She
advised me not to abandon myself to a blind confidence, and this
opinion was strengthened when I related all I had gathered upon
the subject.
"You may justly apprehend," said she, "that Julie will instil some
of her bold and fearless nature into the king, and should she
presume to put herself in competition with you, victory would in
all probability incline to the side of the last comer"; and I felt
but too truly that the marechale spoke with truth.
A few days after this, the king being alone with me, comte Jean
entered. After the usual salutations, he exclaimed, "I have just
seen a most lovely creature."
"Who is she?" inquired his majesty, hastily.
"No high-born dame," answered comte Jean, "but the daughter of a
cabinet-maker at Versailles; I think I never beheld such
matchless beauty."
"Always excepting present company," replied the king.
"Assuredly," rejoined my brother-in-law, "but, sire, the beauteous
object of whom I speak is a nymph in grace, a sylph in airy
lightness, and an angel in feature."
"Comte Jean seems deeply smitten indeed, madam," exclaimed
Louis XV, turning towards me.
"Not I indeed," replied my brother-in-law, "my lovemaking days
are over."
"Oh! oh!" cried the king, smiling, "
."
"What does your majesty say?" inquired I.
"Nay, let the comte explain," cried Louis XV.
"The king observed, my dear sister," answered comte Jean, "that
ladies--but, in fact, I can neither explain the observation, nor
was it intended for you--so let it rest.
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