, bishop of Carcassone, a prelate of irreproachable
character, was deeply distressed to find that the want of birth would
exclude M. de Beauvais from the dignities of his holy profession. He
went to discuss the matter with the grand almoner, who again advanced
his favorite plea for excluding M. de Beauvais. "My lord," replied M. de
Beyons, "if I believed that nobility of descent were the chief requisite
for our advancement in our blessed calling, I would trample my crosier
under foot, and renounce for ever all church dignities."

M. de Beyons sought the king, and loudly complained to him of the
infatuation and obstinacy of M. de la Roche Aymon. Louis XV however
commanded that M. de Beauvais should be appointed to the first
vacant see, and when the grand almoner repeated his objections to the
preferment, the king answered, "Monsieur le cardinal, in the days of our
blessed Saviour the apostles had no need to present their genealogical
tree, duly witnessed and attested. It is my pleasure to make M. de
Beauvais a bishop; let that end the discussion of the matter."

The command was too peremptory to admit of any course but instant and
entire submission.

CHAPTER XXXIII

M. D----n and madame de Blessac--Anecdote--The rendezvous
and the Ball--The wife of Gaubert--They wish to give her to
the king--Intrigues--Their results--Letter from the duc de
la Vrilliere to the countess--Reply--Reconciliation

Amongst the pages of the chapel was one whom the king distinguished
so greatly, that he raised him to the rank of a gentleman of the
bedchamber, and confided to his charge the cabinet of medals, for which
he had imbibed a taste since his liaison with madame de Pompadour. This
esteemed page was named M. D-----n, who united to the most amiable wit a
varied and deep knowledge of men and things. He had had adventures at an
age when they are usually just understood, and talked of them with the
utmost indiscretion. But this so far from doing him any injury in the
eyes of the world only served to make him the more admired; for women
in general have an inclination for those who do not respect their
reputation.

At the period I allude to a madame de Blessac, a very well-looking
woman, took upon herself to be very kindly disposed towards the
gentleman-in-waiting. She told him so, and thereupon M. de D------n
ranged himself under her banner, and swore eternal constancy. However,
the lady, by some accident, becam