"
"Not so fast, madam, if you please," replied Louis XV; "perhaps
these papers may contain state secrets unfit for your eye."
"Great secrets they must be," said I, laughing, "confided thus to
the carelessness of the post." So saying, I broke the seal of
the envelope so hastily, that the greater part of the letters and
notes were scattered over the carpet.
"Well done," cried the king.
"I entreat your majesty's pardon," said I, "but I will repair
the mischief as far as I can."
I stooped to collect the fallen papers, and the king had the
gallantry to assist me: we soon piled the various letters upon a
tray, and began eagerly to glance over their contents. My good
fortune made me select from the mass those epistles addressed to
the members of the country parliaments; they were filled with
invectives against me, insulting mention of the king, and praises
of the duc de Choiseul. I took especial care to read them in a
loud and distinct voice.
"This really is not to be endured," cried Louis XV; "that the
mistaken zeal of these long-robed gentlemen should make them
thus compliment my minister at my expense."
"So much the worse for you, sire," replied I, "considering that
you continue to prefer your minister to every other consideration."
As I continued searching through the letters, I found and read
the following phrase:--"Spite of the reports in circulation, I do
not believe it possible that M.
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