the king has nothing to do with this. I wish to be
presented; will you be my introductress?"

"Madame, the first wish of my heart is to be agreeable to you; I only
desire that the king indicate in some way, no matter how trifling, his
will on this point."

"Well, then," I exclaimed, with impatience, "I see you will not give me
a direct reply. Why should you wish the king to interfere in what does
not concern him? Is it your intention to oblige me; yes or no?"

"Yes, madame, certainly; but you must be aware of the tremendous cabal
which is raised against you. Can I contend against it alone, and who
will sustain me thro' it?"

"I will to the full extent of my power as long as I am here, and the
king will always do so. I can assure you, that he will be grateful for
your exertions in my behalf."

"I should like to have half a line from his majesty as a protection and
assurance."

"And that you will not get. The king's signature must not be compromised
in this affair, and I do not think I ought to ask for it; let us
therefore, madame, cease this discourse, since you ask such terms for
your complaisance."

The comtesse de Bearn rose; I did the same; and we parted mutually
dissatisfied with each other.

My friends, my brother-in-law, and his sisters, impatiently awaited the
result of my conversation with madame de Bearn. I told them all that
had passed; giving my opinion of this lady as I thought her--a malicious
provoking creature.

"How soon you torment yourself," said the chancellor to me. "Do you not
see that this woman wants a price to be bidden for her? She is yours,
body and soul, but first of all she must be paid."

"Let that be no obstacle," said comte Jean, "we will give her money, but
present us she must."

On this it was decided, that, on the following morning, my
brother-in-law should go to Paris to find M. Morand, and get him to
undertake the arrangement.

The next day my brother-in-law went to M. Morand's, and when he had
disclosed his message concerning the comtesse, the good Morand began to
laugh. He told the count, that the previous evening this lady had sent
for him; and, on going to her house, madame de Bearn, as a set-off
against the inconveniences which might result to her from being the
instrument of my presentation, had stipulated for certain compensations;
such, for instance, as a sum of two hundred thousand livres, a written
promise of a regiment for her son, and for herself an appoint