I should tell you, however, that I never had occasion but to
speak well of him, and that I have the utmost gratitude for all
he did for me. The attachment he testified on our first meeting
has never been altered. He gave me his protection as far as it
was necessary for me, and when the favor of the king had accorded
to me a station, whence all the court sought to hurl me, Lebel
seconded me with all his power in my efforts to preserve it. I
will say, that it is to his vigilance that I owe the overthrow of
more than one conspiracy against me. He was a warm and sincere
friend, and not at all interested in the services he rendered. He
did a great deal of good, as well as harm, in private. I know
poor families whom he has assisted with his own purse, when he
could obtain nothing for them from the king, for Louis was only
prodigal in his pleasures.

However, we dined, and Lebel praised me incessantly to the very
skies, and that with so much warmth, that I was fearful at one time
he would fall in love with me himself, and would not resign me to
another. Thank heaven, Lebel was a faithful servant.

After dinner, when we left the table, Lebel paid me some
compliments; then pulling out his watch, he spoke of an
appointment at the Marais, and left without saying a word of
seeing us again.

At this abrupt departure, comte Jean and I looked at each other
with astonishment. As for Morand, he was overjoyed.

"Well, comtesse," said he, "behold the number of your slaves