he kept it, and next day sent me a golden goblet enriched with
stones, which I gave to Chon, to whom it rightfully belonged.



CHAPTER VI


Journey to Choisy--The comtesse du Barry and Louis XV--The king
of Denmark--The czar Peter--Frederick II--The abbe de la Chapelle--
An experiment--New intrigues--Secret agents-The comtesse and
Louis XV--Of the presentation--Letter of the comtesse to the
duc d'Aiguillon--Reply--Prince de Soubise

Up to this period I had resided constantly at Versailles or Paris,
according to the pleasure of the king, but had never followed his
majesty in any of his journeys. He wished to pass some days at
his delightful chateau at Choisy, situated on the banks of the
Seine. It was decided that I should be of the party, taking the
name of the baroness de Pamklek, a German lady, as that would
save me from the embarrassment in which I should be placed with
the king in consequence of my non-presentation. The prince de
Soubise, the ducs de la Trimoulle, d'Ayen, d'Aiguillon, and the
marquis de Chauvelin, were also to attend the king. The king
remained nearly the whole time with me, and the < entree > to my
apartment became a favor not accorded to every body. A small
committee met there, and talked of every thing except what is
rational; and I can assure you that with such conversation time
passes very quickly.