er complaints: she said I had driven her out, that I wished
to separate her from her sisters; that I should wean her father's
affection entirely from her. Such injustice distressed me excessively.
I sent to request the king to come to me; and when he entered I threw
myself at his feet, entreating him to appease his daughter on any terms,
and to let me go away, since I brought such trouble into his family.

The king, irritated at madame Adelaide 's conduct, went to her, and told
her, in a private interview, that he would make certain matters public
if she did not hold her tongue; and she, alarmed, ceased her clamor, or
rather, contented herself in complaining in a lower key.

CHAPTER XIII

Of the presentation--The king and the duc de Richelieu at
comtesse du Barry's--M. de la Vauguyon--Conversation--Letter
of the duke to the comtesse du Barry--Reply--The countess
unites herself with the Jesuit party--Madame Louise--Madame
Sophie--M. Bertin--Madame de Bercheny

This fit of anger of madame Adelaide had given additional courage to
the cabal. It began to exclaim and plot against me with redoubled force;
hoping thus to intimidate the king, and effectually bar my presentation;
but it only tended to hasten it. One evening, when the king and the
marechal de Richelieu were with me, he said to me,

"A stop must be put to these clamors. I see that until you are
presented, there will be doubts perpetually arising and tormenting us on
the subject; and until it takes place I shall have no ease. _Parbleu_!
Let us take the best means in our power of reducing these malcontents to
silence."

"Sire," replied the marechal, "make your will palpable, and you will
see all the court submit."

"Yes, but my daughters?"

"Mesdames know better than any persons the deference due to your
orders."

"I assure you," replied the king, "that it will be an unpleasant quarter
of an hour for me to pass."

"Well, sire, then charge one of us with the mission: the bishop of
Senlis, for instance, or M. de la Vauguyon. I feel assured that either
of them will acquit himself admirably in the business, with the previous
understanding that your majesty will support him with your authority."

"I will do so most assuredly; but it will be best not to use it but at
the last extremity. I have no wish to be made a bugbear to my family."

"As to the selection of an ambassador," I interrupted, "I beg it may not
fall on M. de Roqu