"
Immediately that I found myself alone with the marechale, I inquired
of her what was the nature of the reparation she considered
madame de Valentinois entitled to expect from the hands of his
majesty. She replied, "'Tis on your account alone that the poor
countess has received her late mortification; the king is therefore
bound to atone for it in the form of a pension. Money, my dear,
money is a sovereign cure at court; calms every grief and heals
every wound."
I fully agreed with the good-natured marechale; and, when I bade
the sorrowful madame de Valentinois good night, I assured her I
would implore his majesty to repair the mischief my presence had
caused. Accordingly on the following day, when the king questioned
me as to how far I had been amused with the fete given by madame
de Valentinois, I availed myself of the opening to state my entire
satisfaction, as well as to relate the disgrace into which she had
fallen, and to pray his majesty to bestow upon her a pension of
15,000 livres.
"Upon my word," exclaimed Louis XV, hastily traversing the chamber,
"this fete seems likely to prove a costly one to me."
"Nay, sire," said I, "it was a most delightful evening; and you
will not, I hope, refuse me such a trifle for those who lavished
so much for my amusement."
"Well," cried he, "be it so; the countess shall have the sum she requires, but upon
condition that she does not apply to me again.
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