he
added, "and accuses him of having failed in respect, and perhaps you
will find in this paper some expression which may displease him."

Scarcely had I put the epistle in my pocket, when the king entered.

"What are you talking about," said he, "you seem agitated?"

"Of M. de Voltaire, sire," I replied, with so much presence of mind as
to please the duc de Richelieu.

"What, is he at his tricks again? Have you any cause of complaint
against him?"

"Quite the reverse; he has charged M. d'Argental to say to M. de
Richelieu, that he was sorry that he could not come and prostrate
himself at my feet."

"Ah," said the king, remembering the letter to the duc d'Aiguillon,
"he persists in his coquetries towards you: that is better than being
lampooned by him. But do not place too much confidence in this gentleman
of the chamber: he weighs every thing in two scales; and I doubt much
whether he will spare you when he evinces but little consideration for
me."

Certainly Richelieu had a good opportunity of undertaking the defence of
his illustrious friend. He did no such thing; and I have always thought
that Voltaire was the person whom the duke detested more heartily than
any other person in the world. He did, in fact, dread him too much to
esteem him as a real friend.

"M. d'Argental," said the king, "unites then at my court the double
function of minister of Parma and steward of Ferney.* Are these two
offices compatible?"

* The name of Voltaire's residence--TRANS

"Yes, sire," replied the duke, laughing, "since he has not presented
officially to your majesty the letters of his creation as comte de
Tournay."

The king began to laugh. This was the name of an estate which Voltaire
had, and which he sometimes assumed.

CHAPTER XVI

Unpublished letter of Voltaire to madame du Barry--Reply of
the countess--The marechale de Mirepoix--Her first interview
with madame du Barry--Anecdote of the diamonds of madame de
Mirepoix--The king pays for them--Singular gratitude of the
marechale--The portfolio, and an unpublished letter of the
marquise de Pompadour

By the way in which the king continued to speak to me of M. de Voltaire,
I clearly saw how right the duke was in advising me to read the letter
myself before I showed it to my august protector. I could not read it
until the next day, and found it conceived in the following terms:--

"MADAME LA COMTESSE:--I feel myself urged b