supported by merit, to make himself beloved by
the courtiers and feared by the minister, to dare to undertake anything
in order to do good, and to engage in nothing at the expense of
innocence, he soon became one in all the king's parties of pleasure,
without gaining the ill will of the courtiers. In play he was
successful, in love unfortunate; or, to speak more properly, his
restlessness and jealousy overcame his natural prudence, in a situation
wherein he had most occasion for it. La Motte Agencourt was one of the
maids of honour to the queen dowager, and, though no sparkling beauty,
she had drawn away lovers from the celebrated Meneville.

[These two ladies at this period seem to have made a distinguished
figure in the annals of gallantry. One of their contemporaries
mentions them in these terms: "In this case, perhaps, I can give a
better account than most people; as, for instance, they had raised a
report, when the queen-mother expelled Mademoiselle de la Motte
Agencourt, that it was on his score, when I am assured, upon very
good grounds, that it was for entertaining the Marquis de Richelieu
against her majesty's express command. This lady, who was one of
her maids of honour, was a person whom I was particularly acquainted
with; and that so much, as I was supposed to have a passion for her:
she was counted one of the finest women of the court, and therefore
I was not at all displeased to have it thought so; for except
Mademoiselle de Meneville, (who had her admirers,) there was none
that could pretend to dispute it" Memoirs of the Comte de Rochfort,
1696, p. 210. See also Anquetil, Louis XVI. sa Cour et le Regent,
tome i. p. 46.]

It was sufficient in those days for the king to cast his eye upon a
young lady of the court to inspire her with hopes, and often with tender
sentiments; but if he spoke to her more than once, the courtiers took it
for granted, and those who had either pretensions to, or love for her,
respectfully withdrew both the one and the other, and afterwards only
paid her respect; but the Chevalier de Grammont thought fit to act quite
otherwise, perhaps to preserve a singularity of character, which upon the
present occasion was of no avail.

He had never before thought of her, but as soon as he found that she
was honoured with the king's attention, he was of opinion that she was
likewise deserving of his. Having attached himself to her, he soon
be