The king had arranged this,
and applauded it as one of the most admirable decisions of his
life, and contended with me that the families who paid this impost
for his pleasures, were greatly indebted to him for it. I assure
you, my friend, that there are often very peculiar ideas in the
head of a king.
After
, the , the young ladies, came a
lady, who had no title in the house, because she "carried on the
war" out of doors, but still was a most useful personage. In
very truth la Mere Bompart was a wonderful animal. Paint to
yourself a woman rather small than large, rather fat than lean,
rather old than young, with a good foot, a good eye, as robust as
a trooper, with a decided "call" for intrigue, drinking nothing
but wine, telling nothing but lies, swearing by, or denying God,
as suited her purpose. Fancy such an one, and you will have before
you Parc-aux-Cerfs>.
She was in correspondence with all sorts of persons, with the
most celebrated , and of course with the most
noted pimps. She treated Lebel as her equal, went familiarly to
M. de Sartines and occasionally condescended to visit M. de
Saint-Florentin. Everybody at court received her graciously;
everybody but the king and myself, who held her in equal horror.
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