied he, "as you please to will it; all
I will admit is, that things have turned out most unfavourably for
my wishes.
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