I confess I came this morning but to sound
your courage, and already you have driven me off the field
vanquished. There is one favor I would implore of your generosity,
and that is, to be silent as to all that has transpired."
"I shall not speak of it, monsieur le duc," replied I, much moved,
"unless you or madame d'Egmont set me the example."
"In that case the affair will for ever remain buried in oblivion;
but, madame, I will not conceal from you, that my daughter has
become your most bitter and irreconcilable enemy. "
"The motives which have actuated me, monsieur le marechal, are
such as to leave me very little concern upon that subject. I
flatter myself this affair will not keep you away from me, who
would fain reckon as firmly on your friendship as yon may do on mine."
The marechal kissed my hand in token of amity, and from that
moment the matter was never mentioned.
A similar scene had already occurred with the prince de Soubise,
relative to the exile of his daughter. Was it not somewhat
strange, as well as unjust, that all the noblemen of the day wished
to preserve to their relations the right of offending me with
impunity, without permitting me even the right of defending myself.
CHAPTER XIX
Madame du Barry separates from madame de Bearn--Letters between
these ladies--Portrait of madame de l'Hopital--The ladder--The
bell--Conversation with madame de Mirepoix--First visit to Chantilly--
Intrigues to prevent the countess from going thither--The king's
Displeasure towards the princesses--The archbishop de Senlis
The spoiled child of fortune, I had now attained the height of my
wishes.
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