A few days after this, the king being alone with me, comte Jean
entered. After the usual salutations, he exclaimed, "I have just
seen a most lovely creature."
"Who is she?" inquired his majesty, hastily.
"No high-born dame," answered comte Jean, "but the daughter of a
cabinet-maker at Versailles; I think I never beheld such
matchless beauty."
"Always excepting present company," replied the king.
"Assuredly," rejoined my brother-in-law, "but, sire, the beauteous
object of whom I speak is a nymph in grace, a sylph in airy
lightness, and an angel in feature."
"Comte Jean seems deeply smitten indeed, madam," exclaimed
Louis XV, turning towards me.
"Not I indeed," replied my brother-in-law, "my lovemaking days
are over."
"Oh! oh!" cried the king, smiling, "
."
"What does your majesty say?" inquired I.
"Nay, let the comte explain," cried Louis XV.
"The king observed, my dear sister," answered comte Jean, "that
ladies--but, in fact, I can neither explain the observation, nor
was it intended for you--so let it rest."
He continued for some time to jest with comte Jean upon his
supposed passion for the fair daughter of the cabinet-maker; and
the king, whilst affecting the utmost indifference, took every
pains to obtain the fullest particulars as to where this peerless
beauty might be found.
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