The ladies did not anticipate this. The duchesse de Grammont
particularly, in spite of long residence at court, turned pale to
her very ears, and I believe but for etiquette she would have
fallen into a swoon. I learnt afterwards from the marechale de
Mirepoix, that the duchesse, on going home, gave herself up to a
fit of rage, which did not terminate even on the following day.
When the king related this occurrence to me, he was as proud
of it as if he had done a most courageous deed.

But I have omitted a day which was of great importance to me in its
consequences. I mean the day which followed that on which I had
complained to the duc de Duras of M. the lieutenant of police. In
the morning early my sister-in-law came into my room.

"Sister," said she, "comte Jean is here with M. de Sartines, who
begs to pay his respects to you. Will you receive him?"

"M. de Sartines! Yes, let him come in; I will treat him as
he deserves."

Comte Jean then came in, preceded by the lieutenant of police: he
wore a large peruke with white powder, and curled with the utmost
care. Wigs were his mania, and he had a room filled from floor
to ceiling with these ornaments. The duc d'Ayen said, that he
never should be in trouble about the council of state, for in case
of need, it might be found and replenished from the house of the
lieutenant of police. Let us leave wigs and revert to M. de Sartines.

He appeared before me with the air of Tartuffe, and, forgive the
phrase, .