death of
madame Brillant is a positive calamity to madame de Luxembourg. Letters
of condolence will arrive from Chanteloup; madame du Deffant will be in
deep affliction, and the virtues and amiable qualities of the deceased
cat will long furnish subjects of conversation."

"It was then a singularly engaging animal, I presume?"

"On the contrary, one of the most stupid, disagreeable, and dirty
creatures of its kind; but still it was the cat of madame de
Luxembourg."

And after this funeral oration the marechale and myself burst into a
violent fit of laughter.

When the king joined us, I acquainted him with this death, and my
conversation with the marechale. Louis XV listened to my recital with an
air of gravity; when I had finished, he said, "The present opportunity
is admirably adopted for satisfying the request of one of my retinue,
one of the best-hearted creatures, and at the same time one of the
silliest men in the kingdom."

"I beg your pardon, sire," cried I, "but what is his name? For the
description is so general, that I fear lest I should be at a loss to
recollect of whom you are speaking."

"You are very ill-natured," cried Louis XV, "and I hardly know whether
you deserve to be gratified by hearing the name of the poor gentleman:
however, I will tell it to you; he is called Corbin de la Chevrollerie.
A few days since this simple young man, having solicited an audience,
informed me, that he was desirous of marrying a rich heiress, but that
the young lady's family were resolved she should marry no one who was
not previously employed as an ambassador. I expressed my surprise at
so strange a caprice, but the poor fellow endeavored to vindicate his
bride's relations, by stating that that they were willing to consider
him as my ambassador if I would only commission him to carry some
message of compliment or condolence. Accordingly I promised to employ
him upon the occasion of the first death or marriage which should take
place in a ducal family. Now, I think I cannot do better than make him
the bearer of my inquiries after the marechale de Luxembourg."

This idea struck me as highly amusing, and I immediately dispatched a
servant to summon M. de la Chevrollerie to the presence of the king.
This being done, that gentleman presented himself with all the dignity
and importance of one who felt that a mission of high moment was about
to be entrusted to him.

His majesty charged him to depart immediately to the