with military command, and that it would be fruitless to urge more.

The comte de la Marche appeared struck by the justness of my arguments;
he replied,

"Well, madam, since I cannot be a minister, I must e'en give up my
wishes; but, for the love of heaven intreat of the king to bestow his
favours in the shape of a little pecuniary aid. Things look ill at
present; they may take a worse turn, but he may confidently rely on my
loyalty and devotion: the supreme courts, driven to the last extremity,
will make a stand, and princes and peers will range themselves under
the banners. We well know how much this resistance will displease his
majesty; I pledge myself never to forsake your cause, but to defend it
with my life; that is, if my present pressing necessity for money be
satisfied. How say you, madam; can you procure it for me?"

"Very probably I may be enabled to assist you," replied I; "but you must
first inform me how much will satisfy you."

"Oh," answered he, carelessly, "something less than the mines of Peru
will suffice; I am not extravagant, and merely ask for so much as is
absolutely necessary. In the first place 60,000 livres paid down, and
secondly, a yearly payment of 200,000 more."

This demand did not appear to me unreasonable, and I undertook to
arrange the matter to the prince's satisfaction, well pleased on my own
side to secure so illustrious an ally at so cheap a rate, I procured the
assent of the king and the comptroller-general; the 60,000 livres were
bestowed on the comte de la Marche in two separate payments, the pension
settled on him, and, still further, an annuity of 30,000 livres was
secured to madame de Monaco; and I must do the count the justice to
say, that he remained faithful to our cause amidst every danger and
difficulty; braving alike insults, opprobrium, and the torrent of
pamphlets and epigrams of which he was the object; in fact, we had good
reason for congratulating ourselves upon securing such devotion and zeal
at so poor a price.

The prince de Conde, surrounded by a greater degree of worldly state and
consideration, was equally important to us, although in another way.
He had in some degree compromised popularity by attaching himself to me
from the commencement of my court favour, and the reception he bestowed
on me at Chantilly had completed his disgrace in the eyes of nobility.
He visited at my house upon the most friendly footing; and whenever he
found me, he would turn t