The champagne
was passed freely round the table, till all was one burst of
hilarious mirth. A thousand different topics were started, and
dismissed only to give way to fresh subjects more piquant than
the preceding.
The king, in a fit of good humour, began to relate his adventures
with madame de Grammont; but here you must pardon me, my friend,
for so entirely did his majesty give the reins to his inclination
for a plain style of language, that, although excess of prudery
formed no part of the character of any of the ladies assembled,
we were compelled to sit with our eyes fixed upon our plate or
glass, not daring to meet the glance of those near us. I have
little doubt but that Louis XV indulged himself to this extent
by a kind of mental vow to settle the affair with his confessor
at the earliest opportunity.
We were still at table when the clock struck two hours past midnight.
"Bless me! so late?" inquired the king.
"Indeed, sire," replied the marechale de Mirepoix, "your agreeable
society drives all recollection of time away."
"Then 'tis but fit I should furnish you all with memory enough
to recollect what is necessary for your own health. Come, my
friends, morning will soon call us to our different cares, so
away to your pillows."
So saying, the king bade us a friendly farewell, and retired
with the ducs de Duras and de Noailles. We remained after his
majesty, and retiring into the great saloon, threw ourselves
without any ceremony upon the different couches and ottomans.
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