The duc d'Aiguillon
alone was compelled, by the duties of his office, to return
to Versailles.
Upon entering my chamber I found my brother-in-law there, in
the most violent fit of ill humour, that the king (who was in fact
ignorant of his being at Trianon) had not invited him to supper.
As I have before told you, comte Jean was no favourite with his
majesty, and as I had displayed no wish for his company, Louis
XV had gladly profited by my indifference to omit him upon the
present occasion. I endeavoured to justify the king, without
succeeding, however, in appeasing comte Jean, who very unceremoniously
consigned us all to the care and company of a certain old
gentleman, whose territory is supposed to lie beneath "the
round globe which we inhabit."
"I have to thank you," replied I, "for a very flattering mode of
saying 'good night.'"
"Perhaps," answered comte Jean roughly, "you would prefer--"
"Nothing from your lips if you please, my polite brother," cried
I, interrupting him, "nothing you will say in your present humour
can be at all to my taste."
Chon interfered between us, and effected a reconciliation, which
I was the more willing to listen to, that I might enjoy that sleep
my weary eye-lids craved for. Scarcely was my head on my pillow,
than I fell into a profound sleep: could I but have anticipated
to what I should awake! It was eleven o'clock on the following
morning when an immense noise of some person entering my chamber,
aroused me from the sweet slumbers I was still buried in.
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