towards Louis XV. I was pained at it, but
made no remark. She took up the portfolio, examined it carefully, and,
bursting into a fit of laughter, said, while she flung herself into an
arm-chair,

"Ah! ah! ah! this is an unexpected rencontre! Look at this portfolio, my
dear friend: do you see the locks with which it is decorated? Well, they
once adorned the head of madame de Pompadour. She herself used them to
embroider this garland of silver thread; she gave it to the king on his
birthday. Louis XV swore never to separate from it, and here it is in my
hands."

Then, opening the portfolio, and rummaging it over, she found in a
secret pocket a paper, which she opened, saying, "I knew he had left
it."

It was a letter of madame de Pompadour, which I wished to have, and the
marechale gave me it instantly; the notes remained with her. I copy the
note, to give you an idea of the sensibility of the king.

"SIRE,--I am ill; dangerously so, perhaps. In the melancholy feeling
which preys upon me, I have formed a desire to leave you a souvenir,
which will always make me present to your memory. I have embroidered
this portfolio with my own hair; accept it; never part with it. Enclose
in it your most important papers, and let its contents prove your
estimation of it. Will you not accord my prayer? Sign it, I beseech you;
it is the caprice, the wish of a dying woman."

Beneath it was written,

"This token of love shall never quit me. Louis."

CHAPTER XVII

Conversation of the marechale de Mirepoix with the comtesse
du Barry on court friendship--Intrigues of madame de Bearn--
Preconcerted meeting with madame de Flaracourt---Rage of
madame de Bearn--Portrait and conversation of madame de
Flaracourt with the comtesse du Barry--Insult from the
princesse de Guemenee--Her banishment--Explanation of the
king and the duc de Choiseul relative to madame du Barry--
The comtesse d'Egmont

However giddy I was I did not partake in the excessive gaiety of madame
de Mirepoix. I was pained to see how little reliance could be placed
on the sensibility of the king, as well as how far I could esteem the
consideration of the marechale for madame de Pompadour, from whom she
had experienced so many marks of friendship. This courtier baseness
appeared to me so villainous, that I could not entirely conceal how I
was affected with displeasure. Madame de Mirepoix saw it, and, looking
at me attentively,