I now return to my conversation with him. During the time it lasted
the king did not cease talking to Chon, all the time listening with
attention to what the prince and I were saying; and he did not
approach us until the intervention of M. de Chauvelin had terminated
this kind of a quarrel. He returned to his seat in front of the
fire; and when we were alone, said to me,
"You have been very spiteful to the poor marechal, and I suffered
for him."
"You are an excellent friend; and, no doubt, it is the affection
you bear to M. de Soubise which makes you behave so harshly to me.
Can I not, without displeasing you, defend myself when I am attacked?"
"I did not say so; but is it necessary that he must be responsible
for the follies of his relations?"
"In truth, sire, so much the worse for the father who cannot make
his children respect him. If the marechal was respected by the
public, believe me he would be so by his family."
This retort was perhaps too severe. I found this by the silence
of the king; but as, in fact, it imported little, and, by God's
help, I was never under much constraint with him, I saw him blush,
and then he said to me,
"Now, I undertake to bring madame de Guemenee into proper order.
The favor I ask is, that you would not meddle. I have power
enough to satisfy you, but, for heaven's sake, do not enter into
more quarrels than you have already.
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