"
"On the contrary, madame," he replied, "the king will be more
disposed to listen to you whilst he will suppose that your
influence is unknown."
"Oh," cried I with a feeling of anger, "you gentlemen courtiers
think of nothing but politics. As for me, who am a woman, I have
other matters for consideration: I must have honors, title, rank.
My self-love suffers cruelly when I see myself immolated by the
fear which the ladies de Grammont and three or four other intriguers
of their party are able to excite."
The prince was somewhat startled at the freedom of language
which I used towards ladies in such credit at court: he begged me
to moderate my feelings, and be less moved and excited. By this
the prince de Soubise lost the esteem which I might have accorded
him, and the second place in my counsels, which I might have
given him.
I told the duke, who came to see me the moment afterwards, of the
failure of the prince's attempt. He told me that he had not hoped
for a better result. He went to the king, flattering himself with
hopes of better success, but did not find him.
The daughters of Louis XV had united against me with a fury
which nothing could justify. They were incessantly talking
scandal of my past life, as if there were only saints at court, as
if they had no pranks of their own to reproach themselves with.
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