elieu to you, who will arrange the
whole."

This settled, the subject was turned, but madame de Bearn lost her
tongue entirely. In spite of all her endeavors, her forehead became
contracted every moment, and I am sure she went away vexed and
disappointed.

The following morning, the comte Jean and my sister-in-law went to her
house. They testified their regret for what had occurred the previous
evening; they assured her that we would not take any advantage of the
conditionless engagement which she had made to present me, and that
altho' it was impossible to ask the required guarantees from the king,
still we should most undeviatingly adhere to the clauses of the treaty:
they added, that they came to enquire when she should choose to receive
the hundred thousand livres. The countess replied, that in spite of
the real disadvantage which she must henceforward labor under in this
affair, she felt great friendship for me, and would not refuse to oblige
me, and she flattered herself that I would espouse her cause with the
king. The comte Jean assured her of this, and settled with her the
period of the payment of the hundred thousand livres, which were to be
paid at sight on her drawing on M. de la Borde, the court-banker.

Thus then my presentation was an assured matter: nothing now could
prevent it, at least I fancied so to myself. I reckoned without my host;
I did not know yet all the malice of a courtier lady or gentleman. As it
was, however, M. de Choiseul and his vile sister had gained over one of
my servants, for they knew all that had passed. They soon learned that
madame de Bearn had come to supper with me, and that after supper a
visit of the king's had decided this lady on my presentation: this they
determined to prevent.

For this end, they despatched as ambassador the chevalier de Coigny to
the house of madame de Bearn. He, following the instruction, sought by
turns to seduce and intimidate the countess, but all went for nothing.
Madame de Bearn told the chevalier de Coigny, that she had been with me
to ask my influence with the chancellor. The chevalier left her without
being able to obtain any other information.

This bad success did not dishearten the Choiseuls. They sent this
time to madame de Bearn, M. de Roquelaure, bishop of Senlis, and grand
almoner to the king. This prelate was much liked at court, and in
high favor with mesdames (the king's daughters). We were good friends
together at last, but in