political instinct, nor the tone of pleasantry
which he essayed to assume, nor the more dangerous resource of offended
dignity, could extricate him from the embarrassment in which he
was thrown by my words. He could do nothing but stammer out a few
unintelligible phrases; and his confusion was so great and so visible,
that the marquis de Chauvelin, his not over sincere friend, came to his
assistance. The king, equally surprised at what I had just said, hastily
turned and spoke to Chon, who told me afterwards, that the astonishment
of Louis XV had been equal to that of the prince de Soubise, and that
he had evinced it by the absence of mind which he had manifested in his
discourse and manners.

M. de Chauvelin then turning towards me, said, "Well, madame, on what
evil herb have you walked to-day? Can it be possible that you would make
the prince, who is your friend, responsible for the hatred which ought
to be flattering rather than painful to you, since it is a homage
exacted towards your brilliant loveliness?"

"In the first place," I replied, "I have no intention to cast on
monsieur le marechal, whom I love with all my heart, the least
responsibility relative to the object of which I complain. I only wished
to evince to him the regret I experienced at not seeing all the members
of his family like him: this is all. I should be in despair if I thought
I had said anything that would wound him; and if I have done so, I most
sincerely ask his pardon."

On saying these words I presented my hand to the prince, who instantly
kissed it.

"You are," said he, "at the same time cruel and yet most amiable: but if
you have the painful advantage of growing old at court, you will learn
that my children have not all the deference and respect towards me which
they owe to their father; and I often am pained to see them act in a
manner entirely opposite to my desires, however openly manifested. If
my daughter does not love you, it is to me, most probably, that you must
look for the _why_ and _wherefore_: it is because I love you so much
that she is against you. I have committed an error in praising you
before her, and her jealousy was not proof against it."

"That is very amiable in you," said I; "and now whatever may be my
feelings against the princesse de Guemenee, I will endeavor to dissemble
it out of regard for you; and, I assure you, that however little
consideration your daughter-in-law may testify towards me, I will show
he