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Updated: April 30, 2025
She even sought to irritate the dauphiness by insinuating the same mean and contemptible observations, and so far did she succeed, that when madame de Valentinois approached to express her hopes that the entertainment which she had honoured with her presence had been to her royal highness's satisfaction, the dauphiness coolly replied, "Do not, madame, affect to style this evening's fete one bestowed in honour of myself, or any part of my family; 'tis true we have been the ostensible causes, and have, by our presence, given it all the effect you desired, but you will pardon our omitting to thank you for an attention, which was in reality, directed to the comtesse du Barry and M. de Maupeou."
He was admitted, and the first glance of the countenance of M. de Maupeou convinced me that our day of power was rapidly closing. "Your servant, cousin," said he, seating himself without the smallest ceremony; "at what page of our history have we arrived?" "By the unusual freedom and effrontery of your manner," answered I, "I should surmise that we have reached the word finis."
Some days afterwards I made acquaintance with a person much more important than the little duke, and destined to play a great part in the history of France. I mean M. de Maupeou, the late chancellor, who, in his disgrace, would not resign his charge. M. de Maupeou possessed one of those firm and superior minds, which, in spite of all obstacles, change the face of empires.
He was admitted, and the first glance of the countenance of M. de Maupeou convinced me that our day of power was rapidly closing. "Your servant, cousin," said he, seating himself without the smallest ceremony; "at what page of our history have we arrived?" "By the unusual freedom and effrontery of your manner," answered I, "I should surmise that we have reached the word <finis>."
The king was pale with agitation, and for some minutes continued traversing the apartment with hasty strides; then he suddenly stopped. "You are then convinced, M. de Maupeou," cried he, "that the duke is leagued with the parliaments to weaken my authority?"
When M. d'Aiguillon had ceased speaking, the chancellor in his turn took up the conversation. M. de Maupeou was by nature cold and sarcastic, delighting in annoying any person; but, on the present occasion, the ill-nature inherent in him was still excited by the decided hatred he bore to the unfortunate M. de Sartines.
I could willingly have enjoyed a hearty laugh at this scene, but, out of respect for M. de Maupeou, I feigned to be much displeased with Zamor, whom I desired one of the attendants to flog for his rudeness. However, the guests and the chancellor uniting in entreaties that I would pardon him, I was obliged to allow my assumed anger to give way to their request, and the culprit received a pardon.
The duc de la Vauguyon was powerful, and represented the whole of a party that of the religionists, which was still further supported by the <princesses>; but for this very reason the triumvirate, consisting of messieurs d' Aiguillon, de Maupeou, and the abbe Terre, would not have accepted his services at any price.
Talented, a good speaker, even eloquent, M. de Maupeou possessed qualities which made the greatest enterprises successful. Hated by all, he despised men in a body, and jeered at them individually; but little sensible to the charms of our sex, he only thought of us by freaks, and as a means of relaxation. This is M. de Maupeou, painted to the life. As for his person, you know it as well as I do.
The duc d'Aiguillon also drew over to my party M. Bertin, who bore no love to the Choiseuls, and who saw that the preponderance of interest was on my side of the scale. When I was assured of a considerable number of defenders, I thought I might venture on the master stroke, and thus I went to work. One evening the king was with me, and the MM. de Maupeou and de Richelieu were there also.
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