born dame, at others eager to obtain a poor and simple _grisette_;
and so long that the object of his fancy were but new to him, it
mattered little what were her claims to youth, beauty, or rank in life.
The marechale de Mirepoix frequently said to me, "Do you know, my dear
creature, that your royal admirer is but a very fickle swain, who is
playing the gay gallant when he ought to be quietly seated at his own
fireside. Have a care, he is growing old, and his intellect becomes more
feeble each day; and what he would never have granted some few years
back, may be easily wrung from him now. Chamilly aspires at governing
his master, and Marin seconds him in his project."

At length, roused to a sense of impending evil, by the constant
reminding of the marechale, I summoned Marin to my presence. "Now, sir,"
said I, as he approached, "I would have you to know that I am apprised
of all your tricks: you and your friend Chamilly are engaged in a very
clever scheme to improve your own fortunes at the expense of the king
your master."

Marin burst into loud protestations of his innocence, declaring that he
was as innocent as the lamb just born. I refused to believe this,
and desired he would explain to me why he went so frequently to the
apartments of M. Chamilly.

"Alas, madam!" replied Marin, "I go thither but to solicit his aid in
craving the bounty of his majesty."

"You are for ever pleading poverty, miserly being," cried I; "you are
far richer than I am; but since you want money I will supply you with
it, and in return you shall be my secret newsman, and royal censor in
my service. Now understand me clearly; every month that you faithfully
bring me an account of certain goings on, I will count into your hand
five and twenty _louis d'or_."

I must confess that Marin only accepted my proposition with much
reluctance, but still he did accept it, and withdrew, meditating, no
doubt, how he should be enabled to satisfy both Chamilly and myself.

A long time elapsed before Marin brought me any news of importance, and
I began to feel considerable doubts of his fidelity, when he came to
communicate a very important piece of intelligence. He had just learned
that Chamilly frequently went to Paris, the bearer of letters from the
'king to a young and pretty female, named madame de Rumas, who resided
in the old rue du Temple.

Here was a pretty discovery; the king actually engaged in a love affair,
letters passing between him an