The comte Jean also participated in this great joy. His situation
at court was not less doubtful; he had no longer reason to blush
for his alliance with me, and could now form, without excess of
presumption, the most brilliant hopes of the splendor of his
house. His son, the vicomte Adolphe, was destined to high fortune;
and I assure you that I deeply regretted when a violent and
premature death took him away from his family. My presentation
permitted his father to realize the chimera which he had pursued
with so much perseverance. He flattered himself in taking part
with me. I did not forget him in the distribution of my rewards;
and the king's purse was to him a source into which he frequently
dipped with both hands.
The next day I had a visit from the chancellor.
"Now," said he, "you are at the height of your wishes, and we
must arrange matters, that the king shall find perpetual and varied
amusements, with you. He does not like large parties; a small
circle is enough for him; then he is at his ease, and likes to see
the same faces about him. If you follow my advice you will have
but few females about you, and select that few with discernment."
"How can I choose them at all when I see so very few?" was my
reply. "I have no positive intimacy with any court lady; and
amongst the number I should be at a loss to select any one whom
I would wish to associate with in preference to another.
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