his look serious. By his manner I augured that my reign had
passed, and that I must quit my post. I awaited what he should
say with mortal impatience. At length he began thus:

"Madame, you have many bitter enemies, who are laboring to
effect your ruin with a blood-thirstiness which nothing can assuage.
They have now spread a report that you are not married. This
infamous calumny--"

"Ah, is that all?' said I with joy; "no, my dear Lebel, this time
they do not calumniate me. The worthy creatures for once are right."

"What," said Lebel, in a tone of alarm almost comic, "what, are
you really not married?"

"No."

"Are you not the wife of the comte Guillaume du Barry?"

"No."

"Then you have deceived the king, and played with me."

"Lebel, my friend, take another tone. No one has any right to
complain. You have given me to the king as a person to please
him; I do so. The rest can be no matter of yours."

"Pardon me, madame; it is a matter of the greatest consequence to
me. I am terribly compromised in this affair, and you with me."