recess of a window, looking to the right and left to discover the person
whom the Queen was seeking, when she thus addressed him: "M. d'Orville,
you have been several years at Versailles, soliciting a majority or a
King's lieutenancy. You must have very powerless patrons."--"I have none,
Madame," replied the Chevalier, in great confusion. "Well! I will take
you under my protection. To-morrow at the same hour be here with a
petition, and a memorial of your services." A fortnight after, M.
d'Orville was appointed King's lieutenant, either at La Rochelle or at
Rochefort.

[Louis XVI. vied with his Queen in benevolent actions of this kind. An old
officer had in vain solicited a pension during the administration of the
Duc de Choiseul. He returned to the charge in the times of the Marquis de
Montesnard and the Duc d'Aiguillon. He urged his claims, to Comte du Muy,
who made a note of them. Tired of so many fruitless efforts, he at last
appeared at the King's supper, and, having placed himself so as to be seen
and heard, cried out at a moment when silence prevailed, "Sire." The
people near him said, "What are you about? This is not the way to speak
to the King."--"I fear nothing," said he, and raising his voice, repeated,
"Sire." The King, much surprised, looked at him and said, "What do you
want, monsieur."--"Sire," answered he, "I am seventy years of age; I have
served your Majesty more than fifty years, and I am dying for
want."--"Have you a memorial?" replied the King. "Yes, Sire, I
have."--"Give it to me;" and his Majesty took it without saying anything
more. Next morning he was sent for by the, King, who said, "Monsieur, I
grant you an annuity of 1,500 livres out of my privy purse, and you may go
and receive the first year's payment, which is now due." ("Secret
Correspondence of the Court: Reign of Louis XVI.") The King preferred to
spend money in charity rather than in luxury or magnificence. Once during
his absence, M. d'Augivillers caused an unused room in the King's