In fact, the people knew exactly
when to laugh and when to look grave.
There was in the chateau a most singular character, the grand
master of the ceremonies of France. His great-grandfather, his
grandfather, his father, who had fulfilled these functions for a
century, had transmitted to him their understanding and their
duties. All he thought of was how to regulate the motions and
steps of every person at court. He adored the dauphin and dauphiness,
because they both diverted and fatigued themselves according to
the rules in such cases made and provided. He was always preaching
to me and quoted against me the precedents of Diane de Poitiers,
or Gabrielle d'Estrees. One day he told me that all the misfortunes
of Mademoiselle de la Valliere occurred in consequence of her
neglect of etiquette. He would have had all matters pass at court
during the old age of Louis XV as at the period of the childhood
of Louis XIV, and would fain have had the administration of the
, that he might have arranged all with due ceremonies.
Since this word has escaped my pen, I will tell
you something of it. Do you know, my friend, that but little is
known of this place, of which so much has been said. I can tell
you, better than any other person, what it really was, for I, like
the marquise de Pompadour, took upon myself the superintendence
of it, and busied myself with what they did there.
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