preceded it. I can publish the whole together; and, I repeat, my
determination on this head depends wholly and entirely upon the manner
in which madame d'Egmont shall henceforward conduct herself towards me.
I beg madame de Rossin will allow me to subscribe myself, with every
feeling she so well, merits,

"Her very humble and most obedient servant,

"THE COMTESSE DU BARRY"

I had communicated to no one the secret of this vengeance; I wished to
keep the delight of thus exciting the rage of the princesse d'Egmont all
to myself. I was certain, that whatever might henceforward be her line
of conduct towards me, that whenever she found herself in my presence,
she would bitterly feel the stings of an accusing conscience, and the
gnawings of that worm which dieth not in the heart of hypocritical and
wicked persons, more especially when compelled to meet the eye of those
who could unmask them in a minute.

On the following day I received a visit from the duc de Richelieu. Spite
of the many endeavors he made to appear smiling and good humored, a deep
rage kept its station round his mouth, and contracted his lips even in
the midst of the artificial smile with which he sought to dissimulate
his wrath.

"Madame, good morning," said he to me, "I come to offer my
congratulations, you really are become quite one of us; upon my word,
the most experienced courtier has nothing more to teach you."

"I am as yet in ignorance of the cause to which I may ascribe these
compliments, M. le marechal, which I greatly fear surpass my poor
merits; and which even you will be compelled to retract them when I am
better known to you."

"Fear it not, madame," said he, "your commencement is a master-stroke;
and the letter you yesterday addressed to the comtesse d'Egmont--"

"Ah, sir," exclaimed I, with unfeigned astonishment, "in her place I
certainly should not have selected you as my confidant in the affair."

"And who could she better have selected than her father? But that is not
the matter in hand. My daughter is filled with anger against you; and if
I must speak the truth, I do not think your behavior towards her quite
what it should have been."

"Really, monsieur, I was not prepared for a reproach of this kind; and
what can madame d'Egmont allege against me? 'Tis she who has pursued me
with the most bitter sarcasms, the most determined malice; and, I may
add, the most impertinent behavior. I entreat your pardon for using such
strong ex