tters,
after being immersed in vinegar, are carried to the comte de Muy, who
fumigates them previously to allowing them to reach the hands of the
dauphin.

"I am, etc., etc.

"VERSAILLES, May 5, 1774, nine o'clock, evening."

Upon awaking the following morning I again received news of the king,
who was stated to have passed a good night, and even La Martiniere
seemed inclined to hope. As yet, then, there were no safe grounds for
abandoning me, and about two o'clock in the afternoon I was favoured
with a visit from madame de Mirepoix, who, running up to me, exclaimed
with her usual vivacity,

"Oh, my dear creature, how I longed to see you!" and then leading me
into another chamber, she added,

"Do you know I quite missed you? As I wrote you, my time hung heavily
on my hands. What in the world will become of me if I am compelled to
resign the delightful hours granted to the envied few who are permitted
the _entree_ to the _petits appartements_? For you see, my dear, the
dauphiness will be far from bestowing that honour upon me. I am too old
to form one of her coterie, and I shall be laid aside like the rest
of the antiquities of the chateau. By the way," continued the voluble
marechale, "there is already a great cabal in the chateau respecting the
formation of a new ministry, in which, besides desiring lucrative posts
for themselves, all are anxious to introduce their private friends;
in the midst of so many absorbing interests you appear to be already
forgotten, which, by the way, is no bad thing for you. Your best plan
is to remain perfectly tranquil." Then rapidly passing to her most
prevailing idea, this excellent friend proceeded to inquire what the
king had bestowed on me as a parting present, "for," said she, "he would
not certainly permit you to leave Versailles empty-handed."

"It is a point," replied I, "that neither his majesty nor myself once
thought of."

"Then such an omission proves him a vile egotist, and you a prodigious
simpleton," answered she; "and were I in your place, I would commission
the duc d'Aiguillon to make a direct demand of a future provision for
you; you really should see about this, and secure to yourself a noble
establishment for yourself and your friends, who ought not to suffer for
your overstrained delicacy. Look at the duc de Choiseul, who has kept a
regular court at Chanteloup, and never wanted for a train of courtiers
at it."

After this lesson of worldly wisdom, the exce