"
The duke, contented with his success so far, went next to madame
Sophie. This princess was not unkind, but subject to attacks of
the nerves, which from time to time soured her natural disposition:
she had her caprices of hatred, her fits of love. The day when
the duke talked to her of my presentation she was very much
provoked against me; and after the opening speech of the ambassador,
flung in his teeth the report of the apartments, which I have
already told you. The duke explained to her, and that too without
saying anything unfavorable of madame Adelaide, and concluded by
begging her to concede the favor I besought. Madame eluded this,
by saying, that before she gave a definite reply she wished to
confer with her sisters.
Madame Victoire was not more easily persuaded. This princess had
amiable qualities, solid virtues which made her loved and respected
by the whole court; but she had but little will of her own, and
allowed herself to be led by the Choiseuls; who, to flatter her,
told her that she alone had inherited the energy of her grandfather,
Louis XIV. She was advised to display it in this instance, and,
she would willingly have done so. The comtesse de Bercheny, one
of her ladies in waiting, was the person who urged her on to the
greatest resistance. This lady did not cease to exclaim against
me, and to fan the flame of displeasure which, but for her,
would never have appeared.
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