tary embarrassment, said to the duke, smiling,

"Duc de Choiseul, I have formed for my private hours a most delightful
society: the most attached of my subjects consider themselves highly
favored when I invite them to these evening parties so necessary for my
amusement. I see with pain that you have never yet asked me to admit you
there."

"Sire," replied the duke, "the multiplicity of the labors with which
your majesty has charged me, scarcely allows me time for my pleasures."

"Oh, you are not so fully occupied but that you have still some time to
spend with the ladies, and I think that I used to meet you frequently at
the marquise de Pompadour's."

"Sire, she was my friend."

"Well, and why, is not the comtesse du Barry? Who has put it into
your head that she was opposed to you? You do not know her: she is an
excellent woman: not only has she no dislike to you, but even desires
nothing more than to be on good terms with you."

"I must believe so since your majesty assures me of it; but, sire, the
vast business with which I am overwhelmed--"

"Is not a sufficing plea; I do not allow that without a special motive,
you should declare yourself against a person whom I honor with my
protection. As you do not know her, and cannot have any thing to urge
against her but prejudices founded on false rumors and scandalous
fabrications, I engage you to sup with me at her apartments this
evening, and I flatter myself that when I wish it you will not coin a
parcel of reasons in opposition to my desire."

"I know the obedience that is due to your majesty," said de Choiseul,
bowing low.

"Well, then, do first from duty what I flatter myself you will
afterwards do from inclination. Duc de Choiseul, do not allow yourself
to be influenced by advice that will prove injurious to you. What I ask
cannot compromise you; but I should wish that with you all should be
quiet, that no one should struggle against me, and that too with the
air of contending against a person's station. Do not reply, you know
perfectly what I would say, and I know what belongs to myself."

Here the conversation terminated. The duc de Choiseul did not become my
friend any the more, but behaved towards me with all due consideration.
He used grace and _finesse_ in his proceedings, without mingling with it
anything approaching to nonsense. He never allowed himself, whatever
has been said, to dart out in my face any of those epigrams which public
malignity has