"No, sir," answered I, "I consider that
no price can sufficiently repay the kind and faithful services of
a true friend, nor can baseness and treachery be too generally
exposed and punished." From the tone in which I spoke the old
marechal easily perceived to what I was alluding. He was wise
enough to be silent, whilst I followed up this first burst of my
indignation, by adding,
"For instance, monsieur le duc, how can I sufficiently repay your
friendly zeal to supply the king with a new mistress?"
"I, madam?"
"Yes, sir, you; I am aware of all your kind offices, and only
lament my inability to reward them in a suitable manner."
"In that case I shall not attempt to deny my share in the business."
"You have then sufficient honor to avow your enmity towards me?"
"By no means enmity, madam. I merely admit my desire to contribute
to the amusement of the king, and surely, when I see all around
anxious to promote the gratification of their sovereign, I need
not be withheld from following so loyal an example. The duc de
Duras was willing to present his own relation for his majesty's
acceptance, the abbe Terray offers his own daughter, Comte Jean
his sister-in-law, whilst I simply threw a humble and modest
female in his majesty's path. I cannot see in what my fault
exceeds that of the gentlemen I have just mentioned.
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