te and motionless. She saw me torn to pieces without
any emotion. However, when we were together she tried to cajole me in a
thousand ways, all the time detesting me in her heart; and I, who could
scarcely endure the sight of her, paid her a like number of little
attentions. Thus surrounded by hypocrites, I became one myself. We learn
to howl in the society of wolves.

CHAPTER V

The duc de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry--The
marquis de Chauvelin and the comtesse--M. de Montbarrey and
the comtesse--Intrigues--Lebel--Arrival of the du Barry
family--The comte d'Hargicourt--The demoiselles du Barry--
Marriage of the comtesse--The marquis de Bonrepos--
Correspondences--The broken glass

The prince de Soubise was not the only person who wished to act in the
capacity of mentor to me. M. the duc de la Vauguyon attempted also to
be the guide of my youth. This nobleman was too much of a Jesuit not to
have a nose of prodigiously fine scent. He perceived that the wind was
in my favor, and approached me in consequence. I have mentioned to
you his first visit, and he made me a second a few days afterwards.
He appeared very affable, very conciliating, and insisted particularly
several times, and that without any apparent motive, that the king,
not being now engaged in the ties of wedlock, he should choose some
agreeable companion, and assuredly could not do better than select
me. The day after this visit, early in the morning, the duke sent me a
splendid bouquet, a homage which he afterwards repeated, and then called
on me a third time.

During this visit after a conversation on the embarrassments of an
introduction at Versailles, he proposed that I should avoid them.

"You cannot conceal from yourself," he said, "how powerful will be the
cabal against you; and, without including the Choiseuls, you will have
especially to fear the pious party, who will only see in your intimacy
with the king, allow me to say, a crying scandal, and one not profitable
for religion."

"If the pious party unite with those who are not so to destroy me," I
rejoined, laughing, "I shall have all France against me."

"No; but perhaps all the chateau. But there is a way of averting the
storm. Attach yourself to the party of honest men who have been so
greatly calumniated--the Jesuits. Philosophy, supported by the duc de
Choiseul, has repressed them; but the high clergy and the _mesdames
royales_ are attached