to have a promise signed for herself and son: that is too
much. Why does she not content herself in dividing the difficulty, by
satisfying herself with a verbal promise for what concerns herself, and
with a written engagement for what relates to her son?"

"_Mon Dieu, monsieur_," replied the countess, "I am anxious to arrange
all to our mutual satisfaction. But his majesty would not surely refuse
the entreaties of madame for what I ask."

"I will speak to him of it the first time I see him."

"Oh, you are a charming woman. You will obtain all from the king, and
make a sure friend--"

"Whose friendship is very difficult to acquire," said I, interrupting
her.

The countess would have replied to this, when my first
_valet-de-chambre_, opening the two folding-doors of the room, announced
the king.

At this unexpected name my guest trembled, and in spite of the thick
rouge which covered her cheeks, I perceived she turned pale. She then
saw the scene we had prepared for her: she wished herself a hundred
leagues off: but she could do nothing, but remain where she was. I took
her by the hand, all trembling as she was, and presented her to the
king, saying,

"Sire, I now do for this lady, in my own drawing-room, what she will
have the kindness to do for me at the state-chamber."

"Ah," replied the king, "is it madame de Bearn that you present to me? I
am indeed delighted. Her husband was one of my faithful servants: I was
much pleased with her son when he was one of pages, and I perceive that
she herself is desirous of testifying to me her attachment to my person.
I thank you, madame; you cannot confer a greater favor on me, and I
shall embrace every opportunity of proving to you how much satisfaction
your conduct affords me."

Each word that the king uttered went to the heart of the countess.
However, making a virtue of necessity, she replied, that she was proud
and happy at what the king had said to her, and that it would be her
constant aim to please his majesty, flattering herself that the king
would remember the services of the Bearn family, and would think of her
in the dispensation of his bounties.

"You may rely on it, madame," replied Louis XV, "especially if the
comtesse du Barry applies to me in your behalf."

Then, turning towards me, "When, then, is this redoubtable presentation
to take place?"

"On the day, sire, when your majesty shall think proper," I replied.

"Well! I will send the duc de Rich