You must know
that my brother-in-law also wished to direct me, but I did not
consider him sufficiently clever. His marvellous genius was
eclipsed in politics. He swore at my ingratitude, and I could
only appease him by an offering of plenty of money.
In the midst of this cross-fire of intrigues, one was devised
against me which might have terminated in my ruin; but, thanks
to the indefatigable activity of comte Jean, only served to fix
me more firmly in my situation. Lebel, of whom I have said
nothing for this age, came to me one day: his face was sad, and
his look serious. By his manner I augured that my reign had
passed, and that I must quit my post. I awaited what he should
say with mortal impatience. At length he began thus:
"Madame, you have many bitter enemies, who are laboring to
effect your ruin with a blood-thirstiness which nothing can assuage.
They have now spread a report that you are not married. This
infamous calumny--"
"Ah, is that all?' said I with joy; "no, my dear Lebel, this time
they do not calumniate me. The worthy creatures for once are right."
"What," said Lebel, in a tone of alarm almost comic, "what, are
you really not married?"
"No."
"Are you not the wife of the comte Guillaume du Barry?"
"No."
"Then you have deceived the king, and played with me."
"Lebel, my friend, take another tone.
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