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elf I shall produce a perfect resemblance of the man I seek to depict。 Let us now proceed to consider the duc de Richelieu。
This nobleman； when in his seventy…second year； had preserved； even in so advanced an age； all his former pretensions to notice； his success in so many love affairs； a success which he never could have merited； had rendered him celebrated； he was now a superannuated coxcomb； a wearisome and clumsy butterfly； when however； he could be brought to exercise his sense by remembering that he was no longer young； he became fascinating beyond idea； from the finished ease and grace of his manner； and the polished and piquant style of his discourse； still I speak of him as a mere man of outward show； for the duke's attainments were certainly superficial； and he possessed more of the jargon of a man of letters than the sound reality。 Among other proofs of consummate ignorance he was deficient even in orthography； and was fool enough to boast of so disgraceful a fact； as though it conferred honor on him； perhaps； indeed； he found that the easiest way of getting over the business。
He possessed a most ignoble turn of mind； all feelings of an elevated nature were wanting within him。 A bad son； an unkind husband； and a worse father； he could scarcely be expected to become a steady friend。 All whom he feared； he hesitated not to trample under foot； and his favorite maxim； which he has a hundred times repeated to me； was； that 〃we should never hesitate to set our foot upon the necks of all those who might in any way interfere with our projectsdead men ＇he would further add＇ tell no tales！〃 There was one person； nevertheless； whom he detested and flattered at the same time； and this was Voltaire； who well repaid him in like coin。 He called the duc de Richelieu； the tyrant of the tennis…court* （）； and the duke returned the compliment by invariably designating him 〃Scoundrel〃 and 〃Poetaster〃； the only difference was that the duc de Richelieu only treated the poet thus in ； whilst M。 de Voltaire sought not to conceal； either in his writings or conversation； his candid opinion of the illustrious duke and peer； and he might justly accuse the duke of ingratitude； for he； no doubt； owed a considerable portion of the reputation he enjoyed as a general； to the brilliant verses in which Voltaire had celebrated his exploits。
*tr。
The marquis de Chauvelin was equally skilful as a warrior and diplomatist。 Gentle； graceful； and witty； he joined to the most extreme versatility of talent the utmost simplicity of character。 Once known； he could not fail of being valued and esteemed； and the king entertained the most lively regard for him。 The noble minded marquis was far from taking advantage of his sovereign's favor； far from it； he neither boasted of it； nor presumed upon it。 This truly wonderful man died； unhappily； too soon for me； for the king on whom he bestowed the sagest counsels； and for foreign courts who knew and appreciated his worth。 I shall have occasion to speak of him hereafter； he had a brother； a wicked little hump…backed creature； brave as Caesar； and a bitter enemy to the Jesuits； whom he did not a little contribute to overturn in the parliament of Paris； to which he belonged。 The king detested this man as much as he loved and cherished the brother； and that is saying not a little。
The fourth guest was the duc de la Vauguyon； the really tutor to the princes of France； for he had educated four successively。 He had displayed in the army both bravery and talent； but he was a confirmed Jesuit； and conducted himself towards me upon the strictest principles of his order。 He will appear again on the scene hereafter； but for the present I must lay him aside； whilst I return to my to the saloon； which I was about to enter。
Immediately after Lebel had conducted me into it； he was called away； and quitted us。 The king rose and approached me； saluting me with the most admirable gallantry； and addressing to me the most encouraging and gratifying words。 His gentle； yet polished manners； fine countenance； noble air； and the free and unrestrained glances of admiration which sparkled in his eyes； communicated to me a feeling of support and confidence which effectually reassured me； and roused me from the involuntary emotion I had felt at the moment when I first appeared in his presence。 The king addressed a few words to comte Jean； and then regarded him steadily； as tho' he were trying to recall his features； but his eye quickly turned on me again； upon whom he bestowed the most intoxicating attention。 Never was first sight more effective； and never did a flame so rapidly increase as did the passion of my noble adorer。 Ere we had seated ourselves at the supper…table； he was ages gone in love。
It would have provoked a smile from any countenance to perceive how the respect and admiration with which the three courtiers regarded me increased in proportion as the sentiments of the king towards me betrayed themselves more and more。 At first I had been considered as a person of little or no importance。 Soon； however； as their sagacious eyes discovered the state of their master's mind； the air of familiarity with which they had regarded me gave place to a more studied politeness； which； in its turn； as matters progressed； was superseded by the most delicate attention； and ere we rose from table these gentlemen watched my looks with the most eager anxiety to obtain the honor of my notice； and hopes of future patronage from one whom they easily foresaw would be fully qualified to bestow it。 Comte Jean observed all that was passing in profound silence。 As for me； I talked and laughed with perfect freedom from restraint； and my frank unaffected mirth appeared to enchant the king； I knew that he was weary of the nice formalities of courtly beauty； and desired to refresh his eyes and ears with something less refined； and I gratified him to his heart's wish。 The conversation became lively and animated； the merits of men of letters were discussed； the French and Italian theatre passed in review before us； and finally； we amused ourselves with anecdotes relative to the intrigues of court。 The baron de Gonesse related to us a circumstance which had just been communicated to him by a county magistrate。 I must here apprize the reader that these administrators of justice were directed to collect all the facts； scandalous； horrible； ridiculous； or piquant； which occurred within their jurisdiction； in order that； being forwarded to the king； they might aid in distracting his mind from the heavy cares of government。 Alas！ how many strange and eventful things have I since learned by similar channels。
The supper terminated； the king's friends remained some time conversing with us。 Whilst these noblemen were busily celebrating my praises in words sufficiently loud to reach the king's ear； the baron de Gonesse； standing by my side； was prosecuting his suit in the most ardent terms。 I received his overtures with becoming grace and modesty。 As I have before said； the exterior of the king was very prepossessing； and what he wanted in youth； he made up by all the mature graces of dignified royalty。 At last Lebel appeared； and made me a sign to rise from my seat。 Up to this period nothing had arisen to betray the incognito of the august monarch； and in order to keep up my pretended ignorance of his grandeur； I quitted the apartment with little ceremony。 Lebel conducted me to an adjoining chamber； furnished with the utmost magnificence。 When we were seated； he turned to the comte Jean； who had followed us； and said； 〃It rests with yourself whether you will return to Paris； or remain at Versailles。 But as for ； who seems much fatigued； she will； we trust； honor us by accepting a bed at the castle。〃
My self…created brother…in…law understood as well as I did the significance of these words； and clearly read in their import how far I had attracted the favor of the king。 In order to have rendered the impression more lasting； we could have wished that matters had been less precipitated； but we were under a roof where everything yielded to the caprices of its master； and resignation to his will became a matter of course。 And here I trust I may be pardoned if I pass over certain details which could not； at this lapse of time； interest or amuse any one； besides； altho' I have found no difficulty in reciting former events of my life； I find my pen more prudish and coy than were my ears or mouth。 All I shall say is； that the following day； as soon as I was left alone in my chamber； Lebel entered； and prostrating himself at the side of my bed；
〃Madame la comtesse；〃 said he； 〃is queen and mistress here。 Not only has your noble lover failed to communicate to me the usual signal of disgust or dislike； but he has spoken of you to me in the most favorable light； declaring； that； for the first time in his life； he felt the influence of a true and sincere affection； for this reason he desired I would not convey to you the contents of this casket； as originally intended。〃
〃And what does it contain？〃 asked I； with childish eagerness。
〃Oh； a trifle unworthy of