In that
manner you will be able to gratify two persons at the same time."
"I will endeavor," said I, "to meet your wishes as far as I
possibly can, and you may be assured that you shall derive some
advantage from this marriage."
And I kept my word by shortly after obtaining for the marechale
a sum of 50,000 livres; a most needful supply, for the poor
marechale had to re-furnish her house, her present fittings-up
being no longer endurable by the eye of modish taste: she likewise
received an augmentation of 20,000 livres to her pension. This
proceeding was highly acceptable to her, and the king afforded
his assistance with the best possible grace. He could be generous,
and do things with a good grace when he pleased.
The refusal of the marechale, which it was agreed we should keep
secret, obliged me to cast my eyes upon a worthy substitute, and
I at length decided upon selecting the comtesse de Forcalquier,
a lady who possessed every charm which can charm and attract,
joined to a faultless reputation; and, setting aside her strict
intimacy with myself, the court (envious as it is) could find no
fault with her. I was convinced she would not be long in
acquiring an ascendency over the mind of the princess and I was
equally well assured she would never turn this influence against
myself; this was a point of no small importance to me.
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