The comtesse de Grammont had not half the
talent of the duchesse, she had only her faults. She showed herself
so rude and impertinent towards me, that I was at length compelled,
not to exile her of my own accord, but to allow that she should
be so served. But I anticipate, for this did not occur until the
following year.
The king by all his kindnesses endeavored to recompense me for
these attacks: he appeared charmed to see me surrounded by my
husband's family. He placed amongst the pages the vicomte Adolphe
du Barry, son of comte Jean, a young man of great promise, but
whose destiny was so brief and so unfortunate. My husband's family
testified much affection for me, as did the duc d'Aiguillon, to whom
I daily attached myself. He carefully kept from me all that could
give me pain, and took a thousand precautions that no unpleasant
reports should reach me. If we passed a short time without meeting
he wrote to me, and I confess I was delighted with a correspondence
which formed my own style. Mademoiselle Chon, my sister-in-law,
and I also wrote to each other, and that from one room to another.
I remember that one day, having broken a glass of rock crystal which
she had given me, I announced my misfortune in such solemn style,
and with so well feigned a tone of chagrin, that the letter amused
the whole family.
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