nough. She claims from the house of Saluces a property of
three hundred thousand livres: she is very greedy for money. Send some
one to her, who shall whisper in her ear that I see you often, and that
your protection can serve her greatly in her lawsuit: she will come to
you post haste."

I approved the counsel of the chancellor; and, in concert with comte
Jean, I once again made use of the ministry of the good M. Morand, whom
I had recompensed largely for his good and loyal services. This was,
however, the last he ever rendered me; for I learned some months after
my presentation that he had died of indigestion: a death worthy of such
a life and such a man.

M. Morand, after having found out the attorney of madame the comtesse
de Bearn, went to him under some pretext, and then boasted of my vast
influence with the chancellor. The lawyer, to whom madame de Bearn was
to pay a visit on that very day, did not fail to repeat what M. Morand
had told him. The next day the comtesse, like a true litigant, called
upon him: she related her affair to him, and begged him to use his
interest with me.

"I would do it with pleasure," said the worthy, "if I did not think it
better that you should see the comtesse du Barry yourself. I can assure
you that she will be delighted to aid you."

Madame de Bearn then came to me with M. Morand. Gracious heavens! how
simple we were to take so much pains with this lady: had we known her
better we should not have been so long in coming to the point. Scarcely
any thing was said at this first visit: I contented myself with assuring
her of my good will. On the same day the vicomte Adolphe du Barry
told his father that that the young de Bearn had asked him the evening
before, if I had found a _stepmother_ to present me; that in case I had
not, his mother would not refuse such a service, should it be desired
by the king. Comte Jean and I perfectly understood the lady. She came
again, and I renewed the expression of my desire to be useful to her.
She replied in a hackneyed phrase, that she should be charmed to prove
her gratitude to me. I took her word.

"Madame," said I to her, "you cannot be ignorant that I ardently desire
to be presented. My husband has sent in his proofs of nobility, which
have been received; I now only want a _marraine_ (godmother); if you
will officiate in that capacity, I shall owe you a debt of gratitude all
my life."

"Madame, I am at the king's orders."

"But, madame,