Louis XV could not
conduct himself differently from his ministers and his family. His
timid character was formed upon the example of others. At first
he selected his own mistresses, but afterwards he chose some one
who took that trouble off his hands. Lebel became purveyor in
chief to his pleasures; and controlled in Versailles the house
known as the
.
As soon as the courtiers knew of the existence and purposes of
this house, they intrigued for the control of it. The king laughed
at all their efforts, and left the whole management to Lebel, under
the superintendence of the comte de Saint-Florentin, minister of
the royal household. They installed there, however, a sort of
military chief, formerly a major of infantry, who was called,
jestingly, M. de Cervieres; his functions consisted in an active
surveillance, and in preventing young men from penetrating the
seraglio. The soldiers at the nearest station had orders to
obey his first summons. His pay was twelve thousand livres a year.
A female styled the had the management of the
domestic affairs; she ruled with despotic sway; controlled the
expenses; preserved good order; and regulated the amusement of
her charges, taking care that they did not mix one with the other.
She was an elderly canoness of a noble order, belonging to one of
the best families in Burgundy. She was only known at the as
, and no one ventured to give her any other title.
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