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Memoirs of the Comtesse Du Barry; with intimate details of her entire career as favorite of Louis XV by baron de Etienne Leon Lamothe-Langon
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third morning, Henriette came hastily into my room. "Madame," she
said, "the of the king is in the drawing-room,
and inquires if you will receive him."

At this news I was surprised and vexed. M. Lebel took me unawares;
my toilette was not begun. I gave a hasty glance at my mirror, "Let
M. Lebel come in"; and M. Lebel, who was on the heels of my maid,
entered instantly. After having saluted me, he said,

"It is only you, Madame, whom one might thus surprise. Your
beauty needs no ornament, your charms are decoration sufficient."

I replied to this compliment with (of course) much modesty,
according to custom. We entered into conversation, and I found
that Lebel really thought me the sister-in-law of comte Jean; and
I remarked the involuntary respect that attended even his familiarity.
I left him in his error, which was material to my interests. He
talked to me some time of my attractions, of the part which a
female like myself might assume in France. But fearing to
compromise myself, I made no reply, but preserved the reserve
which my character imposed upon me. I am not clever, my friend,
I never could conduct an intrigue: I feared to speak or do wrong;
and whilst I kept a tranquil appearance, I was internally agitated
at the absence of comte Jean.

Fortune sent him to me. He was passing the street, when he saw
at our door a carriage with the royal livery. Lebel always used
it when his affairs did not demand a positive incognito. This
equipage made him suspect a visit from Lebel, and he came in
opportunely to extricate me from my embarrassment.
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