which nothing could justify. They were incessantly talking
scandal of my past life, as if there were only saints at court, as
if they had no pranks of their own to reproach themselves with.
All the chateau knew of their lovers, and there was
evidence of the tenderness of madame Adelaide: as for madame
Louise she was an angel upon earth, and was the only one who
did not join in the cry against me. On the other hand, the king,
whilst he had but little love for his dear daughters, preserved
towards them a complaisance and external appearance of kindness
which was a substitute for parental love. When
cried out, he stopped his ears with his two hands, and seemed,
whilst looking proudly at France, to say, "Am not I a good father,
and are not my daughters very happy, for I let them cry out with
all their might?"

The next day the duc d'Aiguillon went again to the king, and found
him bewildered with family scenes and the murmurings of the
Choiseuls. When my ambassador had delivered his message, the
king asked him if he, as well as the prince de Soubise, had been
set upon his haunches by me.

The duke, nothing intimidated at this, told the king that far from
having wished that he should be my interpreter, I had requested
him not to allude to the matter.

"Why, then," said Louis XV laughing, "do you not follow the
advice of the comtesse?"

"Because I entertain a sincere attachment for her, and that I am
vexed to hear it said that there are persons who lead your majesty."