An interview was next solicited
and granted; for a visit was such a trifle to refuse. The royal
guest became pressing and the lady more reserved, till the time
was lost in attempts at convincing each other. At the next
interview madame de Rumas freely confessed her sincere attachment
for his majesty, but added, that such was her desire to possess
his whole and undivided regard, that she could never give herself
up to the hope of keeping him exclusively hers whilst I interposed
between her and the king's heart--in a few words then she demanded
my dismissal. This was going too far; and Louis XV, who thought
it no scandal to have a hundred mistresses, was alarmed at the
thoughts of occasioning the bustle and confusion attendant upon
disgracing his acknowledged favorite and recognised mistress; he
therefore assured her, her request was beyond his power to grant.
Madame de Rumas now sought to compromise the affair, by talking
of a share in his favor. She asked, she said, but the heart of her
beloved monarch, and would freely leave me in possession of all
power and influence. The king whose heart was regularly promised
once a day, did not hesitate to assure her of his fidelity, and
his wily enslaver flattered herself, that with time and clever
management, she should succeed in inducing him to break off
those ties which he now refused to break.
Things were in this state when Marin divulged to us the intrigue
conducted by Chamilly, and directed, though in a covert manner,
by the marechal duc de Richelieu.
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