" This would
have been an indignity I would quickly have caused him to repent
having offered.
"Well," inquired I, "are you very glad to see your brother in Paris?"
'No, 'pon my soul!" returned he; "but since he is here, we must
do the best we can with him; he was very anxious to see his
sister-in-law and niece. He says the former is ugly as sin, and
the latter almost as handsome as you."
"Very gallant," replied I; "but tell me, comte Jean, does this
elegant compliment proceed from my husband or yourself?"
We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the marechale,
and comte Jean retired.
"Well, my dear," she began, "have you seen M. de Sartines, and
did you speak to him respecting those 100,000 livres?"
"Oh, yes," replied I, "he gave them back to me; but I have
already had half of them stolen from me."
"By comte Jean, I'll engage," cried she. "Upon my word, that
man is a perfect spendthrift, a prodigal; who, if you do not take
great care, will certainly ruin you. And what will you do with
the remaining 50,000 livres, my dear friend; where will you
place them?"
"In your hands, my dear marechale; 'tis his majesty's command."
"To that command," answered she, "I must perforce submit"; and,
taking the bundle of notes, she continued, "Assure his majesty
that it will ever be my greatest pride and pleasure to obey his
slightest wish.
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