me on the strength of our former acquaintance; she had so little
sense as not to perceive the immense distance between us which a
few days had caused, and that the opera-dancer kept by the prince
de Soubise could have no relation with the favorite of the king
of France. I endeavored, in vain, to make her perceive it, without
mortifying her too much. She always called me her dear friend,
and fairly slaughtered me with saying that prince would
protect me. It was singular for her to speak thus to me; to me
from whom prince solicited protection. She did not confine
herself to this, she even insinuated to me that I should be a
gainer in some way. I laughed outright at this, and said to the
, who was stationed at the door, "Call
mademoiselle's servants." This annoyed her excessively; all the
muscles of her face were contracted with rage; but she restrained
her wrath, saluted me with an assumed respect, and went away,
after having so worthily acquitted herself of her foolish embassy.

She had quitted me for an hour, when I received a letter from
him who had sent her. The prince de Soubise begged me to grant
him an interview, in which he could enter into an explanation. I
replied that I would receive him, and he came the same day.

"I am much pained, madame," said he, on entering, "that
mademoiselle Guimard has communicated with so little address
what I wished to say to you."

"Prince, I think you would have done better to have been the bearer
of your own message. You know my station here, and would not
have ridiculed me as she has done."