He could be generous,
and do things with a good grace when he pleased.
The refusal of the marechale, which it was agreed we should keep
secret, obliged me to cast my eyes upon a worthy substitute, and
I at length decided upon selecting the comtesse de Forcalquier,
a lady who possessed every charm which can charm and attract,
joined to a faultless reputation; and, setting aside her strict
intimacy with myself, the court (envious as it is) could find no
fault with her. I was convinced she would not be long in
acquiring an ascendency over the mind of the princess and I was
equally well assured she would never turn this influence against
myself; this was a point of no small importance to me.
Madame de Forcalquier most ardently desired the place of lady of
honor, without flattering herself with any hopes of obtaining it;
and, not liking to ask me openly for it, she applied to the duc
de Cosse. I felt some regret that she had gone to work in so
circuitous a manner, and in consequence wrote her the
following note:--
"MADAM, --I am aware that you are desirous of
obtaining the post of lady of honor. You should
not have forgotten that I am sufficiently your
friend to have forwarded your wishes by every
possible exertion. Why did you apply to a third
person in preference to seeking my aid? I really
am more than half angry with you for so doing.
Believe me, my friends need not the intervention
of any mediator to secure my best services.
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