ldren with all the
feelings of a young and affectionate heart. Heaven did not, however,
always deny her the boon she so ardently desired.

You will, readily believe that the same anxiety prevailed upon the
occasion of this approaching marriage as had existed at the unions of
the dauphin and the comte de Provence, to obtain the various posts
and places the ambition of different persons led them to desire in the
establishment of the newly married pair. Wishing on my own part to
offer the marechale de Mirepoix a proof of my high estimation of her
friendship towards me, I inquired of her whether a superior employment
about the person of the comtesse d'Artois would be agreeable to her?

"Alas! my dear creature," replied the good-natured marechale, "I am too
old now to bear the toil and confinement of any service. The post of
lady of honor would suit me excellently well as far as regards the
income attached to it, but by no means agree with my inclinations as far
as discharging its functions goes. You see I am perfectly candid
with you. Listen to me; if you really wish to oblige me, you can do
this--give the title to another, and bestow the pecuniary part of the
engagement on me. In that manner you will be able to gratify two persons
at the same time."

"I will endeavor," said I, "to meet your wishes as far as I possibly
can, and you may be assured that you shall derive some advantage from
this marriage."

And I kept my word by shortly after obtaining for the marechale a sum
of 50,000 livres; a most needful supply, for the poor marechale had to
re-furnish her house, her present fittings-up being no longer endurable
by the eye of modish taste: she likewise received an augmentation of
20,000 livres to her pension. This proceeding was highly acceptable to
her, and the king afforded his assistance with the best possible grace.
He could be generous, and do things with a good grace when he pleased.

The refusal of the marechale, which it was agreed we should keep secret,
obliged me to cast my eyes upon a worthy substitute, and I at length
decided upon selecting the comtesse de Forcalquier, a lady who
possessed every charm which can charm and attract, joined to a faultless
reputation; and, setting aside her strict intimacy with myself, the
court (envious as it is) could find no fault with her. I was convinced
she would not be long in acquiring an ascendency over the mind of
the princess and I was equally well assured she would