a real pleasure on us," said I, looking smilingly on M.
Lebel. My look had its effect, for Lebel remained mute and motionless
from admiration at my person. At length he stammered out a few
incoherent words, which I imagined to be compliments. The comte watched
Lebel anxiously, and Morand began to rub his hands, saying:

"Well, sir, what think you of our celestial beauty?"

"She is worthy of a throne," replied Lebel, bending his head before
me, and taking my hand, which he pressed respectfully to his lips. This
reply was, perhaps, inadvertently made, but I took it as a good augury.
"Yes," added Lebel, "you are the most lovely creature I ever met, though
no one is more in the habit of seeing handsome females than myself."

"And of causing them to be seen by others," replied comte Jean.

This was an opening which was not followed up by Lebel. His first
enthusiasm having passed, he measured me from head to foot, as if he
would take an accurate description of my person.

For my part I began to support the looks of Lebel with more assurance.
He was a man of no particular "mark or likelihood," but had made
his way. Living at Versailles had given him a certain air of easy
impertinence, but you could not discover anything distinguished in his
manners, nothing which concealed his humble extraction. The direction
of the _Parc aux Cerfs_ gave him much influence with the king, who found
the convenience of such a man, who was willing to take upon himself all
the disagreeable part of his clandestine amours. His duties placed
him in contact with the ministers, the lieutenant of police, and the
comptroller-general. The highest nobility sought his friendship with
avidity. They all had a wife, a sister, a daughter, whom they wished to
make the favorite sultana; and for this it was necessary to get the ear
of Lebel. Thus, under a libertine prince, the destinies of France were
at the mercy of a _valet de chambre_.

I should tell you, however, that I never had occasion but to speak well
of him, and that I have the utmost gratitude for all he did for me. The
attachment he testified on our first meeting has never been altered. He
gave me his protection as far as it was necessary for me, and when the
favor of the king had accorded to me a station, whence all the court
sought to hurl me, Lebel seconded me with all his power in my efforts
to preserve it. I will say, that it is to his vigilance that I owe the
overthrow of more than one conspi