house of madame de
Luxembourg, and to convey his royal master's sincere condolences for the
heavy loss she had sustained in madame Brillant.

M. Corbin de la Chevrollerie departed with much pride and
self-complacency upon his embassy: he returned in about half an hour.

"Sire," cried he, "I have fulfilled your royal pleasure to madame de
Luxembourg. She desires me to thank you most humbly for your gracious
condescension: she is in violent distress for the severe loss she has
experienced, and begged my excuse for quitting me suddenly, as she had
to superintend the stuffing of the deceased."

"The stuffing!" exclaimed the king; "surely you mean the embalming?"

"No, sire," replied the ambassador, gravely, "the stuffing."

"Monsieur de la Chevrollerie," cried I, bursting into a violent fit
of laughter, "do you know in what degree of relationship the deceased
madame Brillant stood to madame de Luxembourg?"

"No, madam," replied the ambassador, gravely, "but I believe she was
her aunt, for I heard one of the females in waiting say, that this poor
madame Brillant was very old, and that she had lived with her mistress
during the last fourteen years."

Thus finished this little jest. However, Louis XV, who was extremely
kind to all about him, especially those in his service, shortly after
recompensed his simple-minded ambassador, by intrusting him with a
commission at once profitable and honorable.

Another event which took place at this period, caused no less noise than
the death of madame Brillant. At this time, mademoiselle Mesnard was,
for her many charms of mind and person, the general rage throughout
Paris. Courtiers, lawyers, bankers, and citizens crowded alike to offer
their homage. Frail as fair, mademoiselle Mesnard received all kindly,
and took with gracious smiles the rich gifts showered upon her by
her various adorers. The first noblemen of the court, knights of the
different orders, farmers-general, all aspired to the honor of ruining
themselves for her. She had already satisfied the ruinous propensities
of at least a dozen of lovers, when the duc de Chaulnes entered the
lists, and was fortunate enough to eclipse all his rivals. He might
long have enjoyed the preference thus obtained, but for an act of
the greatest imprudence of which a lover could be guilty. He was so
indiscreet as to invite several of his most intimate friends to sup
with himself and Mademoiselle Mesnard. Amongst the number was Caron de