Circumstances did not give her the opportunity of
displaying her genius. With great talents and keen perception,
she was reduced to the government of her own family alone; that
was but a trifling matter! In spite of her discontent, madame de
Marsan preserved a sort of neutrality towards me. She allowed
all sorts of ill to be spoken of me without ever repressing a word.
She was then mute and motionless. She saw me torn to pieces
without any emotion. However, when we were together she tried to
cajole me in a thousand ways, all the time detesting me in her
heart; and I, who could scarcely endure the sight of her, paid her
a like number of little attentions. Thus surrounded by hypocrites, I
became one myself. We learn to howl in the society of wolves.
CHAPTER V
The duc de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry--The marquis
de Chauvelin and the comtesse--M. de Montbarrey and the comtesse--
Intrigues--Lebel--Arrival of the du Barry family--The comte
d'Hargicourt--The demoiselles du Barry--Marriage of the comtesse--
The marquis de Bonrepos--Correspondences--The broken glass
The prince de Soubise was not the only person who wished to act
in the capacity of mentor to me. M. the duc de la Vauguyon
attempted also to be the guide of my youth. This nobleman was
too much of a Jesuit not to have a nose of prodigiously fine scent.
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