uch mischief, no doubt, as it furnished my enemies with a
pretext to accuse me of a vindictive spirit. Could I do otherwise? Ought
I to have allowed myself to be overwhelmed with impunity, and was it
consistent with the dignity of my august protector, that I should be
insulted thus openly by his subjects, his courtiers, his guests, even in
the private apartments of his palace?

However, this wrath of the nobility did not prevent the Choiseul family
from experiencing a feeling of fright. They had just received a signal
favor. The government of Strasbourg, considered as the key of France and
Alsace, had been given in reversion to the comte de Stainville, brother
of the duc de Choiseul. Certainly this choice was a very great proof of
the indulgence of the king, and the moment was badly chosen to pay with
ingratitude a benefit so important. This did not hinder the duchesse de
Grammont, and all the women of her house, or who were her allies, from
continuing to intrigue against me. It was natural to believe that the
king would not permit such doing for a long time, and that should he
become enraged at them, that I should attempt to soothe his anger.

Matters were in this state, when one morning, after his accustomed
routine, the duc de Choiseul requested a private audience of the king.
"I grant it this moment," said the prince, "what have you to say to me?"

"I wish to explain to your majesty how excessively painful is the
situation in which I am placed with regard to some of the members of my
family. All the females, and my sister at their head, attack me about a
quarrel which is strange to me, and with which I have declared I would
not meddle."

"You do well, monsieur le duc," said the king, with cool gravity, "I am
much vexed at all that is going on, and have resolved not to suffer it
any longer."

The decision of this discourse made a deep impression M. de Choiseul: he
sought to conceal it whilst he replied:

"It is difficult, sire, to make women listen to reason."

"All are not unreasonable," rejoined the king: "your wife, for instance,
is a model of reason and wisdom: she has perfect control of herself. She
is the wise woman of scripture."

This flattery and justly merited eulogium, which the king made of the
duchess whenever he found an opportunity, was the more painful to M. de
Choiseul, as his conduct was not irreproachable towards a woman whose
virtues he alone did not justly appreciate. It was a direct sati