of interest was on
my side of the scale. When I was assured of a considerable number of
defenders, I thought I might venture on the master stroke, and thus I
went to work.

One evening the king was with me, and the MM. de Maupeou and de
Richelieu were there also. We were discoursing of different things, and
the king was perfectly tranquillized, little anticipating the scene that
was in store for him. I rose suddenly from my arm-chair, and going up to
his majesty, after a profound courtesy cast myself at his feet. Louis XV
would have raised me, but I said,

"No, I will remain where I am until you have accorded me the favor I
ask."

"If you remain in this posture I shall place myself in a similar one."

"Well, then, since you will not have me at your knees I will place
myself on them"; and I seated myself in his lap without ceremony.

"Listen to me, sire," I said, "and repeat what I say to the king of
France word for word. He must authorize my presentation; for else, some
fine day, in the presence of the whole court, I will go to the state
apartments, and try whether I shall be repulsed at the door."

"Will she have the boldness?" inquired the king to the chancellor.

"I have no doubt of it, sire. A female, young, beautiful, honored with
your kindness, may venture to do anything."

"Is it not distressing to me," I added, "that, graced with your
majesty's favors, I remain thus concealed, whilst women whom you detest
annoy you with their presence."

"Madame is right," replied the duc de Richelieu, "and I see that you
look for her every evening where she is not, and where she ought to be."

"What! you too, duc de Richelieu, do you join the cry of the
chancellor?"

"I would tear out the eyes of these gentlemen," I added, "if they
thought differently from me."

"Oh," said the king, laughing, "this punishment would not be one for M.
Maupeou: justice ought to be blind: and as for you, M. de Richelieu, you
have your _baton_ left."

"Which he has nobly gained," I replied, "by fighting against your
majesty's enemies, and of which he still continues worthy, by now
defending me from my foes."

"This rebellion," said the king, "cannot last, and I see myself
compelled to hold a _lit de justice_ (a judicial sitting or bed)."

"And I swear to you, that I will receive nobody into mine until I have
been presented."

This sally amused the king, who said, "Well, since it must be so, you
shall be presented."

At this I