I
had so successfully studied his habits and peculiarities, that my
empire over him was established on a basis too firm to be shaken,
whilst my power and unbounded influence convinced my enemies,
that, so long as the present monarch sat upon the throne of France,
their attempts at diminishing my credit and influence would only
recoil upon themselves. Louis XV generally supped in my apartments
every evening, unless indeed, by way of change, I went to sup with
him. Our guests were of course of the first order, but yet not
of the most exemplary morals. These persons had tact, and saw
that, to please the king, they must not surpass him; so that, if
by chance he should reflect on himself, he would appear to
advantage amongst them. Poor courtiers! It was labour in vain.
The king was in too much fear of knowing himself to understand
that study: he knew the penetration and severity of his own
judgment, and on no account would he exercise it at his own expense.
The duc de Duras, although a man of little wit, was yet gay and
always lively. He amused me; I liked his buoyant disposition,
and forgave him although he had ranged himself with the protesting
peers. In fact, I could not be angry with him. The folly of
opposition had only seized on him because it was epidemic. The
dear duke had found himself with wolves, and had begun to howl
with them. I am sure that he was astonished at himself when he
remembered the signature which he had given, and the love he had
testified for the old parliament, for which, in fact, he cared no
more than Jean de Vert.
Pages:
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398