a treasure, and I heartily thank you for having mentioned her
to me."

CHAPTER XXXV

Marriage of madame Boncault--The comte de Bourbon Busset--
Marriage of comte d'Hargicourt--Disgrace of the comte de
Broglie--He is replaced by M. Lemoine--The king complains of
ennui--Conversations on the subject--Entry into Paris

Spite of the merit of madame Boncault, and the many eulogiums I bestowed
on her whilst relating her history to the king, I could not immediately
obtain the post madame de Forcalquier had requested for this paragon
of friends. His majesty replied to me by saying, that no doubt so many
virtues merited a high reward, but that ere madame Boncault could be
appointed lady in waiting to his granddaughter, she must be presented at
court under some other name than the one she now bore.

"Oh, if that be all, sire," replied I, "it will soon be effected.
Ladies who have the good fortune to possess a rich dowry and powerful
friends need never look far for a choice of husbands. Only let madame
Boncault have reason to reckon upon your patronage, and she will have no
lack of admirers."

The king, always ready to oblige me, caused it to be understood
throughout the chateau that he was desirous of seeing madame Boncault
well established, as he had it in contemplation to confide to her
a place of great trust. Immediately a score of suitors presented
themselves; the preference was given to the comte de Bourbon Busset as
the person most calculated in every respect to answer our purpose; he
possessed elegant manners, an unblemished reputation, and a descent so
illustrious as to be traced even to the reigning family. No sooner
were the celebrations of this marriage over, than I procured the formal
appointment of madame de Bourbon Busset to the post of lady in waiting
to the new princess. This nomination tended greatly to increase the high
opinion entertained of the judgment and discrimination of the comtesse
de Forcalquier, and you may easily believe, from the friendship I bore
this lady, that I fully entered into her triumph on the occasion.

When the comtesse de Bourbon Busset came to return me her
acknowledgments for what I had done, she accompanied it with a request
for a fresh interference on my part: this was to obtain for her husband
the title of duke and peer. Accordingly I mentioned her wishes to the
king, observing at the same time how very surprising it was that one
so nearly related to th