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ed。〃
〃And what does it contain？〃 asked I； with childish eagerness。
〃Oh； a trifle unworthy of her who is now the mistress of his warmest love； only a purse containing a hundred louis； and a suit of emeralds worth a similar sum。 He bade me say it might have served to recompense a mere fleeting fancy； but that it is unworthy of your charms； nor can he insult you by the offer of it。〃
〃Will he then see me again？〃 inquired I。
〃To…morrow evening； if agreeable to you。〃
〃Only say that his wishes are mine。〃
〃Would you wish to see the comte Jean before you rise？ He has been waiting with the utmost impatience to see you since seven o'clock this morning。〃
〃Let him come in。〃
The comte entered； and I saw by the triumphant joy painted on his face； that Lebel had told him of propitious state of things。 He ran up to me with outstretched arms； congratulating me upon my success； and putting at the same time several questions； to which； either from mere womanly caprice； or presuming upon my recent elevation to the character of prime favorite； I refused to reply。
My folly drew down on me his severe anger； and several oaths escaped his lips； which； echoed back by walls so unused to similar violence； struck Lebel with terror。 That faithful ally placed his hand over his mouth； imploring of him to recollect himself； and the place he was in。 As for me； dreading some foolish burst of his impetuosity； I tried some of my sweetest smiles； and inviting him to sit beside me； related to him and Lebel those particulars which my pen refuses to retrace。 Amongst other things； I told them I had said to the king； that I had perfectly known who he was all the preceding evening when supping with him； and that he had the simplicity to say； 〃he was surprised I had not appeared more embarrassed in his presence。〃
Our conversation terminated； I wished to return to Paris； and I was； without further hindrance； allowed to depart。 Scarcely had I arrived there an hour； than I received from his majesty a magnificent diamond agraffe； worth at least 60；000 francs； and bank notes to the amount of 200；000 livres。
Comte Jean and myself were well nigh stupefied with astonishment at the sight of such treasures； to us； who had never in our lives possessed such sums； they appeared inexhaustible。 My brother…in…law divided them into two equal portions； one of which he put into his pocket； and the other into my 。 With this arrangement I did not interfere； nothing seemed to me more simple than that he should satisfy his need out of my superfluity。 I bestowed two thousand crowns upon Henriette； and expended in the course of the day at least a quarter of my riches in trifles； as unnecessary as useless； and all this without once remembering that as I owed my present abundance to a momentary inclination on the part of the king； so the turn of an hour； or a fresh fancy on the part of my munificent adorer； might reduce me to the unprovided state in which I had been so lately。 That evening was passed tete…a…tete with comte Jean； he thought； as I did； that the foundation of our treasure was firm as a rock； and he gave me many counsels for the future which I promised to observe； for indeed it was to my own interest to do so。 Upon how many follies did we then debate； which； but a few days afterwards we found practicable。 The different ministers passed in review before us； some we determined upon retaining； whilst others were dismissed； and already I began in idea to act with sovereign power over these illustrious personages； amongst whom I anticipated shortly playing so important a part。 〃After all；〃 said I； 〃the world is but an amusing theatre； and I see no reason why a pretty woman should not play a principal part in it。〃
CHAPTER III
The king's messageLetter from the countessA second supper at VersaillesThe duc d'AyenA short account of M。 de FleuryThe duc de Duras …Conversation with the kingThe next dayA visit from the duc de RichelieuVisit from the duc de la VauguyonVisit from comte JeanVisit from the kingA third supperFavor
Early the following day I received a message from the king； accompanied with a bouquet of flowers tied round with a string of diamonds。 A short letter was annexed to this splendid gift； which I would transcribe here； had it not been taken from me with many others。 My reply； which I wrote upon the spur of the moment； was concise； and； as I preserved the rough copy； under the impression of its being one day useful； I can give the reader the exact words。
〃The billet traced by your noble hands； renders me the happiest of women。 My joy is beyond description。 Thanks； monsieur le Baron； for your charming flowers。 Alas！ they will be faded and withered by to…morrow； but not so fleeting and short…lived are the sentiments with which you have inspired me。 Believe me； the desire you express to see me again is entirely mutual； and in the impatience with which you await our next interview； I read but my own sentiments。 The ardor with which you long to embrace me； is fully equalled by the affection which leads me to desire no gratification greater than that of passing my whole life in your society。 Adieu； monsieur le baron； you have forbidden my addressing you as your rank and my respect would have me； I will therefore content myself with assuring you of the ardent affection of the
〃COMTESSE Du Barry。〃
The signature I adopted was a bold piece of falsehood； but it was too late to recede； besides； I was addressing myself in my letter； not to the king； but to the baron de Gonesse； for Louis； by I know not what unaccountable caprice； seemed to wish to preserve his incognito。 I have since learned that Francis I assumed the same name； altho' upon a very different occasion。 Replying to a letter from Charles V； in which that emperor had given himself a long string of high sounding titles； he contented himself with simply signing his letter； 〃