ver done harm to any person.
Assure mesdames that I am sincerely grieved that I am not agreeable to
them, and would give half my life to obtain, not their friendship, of
which I do not feel myself worthy, but their indifference. Deign also to
tell them, that at all times I am at their disposal, and beseech them to
consider me as their humble servant."

"It is impossible to behave more correctly than you do; and I am
confident that mesdames will soon discard their unjust prejudices. Thus,
it is well understood that our friends will be yours."

"Yes, yes, provided they are really mine."

"Certainly. I answer for them as I answer for you."

And thus, my friend, did I find myself allied to the Jesuitical party.

The duke commenced the attack with madame Louise, the most reasonable of
the king's daughters. This angelic princess, already occupied with
the pious resolution which she afterwards put into execution in
the following year, contented herself with saying some words on the
commotion occasioned by my presence at Versailles, and then, as if her
delicacy had feared to touch on such a subject, she asked the duc de la
Vauguyon, if the king ordered her to receive the comtesse du Barry.

"Yes, madame," replied the duke; "it is the express will of his
majesty."

"I submit to his wish: the lady may come when she will."

The duke, contented with his success so far, went next to madame Sophie.
This princess was not unkind, but subject to attacks of the nerves,
which from time to time soured her natural disposition: she had her
caprices of hatred, her fits of love. The day when the duke talked to
her of my presentation she was very much provoked against me; and after
the opening speech of the ambassador, flung in his teeth the report of
the apartments, which I have already told you. The duke explained
to her, and that too without saying anything unfavorable of madame
Adelaide, and concluded by begging her to concede the favor I besought.
Madame eluded this, by saying, that before she gave a definite reply she
wished to confer with her sisters.

Madame Victoire was not more easily persuaded. This princess had amiable
qualities, solid virtues which made her loved and respected by the whole
court; but she had but little will of her own, and allowed herself to be
led by the Choiseuls; who, to flatter her, told her that she alone had
inherited the energy of her grandfather, Louis XIV. She was advised to
display it in this in