"What is the matter with you to-day? In truth you are a perfect
little devil."

"I wish I were, that I might punish evil tongues, since there is
no king of France to avenge me."

"You are severe, madame," replied Louis XV, turning his imposing
and handsome face towards me, and to which he vainly endeavored
to give an air of anger. I saw my success, and added,

"Yes, sire, it is insupportable for me to think that I am supposed
not to possess your friendship, and that I only play the part of a
temporary friend. It makes me wretched: you must not be angry if
I complain of you to your royal self."

"Well, well, you madcap, what must I do? Whom must I banish?"

"Oh, sire, no one: with your august support I fear no person;
nothing but appearances."

"You are an excellent creature; in your place madame de Pompadour
would have imprisoned half France."

"That was because she loved revenge better than she loved your
majesty. As for me, I should be miserable if I were the cause of
one single family complaining against you."

The king, delighted at these words, which really came from my
heart, embraced me tenderly two or three times, and said,