, but that was all; no person set their wits to work to
reinstate her in the good graces of the king. I soon comprehended
the forlorn hopes of my poor enemy, and my former animosity soon
gave way to the play with which she inspired me.
About the period of the marriage of the comtesse d'Artois, an
individual of some eminence fell into disgrace; this was the
comte de Broglie. This gentleman, as you know, was private
minister to Louis XV, intrusted for some time past with his
correspondence, and affected the airs of a favorite. He solicited
upon the present occasion the honor of going to meet the princess
at the bridge of Beauvoisin, a request which was granted. This
was not sufficient for him; he begged for a month's leave of
absence, with permission to proceed to Turin: this depended on
the duc d'Aiguillon, who was by no means partial to the comte de
Broglie. He said to me when speaking of him,
"I feel no inclination to oblige this minister; on the contrary,
he may wait long enough for what he desires as far as I am concerned.
"I fear he will be greatly offended with you," answered I.
"Oh, never mind that," replied the duke; "if he grows sullen
about it, why well; if he is loud and vehement, better still;
and should his anger lead him to the commission of any act of
folly, depend upon it we will take advantage of it.
Pages:
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497