that it cannot disgust a lover by vilifying his mistress, but, on
the contrary, interests his self-love in supporting her. Thus
all these intrigues scathed me not; I did not mention to my
counsellor comte Jean an insult which I met with in the park
at Versailles from madame de Grammont. I did not tell it to the
king, not wishing to create any disturbance at court. I avenged
myself by myself, and think I conducted myself remarkably well
in this adventure, which was as follows:

I was walking in the garden with Henriette, who had given me her
arm; it was early in the morning, and the walks appeared solitary.
We walked towards the side of the Ile d'Amour, when we
heard the steps of two persons who came behind us. Henriette
turned her head and then said to me, "Here are mesdames de Brionne
and de Grammont." I knew the latter but very slightly, and the
former not at all. Certainly she could not have been there by
chance; they knew I should be there, and wished to see me closely.
Not suspecting what was to follow, I was delighted at the rencontre.
They passed us with head erect, haughty air; looked at me with a
disdainful stare, laughed rudely and walked away. Altho' such
behavior offended me, it did not put me out of humor; I thought
it very natural for madame de Grammont to be irritated against me.
Henriette had less magnanimity. She repeated so often how
impertinent it was thus to insult a female honored by the bounties
of the king, and so far excited my feelings, that instead of
returning as prudence suggested, I followed the steps of these
ladies. I did not proceed far before I rejoined them; they were
seated on a bench, awaiting my arrival as it appeared. I passed
close to them, and at that moment the duchesse de Grammont,
raising her voice, said,