M. de Chauvelin then turning towards me, said, "Well, madame, on
what evil herb have you walked to-day? Can it be possible that
you would make the prince, who is your friend, responsible for the
hatred which ought to be flattering rather than painful to you, since
it is a homage exacted towards your brilliant loveliness?"
"In the first place," I replied, "I have no intention to cast on
monsieur le marechal, whom I love with all my heart, the least
responsibility relative to the object of which I complain. I only
wished to evince to him the regret I experienced at not seeing all
the members of his family like him: this is all. I should be in
despair if I thought I had said anything that would wound him;
and if I have done so, I most sincerely ask his pardon."
On saying these words I presented my hand to the prince, who
instantly kissed it.
"You are," said he, "at the same time cruel and yet most amiable:
but if you have the painful advantage of growing old at court, you
will learn that my children have not all the deference and respect
towards me which they owe to their father; and I often am pained
to see them act in a manner entirely opposite to my desires,
however openly manifested. If my daughter does not love you, it
is to me, most probably, that you must look for the
and
: it is because I love you so much that she is against
you.
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