M. de Richelieu continued:
"His majesty, monsieur le duc, wishes that you should prepare
mesdames to receive our dear countess here, when she shall appear
before them to pay the homage of her respect and devotion."
The king, emboldened by these words, said, "Yes, my dear duke,
I can only find you in the chateau who have any influence over
the princesses, my daughters. They have much respect, and no
less friendship, for you. You will easily bring them to reason."
As M. de la Vauguyon seemed in no hurry to undertake the charge,
the marechal added,
"Yes, sir, to manage this business properly, you and M. de Senlis
are the only men in the kingdom."
The marechal had his reasons for saying this, for a secret jealousy
existed between the governor and the grand almoner. M. de la
Vauguyon made haste to say, that he could not resist his majesty's
orders, and his desire to be agreeable to me.
"Ah! you will then do something for me?" I replied. "I am
delighted and proud."
"Madame," replied the duke with much gravity, "friends are proved
on occasion."
"The present one proves your attachment to me," said I in my
turn; "and his majesty will not think it wrong of me, if, as a
recompense, I embrace you in his presence": and, on saying this,
I went up to the duc de la Vauguyon, and gave him two kisses,
which the poor man took as quietly as possible.
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