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.