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ft no means untried of rendering myself agreeable to her； and so well did I succeed； that from that moment her valuable friendship was bestowed on me with a sincerity which even my unfortunate reverses have been unable to shake； and we are to this day the same firm and true f friends we were in the zenith of my power。 Not that I would seek to justify the injury she sought to do our queen； but I may and do congratulate myself； that the same warmth which pervades her hatreds likewise influences her friendships。
I cannot equally boast of the treatment I received from the duchess dowager d'Aiguillon； who； as well as her daughter…in…law； came to see me upon the promotion of her son。 She overloaded me with caresses； and even exceeded her daughter…in…law in protestations of devotion and gratitude。 You should have heard her extol my beauty； wit； and sweetness of disposition； she； in fact； so overwhelmed me with her surfeiting praises； that at last I became convinced that； of the thousand flattering things she continually addressed to me； not one was her candid opinion； and I was right； for I soon learned； that in her circle of intimates at the houses of the Beauffremons； the Brionnes； and above all； the marquise du Deffant； she justified her acquaintance with me； by saying it was a sacrifice made to the interests of her son； and amused these ladies by censuring my every word and look。 The dowager's double…dealing greatly annoyed me； nevertheless； not wishing to vex her son； or her daughter… in…law； I affected to be ignorant of her dishonourable conduct。 However； I could not long repress my indignation； and one day that she was praising me most extravagantly； I exclaimed； 〃Ah； madam； how kind it would be of you to reserve one of these pretty speeches to repeat at madame du Deffant's。〃 This blow； so strong yet just； rather surprised her； but； quickly rallying her courage； she endeavoured to persuade me that she always spoke of me in the same terms。 〃It may be so；〃 replied I； 〃but I fear that you say so many flattering things to me； that you have not one left when out of my sight。〃
The marechale de Mirepoix used to say； that a caress from madame d'Aiguillon was not less to be dreaded than the bite of M。 d'Ayen。 Yet the duchess dowager has obtained a first…rate reputation for goodness； every one styled her