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"I shall be delighted to do so, and I am sure the message will give her great pleasure." Lebel shewed me my ring, and I shewed him his, and gave him a superb watch for my son. "You must give it him," I said, "when you think he is old enough." We shall hear of the young gentleman in twenty-one years at Fontainebleau.
Lebel came to pay me his respects while I was at table. I made him sit down, while I thanked him for procuring me a housekeeper who was all perfection. Lebel was a fine man, middle-aged, witty, and an excellent steward, though perfectly honest. "Which of you two," said he to me, "is the most taken in?" "We are equally pleased with each other," answered my charming housekeeper.
All I shall say is, that the following day, as soon as I was left alone in my chamber, Lebel entered, and prostrating himself at the side of my bed, "Madame la comtesse," said he, "is queen and mistress here.
The duc de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry The marquis de Chauvelin and the comtesse M. de Montbarrey and the comtesse Intrigues Lebel Arrival of the du Barry family The comte d'Hargicourt The demoiselles du Barry Marriage of the comtesse The marquis de Bonrepos Correspondences The broken glass The prince de Soubise was not the only person who wished to act in the capacity of mentor to me.
In fact, I believe that the first breath inspired at court is fraught with falsehood and deceit, entirely destructive to every feeling of natural candor. Lebel, with the most ceremonious gallantry, conducted me to a private dressing-room, where I found several females waiting to assist me at my toilet; I abandoned myself to their cares, which were, indeed, most skilfully exercised in my behalf.
We entered into conversation, and I found that Lebel really thought me the sister-in-law of comte Jean; and I remarked the involuntary respect that attended even his familiarity. I left him in his error, which was material to my interests. He talked to me some time of my attractions, of the part which a female like myself might assume in France.
Morand alone must dine with Lebel; he ought to have a place at the feast which he furnishes with such good music. Come, my dear girl, we touch the moment of importance, it is in your beauty and power of pleasing that I place all my hopes. I think I may rely on you; but, above all, do not forget that you are my sister-in-law."
"No, no, I thank you," answered I; "no falls if you please, they are not propitious in France." Whilst we were thus speaking, we were crossing a long suite of chambers, and reached the one at which we were expected. We knocked cautiously at a door, which was opened to us with equal caution. Scarcely had we entered, than Lebel came eagerly forward to receive us.
I supped with her and the Mother-Abbess, who was called Madame Bertrand. I had presented the aigrette Madame de Pompadour gave me before supper, which had greatly delighted the young lady, and she was in high spirits. Madame Bertrand had been housekeeper to M. Lebel, first valet de chambre to the King. He called her Dominique, and she was entirely in his confidence.
Lebel, unnerved by his colleague's silence, broke in gruffly at last: "Well then, citizen," he said, with a feeble attempt at another sneer, "if you are not thinking of sending us all to the guillotine just yet, perhaps you will be good enough to explain just how the matter stands?" "Fairly simply, alas!" replied Chauvelin dryly.
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