What in the world will become of me if I am
compelled to resign the delightful hours granted to the envied few
who are permitted the < entr?e > to the
?
For you see, my dear, the dauphiness will be far from bestowing
that honour upon me. I am too old to form one of her coterie,
and I shall be laid aside like the rest of the antiquities of the
chateau. By the way," continued the voluble marechale, "there
is already a great cabal in the chateau respecting the formation
of a new ministry, in which, besides desiring lucrative posts for
themselves, all are anxious to introduce their private friends;
in the midst of so many absorbing interests you appear to be
already forgotten, which, by the way, is no bad thing for you.
Your best plan is to remain perfectly tranquil." Then rapidly
passing to her most prevailing idea, this excellent friend proceeded
to inquire what the king had bestowed on me as a parting present,
"for," said she, "he would not certainly permit you to leave
Versailles empty-handed."
"It is a point," replied I, "that neither his majesty nor myself
once thought of."
"Then such an omission proves him a vile egotist, and you a
prodigious simpleton," answered she; "and were I in your place,
I would commission the duc d'Aiguillon to make a direct demand
of a future provision for you; you really should see about this,
and secure to yourself a noble establishment for yourself and
your friends, who ought not to suffer for your overstrained
delicacy.
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