uillon_. And why, do you
suppose? Because she was one of those fat, fresh, portly-looking dames
of whom you would have said, her very face and figure bespoke the
contented goodness of her disposition; for who would ever suspect malice
could lurk in so much _embonpoint_? I think I have already told you that
this lady expired whilst bathing, of an attack of apoplexy, in the month
of June, 1772. Her son shed many tears at her loss, whilst I experienced
but a very moderate share of grief.

Adieu, my friend; if you are not already terrified at the multiplicity
of the letters which compose my journal, I have yet much to say; and I
flatter myself the continuance of my adventures will be found no less
interesting than those you have perused.

CHAPTER XXIX

The king's friends--The duc de Fronsac--The duc d'Ayen's
remark--Manner of living at court--The marquis de Dreux
-Breze--Education of Louis XV--The _Parc-aux-Cerfs_--Its
household--Its inmates--Mere Bompart--Livres expended on the
_Parc-aur-Cerfs_--Good advice--Madame

I was now firmly fixed at court, the king, more than ever devoted to
me, seemed unable to dispense with my constant presence. I had so
successfully studied his habits and peculiarities, that my empire over
him was established on a basis too firm to be shaken, whilst my power
and unbounded influence convinced my enemies, that, so long as the
present monarch sat upon the throne of France, their attempts at
diminishing my credit and influence would only recoil upon themselves.
Louis XV generally supped in my apartments every evening, unless indeed,
by way of change, I went to sup with him. Our guests were of course of
the first order, but yet not of the most exemplary morals. These persons
had tact, and saw that, to please the king, they must not surpass him;
so that, if by chance he should reflect on himself, he would appear to
advantage amongst them. Poor courtiers! It was labour in vain. The king
was in too much fear of knowing himself to understand that study: he
knew the penetration and severity of his own judgment, and on no account
would he exercise it at his own expense.

The duc de Duras, although a man of little wit, was yet gay and always
lively. He amused me; I liked his buoyant disposition, and forgave him
although he had ranged himself with the protesting peers. In fact, I
could not be angry with him. The folly of opposition had only seized
on him because it was e