, etc., of Portugal, although younger than the first-
mentioned lady, was yet considered as past the age that would
have rendered her a suitable match for so young a bridegroom.
The daughter of any of the electoral houses of Germany was not
considered an eligible match, and the pride of the house of Bourbon
could not stoop to so ignoble an alliance. There was no
alternative left therefore, but to return to the house of Savoy,
and take a sister of the comtesse de Provence. This proposal
was well received by the royal family, with the exception of
the dauphiness, who dreaded the united power and influence of
the two sisters, if circumstances should ever direct it against
herself or her wishes; and I heard from good authority, that
both the imperial Marie Therese and her daughter made many
remonstrances to the king upon the subject. "The empress," said
Louis XV, one day, "believes that things are still managed here
as in the days of the marquise de Pompadour and the duc de
Choiseul. Thank heaven, I am no longer under the dominion of my
friend and her pensionaries. I shall follow my own inclinations,
and consult, in the marriage of my grandson, the interests of
France rather than those of Austria."
The little attention paid by Louis XV to the representations of
Marie Therese furnished my enemies with a fresh pretext for
venting their spleen. They accused me of having been bribed by
the court of Turin, which ardently desired a second alliance with
France.
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