I was compelled to impose
silence on comte Jean, or in the height of his rage he would
have offered some insult to the old marechal, who already most
heartily disliked him for the familiarity of his tone and manner
towards him. I did all in my power to keep these two enemies
from coming in each other's way, counselled to that by the
marechale de Mirepoix, whose line of politics was of the most
pacific nature; besides I had no inclination for a war carried
on in my immediate vicinity, and, for my own part, so far from
wishing to harm any one, I quickly forgave every affront offered
to myself.
But hold! I perceive I am running on quite smoothly in my own
praise. Indeed, my friend, it is well I have taken that office
upon myself, for I fear no one else would undertake it. The
most atrocious calumnies have been invented against me; I have
been vilified both in prose and verse; and, amongst the great
number of persons on whom I have conferred the greatest obligations,
none has been found with sufficient courage or gratitude to stand
forward and undertake my defence. I do not even except madame de
Mirepoix, whose conduct towards me in former days was marked by
the most studied attention. She came to me one evening, with a
face of grief.
"Mercy upon me," cried I, "what ails you?"
"Alas!" replied she, in a piteous tone, "I have just quitted a
most afflicted family; their loss is heavy and irreparable.
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