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Comte Jean departed to seek the assistance of M. de Sartines, who was at that time entirely devoted to my interests; and, after having diligently searched the whole rue du Temple, he succeeded in discovering madame de Rumas.
"And do you treat it as a mere calumny?" said I. "No, sir, nothing can be more true; and if you would wish further confirmation, behold the letter which madame de Rumas wrote to the king only the day before yesterday; take it and read it."
In pursuance with this resolution, Chamilly informed the king, that he had just been informed that madame de Rumas had a lover, who boasted of being able to turn his majesty which way he pleased, through the intervention of his mistress. Louis XV wrote off instantly to M. de Sartines, to have a watchful eye over the proceedings of the Rumas family.
Accordingly his majesty wrote to madame de Rumas, who received the letter from the hands of her friend Chamilly with all pomp and state, talked first of her own virtue and honor, and afterwards of her dutiful respect for his majesty. She replied to the royal note in so prudent yet obliging a manner, that the king was enchanted.
"I know, madam," replied the hypocrite, "that his majesty finds great pleasure in your charming society." "And yet, sir," answered I, "his majesty experiences equal delight in the company of your wife. How answer you that, M. de Rumas?" "My wife, madam!" "Yes, sir, in the company of madame de Rumas; he pays her many private visits, secretly corresponds with her "
I was fully of her opinion, and only asked her assistance and co-operation in my plan of writing to M. de Rumas, and inviting him to come on the following day to the house of madame de Mirepoix.
"The confidence of his majesty must ever honor his subjects." "But," replied I, quickly, "may dishonor a husband." "How, madam! What is it you would insinuate?" "That your wife would fain supplant me, and that she is now the mistress of the king, although compelled to be such in secret." "Impossible," exclaimed M. de Rumas, "and some enemy to my wife has thus aspersed her to you."
At the next interview madame de Rumas freely confessed her sincere attachment for his majesty, but added, that such was her desire to possess his whole and undivided regard, that she could never give herself up to the hope of keeping him exclusively hers whilst I interposed between her and the king's heart in a few words then she demanded my dismissal.
On the following day. at an early hour, I repaired to the Port a l'Anglaise; M. de Rumas arrived there a few minutes after myself. He had the air and look of an honest man, but perhaps no species of deceit is more easily detected than that quiet, subdued manner, compressed lips, and uplifted eye.
Self-interest therefore bound her to my service, and accordingly she wrote to M. de Rumas a very pressing letter, requesting to see him on the following day upon matters of the highest importance. This letter sent off, I dined with the marechale, and then returned to sleep at Paris.
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