Still, as he is absolute as the Medes and Persians, surely he can
Have no objection to us poor monarchs imitating him; and allow me
the same privilege in mine. After all, why should I need his or
any other person's opinion; let the whole world applaud or condemn,
I shall still act according to my own best judgment."
On my side I was far from feeling quite satisfied with the
accounts I continued to receive from Chanteloup; above all I
felt irritated at the parade of attachment made by the prince
de Beauvau for the exiles, and I complained bitterly of it to
the marechale de Mirepoix.
"What can I do to help it," said she; "my sister-in-law is a
simpleton; who, after having ruined her brother, will certainly
cause the downfall of her husband. I beseech you, my dear, out
of regard for me, to put up with the unthinking conduct of the
prince de Beauvau for a little while; he will soon see his error
and amend it." He did indeed return to our party, but his
obedience was purchased at a heavy price.
Some days after the disgrace of the duc de Choiseul, I received
a letter from M. de Voltaire. This writer, who carped at and
attacked all subjects, whether sacred or profane, and from whose
satires neither great nor small were exempt, had continual need
of some powerful friend at court. When his protector, M. de
Choiseul, was dismissed, he saw clearly enough that the only
person on whom he could henceforward depend to aid and support
him, was she who had been chiefly instrumental in removing his
first patron.
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