are! Did you ever hear of a more
infamous and accomplished rogue than my honourable _protege_? However,
I shall give him up to his fate, be it good or bad, and proceed with the
relation of my affair with duc de Choiseul.

I had named to madame de l'Hopital the hour at which I could receive the
duke. She had requested, in pursuance of her directions, no doubt, that
the conversation between us should take place either amidst the groves
of Versailles or in the labyrinth of Marly;--the self-love of M.
de Choiseul inducing him to desire that this interview should be so
contrived, as to wear the air of a mere chance rencontre. To this I
would not consent; saying, that it did not suit my pleasure to quit the
house; and that when a gentleman solicited the favour of speaking to
a lady, it became his business to wait upon her, without expecting she
should come in search of him; and, spite of all the arguments of madame
de l'Hopital, I persisted in my determination: she had no alternative
but to submit, and I awaited the coming of M. de Choiseul on the
following day.

The duc de Choiseul possessed a greater reputation than his talents were
entitled to; and his advancement was more attributable to his good fort
powerful assistants in both philosophers and women; he was a confirmed
egotist, yet passed for a man who cared little for self. He was quick
at matters of business, and he obtained the character of a deep and
profound politician. It must, however, be admitted, that he was witty,
gallant, and gifted with manners so elegant and fascinating, that they
never failed to remove the first unfavourable impression caused by his
excessive plainness. The tide of public favour was with him; and, in
order to contest it, it required all the influence of a woman, and that
woman to be no less than the beloved mistress of the king of France.

He presented himself before me tastefully and magnificently dressed,
both look and voice wearing the stamp of high-born pride and
haughtiness. Nevertheless, amidst all this pomp, it was evident that he
did not entirely feel the ease he assumed, and that a species of remorse
rankled at his heart, spite of the courtier-like gallantry with which he
had invested himself.

"Madam," said he, bowing twice most profoundly, "the moment has arrived
which I have long most ardently desired."

"The fault has not been mine, my lord," said I, "that it has been
delayed until now. My door has never been shut agains