r a fair side: endeavor to make peace between us. I only ask to be let
alone, for I do not seek to become the enemy of any person."

Altho' M. de Soubise said that he had no influence over the princesse
de Guemenee, I learned, subsequently, that the day after this scene he
testified to the Guemenee some fears as to his future destiny at court.
He begged her not to oppose herself to me; to be silent with respect to
me, and to keep herself somewhat in the shade if she would not make some
advances towards me. His daughter-in-law, whose arrogance equalled her
dissipation and dissolute manners, replied, that she was too much above
a woman of my sort to fear or care for me; that my reign at the chateau
would be but brief, whilst hers would only terminate with her life: that
she would never consent to an act of weakness that would be derogatory
to her character and rank. In vain did the prince try to soften her,
and make her consider that my influence over the king was immense: he
preached to the desert, and was compelled to abandon his purpose without
getting any thing by his endeavors.

I now return to my conversation with him. During the time it lasted
the king did not cease talking to Chon, all the time listening with
attention to what the prince and I were saying; and he did not approach
us until the intervention of M. de Chauvelin had terminated this kind
of a quarrel. He returned to his seat in front of the fire; and when we
were alone, said to me,

"You have been very spiteful to the poor marechal, and I suffered for
him."

"You are an excellent friend; and, no doubt, it is the affection you
bear to M. de Soubise which makes you behave so harshly to me. Can I
not, without displeasing you, defend myself when I am attacked?"

"I did not say so; but is it necessary that he must be responsible for
the follies of his relations?"

"In truth, sire, so much the worse for the father who cannot make his
children respect him. If the marechal was respected by the public,
believe me he would be so by his family."

This retort was perhaps too severe. I found this by the silence of the
king; but as, in fact, it imported little, and, by God's help, I was
never under much constraint with him, I saw him blush, and then he said
to me,

"Now, I undertake to bring madame de Guemenee into proper order. The
favor I ask is, that you would not meddle. I have power enough to
satisfy you, but, for heaven's sake, do not enter into more q