ut
suspected the real cause! but I contented myself with a silent scrutiny
(I should have questioned her on the subject), but passed on to the
saloon, where the guests were already assembled. The evening passed away
most delightfully; the marechale de Mirepoix excelled herself in keeping
up a continual flow of lively conversation. Never had messieurs de Cosse
and de Richelieu appeared to equal advantage. The king laughed heartily
at the many humorous tales told, and his gaiety was the more excited,
from his believing that I was in utter ignorance of his infidelity. The
champagne was passed freely round the table, till all was one burst of
hilarious mirth. A thousand different topics were started, and dismissed
only to give way to fresh subjects more piquant than the preceding.

The king, in a fit of good humour, began to relate his adventures with
madame de Grammont; but here you must pardon me, my friend, for so
entirely did his majesty give the reins to his inclination for a plain
style of language, that, although excess of prudery formed no part of
the character of any of the ladies assembled, we were compelled to sit
with our eyes fixed upon our plate or glass, not daring to meet the
glance of those near us. I have little doubt but that Louis XV indulged
himself to this extent by a kind of mental vow to settle the affair with
his confessor at the earliest opportunity.

We were still at table when the clock struck two hours past midnight.

"Bless me! so late?" inquired the king.

"Indeed, sire," replied the marechale de Mirepoix, "your agreeable
society drives all recollection of time away."

"Then 'tis but fit I should furnish you all with memory enough to
recollect what is necessary for your own health. Come, my friends,
morning will soon call us to our different cares, so away to your
pillows."

So saying, the king bade us a friendly farewell, and retired with
the ducs de Duras and de Noailles. We remained after his majesty, and
retiring into the great saloon, threw ourselves without any ceremony
upon the different couches and ottomans.

"For my own part," said the prince de Soubise, "I shall not think of
separating from so agreeable a party till daylight warns me hence."

"The first beams of morn will soon shine through these windows," replied
M. d'Aiguillon.

"We can already perceive the brightest rays of Aurora reflected in the
sparkling eyes around us," exclaimed M. de Cosse.

"A truce with your ga