refuse his counsels to the marchioness, and
to excuse himself in the best manner he could for his previous delay.

Pere de Sacy accordingly presented himself for the last time before
Madame de Pompadour, and the following conversation took place:--

"We cannot grant you, madame," began the holy father, "the absolution you
desire; your sojourn at court far from your husband, the public scandal
relative to the favor which it is alleged the king accords you, does not
permit of your approaching the holy table. The priest who would sanction
such a proceeding, in place of absolving you, would pronounce a double
condemnation--yours and his own; whilst the public, accustomed to judge
harshly the conduct of the great, would confirm the sentence beyond
appeal. You have testified to me, madame, that you are desirous of
fulfilling the duties of a good Christian; but example is the first of
these duties, and in order to obtain and merit absolution, your first
proceeding must be to return to M. d'Etioles, or at least quit the court
and seek, by penitence and charity, to repair the sins you have committed
against that society whose laws you have outraged, and which, declares
itself scandalized at your separation, from your husband."

Madame de Pompadour heard these words with the calmness and immobility of
a statue; but as soon as the priest had terminated she burst forth,--

"Pere de Sacy," she exclaimed, violently, "you are a fool, an impostor, a
true Jesuit. Do you understand me? You have sought to enjoy a triumph
over me by witnessing the state of embarrassment in which you imagined I
was placed; you would gladly, you and yours, see me far from the king:
but, poor short-sighted mortals that you are! Know that I am here as
powerful as you imagine me weak and tottering; and in spite of you, in
spite of all the Jesuits in the world, I shall remain at court, whilst
you and your pack will not only be banished from court, but driven
ignominiously out of the kingdom."

From that hour the fall of the Jesuits was decreed. The holy fathers
imagined that the marchioness, like Madame de Chateauroux, was but the
queen of a day; but they were mistaken. To do them justice, it must be
allowed they believed that nothing was to be feared from such an enemy;
for it is very certain that had they seen the power of this woman, who
had all the firmness and decision of character of a man, or rather of a
revengeful woman, they would, beyond a doubt, h