n me her arm;
it was early in the morning, and the walks appeared solitary. We walked
towards towards the side of the Ile d'Amour, when we heard the steps of
two persons who came behind us. Henriette turned her head and then said
to me, "Here are mesdames de Brionne and de Grammont." I knew the latter
but very slightly, and the former not at all. Certainly she could not
have been there by chance; they knew I should be there, and wished to
see me closely. Not suspecting what was to follow, I was delighted at
the rencontre. They passed us with head erect, haughty air; looked at
me with a disdainful stare, laughed rudely and walked away. Altho' such
behavior offended me, it did not put me out of humor; I thought it very
natural for madame de Grammont to be irritated against me. Henriette had
less magnanimity. She repeated so often how impertinent it was thus to
insult a female honored by the bounties of the king, and so far excited
my feelings, that instead of returning as prudence suggested, I followed
the steps of these ladies. I did not proceed far before I rejoined
them; they were seated on a bench, awaiting my arrival as it appeared.
I passed close to them, and at that moment the duchesse de Grammont,
raising her voice, said,

"It must be a profitable business to sleep with every body."

I was excessively nettled, and instantly retorted, "At least I cannot
be accused of making a forcible entry into any person's bed." The arrow
went to the mark and penetrated deeply. The whole countenance of the
duchesse turned pale, except her lips, which became blue. She would have
said something foolish, but madame de Brionne, more cool because touched
less nearly, placed her hand over her companion's mouth. I in my turn
walked away with Henriette, laughing till tears came into my eyes at
this pleasing victory.

The duchesse de Grammont, who had no further inclination to laugh, told
the whole to her brother. He, who loved her excessively, too much so
perhaps, reprimanded her, nevertheless, and pointed out to her the
disadvantage in an open struggle with me. Madame de Brionne was enjoined
to secrecy, but that did not prevent her from confiding the affair to
the dowager duchesse d'Aiguillon.

This latter was a lady of most superior merit, uniting to much wit more
solid acquirements. She spoke English like a native. Her death, which
happened in 1772, was a great misfortune to her son, to whom she
gave the most excellent counsel. Sh