YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

From the Library of
IRVING GOODWIN VANN, '63
Gift of his children
FLORENCE VANN FOWLER
IRVING DILLAYE VANN, '97

JEANNE VAUBERNIER, COMTESSE DU BARRY
From the portrait by J. J. Caffieri, 1770

Copyright, 1 903,

M. WALTER DUNNE,
PUBLISHER

ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING PAGE
Jeanne Vaubernier, Comtesse du Barry . . . Frontispiece
From the portrait by J. J. Caffieri, 1770.
(<Get me the Little Stars, with Silver Strings, to Hang
them in my Hair, your Majesty8  48
From David Belasco's play, Du Barry, by courtesy of Mr.
Belasco and Mrs. Leslie Carter. This play was produced
at the Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1902, with Mrs.
Leslie Carter as La Du Barry.
(< Monsieur, I Have Enemies enough at Court without you.
Won't you Tell me How I Can Win your Friendship ? » 104
From David Belasco's play, Du Barry, by courtesy of Mr.
David Belasco and Mrs. Leslie Carter. This play was
produced at the Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1902,
with Mrs. Leslie Carter as La Du Barry.
Louis the Fifteenth ....  150
From the portrait by Ferrand, 1760.
« Permit me, Madame la Comtesse,8 Said the Papal Nunzio 198
From David Belasco's play, Du Barry, by courtesy of Mr.
David Belasco and Mrs. Leslie Carter. This play was
produced at the Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1902,
with Mrs. Leslie Carter as La Du Barry.
Facsimile of Letter from Madame du Barry to the Due
de Brissac  ... 288
«Oh, Cosse, Have I Hurt you, Have I Hurt you?" . . . 344
From David Belasco's play, Du Barry, by courtesy of Mr.
David Belasco and Mrs. Leslie Carter. This play was
produced at the Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1902,
with Mrs. Leslie Carter as La Du Barry. (vii)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. PAGK
Letter from Lebel — Visit from Lebel — Nothing conclusive — An
other visit from Lebel — Invitation to sup with the king —
Instructions of the comte Jean to the comtesse. . i
CHAPTER II.
A slight preface — Arrival at Versailles — La toilette — Portrait
of the king — The due de Richelieu — The marquis de
Chauvelin — The due de la Vauguyon — Supper with the
king — The first night — The following day — The curios
ity of comte Jean — Presents from the king — How disposed
of. .  i . . . . . 9
CHAPTER III.
The king's message — Letter from the countess — A second sup
per at Versailles — The due d'Ayen — A short account of
M. de Fleury — The due de Duras — Conversation with the
king — The next day — A visit from the due de Richelieu —
Visit from the due de la Vauguyon — Visit from comte Jean
— Visit from the king — A third supper — Favor. . . 20
CHAPTER IV.
The due d'Aiguillon — The due de Fronsac — The duchesse de
Grammont — The meeting — Sharp words on both sides —
The due de Choiseul — Mesdames d'Aiguillon — Letter from
the due d'Aiguillon — Reply of madame du Barry — Mademoi
selle Guimard — The prince de Soubise — Explanation — The
Rohans — Madame de Marsan — Court friendships  38
CHAPTER V.
The due de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry — The
marquis de Chauvelin and the comtesse — M. de Montbar-
rey and the comtesse — Intrigues — Lebel — Arrival of the
du Barry family — The comte d'Hargicourt — The demoi
selles du Barry — Marriage of the comtesse — The marquis
de Bonrepos — Correspondences — The broken glass. . . 37
(ix)

x TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER VI. page
Journey to Choisy— The comtesse du Barry and Louis XV.—
The king of Denmark — The czar Peter— Frederick II.—
The abbe de la Chapelle — An experiment — New intrigues
— Secret agents — The comtesse and Louis XV. — Of the
presentation — Letter of the comtesse to the due d'Aiguil
lon — Reply — Prince de Soubise  46
CHAPTER VII.
The comtesse and the due d'Aiguillon — M. de Soubise — Louis
XV. and the due d'Aiguillon — Letter from the comtesse
to the king — Answer of the king— The « Nouvelles a la
Main »— The comtesse and Louis XV. —The supper —
The court ladies mystified — The comtesse and M. de
Sartines  55
CHAPTER VIII.
The sieur Ledoux — The lettre de cachet — The due de la Vril-
liere — Madame de Langeac — M. de Maupeou — Louis XV.
— The comte Jean  64
CHAPTER IX.
The king of Denmark — The courtesans of Paris — The due de
Choiseul and the bishop of Orleans — Witty repartees of the
king of Denmark — His visit to madame du Barry — <(The
court of king Petaud,» a satire — Letter of the due d'Aiguil
lon to Voltaire — The duchesse de Grammont mystified —
Unpublished letter of Voltaire's  70
CHAPTER X.
When is the presentation to take place? — Conversation on this
subject with the king — M. de Maupeou and M. de la Vau
guyon — Conversation on the same subject with the king
and the due de Richelieu — M. de la Vrilliere — M. Bertin
— Louis XV. and the comtesse — The king's promise — The
fire-works, an anecdote — The marquise de Castellane — M.
de Maupeou at the due de Choiseul's — The duchesse de
Grammont  79

TABLE OF CONTENTS xi
CHAPTER XI. PAGE
A word concerning the duchesse de Choiseul — The apartment
of the comte de Noailles — The Noailles — Intrigues for the
presentation — The comte de Beam — M. Morand once more
— Visit of the comtesse Beam to the comtesse du Barry —
Conversation — Interested complaisance — The king and the
comtesse du Barry — Dispute and reconciliation  87
CHAPTER XII.
The comtesse de Beam — The supper — Louis XV. — Intrigues
against my presentation — M. de Roquelaure — The scalded
foot — The comtesse d'Aloigny — The due d'Aiguillon and
madame de Beam — Anger of the king's daughters — Ma
dame Adelaide and the comtesse du Barry — Dissatisfaction
of the king. ..... . ... 94
CHAPTER XIII.
Of the presentation — The king and the due de Richelieu at the
comtesse du Barry's — M. de la Vauguyon — Conversation
— Letter of the duke to the comtesse du Barry — Reply —
The countess unites herself with the Jesuit party — Madame
Louise — Madame Sophie — M. Bertin — Madame de Berch-
eny. . . . ....  . . 101
CHAPTER XIV.
The princesses consent to the presentation of madame du Barry
— Ingenious artifice employed by the king to offer a pres
ent to the due de la Vauguyon — Madame du Barry's letter
respecting it — The duke's reply — The king's letter — The
court in despair — Couplets concerning madame du Barry —
Her presentation — A change in public opinion — An even
ing party at the house of the countess — Joy of her partizans
— Conversation with the chancellor respecting the lady of
the marechal de Mirepoix  108
CHAPTER XV.
The comte de la Marche, a prince of the blood — Madame de
Beauvoir, his mistress — Madame du Barry complains to the
prince de Soubise of the princess de Guemenee — The king
consoles the countess for this — The due de Choiseul — The
king speaks to him of madame du Barry — Voltaire writes
to her — The opinions of Richelieu and the king concerning
Voltaire  121

xii TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI. PAGE
Unpublished letter of Voltaire to madame du Barry — Reply of
the countess — The marechale de Mirepoix — Her first inter
view with madame du Barry — Anecdote of the diamonds
of madame de Mirepoix — The king pays for them — Singu
lar gratitude of the marechale — The portfolio, and an un
published letter of the marquise de Pompadour  134
CHAPTER XVII.
Conversation of the marechale de Mirepoix with the comtesse
du Barry on court friendship — Intrigues of madame de
Beam — Preconcerted meeting with madame de Plaracourt
— Rage of madame de Beam — Portrait and conversation
of madame de Flaracourt with the comtesse du Barry — In
sult from the princesse de Guemenee — Her banishment —
Explanation of the king and the due de Choiseul relative to
madame du Barry — The comtesse d'Egmont  144
CHAPTER XVIII.
Intrigue of the comtesse d'Egmont with a shopman — His un
happy fate — The comtesse du Barry protects him — Con
duct of Louis XV. upon the occasion — The young man
quits France — Madame du Barry's letter to the comtesse
d'Egmont — Quarrel with the marechal de Richelieu. . . 155
CHAPTER XIX.
Madame du Barry separates from madame de Beam — Letters
between these ladies — Portrait of madame de l'Hopital —
The ladder — The bell — Conversation with madame de
Mirepoix — First visit to Chantilly — Intrigues to prevent
the countess from going thither — The king's displeasure
towards the princesses — The archbishop de Senlis. ... 167
CHAPTER XX.
Unpublished letter of Louis XV. — Madame du Barry's cousin,
M. de Maupeou — The comtesse du Barry saves the life of
a young girl seduced by the arts of the cure of her village
— She obtains pardon of the comte and comtesse de Lou-
erne — The king presents her with Lucienne — A second
meeting with the youthful prophet— His further predictions
— He is sought for — His mysterious letter to the countess. 181

TABLE OF CONTENTS xiii
CHAPTER XXI.
-, , ,. PAGE
Extraordinary anecdote of Louis XIV. and madame de Mainte-
non — The comtesse du Barry at Chantilly — Opinion of the
king and comte de la Marche respecting the «Iron Mask»
— Madame du Barry visits madame de Lagarde  192
CHAPTER XXII.
The chevalier de la Morliere — Portrait of the due de Choiseul
— The due de Choiseul and the comtesse du Barry— No
reconciliation effected— Madame du Barry and the due
d'Aiguillon — Madame du Barry and Louis XV  205
CHAPTER XXIII.
Dorine — Mademoiselle Choin and the marechal d'Uxelles — Zamor
— M. de Maupeou's wig — Henriette — The due de Villeroi
and Sophie — Letter from the comtesse du Barry to the due
de Villeroi — His reply — The countess writes again — Ma
dame du Barry and Sophie — Louis XV. and the comtesse
du Barry  212
CHAPTER XXIV.
The prince des Deux Ponts — Prince Max — The dauphin and
Marie Antoinette — The comtesse du Barry and Bridget
Rupert — The countess and Genevieve Mathon — Noel —
Fresh amours — Nocturnal adventure — Conclusion of this
intrigue  ,  223
CHAPTER XXV.
Madame du t Barry succeeds in alienating Louis XV. from the
due de Choiseul — Letter from madame de Grammont —
Louis XV. — The chancellor and the countess — Louis XV.
and the abbe de la Ville — The marechale de Mirepoix and
madame du Barry  234
CHAPTER XXVI.
Baron d'Oigny, general post-master — The king and the countess
read the opened letters — The disgrace of de Choiseul re
solved upon — Lettre de cachet — Anecdote — Spectre of
Philip II., king of Spain — The due de Choiseul banished —
Visits to Chanteloup — The princesses — The dauphin and
dauphiness— Candidates for the ministry  243

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER XXVII.

The comte de la Marche and the comtesse du Barry — The coun
tess and the prince de Conde — The due de la Vauguyon
and the countess — Provisional minister — Refusal of the
secretaryship of war — Displeasure of the king — The mar6-
chale de Mirepoix — Unpublished letter from Voltaire to
madame du Barry — Her reply  253
CHAPTER XXVIII.
A few words respecting Jean Jacques Rousseau — The comtesse
du Barry is desirous of his acquaintance — The countess
visits Jean Jacques Rousseau — His household furniture —
His portrait — Therese — A second visit from madame du
Barry to Jean Jacques Rousseau — The countess relates her
visit to the king — Billet from J. J. Rousseau to madame
du Barry — The two duchesses d'Aiguillon  262

CHAPTER XXIX.
The king's friends — The due de Fronsac — The due d'Ayen's
remark — Manner of living at court — The marquis de Dreux
— Breze — Education of Louis XV. — The Parc-aux-Cerfs —
Its household — Its inmates — Mere Bompart — Livres ex
pended on the Parc-aux-Cerfs — Good advice — Madame.. 275
CHAPTER XXX.
Fete given by the comtesse de Valentinois — The comtesse du
Barry ,' feigns an indisposition — Her dress — The due de
Cosse — The comte and comtesse de Provence — Dramatic
entertainment — Favart and Voisenon — A few observations
— A pension — The marechale de Luxembourg — Adventure
of M. de Bombelles — Copy of a. letter addressed to him —
Louis XV. — M. de Maupeou and madame du Barry. . . 283
CHAPTER XXXI.
Madame du Barry purchases the services of Marin the gazetteer
— Louis XV. and madame de Rumas — M. de Rumas and
the comtesse du Barry — An intrigue — Denouement — A
present upon the occasion — The due de Richelieu in dis
grace — 100,000 livres  295

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER XXXII. PAGE
prefatory remark — Madame Brillant — The marechale de Lux
embourg's cat — Despair of the marechale — The ambas
sador, Beaumarchais, and the due de Chaulnes — The
comte d'Aranda — Louis XV. and his relics — The abbe de
Beauvais — His sermons — He is appointed bishop. . . . 307

CHAPTER XXXIII.
M. D  n and madame de Blessac — Anecdote — The rendez
vous and the ball — The wife of Gaubert — They wish to
give her to the king — Intrigues — Their results — Letter
from the due de la Vrilliere to the countess — Reply —
Reconciliation  . ... . 316

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Conversation with the king — Marriage of the comte d'Artois —
Intrigues — The place of lady of honor — The marechale de
Mirepoix — The comtesse de Forcalquier and madame du
Barry — The comtesse de Forcalquier and madame Bon
cault  322

CHAPTER XXXV.
Marriage of madame Boncault — The comte de Bourbon Busset
— Marriage of comte d'Hargicourt — Disgrace of the comte de
Broglie — He is replaced by M. Lemoine — The king com
plains of ennui — Conversations on the subject — Entry into
Paris  331

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Visit from a stranger — Madame de Pompadour and a Jacobinical
monk — Continuation of this history — Deliverance of a state
prisoner — A meeting with the stranger.  339

CHAPTER XXXVII.
conspiracy — A scheme for poisoning madame du Barry —
The four bottles — Letter to the due d'Aiguillon — Advice
of the ministers — Opinion of the physicians — The chan
cellor and lieutenant of police — Resolution of the council. . 347

xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXVIII. PAGE
Conclusion of this affair — A letter from the incognita— Her ex
amination—Arrest of Cabert the Swiss — He dies in the Bas
tille of poison — Madame Lorimer is arrested and poisoned
— The innocence of the Jesuits acknowledged — Madame de
Mirepoix and the 100,000 francs — Forgetfulness on the part
of the lieutenant of police — A visit from comte Jean — Ma
dame de Mirepoix  35°
CHAPTER XXXIX.
My alarms — An Sieve of the Parc-aux-Cerfs — Comte Jean en
deavours to direct the king's ideas — A supper at Trianon
— Table talk — The king, is seized with illness — His con
versation with me — The joiner's daughter and the small
pox—My despair — Conduct of La Martiniere the surgeon. 366
CHAPTER XL.
La Martiniere causes the king to be removed to Versailles —
The young prophet appears again to madame du Barry —
Prediction respecting cardinal de Richelieu — The joiner's
daughter requests to see madame du Barry — Madame de
Mirepoix and the 50,000 francs — A soirie in the salon of
madame du Barry  380
CHAPTER XLI.
Interview with the joiner's daughter — Consultation of the physi
cians respecting the king — The small-pox declares itself —
The comte de Muy — The princesses — Extreme sensibility
of madame de Mirepoix — The king is kept in ignorance of
his real condition — The archbishop of Paris visits Versailles. 394
CHAPTER XLII. ,
First proceedings of the council — The dauphin receives the prel-
' ates with great coolness — Situation of the archbishop of
Paris — Richelieu evades the project for confessing the king
— The friends of madame du Barry come forward — The
English physician — The abbe Terray — Interview with the
prince de Soubise — The prince and the courtiers — La
Martiniere informs the king of France the true nature of
his complaint — Consequences of this disclosure. .... 407

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER XLIII. PAGE
Terror of the king — A complication — Filial piety of the prin
cesses — Last interview between madame du Barry and
Louis XV. — Conversation with the marechale de Mire
poix — The chancellor Maupeou — The fragment — Comte
Jean  420
CHAPTER XLIV.
The due d'Aiguillon brings an order for the immediate depar
ture of madame du Barry — The king's remarks recapitu
lated — The countess holds a privy council • — Letter to
madame de Mirepoix and the dues de Cosse and d'Aiguil
lon — Night of departure — Ruel — Visit from madame de
Forcalquier  ........ 426
CHAPTER XLV.
The due d'Aiguillon's first letter — The marechale de Mirepoix
— A second letter from the due d'Aiguillon — Numerous
visitors. ...  433
CHAPTER XLVI.
A third letter from the duke — The king receives extreme unc
tion — Letter from madame Victoire to the dauphin — M.
de Machault — A promenade with the due de Cosse — Kind
attention from the prince des Deux Ponts — A fourth letter
from the due d'Aiguillon — Comte Jean bids me farewell —
M. d'Aiguillon's fifth letter, containing an account of the
death of Louis XV. — The due de la Vrilliere — The Lettre
de cachet — Letter to the queen — Departure for the abbey
of Pont aux Dames. . .  436

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION

Up to the time of the Du Barry the court of France
had been the stage where the whole political and
human drama of that country was enacted. Un
der Louis XV. the drama had been transformed into
parades — parades which were of as much importance to
the people as to those who took part in them. The
spectators, hitherto silent, now began to hiss and be
moved. The scene of the comedy was changed, and the
play was continued among the spectators. The old the
atre became an ante-chamber or a dressing-room, and
was no longer important except in connection with the
Cardinal de Bernis and the Due de Richelieu, or Madame
de Pompadour and Madame du Barry.
The monarchy had still a step to take towards its
downfall. It had already created the Pare aux Cerfs
(Louis XV. 's seraglio), but had not yet descended to the
Parisian house of prostitution. It made this descent
leaning on the arm of Madame du Barry. Madame du
Barry was a moral sister to Manon Lescaut, but instead
of taking herself off to Louisiana to repent, she plunged
into the golden whirlpool at Versailles as a finish to her
career. Could the coaches of a King mean more than
the ordinary carriage of an abandoned girl ?
Jeanne Vaubernier — known in the bagnios by the name
of Mademoiselle Lange — was born at Vaucouleurs, as
was Jeanne d'Arc. Better still, this later Jeanne said
openly at Versailles — dared she say otherwise? — that
she was descended in a straight line from the illustrious,
the venerated, the august, sacred, national maid, Jeanne.
<( Why did Du Barry come to Paris ? B says Leon Gozlan
in that account of the Chateau de Lucienne which
(xix)

xx SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
makes a brilliant and learned chapter in the history of
France. "Does one ever know precisely why things are
done ? She obeyed the magnet which attracts to Paris
all who in themselves have a title to glory, to celebrity,
or to misfortune. Du Barry had a pretty, provincial
face, bright and charming, a face astonished at every
thing, hair soft and ash-colored, blue eyes, veiled and
half open, and a skin fair with rose tints. She was a
child of destiny. Who could have said, when she crossed
the great town in her basket cart, which rolled lazily
along on its massive, creaking wheels, that some day she
would have equipages more beautiful than any of those
which covered her with mud in passing, and on her
arms more laces and diamonds than any of these ladies
attended by footmen in liveries?"
When Jeanne left the provinces to come to Paris, she
found her native country. She was granted the freedom
of the city, and expanded in her joy like a delicate
plant transplanted into a hothouse. She found herself
at home for the first time ; and felt that she could rule as a
despot over all frequenters of the streets. She learned
fashion and love at one and the same time. Gourdan
had a hat made for her, and, as a reward, initiated her
into the customs. But she was called to other destinies.
One day, when she was walking in the Tuileries, a
lunatic — and lunatics have second sight — asked her
favor when she should become queen. Du Barry said
to herself: <(This man is mad." But then she thought
of the Pompadour, blushed — it was the only time — and
turned her eyes towards Versailles.
But Versailles was an unhoped-for shore to such a
girl as this, a girl known to all Paris. Would the King
care to be the lover of one who had ruled all his courte
sans ? Who could say ? The King often wearied of what
he had. Had not a poet already been found who com
pared her to Venus: O Jeanne, thy beauty seduces
And charms the whole world;
In vain does the duchess redden
And the princess growl;

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
They know that Venus rides proudly
The foam of the wave.

The poet, while not Voltaire, was no less a man than
Boufflers. While the' King was seeking a mistress — a nocturnal
reverse of Diogenes, fleeing from the lanterns of the
wise — he found Jeanne Vaubernier. He thought he could
love her for one evening. "Not enough," said she, "you
must love me until broad daylight." So he loved her
for a whole day. What should one eat in order to be
loved by royalty ? Was it necessary to have a coat of
arms ? She had them in number, because she had been
loved by all the great names in the book of heraldry.
And so she begged the Viscount Jean du Barry to give
her the title of viscountess. "Better still," exclaimed
Jean, "I will give you the title of countess. My brother
will marry you; he is a male scamp, and you are the
female. What a beautiful marriage ! "
So they were united. The newly made countess was
solemnly presented at court by a countess of ancient
date, namely, the Countess de Beam. King Voltaire
protested, in a satire entitled " The Court of King
Petaud'* (topsy-turvy), afterwards denying it. The Due
de Choiseul protested, France protested, but all Versailles
threw itself passionately at the feet of the new countess.
Even the daughters of the King paid her court, and
allowed her to call them by their pet names: Loque,
Chiffe, and Graille. The King, jealous of this gracious
familiarity, wished her to call him by some pet name,
and so the Bacchante, who believed that through the
King she held all France in her hand, called him • La
France," making him a wife to his Gray Musketeers.
Oh, that happy time! Du Barry and Louis XV. hid
their life — like the sage — in their little apartments. She
honeyed his chocolate, and he himself made her coffee.
Royalty consecrated a new verb for the dictionary of
the Academy, and Madame du Barry said to the King:
" At home, I can love you to madness. " The King gave
the castle of Lucienne to his mistress in order to be

XX11

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION

able to sing the same song. Truly the Romeo and Juliet
de la main gauche.
Du Barry threw out her fish-wifely epithets with inef
fable tenderness. She only opened her eyes half way,
even when she took him by the throat. The King was
enchanted by these humors. It was a new world. But
someone said to him: "Ah! Sire, it is easy to see that
your Majesty has never been at the house of Gourdan."
Yet Du Barry was adored by poets and artists. She
extended both hands to them. Jeanne's beauty had a
penetrating, singular charm. At once she was blonde
and brunette — black eyebrows and lashes with blue eyes,
rebellious light hair with darker shadows, cheeks of ideal
contour, whose pale rose tints were often heightened
by two or three touches — a lie "formed by the hand
of Love," as anthology puts it — a nose with expressive
nostrils, an air of childlike candour, and a look seductive
to intoxication. A bold yet shrinking Venus, a Hebe
yet a Bacchante. With much grace Voltaire says:
« Madame: «M. de la Borde tells me that you have ordered him to kiss me
on both cheeks for you:
« That! Two kisses at life's end
What a passport to send me!
Two is one too much, Adorable Nymph;
I should die of pleasure at the first.
He showed me your portrait, and be not offended, Madame, when I
tell you that I have taken the liberty of giving that the two kisses.8
Perhaps Voltaire would not have written this letter, had
he not read the one written by the King to the Due de
Choiseul, who refused to pay court to the left-hand queen :
«My Cousin,
(<The discontent which your acts cause me forces me to exile you
to Chanteloup, where you will take yourself within twenty-four hours.
I would have sent you farther away were it not for the particular
esteem in which I hold Madame de Choiseul. With this, I pray
God, my cousin, to take you into His safe and holy protection. « Louis. »
This exile was the only crime of the courtesan. On none
of her enemies did she close the gates of the Bastille. And

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION xxiii
more than once did she place a pen in the hands of Louis
XV. with which to sign a pardon. Sometimes, indeed,
she was ironic in her compassion.
" Madame, " said M. de Sartines to her one day, " I have
discovered a rogue who is scattering songs about you;
what is to be done with him ? "
"Sentence him to sing them for a livelihood."
But she afterwards made the mistake of pensioning
Chevalier de Morande to buy silence.
The pleasures of the King and his favorite were troubled
only by the fortune-tellers. Neither the King nor the
countess believed in the predictions of the philosophers,
but they did believe in divination. One day, returning
from Choisy, Louis XV. found under a cushion of his
coach a slip of paper on which was transcribed this pre
diction of the monk Aimonius, the savant who could read
all things from the vast book of the stars:
«As soon as Childeric had returned from
Thuringia, he was crowned King of France
And no sooner was he King than he espoused
Basine, wife of the King of Thuringia.
She came herself to find Childeric. The
first night of the marriage, and before the King
had retired, the queen begged Childeric to look
from one of the palace windows which opened on a
park, and tell what he saw there. Childeric
looked out and, much terrified, reported to the
princess that he had seen tigers and lions.
Basine sent him a second time to look out.
This time the prince only saw bears and wolves,
and the third time he perceived only cats and dogs,
fighting and combating each other. Then Basine
said to him: I will give you an explanation of what
you have seen: The first figure shows you your
successors, who will excel you in courage and power;
the second represents another race which will be
illustrious for their conquests, and which will augment
your kingdom for many centuries; but the third denotes
the end of your kingdom, which will be given over to pleasures
and will lose to you the friendship of your subjects;
and this because the little animals signify a people who,
emancipated from fear of princes, will massacre them and then
make war upon each other.*

xxiv SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
Louis read the prediction and passed the paper to
the Countess: "After us the end of the world," said she
gaily. The King laughed, but the Abb6 de Beauvais
celebrated high mass at Versailles after the carnival of
1774, and dared to say, in righteous anger: "This
carnival is the last; yet forty days and Nineveh shall
perish." Louis turned pale. "Is it God who speaks
thus ? " murmured he, raising his eyes to the altar. The
next day he went to the hunt in grand style, but from that
evening he was afraid of solitude and silence : " It is like
the tomb; I do not wish to put myself in such a place,"
said he to Madame du Barry. The' Due de Richelieu
tried to divert him. "No," said he suddenly, as if the
Trappist's denunciation had again recurred to him, " I shall
be at ease only when these forty days have passed." He
died on the fortieth day.
Du Barry believed neither in God nor in the devil, but
she believed in the almanac of Liege. She scarcely read
any book but this — faithful to her earliest habits. And the
almanac of Liege, in its prediction for April, 1774, said:
" A woman, the greatest of favorites, will play her last
role." So Madame the Countess du Barry said without
ceasing : " I shall not be tranquil until these forty days
have passed. " The thirty-seventh day the King went to
the hunt attended with all the respect due to his rank.
Jeanne wept in silence and prayed to God as one who has
long neglected her prayers.
Louis XV. had not neglected his prayers, and gave
two hundred thousand livres to the poor, besides ordering
masses at St. Genevieve. Parliament opened the shrine,
and knelt gravely before that miraculous relic. The least
serious of all these good worshippers was, strange to say,
the curate of St. Genevieve: "Ah, well!" said he gaily,
when Louis was dead, "let us continue to talk of the
miracles of St. Genevieve. Of what can you complain ?
Is not the King dead ? "
At the last moment it was not God who held the heart
of Louis — it was his mistress. " Ask the Countess to
come here again," he said.
" Sire, you know that she has gone away, " they answered.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION xxv
" Ah ! has she gone ? Then I must go ! " So he de
parted. His end drew forth some maledictions. There were
insults even at his funeral services. " Nevertheless,"
said one old soldier, "he was at the battle of Fontenoy."
That was the most eloquent funeral oration of Louis XV.
" The King is dead, long live the King!" But before
the death of Louis XVI. they cried : " The king is dead,
long live the Republic ! "
Rose -colored mourning was worn in the good city of
Paris. The funeral oration of the King and a lament for
his mistress were pronounced by Sophie Arnould, of
which masterpiece of sacred eloquence the last words
only are preserved: "Behold us orphaned both of father
and mother."
If Madame du Barry was one of the seven plagues of
royalty, she died faithful to royalty. After her exile
to Pont aux Dames she returned to Lucienne, where the
Due de Coss6 Brissac consoled her for the death of
Louis XV. But what she loved in Louis was that he
was a King; her true country was Versailles; her true
light was the sun of court life. Like Montespan, also
a courtesan of high order, she often went in these dark
days to cast a loving look upon the solitary park in the
maze of the Trianon. Yet she was particularly happy
at Lucienne.
I have compared her to Manon Lescaut, and I believe
her to have been also a sister to Ganesin. All three
were destroyed by passion.
One day she found herself still young at Lucienne,
although her sun was setting. She loved the Due de
Brissac, and how many pages of her past romance would
she that day have liked to erase and forget!
" Why do you weep, Countess ? " asked her lover.
" My friend, " she responded, " I weep because I love
you, shall I say it ? I weep because I am happy. "
She was right ; happiness is a festival that should know
no to-morrow. But on the morrow of her happiness, the
Revolution knocked at the castle gate of Lucienne.
* Who goes there ? "

xxvi SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
" I am Justice ; prepare for destiny. "
The Queen, the true queen, had been good to her as
to everybody. Marie Antoinette remembered that the
favorite had not been wicked. The debts of Du Barry
were paid and money enough was given to her so that
she could still give with both hands. Lucienne became
an echo of Versailles. Foreign kings and Parisian philos
ophers came to chat in its portals. Minerva visited shame
less Venus. But wisdom took not root at Lucienne.
For the Revolution, alas ! had to cut off this charming
head, which was at one time the ideal of beauty — of
court beauty. Madame du Barry gave hospitality to the
wounded at the arrest of the queen. " These wounded
youths have no other regret than that they have not
died for a princess so' worthy as your Majesty," she said.
" What I have done for these brave men is only what they
have merited. I consoled them, and I respect their
wounds when I think, Madame, that without their de
votion, your Majesty would no longer be alive. Lucienne
is yours, Madame, for was it not your beneficence which
gave it to me ? All I possess has come to me through
the royal family. I have too much loyalty to forget it. "
But negro Zamor became a citizen like Mirabeau. It
was Zamor who took to Du Barry her lover's head. It was
Zamor who denounced her at the club of the Jacobins.
" The fealty (faith) of the black man is white, " said the
negro. But he learned how to make it red. Jeanne was
imprisoned and tried before Dumas.
" Your age ? "
"Forty-two years." She was really forty-seven. Co
quetry even at the guillotine.
The public accuser, Fouquier Tinville, was not disarmed
by the sweet voluptuousness still possessed by this pale
and already fading beauty. He accused her of treason
against the nation. Could the defender of Du Barry, who
had also defended Marie Antoinette, find an eloquent word ?
No; Fouquier Tinville was more eloquent than Chauveau-
Lagarde. So the mistress of Louis was condemned. It
was eleven o'clock in the evening — the hour for supper at
Versailles when she was queen !

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION xxvii
She passed the night in prayer and weeping, or rather in
a frenzy of fright. In the morning she said it was " too
early to die" ; she wished to have a little time in order
to make some disclosures. The Comit6 sent someone
to listen to her. What did she say ? She revealed all
that was hidden away at Lucienne ; she gave word by word
an inventory of the treasures she had concealed, forgetting
nothing, for did not each word give her a second of time ?
"Have you finished?" said the inquisitor. "No," said
Jeanne. " I have not mentioned a silver syringe concealed
under the staircase ! "
Meanwhile the horses of destiny stamped with im
patience, and spectators were knocking at the prison gate.
When they put her, already half dead, on the little cart,
she bent her head and grew pale. The Du Barry was
alone — a sinner without redemption.
She saw the people in the square of Louis XV. ; she
struck her breast three times and murmured : " It is my
fault ! " But this Christian resignation abandoned her
when she mounted the scaffold — there where the statue of
Louis XV. had been — and she implored of the executioner:
"One moment, Mr. Executioner! One moment more!"
But the executioner was pitiless Sanson. It was the
block and the knife — without the "one moment!"
Such was the last bed of the Du Barry. Had the almanac
of Liege only predicted to her that the one who would lead
her to her bed for the last time would not be a King but
a citizen executioner, it might have been — but why
moralize ?

J@Crt>-&~f<$r?*<r£

To the Reader
As the early part of Madame du Barry's career had
little to differentiate it from the life of an ordinary
courtesan, the editor has deemed it best to confine the
memoirs to the years in her life which helped to make
history. —EDITOR.

CHAPTER I.
Letter from Lebel — Visit from Lebel — Nothing conclusive — Another
visit from Lebel — Invitation to sup with the king — Instructions of
the comte Jean to the comtesse.
One morning comte Jean entered my apartment, his
face beaming with delight.
"Read," said he, giving me a letter, "read, Jean-
nette: victory is ours. News from Morand. Lebel is
coming to Paris, and will dine with us. Are we alone ? "
" No, there are two of your countrymen whom you in
vited yesterday."
" I will write and put them off. 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."
"Brother-in-law," said I, laughing, "it is not unneces
sary that I should know decidedly to which of your
family I am married ? The custom in France is not that
a woman be the undivided property of three brothers."
"That only happens in Venice," replied the comte;
"my brother Elie is too young, you must be the wife of
Guillaume, my second brother."
"Very well; I am the comtesse Guillaume du Barry;
that does famously well; we like to know whom we are
married to."
After this conversation, comte Jean insisted on pre
siding at my toilette. He acquitted himself of the task,
with a most laughable attention. During two good hours,
at least, he tormented first Henriette, and then the

2 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
female hairdresser, for I had not yet followed the mode,
which began to be very general, of having my hair
dressed by a man. Comte Jean passed alternately from
my dressing-room to the kitchen. He knew Lebel was a
gallant and a gourmand, and he was anxious to please
him in all senses at once.
At one o'clock I was under arms, and prepared to re
ceive him on whom my destiny depended. As soon as I
reached the drawing-room, comte Jean compelled me to
submit to the test of a rigid examination. His serious
air amused me much as he gazed at me some time in
solemn silence. At length his forehead relaxed, a smile
of satisfaction played on his lips, and extending his arms
to me, without venturing to touch me, " You are charm
ing, divine, " he said ; " Lebel ought to go and hang him
self if he does not fall down at your knees."
Soon afterwards the folding-doors were hastily opened,
and a servant announced M. Lebel, premier de sa Majeste",
with M. Morand. The comte went to meet the arrivals,
and as I now saw Lebel for the first time, he presented
him to me formally.
"Sister, this is M. Lebel, premier de sa Majeste", who
has done us the honor to come and dine with us."
"And he confers a real pleasure on us," said I, look
ing smilingly on M. Lebel. My look had its effect, for
Lebel remained mute and motionless from admiration at
my person. At length he stammered out a few incoher
ent words, which I imagined to be compliments. The
comte watched Lebel anxiously, and Morand began to rub
his hands, saying:
" Well, sir, what think you of our celestial beauty ? "
"She is worthy of a throne," replied Lebel, bending
his head before me, and taking my hand, which he
pressed respectfully to his lips. This reply was, perhaps,
inadvertently made, but I took it as a good augury.
"Yes," added Lebel, "you are the most lovely creature I
ever met, though no one is more in the habit of seeing
handsome females than myself."
"And of causing them to be seen by others," replied
comte Jean.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 3
This was an opening which was not followed up by
Lebel. His first enthusiasm having passed, he measured
me from head to foot, as if he would take an accurate
description of my person.
For my part I began to support the looks of Lebel
with more assurance. He was a man of no particular
" mark or likelihood, " but had made his way. Living at
Versailles had given him a certain air of easy imperti
nence, but you could not discover anything distinguished
in his manners, nothing which concealed his humble ex
traction. The direction of the Pare aux Cerfs gave him
much influence with the king, who found the convenience
of such a man, who was willing to take upon himself all
the disagreeable part of his clandestine amours. His duties
placed him in contact with the ministers, the lieutenant
of police, and the comptroller-general. The highest no
bility sought his friendship with avidity. They all had a
wife, a sister, a daughter, whom they wished to make the
favorite sultana; and for this it was necessary to get the
ear of Lebel. Thus, under a libertine prince, the desti
nies of France were at the mercy of a valet de chambre.
I should tell you, however, that I never had occasion
but to speak well of him, and that I have the utmost
gratitude for all he did for me. The attachment he tes
tified on our first meeting has never been altered. He
gave me his protection as far as it was necessary for me,
and when the favor of the king had accorded to me a
station, whence all the court sought to hurl me, Lebel
seconded me with all his power in my efforts to preserve
it. I will say, that it is to his vigilance that I owe the
overthrow of more than one conspiracy against me. He
was a warm and sincere friend, and not at all interested
in the services he rendered. He did a great deal of
good, as well as harm, in private. I know poor families
whom he has assisted with his own purse, when he could
obtain nothing for them from the king, for Louis was
only prodigal in his pleasures.
However, we dined, and Lebel praised me inces
santly to the very skies, and that with so much warmth,
that I was fearful at one time he would fall in love with

4 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
me himself, and would not resign me to another. Thank
heaven, Lebel was a faithful servant.
After dinner, when we left the table, Lebel paid me
some compliments; then pulling out his watch, he spoke of
an appointment at the Marais, and left without saying a
word of seeing us again.
At this abrupt departure, comte Jean and I looked at
each other with astonishment. As for Morand, he was
overjoyed. "Well, comtesse," said he, "behold the number of
your slaves increased by an illustrious adorer. You have
made a conquest of M. Lebel, and I am certain he has
gone away deeply smitten."
"I hope we shall see him again," said comte Jean.
« Do you doubt it ? "
"Assure him," said I, "of the pleasure it will afford
us to receive him as he merits."
Several persons entered, and M. Morand, profiting by
the bustle which their entrance occasioned, approached
me, and said, in a low tone,
" You are in possession of his heart, will you charge
me with any message to him?"
" M. Morand, " was my reply, " what are you thinking
of ? A woman of my rank throw herself at any person's
head ? »
"No, certainly not; but you can send him a kind
word, or some affectionate token."
" I could not think of it ; M. Lebel appeared to me a
most agreeable man, and I shall be at all times delighted
to see him."
Morand asked nothing more than this, and there our
conversation ended.
Two days elapsed without being marked by any event.
Comte Jean had spent them with much anxiety. He was
absent, when, on the third morning, Henriette came
hastily into my room. "Madame," she said, "the valet
dc chambre of the king is in the drawing-room, and in
quires if you will receive him."
At this news I was surprised and vexed. M. Lebel
took me unawares; my toilette was not begun. I gave a

COMTESSE DU BARRY 5
hasty glance at my mirror, " Let M. Lebel come in " ;
and M. Lebel, who was on the heels of my maid, entered
instantly. After having saluted me, he said,
" It is only you, Madame, whom one might thus sur
prise. Your beauty needs no ornament, your charms are
decoration sufficient. "
I replied to this compliment with (of course) much
modesty, according to custom. We entered into conversa
tion, 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. But fearing
to compromise myself, I made no reply, but preserved
the reserve which my character imposed upon me. I am
not clever, my friend, I never could conduct an intrigue:
I feared to speak or do wrong; and whilst I kept a tran
quil appearance, I was internally agitated at the absence
of comte Jean.
Fortune sent him to me. He was passing the street,
when he saw at our door a carriage with the royal livery.
Lebel always used it when his affairs did not demand a
positive incognito. This equipage made him suspect a
visit from Lebel, and he came in opportunely to extricate
me from my embarrassment.
" Sir, " said Lebel to him, when he entered, " here is
the lady whose extreme modesty refuses to listen to
what I dare not thus explain to her."
" Is it anything I may hear for her ? " said the comte,
with a smiling air.
"Yes, I am the ambassador of a mighty power: you
are the minister plenipotentiary of the lady, and with
your leave, we will go into your private room to discuss
the articles of the secret treaty which I have been
charged to propose to you. What says madame ? "
"I consent to anything that may come from such an
ambassador. "
Comte Jean instantly led him into another room, and
when they were alone, Lebel said to him, " Do you know

6 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
that your sister-in-law is a most fascinating creature?
She has occupied my thoughts since I have known her,
and in my enthusiasm I could not help speaking of
her in a certain quarter. So highly have I eulogized her,
that his majesty desires an interview with her, that he
may judge with his own eyes if I am an appreciator of
beauty. "
At these words comte Jean felt a momentary agitation,
but soon recovering himself, he replied:
" I am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, for the favor
able disposition you have evinced towards the comtesse du
Barry. She and I have as much respect as love for his
majesty; but my sister-in-law has not been presented,
and, consequently, I can scarcely see how she can be
allowed to pay her respects to his majesty."
" Do not let that disturb you ; it is not intended that
she shall go and partake of the magnificence of Ver
sailles, but be admitted to an intimacy much more flat
tering. Would you refuse to grant him that pleasure ? "
" It would be a crime of lese-majesty, " said the comte
Jean, laughing, " and my family have too much respect
for their monarch. We should not be content with a
fugitive favor."
" You may expect everything from the charms of the
comtesse ; I am certain they will have the utmost success ;
but for me, I can give you no guarantee. You must run
the chance."
" Your protection, however, is the only thing which
encourages my sister-in-law in this affair. But tell me
when is this meeting to take place ? "
" Instantly. The king is impatient to see the comtesse,
and I have promised that she will sup with him to-morrow
evening in my apartment at Versailles."
" How is she to be introduced to the king ? "
"I am to entertain four of my friends."
« Who are they ? »
" First, the baron de Gonesse. "
« Who is he ? »
"The king himself."
« Well, who next ? "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 7
"The due de Richelieu."
« Who else ? »
"The marquis de Chauvelin."
"Well?"" The due de la Vauguyon. "
« What, the devotee ? »
(< The hypocrite. But never mind : the main point is,
that you must not appear to recognize the king. Instruct
your sister-in-law to this effect."
"Certainly; if she must sin, she had better do so with
some reason."
While these gentlemen were thus disposing of me,
what was I doing ? Alone, in my room, I waited the re
sult of their conference with mortal impatience. The
character I had to play was a superb one, and at the
moment I was about to enter on the stage, I felt all
the difficulties of my part. I feared I should not succeed,
but fail amid the insulting hisses of the Versailles
party. My fears at once disappeared, and then I pictured my
self sitting on a throne, magnificently attired; my imag
ination wandered in all the enchantments of greatness ; —
then, as if from remorse, I recalled my past life. The
former lover of Nicholas blushed before the future mis
tress of Louis XV. A thousand different reflections
crowded upon me, and mingled in my brain. If to live
is to think, I lived a whole age in one quarter of an
hour. At length I heard some doors open, a carriage
rolled away, and comte Jean entered my chamber.
"Victory!" cried he, embracing me with transport.
"Victory! my dear Jeanne, to-morrow you sup with the
king." On this information I turned pale, my strength for
sook me, and I was compelled to sit down, or rather to
fall into a chair; for, according to Jean Jacques Rousseau,
my legs shook under me (fiageolaient). This, however,
was the only movement of weakness which I betrayed.
When I recovered a little, the comte Jean told me the
conversation he had had with Lebel. I joked about
the title of baron de Gonesse, and I promised to treat the

8 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
king as if ignorant of his incognito. One thing only
made me uneasy, and that was supping with the due de
Richelieu, who had seen me before at madame de
Lagarde's; but the idea that he would not remember me
gave me renewed courage. (
On so important an occasion, comte Jean did not forget
to repeat his instructions over again. These are nearly
his words, for I think I learnt them by heart.
" Remember that it is on your first interview that your
safety depends. Let him learn, through you, those utter
tendernesses which have been sought for him in vain
heretofore. He is like the monarch of old, who was
willing to pay the half of his crown for an unknown
pleasure. Lebel is wearied in seeking every week for
new fruit. He is quite disposed to serve you, and will
second you in the best manner. You are about to be
come the centre of attraction to all courtiers, and noble
courtisanes. You must expect that they will endeavor to
cry you down, because you will have carried off from
them a gem to which every family has its pretensions.
You must at first stand firmly before the storm, but
afterward you will find all enlist themselves under your
banner, who have no wife, sister, nor daughter; that is,
all who have no mistress to offer to the king. You must
attach these to you by place and favor: -they must be
first thought of, and then you must think of yourself and
me, my dear girl."
"All this is well enough," I replied, "but as yet I am
nothing. "
" Morbleu ! to-morrow you will be everything," cried
comte Jean, with his determined energy. " But we must
think about this morrow. Make haste, noble comtesse ;
go to all the milliners, seek what is elegant rather than
what is rich. Be as lovely, pleasing, and gay as possible ;
this is the main point, and God will do all the rest."
He pronounced this blasphemy in a laughing tone, and
I confess I could not help joining in the laugh, and then
hastened to comply with his directions.

CHAPTER II.
A slight preface — Arrival at Versailles — La toilette — Portrait of
the king — The due de Richelieu — The marquis de Chauvelin —
The due de la Vauguyon — Supper with the king — The first night
— The following day — The curiosity of comte Jean — Presents
from the king — How disposed of.
The chances against our succeeding in our enterprise
were at least a thousand to one. The sea upon
which, trusting to the favorable influence of my
leading star, we were about to venture, was filled with
rocks and shoals which threatened the poor mariner who
should direct his bark near them. In the first place, I had
to dread my obscure birth, as well as the manner in which
my life had been passed; and still more had I to fear the
indifferent reputation of comte Jean. There was more
than sufficient in all this to disturb a head far stronger
than I could boast. However, thanks to my thoughtful-
ness, no troublesome thoughts interfered to break my
rest on the night preceding a day so important to me,
and I slept as tranquilly as though upon waking I had
no other occupation for my time than a walk on the
boulevards, or a drive to the Bois de Boulogne.
Comte Jean, however, had passed a very different
night; for once, the whisperings of ambition had over
come even his natural indifference and carelessness, and
tired of tossing upon a sleepless pillow, he arose at the
first break of day, reproached me for slumbering so long,
and allowed me neither peace nor rest till I joined him
dressed for our journey. At length, we set out according
to our agreement with Lebel; I was closely muffled up
in my large caliche — the carriage rolled along till we
reached Versailles, where we had for the last month
(9)

io MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
engaged a lodging, which might be useful to us in all
events; we alighted, and after vainly seeking a few
moments' repose, proceeded on foot to Lebel, in whose
apartments we were to attire ourselves in a suitable
manner. "You are welcome," said the comte, "pray consider
yourself as at home."
" I accept your augury, » replied I, " it would be amusing
enough to find that my young prophet had predicted
rightly." "Well then," said my conductor, laughing, "I recom
mend you to manage a slip on the staircase, it would be
taking possession after the manner of the ancients."
« 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.
" Ah, madame ! " cried he, "I began to fear you might
not come, you have been looked for with an impatience — "
" Which can hardly equal mine, " interrupted I ; " for
you were prepared for your visitor, whilst I have yet to
learn who is the friend that so kindly desires to see me. "
" It is better it should be so, " added Lebel ; " do not
seek either to guess or discover more, than that you will
here meet with some cheerful society, friends of mine,
who will sup at my house, but with whom circumstances
prevent my sitting down at table."
" How ! " said I, with affected surprise, " not sup with
us?" " Even so," replied Lebel; and then added with a laugh,
aHe and I sit down to supper together! What an idea!
No! you will find that just as the guests are about to sit
down at table, I shall suddenly be called out of the room,
and shall only return at the close of the repast."
All this was but of small import to me. Nevertheless,
I affected to regret the unavoidable absence of Lebel. In
fact, I believe that the first breath inspired at court is

COMTESSE DU BARRY u
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, wh'ch were, indeed, most skilfully
exercised in my behalf. They wrought wonders in my
appearance, bathing me after the Eastern fashion, adorn
ing my hair and person, till I issued from their hands
blooming and beauteous as an houri.
When I returned to the room in which Lebel was ex
pecting me, his surprise was almost overpowering.
" You are, indeed, " exclaimed he, " the new sun which
is to rise upon Versailles."
"Excellent!" cried I, laughing extravagantly, "but like
the planet you are pleased to compare me with, I must
reserve my splendid rising till I have obtained fresh
powers from the aid of night. " *
The comte entered, and joined his congratulations upon
the beauty of my appearance ; all at once the hasty sound
of a bell, violently pulled, was heard.
"The object of your attack approaches," said Lebel to
me, " it would be as well to reconnoitre a little. Remem
ber, not a word of his rank, no cast down, timid looks at
his sovereign power; no bending of knees, or faltering of
voice. "
The advice thus given was useless. Comte Jean who
bore the reputation of, at least, a man of much cool im
pudence, was, I am certain, more deficient than myself
in courage upon the occasion, and I verily believe, asked
himself several times whether he dared appear before his
prince with one whom he was falsely asserting to be his
sister-in-law. However these thoughts might or might
not have disturbed him, we proceeded onwards till we
reached the apartment where our invited friends were
expecting us; and here I will, with the reader's permis
sion, digress awhile, in order to say a few introductory
* Mais avant de me lever il faut que je me couche, is the witty
reply in the original, but which it is impossible to render fully and
piquantly through the dilution of a translation.

12 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
words respecting the four personages with whom I had
the honor of supping.
And first, Louis XVth, king of France (or as he was
upon the present occasion styled the baron de Gonesse),
was one of those sentimental egotists who believed he
loved the whole world, his subjects, and his family;
while in reality, the sole engrossing object was self.
Gifted with many personal and intellectual endowments,
which might have disputed the palm with the most lively
and engaging personages of the court, he was yet de
voured by ennui, and of this he was well aware, but
his mind was made up to meet this ennui, as one of
the necessary accompaniments of royalty. Devoid of
taste in literary matters, he despised all connected with
the belles-lettres, and esteemed men only in proportion to
the number and richness of their armorial bearings. M.
de Voltaire ranked him beneath the lowest country-
squire; and the very mention of a man of letters was
terrifying to his imagination from its disturbing the cur
rent of his own ideas; he revelled in the plenitude of
power, yet felt dissatisfied with the mere title of king.
He ardently desired to signalize himself as the first gen
eral of the age, and prevented from obtaining this (in
his opinion) highest of honors, entertained the utmost
jealousy of Frederick II., and spoke with undisguised
spleen and ill-humor of the exploits of his brother of
Prussia. The habit of commanding, and the prompt obedience
he had ever met with, had palled upon his mind, and
impressed him with feelings of indifference for all
things which thus appeared so easily obtained; and
this satiety and consequent listlessness was by many
construed into melancholy of disposition. He disliked
any appearance of opposition to his will; not that he
particularly resented the opposition itself, but he knew
his own weakness, and feared lest he should be com
pelled to make a show of a firmness he was conscious
of not possessing. For the clergy he entertained the
most superstitious veneration ; and he feared God because
he had a still greater awe and dread of the devil. In

COMTESSE DU BARRY 13
the hands of his confessor he confidently believed was
lodged the absolute power to confer on him unlimited
license to commit any or every sin. He greatly dreaded
pamphlets, satires, epigrams, and the opinion of poster
ity, and yet his conduct was that of a man who scoffs
at the world's judgment. This hasty sketch may with
safety be taken as the portrait of Louis XV., although
much might be added; yet for the present I will confine
myself to the outline of my picture, which I shall have
frequent occasion to retouch in the course of my journal ;
it is my intention to present him in all possible lights
before the reader, and I flatter myself I shall produce a
perfect resemblance of the man I seek to depict. Let us
now proceed to consider the due de Richelieu.
This nobleman, when in his seventy-second year, had
preserved, even in so advanced an age, all his former
pretensions to notice ; his success in so many love affairs,
a success which he never could have merited, had ren
dered him celebrated; he was now a superannuated
coxcomb, a wearisome and clumsy butterfly; when,
however, he could be brought to exercise his sense, by
remembering that he was no longer young, he became
fascinating beyond idea, from the finished ease and grace
of his manner, and the polished and piquant style of his
discourse ; still I speak of him as a mere man of outward
show, for the duke's attainments were certainly superficial,
and he possessed more of the jargon of a man of letters
than the sound reality. Among other proofs of consum
mate ignorance he was deficient even in orthography,
and was fool enough to boast of so disgraceful a fact, as
though it conferred honor on him; perhaps, indeed, he
found that the easiest way of getting over the business.
He possessed a most ignoble turn of mind; all feelings
of an elevated nature were wanting within him. A bad
son, an unkind husband, and a worse father, he could
scarcely be expected to become a steady friend. All
whom he feared, he hesitated not to trample under foot;
and his favorite maxim, which he has a hundred times
repeated to me, was, that "we should never hesitate to
set our foot upon the necks of all those who might in

14 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
any way interfere with our projects — dead men [he
would further add 1 tell no tales ! " There was one person,
nevertheless, whom he detested and flattered at the same
time, and this was Voltaire, who well repaid him in like
coin. He called the due de Richelieu, the tyrant of the
tennis-court* (tripot), and the duke returned the com
pliment by invariably designating him " Scorn drel " and
"Poetaster"; the only difference was that the due de
Richelieu only treated the poet thus in sotto voce, whilst
M. de Voltaire sought not to conceal, either in his writ
ings or conversation, his Candid opinion of the illustri
ous duke and peer; and he might justly accuse the duke
of ingratitude, for he, no doubt, owed a considerable
portion of the reputation he enjoyed as a general, to tbs
brilliant verses in which Voltaire had celebrated his ex
ploits. The marquis de Chauvelin was equally skilful as a
warrior and diplomatist. Gentle, graceful, and witty, he
joined to the most extreme versatility of talent the ut
most simplicity of character. Once known, he could not
fail of being valued and esteemed, and the king enter
tained the most lively regard for him. The noble minded
marquis was far from taking advantage of his sovereign's
favor, far from it ; he neither boasted of it, nor presumed
upon it. This truly wonderful man died, unhappily, too
soon for me, for the king on whom he bestowed the
sagest counsels, and for foreign courts who knew and ap
preciated his worth. I shall have occasion to speak of
him hereafter; he had a brother, a wicked little hump
backed creature, brave as Caesar, and a bitter enemy to
the Jesuits, whom he did not a little contribute to over
turn in the parliament of Paris, to which he belonged.
The king detested this man as much as he loved and
cherished the brother, and that is saying not a little.
The fourth guest was the due de la Vauguyon, the
really perpetual tutor to the princes of France, for he had
educated four successively. He had displayed in the
army both bravery and talent, but he was a confirmed
Jesuit, and conducted himself towards me upon the strictest
1 La Come" die Francaise.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 15
principles of his order. He will appear again on the
scene hereafter, but for the present I must lay him aside,
whilst I return to my entre'e to the saloon, which I was
about to enter.
Immediately after Lebel had conducted me into it, he
was called away, and quitted us. The king rose and ap
proached me, saluting me with the most admirable gal
lantry, and addressing to me the most encouraging and
gratifying words. His gentle, yet polished manners, his
fine countenance, noble air, and the free and unrestrained
glances of admiration which sparkled in his eyes, com
municated to me a feeling of support and confidence
which effectually reassured me, and roused me from the
involuntary emotion I had felt at the moment when I
first appeared in his presence. The king addressed a
few words to comte Jean, and then regarded him steadily,
as tho' he were trying to recall his features; but his
eye quickly turned on me again, upon whom he bestowed
the most intoxicating attention. Never was first sight
more effective, and never did a flame so rapidly increase
as did the passion of my noble adorer. Ere we had seated
ourselves at the supper-table, he was ages gone in love.
It would have provoked a smile from any countenance
to perceive how the respect and admiration with which
the three courtiers regarded me increased in proportion
as the sentiments of the king towards me betrayed them
selves more and more. At first I had been considered as
a person of little or no importance. Soon, however, as
their sagacious eyes discovered the state of their master's
mind, the air of familiarity with which they had regarded
me gave place to a more studied politeness, which, in its
turn, as matters progressed, was superseded by the most
delicate attention; and ere we rose from table these
gentlemen watched my looks with the most eager anxiety
to obtain the honor of my notice, and hopes of future
patronage from one whom they easily foresaw would be
fully qualified to bestow it. Comte Jean observed all
that was passing in profound silence. As for me, I talked
and laughed with perfect freedom from restraint, and my
frank unaffected mirth appeared to enchant the king; I

1 6 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
knew that he was weary of the nice formalities of courtly
beauty, and desired to refresh his eyes and ears with
something less refined, and I gratified him to his heart's
wish. The conversation became lively and animated, the
merits of men of letters were discussed, the French and
Italian theatre passed in review before us, and finally, we
amused ourselves with anecdotes relative to the intrigues
of court. The baron de Gonesse related to us a circum
stance which had just been communicated to him by a
county magistrate. I must here apprize the reader that
these administrators of justice were directed to collect all
the facts, scandalous, horrible, ridiculous, or piquant,
which occurred within their jurisdiction, in order that,
being forwarded to the king, they might aid in dis
tracting his mind from the heavy cares of government.
Alas! how many strange and eventful things have I
since learned by similar channels.
The supper terminated, the king's friends remained
some time conversing with us. Whilst these noblemen
were busily celebrating my praises in words sufficiently
loud to reach the king's ear, the baron de Gonesse,
standing by my side, was prosecuting his suit in the
most ardent terms. I received his overtures with becom
ing grace and modesty. As I have before said, the ex
terior of the king was very prepossessing, and what he
wanted in youth, he made up by all the mature graces
of dignified royalty. At last Lebel appeared, and made
me a sign to rise from my seat. Up to this period nothing
had arisen to betray the incognito of the august mon
arch, and in order to keep up my pretended ignorance of
his grandeur, I quitted the apartment with little cere
mony. Lebel conducted me to an adjoining chamber,
furnished with the utmost magnificence. When we were
seated, he turned to the comte Jean, who had followed
us, and said, « It rests with yourself whether you will re
turn to Paris, or remain at Versailles. But as for milady,
who seems much fatigued, she will, we trust, honor us
by accepting a bed at the castle."
My self-created brother-in-law understood as well as I
did the significance of these words, and clearly read in

COMTESSE DU BARRY 17
their import how far I had attracted the favor of the
king. In order to have rendered the impression more
lasting, we could have wished that matters had been
less precipitated, but we were under a roof where every
thing yielded to the caprices of its master, and resignation
to his will became a matter of course. And here I trust
I may be pardoned if I pass over certain details which
could not, at this lapse of time, interest or amuse any
one; besides, altho' I have found no difficulty in re
citing former events of my life, I find my pen more
prudish and coy than were my ears or mouth. 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. Not only has your noble lover failed to communi
cate to me the usual signal of disgust or dislike, but he
has spoken of you to me in the most favorable light, de
claring, that, for the first time in his life, he felt the
influence of a true and sincere affection; for this reason
he desired I would not convey to you the contents of
this casket, as originally intended."
" And what does it contain ? " asked I, with childish
eagerness. "Oh, a trifle unworthy of her who is now the mistress
of his warmest love; only a purse containing a hundred
louis, and a suit of emeralds worth a similar sum. He
bade me say it might have served to recompense a mere
fleeting fancy, but that it is unworthy of your charms,
nor can he insult you by the offer of it."
" Will he then see me again ? " inquired I.
"To-morrow evening, if agreeable to you."
"Only say that his wishes are mine."
"Would you wish to see the comte Jean before you
rise ? He has been waiting with the utmost impatience to
see you since seven o'clock this morning . "
" Let him come in. "
The comte entered, and I saw by the triumphant joy
painted on his face, that Lebel had told him of the pro
pitious state of things. He ran up to me with out-

1 8 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
stretched arms, congratulating me upon my success, and
putting at the same time several questions, to which,
either from mere womanly caprice, or presuming upon
my recent elevation to the character of prime favorite,- I
refused to reply.
My folly drew down on me his severe anger, and sev
eral oaths escaped his lips, which, echoed back by walls
so unused to similar violence, struck Lebel with terror.
That faithful ally placed his hand over his mouth, im
ploring of him to recollect himself, and the place he was
in. As for me, dreading some foolish burst of his im
petuosity, I tried some of my sweetest smiles, and inviting
him to sit beside me, related to him and Lebel those par
ticulars which my pen refuses to retrace. Amongst other
things, I told them I had said to the king, that I had
perfectly known who he was all the preceding evening
when supping with him, and that he had the simplicity
to say, "he was surprised I had not appeared more em
barrassed in his presence."
Our conversation terminated, I wished to return to
Paris, and I was, without further hindrance, allowed to
depart. Scarcely had I arrived there an hour, than I
received from his majesty a magnificent diamond agraffe,
worth at least 60,000 francs, and bank notes to the
amount of 200,000 livres.
Comte Jean and myself were well nigh stupefied with
astonishment at the sight of such treasures; to us, who
had never in our lives possessed such sums, they ap
peared inexhaustible. My brother-in-law divided them
into two equal portions, one of which he put into
his pocket, and the other into my escritoire. With this
arrangement I did not interfere; nothing seemed to me
more simple than that he should satisfy his need out of
my superfluity. I bestowed two thousand crowns upon
Henriette, and expended in the course of the day at
least a quarter of my riches in trifles, as unnecessary
as useless; and all this without once remembering that
as I owed my present abundance to a momentary in
clination on the part of the king, so the turn of
an hour, or a fresh fancy on the part of my munifi-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 19
cent adorer, might reduce me to the unprovided state
in which I had been so lately. That evening was passed
tite-a-tite with comte Jean; he thought, as I did, that
the foundation of our treasure was firm as a rock, and
he gave me many counsels for the future which I prom
ised to observe; for indeed it was to my own interest to
do so. Upon how many follies did we then debate, which,
but a few days afterwards we found practicable. The
different ministers passed in review before us; some we
determined upon retaining, whilst others were dismissed,
and already I began in idea to act with sovereign power
over these illustrious personages, amongst whom I antici
pated shortly playing so important a part. "After all,"
said I, "the world is but an amusing theatre, and I see
no reason why a pretty woman should not play a princi
pal part in it."

CHAPTER III.
The king's message — Letter from the countess — A second supper at
Versailles — The due d'Ayen — A short account of M. de Fleury —
The due de Duras — Conversation with the king— The next day
— A visit from the due de Richelieu— Visit from the due de la
Vauguyon— Visit from comte Jean— Visit from the king — A third
supper — Favor.
Early the following day I received a message from
the king, accompanied with a bouquet of flowers tied
round with a string of diamonds. A short letter was
annexed to this splendid gift, which I would transcribe
here, had it not been taken from me with many others.
My reply, which I wrote upon the spur of the moment,
was concise, and, as I preserved the rough copy, under
the impression of its being one day useful, I can give
the reader the exact words.
"The billet traced by your noble hands, renders me the happiest
of women. My joy is beyond description. Thanks, monsieur le
Baron, for your charming flowers. Alas! they will be faded and
withered by to-rnorrow, but not so fleeting and short-lived are the
sentiments with which you have inspired me. Believe me, the desire
you express to see me again is entirely mutual; and in the impatience
with which you await our next interview, I read but my own senti
ments. The ardor with which you long to embrace me, is fully
equalled by the affection which leads me to desire no gratification
greater than that of passing my whole life in your society. Adieu,
monsieur le baron; you have forbidden my addressing you as your
rank and my respect would have me, I will therefore content myself
with assuring you of the ardent affection of the
"Comtesse du Barry. b
The signature I adopted was a bold piece of falsehood,
but it was too late to recede; besides, I was addressing
myself in my letter, not to the king, but to the baron de
Gonesse; for Louis, by I know not what unaccountable
caprice, seemed to wish to preserve his incognito. I have
(20)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 21
since learned that Francis I. assumed the same name,
altho' upon a very different occasion. Replying to a
letter from Charles V., in which that emperor had given
himself a long string of high sounding titles, he contented
himself with simply signing his letter, " Francois, baron de
Gonesse* Louis XV. was very fond of borrowed appel
lations. Unlike the vanity so common to mankind, of
seeking to set off their pretensions by assumed titles, it
is the pleasure of royalty to descend to a lower grade in
society when concealment becomes desirable, either from
policy or pleasure ; and Louis sought in the familiarity in
which a plain baron might safely indulge, a relief from
the ennui attendant upon the rigid etiquette of a regal
state. I had omitted in my letter to the baron, to remind
him that we were to meet that very evening, but that
did not prevent my repairing to Versailles punctually at
the appointed hour. I was conducted into the same
apartment as before, where I found the same females
who had then assisted at my toilet again prepared to lend
their aid; and from this moment I had a regular estab
lishment of attendants appointed for my use.
The moment the king was informed of my arrival,
unable to restrain his impatience, he hastened to me to
assist at my dressing table, and he continued standing
beside me so long as the operation lasted; I felt greatly
embarrassed, not knowing whether I durst take the
liberty of requesting him to be seated. However, my
silence on the subject was greatly admired, and ascribed
to my perfect acquaintance with polished life, when in
reality it originated from mere timidity. My triumph
was complete; the monarch smiled at and admired every
word as it fell from my lips, kissed my hands, and played
with the curls of my long hair, sportively twisting his
fingers amidst my flowing ringlets with all the vivacity of
a lover of twenty. The company upon this evening was
different from that of the former occasion, consisting of
the due de Duras, first gentleman of the bedchamber,
and the due d'Ayen, who had the reputation of being a
great wit; however, in my opinion, he was much more
deserving the character of a real fiend; his very breath

22 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
was poisonous, and his touch venomous as the bite of an
adder. I well remember what M. de Fleury said of him
to the king in my presence. "Sire," said he, "the thing
I most dread in the world next to a bite from M. d'Ayen,
is the bite of a mad dog." For my own part, I did
not in the end look upon him with less terror, and well
he paid me for my fears. Upon one occasion, when the
king was speaking of me to him, he said, " I am well
aware that I succeed St. Foix."
" Yes, sire " ; replied the duke, " in the same manner as
your majesty succeeds Pharamond! "
I never forgave him those words, dictated by a fiendish
malice. However, upon the evening of my first intro
duction to him, he behaved to me with the most marked
politeness. I was then an object of no consequence to
his interests, and his vision had not yet revealed to him
the height I was destined to attain. He looked upon me
but as one of those meteors which sparkled and shone
in the castle at Versailles for twenty-four hours, and
sank to rise no more.
The due de Duras was not an ill-disposed person, but
inconceivably stupid; indeed, wit was by no means a
family inheritance. Both father and son, good sort of
people in other respects, were for ever saying or doing
some good thing in support of their reputation for stu
pidity at court. One day the king quite jokingly inquired
of the due de Duras, what was done with the old moons.
"Upon' my word, sire," replied he, "I can give you no
idea, never having seen, but with your majesty's permis
sion, I will endeavor to learn from M. de Cassini ! " To
such a pitch did the poor man's simplicity extend. Both
father and son were nominated to attend the king of
Denmark, when on his road to visit France. The king
observed to a person who repeated it to me : " The
French are generally styled a clever, witty nation; I
cannot say I should ever have been able to discover it,
had I been tempted to form my opinion from the speci
men they have sent me."
As far as I am concerned, after saying so many un
favorable things of the Messrs. de Duras, I must do them

COMTESSE DU BARRY 23
the justice to say, that their conduct towards me was
everything that could be desired. I was always glad to
see them; it gave my own imagination a sort of sedative
dose to converse with these two simple-minded beings,
whose interests I was always ready to promote by every
means in my power, and I trust the memory of what I
have done will be long remembered by the noble house
of Duras.
This supper did not pass off so gaily as the former
one. The due de Duras spoke as little as possible, in the
dread of making some, unlucky speech, and the due
d'Ayen sat devouring the spleen he could not give vent
to, and meditating fresh objects upon whom to exercise
his malignity; he vainly endeavored to lead me on to make
some ridiculous observation, but without success; happily
for him, the king did not perceive his aim. My royal
lover was indeed so entirely engrossed by me, that he
lost all the duke's manoeuvres; his transports appeared
too much for his senses to sustain, and he vowed that I
should never quit him more, but remain to be elevated
by his power to the first place at court. At the mon
arch's sign, the two guests withdrew.
When the due d'Ayen quitted the room, "That noble
man is by no means to my taste, " said I to the king, " he
has the air of a spy, who wishes me no good."
" Do you really think so, my lovely comtesse ? "
" I am certain of it ; and I already shudder at the bare
anticipation of an enemy having access to your majesty's
ear. "
"Reassure yourself," said the king, with the utmost ten
derness, " in me you have a sure defender, who will
never forsake you; look upon me from this minute as
your natural protector, and woe to him on whose head
your displeasure shall fall."
After this conversation the king and myself retired to
rest, and when he quitted me in the morning, he en
treated me not to return to Paris, but to give him my
company for a whole week. Lebel made his appearance
to beg I would consider myself mistress of the apart
ments I occupied, and that he had received orders to

24 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
provide me with an establishment upon the most hand
some scale.
That very day Henriette, whom I had sent for, and
instituted as my head waiting-woman, informed me, that
an old gentleman, attired as thb' for a grand gala,
but who refused to send in his name, begged to be per
mitted to pay his respects. I bade her admit him; it
was the due de Richelieu.
" Madame la comtesse, " said he, bowing low, " I come
to complain of your want of condescension; unless, in
deed, your memory has been at fault. Was it possible
that when I had the honor of supping with you the other
night, you did not recollect your former old friend? "
" If, indeed, my forgetfulness were a fault, monsieur le
marechal, it was one in which you bore an equal share;
you were not more forward than myself in displaying
marks of recognition."
" That arose only from the dazzling increase of your
beauty. You were but a nymph when last my eyes had
beheld you, and now you are matured into a goddess."
The duke then made some slight allusion to the family
of madame Lagarde, but guessing with his admirable
tact, that such reminiscences could not be particularly
agreeable to me, he dexterously turned the conversation,
by requesting permission to present to me his nephew,
the due d'Aiguillon, that he might leave a worthy sub
stitute and champion near the king when state affairs
called him into Gascony; he craved my kind offices to
obtain the intimate acquaintance of comte Jean. They
were subsequently at daggers drawn with each other,
but this haughty overbearing lord conducted himself at
first with the most abject servility. The third favor he
had to solicit was that I would name him to the king
as frequently as opportunities occurred to form one of
our supper parties. All this I engaged to do, nor indeed
could I refuse after the violent protestations of friendship
he made me.
" You will, ere long, " said he, " see the whole court at
your feet, but beware of considering them all as your
friends; have a care, above all, of the duchesse de

COMTESSE DU BARRY 25
Grammont. She has been long endeavoring to obtain the
king's affections, and she will see with hatred and fury
another more worthy engrossing the place she has so
vainly contended for; she and her impertinent brother
will call in the aid of the devil himself to dispossess you
of your elevated seat; you are lost if you do not twist
both their necks."
" How, monsieur le marechal, shall I mark my career
by a murder ? "
" You take me too literally ; I only mean that in your
place I would not be at the trouble of keeping any terms
with them."
" Ah, monsieur le due, I understand you now ; yet it
seems a bad augury to have to begin my reign by cabals
and intrigues."
" Alas ! my fair comtesse, you are too good, too guile
less for a court life; between ourselves we are all hypo
crites more or less; mistrust every one, even those who
make the finest protestations."
" In that case the first object of my suspicion would
be my old and esteemed friend the marechal de Riche
lieu." " Ah, madame ! this is not fair usage, thus to turn my
weapons against myself, and to fight me with my own
arms. "
Upon this the duke quitted me, and scarcely had he
left the room, when the due la Vauguyon entered. This
gentleman offered me no advice ; he contented himself by
styling the Jesuits his "very good friends," and continu
ally turning the conversation upon their merits. I al
lowed him to express his attachment, without interruption,
for these disagreeable men, whom I determined in my
own mind to have nothing to do with, recollecting all I had
heard of their dislike to our sex. After an hour passed
in amusing talk, the due de la Vauguyon retired, well
pleased with his visit, and his place was immediately
supplied by comte Jean, to whom I communicated all
that had passed between my late visitors and myself.
"For heaven's sake," said he, "let us not be the dupes
of these great lords ; before we range ourselves under the

26 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
banners of either of them let us secure our own footing;
let us wait till you are presented."
"But, my good friend, I must be a married lady to
obtain that honor."
"And so you will be shortly, do not be uneasy about
that. I have written to my brother William to set out
without delay for Paris. Your swain will be easily in
duced to marry you. What do you think of that?"
I gave comte Jean to comprehend, by signs, that I
left my destiny in his hands, and he kissed my hands
and withdrew. The king managed to steal a few min
utes to converse with me.
"You did not intrust me, my sweet friend," said he,
" with the circumstance of your having formerly known
the due de Richelieu; less reserved on the subject than
you were, he told me he had seen you at the house of
madame Lagarde, who considered you one of her dearest
friends. "
" Sire, " replied I, " I was too much occupied with your
majesty, to think of any other person in the world."
My answer delighted him, he looked at me in the most
gracious manner.
"You would almost persuade me that you love me,"
said he, smiling.
" Indeed, your majesty, " said I, " I only pray that you
desire the continuance of my affection."
" In that case, " replied he, kissing my hand with fervor,
" you do but partake of my tenderness for you. "
These words flattered my vanity, and here I must de
clare that if I never felt for the king that violent attach
ment which is termed love, I ever entertained for him
the warmest esteem. He was so attentive, so kind to
me, that I must have been a monster of ingratitude could
I have looked upon him with indifference.
Our supper on this night was again lively as the first
had been. The due de Richelieu entertained us with
several amusing anecdotes; not that they contained any
thing very piquant, but the duke related them well, and
we were all in the humor to be pleased, and laughed
heartily at what he said. Comte Jean, whose eye con-

COMTESSE DU BARRY vj
stantly followed me, appeared perfectly satisfied with all
I said or did. As for the king, he seemed enchanted
with me, and seemed wholly occupied in watching my
looks, that he might anticipate my wants. After supper,
in the tite-h-tite which followed, he explained himself in
terms which left me no doubt how securely my empire
over him was established. Had he been less explicit on
the subject, the flattering marks of favor, and the adula
tory compliments I received from all on the following
day, would well have assured me of it. I was no longer
an obscure and friendless individual, but the beloved
mistress of the king; I was, to use the expression of
Lebel, a new sun which had arisen to illumine the hori
zon of Versailles. I could no longer doubt my power
when I saw noble personages present themselves to
solicit the most servile employments about my person.
Amongst others, I might instance a certain lady de St.
Benoit, who continued first lady of my chamber, during
the whole time of my regency; — my justly-valued Hen
riette being contented to take the second place of honor.

CHAPTER IV.
The due d'Aiguillon — The due de Fronsac — The duchesse de Gram
mont— The meeting— Sharp words on both sides — The due de
Choiseul— Mesdames d'Aiguillon — Letter from the due d'Aiguil
lon— Reply of madame du Barry — Mademoiselle Guimard — The
prince de Soubise— Explanation— The Rohans — Madame de Mar- .
san — Court friendships.
The due de Richelieu, who was in haste to go to
Guienne, lost no time in presenting to me the due
d'Aiguillon. He was not young, but handsome and
well made, with much amiability and great courage. A
sincere friend, no consideration could weaken his regard;
an adversary to be dreaded, no obstacle could repress his
boldness. His enemies — and amongst them he included
the whole magistracy — his enemies, I say, have used him
shamefully, but he treated them too ill for them to be
believed in any thing they say of him. If he were ambi
tious, he had the excuse of superior merit, and if he
showed himself too severe in one particular, it proceeded
from an energy of mind which did not allow him to
have more pity for others than they had for him. Do
not, my friend, think that the attachment I had for him
can transport me beyond just limits. Since he is in his
grave, my illusions, if I had any, have dissipated. I
only give to my deceased friends the tribute due to them
— truth and tears. But really, without thinking of it, I
am attributing to myself these virtues without necessity,
forgetting that you are not one of those who would fain
render me as black as possible in the eyes of posterity.
In proportion as the first sight of the uncle had prej
udiced me against him, so much more did it propitiate
me towards the nephew. I saw in him a generous heart,
and a genius capable of lofty actions which you would
(28)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 29
vainly have sought for in the marechal de Richelieu.
No doubt at the beginning of our liaison the due d'Aiguil
lon only saw in me a woman who could be useful to his
projects and plans ; but soon his heart joined the alliance,
and a devotion of calculation was succeeded by a vehe
ment passion, of which I was justly proud, as it subdued
to my chains the most accomplished of courtiers.
Our first interview was lively. The marechal and he
supported the conversation with much gaiety. M. de
Richelieu, as I have already told you, had neither wit
nor information, but possessed that ease of the first
circles, those manners of high breeding, those courtly
graces, which often surpass wit and information.
" My nephew, " said he to the duke, " madame can do
much for us, but we must first do something for her.
Without support, without friends, she will be lost at Ver
sailles; let us be her partisans if she will allow it, and
let her youth have the benefit of our experience."
The tone in which the due d'Aiguillon replied delighted
me. He said he was but too happy to serve me, and
begged me to rely on him as I would on myself.
"But," he continued, "but we have to struggle with a
powerful party. The duchesse de Grammont and her
brother are not the persons to give up the field without
striking a blow. But, madame, by the assistance of your
happy and lovely star, I will enter the lists with pleasure,
and if a glance of your eyes will recompense a conqueror,
I shall be he."
"Oh," exclaimed the duke, "my nephew's a second
Amadis in gallantry, and of undaunted courage. You
will be satisfied with him, madame, much more than with
my son, who only resembles the family in his defects."
The due de Fronsac was justly hated by his father; he
was what is called a decided scamp, without one redeem
ing point or virtue. Dissipated without agreeableness, a
courtier without address, a soldier without courage, he
thoroughly deserved his bad reputation. He was not
hated, because hatred implies a species of honor, but he
was universally despised. His father hated him : he hated
his father. The reciprocity was edifying. I have often

30 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
seen the due de Fronsac, and always with disgust. He
had incurred the extremity of punishment; when trying
to carry off a butcher's daughter, he rendered himself
guilty of the triple crimes of arson, rape, and robbery.
This was the most splendid deed of his life, at least his
father said so, the only one in which he had shown —
guess what; for, my friend, I will not pen the cynical
word made use of by his father. It must be confessed
that we sometimes kept very bad company at Versailles.
The king, who abhorred degrading actions, did not like
the due de Fronsac, but was full of kindly feeling towards
the due d'Aiguillon. The latter experienced the extent
of his favor in his long and obstinate struggle with the
parliament of Bretagne. It must be owned, that if he
gained the victory at court, he decidedly lost it in the
city, and I was publicly insulted on this account in the
most brutal manner. However, the friendship which his
first interview inspired me with, I have always preserved
unaltered. The week glided away, and each day my fortune
seemed more fully assured. The love of the king in
creased, he heaped presents on me perpetually, and
seemed to think he never could do enough for me. The
bounties of Louis XV. were known, and instantly aroused
against me the two enemies with whom I had been
threatened — the due de Choiseul and the duchesse de
Grammont, his sister. I must say, however, that, at first,
the brother contented himself with despising me, but the
duchesse was furious; I had offended her feminine self-
love, and she could not forgive me. I have told you
that she obtained possession of the king by stratagem.
This is fact. She was in a place of concealment during
a regal debauch, and when Louis left the table, with his
head heated by wine, she awaited him in his bed to
commit a sort of violence on him. What curious ambi
tion! As soon as this noble lady learned my position,
she was desirous of knowing who I was, and I have been
told since all the measures she took to learn this. She
did not confine her search to the circle of Versailles, but
hastened to prosecute her inquiries in Paris with M. de

COMTESSE DU BARRY 31
Sartines. The lieutenant of police not suspecting the
favor that awaited me, as well as that which I already
enjoyed, and on the other hand persuaded of that of the
Choiseul family, set all his bloodhounds on my traces.
They did not fail to bring him back a thousand horrible
tales about me, with which he gratified the duchesse,
who, thinking thereby to do me a severe injury, spread
in the chateau a multitude of prejudicial tales against
me, hoping that they would reach the ears of the king
and disgust him with his amour. It was at this juncture
that appeared in the " Nouvelles a la Main " those infa
mous articles, collected in what they call the Collection
of Bachaumont. From the same source proceeded the
songs a la Bourbonnaise which filled Paris, and were sung
about everywhere. These scandals produced no other
effect than increasing the attachment which the king
had for me, and to diminish that which he felt for the
due de Choiseul.
Passion never reasons; if it had common sense, it
would perceive that it cannot disgust a lover by vilifying
his mistress, but, on the contrary, interests his self-love
in supporting her. Thus all these intrigues scathed me
not; I did not mention to my counsellor comte Jean an
insult which I met with in the park at Versailles from
madame de Grammont. I did not tell it to the king,
not wishing to create any disturbance at court. I avenged
myself by myself, and think I conducted myself remark
ably well in this adventure, which was as follows:
I was walking in the garden with Henriette, who had
given me her arm; it was early in the morning, and the
walks appeared solitary. We walked towards the side of
the He d' Amour, when we heard the steps of two persons
who came behind us. Henriette turned her head and then
said to me, " Here are mesdames de Brionne and de
Grammont. " I knew the latter but very slightly, and the
former not at all. Certainly she could not have been
there by chance; they knew I should be there, and
wished to see me closely. Not suspecting what was to
follow, I was delighted at the rencontre. They passed
us with head erect, haughty air; looked at me with a

32 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
disdainful stare, laughed rudely and walked away. Altho'
such behavior offended me, it did not put me out of
humor; I thought it very natural for madame de Gram
mont to be irritated against me. Henriette had less
magnanimity. She repeated so often how impertinent it
was thus to insult a female honored by the bounties of
the king, and so far excited my feelings, that instead of
returning as prudence suggested, I followed the steps of
these ladies. I did not proceed far before I rejoined
them; they were seated on a bench, awaiting my arrival
as it appeared. I passed close to them, and at that mo
ment the duchesse de Grammont, raising her voice,
said, " It must be a profitable business to sleep with every
body." I was excessively nettled, and instantly retorted, "At
least I cannot be accused of making a forcible entry into
any person's bed." The arrow went to the mark and
penetrated deeply. The whole countenance of the duch
esse turned pale, except her lips, which became blue.
She would have said something foolish, but madame de
Brionne, more cool because touched less nearly, placed
her hand over her companion's mouth. I in my turn
walked away with Henriette, laughing till tears came
into my eyes at this pleasing victory.
The duchesse de Grammont, who had no further in
clination to laugh, told the whole to her brother. He,
who loved her excessively, too much so perhaps, repri
manded her, nevertheless, and pointed out to her the
disadvantage in an open struggle with me. Madame de
Brionne was enjoined to secrecy, but that did not pre
vent her from confiding the affair to the dowager duch
esse d'Aiguillon.
This latter was a lady of most superior merit, uniting
to much wit more solid acquirements. She spoke English
like a native. Her death, which happened in 1772, was
a great misfortune to her son, to whom she gave the
most excellent counsel. She told my adventure to her
daughter-in-law, who, excessively ambitious, saw, without
any pain, the increasing attachment of her husband for

COMTESSE DU BARRY 33
me. I must tell you, in a parenthesis, that I always
lived on the best terms with her, and that, in my dis
grace, her friendship did not weaken. I must do her
this justice. All my faithful friends have not been
equally faithful towards me.
These two ladies knowing this occurrence, the due
d'Aiguillon was not long kept in ignorance that some
thing had happened. He came in haste to see me, and
inquired what it was. But he asked in vain, I would not
tell him. My secrecy hurt him, and on his return home
he wrote to me. As I have great pleasure in telling you
all that recalls this amiable gentleman to my mind, I will
transcribe his letter, which will give you an opportunity
of judging of the turn of his mind.
« I am very unhappy, madame. I had flattered myself with having
obtained your confidence, but the obstinate silence which you have
kept with me has cruelly informed me of my mistake. Allow the
deep interest with which you have inspired me to offer a suggestion.
You know nothing of forms, you are unacquainted with our usages:
you require a friend who shall direct and counsel you. Why should
you not select a man entirely devoted to you, and as equally so to
the king, the king whose affections you possess — and who could re
fuse them to you? I pause. Nothing is more dangerous than to use
a pen where we have a heart overflowing like mine. Be more gracious
towards me, I ask it of you in charity, and take no pleasure in driving
me to twofold desperation. Adieu, madame, etc.
<( Sighed, the Due d'A.w
I read and read again this epistle : it delighted me from
beginning to end. I found in it a depth of passion which
did not displease me: I perfectly comprehended the ob
scurity of the latter phrase. I needed a sort of mentor
superior to comte Jean, and I preferred the due
d'Aiguillon to any other, because he pleased me. This
feeling decided me, and I replied to him in these terms : —
«You are wrong, monsieur, to be annoyed, and to think that I am
not disposed to grant you my confidence. It seems to me that I can
not place myself in better hands. However, we do not know each
other well enough for me to repose in you at once: see me frequently,
and then, with the habit of being in your company, I will allow my
self to glide quietly into that state of confidence which you desire.
Yes, I am indeed a stranger to all that passes around me: my only
support is the protection with which the king honors me. That is
3

34 ' MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
all-powerful, but I will not employ it unseasonably or improperly. I
know that I need the counsels of an honorable, prudent, and well-
informed man. I accept, therefore, of yours; I even ask them from
you, if your friendship go along with them. Adieu, monsieur. My
regards are due to your uncle, the marechal, the first time you write
to him.*
This letter filled the due d'Aiguillon with joy. Some
days afterwards, the prince de Soubise, who also wished
to give me his advice, did not attain the same success.
It must be owned, that, for a man of the world, he went
about it in a very clumsy way. He committed the ex
treme error of selecting mademoiselle Guimard as medi
atrix between himself and me. This lady came to me on
the strength of our former acquaintance; she had so little
sense as not to perceive the immense distance between
us which a few days had caused, and that the opera-
dancer kept by the prince de Soubise could have no
relation with the favorite of the king of France. I en
deavored, in vain, to make her perceive it, without mor
tifying her too much. She always called me her dear
friend, and fairly slaughtered me with saying that her
prince would protect me. It was singular for her to
speak thus to me; to me from whom her prince solicited
protection. She did not confine herself to this, she even
insinuated to me that I should be a gainer in some way.
I laughed outright at this, and said to the valet de chambre,
who was stationed at the door, "Call mademoiselle's
servants." This annoyed her excessively; all the muscles
of her face were contracted with rage; but she restrained
her wrath, saluted me with an assumed respect, and
went away, after having so worthily acquitted herself of
her foolish embassy.
She had quitted me for an hour, when I received a
letter from him who had sent her. The prince de Sou
bise begged me to grant him an interview, in which he
could enter into an explanation. I replied that I would
receive him, and he came the same day.
" I am much pained, madame, " said he, on entering,
"that mademoiselle Guimard has communicated with so
little address what I wished to say to you."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 35
" Prince, I think you would have done better to have
been the bearer of your own message. You know my
station here, and would not have ridiculed me as she
has done."
M. de Soubise, much puzzled to know what she had
said, asked me the question.
"Why," I replied, "she said, that if I would follow
your counsels, you would pay me for my condescension."
"Ah! madame," he exclaimed, "she has completely
murdered me. I only charged her to offer my services
to you, and throw myself at your feet, as 'I do now."
" Rise, prince, I do not accuse you of such folly, and
promise not to mention it : it is necessary, however, that
you should know I have but one part to play here, that
of pleasing the king. Any other character will not suit
me. Honor me with your friendship, and accept mine
in return. I cannot, must not, have any other union
with you."
Thus terminated this interview ; it did not suit me to
give the prince de Soubise any hopes. He and all the
Rohans would have lived on it ; they would have turned
my confidence to their gain, and as they were for the
most part sharpers, or something akin to it, my name
would soon have been mixed up with some dirty trans
action. His family was a hydra of avarice, and would
alone have swallowed up all the wealth of France. If
the king had taken one of the Rohan family for his mis
tress, I believe that the finance department would not
have sufficed for one year's expenditure of this prodigal
family. I had no objection to the prince de Soubise
coming to supper with me, but I did not feel myself
disposed to give him any control over my mind. I should
have been ill-guided by a man who had no government
of himself.
If M. de Soubise did not depart satisfied, madame de
S Marsan, his relative, to whom he related the bad success
of his attempt, was not more so. She was a woman to
have governed a kingdom, had she been allowed to do
so. There was in her woman's head a capacity superior
to that of all the men of her family. She had a great

36 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
deal of ambition, and all her actions were the results of
a premeditated plan. She would have ruled the king,
the princes, the princesses, favorites, mistresses, the
court, the city, the parliaments, and the army! Nothing
would have been impossible to her; she was adequate to
any thing. Circumstances did not give her the oppor
tunity of displaying her genius. With great talents and
keen perception, she was reduced to the government of
her own family alone; that was but a trifling matter!
In spite of her discontent, madame de Marsan preserved
a sort of neutrality towards me. She allowed all sorts of
ill to be spoken of me without ever repressing a word.
She was then mute and motionless. She saw me torn
to pieces without any emotion. However, when we were
together she tried to cajole me in a thousand ways, all
the time detesting me in her heart; and I, who could
scarcely endure the sight of her, paid her a like number
of little attentions. Thus surrounded by hypocrites, I
became one myself. We learn to howl in the society of
wolves.

CHAPTER V.
The due de la Vauguyon and the comtesse du Barry — The mar
quis 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. M.
the due de la Vauguyon attempted also to be the
guide of my youth. This nobleman was too much of a
Jesuit not to have a nose of prodigiously fine scent. He
perceived that the wind was in my favor, and ap
proached me in consequence. I have mentioned to you
his first visit, and he made me a second a few days
afterwards. He appeared very affable, very conciliating,
and insisted particularly several times, and that without
any apparent motive, that the king, not being now en
gaged in the ties of wedlock, he should choose some
agreeable companion, and assuredly could not do better
than select me. The day after this visit, early in the
morning, the duke sent me a splendid bouquet, a homage
which he afterwards repeated, and then called on me a
third time.
During this visit after a conversation on the embar
rassments of an introduction at Versailles, he proposed
that I should avoid them.
" You cannot conceal from yourself, " he said, " how
powerful will be the cabal against you; and, without in
cluding the Choiseuls, you will have especially to fear
the pious party, who will only see in your intimacy with
the king, allow me to say, a crying scandal, and one not
profitable for religion." (37)

38 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
<( If the pious party unite with those who are not so to
destroy me," I rejoined, laughing, "I shall have all France
against me."
"No; but perhaps all the chateau. But there is away
of averting the storm. Attach yourself to the party of
honest men who have been so greatly calumniated — the
Jesuits. Philosophy, supported by the due de Choiseul,
has repressed them ; but the high clergy and the mesdames
royales are attached strongly to them, and you would in
terest them in your fortune by favoring these worthy
fathers. "
"What! monsieur le due," cried I, "will messeigneurs the
clergy of France, and mesdames royales and their suite be
favorable to me, if I use my influence with the king in
espousing the cause of the society of Jesus? "
" Certainly, madame, and I am authorized to promise
you. I give you my word for this. Endeavor to re-estab
lish the order, and there will not be one of us but will
be zealous in supporting you."
"I certainly am desirous of pleasing your friends; but
I can see that, from the first moment of my appearance
at court, I shall be at open war with the Choiseuls and
the parliaments."
" What matters it ? I confess that the victory will not
be easy at first, but there is no need to exaggerate the
difficulties. It is true that the king has esteem for the
due de Choiseul, but he has much affection for you,
which avails much more.
" As for the parliaments, he hates them, and for many
years has been desirous of ridding himself of them en
tirely, and he will effect this by the help of God and
your interference."
"This will be hard work for one so weak as I am."
" Oh, you are sufficiently powerful, I assure you. Only
confide in me, the intermediary between you and my
friends, let me guide you, and I will steer to the right
port. What do you think of this, madame ? "
"Oh! monsieur le due, it is not at a moment that we
can give a positive reply to such grave matters. I con
tent myself in assuring you, that I have for you as

COMTESSE DU BARRY 39
much confidence as respect, and should be very happy
to obtain your protection."
" My protection ! Oh, heaven, madame, you are jest
ing. It is I who should be honored by your friendship. "
"It is yours; but as yet I am nothing at court, and
can do nothing there until I have been presented. It is
for my speedy presentation that my friends should laboi
now. "
"We will not fail, madame; and if you will allow me
to come from time to time to converse with you, we can
take our measures."
"Your visits will always be agreeable."
Such was the conversation which I had with the due de
la Vauguyon. I have given it somewhat at length, be
cause it was the preface to a deep intrigue which made
a vast noise. I think I extricated myself very well from
the net in which the duke sought to catch me. I knew
that his situation at Versailles compelled me to act with
caution towards him. He was in good odor with mes
dames, had the ear of the young dauphin and the princes
his brothers. He deceived me like a true Jesuit as he
was, in telling me that the mesdames were well disposed
towards me ; and on my side I cheated him with a
promise of confidence and friendship which I never be
stowed. Ah! my friend, again and again must I exclaim,
what a villainous place is a court!
Whilst the due de la Vauguyon was seeking to enlist
me under the banners of heaven or the Jesuits, the mar
quis of Chauvelin also essayed to make me his pupil; but
as frank as he was amiable, this nobleman did not go to
work in a roundabout manner. He came to me loyally,
requesting me to consider his interests and mine.
"The king likes me," said he, "and I am attached to
him body and soul. He tenderly loves you, and I should
have no difficulty in doing the same thing; but as I am
no longer of an age to inspire you with the passion which
I should feel towards you, I content myself with your
friendship. I have no enemy here, and no wish to hurt
any person. Thus you need not fear that I shall urge
you to any measures that might compromise you. It is

40 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the hatred of the kingdom that you will have to fear.
France is about to march in a better track, and the best
plan is to follow its lead. It pains me, madame, to use
language which may appear severe to you ; we ought
only to talk to you of your beauty and the love which it
inspires. But in your situation, even that beauty may
serve the interests of France, and it is for that motive
that I come to solicit you."
I replied to M. de Chauvelin with equal frankness. I
told him that my sole intentions were to confine myself
to the circle of my duties ; that I had none but to please
the king, and no intention of mixing myself up with
state affairs. This was my plan I can assure you. I flat
tered myself that I could follow it, not dreaming of those
political nuisances into which I was precipitated in spite
of myself. I added, nevertheless, that in my situation,
which was delicate, I would not refuse the counsels of a
faithful servant of the king, and that under this title M.
de Chauvelin should be consulted on important occasions.
The marquis de Chauvelin had too much good sense,
too much knowledge of the world, not to perceive a re
fusal concealed under this politeness. The secret incli
nation of my heart had already led me to select the due
d'Aiguillon for my director, and I could not reconcile
myself to any other. He contented himself with asking
me again for my friendship, which I willingly accorded
him, and I have always found myself fortunate in his.
Thus did I accept the offers of service from the prince
de Soubise, the due de la Vauguyon, and the marquis
de Chauvelin.
A fourth sought to swell the ranks; the comte, after
wards prince, de Montbarrey. This gentleman made up
in pretensions for what he lacked in talent. He was
weak, self-important, selfish, fond of women, and endeav
ored to preserve all the airs of a man of good breeding
in the midst of the grossest debauchery. He was full of
respect for himself and his house, of which in time of
need he could cite the whole genealogy. His nomination
was a real scandal; no one dreamt of his ever being
minister of war. It was one of the thousand follies of

COMTESSE DU BARRY 41
old Maurepas, whom the late king knew well, and called
the ballad-maker of the council.
The comte de Montbarrey, whom I had known at Paris,
came to me one fine day, fully powdered, perfumed, and
apparelled. He had a smile on his lip, a loud tone, and
an insolent look. He came not to ask my friendship, but
my obedience. He told me that he loved me to distrac
tion, and of course my head must be equally turned
towards him. He amused me. I let him run out the
full length of his line; and when he had spun it all out,
I said to him, " Monsieur, be so good as to call me to the
recollection of madame de Merfort."
She was one of the gambling ladies, and at her house
I had formerly met the chevalier de Montbarrey. My
reply confounded him: he saw that he had gone the
wrong way to work with me; and, raising the siege, he
left me excessively embarrassed.
Figure to yourself, my friend, what confidence a man,
lost in the crowd of lower courtiers, could inspire me
with; for to judge of the proceedings of the comte de
Montbarrey, it would have been necessary to have seen
him as he then was, and not what he became since the
imbecility of M. de Maurepas. When I told comte Jean
of his visit, he would not believe such insolence. You
must know that my brother-in-law also wished to direct
me, but I did not consider him sufficiently clever. His
marvellous genius was eclipsed in politics. He swore at
my ingratitude, and I could only appease him by an
offering of plenty of money.
In the midst of this cross-fire of intrigues, one was de
vised against me which might have terminated in my
ruin; but, thanks to the indefatigable activity of comte
Jean, only served to fix me more firmly in my situation.
Lebel, of whom I have said nothing for this age, came
to me one day: his face was sad, and his look serious.
By his manner I augured that my reign had passed, and
that I must quit my post. I awaited what he should say
with mortal impatience. At length he began thus:
"Madame, you have many bitter enemies, who are
laboring to effect your ruin with a blood-thirstiness

42 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
which nothing can assuage. They have now spread a
report that you are not married. This infamous cal
umny — "
"Ah, is that all?" said I with joy; "no, my dear
Lebel, this time they do not calumniate me. The
worthy creatures for once are right."
"What," said Lebel, in a tone of alarm almost comic,
" what, are you really not married ? "
"No.""Are you not the wife of the comte Guillaume du
Barry ? »
"No." "Then you have deceived the king, and played with
me." "Lebel, my friend, take another tone. No one has
any right to complain. You have given me to the king
as a person to please him; I do so. The rest can be no
matter of yours."
" Pardon me, madame ; it is a matter of the greatest
consequence to me. I am terribly compromised in this
affair, and you with me."
Lebel told me that the duchesse de Grammont had
begged him to call upon her, and had bitterly reproached
him about the mistress he had procured for the king:
the duchesse affirmed that I was a nameless and un
married creature; and added, that it was his duty to
make the king acquainted with these particulars, unless
I, the pretended wife of du Barry, would consent to go to
England when a large pension should be assured to me.
" No, my dear Lebel, I will not go to England ; I will
remain in France, at Versailles, at the chateau. If I am
not married I will be; the thing is easily managed."
Lebel somewhat assured, begged me to send for comte
Jean, and when he came he (Lebel) recommenced his
tale of grief.
"You are drowning yourself in a glass of water," said
my future brother-in-law to him, beginning to treat him
with less ceremony; "go back to the duchesse de Gram
mont, and tell her that madame was married at Toulouse.
She will have an inquiry set on foot; in the mean while

COMTESSE DU BARRY 43
my brother will arrive, and the marriage will take place.
Then we will show the rebels a real comtesse du Barry;
and whether my sister-in-law be a lady of six months'
standing or only of yesterday, that is of no consequence
to the king of France."
After this conversation Lebel delivered the message
to the duchesse de Grammont, who told him that she
should write to Toulouse to the attorney-general. This
was what the comte Jean wished and he was prepared
for her.
But, you will say to me, was it certain that your as
serted husband would marry you? Were there no
difficulties to fear ? None. Comte Guillaume was poor,
talented, and ambitious; he liked high living, and would
have sold himself to the devil for riches. He was happy
in marrying me. Comte Jean would not have ventured
such a proposal to his other brother, the comte d'Hargi-
court, who had much good sense and great notions of
propriety, and who at Versailles was called the honnite
homme ; a distinction not over flattering to his two
brothers. The same evening the whole family arrived, and was
presented to me the next day. My two future sisters-
in-law frightened me at first with their provincial man
ners and southern accent; but, after a few minutes, I
found that this Gascon pronunciation had many charms
with it. Mesdemoiselles du Barry were not handsome but
very agreeable. One was called Isabelle, whom they
had nicknamed Bischi, the other's name was Fanchon, and
her name had been abbreviated to Chon. The latter had
much talent, and even brought to Versailles with
her, an instinctive spirit of diplomacy which would have
done honor to a practised courtier. She would have
been thought simple, unsophisticated, and yet was full
of plot and cunning.
I was soon much pleased with her, and the king be
came equally so. He was always very much amused at
hearing her talk patois (provincially), or recite the verses
of one Gondouli, a poet of Languedoc. He used to
make her jump upon his knees; and altho' she had

44 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
passed the first bloom of youth, he played with her like
a child. But what most particularly diverted the king,
was calling my sister-in-law by her nickname; " Petite
Chon, grande Chon* he was always saying, "do this, go
there, come here. " Louis XV. did the same with his own
daughters: he had amongst them a Loque, a Graille, a
Chiffe, and they were the ladies Victoire, Adelaide, and
Sophie, whom he thus elegantly designated. I so soon
saw the taste of the king for nicknames that I gave him
one, it was Lafrance. So far from being angry with me,
he laughed to tears every time that I called him so. I
must confess, en passant, that the anecdote about the
coffee is true.* I will only justify myself by saying,
that if I expressed myself coarsely it was not in conse
quence of my vulgar education, but because the king
liked such modes of expression.
Let me revert to my marriage, which was performed
secretly at the parish of Saint Laurent. I believe the
king knew of it, altho' he never alluded to it any more
than myself. Thus the malice of my enemies was com
pletely balked in this affair. Some days afterwards comte
Jean received a letter from the attorney-general of the
parliament of Toulouse, M. the marquis de Bonrepos-
Riquet. This gentleman informed my brother-in-law that
he had been applied to, to institute an inquiry at all the
notaries, and amongst all the registers of the parishes
for the proof of my marriage; that he warned us to be
on our guard, and that whatever diligence he might be
desired to employ, he should do nothing without inform
ing us. We felt the obligation of this proceeding, and
my brother-in-law thanked the attorney-general in my
name as well as in his own. He told him that it was
not at Toulouse that the parties interested should make
their researches for my marriage certificate, but at Paris,
either at the parish church of Saint Laurent, or at the
notary's, Lepot d'Auteuil. M. de Bonrepos gave part of
this reply to the duchesse de Grammont. Great was the
* Louis XV. had a habit of making his own coffee after dinner.
One day the coffee boiled over the sides of the pot, and madame du
Barry cried out, '•'•Eh, Lafrance, ton cafe" f  le camp.n

COMTESSE DU BARRY 45
bustle amongst the Choiseuls! I leave you to judge of
the fury of the lady or ladies, for the comtesse de
Grammont was no less irritated than the other, always
prepossessed with the idea, that to please the king was
to wrong their family. The comtesse de Grammont
had not half the talent of the duchesse, she had only
her faults. She showed herself so rude and impertinent
towards me, that I was at length compelled, not to exile
her of my own accord, but to allow that she should
be so served. But I anticipate, for this did not occur
until the following year.
The king by all his kindnesses endeavored to recompense
me for these attacks: he appeared charmed to see me
surrounded by my husband's family. He placed amongst
the pages the vicomte Adolphe du Barry, son of comte
Jean, a young man of great promise, but whose destiny
was so brief and so unfortunate. My husband's family
testified much affection for me, as did the due d'Aiguil
lon, to whom I daily attached myself. He carefully
kept from me all that could give me pain, and took a
thousand precautions that no unpleasant reports should
reach me. If we passed a short time without meeting
he wrote to me, and I confess I was delighted with a
correspondence which formed my own style. Mademoi
selle Chon, my sister-in-law, and I also wrote to each
other, and that from one room to another. I remember
that one day, having broken a glass of rock crystal which
she had given me, I announced my misfortune in such
solemn style, and with so well feigned a tone of chagrin,
that the letter amused the whole family. The king saw
it, and was so much pleased that he kept it, and next
day sent me a golden goblet enriched with stones, which
I gave to Chon, to whom it rightfully belonged.

CHAPTER VI.
Journey to Choisy — The comtesse du Barry and Louis XV. — The
king of Denmark — The czar Peter — Frederick II. — The abbe
de la Chapelle — An experiment — New intrigues — Secret agents
— The comtesse and Louis XV. —Of the presentation— Letter of
the comtesse to the due d'Aiguillon — Reply — Prince de Soubise.
Up to this period I had resided constantly at Ver
sailles or Paris, according to the pleasure of the king,
but had never followed his majesty in any of his
journeys. He wished to pass some days at his delightful
chateau at Choisy, situated on the banks of the Seine.
It was decided that I should be of the party, taking the
name of the baroness de Pamklek, a German lady, as
that would save me from the embarrassment in which I
should be placed with the king in consequence of my
non-presentation. The prince de Soubise, the dues de la
Trimoulle, d'Ayen, d'Aiguillon, and the marquis de
Chauvelin, were also to attend the king. The king re
mained nearly the whole time with me, and the entre"e to
my apartment became a favor not accorded to every
body. A small committee met there, and talked of
every thing except what is rational ; and I can assure you
that with such conversation time passes very quickly.
One day the king entered my apartment holding in his
hand a letter.
"I am about to receive," said he, "a visit that will not
give me much pleasure. My brother of Denmark is
traversing Europe, and is about to come to France.
Mon Dieu! what inconvenient persons are your travelling
kings ! Why do they leave their kingdoms ? I think
they are very well at home."
"Yes, sire, but there is an excuse for them: they are
weary of admiring your majesty at a distance, and wish
for the happiness of knowing you."
(46)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 47
At this compliment the king rubbed his hands with a
smile, which he always did when he was satisfied, and
then said,
"There is not in the hearts of foreign potentates the
same affection towards my person as you feel. It is not
me but France they wish to see. I remember that when
very young I received a visit from the czar Peter the
Great, Peter the First I mean to say. He was not defi
cient in sense, but yet behaved like a boor: he passed
his time in running over the academies, libraries, and
manufactories: I never saw such an ill-bred man. Imag
ine him embracing me at our first interview, and carry
ing me in his arms as one of my valets would have
done. He was dirty, coarse, and ill-dressed. Well, all the
Frenchmen ran after him; one would have supposed by
their eagerness that they had never seen a regal counte
nance." " Yet there was no occasion to run very far to see the
handsome face of a king."
" Hold your tongue, madame la baronne de Pamklek,
you are a flatterer. There is a crowned head which for
thirty years has desired to visit France, but I have al
ways turned a deaf ear, and will resist it as long as
possible. "
" Who, sire, is the king so unfortunate as to be ban
ished by you from your majesty's presence ? "
" Who ? The king of philosophers, the rival of Voltaire,
my brother of Prussia. Ah, my dear baronne, he is a
bad fellow; he detests me, and I have no love for him.
A king does wisely, certainly, to submit his works to
the judgment of a Freron! It would be outrageous
scandal if he came here. Great and small would crowd
around him, and there would not be twenty persons in
my train."
" Ah ! sire, do you think so ? "
" I am sure of it. The French now-a-days do not care
for their kings, and la Fronde will be renewed at an
early day. After all, philosophers believe that Frederick
II. protects them: the honest man laughs both at them
and me."

48 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" At you, sire ? Impossible. "
" No, no ; I know the impertinences he is guilty of
towards me: but let him. I prefer making my court to
the pretty women of my kingdom instead of to my pages.
You may depend upon it that if he came to Versailles
he would debauch some of them."
The king, charmed at having said this malicious speech,
rubbed his hands again.
" Really, sire, " I replied, " I am astonished that this
prince, having such disgusting inclinations, can have
much e"clat attached to his name."
"Ah, that is because he has great qualities: he will
not allow himself to be cheated. Do you know that he
is acquainted with the disposal of his finances to the last
farthing ? "
" Sire, he must be a miser. "
" No, madame, he is a man of method. But enough of
him. As to his majesty of Denmark, altho' he would
have been as welcome to stay at home, I shall receive
him with as much attention as possible. The kings of
Denmark and Sweden are my natural allies."
The king changed the subject, and said, " There is an
abb6, named la Chapelle, whom I think half cracked.
He flatters himself that he can, thro' the medium of
some apparatus, remain on the water without sinking.
He begs my permission to exhibit his experiment before
me; and if it would amuse you, we will have the exhi
bition tomorrow." I accepted the king's proposal with
pleasure. On the next day we went in a body to the terrace of
the chateau. The king was near me with his hat in his
hand; the due de Duras gave me his arm. M. I'abb6
awaited us in a boat: he flung himself bodily into the
water, dressed in a sort of cork- jacket, moved in any direc
tion in the water, drank, ate, and fired off a gun. So far
all went off well, but the poor abb£, to close the affair,
wrote a letter to the king. The letter was carried in
great pomp to his majesty. It contained two verses of
Racine, which had some double allusion to the experi
ment. This, you may be sure, was interpreted in the

COMTESSE DU BARRY 49
worst manner. The due d'Ayen gave the finishing stroke
to the whole, on his opinion being asked by the king.
"Sire," said he, "such men ought to be thrown into
the water; but all we can wish for them is, that they
should remain there."
The abb6 was not more fortunate in the evening. He
presented himself at supper, but the king did not address
a word to him, and he was compelled to bear the ma
licious jokes of the courtiers. But let us leave Choisy and
the experimentalist, and return to Versailles and myself.
My friends were excessively desirous for my presenta
tion, which would decide my position at the chateau. As
yet I only had an equivocal existence, having rank neither
at play, theatre, or public festival; so that if the king
should be capricious I could be dismissed as one of the
demoiselles of the Parc-aux-Cerfs. The due d'Aiguillon,
whose attachment to me increased, calculated accurately
all the advantages of this presentation. It would place
me on the same footing with madame de Pompadour,
and compel the ministers to come and work with me.
The duke did not doubt but that M. de Choiseul would
refuse to pay his devoirs to me, and that his resistance
would lead to his fall. But for my presentation, it was
necessary not only that the king should consent, for of
that I was certain, but that he should desire it, and his
desire could not be depended on.
Louis XV. was excessively timid: with an air which
appeared of a dreadnaught quality, he was fearful at
heart. The clamors of Versailles kept him in alarm ; and
he kept at his own court and at foreign courts secret
agents, whose only care was to report to him the com
plaints of the people and the sarcasms and satires of
society. The king was attached to them; and when the
force of circumstances compelled him to abandon them,
he still supported them clandestinely with all his power.
A proof of what I advance may be known as regards
the chevalier or chevaliere d'Eon, I know not which.
But these secret agents were, unknown to the king, all
devoted to the parliaments, and consequently inimical to
courtiers, favorites, and especially mistresses. God knows
4

50 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
how they disposed of us ! By these unpropitious channels
the king had learnt all the hatred which was borne to
madame de Pompadour. He was afraid of exciting the
discontent of the people by announcing another mistress,
and was no less intimidated at the severity of madame
Louise, and the ill-humor of his other children. He loved
his pleasure much, but his ease more.
Comte Jean, who was restrained by no considerations,
advised me to overlap all difficulty, by asking the king
myself for the favor which I coveted. His advice seemed
rational, and I was besides urged on to do so. Each day
brought to me impertinences said of me by the noble
ladies of the chateau.. I learnt that they boasted that I
should never set foot in the great apartments, but should
remain the obscure mistress of the king. This made me
impatient, and by degrees deprived me of my natural
gaiety. One day when the king was with me, he perceived my
want of spirits.
"What ails you?" said he, with the greatest solicitude.
" What ails me ! " replied I, " I wish I were dead,
rather than see myself the butt of all the scandal of the
foul-mouthed gossips of your court."
The king, suspecting the confidence I was about to re
pose in him, was sorry he had asked for it, and was
silent. He began to play a tattoo with his fingers on
the chimney-piece. At this moment mademoiselle Chon
came in. The king, delighted at seeing her, instantly
inquired into her state of health. She, after a profound
reverence, said,
"Sire, how can I be well when there is trouble in my
family? "
" Ah, bon Dieu! what is this? " said he, turning to me.
"I am insulted, hooted: they say that I have the
misfortune to be no longer in the good graces of your
majesty." "Ah, tell them they lie in their throats," replied the
king, kissing me on the forehead; "you are the woman
of my heart, and she whom I would fain load with
honors. "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 51
"Your majesty speaks to me," I answered, "with great
condescension [my sister-in-law left the room that she
might not spoil the explanation], but yet you are the
cause of the insolences which I am subjected to from
the vile crew."
" 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,
" I wish your enemies could understand you, for they
would soon be at your knees. But if we imprison or
exile no person, how shall we strike terror into them? »
" It is not terror but envy that I would excite. Let
me be presented at court, and all my wishes will be
satisfied. "
"I cannot for the life of me divine why you should
lay so much stress on coming to weary yourself with the
ceremonies of myself and daughters. Heaven preserve

52 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
you from all the irksomeness of court ceremony ! " And
Louis XV. sighed. "Did you ever think," he added,
"of all the vanities, all the interests I have to manage;
all the intrigues that are perpetually agitating, and all
the opposition made to me? The court, the city, the
people, will rise against me: they will clamor, groan,
complain; verse, prose, epigram, and pamphlet will ap
pear in uninterrupted succession. You would be first
attacked, and hatred will perhaps extend to me. I shall
see again the times when the Damiens, in the name of
the parliaments, as one party says, in the name of the
Jesuits, as the other party says, and, what is more true,
in the name — "
The king suddenly paused ; a deep shade of melancholy
settled on his features, his noble head dropped on his
bosom. Louis XV. remained for some time motionless;
at length,
"Well," he exclaimed, attempting to force a smile,
"well! I will write to the ladies de Grammont, to inform
them that they need not give themselves the trouble to
remain near me at the chateau."
On his saying these words I darted towards the door,
and went into my chamber. The king followed, and find
ing there mademoiselle Chon, who was working at some
tapestry, said to her,
"Mademoiselle, I confide to your care, and by oral
lettre de cachet, the most amiable little devil in France.
And now, mademoiselle du Barry, having nothing further
to add, I pray God to take you to His powerful and
holy keeping."
After this pleasantry the king, delighted at the gay
termination of a somewhat serious scene, went, or rather
vanished; for to use a proverbial expression, he ran like
a thief.As soon as I was alone with my sister-in-law, I told
her all that had passed.
"I see," said she, "that the king is fearful of offending
the due de Choiseul, and giving annoyance to his
daughters. But a step must be determined on which
will place you out of the reach of complete disgrace.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 53
Would it not be best to get some nobleman, who can do
so with influence, to speak to him on the subject? If
the due de Richelieu were here — "
"But," I instantly exclaimed, "have we not his
nephew, the due d'Aiguillon ? He is well with the king,
and I am certain will take the most lively interest in all
that concerns me."
"I have no doubt of it," said Chon, with a sly look.
" Write to him to come, and you can arrange your
ulterior proceedings."
On this advice, which was quite to my taste, I went
instantly to my writing-table, the last present which the
king had made me. It was made of silver gilt, and china
slabs beautifully painted. When I opened it, a glass was
lifted which reflected my countenance. I sat down and
wrote the following note to the due d'Aiguillon: —
«You must be content. I want your assistance, I really want it.
The moment has come for deserving all my confidence. Will you
have it at all risks and perils? Reflect well before you undertake this:
if you accept, come to-day at five o'clock precisely, neither later nor
sooner.9 A little while afterwards the following reply was brought.
a One thing displeases me in your letter which else enchants me.
You appear to doubt my obedience. Am I not your slave? And
when you say to me go, will I not got Rely on me as on yourself;
even more: for your vivacity may lead you into error, and I shall
preserve my reason. Yes, madame, I will, when near you, preserve
my reason when your interests are at stake. At the fixed hour I
shall have the honor to lay at your feet my respectful homage and
boundless devotion. »
It was impossible to express a real sentiment with
more delicacy. I was charmed at it, no longer doubting
that the duke would consider my interests as his own. I
awaited the hour of five with impatience, when my good
fortune brought the prince de Soubise. After the first
compliments, "Well, madame la comtesse, when is your presentation
to take place?"
" I do not know, monsieur le marechal ; there are ob

54 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
stacles in the way. I fear that they who wish to injure
me abuse their influence with the king."
<( I see that his majesty hesitates, altho' he is desirous
of giving you station. He must be stimulated to know
that he is master; and that if he shows any wavering in
this particular, it will be made use of to govern him
hereafter. "
Heartily did I applaud the language of M. de Soubise:
I did not suspect that the dear prince had another mo
tive behind. At the end of the interview he said,
" Madame, you would not have been as you now are
had you been more conciliatory towards me. I know the
king, and know how to manage him. I flatter myself
that you would have been now presented had you deigned
to hear my advice."
" Did I reject it ? Was I wrong in declining to have
mademoiselle Guimard as ambassadress ? Were you as
sured of her silence ? Might she not have compromised
us?" " You are right ; I did as one would have done at your
age, and you have done as I should do at mine; but
there is always time to amend."
" Certainly, prince. "
"You accept my advice, then."
"Yes," I replied, seeing the defile in which he wished
to entrap me, "yes, if I am presented thro' your influ
ence, from that moment you become my guide and
mentor. But it is important that the presentation be
not delayed; I rely on you to speak to the king this day
about it; and I know that he will give me every particu
lar of the immense service you will render me."
For once the madcap girl got the better of the prac
tised courtier. M. de Soubise, taken in his own snare,
politely excused himself, and left me with an assurance
that he would speak to the king. He did speak, but ob
tained nothing more than any other. You will see in
my next letter that I did not arrive at the accomplish
ment of my wishes without much trouble. There were
in this affair more intrigues for and against me than were
afterwards set on foot to decide war with America.

CHAPTER VII.
The comtesse and the due d'Aiguillon — M. de Soubise — Louis XV.
and the due d'Aiguillon — Letter from the comtesse to the king
— Answer of the king — The « Nouvelles a la Main? — The com
tesse and Louis XV. — The supper — The court ladies mystified
— The comtesse and M. de Sartines.
Iwas still triumphing at the skill which I had displayed
in my conference with the prince de Soubise when
the due d'Aiguillon entered.
"Good heaven," said he, kissing my hand very ten
derly, "into what inquietude did you throw me by your
dear and cruel letter. The ambiguity of your style has
caused me inexpressible sorrow; and you have added to
it by not allowing me to come to you at the first mo
ment. "
" I could not : I thought it would be dangerous for you
to appear before the king previously to having seen me."
" Would the king have thought my visit strange ? "
asked the duke, not without some emotion.
" That is not the point. The black spite of my ene
mies has not yet deprived me of the counsels of a friend.
But as it is necessary to speak to the king in my favor,
I wish that he should not know that you do so at my
request. "
After this I related to the duke my conversation with
the king.
" Your situation is delicate, " said he to me, " but it
should not trouble you. The king is weak, we must give
him courage. It is his pliancy of disposition rather than
his resistance that we must contend with, and I go to
act upon it."
I then instructed the duke with what had passed be
tween me and the prince de Soubise. When I had done,
the duke replied : (55)

56 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Expect nothing from the prince de Soubise : he will
speak, no doubt; but how? In a jesting, laughing way.
If, however, you think he can at all serve you, give him
all your confidence."
"No, no, never," I replied with quickness; "it is not
a thing to be done lightly; we do not select a confidant,
counsellor, or friend, at random. Do you not know this,
M. le due ? It is requisite that the heart of the one who
speaks should repose itself on the heart of the friend
who listens. I repeat to you that I have no feeling of
confidence towards M. de Soubise. In fact," I added
with visible and troubled emotion, "my choice is made,
and you have too much heroism to wish to combat it. "
At these flattering words the duke precipitated himself
at my feet, and swore to support my cause with all his
power and interest. I replied that I fully relied on his
devotion and prudence. Comte Jean entered, and it was
agreed between us three that I should say no more to
the king of my presentation before the due d'Aiguillon
had spoken to him of it; that I should content myself
with complaining without peevishness, and that we should
leave the opening measure to the prince de Soubise, and
let him break the ice to his majesty.
The prince de Soubise behaved exactly as the duke had
told me: he came to me the next morning with a mys
terious air, which already informed me of all he had to
say. He said that he had vainly tormented the king;
that his majesty wished things to remain just as they
were, and desired that until a new order of things noth
ing should be altered.
" I am sorry for it, monsieur le marechal, " I replied.
" Whilst I am in this precarious situation, whilst I remain
in a corner of the stage as a confidante of tragedy, I can
do nothing for my friends, particularly for you, monsieur
le mare'chal."
" On the contrary, madame, " he replied, " the king will
be more disposed to listen to you whilst he will suppose
that your influence is unknown."
" Oh, " cried I with a feeling of anger, " you gentlemen
courtiers think of nothing but politics. As for me, who

COMTESSE DU BARRY 57
am a woman, I have other matters for consideration: I
must have honors, title, rank. My self-love suffers cruelly
when I see myself immolated by the fear which the ladies
de Grammont and three or four other intriguers of their
party are able to excite."
The prince was somewhat startled at the freedom of
language which I used towards ladies in such credit at
court: he begged me to moderate my feelings, and be
less moved and excited. By this the prince de Soubise
lost the esteem which I might have accorded him, and .
the second place in my counsels, which I might have
given him.
I told the duke, who came to see me the moment
afterwards, of the failure of the prince's attempt. He told
me that he had not hoped for a better result. He went
to the king, flattering himself with hopes of better suc
cess, but did not find him.
The daughters of Louis XV. had united against me with
a fury which nothing could justify. They were inces
santly talking scandal of my past life, as if there were
only saints at court, as if they had no pranks of their
own to reproach themselves with. All the chateau knew
of their lovers, and there was living evidence of the
tenderness of madame Adelaide: as for madame Louise
she was an angel upon earth, and was the only one who
did not join in the cry against me. On the other hand,
the king, whilst he had but little love for his dear daugh
ters, preserved towards them a complaisance and external
appearance of kindness which was a substitute for pa
rental love. When mesdames royales cried out, he stopped
his ears with his two hands, and seemed, whilst looking
proudly at France, to say, "Am not I a good father,
and are not my daughters very happy, for I let them
cry out with all their might ? "
The next day the due d'Aiguillon went again to the
king, and found him bewildered with family scenes and
the murmurings of the Choiseuls. When my ambassador
had delivered his message, the king asked him if he, as
well as the prince de Soubise, had been set upon his
haunches by me.

58 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
The duke, nothing intimidated at this, told the king
that far from having wished that he should be my inter
preter, I had requested him not to allude to the matter.
"Why, then," said Louis XV. laughing, "do you not
follow the advice of the comtesse?"
« Because I entertain a sincere attachment for her, and
that I am vexed to hear it said that there are persons
who lead your majesty."
« Who are the insolents that hold such language ? "
"They surround you, sire. There is not a female
here but alfirms that you dare not decide on the presen
tation of the comtesse."
"I alone am master, and will let them know it when
the opportunity arrives; but the present moment is not
fitting. The comtesse knows how well I love her; and
if she will prove her friendship towards me, she will re
main quiet for some time."
The duke thought it best to be silent, and came to
me. After relating the conversation, he added, " Do not
appear at all dejected; the king would not then visit
you lest he should find you out of temper. Were I you
I should write to him; a word of peace would set him
at ease."
I approved this advice, and instantly penned the fol
lowing letter: —
«Sire — They tell me that your majesty has been tormented on my
account. It is a treason of which I alone could believe myself capa
ble. But why should I complain? You have done so much for me
that I ought to esteem myself happy: your august friendship con
soles me thro' all my annoyances. Be assured that henceforth I shall
pout no more; I will be the best sheep in the world, relying on my
shepherd for not having my fleece cut too closely; for after all I
think I am the petted ewe, etc.M
A short time afterwards a page brought me a splendid
box of bonbons with a pair of ruby ear-rings surrounded
with diamonds, and this short billet: —
«Yes, assuredly you are my pet ewe, and always shall be. The
shepherd has a strong crook with which he will drive away those
who would injure you. Rely on your shepherd for the care of your
tranquillity, and the peace of your future life.»

COMTESSE DU BARRY 59'
In the evening the king visited me. He was em
barrassed, but I set him at ease by showing him a
laughing countenance, talking only of his present, which
I had in my ears, and shaking my head about to keep
the drops in motion, which sparkled with great brilliancy.
He was pleased at this, and did not leave me all the
evening. In the morning we were the best friends in
the world.
Some days elapsed, when comte Jean came to me,
bringing two infamous articles which had appeared in
the " Nouvelles a la Main,'" and were directed against
me. They were atrocious and deeply chagrined me: I
placed them on the mantel-piece, where all who came
in could see them. The due de Duras read them, and
said, " Conceal these atrocities from the king. "
" No, " was my reply, " I wish him to read them, that
he may know how his affections are respected, and how
the police of Paris are employed in doing their duty to
the throne."
These last words annoyed M. de Duras, between whom
and M. de Sartines there was a connection: the duke
was indebted to the lieutenant-general of police for the
special surveillance which he kept over a young girl of
whom he, the due de Duras, was foolishly enamoured.
Trembling for his dear friend M. de Sartines, he wrote
to him in haste, but had not courage or talent enough to
undertake the defence of the guilty person.
The king came as usual; his general station was at
the chimney-piece, where he amused himself with look
ing at the baubles that ornamented it. The " Nouvelles
a la Main'" fell in his way. He read them once, then
again; then, without uttering a word, threw them into
the fire. I observed him, and saw that he was full of
emotion which he sought to conceal, but the anger burst
forth soon. The prince de Soubise, who supped with us
that evening, asked the due de Duras if he had read the
" Gazette de France.'"
"No," was the reply; "I seldom read such nonsense."
" And you are quite right, " said the king. " There is
at present a mpst inconceivable mania for writing. What

60 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
is the use, I ask you, gentlemen, of this deluge of books
and pamphlets with which France is inundated? They
only contain the spirit of rebellion: the freedom of writ
ing ought not to be given to every body. There should
be in a well-regulated state seven or eight writers, not
more; and these under the inspection of government.
Authors are the plague of France ; you will see whither
they will lead it."
The king spoke this with an animated air, and if at
this moment M. de la Vrilliere had come to ask for a
lettre de cachet against a writer, the king would not
have refused it.
" Besides, " added the king, in a tone of less anger, but
no less emphatically, " I see with pain that the police
do not do their duty with regard to all these indignities. "
" Yet, " said the due de Duras, " M. de Sartines does
wonders. "
" Then why does he tolerate such insults ? I will let
him know my discontent."
The due de Duras was alarmed, and kept his mouth
closed. The king then, resuming his gaiety, joked the
two gentlemen on their secret intrigues: then changing
the conversation suddenly, he talked of the expected ar
rival of the king of Denmark.
" Due de Duras, " said he, " you and your son must do
the office of master of ceremonies to his Polar majesty.
I hope you will endeavor to amuse him."
" Yes, sire. "
" Mind, what you undertake is no joke. It is no easy
matter to amuse a king."
This was a truth which I perceived at every moment,
and our monarch was not the one to be amused with
trifling exertion. Frequently when he entered my apart
ment he threw himself on an ottoman, and yawned most
excessively; yes, yawned in my company. I had but one
mode of rousing him from this apathy, but it was a sure
one. I spoke of the high magistracy and its perpetual
resistance to the throne. Then the king aroused, in
stantly sprung from his seat, traversed the room with
rapid strides, and declaimed vigorously against the black

COMTESSE DU BARRY 61
gowns; thus he styled the parliaments. I confess, how
ever, that I only had recourse to the black gowns at the
last extremity. Little did I think that at a later period
I should league myself against them. On the one hand,
the due d'Aiguillon hated them mortally, and on the
other, the comte Jean, like a real Toulousian, would have
carried them in his slippers; so that wavering between
the admiration of the one and the hatred of the other, I
knew not which to listen to, or which party to side
with. But to return to present matters.
The king was always thinking of the "-Nouvelles a la
Main," and determined to avenge me as openly as I had
been attacked. Two or three days afterwards he gave a
supper, to which he invited the duchesse and comtesse
de Grammont, madame de Forcalquier, the princesse de
Marsan, the marechale de Mirepoix, and the comtesses de
Coigny and de Montbarrey. They were seated at table
laughing and amusing themselves ; they talked of the pleas
ure of being to themselves, of having no strangers; they
pierced me with a hundred thrusts ; they triumphed ! and
yet the king was laughing in his sleeve. At a premeditated
signal the due d'Aiguillon, one of the guests, asked his
majesty if he had seen the comtesse du Barry that day.
This terrible name, thrown suddenly into the midst of
my enemies, had the effect of a thunder-clap. All the
ladies looked at each other first and then at the king,
and the due d'Aiguillon, preserving profound silence.
His majesty then replied, that he had not had the hap
piness of visiting me that day, not having had one mo
ment's leisure; then eulogized me at great length, and
ended by saying to the duke, " If you see the comtesse
before I do, be sure to say that I drank this glass of
wine to her health."
The ladies did not anticipate this. The duchesse de
Grammont particularly, in spite of long residence at
court, turned pale to her very ears, and I believe but
for etiquette she would have fallen into a swoon. I learnt
afterwards from the marechale de Mirepoix, that the
duchesse, on going home, gave herself up to a fit of
rage, which did not terminate even on the following

62 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
day. When the king related this occurrence to me, he
was as proud of it as if he had done a most courageous
deed. But I have omitted a day which was of great impor
tance to me in its consequences. I mean the day which
followed that on which I had complained to the due de
Duras of M. the lieutenant of police. In the morning
early my sister-in-law came into my room.
"Sister," said she, "comte Jean is here with M. de
Sartines, who begs to pay his respects to you. Will you
receive him ? "
" M. de Sartines ! Yes, let him come in ; I will treat
him as he deserves."
Comte Jean then came in, preceded by the lieutenant
of police: he wore a large peruke with white powder, and
curled with the utmost care. Wigs were his mania, and he
had a room filled from floor to ceiling with these orna
ments. The due d'Ayen said, that he never should be in
trouble about the council of state, for in case of need, it
might be found and replenished from the house of the
lieutenant of police. Let us leave wigs and revert to
M. de Sartines.
He appeared before me with the air of Tartuffe, and,
forgive the phrase, en vrai capon.
"Madame," said he to me, "I have been informed that
I am in disgrace with you, and have come to inquire
how I may extricate myself from this misfortune."
"You ought to know, sir. Twice in one month have I
been shamefully insulted; and yet the first intimation of
such a thing ought to have put you on your guard."
M. de Sartines, whom my tone had much surprised,
endeavored to justify himself, when comte Jean said
to him,
" My dear lieutenant of police, all you have said goes
for nothing. One thing is certain, and that is, that there
is a deficiency of respect towards my sister-in-law. You
say that it is not your fault: what proof do you give us
of this ? What inquiries have you made ? What meas
ures have you taken ? Any ? Why do you come to us if
you aid our enemies ? "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 63
M. de Sartines would fain have ensconced himself in
his own dignity.
"M. du Barry," was his reply, "I shall render an ac
count of my conduct to the king."
"Very well, sir," I replied, "but do not suppose that
either you or the Choiseuls can give me any cause of
fear. "
M. de Sartines was thunderstruck ; my boldness aston
ished him. At length he said,
"Madame, you are angry with me causelessly; I am
more negligent than culpable. It is useless to say this
to the king."
" I will not conceal from you, sir, that he knows it all,
and is greatly discontented with you."
"I am lost then," said M. de Sartines.
" Lost ! not precisely, " replied comte Jean ; " but you
must decide at once and for ever what party you will
join. If you are with us they will use you harshly; if
you take the opposite party look to yourself. Choose. "
After some turnings and twistings, accompanied with
compliments, M. de Sartines declared that he would range
himself under our banner. Then I extended to him my
hand in token of reconciliation; he took it with respect,
and kissed it with gallantry. Up to this time we had
conversed with feelings of restraint and standing; but
now we seated ourselves, and begun a conference in form,
as to the manner of preventing a recurrence of the
offensive outrages against me. As a proof of good in
tention M. de Sartines told me the author of the two
articles of which I complained. He was a wretch, named
Ledoux, who for twelve hundred livres per annum wrote
down all those who displeased the duchesse de Grammont.
This lady had no fear of doing all that was necessary to
remove every obstacle to the publication of such infamies.
After M. de Sartines had given us all the details which
we desired, and after I had promised to reconcile him to
his master, he went away delighted with having seen me.
Believe me, my friend, it is necessary to be as handsome
as I am, that is to say, as I was, to seduce a lieutenant
of police.

CHAPTER VIII.
The sieur Ledoux — The lettre de cachet— Tine due de la Vrilliere
— Madame de Langeac — M. de Maupeou —Louis XV. — The comte
Jean.
On that very evening the king having come to me, I
said to him,
" Sire, I have made acquaintance with M. de
Sartines. "
" What ! has he been to make friends with you ? "
" Something like it : but he has appeared to me less cul
pable than I thought. He had only yielded to the solici
tation of my personal enemy."
"You cannot have one at my court, madame; the
lieutenant of police would have done well not to have
named her to you."
"Thanks to him, however, I shall now know whom I
ought to mistrust. I know also who is the author of the
two scurrilous paragraphs."
"Some scamp, no doubt; some beggarly scoundrel."
"A monsieur Ledoux."
"Ah, I know the fellow. His bad reputation has
reached me. It must be stopped at last."
So saying, Louis XV. went to the chimney, and pulled
the bell-rope with so much vehemence that ten persons
answered it at once.
" Send for the due de la Vrilliere ; if he be not suita
bly attired let him come in his night-gown, no matter so
that he appear quickly."
On hearing an order given in this manner a stranger
might have supposed the king crazy, and not intent on
imprisoning a miserable libeller. I interceded in his
favor, but Louis XV., delighted at an opportunity of
playing the king at a small cost, told me that it was no
(64)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 65
person's business, and he would be dictated to by no one.
I was silent, reserving myself until another opportunity
when I could undertake the defence of the poor devil.
The due de la Vrilliere arrived, not in a dressing-
gown, as the king had authorized, but in magnificent
costume. He piqued himself on his expenditure, and
always appeared superbly attired, altho the splendor of
his apparel could not conceal the meanness of his look.
He was the oldest secretary of state, and certainly was
the least skilful, least esteemed, least considered. Some
time after his death some one said of him in the pres
ence of the due d'Ayen, that he had been an unfor
tunate man, for he had been all his life the butt of
public hatred and universal contempt. " Rather say,"
replied the duke, "that he has been a fortunate man;
for if justice had been rendered to him according to his
deserts, he would have been hung at least a dozen times."
The due d'Ayen was right: M. de la Vrilliere was a
brazen-faced rogue; a complete thief, without dignity,
character, or heart. His cupidity was boundless: the
lettres de cachet emanated from his office, and he carried
on an execrable trade in them. If any person wished to
get rid of a father, brother, or husband, they only had
to apply to M. de la Vrilliere. He sold the king's sig
nature to all who paid ready money for it. This man
inspired me with an invincible horror and repugnance.
For his part, as I was not disgusting, he contented him
self with hating me; he was animated against me by his
old and avaricious mistress, madame de Langeac, alias
Subutin. Langeac could not endure me. She felt that
it was better to be the mistress of Louis XV. than that
of the petit la Vrilliere, for so her lover was called at
court. I knew that she was no friend of mine, and that
her lover sided with the Choiseuls against me; and was
consequently the more delighted to see the little scoun
drel come to receive the order for avenging me. He
entered with an air of embarrassment; and whilst he
made me a salute as low as to the king, this latter, in a
brief severe tone, ordered him to send the sieur Ledoux
to Saint Lazare forthwith. He departed without reply,
5

66 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
and half an hour afterwards returned, to say that it was
done. The king then said to him,
" Do you know this lady ? "
" No, sire. "
"Well, I desire you henceforward to have the greatest
consideration for her as my best friend, and whoever
wishes to prove his zeal for me, will honor and cherish
her." The king then invited him to sup with us, and I am
sure that during the whole repast I was the hardest
morsel he had to digest.
Some days afterwards I made acquaintance with a per
son much more important than the little duke, and des
tined, 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.
Ardent, yet cool; bold, but reflective; the clamors of
the populace did not astonish, nor did any obstacles
arrest him. He went on in the direct path which his
will chalked out. Quitting the magistracy, he became its
most implacable enemy, and after a deadly combat he
came off conqueror. He felt that the moment had ar
rived for freeing royalty from the chains which it had
imposed on itself. It was necessary, he has said to me
a hundred times, for the kings of France in past ages to
have a popular power on which they could rely for the
overturning of the feudal power. This power they found
in the high magistracy; but since the reign of Louis
XIII. the mission of the parliaments had finished, the
nobility was reduced, and they became no less formidable
than the enemy whom they had aided in subduing.
"Before fifty years," pursued M. de Maupeou, "kings
will be nothing in France, and parliaments will be every
thing." Talented, a good speaker, even eloquent, M. de Maupeou
possessed qualities which made the greatest enterprises
successful. He was convinced that all men have their
price, and that it is only to find out the sum at which

COMTESSE DU BARRY 67
they are purchasable.* As brave personally as a marechal
of France, his enemies (and he had many) called him a
coarse and quarrelsome man. 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. I have no need to tell you,
that he was little, ugly, and his complexion was yellow,
bordering upon green. It must be owned, however, that
his face, full of thought and intelligence, fully com
pensated for all the rest.
You know how, as first president of the parliament of
Paris, he succeeded his father as vice-chancellor. At the
resignation of the titular M. de Lamoignon,f the elder
Maupeou received his letters of nomination, and as soon
as they were registered, he resigned in favor of his son.
The Choiseuls had allowed the latter to be nominated,
relying on finding him a creature. I soon saw that the
Choiseuls were mistaken.
It was in the month of October, that Henriette, always
my favorite, came to me with an air of unusual mystery,
to say, that a black and ugly gentleman wished to see
me ; that on the usual reply that I was not visible, he had
insisted, and sent, at the same time, a cautiously sealed
note. I took it, opened, and read these words: —
<(The chancellor of France wishes to have the honor of presenting
his respectful homage to madame la comtesse du Barry.M
" Let him come in, " I said to Henriette.
" I will lay a wager, madame, that he comes to ask
some favor."
" I believe, " replied I, " that he is more frequently the
solicited than the solicitor."
Henriette went out, and in a few minutes led in, thro'
the private corridors which communicated with my apart-
*This gentleman would have been an able coadjutor for sir
Robert Walpole. — Trans.
fin September, 1768.

68 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
ment, his highness monseigneur Rene" Nicolas Charles
Augustin de Maupeou, chevalier and chancellor of France.
As soon as he entered I conceived a good opinion of him,
altho' I had only seen him walk. His step was firm and
assured, like that of a man confident in the resources of
his own talents.
" Madame la comtesse du Barry, " he said, " would have
a right to complain of me, if I did not come and lay
my person at her feet. I had the more impatience to
express to her my devotion, as I feared she had been
prejudiced against me."
" How, monseigneur ? "
" The gate by which I entered the ministry — "
" Is not agreeable to me, as being that of my enemies,
but I feel assured that you will not side with them
against me."
" Certainly not, madame ; it is my wish to give you
pleasure in every thing, and I flatter myself I may merit
your friendship."
After many other compliments, the Chancellor asked
me, with much familiarity, when my presentation was to
take place, and why it had not yet occurred. I replied,
that the delay arose from the intrigues of Choiseul, and
the king shrunk from the discontent of a handful of
courtiers. "I am sorry for it," said M. de Maupeou; "in the first
place, madame, because of the interest I take in you, and
also because for his majesty, it would be a means of
striking terror into the opposing party. You know,
madame, how annoying parliaments are to all your friends,
and with what bitterness those of Bretagne and Paris, at
this moment, are pursuing the due d'Aiguillon."
" Do you think, " I replied with emotion, " that matters
are unfavorable towards him ? "
" I hope not, but he must be warmly supported. "
" Ah ! I will aid him with all my influence, He is
no doubt innocent of the crimes imputed to him."
" Yes, certainly. He has done no other wrong than to
defend the authority of the crown against the enmity of
the parliaments."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 69
We continued some time to talk of parliaments and
parliament men: then we agreed that M. de Maupeou
should see me again, accompanied by the due d'Aiguil
lon, who should have the credit of presenting him, and
he left me with as much mystery as he had entered.
When the king came to see me, I said to him, " I
have made acquaintance with your chancellor: he is a
very amiable man, and I hope that he will not conduct
himself improperly towards me."
" Where did you see him ? "
"Here, sire, and but a short time since."
" He came then to visit you ? "
"Yes, in person, that he might obtain the favor of be
ing permitted to pay his court to me."
" Really what you tell me seems perfectly unaccount
able. He has then burst from the hands of the Choi
seuls ? It is amusing. Poor Choiseul, when soliciting for
Maupeou, he most tremendously deceived himself."
"At least, sire, you must own that he has given you
no fool."
"True. The chancellor is a man full of talents, and
I do not doubt but that he will restore to my crown that
power which circumstances have deprived it of. How
ever, if you see him familiarly, advise him not to per
suade me to extreme measures. I wish all should work
for the best, without violent courses and without painful
struggles. "
These last words proved to me the natural timidity of
the king.
" I knew very well, " added the king, " that Maupeou
would not prove a man for the Choiseuls. The main
point is, that he should be mine, and I am content."
Louis XV. was then satisfied with the chancellor, but
he was not equally so with the comte Jean.
"I do not like," said he to me, "your Du Barry
monkey. He is a treacherous fellow, who has betrayed
his party, and I hope some of these mornings we shall
hear that the devil has wrung his neck."

CHAPTER IX.
The king of Denmark — The courtesans of Paris — The due de Choi
seul and the bishop of Orleans — Witty repartees of the king of
Denmark — His visit to madame du Barry — «The court of king
Petaud,» a. satire — Letter of the due d'Aiguillon to Voltaire —
The duchesse de Grammont mystified — Unpublished letter of Vol
taire's.
From this moment, and in spite of all that comte Jean
could say against it, a new counsellor was admitted
to my confidence. He was the chancellor. The
due d'Aiguillon and he were on very good terms, and
these two, with the abbe" Teray, of whom I shall speak
to you presently, formed a triumvirate, which governed
France from the disgrace of M. de Choiseul to the death
of the king. But before I enter upon a detail of those
politics, of which you will find that I understand some
thing, allow me to continue the history of my presenta
tion, and also to give some account of Christian VII.
You know that his Danish majesty was expected with
anything but pleasure by the king of France, and with
curiosity by the rest of the nation. Men and women
were impatient to see a king, under twenty years of age,
who was traversing Europe with a design of attaining in
struction. Married to a lovely woman, Caroline Mathilde,
he had left her on the instant, without suspecting that
this separation would prove fatal to both. At Paris, the
real character of this prince was not known, but a con
fused report of his gallantry was spread abroad, on which
all the courtesans of note in the city began to try all arts
to please him, each hoping to attract him to herself, and
dip into his strong box. M. de Sartines amused us one
evening, the king and myself, by telling us of the plans
of these ladies. Some were going to meet his Danish
(7o)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 71
majesty, others were to await him at the barrier, and
two of the most renowned, mesdemoiselles Gradi and
Laprairie had their portraits painted, to send to the
young monarch as soon as he should arrive.
Christian VII. entered Paris the latter end of the month
of October, 1768. MM. de Duras complimented him in
the king's name, and informed him that they were
charged with the office of receiving his commands during
his residence in Paris. The interview of the king and
the illustrious stranger took place at Versailles. Christian
VII. came thither in the state -carriage, and was conducted
by the due de Duras into the apartment of the dauphin,
where he remained until Louis XV. was prepared to re
ceive him. I had heard much discussion about this recep
tion. It was said, that to make a distinction between the
sovereign of a petty state and that of the superb king
dom of France, it was requisite that the former should
await for some time the audience which the latter ac
corded. I am sure that when the peace with Frederick
was agitated, the face of Louis XV. was not more grave
and serious than during this puerile debate about etiquette.
The due de Choiseul, who had the control of foreign
affairs, was in the apartment to receive his Danish ma
jesty, with his colleagues, the due de Praslin, the comte
de Saint-Florentin (whom I have called by anticipation
due de la Vrilliere), M. Bertin, M. Mainon d'Invau, con
troller of the finances, and M. de Jarente, bishop of Or
leans and one of the ministry. He kept himself somewhat
in the background, as tho' from humility. The due de
Choiseul came up to him, and said, with a smile,
" Monseigneur, what brings you in contact with a
heretic ? "
"To watch for the moment of penitence."
" But what will you do if it become necessary to teach
him his credo?"
M. de Jarente understood the joke, and was the first to
jest upon his own unepiscopal conduct, replying to the
due de Choiseul,
"There is a person present who knows it; he will
whisper it to me, and, if necessary, the Veni Creator also. "

72 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
The king of Denmark was congratulated by the due
de Choiseul, who discharged this duty with as much
grace as wit. Afterwards M. Desgranges, master of the
ceremonies, having announced that Louis XV. was visible,
the king of Denmark, preceded by his gentlemen and the
French ministers and lords, went to the king's cabinet,
in which two arm-chairs precisely alike were prepared,
but his majesty of Denmark positively refused to be
seated. He entered into conversation, and felicitated
himself on seeing a monarch, whose renown filled Eu
rope, and whom he should take as his model. During
this conversation Christian VII. displayed the greatest
amiability. Our king, speaking to him, said, " I am old
enough to be your father " ; to which he replied, " All
my conduct towards you shall be that of a son." This
was thought admirable; and at the termination of the
interview Louis XV. appeared charmed with his brother
of Denmark. " He is a complete Frenchman, " said he
to me, "and I should be sorry if he left me dissatis
fied." That same evening Christian VII. visited monseigneur
the dauphin, in whom he did not find the urbanity of
his grandfather. The conversation was short and abridged
out of regard to our prince, who only stammered, with
out being able to find one polished phrase. Never was
there in his youth a more timid and awkwardly con
ducted prince than the present king. I shall mention
him and his brothers hereafter, but will now direct my
immediate attention to the king of Denmark. He supped
the same evening with Louis XV. at a table with four
and twenty ladies of the court, selected from amongst
those most celebrated for the charms of their persons or
their wit. As his Danish majesty was greatly struck
with madame de Flaracourt, the king asked him how
old the lady might be in his opinion.
" Thirty, perhaps, " was the reply.
"Thirty, brother! she is fifty."
" Then age has no influence at your court. "
I shall not copy the " Gazette de France" to tell you
of the sojourn of Christian VII. at Paris. I am not

COMTESSE DU BARRY 73
writing the journal of this prince but of myself. The
king one day said to me,
" My brother of Denmark has expressed to the due de
Duras a great desire to pay his respects to you, if you
will accede to his wishes. I leave you entirely sovereign
mistress of yourself, not without some fear however that
the young king will steal away your heart from me."
"Ah, sire," I replied, "that is an unjust suspicion; I
should be angry about it if it were not a joke, and
would refuse to see the king of Denmark did I not
know how fully you are assured of my attachment to
you. "
" I should not be so jealous, madame, if I did not set
so much value on it," was the reply of the king, as he
kissed my hand.
The due de Duras came the next day to inform me of
the request of his new king. It was agreed, in order to
keep the interview secret, that I should receive him at
my own mansion in the Rue de la Jussienne, and that he
should come there without suite, and with the strictest
incognito. At the day and hour agreed he entered my
house, escorting two strangers of admirable presence.
One was the king of Denmark, under the name of comte
de  , and the other a nobleman of his suite. Christian
VII. appeared to me a very handsome man. He had
large and singularly expressive eyes; too much so, per
haps, for their brilliancy was not of good augury; and I
was not surprised at hearing subsequently that his reason
had abandoned him, altho' he possessed and exerted his
wit most perfectly during our conversation, in which he
displayed the greatest gallantry. I could not reproach
him with one single expression that was objectionable,
altho' the subject of conversation was delicate. He dis
coursed of the feelings of the king towards me, and yet
said not a word that was unsuited or out of place,
nothing but what was in the best taste, and expressed
with the utmost delicacy. I asked him if the ladies of
Denmark were handsome. "I thought, madame," was
his reply, " until now, that the ladies of my kingdom were
the most lovely in Europe."

74 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
We did not talk of myself only: Christian VII. spoke
of Paris with enthusiasm. " It is the capital of the
world," he remarked, "and our states are but the
provinces." He sought out our most celebrated savants
and literati, and was particularly delighted with d'Alem-
bert, Diderot, la Harpe, and M. the comte de Buffon.
He greatly regretted that Voltaire was not in Paris, and
expressed his great desire to see at Fefney the great
genius (as he termed him) who instructed and amused
the world. He appeared weary of the fetes which were
given, and especially with the deadly-lively company of
the two Duras. It was enough to kill you to have only
one of them, and you may imagine the torture of being
bored with both. The duke had promised Louis XV. to
be as amusing as possible too! After a conversation of
three hours, which his majesty (of course) said had ap
peared but of a moment, he left me delighted with his
person, wit, and manners.
When Louis XV. saw me, he inquired my opinion of
his Danish majesty.
" He is, " I replied, " a well-educated king, and that
they say is a rarity."
" True, " said Louis XV. , " there are so many persons
who are interested in our ignorance, that it is a miracle
if we escape out of their hands as reasonable beings."
I went on to tell the king our conversation.
"Ah," cried he, "here is one who will increase the
vanity of the literary tribe: they want it, certainly. All
these wits are our natural born enemies ; and think them
selves above us; and the more we honor them, the
greater right do they assume to censure and despise us."
This was the usual burden of his song: he hated men
of learning. Voltaire especially was his detestation, on
account of the numerous epigrams which this great man
had written against him; and Voltaire had just given
fresh subject of offence by publishing "Za Cour du Roi
Petaud" ("The Court of the King Petaud,") a satire evi
dently directed as strongly against the king as your
humble servant. M. de Voltaire had doubtless been en
couraged to write this libel by the Choiseul party. He

COMTESSE DU BARRY 75
was at a distance, judged unfavorably of me, and thought
he could scourge me without compromising himself.
It was comte Jean who brought me these verses, in
which there was less poetry than malevolence. I read
them, was indignant, and wept. The due d'Aiguillon
came, and finding me in tears, inquired the cause.
"Here," said I, giving him the poem, "see if you can
bear so gross an insult." He took the paper, cast his
eyes over it, and having folded it up, put it into his
pocket. "It was ill done," said he, "to show this to you. I
knew of it yesterday, and came now to talk with you
of it."
" I rely on you to do me justice. "
" Mise"ricorde ! " cried the duke, " would you lose your
self in the eyes of all France ? You would place
yourself in a fine situation by declaring yourself the
persecutrix of Voltaire. Only an enemy could have thus
advised you. "
"That enemy was comte Jean."
" Then your imprudence equals your zeal. Do you not
perceive the advantage it would give to your adversaries
were we to act in this manner ? To the hatred of the
court would be united that of the literati, women, and
young persons. Voltaire is a god, who is not to be
smitten without sacrilege."
" Must I then tamely submit to be beaten ? "
" Yes, for the moment. But it will not last long: I
have just written this letter to M. de Voltaire, that peace
may be made between you : —
K Sir, — The superiority of your genius places you amongst the
number of the potentates of Europe. Every one desires, not only to be
at peace with you, but even, if it be possible, to obtain your esteem.
I flatter myself with being included in the ranks of your admirers;
my uncle has spoken to you many times of my attachment to your
person, and I embrace the opportunity of proving this by a means
that now presents itself.
« Persons in whom you place too much confidence have spread
abroad, under your name, copies of a poem, entitled '¦La Cour du
Rot Petaud.* In this, wherein insult is cast on a personage who
should be exempt from such offence, is also outraged, in a most in-

76 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
decent way, a lovely female, whom you would adore as we do, if
you had the happiness to know her. Is it for the poet of the lover
of Gabrielle to carry desolation into the kingdom of the Graces ?
"Your correspondents use you ill by leaving you in ignorance, that
this young person has immense favor here; that we are all at her
feet; that she is all powerful, and her anger is to be particularly
avoided. She is the more to be propitiated, as yesterday, in presence
of a certain person whom your verses had greatly irritated, she took
up your defence with as much grace as generosity. You see, sir,
that you ought not to be on bad terms with her.
<(My uncle allows me to see, as one of the initiated, what you call
your scraps, which are delicious feasts to us. I read them to the
lady in question, who takes great delight in reciting, or hearing
others recite, your verses, and she begs you will send her some as a
proof of your repentance. Under these circumstances, if your bel
licose disposition urges you on to war, we hope, before you continue
it, that you will loyally and frankly declare it.
«In conclusion, be assured that I shall defend you to my utmost,
and am for life, « Yours, etc.®
Whilst we were awaiting Voltaire's reply, I determined
to avenge myself on the duchesse de Grammont, who had
encouraged him in his attack; and thus did I serve this
lady. Persuaded that she did not know the writing of
his Danish majesty, I wrote the following letter to her: —
« Madame la Duchesse, — I have struggled to this time to avoid
confessing to you how I am subdued. Happy should I be could I
throw myself at your feet. My rank alone must excuse my boldness.
Nothing would equal my joy if this evening, at the theatre at
madame de Villeroi's, you would appear with blue feathers in your
head-dress. I do not add my name; it is one of those which should
not be found at the bottom of a declaration of love.*
In spite of all her penetration, the duchesse de Gram
mont did not perceive, in the emphatic tone of this letter,
that it was a trick. Her self-love made her believe that
a woman of more than forty could be pleasing to a king
not yet twenty. She actually went in the evening to
madame de Villeroi's dressed in blue, with a blue plumed
head-dress. She was placed next to his Danish majesty.
Christian VII. addressed her in most courteous terms, buT
not one word of love.
The duchesse imagining that the prince was timid,
looked at him with eyes of tenderness, and endeavored

COMTESSE DU BARRY 77
to attract and encourage him by all means she could de
vise, but the monarch did not understand her. The
duchesse then addressed a few words, which she hoped
would lead to an explanation, but, to her dismay, his
majesty did not appear to understand her. Madame de
Grammont was furious at this affair. The due d'Aiguillon,
who was close to her, had seen all, heard all, and related
particulars to me. The same day I told the king of my
trick and its success. He laughed excessively, and then
scolded me for at all compromising his Danish majesty.
" How, sire ? " was my reply. " I did not sign his
name; I have not forged his signature. The vanity of
the duchesse has alone caused all the ridiculous portion
of this joke. So much the worse for her if she did not
succeed. "
I did not, however, limit my revenge to this. A sec
ond letter, in the same hand, was addressed to my luck
less enemy. This time she was informed that she had
been made a butt of, and mystified. I learned from M. de
Sartines, who, after our compact, gave me details of all,
the methods she had pursued to detect the author of
these two epistles, and put a termination to all these in
quiries, by denouncing myself to M. de Sartines; who
then gave such a turn to the whole matter, that the
duchesse could never arrive at the truth.
Voltaire, in the meantime, was not slow in reply; and
as I imagine that you will not be sorry to read his
letter, I transcribe it for you: —
<( Monsieur le duc, — I am a lost, destroyed man. If I had strength
enough to fly, 1 do not know where I should find courage to take
refuge. I! Good God! I am suspected of having attacked that
which, in common with all France, I respect! When there only re
mains to me the smallest power of utterance, but enough to chant a
De profundi's, that I should employ it in howling at the most lovely
and amiable of females! Believe me, monsieur le duc, that it is not
at the moment when a man is about to render up his soul, that a
man of my good feeling would outrage the divinity whom he adores.
«No, I am not the author of the <'Cour du Rot Petaud.'" The
verses of this rhapsody are not worth much, it is true ; but indeed
they are not mine: they are too miserable, and of too bad a style.
All the vile trash spread abroad in my name, all those pamphlets
without talent, make me lose my senses, and now I have scarcely

78 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
enough left to defend myself with. It is on you, monsieur le duc,
that I rely; do not refuse to be the advocate of an unfortunate man
unjustly accused. Condescend to say to this young lady, that I have
been before embroiled with madame de Pompadour, for whom I
professed the highest esteem; tell her, that at the present day es
pecially, the favorite of Caesar is sacred for me; that my heart and
pen are hers, and that I only aspire to live and die under her banner.
«As to the scraps you ask for, I have not at this moment any
suitable. Only the best viands are served up at the table of the
goddesses. If I had any I would present them to the person of
whom you speak to me. Assure her, that one day the greatest merit
of my verses will be to have them recited by her lips; and entreat
her, until she bestows immortality on me, to permit me to prostrate
myself at her beautiful feet.
«I will not conclude my letter, monsieur le duc, without thanking
you a thousand times for the advice you have given me. This proof
of your kindness will, if possible augment the sincere attachment I
bear to you. I salute you with profound respect.®
As it is bold to hold the pen after having transcribed
anything of M. de Voltaire's, I leave off here for to-day.

CHAPTER X.
When is the presentation to take place? — Conversation on this sub
ject with the king — M. de Maupeou and M. de la Vauguyon —
Conversation on the same subject with the king and the duc de
Richelieu — M. de la Vrilliere — M. Bertin — Louis XV. and the
comtesse — The king's promise — The fire-works, an anecdote —
The Marquise de Castellane — M. de Maupeou at the duc de
Choiseul's — The duchesse de Grammont.
In spite of the love of the duchesse de Grammont, the
king of Denmark departed at last. Louis XV. "hav
ing resumed his former habits, I began to meditate
seriously on my presentation; and my friends employed
themselves to the utmost in furthering my desires and
insuring my triumph.
The chancellor, who each day became more attached
to my interests, opened the campaign. One day, when
the king was in a rage with the parliaments, the chan
cellor seized the opportunity to tell him that the cabal,
who were opposed to my presentation, testified so much
resistance, under the idea, and in the hope, that they
would be supported by the parliaments of Paris.
"If your majesty," added the chancellor, "had less
condescension towards these malcontents, they would fear
your authority more."
"You will see," replied the king, "that it will be their
audacity which will urge me on to a step, which other
wise I should wish to avoid."
Whilst the hatred which M. de Maupeou bore towards
the parliaments served me in this way, the love of M.
de la Vauguyon for the Jesuits turned to even more
advantage. The good duke incessantly talked to me of
his dear Jesuits; and I as constantly replied, that my
influence would not be salutary until after my presentation, (79)

80 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
M. de la Vauguyon had sense enough to perceive the
embarrassment of my situation, and saw that before I
could think of others I must think of myself. Having
taken "sweet counsel" with the powerful heads of his
company, he freely gave me all his influence with the
king. Fortune sent me an auxiliary not less influential than
these two gentlemen; I mean the mar6chal duc de
Richelieu. In the month of January, 1769, he returned
from his government of Guienne to enter on service.
He had much credit with the king, and this (would
you believe it ? ) resulted from his reputation as a man
of intrigue. He told the king every thing that came
into his head: he told him one day, that the Choiseuls
boasted that he, the king of France, never dared intro
duce his mistress into the state apartments at Versailles.
"Yes," added the duke, "they boast so loudly, that
nothing else is talked of in the province; and at Bor
deaux, for instance, there is one merchant who, on the
strength of the enemies of the comtesse, has made a
bet that she will never be presented."
" And why do you not imprison these persons ? " in
quired the king, angrily.
" Because, sire, it appears to me injustice to punish
the echo of the fooleries of Paris."
"I will conduct myself as regards the presentation of
madame du Barry in the manner which I think best.
But is it not an inconceivable contrariety, that one party
should wish it with the utmost desire, and another place
every obstacle in the way ? In truth, I am very unfor
tunate, and a cruel tyranny is exercised over me. "
The duc de Richelieu, not wishing to appear as one of
the tyrants of the king, gave a different turn to the con
versation. My presentation was, however, a matter of first-rate
importance to me and to my partizans, and the duc de
la Vrilliere was gained over to my side, by making him
believe that the king would yield to my desires, and that
then I should remember all those who opposed my eleva
tion. The duc d'Aiguillon also drew over to my party

COMTESSE DU BARRY 81
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. We were dis
coursing of different things, and the king was perfectly
tranquillized, little anticipating the scene that was in store
for him. I rose suddenly from my arm-chair, and going
up to his majesty, after a profound courtesy cast myself
at his feet. Louis XV. would have raised me, but I said,
" No, I will remain where I am until you have accorded
me the favor I ask."
" If you remain in this posture I shall place myself in
a similar one."
"Well, then, since you will not have me at your knees
I will place myself on them " ; and I seated myself in his
lap without ceremony.
"Listen to me, sire," I said, "and repeat what I say to
the king of France word for word. He must authorize
my presentation; for else, some fine day, in the presence
of the whole court, I will go to the state apartments, and
try whether I shall be repulsed at the door."
" Will she have the boldness ? " inquired the king to the
chancellor. " I have no doubt of it, sire. A female, young, beauti
ful, honored with your kindness, may venture to do any
thing." " Is it not distressing to me, " I added, " that, graced
with your majesty's favors, I remain thus concealed,
whilst women whom you detest annoy you with their
presence. "
"Madame is right," replied the duc de Richelieu, "and
I see that you look for her every evening where she is
not, and where she ought to be."
"What! you too, duc de Richelieu, do you join the cry
of the chancellor ? "
" I would tear out the eyes of these gentlemen," I
added, " if they thought differently from me. "
6

82 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"Oh," said the king, laughing, "this punishment would
not be one for M. Maupeou: justice ought to be blind:
and as for you, M. de Richelieu, you have your baton
left." "Which he has nobly gained," I replied, "by fighting
against your majesty's enemies, and of which he still
continues worthy, by now defending me from my foes."
"This rebellion," said the king, "cannot last, and I
see myself compelled to hold a lit de justice ( a judicial
sitting or bed)."
"And I swear to you, that I will receive nobody into
mine until I have been presented."
This sally amused the king, who said, "Well, since it
must be so, you shall be presented."
At this I leaped on the king's neck, giving a cry which
might have been heard by my rivals. After that, I ad
vanced to the two gentlemen who had advocated my cause
so well, extending a hand to each, which they took and
kissed with great gallantry.
Louis XV. became thoughtful, and continued to mutter
between his teeth, " I wash my hands of it — they will
cry out, they will clamor, but it must be so." I saw
the feelings of the king, and took care not to allow him
to go away in this state. Whilst I sought to compose
him by my caresses, the duc de Richelieu told us one
of his thousand and one adventures, which he told so
well. I know not if it will please you, but such as it
is I shall give you an abridgment of it.
" I was, you know, " he began, " a very good-looking, a
very wild fellow: women have no objection to this. I
was travelling, and in my way thro' D  , M. , the intend-
ant of the city, insisted on my taking up my abode at
his house. His lady added her entreaties, and I con
sented. I must tell you that the lady was handsome. I
had passed the night with her ; but when, on the next morn
ing, as I sought to go out of her apartment, I found the
outer door double locked and bolted. I looked round me
on all sides, but found no egress. Whilst I was lamenting
this with the lady's femme-de-chambre, who was nearly as
much distressed as her mistress, I saw in a detached

COMTESSE DU BARRY 83
closet a great many machines covered with paper, and
all of different shapes. On inquiry, I was informed that
the following Monday was the lady's birthday, which they
were to celebrate with fireworks. I looked at the beauti
ful fusees, and brilliant suns with much admiration.
Suddenly, thinking of the lady's honor which might be
compromised, I took a light and set fire to a Roman
candle ; in a moment the whole was in flames, and every
body took alarm. Great was the consternation in the
house, which was turned out of windows; and in the up
roar, the house-door being broken open, a crowd of per
sons rushed in; I ran this way and that way; everybody
admired and praised my exertions. I was compelled to
quit the house at last, and ordered my carriage, whilst
M. the intendant was thanking me for the vast service I
had rendered him. I assure you, sire, that I never laughed
more heartily."
This tale amused the king, and M. de Richelieu as
sured him that he had never told it before. A thousand
considerations had induced him to keep it to himself
until the present time. " But now, " said he, " the third
generation of madame 1' intendante is no longer young,
and I have no fear of being called out to fight a duel. " *
Next day there was a general rumor of my presenta
tion. My friends asserted that I had the king's promise.
This was imprudent on their part, and they injured my
interest whilst they flattered my vanity. They put the
Choiseul cabal to work, who intrigued so well that not
a person could be found who would perform the office of
introductress. You know the custom: the presentation
*The due de Richelieu preserved his coolness and talent at rep
artee in the most trivial circumstances. The story is well known
of the man who came to ask for his aid, saying they were related.
"How?® asked the duke. «Sir, by Adam.» «Give this man a
penny," said the duke, turning to a gentleman of his train; «and if
all of his relations give him as much he will soon be a richer man
than I am."
If our readers will turn to "Joe Miller, » page 45, they will find this
jest attributed to the witty duke of Buckingham. It is a very good
joke for a duke, but savors more of a desire to be witty than to be
charitable.

84 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
is effected by the intermediation of another lady, who
conducts the person to be presented to the princesses,
and introduces her. This custom had passed into a law,
and it would have been too humiliating to me to have
dispensed with it.
This was a dire blow for me: it distressed me sadly,
and I wept over it with my friends. The duc de Riche
lieu said to me,
" With money and promises everything can be managed
at court. There is no place where they know better how
to value complaisance, and the price at which it is sold.
Do not give yourself any uneasiness; we shall find the
lady we want."
And we did find her, but her compliance was dearly
bought. Two ladies who were applied to stipulated for
most outrageous conditions. One, the marquise de Cas-
tellane, consented to present me, but demanded that she
should be created a duchess, and have a gift of five
hundred thousand livres: the other, whose name I forget,
asked for her husband the order of the Holy Ghost and
a government, a regiment for her son, and for herself
I forget what. These ladies seemed to think, like Don
Quixote and Sancho Panza, that governments and five
hundred thousand livres were to be picked up on the
highway. In truth, they spoke out without disguise.
At this juncture the chancellor had a singular conver
sation concerning me with the Choiseuls. He had been
one morning to call on the duke, and whilst they were
discoursing, the duchesse de Grammont came into her
brother's apartment, and entered at once into conversa
tion. " Ah, my lord, I am glad to see you. Your new friends
carry you off from your old ones. You are wrong to
adore the rising sun."
"That was the idolatry of a great number of persons:
but I beg of you to be so very kind as not to speak to
me in figures, if you would wish me to understand you. "
" Oh, you play off the ignorant. You know as well as
I do what I mean, and your daily visits to this fille."
" Which, madame ? There are so many at court ! "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 85
This sarcastic reply made the brother and sister smile;
both of them being fully competent to understand the
merit of an epigram. The duke fearing lest the duchess
should go too far, judging by what she had already said,
thus addressed him:
" You are, then, one of the adorers of the comtesse
du Barry ? "
" Yes, monsieur le duc ; and would to God that, for your
own interest, you would be so too ! "
" My brother set foot in the house of this creature ! "
" Why not, madame ? We see good company there ; the
prince de Soubise, the dues de la Trimouille, de la Vau
guyon, Duras, Richelieu, d'Aiguillon, and many others,
not to mention the king of France. A gentleman may
be seen in such company without any disgrace."
" Monsieur le chevalier, " replied the duke, " to speak
candidly to you, allow me to ask, if any one who would
have the friendship of our house would be seen in that
of the lady in question ? "
" Pardon me, duke ; that is not the question. Allow me,
in turn, to ask you, why those of your house should not
go there? This, I think, is the real question."
" You offer us a splendid alliance ! " said the duchesse
with anger.
" I offer nothing, madame : I only inquire. For my
part, I see no legitimate motive for this proscription of
madame du Barry."
" A woman without character ! "
" Character! Why, madame, who has any in these days ?
M. de Crebillon the younger would be at a loss to tell us
where to find it."
This reply made the duke and his sister smile again.
The chancellor went on thus:
" It appears to me that persons were less difficult in
the times of madame de Pompadour."
"But a creature who has been so low in society! "
" Have you seen her so, madame ? And supposing it
has been the case, do we interdict all ladies of conduct
not less blamable from an introduction at court. How
many can you enumerate, madame, who have led a life

86 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
much more scandalous ? Let us count them on our
fingers. First, the marechale de Luxembourg, one;
then—" "Then the comtesse de Choiseul, my sister-in-law,"
added the duke; "we know it as well as you, sir. But
this is not the matter in question. You are not ignorant
that our enemies surround this madame du Barry ; and it
is of your alliance with them that I complain."
"You see everything with a jaundiced eye, monsieur
le duc. But if you fear the influence of this lady with
the king, why do you not present yourself at her apart
ments ? She would be delighted to receive you. "
" No, no ! " cried the duchess, " my brother will never
present himself to such a creature. If he would degrade
himself so low, I would never forgive him as long as I
live. Since you show your gratitude for what has been
done for you by leaguing yourself with this woman, tell
her from me that I detest her, and that I will never rest
until I have sent her back again to her dunghill."
"Madame," replied the chancellor, "I will evince my
gratitude to the duke by not delivering such a message" ;
and the chancellor went out.
M. de Maupeou came to tell me the whole of this con
versation, which Chon wrote down under his dictation,
that I might show it to the king. You will see in my
next letter what resulted from all this, and how the ill-
timed enmity of the Choiseuls served my interests most
materially.

CHAPTER XI.
A word concerning the duchesse de Choiseul — The apartment of the
comte de Noailles — The Noailles — Intrigues for the presentation
— The comte de Beam — M. Morand once more — Visit of the
comtesse Beam to the comtesse du Barry — Conversation — In
terested complaisance — The king and the comtesse du Barry —
Dispute and reconciliation.
I showed the king this conversation, in which I had been
so shamefully vilified by the duchesse de Grammont.
Louis XV. was very much inclined to testify his dis
approbation to this lady, but was withheld by the con
sideration he felt for the duke and (particularly) the
duchesse de Choiseul. This latter lady was not beloved
by her husband, but her noble qualities, her good heart,
made her an object of adoration to the whole court. You
could not speak to any person of madame de Choiseul
without hearing an eulogium in reply. The king himself
was full of respect towards her; so much so, that, on the
disgrace of the duke, he in some sort asked her pardon for
the chagrin which he had caused her. Good conduct is
no claim to advancement at court, but it procures the
esteem of the courtiers. Remember, my friend, this
moral maxim: there is not one of greater truth in my
whole journal.
The king, unable to interpose his authority in a woman's
quarrel, was yet determined on giving a striking proof of
the attachment he bore to me. I had up to this period
occupied Lebel's apartments in the chateau: it was not
befitting my station, and the king thought he would give
me those of madame de Pompadour, to which I had some
claim. This apartment was now occupied by the comte
de Noailles, governor of the chateau, who, as great a
fool as the rest of his family, began to exclaim most
(87)

88 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
lustily when the king's will was communicated to him.
He came to his majesty complaining and lamenting. The
king listened very quietly to his list of grievances; and
when he had moaned and groaned out his dolorous tale,
his majesty said to him,
« My dear count, who built the chateau of Versailles ? "
" Why, sire, your illustrious grandfather. "
"Well, then, as I am at home, I mean to be master.
You may establish the seat of your government where
you will; but in two hours the place must be free. I am
in earnest."
The comte de Noailles departed much disconcerted,
took away his furniture, and the same evening I installed
myself in the apartments. You must think that this was
a fresh cause of chagrin, and created me more enemies.
There are certain families who look upon the court as
their hereditary domain: the Noailles was one of them.
However, there is no grounds of pretension to such a
right. Their family took its rise from a certain Adhemar
de Noailles, capitoul of Toulouse, ennobled, according to
all appearance, by the exercise of his charge in 1459.
The grandfather of these Noailles was a domestic of M.
de Turenne's, and his family was patronized at court by
madame de Maintenon. Everybody knows this. But to
return to my presentation.
M. de Maupeou, whose good services I can never suffi
ciently vaunt, came to me one day, and said, " I think
that I have found a lady presenteuse. I have a dame of
quality who will do what we want."
" Who is it ? " said I, with joy.
" A comtesse d'Escarbagnas, a litigious lady, with much
ambition and avarice. You must see her, talk with her,
and understand each other."
" But where can we see her ? "
" That is easy enough. She claims from the house of
Saluces a property of three hundred thousand livres: she
is very greedy for money. Send some one to her, who
shall whisper in her ear that I see you often, and that
your protection can serve her greatly in her lawsuit: she
will come to you post haste."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 89
I approved the counsel of the chancellor; and, in con
cert with comte Jean, I once again made use of the
ministry of the good M. Morand, whom I had recompensed
largely for his good and loyal services. This was, how
ever, the last he ever rendered me; for I learned some
months after my presentation that he had died of indi
gestion : a death worthy of such a life and such a man.
M. Morand, after having found out the attorney of ma
dame the comtesse de Beam, went to him under some
pretext, and then boasted of my vast influence with the
chancellor. The lawyer, to whom madame de Beam was
to pay a visit on that very day, did not fail to repeat
what M. Morand had told him. The next day the comtesse,
like a true litigant, called upon him : she related her affair
to him, and begged him to use his interest with me.
"I would do it with pleasure," said the worthy, "if I
did not think it better that you should see the comtesse
du Barry yourself. I can assure you that she will be
delighted to aid you."
Madame de Beam then came to me with M. Morand.
Gracious heavens! how simple we were to take so much
pains with this lady : had we known her better we should
not have been so long in coming to the point. Scarcely
any thing was said at this first visit: I contented myself
with assuring her of my good will. On the same day the
vicomte Adolphe du Barry told his father that the young
de Beam had asked him the evening before, if I had
found a stepmother to present me ; that in case I had not,
his mother would not refuse such a service, should it be
desired by the king. Comte Jean and I perfectly under
stood the lady. She came again, and I renewed the ex
pression of my desire to be useful to her. She replied
in a hackneyed phrase, that she should be charmed to
prove her gratitude to me. I took her word.
" Madame, " said I to her, " you cannot be ignorant that
I ardently desire to be presented. My husband has sent
in his proofs of nobility, which have been received; I
now only want a marraine (godmother); if you will
officiate in that capacity, I shall owe you a debt of grati
tude all my life."

90 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Madame, I am at the king's orders. "
" But, madame, the king has nothing to do with this.
I wish to be presented ; will you be my introductress ? "
" Madame, the first wish of my heart is to be agree
able to you; I only desire that the king indicate in
some way, no matter how trifling, his will on this
point. "
"Well, then," I exclaimed, with impatience, "I see you
will not give me a direct reply. Why should you wish
the king to interfere in what does not concern him ? Is
it your intention to oblige me ; yes or no ? "
"Yes, madame, certainly; but you must be aware of
the tremendous cabal which is raised against you. Can
I contend against it alone, and who will sustain me
thro' it?"
" I will to the full extent of my power as long as I
am here, and the king will always do so. I can assure
you, that he will be grateful for your exertions in my
behalf." " I should like to have half a line from his majesty as
a protection and assurance."
"And that you will not get. The king's signature
must not be compromised in this affair, and I do not
think I ought to ask for it; let us therefore, madame,
cease this discourse, since you ask such terms for your
complaisance. "
The comtesse de Beam rose; I did the same; and we
parted mutually dissatisfied with each other.
My friends, my brother-in-law, and his sisters, im
patiently awaited the result of my conversation with
madame de Beam. I told them all that had passed;
giving my opinion of this lady as I thought her — a
malicious provoking creature.
"How soon you torment yourself," said the chancellor
to me. " Do you not see that this woman wants a price
to be bidden for her ? She is yours, body and soul, but
first of all she must be paid."
"Let that be no obstacle," said comte Jean, "we will
give her money, but present us she must."
On this it was decided, that, on the following morning,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 91
my brother-in-law should go to Paris to find M. Morand,
and get him to undertake the arrangement.
The next day my brother-in-law went to M. Morand's,
and when he had disclosed his message concerning the
comtesse, the good Morand began to laugh. He told the
count, that the previous evening this lady had sent for
him; and, on going to her house, madame de Beam, as
a set-off against the inconveniences which might result
to her from being the instrument of my presentation, had
stipulated for certain compensations; such, for instance,
as a sum of two hundred thousand livres, a written
promise of a regiment for her son, and for herself an
appointment in the establishment of the future dauphine.
This was the point aimed at by all the ambitious courtiers.
Comte Jean thought these conditions preposterous. He
had a carte blanche from me, and desired M. Morand to
offer the lady one hundred thousand livres, and to add
an assurance that the king should be importuned to place
young Beam advantageously, and to station the mother
to her wishes; and thereupon my brother-in-law returned
to Versailles.
The comte Jean had scarcely returned an hour, when
we received a letter from M. Morand, stating, that he
had gone, in consequence of the instructions of comte
Jean, to the comtesse de Beam; that he had found the
lady pliant enough on the first point, and disposed to con
tent herself with the half of the sum originally demanded ;
that on point the second, I mean the appointments of
herself and son, she would come to no compromise, and
stuck hard and fast to the written promise of the king;
that he, Morand, thought this an obstacle not to be over
come unless we subscribed to her wishes. This letter
put me in an excessively ill-humor. I saw my presenta
tion deferred till doom's day, or, at least, adjourned sine
die. I questioned my friends: the unanimous advice was
that I ought to mention it to the king at one of his
evening visits; and I determined to do so without loss
of time.
When his majesty came I received him very graciously,
and then said to him,

92 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Congratulate me, sire ; I have found my godmother. "
"Ah, so much the better." (I know that, at the bottom
of his heart, he said " so much the worse. " )
"And who," asked the king, with impatience, "may the
lady be ? »
« Madame de Beam, a lady of quality in her own right,
and of high nobility on her husband's side."
"Yes, he was a garde du corps, and the son has just
left the pages. Ah! she will present you then. That's
well; I shall feel favored by her."
" Would it not be best, sire, to tell her so yourself ? "
" Yes, yes, certainly ; but after the ceremony. "
" And why not previously ? "
" Why ? because I do not wish to appear to have forced
your presentation."
" Well, then, " I replied, striking the floor with my foot,
" you will not do for me what you would do for a woman
who is a com'plete stranger to you. Many thanks for
your excessive kindness."
"Well, well, do not scold. Anger does not become
you. "
" No more than this indifference suits you ; it is cruel.
If you recede from saying a word, what will you do
when I tell you of the conditions of madame de Beam ? "
" What does the good comtesse ask for ? "
"Things past conception."
« What ? »
" She has stipulations unlimited. "
" But what are they then ? "
" A hundred thousand livres for herself. "
"What, only that? We will grant so much."
" Then a regiment for her son. "
" Oh, he is the wood they make colonels of, and if he
behave well — "
" But then ! She wishes to be annexed in some station
or other to the household of the future dauphine."
" Oh, that is impossible : all the selections have been
made: but we will make an equivalent by placing one of
her family about the person of one of the princes, my
grandson. Is this all ? "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 93
" Yes, sire, that is all, with one small formality excepted.
This lady, who is one of much punctilio, only considers
written engagements as binding. She wishes for one
word in your majesty's hand- writing — "
" A most impertinent woman ! " cried the king, walking
with rapid strides up and down my room. — "She has
dared not to believe me on my word! Writing! — a
signature! She mistrusts me as she would the lowest
scribbler of France. A writing! My signature! My
grandfather, Louis XIV., repented having given his to
Charost. I will not commit a similar error."
" But, sire, when a prince has a real desire to keep
his word, it is of little import whether he gives it in
writing. "
At these words, Louis XV. frowned sternly, but as he
had the best sense in the world, he saw that he was
wrong; and having no reply to make, he determined to
flee away. I ran after him," and taking him by the arm,
he said, with assumed anger, which did not deceive
me: —
" Leave me, madame, you have offended my honor. "
"Well, then, monsieur la France," replied I, assuming
also a scolding tone, " I will give you satisfaction.
Choose your time, weapons, and place; I will meet you,
and we shall see whether you have courage to kill a
woman who lives for you only, and whom you render
the most miserable creature in existence."
Louis XV. gave me a kiss, and laughingly said, " I
ought to make you sleep in the Bastille to-night."
" I am then more merciful than you, for I think I
shall make you sleep in the couch you love best."
This reply amused the king excessively, and he him
self proposed to send for madame de Beam. I should
speak of my presentation before him, and then without
making any positive concession, he would see what could
be done to satisfy her.
For want of any other, I accepted this mezzo termine.

CHAPTER XII.
The comtesse de Beam — The supper — Louis XV.— Intrigues against
my presentation — M. de Roquelaure — The scalded foot — The
comtesse d'Aloigny — The duc d'Aiguillon and madame de Beam
 Anger of the king's daughters — Madame Adelaide and the
comtesse du Barry — Dissatisfaction of the king.
M Morand was again put in requisition, and went
. from me to ask madame de Beam to come and
sup at my apartments. We were in committee —
my sisters-in-law, myself, and comte Jean. The comtesse
made some difficulties at first, under pretence that
she was afraid to refuse me a second time. Our mes
senger assured her by saying, that a supper would not
bind her to any thing, and that she should still be at
liberty to give any reply she pleased. Madame de Beam
allowed herself to be persuaded, and sent me word that
she would accept my invitation. She would have re
flected twice before she so far committed herself, had she
at all suspected the turn we meant to serve her. But I
saw by the wording of her note, that she still hoped
that the king would be induced to grant me the written
promise which I asked for her.
She came. I received her with all possible courtesy,
and yet not with much heartiness. I could not help re
membering the vexatious terms she set upon her com
plaisance. However, the supper was gay enough, comte
Jean and my sisters-in-law, who knew very well how to
dissemble, did the honors in a most agreeable way. On
leaving table we went into the drawing-room, and then
began to discuss the serious question which had brought
us together. At the first words which comte Jean
uttered, madame de Beam, taking my hands with a
respectful familiarity, said to me: —
(94)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 95
" I hope, madame, that you will not have a bad opin
ion of me, if I put such conditions to my desire of
obliging you. The situation of my family requires it, but
it is only a trifle for the king to grant."
" Much more than you imagine, madame, " I replied.
" The king does not care to involve himself in such
engagements. He does not like, moreover, that his
sacred word should be doubted."
" Ah ? " replied the cunning creature, " heaven forbid
that I should not blindly trust to the king's word, but
his memory may fail, or he, like other men, may for
get." " Madame," replied comte Jean, with the utmost gravity,
"madame is a lady as full of prudence as of kindness,
but yet a little too exacting. Madame wishes to have a
promise signed for herself and son: that is too much.
Why does she not content herself in dividing the diffi
culty, by satisfying herself with a verbal promise for
what concerns herself, and with a written engagement
for what relates to her son ? "
"¦Mon Dieu, monsieur," replied the countess, "I am
anxious to arrange all to our mutual satisfaction. But
his majesty would not surely refuse the entreaties of ma
dame for what I ask."
" I will speak to him of it the first time I see him. "
"Oh, you are a charming woman. You will obtain all
from the king, and make a sure friend — "
"Whose friendship is very difficult to acquire," said I,
interrupting her.
The countess would have replied to this, when my first
valet-de-chambre, opening the two folding-doors of the
room, announced the king.
At this unexpected name my guest trembled, and in
spite of the thick rouge which covered her cheeks, I
perceived she turned pale. She then saw the scene we
had prepared for her: she wished herself a hundred
leagues off: but she could do nothing, but remain where
she was. I took her by the hand, all trembling as she
was, and presented her to the king, saying,
" Sire, I now do for this lady, in my own drawing-

96 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
room, what she will have the kindness to do for me at
the state-chamber."
"Ah," replied the king, "is it madame de Beam that
you present to me ? I am indeed delighted. Her hus
band was one of my faithful servants: I was much
pleased with her son when he was one of pages, and I
perceive that she herself is desirous of testifying to me
her attachment to my person. I thank you, madame;
you cannot confer a greater favor on me, and I shall
embrace every opportunity of proving to you how much
satisfaction your conduct affords me."
Each word that the king uttered went to the heart of
the countess. However, making a virtue of necessity, she
replied, that she was proud and happy at what the king
had said to her, and that it would be her constant aim
to please his majesty, flattering herself that the king
would remember the services of the Beam family, and
would think of her in the dispensation of his bounties.
"You may rely on it, madame," replied Louis XV.,
"especially if the comtesse du Barry applies to me in
your behalf."
Then, turning towards me, " When, then, is this redoubt
able presentation to take place ? "
"On the day, sire, when your majesty shall think
proper," I replied.
"Well! I will send the duc de Richelieu to you, who
will arrange the whole."
This settled, the subject was turned, but madame de
Beam lost her tongue entirely. In spite of all her en
deavors, her forehead became contracted every moment,
and I am sure she went away vexed and disappointed.
The following morning, the comte Jean and my sister-
in-law went to her house. They testified their regret for
what had occurred the previous evening; they assured her
that we would not take any advantage of the condition-
less engagement which she had made to present me, and
that altho' it was impossible to ask the required guarantees
from the king, still we should most undeviatingly adhere
to the clauses of the treaty: they added, that they came
to enquire when she should choose to receive the hundred

COMTESSE DU BARRY 97
thousand livres. The countess replied, that in spite of
the real disadvantage which she must henceforward labor
under in this affair, she felt great friendship for me, and
would not refuse to oblige me, and she flattered herself
that I would espouse her cause with the king. The
comte Jean assured her of this, and settled with her the
period of the payment of the hundred thousand livres,
which were to be paid at sight on her drawing on M. de
la Borde, the court-banker.
Thus then my presentation was an assured matter:
nothing now could prevent it, at least I fancied so to
myself. I reckoned without my host ; I did not know yet
all the malice of a courtier lady or gentleman. As it
was, however, M. de Choiseul and his vile sister had
gained over one of my servants, for they knew all that
had passed. They soon learned that madame de Beam had
come to supper with me, and that after supper a visit of
the king's had decided this lady on my presentation: this
they determined to prevent.
For this end, they despatched as ambassador the chev
alier de Coigny to the house of madame de Beam. He,
following the instruction, sought by turns to seduce and
intimidate the countess, but all went for nothing. Madame
de Beam told the chevalier de Coigny, that she had been
with me to ask my influence with the chancellor. The
chevalier left her without being able to obtain any other
information. This bad success did not dishearten the Choiseuls.
They sent this time to madame de Beam, M. de Roque
laure, bishop of Senlis, and grand almoner to the king.
This prelate was much liked at court, and in high favor
with mesdames (the king's daughters). We were good
friends together at last, but in this particular he was
very near doing me great wrong. M. de Roquelaure
having called on madame de Beam, told her that he well
knew the nature of her communications with me.
"Do not flatter yourself," said he, "that you will ob
tain thro' the influence of the comtesse du Barry, all that
has -been promised you. You will have opposed to you
the most powerful adversaries and most august person-
7

98 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
ages. It cannot be concealed from you, that mesdames
contemplate the presentation of this creature with the
utmost displeasure. They will not fail to obtain great
influence over the future dauphin, and will do you mis
chief with him; so that, whether in the actual state of
things, or in that which the age and health of the king
must lead us to anticipate, you will be in a most unfor
tunate situation at court."
The old bishop, with his mischievous frankness, cate
chised madame de Beam so closely, that at length she
replied, that so much respect and deference did she en
tertain towards the princesses, that she would not present
me until they should accord their permission for me
to appear. M. de Roquelaure took this reply to the
Choiseuls. Madame de Grammont, enchanted, thinking
the point already gained, sent madame de Beam an in
vitation to supper the next day, but this was not the
countess's game. She was compelled to decide promptly,
and she thought to preserve a strict neutrality until fresh
orders should issue. What do you suppose she did ? She
wrote to us, madame de Grammont and myself, that she
had scalded her foot, and that it was impossible for her
to go from home.
On receiving her note I believed myself betrayed, for
saken. Comte Jean and I suspected that this was a feint,
and went with all speed to' call on the comtesse de
Beam. She received us with her usual courtesy, com
plained that we had arrived at the very moment of the
dressing of her wound, and told us she would defer it;
but I would not agree to this. My brother-in-law went
into another room, and madame de Beam began to un
swathe her foot in my presence with the utmost
caution and tenderness. I awaited the evidence of her
falsehood, when, to my astonishment, I saw a horrible
burn! I did not for a moment doubt, what was after
wards confirmed, namely, that madame de Beam had
actually perpetrated this, and maimed herself with her
own free will. I mentally cursed her Roman courage,
and would have sent my heroic godmother to the devil
with all my heart.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 99
Thus then was my presentation stopped by the foot of
madame de Beam. This mischance did not dampen the
zeal of my friends. On the one hand, comte Jean, after
having stirred heaven and earth, met with the comtesse
d'Aloigny. She consented to become my godmother im
mediately after her own presentation, for eighty thousand
livres and the expenses of the ceremony. But mesdames
received her so unsatisfactorily, that my own feelings told
me, I ought not to be presented at court under her auspices.
We thanked the comtesse d'Aloigny therefore, and sent
her, as a remuneration, twenty thousand livres from the
king. Whilst comte Jean failed on one side, the duc d'Aiguil
lon succeeded on another. He was someway related to
madame de Beam. He went to visit her, and made her
understand that, as the Choiseuls neither gave nor prom
ised her anything, she would be wrong in declaring for
them: that, on the other hand, if she declared for me, I
could procure for her the favor of the king. Madame de
Beam yielded to his persuasions, and charged the duc
d'Aiguillon to say to me, and even herself wrote, that she
put herself entirely into my hands; and that, as soon as
she was well, I might rely on her. What, I believe,
finally decided this lady was, the fear that if she did not
comply with what I required, I should content myself
with the comtesse d'Aloigny.
Now assured of my introductress, I only directed my
attention to the final obstacle of my presentation ; I mean
the displeasure of mesdames. I do not speak of madame
Louise, of whom I can only write in terms of com
mendation; but I had opposed to me mesdames Victoire
and Sophie, and especially madame Adelaide, who, as the
eldest, gave them their plan of conduct. This latter, who
had given too much cause to be spoken of herself to have
any right to talk of others, never ceased haranguing
about the scandal of my life ; and I had recently, unknown
to myself, fallen into complete disgrace with her. This
is the case.
The apartment from which I had dislodged M. de
Noailles had been requested of the king by madame

ioo MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
Adelaide. Ignorant of this I had installed myself there.
I soon learned that I had offended the princess, and in
stantly hastened to offer her the apartments she wished
to have. She came into them; but as it was necessary
for me to be accommodated somewhere, the king gave
me the former apartments of his daughter. This was
what madame Adelaide called an act of tyranny ; she made
the chateau echo with her complaints: she said I had
driven her out, that I wished to separate her from her
sisters; that I should wean her father's affection entirely
from her. Such injustice distressed me excessively. I
sent to request the king to come to me; and when he
entered I threw myself at his feet, entreating him to ap
pease his daughter on any terms, and to let me go away,
since I brought such trouble into his family.
The king, irritated at madame Adelaide's conduct, went
to her, and told her, in a private interview, that he
would make certain matters public if she did not hold
her tongue; and she, alarmed, ceased her clamor, or
rather, contented herself in complaining in a lower key.

CHAPTER XIII.
Of the presentation — The king and the duc de Richelieu at the
comtesse du Barry's — M. de la Vauguyon — Conversation — Letter
of the duke to the comtesse du Barry — Reply — The countess
unites herself with the Jesuit party — Madame Louise — Madame
Sophie — M. Bertin — Madame de Bercheny.
This fit of anger of madame Adelaide had given addi
tional courage to the cabal. It began to exclaim
and plot against me with redoubled force; hoping
thus to intimidate the king, and effectually bar my
presentation; but it only tended to hasten it. One
evening, when the king and the marechal de Richelieu
were with me, he said to me,
"A stop must be put to these clamors. I see that
until you are presented, there will be doubts perpetually
arising and tormenting us on the subject; and until it
takes place I shall have no ease. Parbleu ! let us take
the best means in our power of reducing these mal
contents to silence."
"Sire," replied the marechal, " make your will palpable,
and you will see all the court submit."
" Yes, but my daughters ? "
" Mesdames know better than any persons the deference
due to your orders."
"I assure you," replied the king, "that it will be an
unpleasant quarter of an hour for me to pass."
" Well, sire, then charge one of us with the mission :
the bishop of Senlis, for instance, or M. de la Vauguyon.
I feel assured that either of them will acquit himself ad
mirably in the business, with the previous understanding
that your majesty will support him with your authority."
" I will do so most assuredly ; but it will be best not
to use it but at the last extremity. I have no wish to
be made a bugbear to my family." (IOI)

102 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"As to the selection of an ambassador," I interrupted,
" I beg it may not fall on M. de Roquelaure ; he has been
working against me for some time."
1 " Why not send M. de Jarente ? " inquired the king.
" Ah, sire, " replied the duke, " because we cannot trust
him ; he is a gay fellow. Madame Sophie might tell him,
that he only took the part of madame du Barry, because
he passes his life amongst petticoats."
"True enough," said the king, "I prefer the duc de la
Vauguyon: he has a good reputation — "
"And well deserved," said the old marechal, sneering.
" Yes, sire, he is a pious man ; at least, he plays his part
well." " Peace, viper ; you spare nobody. "
" Sire, I am only taking my revenge. "
" Why do you not like the governor of my grandsons ?"
" In truth, sire, I must confess to you, that except
yourself and the ladies, I have not many likings at Ver
sailles. "
Louis XV. smiled, and I pulled the bell; when a valet
appearing, I said,
"Go and find M. de la Vauguyon for his majesty."
When we were alone, " What, already ? " said Louis XV.
" Madame is right, " replied the duke, " we must strike
while the iron is hot."
The king began to pace up and down the room, which
was his invariable custom when anything disturbed him:
then suddenly stopping,
" I should not be astonished at a point blank refusal
from M. de la Vauguyon."
" Oh, sire, make yourself easy ; the governor has no
inclination to follow the steps of Montausier or Beauvil-
liers. In truth you are very candid; and I must tell you,
that you have too good an opinion of us."
At this moment M. de la Vauguyon entered. He
saluted the king with humility; and asked him, in a mild
tone of voice, what his pleasure was with him.
"A real mark of your zeal," was the king's reply.
"And of your gallantry," added the marechal, who saw
the hesitation of the king. Louis XV. was enchanted

COMTESSE DU BARRY 103
that another should speak for him. M. de Richelieu con
tinued :
" His majesty, monsieur le duc, wishes that you should
prepare mesdames to receive our dear countess here,
when she shall appear before them to pay the homage of
her respect and devotion."
The king, emboldened by these words, said, "Yes, my
dear duke, I can only find you in the chateau who have
any influence over the princesses, my daughters. They
have much respect, and no less friendship, for you. You
will easily bring them to reason. "
As M. de la Vauguyon seemed in no hurry to undertake
the charge, the mareehal added,
" Yes, sir, to manage this business properly, you and
M. de Senlis are the only men in the kingdom."
The marechal had his reasons for saying this, for a
secret jealousy existed between the governor and the
grand almoner. M. de la Vauguyon made haste to say,
that he could not resist his majesty's orders, and his de
sire to be agreeable to me.
" Ah ! you will then do something for me ? " I replied.
" I am delighted and proud. "
" Madame, " replied the duke with much gravity, " friends
are proved on occasion."
"The present one proves your attachment tome," said
I in my turn; "and his majesty will not think it wrong
of me, if, as a recompense, I embrace you in his. pres
ence " : and, on saying this, I went up to the duc de la
Vauguyon, and gave him two kisses, which the poor man
took as quietly as possible.
" That's well, " said the king. " You are, la Vauguyon,
a man of a thousand. Listen attentively to me. I wish
much that the comtesse du Barry should be presented; I
wish it, and that, too, in defiance of all that can be said
and done. My indignation is excited beforehand against
all those who shall raise any obstacle to it. Do not fail
to let my daughters know, that if they do not comply
with my wishes, I will let my anger fall heavily on all
persons by whose counsels they may be persuaded; for I
only am master, and I will prove it to the last. These

104 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
are your credentials, my dear duke, add to them what
you may think fitting; I will bear you out in any thing — "
"Mercy!" said the duc de Richelieu to me in an un
dertone, "the king has poured forth all his energy in
words; he will have none left to act upon if he meets
with any resistance." The mar6chal knew the king well.
"I doubt not, sire," replied the duc de la Vauguyon,
"that the respectful duty of mesdames will be ready to
comply with your desires."
" I trust and believe it will prove so, " replied the king
hastily. " I am a good father, and would not that my
daughters should give me cause to be angry with them.
Let madame Adelaide understand, that she has lately had
a mistaken opinion of me, and that she has an oppor
tunity of repairing her error in the present instance.
The princesses are not ignorant that I have often shut
my eyes upon certain affairs — . Enough; they must now
testify their attachment for me. Why should they oppose
the presentation of the comtesse ? Mon Dieu ! Mon Dieu !
they were not so squeamish in the days of madame de
Pompadour. "
At these latter words I could not forbear laughing.
La Vauguyon and de Richelieu left us and here the con
versation terminated.
The next morning they brought me a note from the
duc de la Vauguyon. Thus it ran : —
Madame, — Ready to serve you, I wish to have a few minutes' con
versation with you. Be persuaded that I will not tell you anything
but what will be agreeable and useful to you."
I instantly answered: —
"You are too good a friend for me to refuse to see you willingly
under any circumstances, and particularly the present. Your conduct
yesterday assures you my eternal regard. Come instantly; my grate
ful heart expects you with impatience."
My sister-in-law, to whom I showed this correspond
ence, said to me, « This gentleman does not come to see
you for your bright eyes; and yet his visit is not disin
terested. "
" What interest can he have to serve ? "

"•MONSIEUR, I HAVE ENEMIES ENOUGH AT
COURT WITHOUT YOU. WON'T YOU TELL
ME HOW I CAN WIN YOUR FRIENDSHIP?"

By courtesy of Mr. David Belasco and Mrs. Leslie
Carter. This scene is from David Belasco's play,
Du Jiarry, played at Belasco's Theatre, New York,
with Mrs. Leslie Carter as La Du Barry.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 105
" None of his own, perhaps ; but those villainous Jesuits. "
" Don't you like them, sister of mine ? "
" I hate nobody. "
M. de la Vauguyon arrived; and as soon as we were
alone, he said to me,
"Well, madame, I am now on the point of going to
fight your battles. I have to deal with a redoubtable
foe." " Do you fear ? "
"Why, I am not over confident; my position is a deli
cate one. Mesdames will perforce obey the orders of the
king, but they will not find much pleasure in seeing me
the ambassador sent to them: all the Choiseul party will
vociferate loudly. Nevertheless, to prove my devotion
to you, I brave it all."
"You may rely on it that I will never forget the
service you are about to render me."
" I have only one favor to ask of you. Authorize me
to say to mesdames, that if the pleasures of life distract
your attention from religious duties, your soul is in truth
fully devoted to our holy religion ; and that far from sup
porting the philosophers, you will aid, by your influence
with the king, every measure advantageous to the society
of Jesuits."
The hypocritical tone in which this was uttered, al
most compelled me to burst out into a fit of laughter;
but the serious posture of my affairs induced me to pre
serve my gravity, and I answered in a serious tone,
" Not only, monsieur le duc, do I authorize you to say
so much, but I beg you to declare to mesdames that I
am already filled with love and respect for the Jesuits,
and that it will not be my fault if they do not return
amongst us."
" Ah, you are a treasure of wisdom, " replied the duke,
kissing my hand with fervor ; " and I am disgusted at the
way you are calumniated."
" I know no reason for it, for I have never done harm
to any person. Assure mesdames that I am sincerely
grieved that I am not agreeable to them, and would give
half my life to obtain, not their friendship, of which I

106 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
do not feel myself worthy, but their indifference. Deign
also to tell them, that at all times I am at their disposal,
and beseech them to consider me as their humble servant. "
"It is impossible to behave more correctly than you
do; and I am confident that mesdames will soon discard
their unjust prejudices. Thus, it is well understood that
our friends will be yours."
"Yes, yes, provided they are really mine."
"Certainly. I answer for them as I answer for you."
And thus, my friend, did I find myself allied to the
Jesuitical party.
The duke commenced the attack with madame Louise,
the most reasonable of the king's daughters. This an
gelic princess, already occupied with the pious resolution
which she afterwards put into execution in the following
year, contented herself with saying some words on the
commotion occasioned by my presence at Versailles, and
then, as if her delicacy had feared to touch on such a
subject, she asked the duc de la Vauguyon, if the king
ordered her to receive the comtesse du Barry.
"Yes, madame," replied the duke; "it is the express
will of his majesty."
" I submit to his wish : the lady may come when she
will." The duke, contented with his success so far, went
next to madame Sophie. This princess was not unkind,
but subject to attacks of the nerves, which from time to
time soured her natural disposition: she had her caprices
of hatred, her fits of love. The day when the duke
talked to her of my presentation she was very much pro
voked against me; and after the opening speech of the
ambassador, flung in his teeth the report of the apart
ments, which I have already told you. The duke ex
plained to her, and that too without saying anything
unfavorable of madame Adelaide, and concluded by beg
ging her to concede the favor I besought. Madame
eluded this, by saying, that before she gave a definite re
ply she wished to confer with her sisters.
Madame Victoire was not more easily persuaded. This
princess had amiable qualities, solid virtues which made

COMTESSE DU BARRY 107
her loved and respected by the whole court ; but she had
but little will of her own, and allowed herself to be led
by the Choiseuls; who, to flatter her, told her that she
alone had inherited the energy of her grandfather, Louis
XIV. She was advised to display it in this instance, and,
she would willingly have done so. The comtesse de
Bercheny, one of her ladies in waiting, was the person
who urged her on to the greatest resistance. This lady
did not cease to exclaim against me, and to fan the
flame of displeasure which, but for her, would never have
appeared. I was informed of the mode adopted by ma
dame de Bercheny to injure me. I sent for M. Bertin,
who was devoted to my service, and begged him to go
and speak to the lady; he went, and made her under
stand that the king, enraged against her, would expel her
from Versailles, if she were not silent. The comtesse de
Bercheny was alarmed; and under pretence of taking a
tour, left the court for a month. You will see anon the
result of all these conferences.

CHAPTER XIV.
The princesses consent to the presentation of madame du Barry —
Ingenious artifice employed by the king to offer a present to the
duc de la Vauguyon — Madame du Barry's letter respecting it —
The duke's reply — The king's letter — The court in despair —
Couplets concerning madame du Barry — Her presentation — A
change in public opinion — An evening party at the house of
the countess — Joy of her partizans — Conversation with the chan
cellor respecting the lady of the marechal de Mirepoix.
The departure of the comtesse de Bercheny was an
nounced to the princesses in the manner least "likely to
provoke their regrets. Nevertheless, a rumor never
slept at Versailles, a whisper was quickly circulated thro'-
out the castle, that this sudden and unexpected journey
had originated in the king's weariness of her continual
philippics against me ; and it was clearly comprehended by
all, that a similar disgrace would be the portion of those
who should offend the monarch whilst seeking to procure
my humiliation. This show of firmness was sufficient to
repress the daring flights of those self -constituted heroines,
whose courage lasted only whilst the king was silent, and
who trembled like a leaf before the slightest manifesta
tion of his will. Still the cabal against me, tho' weakened,
was not destroyed; it was too strong for the present
shock to dissolve it; and altho' none was sufficiently
hardy to declare open war, plots were constantly going
on to ensnare me.
Meanwhile madame Victoire, left to herself, could not
long support such excessive animosity ; and the duc de la
Vauguyon profiting by the species of lassitude into which
she appeared to have fallen, led her without difficulty to
act in conformity to the king's wishes.
There remained now therefore but madame Adelaide
to overcome, and the task became more difficult in pro-
(10S)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 109
portion to the elevated rank she occupied at court. By
priority of birth she held the first place there; and
hitherto this superiority had been ceded to her without
dispute, more particularly since the hand of death had
removed both the queen her mother, and the dauphiness
her sister-in-law. She therefore could only view with
uneasiness the prospect of another appearing on the stage
whose influence would be greater than hers; and who
(until the young dauphiness should attain to years of ma
turity) might deprive her of all honors but those due to
her birth. Madame Adelaide was gifted with good sense,
affability of manners, and a kind and compassionating
heart towards all who needed her aid; her disposition
was good, but she loved dominion, and the least show of
resistance to her wishes was painful and offensive to her.
She was determined to uphold the duc de Choiseul; and
my decided manner towards that minister plainly evinced
how little I should feel inclined to support her view of
things. There were therefore several reasons for my
presence at court being unpleasant to madame Adelaide.
Against her therefore did the duc de la Vauguyon
direct his batteries. She received his attack with the
most determined obstinacy; all was in vain, she was
unconquerable, and the most skilfully devised plans were
insufficient to surmount her resistance; it was there
fore necessary to have recourse to the clergy, who were
at that time completely led by the Jesuits; each mem
ber of the church, up to the archbishop of Paris, was
called upon to interfere, or their names were employed
in default of their presence. It was pointed out to
madame Adelaide that I possessed good intentions with
feelings of religion, which, however stifled by the free
dom of the age, only required careful management to
produce a rich development. The success of this last
mode of attack astonished the duke himself ; and madame,
dazzled by the hopes of my conversion, as well as weary
of hostilities, yielded her consent to my being pre
sented. After these private negotiations the four sisters
met at the house of the elder one ; and there they decided
that since the king had so expressly manifested his

no MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
pleasure relative to my presentation, they should con
form to the desire of their father, by receiving me
with every possible mark of courtesy.
The duc de la Vauguyon hastened to communicate
to me this happy state of things; and my joy was so
great, that I embraced him with the sincerest warmth,
assuring him that I should always look upon him as my
best friend, and seek to testify my regard at every op
portunity that fell in my way of forwarding his interests.
Some days afterwards the king brought me a splendid
ring, worth thirty-six thousand livres.
" You must send this jewel to your good friend the
duke," said he.
"I dare not," replied I. "I fear lest it should draw
forth his displeasure."
"No, no," cried the king, "'tis not the fashion at
court to construe gifts like this into insults, but I should
wish this trifle to be presented in an indirect manner " ;
and, after having considered a moment, " I have it, " ex
claimed he, "I have thought of a clever expedient; let
us put this ring upon the finger of that Chinese mandarin
before us, and give the figure with the ring, considering
it merely an appendage to it. Assuredly the most disin
terested man cannot refuse to accept a china figure."
I extolled the king's idea as being a most happy one;
and he immediately fitted the ring upon the little finger
of the mandarin, which I caused to be carried to the duc
de la Vauguyon with the following billet: —
« Monsieur le duc, — You have been my best friend; 'tis to your
kind offices that I owe the confirmation of my happiness ; but I would
secure the continuance of your valuable friendship, and for that pur
pose I send you a little magical figure, which, placed in your cabinet,
will compel your thoughts to occupy themselves with me in spite of
yourself. I am superstitious enough to rely greatly upon the talis-
manic virtue of the charmed porcelain; and further, I must tell you,
that I was not its purchaser in the first instance, neither did I adorn
it for your acceptance. I should not have ventured to offer more
than the assurance of my everlasting esteem and regard for your ac
ceptance. The trifle sent comes from a higher source; and the
august hand so dear to both of us, deigned to preside over the ar
rangement. Should there be in it anything at all repugnant to your

COMTESSE DU BARRY in
feelings, I beseech you bear me no ill will for it; for truly, I may
say, I should never have summoned courage to do that which has
just been done by him whom all unite in loving and esteeming."
The duke replied, — ¦
<(Your talisman is welcome; yet its magic power, far from aug
menting the warmth of my feelings towards you, would have dimin
ished it on account of a certain accessory with which my friendship
could have well dispensed: however, what you say on the subject
closes my lips. I gratefully acknowledge the daily favors bestowed
upon me from the august hand of whom you speak; and I receive
with the deepest respect (mingled with regret) the gracious present
he deigns to convey to me by you. I own that I should have pre
ferred, to the splendid jewel which bedecked the finger of your deity,
a Chinese counterpart, which might indeed have enabled all admiring
gazers to say, < these two are truly a pair.' As for yourself, who
would fain pass for nobody in the munificent gift, I thank you at
least for the flattering place you assign me in your recollection. Be
assured I feel its full value, and you may confidently reckon upon
the disposal of my poor credit as well as command the little influ
ence I may be said to possess in the castle. Adieu, madame, I en
treat your acceptance of the expression of my most sincere and
respectful devotion."
The king, having read M. de la Vauguyon's letter, sent
immediately to the china manufactory to purchase the
fellow mandarin so much coveted by the duke, and
caused it to be conveyed to him with the following
words : —
wMy dear Governor — You are a kind-hearted creature I know,
and a great promoter of domestic harmony; to fain unite the wife
with the husband. Heaven grant that such a measure may indeed
bring about your proposed felicity! However, by way of furthering
your schemes, I send the Chinese lady, whose beauty I trust will
not disturb your repose, for, spite of your sanctity, I know you can
be as gallant as the rest of us, and possibly this beautiful mandarin
may prove to be more lovely in your eyes, than in those of the hus
band for whom she is destined; but, in sober earnestness, I would
wish you to be convinced that my intention is not to attempt pay
ment for the services rendered me, but simply to evince my sense of
their value. There is one beside me at this moment who has given
me a kiss to transmit to you — You will easily guess who has had
the audacity to enlist me into her service upon such an occasion."
This was one of the recompenses offered to the duc de
la Vauguyon, as a compensation for the public clamor and

ii2 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
dislike which sprung up against him in consequence of
his zeal for my service. At Versailles, the general fer
ment was at its height, when it became generally known
that I had triumphed over all obstacles, and that my
presentation was certainly to take place. In the midst of
all this the desperate odium fell upon the duc de la Vau
guyon, and a general attack was made upon him: his
virtues, reputation, talents, qualities, were made the sub
ject of blame and scandal — in a word, he was run down
by public opinion. But the leaders of the cabal were not
the less struck by the news of my success, which sounded
in their ears like the falling of a thunder-bolt.
The silly princess de Guemeli£, ' who, with her husband,
has since become a bankrupt to so enormous and scan
dalous an amount, flew without delay to convey the
tidings of my victory to the duchesse de Grammont, to
whom it was a death-blow. All her courage forsook her ;
she shed bitter tears, and displayed a weakness so much
the more ridiculous, as it seemed to arise from the ut
most despair. She repaired to madame Adelaide, before
whom she conducted herself in the most absurd and ex
travagant manner. The poor princess, intimidated by the
weakness she herself evinced, in drawing back after she
had in a manner espoused the opposite party, durst not
irritate her, but, on the contrary, strove to justify her
own change of conduct towards me, by urging the im
possibility of refusing obedience to the express command
of the king.
The other princesses did not evince greater firmness
when overwhelmed by the complaints of the cabal, and
in a manner bent their knee before the wives of the
French nobility, asking their pardon for their father's
error in selecting a mistress from any rank but theirs.
About this period a song, which I admired greatly, was
circulated abroad. My enemies interpreted it to my dis
advantage, but I was far from being of the same opinion.
It was successively attributed to the most clever men in
Paris, and I have myself met with four who each asserted
himself to be the author; in justice it should be ascribed
to him who appeared the most calculated to have written

COMTESSE DU BARRY u3
it, and who indeed claimed it for his own — the chevalier
de Boufflers. I do not know whether you recollect the
lines in question. I will transcribe them from memory,
adding another couplet, which was only known amongst
our own particular circle, but which proves most incon-
testably the spirit of kindness with which the stanzas
were composed. Lise, ta beaut6 seduit,
Et charme tout le monde.
En vain la duchesse en rougit,
Et la princesse en gronde,
Chacun sait que Venus naquit
De l'ecume de l'onde.
En rit-elle moins tous les dieux.
Lui rendre un juste hommage!
Et Paris, le berger fameux,
Lui donner l'avantage
Meme sur la reine des cieux
Et Minerve la sage?
Dans le serail du grand seigneur,
Quelle est la favorite ?
C'est la plus belle au gre de coeur
Du maitre qui l'habite.
C'est le seul titre en sa faveur
Et c'est le vrai merite.
Que Grammont tonne contre toi,
La chose est naturelle.
Elle voudrait donner la loi
Et n'est qu' une mortelle;
II faut, pour plaire au plus grand roi,
Sans orgueil etre belle. *
Thy beauty, seductress, leads mortals astray,
Over hearts, Lise, how vast and resistless thy sway.
*From those readers who may understand this chanson in the
original, and look somewhat contemptuously on the following version,
the translator begs to shelter himself under the well-known observa
tion of Lord Chesterfield, «that everything suffers by translation but
a bishop!" Those to whom such a dilution is necessary will perhaps
be contented with the skim-milk as they cannot get the cream. — Trans.

ii4 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
Cease, duchess, to blush! cease, princess, to rave —
Venus sprang from the foam of the ocean wave.
All the gods pay their homage at her beauteous shrine,
And adore her as potent, resistless, divine!
To her Paris, the shepherd, awarded the prize,
Sought by Juno the regal, and Pallas the wise.
Who rules o'er her lord in the Turkish sir ail.
Reigns queen of his heart, and e'er basks in his smile ?
'Tis she, who resplendent, shines loveliest of all,
And beauty holds power in her magic thrall.
Then heed not the clamors that Grammont may raise,
How natural her anger! how vain her dispraise!
'Tis not a mere mortal our monarch can charm,
Free from pride is the beauty that bears off the palm.
This song was to be found in almost every part of
France. Altho the last couplet was generally suppressed,
so evident was its partial tone towards me, in the midst
of it all I could not help being highly amused with the
simplicity evinced by the good people of France, who, in
censuring the king's conduct, found nothing reprehensible
but his having omitted to select his mistress from ele
vated rank.
The citizens resented this falling off in royalty with as
much warmth and indignation as the grandees of the
court; and I could enjoy a laugh on the subject of their
angry displeasure as soon as my presentation was decided
upon. The intrigues carried on by those about the princesses,
and the necessity of awaiting the perfect recovery of ma-
/dame de Beam, delayed, .this — ( .to -me) important day till
"*/ the end of the month qf_April, 17704 On the evening of
/ the 21st the king, according""to"~ custom, announced a
presentation for the following day; but he durst not ex
plain himself more frankly; he hesitated, appeared em
barrassed, and only pronounced my name in a low and
uncertain voice; it seemed as tho' he feared his own
authority was insufficient to support him in such a meas
ure. This I did not iearn till some time afterwards; and
when I did hear it, I took the liberty of speaking my
opinion upon it freely to his majesty.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 115
On the next day, the 2 2d, I was solely engrossed with
my dress: it was the most important era of my life, and
I would not have appeared on it to any disadvantage. A
few days previously, the king had sent me, by the crown
jeweller, Boemer, a set of diamonds, valued at 150,000
livres, of which he begged my acceptance. Delighted
with so munificent a present I set about the duties of the
toilet with a zeal and desire of pleasing which the im
portance of the occasion well excused. I will spare you
the description of my dress; were I writing to a woman
I would go into all these details; but as I know they
would not be to your taste, I will pass all these uninter
esting particulars over in silence, and proceed to more
important matter.
Paris and Versailles were filled with various reports.
Thro'out the city, within, without the castle, all manner
of questions were asked, as tho' the monarchy itself was
in danger. Couriers were dispatched every instant with
fresh tidings of the great event which was going on. A
stranger who had observed the general agitation would
easily have remarked the contrast between the rage and
consternation of my enemies and the joy of my partizans,
who crowded in numbers to the different avenues of the
palace, in order to feast their eyes upon the pageantry
of my triumphal visit to court.
Nothing could surpass the impatience with which I
was expected ; hundreds were counting the minutes, whilst
I, under the care of my hairdresser and robemaker, was
insensible to the rapid flight of time, which had already
carried us beyond the hour appointed for my appearance.
The king himself was a prey to an unusual uneasiness;
the day appeared to him interminable ; and the eagerness
with which he awaited me made my delay still more ap
parent. A thousand conjectures were afloat as to the
cause of it. Some asserted that my presentation had
been deferred for the present, and, in all probability,
would never take place; that the princesses had opposed
it in the most decided manner, and had refused upon any
pretense whatever to admit me to their presence. All
these suppositions charmed my enemies, and filled them

116 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
with hopes which their leaders, better informed, did not
partake. Meanwhile the king's restlessness increased; he kept
continually approaching the window to observe what was
going on in the court-yard of the castle, and seeing there
no symptoms of my equipage being in attendance, began
to lose both temper and patience. It has been asserted,
that he gave orders to have the presentation put off till
a future period, and that the duc de Richelieu procured
my entre"e by force; this is partly true and partly false.
Whilst in ignorance of the real cause of my being so late,
the king said to the first gentleman of the chamber,
"You will see that this poor countess has met with
some accident, or else that her joy has been too much
for her, and made her too ill to attend our court to-day;
if that be the case, it is my pleasure that her presenta
tion should not be delayed beyond to-morrow."
"Sire," replied the duke, "your majesty's commands
are absolute."
These words, but half understood, were eagerly caught
up, and interpreted their own way by those who were
eager to seize anything that might tell to my prejudice.
At length I appeared ; and never had I been more suc
cessful in appearance. I was conducted by my godmother,
who, decked like an altar, was all joy and satisfaction to
see herself a sharer in such pomp and splendor. The
princesses received me most courteously; the affability,
either real or feigned, which shone in their eyes as they
regarded me, and the flattering words with which they
welcomed my arrival, was a mortal blow to many of the
spectators, especially to the ladies of honor. The prin
cesses would not suffer me to bend my knee before them,
but at the first movement I made to perform this act of
homage, they hastened to raise me, speaking to me at
the same time in the most gracious manner.
But my greatest triumph was with the king. I ap
peared before him in all my glory, and his eyes declared
in a manner not to be misunderstood by all around him
the impetuous love which he felt for me. He had
threatened the previous evening to let me fall at his feet

COMTESSE DU BARRY 117
without the least effort on his part to prevent it. I told
him that I was sure his gallantry would not allow him to
act in this manner; and we had laid a bet on the
matter. As soon as I approached him, and he took my
hand to prevent me, as I began to stoop before him,
"You have lost, sire," said I to him.
" How is it possible to preserve my dignity in the
presence of so many graces ? " was his reply.
These gracious words of his majesty were heard by all
around him. My enemies were wofully chagrined; but
what perfected their annihilation was the palpable lie
which my appearance gave to their false assertions.
They had blazoned forth everywhere that my manners
were those of a housemaid; that I was absurd and un
ladylike in my conduct; and that it was only requisite ^to
have a glimpse of me to recognize both the baseness of
my extraction, and the class of society in which my life
had been hitherto spent.
But I showed manners so easy and so elegant that the
people soon shook off their preconceived prejudice against
me. I heard my demeanor lauded as greatly as my
charms and the splendor of my attire. Nothing could be
more agreeable to me. In a word, I obtained complete
success, and thenceforward learnt experimentally how
much the exterior and a noble carriage add to the con
sideration in which a person is held. I have seen indi
viduals of high rank and proud behavior who carried no
influence in their looks, because their features were plain
and common place; whilst persons of low station, whose
face was gifted with natural dignity, had only to show
themselves to attract the respect of the multitude.
Nothing about me bespoke that I was sprung from a
vulgar stock, and thus scandal of that kind ceased from
the day of my presentation; and public opinion having
done me justice in this particular, slander was compelled
to seek for food elsewhere.
That evening I had a large circle at my house. The
chancellor, the bishop of Orleans, M. de Saint-Florentin,
M. Bertin, the prince de Soubise, the dues de Richelieu, de
la Trimouille, de Duras, d'Aiguillon, and d'Ayen. This

n8 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
last did not hesitate to come to spy out all that passed
in my apartments, that he might go and spread it abroad,
augmented by a thousand malicious commentaries. I
had also M. de Sartines, my brother-in-law, etc. The duc
de la Vauguyon alone was absent. I knew beforehand
that he would not come, and that it was a sacrifice which
he thought himself compelled to make to the cabal. The
ladies were mesdames de Beam and d'Aloigny, with my
sisters-in-law. Amongst the ladies presented they were
the only ones with whom I had formed any intimacy; as
for the rest I was always the "horrible creature," of
whom they would not hear on any account.
The king, on entering, embraced me before the whole
party. " You are a charming creature, " said he to me,
" and the brilliancy of your beauty has to-day reminded
me of the device of my glorious ancestor."
This was a flattering commencement; the rest of the
company chimed in with their master, and each tried to
take the first part in the chorus. The duc d'Ayen even
talked of my grace of manner. " Ah, sir, " said I to him,
" I have had , time to learn it from Pharamond to the
reigning king."
This allusion was bitter, and did not escape the duke,
who turned pale in spite of his presence of mind, on finding
that I was aware of the malicious repartee which he had
made to the king when talking of me, and which I have
already mentioned to you. The chancellor said to me,
" You have produced a great effect, but especially
have you triumphed over the cabal by the nobility of
your manners and the dignity of your mien; and thus
you have deprived it of one of its greatest engines of
mischief, that of calumniating your person."
" They imagined then, " said I to him, " that I could
neither speak nor be silent, neither walk nor sit still."
" As they wished to find you ignorant and awkward
they have set you down as such. This is human nature :
when we hate any one, we say they are capable of any
thing; then, that they have become guilty of every
thing; and, to wind up all, they adopt for truth to-day
what they invented last night."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 119
" Were you not fearful ? " inquired the king.
"Forgive me, sire," I answered, "when I say that I
feared lest I should not please your majesty; and I was
excessively desirous of convincing mesdames of my re
spectful attachment."
This reply was pronounced to be fitting and elegant,
altho' I had not in any way prepared it. The fact is, that
I was in great apprehension lest I should displease the
king's daughters; and I dreaded lest they should mani
fest too openly the little friendship which they had
towards me. Fortunately all passed off to a miracle, and
my good star did not burn dimly in this decisive circum
stance. Amongst those who rejoiced at my triumph I cannot
forget the duc d'Aiguillon. During the whole of the day
he was in the greatest agitation. His future destiny was,
in a measure, attached to my fortune; he knew that his
whole existence depended on mine; and he expected from
me powerful support to defend him against the pack of
his enemies, who were yelping open-mouthed against him.
He stood in need of all his strength of mind and equa
nimity to conceal the disquietude and perplexity by which
he was internally agitated.
The comte Jean also participated in this great joy. His
situation at court was not less doubtful ; he had no longer
reason to blush for his alliance with me, and could now
form, without excess of presumption, the most brilliant
hopes of the splendor of his house. His son, the vicomte
Adolphe, was destined to high fortune; and I assure you
that I deeply regretted when a violent and premature
death took him away from his family. My presentation
permitted his father to realize the chimera which he had
pursued with so much perseverance. He flattered himself
in taking part with me. I did not forget him in the dis
tribution of my rewards; and the king's purse was to him
a source into which he frequently dipped with both hands.
The next day I had a visit from the chancellor.
" Now, " said he, " you are at the height of your wishes,
and we must arrange matters, that the king shall find
perpetual and varied amusements with you. He does not

120 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
like large parties; a small circle is enough for him; then
he is at his ease, and likes to see the same faces about
him. If you follow my advice you will have but few
females about you, and select that few with discernment. "
"How can I choose them at all when I see so very
few ? " was my reply. " I have no positive intimacy
with any court lady; and amongst the number I should
be at a loss to select any one whom I would wish to
associate with in preference to another."
"Oh, do not let that disturb you," he replied: "they
leave you alone now, because each is intent on observ
ing what others may do; but as soon as any one shall
pay you a visit, the others will run as fast after you
as did the sheep of Panurge. I am greatly deceived if
they are not very desirous that one of them shall devote
herself, and make the first dash, that they may profit
by her pretended fault. I know who will not be the
last to come and station herself amongst the furniture
of your apartment. The marechale de Mirepoix was too
long the complaisant friend of madame de Pompadour
not to become, and that very soon, the friend of the
comtesse du Barry."
" Good heaven, " I exclaimed, " how delighted I should
be to have the friendship of this lady, whose wit and
amiable manners are so greatly talked of."
"Yes," said de Maupeou, laughing, "she is a type of
court ladies, a mixture of dignity and suppleness, majesty
and condescension, which is worth its weight in gold.
She was destined from all eternity to be the companion
of the king's female friends."
We both laughed; and the chancellor went on to say :
" There are others whom I will point out to you by and
by ; as for this one, I undertake to find out whether she will
come first of the party. She has sent to ask an audience
of me concerning a suit she has in hand. I will profit
by the circumstances to come to an explanation with
her about you. She is not over fond of the Choiseul
party; and I augur this, because I see that she puts
on a more agreeable air towards them."

CHAPTER XV.
The comte de la Marche, a prince of the blood — Madame de Beau-
voir, his mistress — Madame du Barry complains to the prince de
Soubise of the princess de Guemenee — The king consoles the
countess for this — The duc de Choiseul — The king speaks to
him of madame du Barry — Voltaire writes to her — The opin
ions of Richelieu and the king concerning Voltaire.
Amongst those personages who came to compliment me
on the evening of my presentation was M. the comte
de la Marche, son of the prince du Conti, and conse
quently prince of the blood. He had long been devoted
to the will of Louis XV. As soon as his most serene
highness had wind of my favor he hastened to add to the
number of my court; and I leave you to imagine how
greatly I was flattered at seeing it augmented by so
august a personage.
This conquest was most valuable in my eyes, for I
thus proved to the world, that by attracting the king to
me I did not isolate him from the whole of his family.
It is very true that for some time the comte de la Marche
had been out of favor with the public, by reason of his
over complaisance towards the ministers of the king's
pleasure; but he was not the less a prince of the blood,
and at Versailles this rank compensated for almost every
fault. He was a lively man, moreover, his society was
agreeable, and the title he bore reflected his distinction
amongst a crowd of courtiers. I felt, therefore, that I
ought to consider myself as very fortunate that he
deigned to visit me, and accordingly received him with
all the civility I could display; and the welcome recep
tion which he always experienced drew him frequently to
my abode.
The friendship with which he honored me was not
agreeable to my enemies ; and they tried by every possi-
(121)

122 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
ble means to seduce him from me. They got his near
relations to talk to him about it; his intimate friends to
reason with him ; the females whom he most admired to
dissuade him from it. There was not one of these
latter who did not essay to injure me in his estimation,
by saying that he dishonored himself by an acquaintance
with me. There was amongst others a marquise de
Beauvoir, the issue of a petty nobility, whom he paid
with sums of gold, altho' she was not his mistress by
title. Gained over by the Choiseuls, she made proposals
concerning me to the prince of so ridiculous a nature,
that he said to her impatiently: "I' faith, my dear, as
in the eyes of the world every woman who lives with a
man who is not her husband is a  , so I think
a man is wise to choose the loveliest he can find ; and in
this way the king is at this moment much better off
than any of his subjects."
Only imagine what a rage this put the marquise de
Beauvoir in: she stormed, wept, had a nervous attack.
The comte de la Marche contemplated her with a desper
ate tranquillity; but this scene continuing beyond the
limits of tolerable patience, he was so tired of it that he
left her. This was not what the marquise wished; and
she hastened to write a submissive letter to him, in which,
to justify herself, she confessed to the prince, that in
acting against me she had only yielded to the instigations
of the cabal, and particularly alluded to mesdames de
Grammont and de Guemenee.
The comte de la Marche showed me this letter, which
I retained in spite of his resistance and all the efforts he
made to obtain possession of it again. My intention was
to show it to the king; and I did not fail to give it to
him at the next visit he paid me: he read it, and shrug
ging up his shoulders, as was his usual custom, he said
to me,
" They are devils incarnate, and the worst of the kind.
They try to injure you in every way, but they shall not
succeed. I receive also anonymous letters against you;
they are tossed into the post-box in large packets with
feigned names, in the hope that they will reach me.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 123
Such slanders ought not to annoy you: in the days of
madame de Pompadour, the same thing was done. The
same schemes were tried to ruin madame de Chateau-
roux. Whenever I have been suspected of any tenderness
towards a particular female, every species of intrigue has
been instantly put in requisition. Moreover," he contin
ued, "madame de Grammont attacks you with too much
obstinacy not to make me believe but that she would em
ploy all possible means to attain her end."
"Ah," I exclaimed, "because she has participated in
your friendship you are ready to support her."
"Do not say so in a loud tone," he replied laughingly;
" her joy would know no bounds if she could believe it
was in her power to inspire you with jealousy."
" But, " I said, " that insolent Guem6n6e ; has she also
to plume herself on your favors as an excuse for over
powering me with her hatred, and for tearing me to
pieces in the way she does ? "
"No," was the king's answer; "she is wrong, and I
will desire her father-in-law to say so."
" And I will come to an explanation with the prince de
Soubise on this point; and we will see whether or not I
will allow myself to have my throat cut like an unre
sisting sheep."
I did not fail to keep my word. The prince de Soubise
came the next morning; chance on that day induced him
to be extraordinarily gallant towards me; never had he
praised me so openly, or with so much exaggeration. I
allowed him to go on ; but when at length he had finished
his panegyric, " Monsieur le marechal, " said I to him,
"you are overflowing with kindness towards me, and I
wish that all the members of your family would treat me
with the same indulgence."
Like a real courtier he pretended not to understand
me, and made no reply, hoping, no doubt, that the
warmth of conversation would lead me to some other
subject ; but this one occupied me too fully to allow me
to divert my attention from it; and, seeing that he con
tinued silent, I continued : " Far from treating me as well
as you do, madame your daughter-in-law behaves towards

124 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
me like a declared enemy; she assails me by all sorts of
provocation, and at last will so act, that I shall find my
self compelled to struggle against her with open force."
You must be a courtier, you must have been in the
presence of a king who is flattered from morning to
night in all his caprices, to appreciate the frightful state
in which my direct attack placed the prince de Soubise.
Neither his political instinct, nor the tone of pleasantry
which he essayed to assume, nor the more dangerous
resource of offended dignity, could extricate him from
the embarrassment in which he was thrown by my
words. He could do nothing but stammer out a few un
intelligible phrases; and his confusion was so great and
so visible, that the marquis de Chauvelin, his not over
sincere friend, came to his assistance. The king, equally
surprised at what I had just said, hastily turned and
spoke to Chon, who told me afterwards, that the aston
ishment of Louis XV. had been equal to that of the
prince de Soubise, and that he had evinced it by the
absence of mind which he had manifested in his dis
course and manners.
M. de Chauvelin then turning towards me, said, "Well,
madame, on what evil herb have you walked to-day ?
Can it be possible that you would make the prince, who
is your friend, responsible for the hatred which ought to
be flattering rather than painful to you, since it is a
homage exacted towards your brilliant loveliness ? "
" In the first place, " I replied, " I have no intention to
cast on monsieur le mardchal, whom I love with all my
heart, the least responsibility relative to the object of
which I complain. I only wished to evince to him the
regret I experienced at not seeing all the members of
his family like him: this is all. I should be in despair
if I thought I had said anything that would wound him;
and if I have done so, I most sincerely ask his pardon."
On saying these words I presented my hand to the
prince, who instantly kissed it.
"You are," said he, "at the same time cruel and yet
most amiable: but if you have the painful advantage of
growing old at court, you will learn that my children

COMTESSE DU BARRY 125
have not all the deference and respect towards me which
they owe to their father; and I often am pained to see
them act in a manner entirely opposite to my desires,
however openly manifested. If my daughter does not
love you, it is to me, most probably, that you must look
for the why and wherefore: it is because I love you so
much that she is against you. I have committed an
error in praising you before her, and her jealousy was
not proof against it."
" That is very amiable in you," said I; "and now what
ever may be my feelings against the princesse de Gue
menee, I will endeavor to dissemble it out of regard for
you; and, I assure you, that however little consideration
your daughter-in-law may testify towards me, I will show
her a fair side: endeavor to make peace between us. I
only ask to be let alone, for I do not seek to become the
enemy of any person."
Altho' M. de Soubise said that he had no influence over
the princesse de Guemenee, I learned, subsequently, that
the day after this scene he testified to the Guemeh^e some
fears as to his future destiny at court. He begged her
not to oppose herself to me ; to be silent with respect to
me, and to keep herself somewhat in the shade if she
would not make some advances towards me. His daughter-
in-law, whose arrogance equalled her dissipation and dis
solute manners, replied, that she was too much above a
woman of my sort to fear or care for me ; that my reign
at the chateau would be but brief, whilst hers would only
terminate with her life: that she would never consent to
an act of weakness that would be derogatory to her
character and rank. In vain did the prince try to soften
her, and make her consider that my influence over the
king was immense: he preached to the desert, and was
compelled to abandon his purpose without getting any
thing by his endeavors.
I now return to my conversation with him. During
the time it lasted the king did not cease talking to Chon,
all the time listening with attention to what the prince
and I were saying; and he did not approach us until
the intervention of M. de Chauvelin had terminated this

126 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
kind of a quarrel. He returned to his seat in front of
the fire; and when we were alone, said to me,
"You have been very spiteful to the poor marechal,
and I suffered for him."
"You are an excellent friend; and, no doubt, it is the
affection you bear to M. de Soubise which makes you
behave so harshly to me. Can I not, without displeasing
you, defend myself when I am attacked ? "
"I did not say so; but is it necessary that he must be
responsible for the follies of his relations ? "
" In truth, sire, so much the worse for the father who
cannot make his children respect him. If the mar6chal
was respected by the public, believe me he would be so
by his family."
This retort was perhaps too severe. I found this by
the silence of the king ; but as, in fact, it imported little,
and, by God's help, I was never under much constraint
with him, I saw him blush, and then he said to me,
" Now, I undertake to bring madame de Guemen6e
into proper order. The favor I ask is, that you would
not meddle. I have power enough to satisfy you, but,
for heaven's sake, do not enter into more quarrels than
you have already. It seems to me that you ought to
avoid them instead of creating such disturbances."
He had assumed a grave tone in reading me this lec
ture: but as we were in a place in which majesty could
not be committed, I began to laugh heartily, and to
startle him, I said that henceforward I would pilot my
bark myself, and defend myself by openly assailing all per
sons who testified an aversion to me. How laughable it
was to see the comic despair in which this determination
threw the king. It seemed to him that the whole court
would be at loggerheads; and he could not restrain him
self from exclaiming, that he would a hundred times rathei
struggle against the king of Prussia and the emperor of
Germany united, than against three or four females of
the chateau. In a word, I frightened him so completely,
that he decided on the greatest act of courage he had
ever essayed in my favor: it was, to desire the interven
tion of the duc de Choiseul in all these quarrels.
(

COMTESSE DU BARRY 127
The credit of this minister was immense, and this
credit was based on four powerful auxiliaries; namely,
the parliament, the philosophers, the literati, and
the women. The high magistracy found in him
a public and private protector. The parliaments had
themselves a great many clients, and their voices, given to
the duc de Choiseul, gave him great power in the dif
ferent provinces. The philosophers, ranged under the
banner of Voltaire, who was their god, and of d'Alem-
bert, their patriarch, knew all his inclinations for them,
and knew how far they might rely on his support in all
attempts which they made to weaken the power of the
clergy, and to diminish the gigantic riches which had
been amassed by prelates and monasteries. The writers
were equally devoted to him: they progressed with the
age, and as on all sides they essayed to effect important
reforms, it was natural that they should rally about him
in whose hands was the power of their operations.
The ladies admired his gallantry: in fact, the duc de
Choiseul was a man who understood marvellously well
how to combine serious labors with pleasure. I was, per
haps, the only woman of the court whom he would not
love, and yet I was not the least agreeable nor the most
ugly. It was very natural for them to exalt his merit
and take him under their especial protection. Thus
was he supported in every quarter by them ; they boasted
of his measures, and by dint of repeating in the ears
of every body that M. de Choiseul was a minister par
excellence, and the support of monarchy, they had con
trived to persuade themselves of the truth of their as
sertion. In fact, if France found herself freed from
the Jesuits, it was to the duc de Choiseul that this was
owing, and this paramount benefit assured to him uni
versal gratitude.
The king was fully aware of this unanimity of public
opinion in favor of his minister. He was, besides, per
suaded, that in arranging the pacte de famille, and con
cluding the alliance with the imperial house, the duc de
Choiseul had evinced admirable diplomatic talents, and
rendered France real and important service. His attach-

128 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
ment to him was incumbent, and rested on solid founda
tions. If, at a subsequent period, he dismissed him, it was
because he was deceived by a shameful intrigue which
it will cost me pain to develop to you, because I took
by far too much a leading part in it, which now causes
me the deepest regret.
Now, by the act of my presentation, the duc de Choiseul
would be compelled to meet me often, which would render
our mutual situation very disagreeable. On this account
the king sought to reconcile us, and would have had no
difficulty in effecting his wishes had he only had the re
sistance of the minister and his wife to encounter. The
lady had not much influence over her husband, and besides
she had too much good sense to struggle against the
wishes of the king: but the duchesse de Grammont was
there, and this haughty and imperious dame had so great
an ascendancy with her brother, and behaved with so
little caution, that the most odious reports were in circu
lation about their intimacy.
It could scarcely be hoped that we could tame this
towering spirit, which saw in me an odious rival. Louis
XV. did not flatter himself that he could effect this
prodigy, but he hoped to have a greater ascendancy over
his minister. It was to the duc de Choiseul, therefore,
that he first addressed himself, desirous of securing the
husband and wife before he attacked the redoubtable
sister. The next morning, after my warm assault on the
prince de Soubise, he profited by an audience which the
duke requested at an unusual hour to introduce this
negotiation of a new kind, and the details I give you
of this scene are the more faithful, as the king gave
them to me still warm immediately after the conversation
had terminated.
The state affairs having been concluded, the king,
seeking to disguise his voluntary embarrassment, said to
the duke, smiling,
" Duc de Choiseul, I have formed for my private hours
a most delightful society : the most attached of my sub
jects consider themselves highly favored when I invite
them to these evening parties so necessary for my amuse-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 129
ment. I see with pain that you have never yet asked
me to admit you there."
"Sire," replied the duke, "the multiplicity of the
labors with which your majesty has charged me, scarcely
allows me time for my pleasures."
"Oh, you are not so fully occupied but that you have
still some time to spend with the ladies, and I think
that I used to meet you frequently at the marquise de
Pompadour's. "
" Sire, she was my friend. "
" Well, and why, is not the comtesse du Barry ? Who
has put it into your head that she was opposed to you ?
You do not know her: she is an excellent woman: not
only has she no dislike to you, but even desires nothing
more than to be on good terms with you."
"I must believe so since your majesty assures me of
it; but, sire, the vast business with which I am over
whelmed — "
" Is not a sufficing plea ; I do not allow that without a
special motive, you should declare yourself against a per
son whom I honor with my protection. As you do not
know her, and cannot have any thing to urge against
her but prejudices founded on false rumors and scandal
ous fabrications, I engage you to sup with me at her
apartments this evening, and I flatter myself that when
I wish it you will not coin a parcel of reasons in oppo
sition to my desire."
" I know the obedience that is due to your majesty, "
said de Choiseul, bowing low.
"Well, then, do first from duty what I flatter myself
you will afterwards do from inclination. Duc de Choi
seul, do not allow yourself to be influenced by advice
that will prove injurious to you. What I ask cannot
compromise you; but I should wish that with you all
should be quiet, that no one should struggle against me,
and that too with the air of contending against a per
son's station. Do not reply, you know perfectly what I
would say, and I know what belongs to myself."
Here the conversation terminated. The duc de Choi
seul did not become my friend any the more, but be-
9

1 30 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
haved towards me with all due consideration. He used
grace and finesse in his proceedings, without mingling
with it anything approaching to nonsense. He never
allowed himself, whatever has been said, to dart out in
my face any of those epigrams which public malignity
has attributed to him. Perhaps like many other persons
in the world, he has said many pleasantries of me which
have been reported as said in my presence, but I repeat
that he never uttered in my society a single word with
which I had cause to be offended.
At this juncture I received a letter of which I had the
folly to be proud, altho' a little reflection should have
made me think that my situation alone inspired it: it
was from M. de Voltaire. This great genius was born a
courtier. Whether he loved the protection of the great,
or whether he thought it necessary to him, he was con
stantly aiming, from his youth upwards, at obtaining the
countenance of persons belonging to a high rank, which
made him servile and adulatory whilst they were in
power, and full of grimace towards them when the wind
favor ceased to swell their sails. It was in this way that
mesdames de Chateauroux and de Pompadour had had
his homage. He had sung their praises, and, of course,
he could not forget me. You will recall to mind the
letter which he wrote to the duc d'Aiguillon, on occasion
of the piece of poetry entitled "La Cour du Roi Petaud."
He had denied having composed it, but this denial had
not been addressed directly to me. Having learnt, no
doubt, that my credit was increasing, he thought himself
obliged to write to me, that he might rank me with his
party. He might have availed himself of the intermedia
tion of the duc d'Aiguillon, but preferred putting the
duc de Richelieu into his confidence, and begged him to
fulfil the delicate function of literary Mercury. I was
alone when the marechal came to me with an assumed
air of mystery. His first care was to look around him
without saying a word ; and it was not until after he had
shaken the curtains, and peeped into every corner of the
apartment, that he approached me, who was somewhat
surprised at his monkey tricks.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 131
" I am the bearer, " he said, in a low voice, " of a secret
and important communication, which I have been en
treated to deliver after five or six hundred cautions at
least: it is a defection from the enemy's camp, and not
the least in value."
Fully occupied by my quarrel with the ladies of the
court, I imagined that he had brought me a message of
peace from some great lady; and, full of this idea, I
asked him in haste the name of her whose friendship I
had acquired.
" Good, " said he, " it is about a lady, is it ? It is from
a personage fully as important, a giant in power, whose
words resound from one extremity of Europe to another,
and whom the Choiseuls believe their own entirely."
"It is M. de Voltaire," I said.
" Exactly so : your perspicacity has made you guess it. "
" But what does he want with me ? "
" To be at peace with you ; to range himself under your
banner, secretly at first, but afterwards openly."
" Is he then afraid openly to evince himself my friend ? "
I replied, in a tone of some pique.
" Rather so, and yet you must not feel offended at
that. The situation of this sarcastic and talented old man
is very peculiar; his unquiet petulance incessantly gives
birth to fresh perils. He, of necessity, must make friends
in every quarter, left and right, in France and foreign
countries. The necessary consequence is, that he cannot
follow a straight path. The Choiseuls have served him
with perfect zeal: do not be astonished if he abandon
them when they can no longer serve him. If they fall,
he will bid them good evening, and will sport your
cockade openly."
"But," I replied, "this is a villainous character."
" Ah, I do not pretend to introduce to you an Aristides
or an Epaminondas, or any other soul of similar stamp.
He is a man of letters, full of wit, a deep thinker, a
superior genius, and our reputations are in his hands.
If he flatters us, posterity will know it; if he laughs at
us it will know it also. I counsel you therefore to use
him well, if you would have him behave so towards you."

132 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"I will act conformably to your advice," said I to the
mardchal ; " at the same time I own to you that I fear
him like a firebrand."
" I, like you, think that there is in him something of
the infernal stone: he burns you on the slightest touch.
But now, to this letter; you will see what he says to
you. He begs me most particularly to conceal from every
body the step he has taken with you. What he most
dreads is, lest you should proclaim from the housetops
that he is in correspondence with you. I conjure you,
on his behalf, to exercise the greatest discretion, and I
think that you are interested in doing so; for, if what
he has done should be made public, he will not fail
to exercise upon you the virulence of his biting wit."
Our conversation was interrupted by a stir which we
heard in the chateau, and which announced to us the
king. The mare*chal hastily desired me not to show
Voltaire's letter to the king until I had read it previously
to myself. "He does not like this extraordinary man,"
he added, "and accuses him of having failed in respect,
and perhaps you will find in this paper some expression
which may displease him."
Scarcely had I put the epistle in my pocket, when the
king entered.
"What are you talking about," said he, "you seem
agitated ? "
"Of M. de Voltaire, sire," I replied, with so much
presence of mind as to please the duc de Richelieu."
" What, is he at his tricks again ? Have you any
cause of complaint against him ? "
"Quite the reverse; he has charged M. d'Argental to
say to M. de Richelieu, that he was sorry that he could
not come and prostrate himself at my feet."
"Ah," said the king, remembering the letter to the
duc d'Aiguillon, " he persists in his coquetries towards
you: that is better than being lampooned by him. But
do not place too much confidence in this gentleman of
the chamber: he weighs every thing in two scales; and
I doubt much whether he will spare you when he evinces
but little consideration for me."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 133
Certainly Richelieu had a good opportunity of under
taking the defence of his illustrious friend. He did no
such thing; and I have always thought that Voltaire
was the person whom the duke detested more heartily
than any other person in the world. He did, in fact,
dread him too much to esteem him as a real friend.
" M. d' Argental, " said the king, " unites then at my
court the double function of minister of Parma and
steward of Ferney.* Are these two offices compatible?"
"Yes, sire," replied the duke, laughing, "since he has
not presented officially to your majesty the letters of his
creation as comte de Tournay."
The king began to laugh. This was the name of an
estate which Voltaire had, and which he sometimes as
sumed. *The name of Voltaire's residence. — Trans.

CHAPTER XVI.
Unpublished letter of Voltaire to madame du Barry — Reply of the
countess — The marechale de Mirepoix — Her first interview with
madame du Barry — Anecdote of the diamonds of madame de
Mirepoix — The king pays for them — Singular gratitude of the
marechale — The portfolio, and an unpublished letter of the
marquise de Pompadour.
By the way in which the king continued to speak to
me of M. de Voltaire, I clearly saw how right the
duke was in advising me to read the letter myself
before I showed it to my august protector. I could not
read it until the next day, and found it conceived in the
following terms: —
<( Madame la Comtesse: — I feel myself urged by an extreme de
sire to have an explanation with you, after the receipt of a letter
which M. the duc d'Aiguillon wrote to me last year. This noble
man, nephew of a gentleman, as celebrated for the name he bears as
by his own reputation, and who has been my friend for more than
sixty years, has communicated to me the pain which had been
caused you by a certain piece of poetry, of my writing as was stated,
and in which my style was recognised. Alas! madame, ever since
the most foolish desire in the world has excited me to commit a
great deal of idle trash to paper, not a month, a week, nay, even a
day passes in which I am not accused and convicted of some great
enormity ; that is to say, the malicious author of all sorts of turpi
tudes and extravagancies. Eh ! mon Dieu, the entire life-time of ten
men would not be sufficient to write all with which I am charged, to
my unutterable despair in this world, and to my eternal damnation
in that which is to come.
« It is no doubt, much to die in final impenitence ; altho' hell may
contain all the honest men of antiquity and a great portion of those
of our times ; and paradise would not be much to hope for if we must
find ourselves face to face with messieurs Freron, Nonatte, Patouillet,
Abraham Chauneix, and other saints cut out of the same cloth.
But how much more severe would it be to sustain your anger! The
hatred of the Graces brings down misfortune on men of letters; and
(i34)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 135
when he embroils himself with Venus and the Muses he is a lost be
ing; as, for instance, M. Dorat, who incessantly slanders his mis
tresses, and writes nothing but puerilities.
« I have been very cautious, in my long career, how I committed
such a fault. If perchance I have lightly assailed the common cry
of scribblers or pendants who were worthless, I have never ceased
to burn incense on the altars of the ladies ; them I have always sung
when I — could not do otherwise. Independently, madame, of the
profound respect I bear all your sex. I profess a particular regard
towards all those who approach our sovereign, and whom he
invests with his confidence: in this I prove myself no less
a faithful subject than a gallant Frenchman; and I venerate the God
I serve in his constant friendships as I would do in his caprices.
Thus I was far from outraging and insulting you still more griev-
iously by composing a hateful work which I detest with my whole
heart, and which makes me shed tears of blood when I think that
people did not blush to attribute it to me.
c< Believe in my respectful attachment, madame, no less than in
my cruel destiny, which renders me odious to those by whom I
would be loved. My enemies, a. portion of whom are amongst yours,
certainly succeed each other with frightful eagerness to try my wind.
Now they have just published under my name some attacks on the
poor president Henault, whom I love with sincere affection. What
have they not attributed to me to inculpate me with my friends,
with my illustrious protectors, M. le marechal duc de Richelieu, and
their majesties the king of Prussia and the czarina of Russia!
« I could excuse them for making war upon strangers in my name,
altho' that would be a pirate's method; but to attack, under my
banner, my master, my sovereign lord, this I can never pardon, and
I will raise against them even a dying voice; particularly when they
strike you with the same blows; you, who love literature; you, who
do me the honor to charge your memory with my feeble productions.
It is an infamy to pretend that I fire on my own troops.
" Under any circumstances, madame, I am before you in a very
delicate situation. There is in Versailles a family which overwhelms
me with marks of their friendship. Mine ought to appertain to it to
perpetuity; yet I learn that it is so unfortunate as to have no con
ception of your merit, and that envious talebearers place themselves
between you and it. I am told there is a kind of declared war; it
is added, that I have furnished supplies to this camp, the chiefs of
which I love and esteem. More wise, more submissive, I keep my
self out of the way of blows; and my reverence for the supreme
master is such, that I turn away my very eyes that they may not be
spectators of the fight.
«Do not then, madame, think that any sentiment of affection has
compelled, or can compel me to take arms against you. I would
refuse any proposition which should rank me as hostile to you, if the
natural generosity of your enemies could so far forget itself. In

136 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
reality they are as incapable of ordering a bad action as I am of
listening to those who should show themselves so devoid of sense as
to propose such a thing to me.
«I am persuaded that you have understood me, and I am fully
cleared in your eyes. It would be delightful to me to ascertain this
with certainty. I charge M. le marechal duc de Richelieu to explain
to you my disquietude on this head, and the favor I seek at your
hands, from you who command France, whilst I, I ought to die in
peace, not to displease any person, and live wisely with all. I con
clude, madame la comtesse, this long and stupid epistle, which is, in
fact, less a letter than a real case for consideration, by begging you
to believe me, etc., Voltaire,
"•Ferney, April 28, 1769. Gentleman in ordinary to the king.
<( P. S. My enemies say everywhere that I am not a Christian. I
have just given them the lie direct, by performing my Easter devo
tions ( mes pdques ) publicly ; thus proving to all my lively desire to
terminate my long career in the religion in which I was born ; and I
have fulfilled this important act after a dozen consecutive attacks of
fever, which made me fear I should die before I could assure you of
my respect and my devotion."
This apology gave me real pleasure. I pretended to
believe the sincerity of him who addressed me, altho' he
had not convinced me of his innocence; and I wrote the
following reply to M. de Voltaire, which a silly pride dic
tates to me to communicate to you, in conjunction with
the letter of the philosopher:
" Monsieur: — Even were you culpable from too much friendship
towards those you cherish, I would pardon you as a recompense for
the letter you address to me. This ought the more to charm me, as
it gives me the certainty that you had been unworthily calumniated.
Could you have said, under the veil of secrecy, things disagreeable
to a great king, for whom, in common with all France, you profess
sincere love? It is impossible. Could you, with gaiety of heart,
wound a female who never did you harm, and who admires your
splendid genius? In fact, could those you call your friends have
stooped so low as not to have feared to compromise you, by making
you play a part unworthy of your elevated reputation ? All these
suppositions were unreasonable : I could not for a moment admit them,
and your two letters have entirely justified you. I can now give
myself up without regret to my enthusiasm for you and your works.
It would have been too cruel for me to have learnt with certainty
that he whom I regarded as the first writer of the age had become
my detractor without motive, without provocation. That it is not so
I give thanks to Providence.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 137
«M. the duc d'Aiguillon did not deceive you when he told you
that I fed on your sublime poetry. I am in literature a perfect novice,
and yet am sensible of the true beauties which abound in your works.
I am to be included amongst the stones which were animated by
Amphion: this is one of your triumphs; but to this you must be ac
customed. " Believe also that all your friends are not in the enemy's camp.
There are those about me who love you sincerely, M. de Chauvelin,
for instance, MM. de Richelieu and d'Aiguillon : this latter eulogizes
you incessantly; and if all the world thought as he does, you would
be here in your place. But there are terrible prejudices which my
candor will not allow me to dissemble, which you have to overcome.
There is one who complains of you, and this one must be won over
to your interests. He wishes you to testify more veneration for
what he venerates himself; that your attacks should not be so vehe
ment nor so constant. Is it then impossible for you to comply with
his wishes in this particular? Be sure that you only, in setting no
bounds in your attacks on religion, do yourself a vast mischief with
the person in question.
8 It will appear strange that I should hold such language to you ;
I only do it to serve you: do not take my statements unkindly. I
have now a favor to ask of you; which is, to include me in the list
of those to whom you send the first fruits of the brilliant productions
of your pen. There is none who is more devoted to you, and who
has a more ardent desire to convince you of this.
<(I am, monsieur le gentilhomme ordinaire, with real attach
ment, etc."
I showed this letter to M. de Richelieu.
"Why," he inquired, "have you not assured him as
to your indiscretion, which he fears ? "
" Because his fear seemed to me unjust, and I leave
you to represent me to him as I am ; and now, " I added,
"it does not appear to me necessary for the king to
know anything of this."
" You think wisely, madame ; what most displeased him
was to see madame de Pompadour in regular corres
pondence with M. de Voltaire."
I have related to you this episode of my history, that
it may recompense you for the tiresome details of my
presentation. I resume my recital. I told you that M.
de Maupeou had told me that he would endeavor to
bring madame la marechale de Mirepoix, and introduce
her to me, trusting to the friendship she had evinced
for madame de Pompadour during the whole time of

138 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the favor and life of her who preceded me in the af
fections of Louis XV. I found, to my surprise, that he
said nothing to me concerning it for several days, when
suddenly madame la marechale de Mirepoix was an
nounced. At this name and this title I rose quite in a fluster,
without clearly knowing what could be the object of this
visit, for which I was unprepared. The marechale, who
followed closely on the valet's heels, did not give me
time for much reflection. She took me really a I'improviste,
and I had not time to go and meet her.
"Madame la marechale," said I, accosting, her, "what
lucky chance brings you to a place where the desire to
have your society is so great?"
"It is the feeling of real sympathy," she replied, with
a gracious smile ; " for I also have longed for a consider
able time to visit you, and have yielded to my wishes as
soon as I was certain that my advances would not be re
pulsed. "
"Ah, madame," said I, "had you seriously any such
fear ? That tells me much less of the mistrust you had of
yourself than of the bad opinion you had conceived of me.
The honor of your visits — "
"The honor of my visits! That's admirable! I wish
to obtain a portion of your friendship, and to testify to
the king that I am sincerely attached to him."
"You overwhelm me, madame," cried I, much de
lighted, "and I beg you to give me your confidence."
"Well, now, all is arranged between us: I suit you
and you please me. It is long since I was desirous of
coming to you, but we are all under the yoke of the
must absurd tyranny: soon we shall have no permission
to go, to come, to speak, to hold our tongues, without
first obtaining the consent of a certain family. This yoke
has wearied me; and on the first word of the chancellor
of France I hastened to you."
" I had begged him, madame, to express to you how
much I should be charmed to have you when the king
graced me with his presence. He likes you, he is ac
customed to the delights of your society; and I should

COMTESSE DU BARRY 139
have been deeply chagrined had I come here only to de
prive him of that pleasure."
"He is a good master," said the marechale, "he is
worthy of all our love. I have had opportunities of
knowing him thoroughly, for I was most intimate with
madame de Pompadour; and I believe that my advice
will not be useless to you."
" I ask it of you, madame la marechale, for it will be
precious to me."
" Since we are friends, madame, " said she, seating her
self in a chair, " do not think ill of me if I establish my
self at my ease, and take my station as in the days of
yore. The king loves you: so much the better, you
will have a double empire over him. He did not love
the marquise, and allowed himself to be governed by
her; for with him — I ask pardon of your excessive beauty
— custom does all. It is necessary, my dear countess, to
use the double lever you have, of your own charms
and his constant custom to do to-morrow what he does
to-day because he did it yesterday, and for this you
lack neither grace nor wit."
I had heard a great deal concerning madame de Mire
poix; but I own to you, that before I heard her speak I
had no idea what sort of a person she would prove. She
had an air of so much frankness and truth, that it was
impossible not to be charmed by it. The greater part of
the time I did not know how to defend myself from
her — at once so natural and so perfidious ; and oc
casionally I allowed myself to love her with all my
heart, so much did she seem to cherish me with all en
thusiasm. She had depth of wit, a piquancy of expres
sion, and knew how to disguise those interested adulations
with turns so noble and beautiful that I have never met,
neither before nor since, any woman worthy of being
compared with her. She was, in her single self, a whole
society ; and certainly there was no possibility of being
wearied when she was there. Her temper was most
equable, a qualification rarely obtained without a loss of
warmth of feeling. She always pleased because her busi
ness was to please and not to love; and it always sufficed

Ho MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
her to render others enthusiastic and ardent. Except
this tendency to egotism, she was the charm of society,
the life of the party whom she enlivened by her presence.
She knew precisely when to mourn with the afflicted,
and joke with the merry-hearted. The king had much
pleasure in her company : he knew that she only thought
how to amuse him; and, moreover, as he had seen her
from morning till evening with the marquise de Pompa
dour, her absence from my parties was insupportable to
him, and almost contrary to the rules of etiquette at the
chateau. I cannot tell you how great was his satisfaction, when,
at the first supper which followed our intimacy, he saw
her enter. He ran to meet her like a child, and gave a
cry of joy, which must have been very pleasing to the
marechale. "You are a dear woman," he said to her, with an air
which accorded with his words, " I always find you when
I want you; and you can nowhere be more in place
than here. I ask your friendship for our dear countess."
" She has it already, sire, from the moment I saw her ;
and I consider my intimacy with her as one of the happiest
chances of my life."
The king showed the utmost good humor in the world
during the rest of the evening. He scolded me, how
ever, for the mystery I had made in concealing from
him the agreeable visit of the marechale. I justified
myself easily by the pleasure which this surprise caused
him; and, on my side, gave my sincere thanks to the
chancellor. "You owe me none," said he; "the good marechale
felt herself somewhat ill at ease not to be on close terms
with her who possesses the affections of the king. It is
an indispensable necessity that she should play a part in
the lesser apartments; and as the principal character no
longer suits her, she is contented to perform that of con
fidante, and ran here on my first intimation."
"Never mind the motive that brought her," I said;
"she is a companion for me much more desirable than
madame de Bearn."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 141
"First from her rank," said the chancellor, smiling
maliciously, "and then by virtue of her cousinship with
the Holy Virgin."
I confess that I was ignorant of this incident in the
house of Levi; and I laughed heartily at the description
of the picture, in which one of the lords of this house is
represented on his knees before the mother of God, who
says to him, " Rise, cousin " ; to which he replies, " I know
my duty too well, cousin." I took care, however, how I
joked on this point with the marechale, who listened to
nothing that touched on the nobility of the ancestors of
her husband or on those of her own family.
Great had been the outcry in the palace against the
duc de la Vauguyon and madame de Beam, but how
much louder did it become on the defection of the mar
quise de Mirepoix. The cabal was destroyed; for a
woman of rank and birth like the marechale was to me a
conquest of the utmost importance. The princesse de
Guemenee and the duchesse de Grammont were wofully
enraged. This they manifested by satirical sneers, epi
grams, and verses, which were put forth in abundance.
All these inflictions disturbed her but little; the main
point in her eyes was to possess the favor of the master;
and she had it, for he felt that he was bound to her by
her complaisance.
He was not long in giving her an unequivocal proof
of his regard. The duc de Duras asked her, in presence
of the king and myself, why she did not wear her dia
monds as usual.
"They are my representatives," was her reply.
" What do you mean by representatives ? " said I.
" Why, my dear countess, they are with a Jew instead
of my sign-manual. The rogue had no respect for the
word of a relation of the Holy Virgin and the daughter
of the Beauvau. I was in want of thirty thousand francs;
and to procure it I have given up my ornaments, not
wishing to send to the Jew the old plate of my family,
altho' the hunks wanted it."
We all laughed at her frankness, and the gaiety with
which she gave this statement, but we went no further;

H2 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to her great regret, no doubt, for I believe that the scene
had been prepared between her and M. de Duras, either
to let her profit in time of need, or else that she wished to
pluck a feather from our wing. When I was alone with
the king, he said,
" The poor marechale pains me ; I should like to oblige
her and think I will give her five hundred louis."
"What will such a petty sum avail her? You know
what she wants; either send her the whole or none. A
king should do nothing by halves."
Louis XV. answered me nothing ; he only made a face,
and began to walk up and down the room. "Ah," said
I, "this excellent woman loves your majesty so much,
that you ought to show your gratitude to her, were it
only to recompense her for her intimacy with me."
" Well, you shall carry her the sum yourself, which
Lebel shall bring you from me. But thirty thousand
francs, that makes a large pile of crown-pieces."
"Then I must take it in gold."
" No, but in good notes. We must not, even by a
look, intimate that she has sold her visits to us. There
are such creatures in the world ! "
The next morning Lebel brought me a very handsome
rose-colored portfolio, embroidered with silver and au
burn hair: it contained the thirty thousand francs in
notes. I hastened to the marechale. We were then at
Marly. " What good wind blows you hither ? " said madame
de Mirepoix.
" A royal gallantry, " I replied ; " you appeared un
happy, and our excellent prince sends you the money
necessary to redeem your jewels."
The eyes of the lady became animated, and she em
braced me heartily. « It is to you that I owe this bounty
of the king."
" Yes, partly, to make the present entire ; he would
only have given you half the sum."
" I recognize him well in that he does not like to empty
his casket. He would draw on the public treasury with
out hesitation for double the revenue of France, and would

COMTESSE DU BARRY 143
not make a division of a single crown of his own private
peculium. "
I give this speech verbatim; and this was all the grati
tude which madame de Mirepoix manifested towards Louis
XV. I was pained at it, but made no remark. She took
up the portfolio, examined it carefully, and, bursting into
a fit of laughter, said, while she flung herself into an
arm-chair, " Ah ! ah ! ah ! this is an unexpected rencontre ! Look
at this portfolio, my dear friend: do you see the locks
with which it is decorated ? Well, they once adorned
the head of madame de Pompadour. She herself used
them to embroider this garland of silver thread; she gave
it to the king on his birthday. Louis XV. swore never
to separate from it, and here it is in my hands."
Then, opening the portfolio, and rummaging it over,
she found in a secret pocket a paper, which she opened,
saying, " I knew he had left it. "
It was a letter of madame de Pompadour, which I
wished to have, and the marechale gave me it instantly;
the notes remained with her. I copy the note, to give
you an idea of the sensibility of the king.
"Sire, — I am ill; dangerously so, perhaps. In the melancholy
feeling which preys upon me, I have formed a desire to leave you
a souvenir, which will always make me present to your memory.
I have embroidered this portfolio with my own hair ; accept it:
never part with it. Enclose in it your most important papers,
and let its contents prove your estimation of it. Will you not
accord my prayer? Sign it, I beseech you ; it is the caprice, the
wish of a dying woman?*
Beneath it was written,
'•'This token of love shall never quit me. Louis."

CHAPTER XVII.
Conversation of the marechale de Mirepoix with the comtesse du
Barry on court friendship — Intrigues of madame de Bearn — Pre
concerted meeting with madame de Flaracourt — Rage of madame
de Bearn — Portrait and conversation of madame de Flaracourt
with the comtesse du Barry — Insult from the princesse de Gue
menee — Her banishment — Explanation of the king and the duc
de Choiseul relative to madame du Barry — The comtesse d'Eg
mont.
However giddy I was I did not partake in the exces
sive gaiety of madame de Mirepoix. I was pained
to see how little reliance could be placed on the
sensibility of the king, as well as how far I could esteem
the consideration of the marechale for madame de Pom
padour, from whom she had experienced so many marks
of friendship. This courtier baseness appeared to me so
villainous, that I could not entirely conceal how I was
affected with displeasure. Madame de Mirepoix saw it,
and, looking at me attentively, said,
"Do you feel any desire to become pathetical in the
country we live in ? I warn you that it will be at your
own expense. We must learn to content ourselves here
with appearances, and examine nothing thoroughly."
"There is then no reality?" said I to her.
" Yes," she answered me, " but only two things, power
and money: the rest is * leather and prunella* {contes
bleus) : no person has time to love sincerely ; it is hatred
only that takes deep root and never dies. To hope to
give birth to a real passion, an Orestean and Pyladean
friendship, is a dream from which you must be awak
ened. "
" Then you do not love me ? "
* You ask me a very awkward question, my darling, I
can tell you. I do love you, and very much, too: I have
d44)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 14$
proved it by ranging myself on your side, and by de
claring, with the utmost frankness, that I would rather
see you in the situation in which you are, than any other
woman of the court. But there is a long space between
this and heroical friendship: I should deceive you if I
were to affirm the contrary, and there would be no com
mon sense in giving faith to my words. Every one has
too much business, too much intrigue, too many quarrels
on hand, to have any leisure to think of others: every
one lives for himself alone. Mesdames de Guemenee and
de Grammont appear very intimate: that is easily ex
plained, they unite against a common enemy. But were
your station left vacant, no sooner would the king have
thrown the apple to one of them, but the other would
detest her instantly."
Contrary to custom I made no reply: I was absorbed
in painful reflections to which this conversation had given
rise. The marechale perceived it, and said,
" We should fall into philosophy if we probed this sub
ject too deeply. Let us think no more of this: besides,
I have a new defection to tell you of. Madame de
Flaracourt told me yesterday that she much regretted
having misunderstood you, and that you were worth
more than all those who persecute you. She appeared
to me disposed to ally herself to you for the least
encouragement which you might be induced to hold out
to her."
"You know very well," I replied, "that I am willing
to adopt your advice. The house of Flaracourt is not
to be despised, and I ask no better than to be on
amicable terms with the lady."
" Well, then, come this morning and walk in the grove
nearest the pavilion, I shall be there with madame de
Flaracourt: we will meet by chance, compliments will
follow, and the alliance will be formed."
The marechale and I had scarcely separated when
madame de Bearn was announced. This lady besieged
me night and day. Gifted with a subtle and penetrating
spirit — that talent which procures advancement at court,
she saw, with pain, that I sought to attract other females

146 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
about me : she would fain have remained my only friend,
that she might, unopposed, influence me in all I did.
She saw, therefore, the appearance of madame de Mire
poix in my drawing-room with uneasiness: her bad
humor was sufficiently apparent to attract the notice of
the marechale, who laughed at it: her social position as
a titled woman, and the king's friendship, giving her
confidence that her credit would always exceed that of
my godmother.
Madame de Bearn was compelled to submit to the as
cendancy of the marechale, but yet did not the less relax
in her efforts to keep from me all other female society,
she hoped that at last the king would distinguish her,
and call her into his intimacy as my friend; she was not
more fond of the comtesse d'Aloigny, altho' the nullity of
this lady need not have alarmed her much. For me, I
began to resent the irksomeness of having incessantly at
my side a person who manifested too openly her desire
to compel me to submit to her wishes, and I waited, to
secure my freedom, only until the circle of females I
could admit to my society should be extended.
Such were our reciprocal feelings during our stay at
Marly. The madame de Bearn watched me with more
care than at Versailles, fearing, no doubt, that the free
dom of the country might facilitate connections prej
udicial to her interests. Little did she anticipate on
this day the stroke which was in preparation for her. I
asked her spitefully to take a turn with me into the
park, and I took care not to announce the meeting which
we had arranged.
Behold us then walking this way and that, quite by
chance, without however going any distance from the
pavilion. Madame de Beam, not liking the vicinity of the
chateau, was desirous to go into the wood. I declined
this under vain excuses, when suddenly madame de Mire
poix and madame de Flaracourt appeared at the end of
a very short walk.
" Let us turn this way, " said the countess to me, " here
comes one of our enemies, whom it would be as well
to avoid."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 147
" Why turn away ? " I replied ; " she is alone, we are
two, and then the marechale de Mirepoix is not opposed
to us."
Saying this, I advanced towards them. Madame de
Flaracourt appeared very gracious: I replied to her ad
vances with due politeness, and instead of separating, we
continued to walk about together. Madame de Bearn
saw clearly that chance was not the sole cause of this
meeting: she dissembled as well as she could. I after
wards learnt that she owed me a spite, particularly for
the mystery which I had made of this occurrence. The
marked silence, and the sullen air she assumed during
this interview, and which her sense and knowledge of
the world should have prevented her from manifesting,
proved to me, on this occasion, as on many others, that
temper cannot always be conquered, and that at times
it will burst forth in spite of the experience and cau
tion of the courtier.
I did not give myself much trouble on this subject: I
had well recompensed the good offices of the countess:
I had ample proof that in serving me she had acted on
the impulse of self-interest: we were quits, I thought,
and I saw no reason why I should remain isolated just
to serve her pleasure.
When we returned to my apartments I saw plainly, by
her mutterings, her sighs, and the shrugging of her
shoulders, that she was deeply irritated at what had just
taken place. She was desirous of provoking an explana
tion, but as that could only tend to her disadvantage, shrc
contented herself with leaving me earlier than her usual
want, without saying anything disagreeable. Her custom
was not to leave me alone, and her abrupt departure
confirmed me in the idea I had imbibed, that this sort of
comedy had much thwarted her.
In the course of the same day I received a visit from
the comtesse de Flaracourt. This lady, whose sparkling
eyes shone with an air of mischief, presented herself to
me with an appearance of openness and confidence which
completely cloaked the malignity and treachery of her
character. She threw her arms round my neck with as

148 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
much grace as tenderness, and taking my hand, as if to
arrest my attention, said:
" I ought, madame, to explain to you the delay that I
have made before I introduce myself to you, as well as
the promptitude of this my first visit. I was prejudiced
against you, and had formed a false estimate of you. My
liaison with mesdames d'Egmont, de Brionne, and de
Grammont naturally placed me in the rank opposed to
you: so much for what has passed. But I have seen
you: I have studied you at a distance, as well as close,
and I have recognised, without difficulty, the injustice
of your enemies. I have been enraged with myself for
having been deceived regarding you: I wish to repair
my wrongs. Enlightened by the opinion of the marechale
de Mirepoix, I have not hesitated to approach you under
her auspices, and our first meeting has so happily fur
nished me with an opportunity of appreciating you, that
I would not delay any longer the pleasure of making
you a personal avowal of my past sentiments, and of those
with which you now inspire me."
The tone in which madame de Flaracourt uttered these
words was so gracious and so persuasive, that I could not
resist the pleasure of embracing her. She returned my
kiss with the same eagerness, and would not listen to
my thanks.
"All is explained between us," she continued, "let us
forget the past, and let us do as if meeting for the first
time to-day; we henceforward date this as the first of
our acquaintance."
" The affability with which you have presented yourself
to me, " I replied, " does not permit me to believe that I
have only known you from this morning; I am in an
illusion which will only allow me to look on our recent
alliance as an ancient friendship."
After having exchanged some conversation of the same
tenor, we talked of my situation as regarded the other
females of the court.
"They hate you for two reasons," said the countess:
"in the first place, because you have made a conquest
which all the world envies you; secondly because you

COMTESSE DU BARRY 149
are not one of us. There is not one family who can
lean on you in virtue of the rights of blood, or alliances
which stand instead of it. You have superseded a woman
who more than any other could have a claim to your
good fortune: she is sister to the prime minister, who
has in her train, like Lucifer, more than a third part of
heaven, for all the courtiers hang on her brother.
" On the other hand, we are not accustomed to re
main so long in opposition to the will of the king. Such
a resistance is not natural to us ; it weighs upon us, it
harms us, the favor of our master being our chief good.
We are only something thro' him, and when combatting
against him we have neither the courage nor the per
severance. Thus you may be very certain that the majority
of women who oppose you do it against the grain: and
if you add to this that they are incessantly exposed to
the murmurs and complaints of their husbands, sons,
brothers, and lovers, you will easily be convinced that
they only aspire to finding a means of reconciling the
regard they owe to the Choiseuls and the terror which they
inspire, with the desire they have to seek your protec
tion and the friendship of the king. The cabal only
flies on one wing, and I cannot divine its situation at
the commencement of the next winter. Do not disquiet
yourself any more with what it can do: keep yourself
quiet; continue to please the 'master,' and you will
triumph over the multitude as easily as you have con
quered the resistance of mesdames."
Such was the language of the comtesse de Flaracourt:
it agreed, as you will perceive, with that of madame de
Mirepoix, and I ought the more to believe it, as it was
the fruit of their experience and profound knowledge
of court manners. Their example proved to me, as
well as their words, that all those who approached the
king could not bear for a long time the position in
which he placed those whom he did not look upon with
pleasure. However, Louis XV. evinced more plainly from
day to day the ascendancy I had over his mind. He
assisted publicly at my toilet, he walked out with me,
left me as little as possible, and sought by every atten-

150 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
tion to console me for the impertinences with which
my enemies bespattered me. The following anecdote
will prove to you how little consideration he had for
those persons who dared to insult me openly.
One day at Marly, I entered the drawing-room; there
was a vacant seat near the princesse de Guemenee, I
went to it, and scarcely was seated when my neighbor
got up, saying, " What horror ! " and betook herself to
the further end of the room. I was much confused: the
offence was too public for me to restrain my resentment,
and even when I wished to do so the thing was scarcely
possible. The comte Jean, who had witnessed it, and
my sisters-in-law, who learnt it from him, were enraged.
I was compelled to complain to the king, who instantly
sent the princesse de Guemenee an order to quit Marly
forthwith, and betake herself to the princesse de Marsan,
gouvernante of the children of the royal family of France,
of whose post she had the reversion.
Never did a just chastisement produce a greater effect.
The outcry against me was louder than ever, it seemed
as tho' the whole nobility of France was immolated at
"one fell swoop." To have heard the universal clamor,
it would have been thought that the princess had been
sent to the most obscure prison in the kingdom. This
proof of the king's regard for me did much mischief, no
doubt, as it furnished my enemies with a pretext to
accuse me of a vindictive spirit. Could I do otherwise ?
Ought I to have allowed myself to be overwhelmed with
impunity, and was it consistent with the dignity of my
august protector, that I should be insulted thus openly
by his subjects, his courtiers, his guests, even in the
private apartments of his palace ?
However, this wrath of the nobility did not prevent the
Choiseul family from experiencing a feeling of fright.
They had just received a signal favor. The government
of Strasbourg, considered as the key of France and Alsace,
had been given in reversion to the comte de Stainville,
brother of the duc de Choiseul. Certainly this choice
was a very great proof of the indulgence of the king,
and the moment was badly chosen to pay with ingrati-

LOUIS THE FIFTEENTH
From the portrait by Ferrand, 1760

C0pyrtght,*003„ 2>y M Wooer 2unn&.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 151
tude a benefit so important. This did not hinder the
duchesse de Grammont, and all the women of her house,
or who were her allies, from continuing to intrigue
against me. It was natural to believe that the king
would not permit such doing for a long time, and that
should he become enraged at them, that I should attempt
to soothe his anger.
Matters were in this state, when one morning, after his
accustomed routine, the duc de Choiseul requested a pri
vate audience of the king. " I grant it this moment, "
said the prince, " what have you to say to me ? "
" I wish to explain to your majesty how excessively
painful is the situation in which I am placed with regard
to some of the members of my family. All the females,
and my sister at their head, attack me about a quarrel
which is strange to me, and with which I have declared
I would not meddle."
"You do well, monsieur le duc," said the king, with
cool gravity, " I am much vexed at all that is going on,
and have resolved not to suffer it any longer."
The decision of this discourse made a deep impression on
M. de' Choiseul: he sought to conceal it whilst he replied:
"It is difficult, sire, to make women listen to reason."
"All are not unreasonable," rejoined the king: "your
wife, for instance, is a model of reason and wisdom: she
has perfect control of herself. She is the wise woman of
scripture. "
This flattery and justly merited eulogium, which the
king made of the duchess whenever he found an oppor
tunity, was the more painful to M. de Choiseul, as his
conduct was not irreproachable towards a woman whose
virtues he alone did hot justly appreciate. It was a direct
satire against his sister's conduct, whose ascendancy over
him, her brother, the king well knew. He replied that
the good behavior of his wife was the safeguard of his
family, and he greatly regretted that the duchesse de
Grammont had not a right to the same eulogium.
" I beg you, " said the prince, " to engage her to change
her language, and to conduct herself with less boldness,
if she would not have me force her to repent."

152 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"That, sire, is a mission painful to fulfil, and words
very hard to convey to her."
"So much the worse for her," replied the king, elevat
ing his voice, "if she bear any friendship for you, let
her prove it in this particular: your interests should keep
her mouth shut."
The duke had no difficulty to comprehend the indirect
menace implied: he instantly renewed his regrets for the
disagreeable disturbances that had occurred.
"Add insulting," said Louis XV. "I am content with
you and your services, duke. I have just proved this to
you, by giving your brother more than he could expect
from me; but have not I the right to have my intimacies
respected ? It appears to me that if you spoke more
decidedly in your family you would command more atten
tion." " This makes me fear, sire, that your majesty does not
believe me sincere in my expression of the regret which
I just took the liberty to utter to your majesty."
"Mon Dieu, monsieur le duc, you certainly do not like
madame du Barry."
" I neither like nor hate her, sire ; but I see with trouble
that she receives at her house all my enemies."
" Whose fault is that if it be so ? Your own ; you, who
would never visit her; she would have received you with
pleasure, and I have not concealed from you the satisfac
tion I should have experienced."
These last words made the duke start, his eyes be
came animated. After a moment's reflection he said to
the king,
" Sire, is it indispensably necessary for the service of
the state that I endeavor to attain the good-will of madame
la comtesse du Barry ? "
"No."
"Well, then, sire, allow matters to remain as they are.
It would cost me much to quarrel with my whole family,
the more so as this sacrifice is not useful to you, and
would in no wise alter my position with your majesty."
However painful to the king such a determination
might be, he did not allow the duke to perceive it; he

COMTESSE DU BARRY 153
dissembled the resentment he felt, and contented him
self with -saying,
"Duc de Choiseul, I do not pretend to impose chains
on you; I have spoken to you as a friend rather than
as a sovereign. Now I return to what was said at first,
and accept with confidence the promise you make me
not to torment a lady whom I love most sincerely."
Thus ended a conversation from which the duke, with
a less haughty disposition, might have extracted greater
advantages and played a surer game. It was the last
plank of safety offered in the shipwreck which menaced
him. He disdained it: the opportunity of seizing it
did not present itself again. I doubt not but that if]
he would have united himself freely and sincerely with
me I should not have played him false. Louis XV. , satis
fied with his condescension in my behalf, would have kept
him at the head of his ministry: but his pride ruined
him, he could not throw off the yoke which the duchesse
de Grammont had imposed on him : he recoiled from the
idea of telling her that he had made a treaty of peace
with me, and that was not one of the least causes of|
his disgrace.
The journey to Marly gave birth to a multitude of in
trigues of persons who thought to wrap themselves up
in profound mystery, and all whose actions we knew.
The police were very active about the royal abodes, es
pecially since the fatal deed of the regicide Damiens.
To keep them perpetually on the watch, they were ordered
watch attentively the amours of the lords and ladies of
the court.
The daughter of the duc de Richelieu, the comtesse
d'Egmont, whose age was no pretext for her follies, dearly
liked low love adventures. She used to seek them out in
Paris, when she could find none at Versailles. She was
not, however, the more indulgent towards me. This lady
was not always content with noble lovers, but sought
them in all classes, and more than once, simple mortals,
men of low order, obtained preference over demi-gods.
Her conduct in this respect was the result of long ex
perience. She used to go out alone, and traverse the

154 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
streets of Paris. She entered the shops, and when her
eye rested on a good figure, having wide shoulders,
sinewy limbs, and a good looking face, she then called
up all the resources of her mind to form and carry on
an intrigue, of which the consequences, at first agreeable
to him who was the object of it, terminated most fre
quently fatally. The following adventure will give you
an idea of the talent of madame d'Egmont in this way,
and how she got rid of her adorers when she had ex
hausted with them the cup of pleasure.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Intrigue of the comtesse d'Egmont with a shopman — His unhappy
fate — The comtesse du Barry protects him — Conduct of Louis
XV. upon the occasion — The young man quits France — Madame du
Barry's letter to the comtesse d'Egmont — Quarrel with the marechal
de Richelieu.
The comtesse d'Egmont was one day observed to quit
her house attired with the most parsimonious sim
plicity; her head being covered by an enormously
deep bonnet, which wholly concealed her countenance,
and the rest of her person enveloped in a pelisse, whose
many rents betrayed its long service. In this strange
dress she traversed the streets of Paris in search of ad
ventures. She was going, she said, wittily enough, " to
return to the cits what her father and brother had so
frequently robbed them of." Chance having led her steps
to the rue St. Martin, she was stopped there by a con
fusion of carriages, which compelled her first to shelter
herself against the wall, and afterwards to take refuge
in an opposite shop, which was one occupied by a linen-
draper. She looked around her with the eye of a connoisseur,
and perceived beneath the modest garb of a shopman one
of those broad-shouldered youths, whose open smiling
countenance and gently tinged complexion bespoke a
person whose simplicity of character differed greatly from
the vast energy of his physical powers: he resembled the
Farnese Hercules upon a reduced scale. The princess
approached him, and requested to see some muslins, from
which she selected two gowns, and after having paid for
them, requested the master of the shop to send his shop
man with them, in the course of half an hour, to an ad
dress she gave as her usual abode. (iS5)

156 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
The comtesse d'Egmont had engaged an apartment on
the third floor of a house in the rue Tiquetonne, which
was in the heart of Paris. The porteress of the dwelling
knew her only as madame Rossin: her household con
sisted of a housekeeper and an old man, both devoted to
a mistress whose character they well understood, and
to whom they had every motive to be faithful.
Here it was, then, that the lady hastened to await the
arrival of the new object of her plebeian inclinations.
Young Moireau (for such was the shopman's name) was
not long ere he arrived with his parcel. Madame
d'Egmont was ready to receive him: she had had suf
ficient time to exchange her shabby walking dress for
one which bespoke both coquetry and voluptuousness;
the softness of her smile, and the turn of her features
announced one whose warmth of passions would hold
out the most flattering hopes of success to him who
should seek her love.
Madame Rossin and the young shopman were soon en
gaged in conversation, further animated by the bright
glances sent direct from the eyes of madame to the un
guarded heart of her admiring visitor. Emboldened by
the graciousness of her manner, he presumed to touch
her fair hand: the lady, in affected anger, rose, and
commanded him to quit the house. The terrified youth
fell at her feet, imploring pardon for his boldness, and
then hastily quitted the room ere the feigned madame
Rossin could pronounce the forgiveness he demanded.
"The fool," was (doubtless) the princess's exclamation,
"had he been brought up at court he would have con
ducted himself very differently."
This silliness of proceeding was, however, far from
being displeasing to the princess: on the contrary, it
seemed to increase her determination to prosecute the
adventure. Accordingly, on the following day she has
tened to resume her former walking dress, and in it to
take the road which led to the rue St. Martin, and again
to present herself as a customer at the linen-draper's
shop. This time she purchased cloth for chemises. In
describable and unspeakable was the joy of young Moireau,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 157
when, after having served the mistress of his thoughts,
he heard her request of his master to allow the goods
she had selected to be sent to her residence; and equally
was he surprised that she omitted to name him as the
person she wished should convey them. Nevertheless, as
may be imagined, Moireau obtained possession of the
parcel, and was soon on his way to the rue Tiquetonne,
where he found the lady more languishing and attractive
than before ; and soon they were deep in the most earnest
and interesting conversation. Moireau, who now saw that
his boldness was not displeasing to the lady, became more
and more presuming : true, his overtures were refused, but
so gently, that it only fanned his flame; nor was it till
after reiterated prayers that he succeeded in obtaining
her promise to meet him on the following Sunday. The
princess, like a skilful manceuvrer, reckoned upon the
additional violence his ardor would receive from this delay.
The affection with which she had inspired him would
only gain strength by thus deferring the day for their
next meeting, whilst he would have time to meditate
upon the virtue as well as the charms of her he had won.
The long looked for Sunday at length arrived, and
Moireau was first at the place of rendezvous. His simple
dress augmenting his natural good looks, whilst the
countess had spared no pains to rendered her appearance
calculated to captivate and seduce. All reserve was
thrown aside; and to satisfy the eager curiosity of her
lover, she stated herself to be the widow of a country
lawyer, who had come to Paris to carry on a lawsuit. It
would be useless to follow the princess during the further
course of this meeting. Suffice it to say, that Moireau
and madame d'Egmont separated mutually happy and
satisfied with each other.
The youth, who was now ages gone in love, had only
reached his twenty-second year, and madame Rossin was
his first attachment. So ardent and impetuous did his
passion hourly grow, that it became a species of insanity.
On the other hand, the high-born dame, who had thus
captivated him, felt all the attractions of his simple and
untutored love, further set off by the fine manly figure

158 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
of the young shopman. Indeed, so much novelty and in
terest did she experience in her new amour, that, far
from finding herself, as she had expected, disposed to
relinquish the affair (as she had anticipated) at the end
of two or three interviews, which she had imagined
would have satisfied her capricious fancy, she put off, to
an indefinite period, her original project of ending the
affair by feigning a return to the country.
This resolution, however, she did not feel courage to carry
into effect; and two or three months rolled rapidly away
without any diminution of their reciprocal flame, when one
fine Sunday evening Moireau, whose time hung heavily on
his hands, took it into his head to visit the opera. This
species of amusement constitutes the neplus ultra of the de
lights of a French cit. Moireau seated himself in the pit, just
opposite the box of the gentlemen in waiting. The per
formance was " Castor and Pollux. " At the commencement
of the second act a sudden noise and bustle drew
Moireau from the contemplative admiration into which
the splendor of the piece had thrown him. The disturb
ance arose from a general move, which was taking place
in the box belonging to the gentlemen in waiting.
Madame d'Egmont had just arrived, attended by four or
five grand lords of the court covered with gold, and
decorated with the order of the Holy Ghost, and two
ladies richly dressed, from whom she was distinguished
as much by the superior magnificence of her attire as by
her striking beauty.
Moireau could not believe his eyes; he felt assured he
beheld madame Rossin, yet he fancied he must be under
the influence of some fantastic dream; but every look,
every gesture of the princess, a thousand trifles, which
would have escaped the notice of a common observer,
but which were engraved in indelible characters on the
heart of her admirer, all concurred to assure him that he
recognised in this lovely and dazzling female, so splen
didly attired and so regally attended, the cherished mis
tress of his affections; she whom that very morning he
had held in his embrace. He addressed a thousand
questions to those about him, from whom he learnt his

COMTESSE DU BARRY 159
own good fortune and the exalted rank of her he had
won. Scarcely could he restrain the burst of joy, when
informed that the fair object, glittering with jewels and
radiant in beauty, was the daughter of Richelieu, and
the wife of one of the princes of the noble house of Eg-
mont. A thousand tumultuous and flattering ideas rushed in
crowds to the brain of young Moireau, and he saw in an
ticipation a long and brilliant vista opening before him.
Poor inexperienced youth! He mistook the wisest and
safest path, which would have been to have appeared
ignorant of the high rank of his mistress, and to have
induced her, from motives of affection, to preside over
his fortunes, and to rise by her means without allowing
her to suspect he guessed her ability to bestow riches
and preferment. He, on the contrary, hastened to her
with the account of his having discovered her real rank
and station. Madame d'Egmont, whose self-possession
enabled her to conceal the terror and uneasiness his re
cital inspired her with, listened calmly and silently till
he had ceased speaking, and then asked him, with a
playful smile, if he was quite sure of being in his right
senses? "For how otherwise could you," said she, "con
fuse a poor obscure widow like myself with the rich and
powerful princess you speak of ? My friend, you are under
the influence of a dream; believe me, I am neither more
nor less than poor widow Rossin, and can boast of no
claim to the illustrious name of Egmont or Richelieu."
But the more she spoke the less she persuaded, and
young Moireau was not to be reasoned out of his con
viction of her identity with the high-born princess of Eg
mont, and he alternately employed threats and promises
to induce her to confess the fact ; but the lady was firm
and immovable. Resolved at all risk to preserve her in
cognito, she found herself compelled to -bring the affair
to a conclusion, by feigning extreme anger at the per
tinacity with which Moireau importuned her upon a sub
ject which she protested she knew nothing: her lover
retaliated, and a desperate quarrel ensued. Moireau rushed
angrily from her presence, vowing that he would pub-

160 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
lish his adventure thro 'out Paris; an empty threat, which
his devotion to the princess would never have permitted
him to carry into execution.
Madame d'Egmont, however, was not so sure that her
secret was safe, and she lost not an instant in repairing
to the house of M. de Sartines, to obtain from him a
lettre de cachet against the aspiring shopman, who, seized
in the street, was conveyed away, and confined as a maniac
in a madhouse, where, but for a circumstance you shall
hear, he would doubtless be still.
I happened to be with the king when the lieutenant
of police arrived upon matters connected with his em
ployment. According to custom, Louis inquired whether
he had anything very amusing to communicate to him ?
"Many things, sire," replied he, "and amongst others an
anecdote of madame d'Egmont"; and he began to relate
to us, word for word, what I have written you. The
king laughed till he cried; as for me, altho' I could not
help finding the tale sufficiently comic to induce risibility.
I listened with more coolness; and when it was com
pleted, I exclaimed,
" Can it be, sire, that you will permit this unfortunate
young man to be the eternal victim of so unprincipled a
woman ? "
" What would you have me do ? " said Louis ; " how can
I interfere without compromising the reputation of madame
d'Egmont ? »
"Allow me to say," replied I, "that this fear ought not
to prevent your majesty's interference. You are father
of your subjects; and the respect you entertain for
madame d'Egmont should not outweigh your duty, which
imperatively calls upon you to command the release of
this wretched young man."
"But," argued the king, "by such a step I shall for
ever disoblige the duc de Richelieu and his family."
" Fear it not," cried I, "if your majesty will trust to me,
I will undertake to bring the marechal and his nephew
to approve of your proceedings ; and as for the rest of his
family, let them go where they will; for the empire of
the world I should be sorry to bear them company."

Monsieur De Gorn : Wishing to make an estimate for the present year of the
expenses of managing the estates of my lands in the Duchy of Burgundy,
County of Auxerre, and of Charolloix adjoining thereto, in order to do
what is necessary for the good of my kingdom and for the country in general,
and desiring that you should attend an assembly for the purpose of giving
your advice on the propositions that may be made there, and your consent and
agreement to whatever may be concluded and decided upon, I send you this
letter as a summons, requiring you to appear at my city of Dijon on the
fourteenth day of July next, where I shall employ you, with others who
will debate on the said matters and upon anything that may arise concerning .'•'V
my service and for the good of the country. Assuring myself of your'affec-
tion, I pray God that He will hold you, Monsieur De Gorn, in His holy
keeping. Written at Versailles, the tenth of May, 7766. LOUIS

Phelippeaux

Document of Louis XV.

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COMTESSE DU BARRY 161
This manner of speaking pleased the king; and, turn
ing to M. de Sartines, " Lieutenant of police, " said he,
" you have heard my fair chancellor ; you will act in strict
conformity with the orders she will transmit you from
me." " Then take these orders now, sir, " said I : "in the first
place, this ill-treated young Moireau must immediately be
set at liberty, and my own police (for I must tell you I
had them) will give me the faithful account of all your
proceedings in this affair."
The king comprehended my meaning. " You will keep
a careful watch," added he to M. de Sartines, "that no
harm befalls this unfortunate youth, whom, I beg, you
will discreetly recommend to quit France ere the malice
of those who have reason to fear his reappearance works
him some evil."
"And who, sire," asked I, "shall dare injure one whom
your majesty deigns to honor with your protection ? "
" Madame, " replied M. de Sartines, " even his majesty's
high patronage cannot prevent a secret blow from some
daring hand; a quarrel purposely got up; a beverage
previously drugged; a fall from any of the bridges into
the river; or, even the supposition of one found dead,
having destroyed himself."
" You make me shudder, " said I, " in thus unveiling
the extent of human depravity. So, then, this young
man, whose only fault appears to have been that of cap
tivating the eyes of a noble lady, should perish in a
dungeon, or save his life at the sacrifice of country,
friends, connections; and all this for having listened to
the passion of a woman, as licentious in manners as
illustrious by birth: this frightful injustice rouses all my
indignation. Well, then, since the power of the monarch
of France is insufficient to protect his oppressed subject
in his own realms, let him shield him from want in a
foreign land, by allowing him a pension of one hundred
louis. I will take upon myself to defray the expenses of
his journey."
Thus saying, I was hastening to the adjoining room,
where stood my secretaire, to take from it a thousand

162 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
crowns I wished to give for the purpose. The king held
me back by my arm, saying to me,
" You are the most excellent creature I know of, but
you see I am always master. I will undertake to pro
vide for this young man. M. de Sartines," pursued he,
" I wish to secure to him a thousand crowns yearly ; and,
further, you will supply him with six thousand francs
ready money, which M. de la Borde will repay to your
order. Now are you satisfied, Couci f " said the king,
turning to me.
My only reply was to throw my arms around his neck
without ceremony, spite of the presence of a witness,
who might blush at my familiarity. " You are indeed, "
said I, "a really good prince; it is only a pity you will
not assert your right to rule alone."
" You are a little rebel," cried he, " to doubt my absolute
power." This tone of playful gaiety was kept up some
time after the departure of the lieutenant of police.
M. de Sartines returned next day to tell me that every
thing had been accomplished to my desire. " M. Moireau,"
said he, " has left prison, and departs for Spain to-morrow
morning: his intention is to join some friends of his at
Madrid. He is informed of all he owes you, and en
treats your acceptance of his most grateful and respectful
acknowledgments. Will you see him ? "
" That would be useless, " answered I ; " say to him
only, that I request he will write to me upon his arrival
at Madrid, and give me the history of his late adventure
in its fullest details."
Moireau did not disappoint me; and so soon as his
letter reached me I hastened to copy it, merely suppress
ing the date of the place from which it was written, and
forwarded it immediately to the comtesse d'Egmont, with
the following note: —
«The many proofs of tender attachment with which the widow
Rossin honored young Moireau make me believe that she will learn
with pleasure of my having the good fortune to rescue the ill-fated
youth from the cruelty of the comtesse d'Egmont. This interesting
young man no longer groans a wretched prisoner in the gloomy
abode that haughty lady had selected for him, but is at this minute

COMTESSE DU BARRY 163
safe in a neighboring kingdom, under the powerful patronage of the
king of France, who is in possession of every circumstance relative
to the affair. I likewise know the whole of the matter, and have in
my keeping the most irrefragable proofs of all that took place; and
should I henceforward have any reason to complain of the comtesse
d'Egmont, I shall publish these documents with permission of those
concerned. «The public will then be enabled to judge of the virtue and
humanity of one who affects to treat me with a ridiculous disdain.
There exists no law against a fair lady having lovers and admirers,
but a stern one forbids her to command or procure their destruction.
I know all; and madame d'Egmont's future conduct will decide my
silence and discretion. The affair with Moireau is not the only one,
others of even a graver sin preceded it. I can publish the whole to
gether ; and, I repeat, my determination on this head depends wholly
and entirely upon the manner in which madame d'Egmont shall
henceforward conduct herself towards me. I beg madame de Rossin
will allow me to subscribe myself, with every feeling she so well
merits, (< Her very humble and most obedient servant,
"The Comtesse du Barry."
I had communicated to no one the secret of this ven
geance ; I wished to keep the delight of thus exciting the
rage of the princesse d'Egmont all to myself. I was
certain, that whatever might henceforward be her line of
conduct towards me, that whenever she found herself in
my presence, she would bitterly feel the stings of an ac
cusing conscience, and the gnawings of that worm which
dieth not in the heart of hypocritical and wicked per
sons, more especially when compelled to meet the eye of
those who could unmask them in a minute.
On the following day I received a visit from the duc
de Richelieu. Spite of the many endeavors he made to
appear smiling and good humored, a deep rage kept its
station round his mouth, and contracted his lips even in
the midst of the artificial smile with which he sought to
dissimulate his wrath.
" Madame, good morning, " said he to me, " I come to
offer my congratulations, you really are become quite one
of us; upon my word, the most experienced courtier has
nothing more to teach you."
" I am as yet in ignorance of the cause to which I may
ascribe these compliments, M. le Marechal, which I greatly

164 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
fear surpass my poor merits; and which even you will be
compelled to retract them when I am better known to
you. "
« Fear it not, madame, " said he, " your commencement
is a master-stroke ; and the letter you yesterday addressed
to the comtesse d'Egmont — "
"Ah, sir," exclaimed I, with unfeigned astonishment,
" in her place I certainly should not have selected you as
my confidant in the affair."
"And who could she better have selected than her
father ? But that is not the matter in hand. My daugh
ter is filled with anger against you; and if I must speak
the truth, I do not think your behavior towards her quite
what it should have been."
" Really, monsieur, I was not prepared for a reproach
of this kind; and what can madame d'Egmont allege
against me ? 'Tis she who has pursued me with the most
bitter sarcasms, the most determined malice; and, I may
add, the most impertinent behavior. I entreat your pardon
for using such strong expressions, but her behavior allows
of none milder. And what have I done in my turn ?
snatched from a lingering death an unfortunate young
man, whose only crime consisted in having pleased this
unreasonable madame d'Egmont. I procured the king's
protection for the miserable object of the princess's affec
tion; I obtained his safe removal to another country;
and, having done all this, I communicated my knowledge
of the transaction to the comtesse d'Egmont. Does this
bear any comparison with her line of conduct towards me ? "
"But your letter, madame; your letter — "
"Would bear alterations and amendments, sir, I am
aware: I admit I did not sufficiently insist upon the
atrocity of such an abuse of power."
" You are then resolved, madame, to make us your
enemies. "
" I should be very sorry, monsieur le duc, to be com
pelled to such extremities; but if your friendship can
only be purchased at the price of my submitting to con
tinually receive the insults of your family, I should be
the first to cease to aspire to it. If madame d'Egmont

COMTESSE DU BARRY 165
holds herself aggrieved by me, let her carry her com
plaint before the parliament; we shall then see what
redress she will get. She has compromised the king's
name by an arbitrary act ; and since you thus attack me,
you must not take it amiss if I make the king acquainted
with the whole business."
The marechal, surprised at so severe a reply, could
no longer restrain the rage which filled him. " I should
have thought, madame," said he, "that my daughter, in
whose veins flows royal blood, might have merited some
little consideration from the comtesse du Barry."
"It is well, then, monsieur le duc," replied I, "to
point out to you your error. I see in my enemies their
works and actions alone, without any reference to their
birth, be it high or low; and the conduct of madame
d'Egmont has been so violent and unceasing towards
me, that it leaves me without the smallest regret for that
I have pursued towards her."
I had imagined that this reply would still further
irritate the angry feelings of the duc de Richelieu, but
it did not: he easily guessed that nothing but the king's
support could have inspired me to express myself with
so much energy; and, if paternal vanity strove in
his heart, personal interests spoke there with even a
¦ louder voice. He therefore sought to lay aside his anger,
and, like a skilful courtier, changing his angry look and
tone for one of cheerfulness:
"Madame," said he, "I yield; I see it will not do to
enter the lists against you. I confess I came this morn
ing but to sound your courage, and already you have
driven me off the field vanquished. There is one favor
I would implore of your generosity, and that is, to be
silent as to all that has transpired."
"I shall not speak of it, monsieur le duc," replied I,
much moved, "unless you or madame d'Egmont set me
the example."
" In that case the affair will for ever remain buried in
oblivion; but, madame, I will not conceal from you, that
my daughter has become your most bitter and irrecon
cilable enemy."

166 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" The motives which have actuated me, monsieur le
marechal, are such as to leave me very little concern
upon that subject. I flatter myself this affair will not
keep you away from me, who would fain reckon as firmly
on your friendship as you may do on mine."
The marechal kissed my hand in token of amity, and
from that moment the matter was never mentioned.
A similar scene had already occurred with the prince
de Soubise, relative to the exile of his daughter. Was it
not somewhat strange, as well as unjust, that all the
noblemen of the day wished to preserve to their relations
the right of offending me with impunity, without permit
ting me even the right of defending myself.

CHAPTER XIX.
Madame du Barry separates from madame de Bearn — Letters be
tween these ladies — Portrait of madame de l'H6pital — The ladder
— The bell — Conversation with madame de Mirepoix — First visit
to Chantilly — Intrigues to prevent the countess from going thither
— The king's displeasure towards the princesses — The archbishop
de Senlis.
The spoiled child of fortune, I had now attained the height
of my wishes. The king's passion augmented daily,
and my empire became such as to defy the utmost
endeavors of my enemies to undermine it. Another
woman in my place would have employed her power in
striking terror amongst all who were opposed to her, but
for my own part I contented myself with repulsing their
attempts to injure me, and in proceeding to severity
only when my personal interests were too deeply con
cerned to admit of my passing the matter over in silence.
There was no accusation too infamous to be laid to my
charge; amongst other enormities they scrupled not to
allege that I had been the murderess of Lebel, the king's
valet -de -chambre, who died by poison! Was it likely,
was it probable that I should seek the destruction of him
to whom I owed my elevation, the most devoted of
friends, and for whom my heart cherished the most
lively sense of gratitude ? What interest could I possibly
derive from the perpetration of such a crime ? The im
putation was too absurd for belief, but slander cares little
for the seeming improbability of such an event. The
simple fact remained that Lebel was dead, of course the
cruel and unjust consequence became in the hands of my
enemies, that I had been the principal accessory to it.
My most trifling actions were misrepresented with the
same black malignity. They even made it a crime in me
(167)

168 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to have written to madame de Bearn, thanking her for
her past kindnesses, and thus setting her at liberty to
retire from the mercenary services she pretended to have
afforded me. And who could blame me for seeking to
render myself independent of her control, or for becom
ing weary of the tyrannical guidance of one who had
taken it into her head that I had become her sole prop
erty, and who, in pursuance of this idea, bored and tor
mented me to death with her follies and exactions, and
even took upon herself to be out of humor at the least
indication of my attaching myself to any other lady of
the court. According to her view of things, gratitude
imposed on me the rigorous law of forming an intimacy
with her alone; in a word, she exercised over me the
most galling dominion, which my family had long coun
selled me to shake off; in truth, I was perfectly tired of
bearing the yoke her capricious and overbearing temper
imposed upon me, but I determined, if possible, to do
nothing hastily, and to endure it with patience as long as
I could. But now that the number of my female friends
was augmented by the addition of the marquise de Mont
morency and the comtesse de l'Hopital I determined no
longer to bear the constant display of madame de Beam's
despotic sway, and finding no chance of accommodating
our tastes and humors, I resolved to free myself from
her thraldom. Another powerful reason for this measure
was the dislike with which the king regarded her; not
that she was deficient in birth or good breeding, but
amidst the polish of high life she occasionally introduced
the most vulgar and provincial manners, a fault of all
others most offensive to the king, whose disgust was
further excited by the undisguised avidity with which, at
every opportunity, she sought to turn her admission to
the king's private society to account, by preferring some
request or soliciting some particular favor. Instead of giv
ing herself up to the joy and hilarity that reigned around,
she seemed always on the watch to seize every possible
advantage to herself. Immediately that the king was
apprized of my intention of dismissing her from any
further cares for me, "You are quite right," said he, "to

COMTESSE DU BARRY 169
get rid of this troublesome woman, who never visits us
without calculating the degree of interest she can derive
from it, and seems to me, whenever she approaches me,
as tho' she were devising some fresh petition to obtain
from me. And now, too, that the first ladies of the court
fill your drawing-rooms, why should you endure her
importunate presence ? "
Strengthened by these sentiments on the king's part,
I lost no time in writing to madame de Bearn a letter,
of which many false copies were circulated; however, I
subjoin the following as the veritable epistle addressed
by me to the countess: —
tt Madame, — It would be the height of selfishness on my part to
tax further the kindness and attention you have been pleased to
show me. I am well aware how many public and private duties claim
your care, and I therefore (with much regret) beg to restore to you
that liberty you have so generously sacrificed to my interests. Con
scious of the ennui which oppresses you in this part of the country,
I write to entreat that you will allow no consideration connected
with me to detain you longer in a place so irksome, but, since our
visit to Marly is concluded, fly upon the wings of impatience to the
gay scenes of Paris and Luxembourg. Be assured that it will at all
times afford me much pleasure to evince the gratitude with which I
shall ever remain, " Madame, yours sincerely,
<(The Comtesse du Barry."
(<P. S. I am commissioned to entreat your acceptance of the ac
companying casket; it is the gift of one whose favors are never re
fused; you will easily guess to whom I allude, and I doubt not
bring yourself to conform to the usual custom."
The jewels sent were a pair of ear-rings and an agrafe
of emeralds encircled with diamonds. The king was
desirous of bestowing upon madame de Bearn this par
ticular mark of his recollection of her services towards
me, but it did not allay the indignation with which she
expressed her sense of my bitter ingratitude, as she termed
it, as tho' her interested co-operation had not been suffi
ciently repaid. Nevertheless, she forbore to come to a
decided quarrel with me, but satisfied herself with loading
me with every reproach in private, whilst she wrote to
thank me for all the favors I had bestowed upon her, and

170 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
entreated I would keep her remembrance alive in the
mind of my royal protector.
As there was nothing offensive in the style of the letter
I showed it to the king ; when he came to the part where
madame de Bearn recommended herself to his kind rec
ollection, and expressed her desire to be permitted to
throw herself once more at his feet, " Heaven preserve
me," cried he, "from receiving this mark of the lady's
respect. No, no, she is bad enough at a distance; I
should be bored to death were she so near to me as she
prays for. Thank God we have got rid of her, and now
trust to your own guidance ; try the powers of your own
wings to bear you in safety, I feel persuaded you will
never be at a loss. "
About this time the prince de Soubise, anxious to evince
that he no longer retained any feelings of coolness towards
me, requested his mistress, madame de l'Hopital, to call
upon me. This lady, without being a regular beauty, was
yet very attractive. She was past the meridian of her
charms, but what she wanted in youth she amply com
pensated for by the vivacity and brilliancy of her conver
sation, as well as the freedom of her ideas, which made
her the idol of all the old libertines of the court. The
prince de Soubise was greatly attached to her, and pre
ferred her in reality, to mademoiselle Guimard, whom he
only retained for form's sake, and because he thought it
suitable to his dignity to have an opera dancer in his pay;
this nobleman ( as you will find ) had rather singular ideas
of the duties attached to his station.
Madame de l'Hopital had had a vast number of gal
lant adventures, which she was very fond of relating. I
shall mention two of the most amusing, which will serve
to convey an idea of the skilfulness and ready wit with
which she extricated herself from the most embarrassing
circumstances. A young man, whose love she permitted, whose name
was the chevalier de Cressy, was obliged, in order to
visit her, to scale a terrace upon which a window opened,
which conducted to the sleeping-room of his mistress.
He was generally accompanied by his valet, a good-looking

COMTESSE DU BARRY 171
youth, who, disliking a state of idleness, had contrived to
insinuate himself into the good graces of the lady's maid.
The valet, during his master's stay with madame, had
likewise ascended the terrace, and penetrated, by the aid
of another window, into the chamber where reposed the
object of his tender love. All this was accomplished with
as little noise as possible, in order to prevent the mis
chance of awakening the marquis de l'Hopital, who was
quietly asleep in an adjoining room.
One clear moonlight night, at the very instant when M.
de Cressy was about to step out of the window, in order
to return to his own apartment, a terrible crash of broken
glass was heard. The terrified chevalier sought the aid of
his ladder, but it had disappeared. Not knowing what
to do, the chevalier returned to madame de l'Hopital, who.
seized with terror, had only just time to conceal him in
her chamber, when the marquis opened his window to
ascertain the cause of all this confusion. In an instant
the alarm spread, and heads were popped out of the dif
ferent windows of the castle, each vieing with the other
in vociferating " Thieves ! thieves ! murder ! fire ! "
The unfortunate author of all this disturbance was the
unlucky valet; who, in his overeagerness to reach his
Dulcinea, had attempted to climb his ladder so nimbly,
that it fell down, and, striking against the windows of a
room near which he had fixed it, had broken several
panes of glass. The poor valet never stopped to replace
the ladder ; but, terrified as well as hurt by his rapid de
scent, scrambled off as well as he could, abandoning his
master in his present critical situation.
The ladder thrown down in the courtyard was abun
dant proof that some audacious attempt had been made
upon the lives and safety of the inhabitants of the castle ;
and the general determination was to catch the thieves;
for, it was presumed, as no outlet for their escape was
discernible, that they must be concealed within its walls.
The servants, with their master at their head, were
speedily assembled for the purpose, when the absence of
the chevalier de Cressy was observed. Where could he
be ? was the general wonder. Was it possible that, amidst

172 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the universal uproar with which the castle had resounded,
he had slept so soundly as to be yet unconscious of all
this bustle ? An over-officious friend was upon the point
of going to his chamber, to ascertain the cause of his
absenting himself at such a moment, when madame de
l'Hopital sent to request her husband would come to
her immediately. " Sir, " said she, when they were alone,
"the disturbance which has thus broken our rest is not
the work of thieves, but originates in the shameless
licentiousness of a man unworthy of his name and the
rank he occupies. The chevalier de Cressy, forgetful
of his being your guest, and of respecting the honor of
all beneath your roof, has dared to carry on a base in
trigue with my woman, in whose apartment you will
find him at this very minute. A conduct so profligate
and insulting fills me with an indignation which I think
that you, sir, after what you have heard, cannot but par
take." The marquis de l'Hopital, who did not see the thing
in the same serious light, sought to appease the virtuous
indignation of his lady, and went himself to release the
chevalier from his place of concealment; leading him
thro' his own apartment to join the crowd of armed
servants, who, as may be supposed, were unable to detect
the supposed invaders of their repose.
On the following morning the chevalier as agreed upon,
wrote a penitential letter to madame, entreating her par
don for his improper attentions to her servant, whom
she affected to dismiss with every mark of gravest dis
pleasure. The weeping Abigail threw herself at the feet
of her mistress; and the compassionate marquis (before
whom the scene was enacted), touched with pity, implored
his lady to receive the afflicted and penitent Javotte once
more into her service. This was at length granted to
his solicitations; and Javotte received a hundred louis as
the price of her silence, and found it sufficient compen
sation for the bad opinion the marquis entertained of her
virtue. The second trick the marchioness played her husband
was not less amusing.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 173
The chevalier de Cressy and herself could not meet so
frequently as both desired; and whilst suffering under
the void occasioned by his absence, chance threw in
her way a young relative of her husband's, a youth of
about eighteen, as beautiful as Love, and as daring as
that god. They were then in the country during the fine
days of summer, and both time and place were favorable
to the prosecution of their growing passion. One day
madame de l'Hopital and her cousin were sauntering
about the park heedless of the approaching dinner-hour,
and equally deaf to the sound of the dinner-bell, which
rung its accustomed peal in vain for them whose ears
were occupied in listening to sweeter sounds. At length
the master of the house, alarmed at the protracted
absence of his wife and friend, went himself, attended
by many guests assembled at his house, in search of the
stray ones; the servants likewise received orders to dis
perse themselves over the grounds in different directions ;
and madame de l'Hopital and her companion were only
aroused to a recollection of the flight of time by hear
ing their names loudly shouted by a dozen different
voices. Fortunately they were just in time to separate
in opposite paths, and thus to enter the castle without
any suspicion being excited of their having been so re
cently in each other's company. The marquis angrily
remonstrated with his lady for having obliged him to
send in search of her, and she excused herself by pro
testing that she had not heard the dinner-bell. The
marquis replied, that the thing was impossible; and
after some angry discussion the matter rested there.
A few days after this the marchioness, with her hus
band and cousin, were rambling over the grounds, when
they found themselves at the entrance of a hermitage,
where madame de l'Hopital had told the marquis she had
sat down to rest herself on the day of her failing to attend
the dinner-hour. M. de l'H6pital resumed the dispute, by
protesting that from this situation the dinner-bell might
easily be heard: the lady continued firm in protesting
it could not; till, at last, feigning extreme anger, she
exclaimed, " Well then, sir, since you refuse to believe my

174 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
assertion, go yourself and ring the bell as loudly as you
please, your cousin will remain here with me, and deter
mine if it be possible to distinguish the sound from here. "
The fool of a marquis set off in the height of his zeal
to convince his wife, and, arrived at the turret where the
bell was placed, began ringing it with all his might and
main, leaving the lovers the undisturbed opportunity they
were not slow in taking advantage of. When the mar
quis had ceased his chimes, the loving pair went to meet
him. " Well, my good cousin, " inquired he, as they approached,
" which of us was right ? Could you hear it or not ? "
" Yourself, most assuredly, " replied the young man, not
without a slight blush. " I can assure you that both ma
dame and myself heard the bell the whole time you were
ringing it."
"There, I told you so; I told you so"; cried the de
lighted husband, triumphantly rubbing his hands.
I thought when this lively and piquant adventure was
related to me, that it was well worthy of being immor
talized by the pen of a La Fontaine. The marchioness
gave these anecdotes with a grace and talent peculiarly
her own ; and I sometimes imagined that some of the many
she favored us with had perhaps taken place in a more
recent period than that she assigned to them; and that,
in order to divert our suspicions as to who were the real
actors, she frequently substituted the past for what should
have been with more correctness the present time. With
manners so calculated to win, she could not fail being a
delightful companion, altho' in my heart I could not help
giving the preference to the society of the marechale de
Mirepoix. Besides, the preference evinced by this lady in so gen
erously separating herself from all her family, in order
to attach herself to me, was not without its full value in
my eyes. I knew myself to be generally disliked by her
brother and sister-in-law, the prince and princesse de
Beauvau, the latter of whom was secretly the mistress
of the duc de Choiseul, over whom she exercised an equal
empire with the duchesse de Grammont, and I was every

COMTESSE DU BARRY 175
day the object of some fresh attack on their part. I used
sometimes to complain of this to the marechale. " My
dear friend, " she would reply, " I am sorry, but cannot
help it; in the midst of times such as we live in, and in
such a court too, the prince de Beauvau aspires to be a
noble Roman, and would fain be the Cato of his country
at least. When I recommend to him a greater degree of
prudence, he talks to me of virtue, as tho' at Versailles
duty did not consist in implicit obedience to the wishes
of our royal master; either obedience or absence from
court is the golden rule laid down, from which none dare
deviate. As to my sister-in-law she aims at the heroic
likewise, altho her models are formed from another
school ; in fact, she has pored over the romances of Cyrus,
Cassander, and Clelia, till she is half bewildered, and
holds forth upon the virtues of these famous heroines,
till I am frequently upon the point of exclaiming, 'Ah,
my dear, it is all very fine; but Clelia and Mandane
would not have shared their bed with the duc de
Choiseul. >"
By these lively sallies the marechale succeeded in di
verting my anger from her relations, and I generally for
got my resentment in a hearty fit of laughter, brought
on by her sprightly conversation. I found myself become
daily more attached to her, and her presence helped to
console me for the many vexations I continually en
countered. The greatest disagreeableness I encountered was occa
sioned by the capricious behavior of the princesses, who
sometimes received me with pleasure and at others evinced
a disposition to annoy me in every possible way, according
as it suited the whims and wishes of those about them.
The following may serve as an instance of their versatility.
The prince de Conde' having announced his intention
of giving a grand fete at Chantilly, the princesses de
clared they would not be present if I were there. The
prince de Conde, spite of his claims to the character of
2, great man, was nevertheless one of the most subtle
courtiers; and as soon as he was informed of the princesses'
intention, he came, without ceremony, to explain the

176 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
matter to me. This was the first visit he had honored
me with. "Madame," said he, "I had flattered myself
you would have embellished Chantilly with your presence ;
but the beauties of the court, too justly alarmed at the
idea of being eclipsed by your dazzling charms, have so
successfully manoeuvred, that they have wrought upon
the royal daughters of bur august monarch to declare,
that the beauty of their attending nymphs shall not be
effaced by yours. You have too much good sense to see
the affair in any but its true light; and the disappoint
ment your absence will inflict on me would be too cruelly
felt for endurance, did I not seek to pacify my anxious
wishes on the subject, by obtaining your promise to pay
me a visit when the king next honors Chantilly with his
presence. "
I felt deeply flattered by the invitation. The prince
continued to pay me several elegant and gallant com
pliments; and I was, upon the whole, charmed with our
interview. However, the king was highly displeased with
his daughters' proceedings. " I have a great incli
nation," said he, "to forbid their going to Chantilly at
all. Upon my word, if I were to listen to them, they
would fain make of me the same puppet they allow them
selves to become in the hands of the greatest simpleton
who will take the trouble of leading them."
I endeavored to appease his anger, by reminding him,
that he could not expect perfection from his daughters;
and that, forced as they were to hear me continually
spoken ill of by my enemies, it was next to impossible
they should be able to prevent themselves from adopt
ing the opinion of those around them. " And that, " said
he, "is what I principally find fault with. What
have they to do with aping the tone of those about them ;
and what point of their duty teaches them to detest
those whom I love ? I will take care to let them know
my displeasure."
All my endeavors were in vain; I could obtain no
change of his purpose; and, summoning the archbishop
de Senlis, he spoke to him in a manner that plainly
evinced his intention of making him responsible for the

COMTESSE DU BARRY 177
actions of the princesses. Poor M. de Roquelaure called
all the saints in paradise to witness his innocence.
"Silence, sir," exclaimed the king, "I am perfectly cer
tain this affair has not gone on without your knowledge,
and probable participation. I know you well for a per
son devoted to the ladies, as a gay, gallant gentleman
need be: I know likewise that you expend the revenues
of your bishopric and livings upon the prettiest girls of
Paris ; thus I can hardly suppose you would have counselled
my daughters' conduct. No, I blame those wicked and
vindictive scandal-mongers, whose age is their only pro
tection, and those intriguing men who beset my daugh
ters' ears."
"Sire," protested the trembling bishop, "I entreat you
to believe I am innocent of the whole affair."
" Sir, " interrupted the king, " I know well that you are
as good a courtier as a prelate, but still I believe you
merely ape your betters; and far from entertaining any
personal dislike to the comtesse du Barry, you would not
object to receive either the archbishopric of d'Albi or
Sens from her hands, were they in her power to be
stow. "
The conversation went on in this style for more than
half an hour. The king, who had amused himself highly
at the terror of the bishop, left off in excellent humor.
This interview had not been productive of equal amuse
ment to M. de Roquelaure, whose self-love had been
deeply humbled by the way in which the king had spoken.
No sooner did he feel himself at liberty, than he has
tened to communicate to the princesses the violent dis
pleasure they had excited; and these ladies, so brave
and daring whilst their father appeared to offer no show
of authority or anger, durst proceed no further when
they heard of his seriously disapproving of it; and they
felt the full inconsistency of their conduct, in first ad
mitting me into their presence, and then refusing to meet
me at any other place. The consequence of their delib
eration upon the subject was to depute the bishop de
Senlis to call upon me. This accommodating prelate dis
charged his mission with the utmost amenity, presenting

178 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
me with the united compliments of the royal sisters,
who all joined in requesting the pleasure of meeting
me at Chantilly. Had not the prince de Cond£ held out
the flattering prospect of giving me a fete wholly to
myself, in all probability I should have profited by their
invitation; but knowing of the secret intention of the
prince, I returned for answer, "that it was sufficiently
flattering and gratifying to me, to find that I still preserved
any portion of the princesses' kind favor, but that I was
abundantly honored by the intimation of my presence
being agreeable. Nevertheless, as I had good authority
for conjecturing that it might not be equally so to many
of the ladies of their court, I should abstain from giving
offence to any one by my presence."
"Ah, madame," cried M. de Roquelaure, "I entreat of
you not to insist upon my carrying the latter part of this
message to the princesses, they would be so much grieved. "
" Well, then, sir, " said I, " tell them that I am indis
posed, and that the state of my health will detain me at
Versailles. "
"That indeed," said he, "is a more respectful mes
sage; and further I would venture to ask of your
goodness, that since it is not your pleasure to honor
Chantilly with your presence, that you will have the
kindness to mention in the proper quarter, that far
from my royal ladies opposing any obstacle to your go
ing, they would have been much delighted with your pres
ence there."
" Be assured, sir, " answered I, " that I shall ever feel
proud and honored by the princesses' notice; and I will
take care that the faithful account of all their gracious
condescension shall be faithfully and loudly reported. "
The bishop departed much pleased with the success of
his negotiation; and, above all, with the agreeable turn
the affair had taken.
When I next saw the king, I said to him, " Your daugh
ters, sire, are as amiable as you would have them; they
have been informed that some evil disposed persons have
asserted, that they had prohibited my being of the party
to Chantilly; and in order to testify how differently they

COMTESSE DU BARRY 179
were disposed towards me, they despatched the bishop de
Senlis." "A most fit person to be intrusted with such a com
mission," replied the king; "for I have, in every in
stance, endeavored to justify the wishes of this holy
pillar of the church, this worthy prelate with his
double-faced politeness, towards those whom he openly
compliments, and reviles in private, just as his interest
may require it. Well ! and what did you say to him ? "
" That I most humbly thanked the princesses, but that
the state of my health did not permit/ of my visiting
Chantilly for the present."
" That is all very well, " answered Louis XV. ; " you
have framed your excuse with much generosity, which I
greatly fear will meet with a very different turn; for if
you do not accompany me to Chantilly, the report circu
lated will be, that the princesses have forbidden you their
presence; which my dearly beloved daughters, whose
characters I fully understand, will neither affirm nor deny
before the public, whilst in private they will vow that
they prohibited you from following them. Always ex
cepting madame Louise, who is an angel upon earth, as
she will most assuredly be one day in heaven, where I
trust her prayers for me and mine will be heard."
I did not at the time pay any particular attention to
the latter part of the king's discourse, for, indeed, the
beginning was far more interesting to me; but when I
afterwards learnt that madame Louise had quitted the
grandeurs of Versailles for the gloom and austerity of a
convent, I recollected it, and easily comprehended that it
was spoken in allusion to an event which took place some
time afterwards, and of which I shall speak in its proper
place. However, the king's prediction was exactly veri
fied; and the report in general circulation was, that the
princesses had declared their intention of not going to
Chantilly; it was further rumored, that I was there, but
in a private and concealed manner. This is wholly un
true ; the king would never have permitted such a humili
ation; nor do I believe I should have submitted to it
had he even desired it. However all this may be, he

180 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
sought to recompense me for his absence by writing a
most delightful letter, which I will subjoin for your grati
fication. To me it was of so much the greater value, that
having its royal writer's permission to show it, it became
the first death-blow I aimed at the cabal against me.
The king possessed a much greater portion of wit and
talent than the weakness and timidity of his character
permitted to appear.

CHAPTER XX.
Unpublished letter of Louis XV. — Madame du Barry's cousin, M.
de Maupeou — The comtesse du Barry saves the life of a young
girl seduced by the arts of the cure of her village — She obtains
pardon of the comte and comtesse de Louerne — The king presents
her with Lucienne — A second meeting with the youthful prophet
— His further predictions — He is sought for — His mysterious letter
to the countess.
aT Tow does my sweet friend contrive to bear our tedious sep-
| | aration ? is she happy and amused ? In that case I can only
say, she has greatly the advantage over him who now ad
dresses her. No, my lovely countess, I am dragging on a tedious
and uninteresting existence, spite of the great and earnest endeavors
of my good cousin and host to provide for my enjoying the gaiety
by which I am surrounded; but, alas! amidst the many faces with
which his mansion is thronged, that one which is dearest to me is
wanting, and all becomes a blank in my eyes ; and I yawn with irre
pressible weariness in the midst of the glittering pageants given
to honor my arrival ; and you may rest assured that I shall hail with
delight the termination of a visit, which seems already to have
swelled the period of our separation into ages. I will not attempt to
conceal from you, that those who have good cause to envy your su
preme dominion over my heart, have set every scheme in action to
lead me even into a temporary oblivion of you, but their attempts
are as vain as their impotent rivalry, and need cause no uneasiness
to you, my beloved friend. I frequently smile at the vast pains and
precautions of which my 'sacred person~> is( the object; and I am
continually encountering 'by chance^ some of those fair ladies who
would fain usurp your place, sometimes bedecked with jewels rare,
and sometimes, as Racine says,
"'  dans le simple appareil

D'une beauti, qu'on vient d'arracher au sommeil.'*
"Madame de Grammont, for instance, takes an infinity of trouble
respecting my choice of your successor, which she is resolved shall
be either herself or one of her choosing. I protest to you that I find
all these plots and counterplots very amusing ; and can only say, that
my daughters, who are completely duped by those practising them,
(181)

182 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
must be more completely deceived than I had imagined possible.
Nor can I quite deny that I feel a half mischievous delight in re
ducing to despair, -ce petiple de rivales

Qui toutes, disputant, d'ttn si grand intirit,
Des yeux d' 'Assudrus attendent leur arrlt?
"Assue'rus (which, of course, means me) keeps one perpetual reply
to all their high-sounding praises and eulogiums of such or such a
lady. <She is well enough, certainly; but the comtesse du Barry ex
cels her a hundredfold > : then follow such shrugs, such contortions of
countenance, and such vain efforts to repress the rage of disappointed
vanity and ambition, that I am nearly ready to die with laughter.
"Apropos of dying; I inquired the number of deaths which took
place at Chantilly last week; only four, they say! Now I think that
number quite sufficient for the size of the place. I walked as far as
the village cemetery, which is large and judiciously placed. I must
tell you, that one of my footmen has gone to that last journey from
which none return: he was a tall, presuming sort of fellow, remarka
ble for nothing but his impertinence, and the continual scrapes he
was forever getting into amongst the soubrettes. However, he met
with his death in some sudden brawl. My people sought to conceal
this piece of intelligence from me; but having once heard of it, I
despatched Flamarens to ascertain in what corner of the cemetery he
has been interred.
(<The duc de Tresmes talks much of you, and boasts greatly to the
honor of your friendship ; he has dubbed himself your ( sapajou >/
this is not amiss for a peer of France, and what is still more grati
fying, he has assumed a title which, I believe, no one in the king
dom will attempt to dispute his incontestable claim to call his own.
Villeroi is all impatience to return to Versailles. The dukes of
Richelieu and d'Aiguillon, both uncle and nephew, recommend them
selves to your kind recollection. Thus you see you may reckon upon
a few devoted and attached friends, even without him, whose hand
is busily tracing these lines, and he, I can promise you, is inferior to
none in the truest love and affection for you.
(<The ladies of whom I would have you be most on your guard
are mesdames de C, de B., de P., de G. They really throw them
selves in my way till I can call them nothing but fools for their
pains; but I must do them the justice to say that they are less am
bitious than you, and so that they could rob you of your place would
care very little whether I could offer them my heart with the other
honors to which they aspire ; in fact, 'tis time we were together again,
for the people here seem determined to profit by my stay amongst
them. My cousin entertains us magnificently, and pleasure succeeds
pleasure in a continual round of enchantment: he tells me he has
others still more charming in store against the time when you will

COMTESSE DU BARRY 183
honor him with your presence. Am I right in promising that this
will be ere very long ? Adieu, what a long letter have I written you.
I will now conclude by bestowing an imaginary kiss on that lovely
face, which must satisfy me till I have the felicity of seeing you
again. "And now, my dear friend and fairest countess, I will end my
lengthened epistle by praying God to have you ever in His holy
care and keeping."
The receipt of this letter afforded me the liveliest
pleasure, and I wrote to the king regularly every night
and morning. I might here introduce a specimen of my
own epistolary style, but I will not ; for altho' the whim
sical and extravagant things my pen gave utterance to
were exactly to the king's taste, they might surprise you;
but my royal correspondent loved the wild and bizarre
turn of my expressions, and I fulfilled his wishes; per
haps it was not the only instance in which I gratified
his inclination.
My cousin, the chancellor of France, had remained to
keep me company instead of joining the party at Chantilly.
My cousin, say you, and by what right or title could M.
de Maupeou become such ? I will tell you. First of all
he only aspired to the honor of relationship, but after
wards, turning over the archives of his family, he found the
most incontestable proofs of his belonging to the ancient
families of the du Barry; and full of joy, he hurried to
me, unrolling at my feet his genealogical tree, to the
great amusement of comte Jean and my sisters-in-law,
who, after a long examination, declared that he was justly
entitled to the appellation of first cousin; from that period
he always addressed me cousin, which I flattered him by
returning whenever I was in the humor.
About this period I was the happy instrument in sav
ing from death a young girl whose judges (as will be
seen) were about to sentence her to be hanged without
fully understanding whether she were innocent or guilty.
This unfortunate creature was a young and pretty country
girl, whose worthy pastor, the curd de Liancourt, had
availed himself of the influence he possessed, and of the
advantages of his authority over the poor creature's mind,
to seduce her from the paths of virtue. Unfortunately,

184 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
just at the time when she expected to produce a living
witness of their amour, and when she trusted to the cares
of the cure- to procure for her those comforts her unfor
tunate situation required, the author of her shame was
suddenly carried off by a violent death, and the wretched
girl, either thro' ignorance or the shame of having
listened to the illicit passion of a priest, neglected to
make any of those formal declarations required by the
law, and gave birth to a dead infant. The justice of the
village, informed of her fault, caused her to be arrested,
and recorded against her sentence of death, a decision
which was afterwards approved by parliament.
The poor girl was in this extremity when, happily for her,
M. de Mandeville, a worthy man from either Normandy
or Picardy, who had served in the black musketeers, re
solved upon attempting the revocation of the severe
sentence which had been passed upon her, by addressing
the king thro' my mediation; he accordingly followed
me to Marly, where I then was, and lost no time in for
warding to me the following billet: —
"Madame, — Beauty has ever been found the inseparable com
panion of goodness; to yours I would appeal to obtain the favor of
an immediate audience. My reasons for requesting it are not to
solicit either place or pension, but to save the life of an erring crea
ture whose crime has been that of ignorance. I await your reply with
the most lively impatience, and have the honor to remain, etc., etc."
This note puzzled me excessively, however I gave orders
for the immediate introduction of M. de Mandeville,
whose appearance was even more prepossessing than
his note; he looked and spoke like an honorable man,
endowed with that sensibility so precious and so rare;
he put into my hands the petition, whilst he explained
to me the particulars relative to it, and I instantly
wrote to the chancellor the following note, of which a
thousand copies were taken in the course of the day.
Altho* it has been many times in print, I shall offer no
apologies for again submitting it to your perusal.
« Monsieur le chancellor,— I do not profess to understand your
laws, but they seem to me as unjust as barbarous. They are con-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 185
trary to both reason and humanity, if they put to death an un
fortunate female for giving birth to a still-born child without having
previously disclosed her situation to any one; and yet, according to
the memorial annexed to this, the petitioner is so circumstanced.
Here is an unhappy girl about to pay with the forfeit of her life for
her ignorance of such a law, or because the modesty and even shame
attendant upon her disgraced condition prevented her conforming ta
it. I appeal to your sense of justice; the wretched girl, concerning
whom I write, is a fit object for the exercise of your lenity, and I
venture to assure myself that you will at least effect the commutation
of her punishment Your own kind feelings will dictate all I would
ask further for her.
"I am, etc., etc."
I felt very certain that, from the manner in which I
had expressed myself, the consent of M. de Maupeou
was quite certain; I therefore said to my visitor, the
handsome musketeer,
"And now, sir, the noble work of charity, in which
you have associated me must be completed: go yourself
and see the chancellor, tell him you come from me,
and do not quit him till you obtain the reply I have so
licited." M. de Mandeville loaded me with thanks and praises
which I did not really merit, because in the present in
stance I acted as much from the wish to gratify my
own feelings as his. My name and my letter were talis
mans before which all doors flew open, and he reached,
without difficulty, the presence of the chief adminis
trator of justice, who, having read the memorial and
the note I had affixed to it, said, "That is sufficient,
sir; have the goodness to assure madame la comtesse
du Barry, my cousin, that the reprieve she desires is
already granted; and as my fair relation appears to
fear trusting implicitly to my personal friendship and
humanity, I will set her mind at rest by putting you in
possession of the legal forms requisite for the prisoner. "
He immediately issued the necessary orders for suspend
ing the execution of the sentence, which M. de Mande
ville lost no time in communicating to the poor girl, who,
a very few days afterwards, received a full pardon, and
was thus, in a manner, snatched from an unmerited and

1 86 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
ignominious death. The musketeer requested permission
to present my protige'e to my notice. She really was a
very pretty girl, her feelings overpowered her, and she
fainted in her attempt to throw herself at my feet; I
soon revived her by the aid of those restoratives which
my staring people stupidly did not try to offer, and
then to send her away perfectly happy and cheerful, I
slipped into the pocket of her apron a rouleau of fifty'
louis which the king had given me for her use. And here
I must remark, that this prince, avaricious as he natu
rally was, was yet always ready to perform a good action,
and, indeed, in this respect, he possessed many excellent
qualities to which no one has ever yet done justice.
When I next saw the chancellor — " Do you know, my
fair cousin," said he, "that if I wished to set you and
the parliament quarreling together I need only just
whisper in what manner you treat our laws ? "
"Your laws," exclaimed I, "are barbarous edicts, made
rather for tigers than for men. Your punishments are
atrocious, nor do I see their application to correct a
single malefactor; particularly in the case of this young
girl it is abominable, and if the king would listen to me
such savage edicts should not long remain unrepealed."
"That may do very well," replied M. de Maupeou, "some
time hence, but not just now; ere our penal code can be
revised we must have magistrates more supple than those
who now dispute our slightest innovation ; and if, by the
grace of God, we can manage to make a clear house of
them, why we may confidently anticipate the noblest re
sults." By these and similar insinuations the chancellor bespoke
that aid and assistance which I afterwards so largely ren
dered him when he commenced the ruin of parliaments.
Upon another occasion my credit and influence were
employed with equal success. The objects of my present
exertions were the comte and comtesse de Louerne. Both
husband and wife were deeply loaded with debts, a thing
common enough with the nobility of the time ; these debts
they never paid, another thing by no means unusual;
their creditors, whose flinty hearts were but little moved

COMTESSE DU BARRY 187
by the considerations of their rank and high blood, sent
officers to enforce payment, when the Louernes opposed
them with positive force and violence, and the laws, thus
outraged, condemned them to suffer death. In vain did
persons of the highest rank in the kingdom intercede in
their behalf, imploring of the chancellor to interpose
with the king ; altho' deaf to every other entreaty he in
stantly granted a reprieve at my solicitation, declaring I
was the only person who could have effected so much in
behalf of the distressed culprits, as well as being the
only source thro' which the king's mercy could be ob
tained. Immediately upon this notification, I was waited upon
by the comtesse de Moyau, their daughter, and the baronne
d'Heldorf, their daughter-in-law; both these ladies came
to me in the deepest sorrow, and I mingled my sighs and
tears with those they so plentifully shed; but this was
rendering poor service, and if I desired to aid their cause
it was requisite I should speak to the king, who was little
disposed to show any indulgence in such cases, and was
never known to pass over any attempts on the part of
the nobility to resist the laws; he looked with horror on
every prospect of the return of those times which he
hoped and believed were passed and gone never to return.
I well knew his sentiments on the subject, and yet, trust
ing to my great influence over his mind, I did not despair
of success; besides Chon, my sister-in-law, was constantly
reminding me that people of a certain rank should sup
port one another, and that now was the time or never.
I therefore resolved upon befriending the daughters of
comte de Louerne to the utmost of my power, and for
that purpose I placed them both in a corner of the draw
ing-room so as to catch the king's eye as he entered; he
observed them, and inquired who those two ladies were.
"Sire," replied I, "they are the heart-broken daughters
of the comte and comtesse de Louerne, who implore the
clemency of your majesty to save the lives of the authors
of their being."
" Ah ! " returned he, " madame, you know I can do noth
ing against the law which they have offended."

1 88 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
At these cruel words the two young ladies threw them
selves at his feet, exclaiming, " Pardon, pardon, sire ; in
the name of heaven and your illustrious ancestors."
"Rise, ladies," said the king; "I would willingly serve
you, but I have not the power."
"No, sire," cried I, "you must not, you cannot refuse
our united prayers; and I here vow to remain kneeling
at your feet till your lips shall pronounce the word which
shall restore life and happiness to so many afflicted hearts. "
"Madame," said the king, altho' in a tone less firm,
" you force me to do what my principles condemn ; but
since it must be so, I yield; and only rejoice that the
first personal favor you request of me is to perform an
act of beneficence. Ladies," added he, turning towards
the comtesse de Moyau and her sister-in-law, "you owe
the lives of your parents to the generous mediation
of the comtesse du Barry."
The joy of the Louernes was only equalled by the base
calumny of my enemies, who accused me of having pre
pared this scene, which was got up by the king and my
self to produce effect and excite popularity. Could such
disgusting falsehoods have entered the minds of any but
the most depraved ? Yet those who continually watched
and misrepresented my least action appeared anxious to
deprive me of even the taste for, as well as the power
of, doing good. This took place at Choisy, which we very
shortly after quitted for Compiegne, where I passed my
time very agreeably. The king would not suffer either
the duchesse de Grammont or the comtesses d'Egmont and
de Brienne to accompany us upon this excursion. It has
likewise been asserted, that neither the duchesse de Gram
mont nor the princesse de Beauvau was present during
the king's first visit to Chantilly: that is not correct; it
was at the second that they were forbidden by Louis to
join the party. Those who fabricated such accounts, in
all probability derived their information from either the
stable or the kitchen, which was all they knew of the
court of Louis XV.
During my abode at Compiegne I dined several times
at the house of my brother-in-law, Cleon du Barry, then

COMTESSE DU BARRY 189
a captain in the regiment de Beauce, who was, with a
detachment, quartered in the neighborhood of the castle;
and he, with the rest of his brother officers, vied in en
deavors to please and amuse me. They gave fetes in
my honor, were perpetually devising fresh schemes to
render the place agreeable to me; and in that they per
fectly succeeded, for I quitted Compiegne with no other
regret than that my stay there was at an end.
The king appeared each day more and more solicitous
to render me happy, and even anticipated any wishes I
might form. Amongst other marks of his favor, he be
stowed upon me the splendid pavilion de Lucienne, sold
by the duc de Penthievre after the death of his son, the
prince de Lamballe. You know this charming spot, which
both nature and art have so liberally contributed to adorn :
I have converted it into the most perfect and delightful
habitation in which a mortal could desire to end her days.
Nevertheless, this hope of passing my life tranquilly and
happily within its sheltering bosom will prove but falla
cious, if I may credit a prediction which has been verified
already in part. You doubtlessly remember the young
man who so obstinately pursued me to announce the high
destiny to which I should attain, ere I had for one mo
ment contemplated such an elevation. Well! you will
scarcely credit me when I declare, that all recollection of
him had entirely escaped me; but, in truth, the constant
vortex of a court life leaves no time for the recollection
of the past, and fills our minds with no other ideas but
to provide for the present, and occasionally to glance at
the future.
However, I thought no more of my young prophet,
when one Sunday, after my return to Versailles from
Compiegne, I attended mass at the castle; all at once
I caught a glimpse of my mysterious acquaintance, lean
ing his back against the wall behind the altar. He was
examining my countenance with a deep and fixed atten
tion. You may picture to yourself my astonishment
and surprise at recognising in this place the person who
had so long ago foretold my brilliant destiny. The color
rushed to my cheeks, and he could distinctly observe

i9o MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
how much I was agitated by his presence, and his beau
tiful countenance was lit up with a pleasant smile ; after
which he gracefully waved his hand round his head as
tho' he would say, "Are you not queen of France ? " This
gesture excited my astonishment still further; however,
I returned his mute inquiry by a slight inclination of
the head, intended to say, « You are right. " In a moment
a sort of cloud seemed to cover my eyes. So soon as I
could recover from the sudden dimness which obscured
my vision, I endeavored to bend my looks in an opposite
direction; for so greatly was I the point of general ob
servation, that I feared to awaken suspicion by an in
discreet attention to one particular person or place: and
when after some little time had elapsed, and I ventured
to turn .my eyes again to the spot where the young man
had been standing, he had disappeared.
I was unable to recover my astonishment at the whole
affair, and the suddenness of his departure inspired me
with a lively desire to know more of him, whether he
were man or demon. I mentioned it to Chon the same
day, who, having listened to me with extreme attention,
" Upon my word, " said she, " this is a most marvellous
event in your history. Why do you not mention the fact
to M. de Sartines?"
" Because it appears to me folly to disturb or annoy a
person who has given me no offence; and were I to put
him into the hands of the police, I might possibly find
reason to repent having acted so. On the other hand, I
would give any sum of money for one more interview
with this wonderful person."
There the conversation ended; but my sister-in-law, by
an unpardonable curiosity she ought not to have indulged
in, wrote, unknown to me, to the lieutenant of the police,
entreating of him to use the most active measures to
trace out the object of my curiosity. M. de Sartines de
lighted at having an opportunity of proving to me and
mine his skill and zeal, turned all his bloodhounds loose
upon the track of this unfortunate being. During these
proceedings I received a letter, sealed with five black
seals, bearing the impress of a death's head. I thought

COMTESSE DU BARRY 191
at first that it was to notify the decease of some friend,
and I looked upon the style as gloomy as it was strange ;
but, upon opening it, I found it to contain the follow
ing words: —
"Madame la comtesse, — I am perfectly aware that the strict pur
suit made after me in your name is without your knowledge or
sanction : those sent in search of me have spared no pains nor trouble
to ascertain my name and abode. My abode! Let all as they value
themselves avoid meeting me there; for, when they enter it, it will
be never to quit it more. Who am I ? That can only be known
when this life has been exchanged for another. I charge you, ma
dame, to command the lieutenant, M. de Sartines, to cease his re
searches after me ; they would be fruitless, and might only compromise
your safety. Remember, I predicted your good fortune; was I not
correct in it ? I have also foretold reverses ; I am equally correct in
them also. You will see me twice more; and should I unfortunately
cross your path a third time, prepare to bid adieu to the light of
heaven and the pleasures of this world."
It is impossible to convey an idea of the excessive
terror with which I was filled upon the perusal of this
billet. I summoned my sister-in-law, and complained of
the harshness of conduct thus adopted against my pleas
ure. Chon was equally alarmed, and confessed to me
what she had done in asking the aid of M. de Sartines;
at the same time that she was the first to declare that
it was requisite to put an end to all further search, which,
in one shape or other, might bring on the most fatal
consequences. I therefore wrote myself to M. de Sartines,
thanking him for his exertions; but saying, that my sister-
in-law and myself had learned from the lips of the myste
rious stranger all we were desirous of knowing, and that
any future researches being unpleasant to him would be
equally disagreeable to me. M. de Sartines obeyed my
request; and from that period till the death of the king
I heard no more of this singular personage.

CHAPTER XXI.
Extraordinary anecdote of Louis XIV. and madame de Maintenon —
The comtesse du Barry at Chantilly — Opinion of the king and the
comte de la Marche respecting the "Iron Mask" — Madame du
Barry visits madame de Lagarde.
My acquaintance with the singular being I was
speaking of in the last chapter did not end here,
as you will find in the sequel. I will now give
you an account of an equally strange affair, in nearly
the same words as Louis XV. himself related it to me.
Altho' strongly recommended by my sister-in-law and
M. de Sartines to conceal the whole story of my mys
terious friend from the king, yet, unaccustomed to the
prudential observation of court reserve, I, one fine even
ing, in order to fill up a long blank in the conversation,
related the story from beginning to end. His majesty
listened with attention until I had concluded.
" This is indeed, " said he, " a most singular history ;
and I think you have acted very wisely in putting an
end to all such interference on the part of the police ; for
in such cases you frequently run great risks to procure
a trifling gratification. We have seen something of the
same sort in our family."
This discourse excited my curiosity; and I entreated of
him to explain himself more fully. " I ought not to do
so, " replied he ; " such transactions should be kept for ever
concealed; but as more than half a century has elapsed
since the event I allude to took place, I think I may ven
ture to break the silence I have religiously observed until
now. You are the only person I have ever mentioned it
to, and I must bind you to the strictest secrecy."
This I faithfully promised; and so long as Louis XV.
lived I kept my word.
(192)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 193
" At the conclusion of the last century, during the month
of September," resumed the king, " it happened that
Louis XIV., and madame de Maintenon formed the wish
of consulting together some learned astrologer, in order
to ascertain whether the coming age would be productive
of good or ill to them. As neither of them knew to whom
to apply, in order to attain their object, madame de Main
tenon was compelled to confide her wishes to her friend,
madame de Montchevreuil, who readily engaged to find
for her the person she required; for, spite of the severity
with which the law visited such practices, there was no
scarcity of dealers in augury, who promised good or bad
fortune accordingly as they were paid for it.
" Whilst this lady was making diligent search after
one perfectly competent to satisfy madame de Maintenon,
this latter, in conjunction with the king, despite the
superiority of their minds, was greatly disturbed at the
probable consequences of the step they meditated. Their
desire to penetrate into futurity appeared to them as
ridiculous as it was criminal, but their weaker feelings
triumphed; and the result of their deliberations was,
that far from relinquishing their intention of searching
the book of fate, they should lose neither pains nor trouble
to attain their object; and to encourage each other,
they reckoned upon their fingers the names of every per
son of their acquaintance, or even belonging to the court,
who had derived profit and advantage from the predic
tions of fortune-tellers.
"The minds of all at this period were still imbued
with those superstitious feelings, of which many of the
most illustrious persons had given ample proof even in
the preceding reign. We have become either more
wicked or more sceptical, whichever you please to term
it; but this is certain, that many of the things predicted
were accomplished with an exact punctuality, which
might serve to overthrow the finest arguments of the
greatest philosophers, and which has indeed destroyed
many ingenious theories. Doubtless the hidden laws of
nature have reference to other beings than ourselves;
and, beyond dispute, may be said to govern the creatures
13

194 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
of an unknown world as well as exercising control over
poor mortals like us." After this short digression, of
which I give you the precise wording, the king continued
as follows:
"On the following day madame de Montchevreuil paid
a visit to madame de Maintenon, in which she declared,
that upon, mature reflection, she could not proceed with
the commission she had undertaken: that it was tempt
ing Providence, and had better be abandoned. This
remonstrance had no effect upon madame de Maintenon,
who shielded herself from any necessity of retracting,
by repeating to herself, that she had pledged herself
to join Louis XIV. in the undertaking, and it would never
do for her to forfeit her character for firmness and good
sense by now appearing trifling and capricious. How
ever, she feigned a seeming compliance with the advice
of madame de Montchevreuil, whilst, in reality, her mind
was resolved upon executing her project.
"There was in her household a female who was not
immediately one of her establishment, altho' generally
ranking as such; one of those active, stirring persons,
who thrust themselves into a noble family under the
equivocal title of half servant, half lady. This one had
charge of all the necessary purchases of linen, engaged
the servants, kept watch over their conduct, procured
for the marchioness whatever particulars she might re
quire upon any subject; and took upon herself, in a
word, any piece of service by which she could more firmly
plant herself in the family of her employers. She re
ceived no fixed wages, but their absence was abundantly
compensated in the numerous rich presents that were con
tinually made her. Her sleeping apartment was always
immediately adjoining that of madame de Maintenon
in the castle. A person of this description (as may be
readily supposed) knew the world too well to find any
difficulty in procuring a mere fortune-teller; and as her
discretion might be confidently relied on, it was re
solved by her mistress to intrust her with the design.
"Two days after, she had removed all difficulties by
discovering an Italian priest, famed as the most skilful

COMTESSE DU BARRY 195
necromancer of his day, one who undertook to reveal the
decrees of fate to all those who should consult him, as
clearly and readily as tho' its leaves lay open as a book
before his eyes. But this gifted person lived in the utmost
dread of attracting the notice of parliament, and exercised
his art only under the strictest assurances of secrecy, in
the most retired and secluded manner, with every pre
caution to prevent the possibility of a surprise.
"These conditions were too gratifying to madame de
Maintenon to cause much delay in subscribing to them;
and it was finally arranged, that the prophet and his
new applicants should meet at a house in Sevres belong
ing to the royal family, then in the occupation of madame
Cerfol (the lady of whom mention has been already made).
The marchioness was to repair thither at one o'clock in
the morning with a single friend. To have taken such a
measure in open daylight would have been to proclaim their
secret to all Paris. One person besides madame de Cerfol
was necessarily admitted into their confidence, and that
was the duc de Noailles, who was charged, by the king's
express orders, to take every possible precaution to ensure
their safety, as far as it could be done without attracting
public attention to so extraordinary an affair.
" At the hour appointed madame de Maintenon and
the duc de Noailles ascended a carriage which awaited
them at one of the park gates, and soon conveyed them
to Sevres, whither the Italian priest had gone the pre
ceding night. This wretched man had celebrated alone
the sacrifice of the mass, and had consecrated several
wafers. " Everything confirmed the opinion, that the conjuror,
up to the present moment, merely supposed himself sent
for to satisfy the curiosity of some country nobleman and
his lady, who were both anxious and eager to read their
future fortune thro' his assistance. I can only suppose,
if he had been in ignorance of the real rank of those who
addressed him, the sight of the king must have quickly
undeceived him, as the conclusion of the story proves he
well knew to whom he spoke when he delivered his pre
diction. However this may have been, he was no sooner

196 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
alone with the marchioness, than he commenced the nec
essary preparations for the performance of his sorceries
and enchantments; he burned perfumes, offered prayers,
and with loud invocations adjured the powers of hell to
answer him; and in the midst of a wild and agitating
sound which pervaded the whole building, during the
heavy swell of noises too dreadful to have arisen from
mortal sources, and whilst a thousand visions were flitting
to and fro, he drew the horoscope of the king and madame
de Maintenon. He promised Louis XIV. that he should
succeed in all his undertakings ; and that, on the very day
on which he spoke the words (the 2nd of October) one
of his children had been called to the inheritance of an
immense fortune. Then giving him a small packet,
wrapped in new parchment, ( The day in which you form
the fatal resolution of acquainting yourself with the con
tents of this packet,* said he, 'will be the last of your
prosperity; but if you desire to carry your good fortune
to the highest pitch, be careful upon every great festival,
that is to say, Easter, Whit-Sunday, the Assumption, and
Christmas, to plunge a pin in this talisman, so that the
point shall pass directly thro' it; observe to do this, and
you will live perfectly happy.*
" The king accepted this fatal present, and swore
upon the Gospel never to open the packet; he richly
rewarded the priest, who from that period lived in a
retreat so well concealed as to evade the most dili
gent researches of those who sought to discover it.
" Some time after news was received, that on the very
2nd of October, 1700, named by the priest, Charles II.,
king of Spain, had appointed in his will Philip of France,
son of the dauphin, his successor and heir, an inheritance
truly immense, as the astrologer had foretold. You may
well think how highly this realization of the prediction
inspired the king with confidence as to the fulfilment of
the remainder: and, on his part, he never failed upon any
saint's day or other solemn festival to stick the mysterious
pin in the talisman upon which so much depended.
"Nevertheless, spite of all these observances, his un
dertakings did not invariably succeed, which astonished

COMTESSE DU BARRY 197
him greatly; when one day the great Bossuet, happen
ing to be at madame de Maintenon's, the conversation
turned upon magic and sorcery, necromancy and their hor
rible profanations ; and he expressed himself with so much
force and energy, that the king and madame de Main
tenon looked at each other without knowing what to say,
and began, for the first time, to feel compunction for
what they had done, and to regret their imprudence.
They talked of it much together, and at length resolved
to reveal their crime to their confessors. The punishment
imposed on the king by his spiritual adviser was, that
he should evince his contempt for the talismanic proper
ties of the parchment packet, by immediately opening it.
" Louis XIV. did not by any means admire this method
of expiating his fault; and a sort of involuntary dread
took possession of him, as, in obedience to the command
of his confessor, he went to procure the magic parcel,
which he tore open in the presence of madame de Main
tenon and father la Chaise. The packet contained nothing
but a consecrated wafer, pierced thro' with as many pins
as there had been saints' days since the king had received
it. At the sight of this horrible sacrilege my grandfather
was filled with deep remorse and consternation, from which
it was a long time ere he recovered ; and it was not until
he had undergone many severe penances, fastings, and
caused numberless masses to be said, that he felt him
self at all relieved from the weight of his crime.
" But all this was only the commencement of the divine
vengeance: and those in the secret of this unfortunate
affair remarked, that this great monarch lost from that
time as many male descendants in a direct line as he
had stuck pins into the holy wafer."
Louis XV. here terminated his singular history, which
struck my mind with a sort of religious terror. I strove
by every possible effort to dissimulate, concealing from the
king the emotions to which his narration had given rise.
I contented myself with observing, "that after hearing
his marvelous recital, I should only be more confirmed
in my determination to leave my young prophet to the
tranquillity he desired. "

198 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" It will be far best so, " added Louis ; " I know so many
fatal results which have followed any indiscreet curiosity,
that I am persuaded you had much better leave such
mysterious affairs to work their own solution."
I promised to follow his advice, and we then conversed
upon other subjects. Since then this anecdote has re
curred to my memory; and without wishing to impeach
the sincerity of Louis XV. , I have asked myself, whether,
by the opportune relation of this adventure, probably
invented by himself, he did not seek to destroy the con
fidence I appeared to entertain in the predictions of my
prophet. I say invented, because the king had a peculiar
readiness and facility in composing these sort of won
derful tales, carefully noting down every circumstance
which fell under his knowledge deviating from the or
dinary course of things. He had a large collection of
these legends, which he delighted in narrating; and this
he did with an ease and grace of manner I have never
seen equalled.
About this period the prince de Cond6, whose gallantry
never failed, entreated the king to pay a second visit
to Chantilly: and it was upon this occasion that Louis
erased from the list of court ladies all those whose presence
would be disagreeable to me during our stay at Chan
tilly. One scene of pleasure followed another, and one
fete succeeded another. I accompanied his majesty with
out ever quitting him; and if hitherto there had existed
any doubts as to the sincerity of the king's attachment,
the most sceptical person would now have been convinced
of the fact. Louis XV. was never from my side, and
appeared solely occupied in gratifying my slightest wish;
the princes of the court carefully followed his example;
and such a life as I then led was abundant compensation
for all the pains and anxieties I had endured from the
malice and jealousy of certain females, as well as the
sarcastic bitterness of men, who feared lest my influence
should destroy theirs.
I may, with truth, affirm that I received the honors
and attention of a queen; verses, plays, all written to
convey some praise or compliment to me; and the king

"PERMIT ME, MADAME LA COMTESSE," SAID
THE PAPAL NUNZIO

By courtesy of Mr. David Belasco and Mrs. I/eslie
Carter. This scene is from David Belasco's play,
Du Barry, played at Belasco's Theatre, New York,
with Mrs. Leslie Carter as I*a Du Barry.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 199
testified the lively gratification it afforded him to see
me thus an object of general solicitude, as well as of the
most flattering distinction. His conduct towards the
prince de Conde* became more gracious than it had ever
been observed to be to the princes of the blood ; for there
existed a singular coolness in the royal family towards
all the princes of this branch. The king looked upon
it as vastly inferior to his own, because it had been sep
arated from the throne before the accession of Henry IV.
to the crown; he even asserted, that there was much to
be said upon this subject, and prudence compels me to
pass over the many histories and circumstances related
by him to me of this brilliant portion of his noble race.
Neither the prince de Cond£, whom I knew well, nor
the prince de la Marche, entertained much regard for
their relations; and they had always some spiteful story
in store respecting the posterity of Louis XIII. There
is one historical fact which has never been properly
cleared up.
One day I was conversing with the comte de la Marche
upon the disputes concerning the parliaments, and ex
pressing my fear, that, if driven to desperate measures,
the people would rise in open rebellion in favor of the
magistracy. "They would be still more clamorous," re
plied he, "if they knew all I could tell them."
" And what do you know more than myself ? " asked I ;
"your highness alarms me by speaking thus."
" Amongst events now passed and gone is one that
would materially affect the public peace, if known."
" You must explain yourself, my lord, " said I. He re
fused; but I persisted in pressing the matter with so
much earnestness, that at last he said, in a low voice,
"Did you ever hear of the man who wore the iron
mask ? "
" Yes, certainly, " replied I, " who was he ? "
"A great prince, and a most unfortunate man."
" But who was he really ? "
" In the eyes of the law the crown of France should
have been his; but in the conscientious view of things
he certainly had no claim."

200 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
The comte de la Marche stopped here; and, as I was
not very deeply read in history, I did not exactly com
prehend the distinction he had just made. I had fre
quently heard talk of the " Iron Mask, " whom people
reported to be either allied to, or sprung from, the royal
family; but all these particulars were confused in my
memory. However, I was much struck with the conversa
tion I had had with the comte de la Marche; and when
next the conversation fell on this mysterious personage,
I asked the duc de Richelieu what he thought of him.
" Upon my honor, " replied he, " I never could find out
who he really was; not that I did not try," added he,
assuming an air of modest vanity, which well became
his green old age. " I had a mistress of tolerably high
birth, mademoiselle d'Orleans, as indeed I had the honor
of having the princesses, her august sisters. However,
the former, known under the name of mademoiselle
de Charollais, was dying to do some act of kindness that
should be agreeable to me. Well, I requested she would ob
tain from the regent, her father, the solution of the secret
relative to the ( Iron Mask. * She used every possible
device, but nothing could she obtain from her father, who
protested that the mystery should never escape his lips;
and he kept his word, he never did divulge it. I even
imagine that the king himself is ignorant of it, unless
indeed the cardinal de Fleury informed him of it. " The
marechal told me afterwards that he thought the opinion
adopted by Voltaire the most probable, viz : that this un
known person was the son of the queen Anne of Austria,
mother of Louis XIV. These last words helped, in a
measure, to resolve the enigma which comte de la Marche
had left me to unravel; and, with a view to satisfy my
self more positively on the subject, I availed myself of
the first time I was alone with the king, to lead the con
versation to this story.
At the mention of the " Iron Mask, " Louis XV. started.
" And do you really credit such a fable ? » asked he.
" Is it then entirely untrue ? " inquired I.
"Certainly not," he replied; "all that has been said on
the matter is destitute of even common sense."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 201
"Well," cried I, "what your majesty says only confirms
what I heard from the marechal de Richelieu."
" And what has he been telling you ? "
"Very little, sire; he told me only, that the secret of
who the ' Iron Mask * really was had not been communi
cated to you. "
"The marechal is a simpleton if he tells you so. I
know the whole affair, and was well acquainted with the
unhappy business."
" Ah ! " exclaimed I, clapping my hands in triumph,
"just now you affected perfect ignorance; you knew
nothing at all about it, and now — "
" You are a very dangerous woman, " cried the king,
interrupting me by loud fits of laughter, "and you are
cunning enough even to surprise the secrets of the
state. "
" 'Tis you, rather, who could not resist the inclination
to let me see that you knew what the marechal had de
clared you ignorant of. Which of us two is the more to
blame, I wonder ? *
" Myself, I think, " answered the king ; " for after all,
you did but act with the candor and curiosity of your
sex: it was for me to have employed more of the pru
dence of a king in my replies to your interrogatories."
" Well, but, " said I, " since you really do know all about
this man with the iron mask, you will tell it to me, will
you not ? "
" I should be very careful how I gratified your cur
iosity, " said he ; " this is a point of history which must
never be cleared up; state reasons require that it should
for ever remain a matter of doubt."
" And I must have you tell me, " returned I ; "do pray
tell, and I will love you with all my heart."
" It cannot be. "
" And why not ? This unfortunate person has been long
dead without leaving any posterity."
" Are you quite sure of that ? " inquired the king, in
a serious tone.
"But what signifies," said I, "whether he be dead
or alive ? I entreat of you to bestow upon me this proof

202 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
of your confidence. Who of all those who have spoken of
him have told the truth ? "
" Nobody ; but Voltaire has approached it more nearly
than any one else. "
After this partial confession the king implored of me
to change the conversation, which I could easily perceive
was extremely disagreeable to him. Nevertheless, it seemed
to me quite clear, that this celebrated person belonged to
the royal family, but by what title I could not devise.
It was in vain that I afterwards revived the subject; not
even during the most tender confidences could I obtain
the information I desired. Possibly had I lived with him
some years more I might have succeeded in drawing from
him all he knew respecting the object of my curiosity.
Old men, like children, can conceal nothing from those
they love, and who have obtained over them an influence
they willingly submit to.
Before I proceed to more important events, I would
fain speak of persons with whom I lived before my ele
vation. My godfather, M. Billard du Monceau, was still
living, as well as madame Lagarde, with whom I had
resided as companion. My interview with the former is
well known ; and the authors of " Anecdotes of My Life, "
published thirteen years since, have strictly adhered to
the truth, with the exception of some vulgarisms they
have put into the mouth of that excellent man which he
never uttered.
As to madame Lagarde, she was strangely surprised to
see me arrive at her house; and the evident embarrass
ment my presence occasioned her was a sufficient revenge
on my part for the many unkind things she had said and
done respecting me. I would not prolong her uncom
fortable situation, but studied to conduct myself with the
same unaffected simplicity of former days. I talked over
the past, inquired after her family, and offered my best
services and protection without malice for what was gone
by, and with perfect sincerity for the future. But spite of
all my endeavors to spare her feelings, it was evident
that rage and humiliation at the advantage my altered
fortunes gave me over her, struggled within her, and the

COMTESSE DU BARRY 203
conflict of her mind was but too plainly depicted in her
countenance. However, that was the least of my troubles;
I soon restored her to comparative calmness; and before
I quitted her, made her promise she would come and see
me. She would gladly have evaded this request; but her
son, the master of requests, who sufficiently misjudged
me to fear my resentment, and who possessed great in
fluence over her, induced her to present herself at my
house. She accordingly came to call upon me, with a
mind bursting with spite and jealousy; yet she choked
down her angry passions, and so far humbled herself, as
to entreat my pardon for her own sake and that of her
family, for all her unkindness towards me. I would not
allow her to finish; "Madame," said I, "I only allow
agreeable recollections to find a place in my memory; had
I entertained the slightest resentment against either you
or yours, you may be quite certain I should not have again
entered your dwelling; and I again repeat the offer I
made the other day, of gladly seizing the first opportunity
of being useful to you."
Each of these words expressive of the kindest feelings
towards her was like the stab of a poniard. She, how
ever, extolled them with the most exaggerated praise, im
ploring me to believe how deeply she regretted her past
behavior, and talked so long and so much about it, that
when she quitted me, it was with the most certain im
pression on my mind, that in her I possessed a most
violent and implacable enemy, and in this conclusion I
was quite correct. M. Dudelay, her son, had the effrontery
to request to be presented to me, and charged the ex
cellent M. de Laborde to make known his wishes to me.
I begged he would inform M. Dudelay, that I admitted
into the circle of my acquaintance only such as were known
to the king; and that if he thought proper to apply to
his majesty, I should obey his royal will on the subject,
whatever it might be. He justly considered this repulse
as a biting raillery, for which he never forgave me. I
entertained no ill will against him for his past perfidy,
but I considered it strange that he should presume to

204 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
approach me with familiarity. I should not have adopted
the same line of conduct towards the farmer-general,
his brother, who, less assuming, contented himself with
assuring me of his devotion, and the sincere regret with
which he contemplated the past, without ever seeking
to introduce himself into my presence.

CHAPTER XXII.
The chevalier de la Morliere — Portrait of the duc de Choiseul — The
duc de Choiseul and the comtesse du Barry — No reconciliation
effected — Madame du Barry and the duc d'Aiguillon — Madame du
Barry and Louis XV.
About this period I received a piece of attention, any
thing but gratifying if considered in a strictly
honourable sense. The contemptible chevalier de
la Morliere, who detested me, and subsequently pursued
me with rage, presumed to dedicate to me some wretched
collection of his compositions, and I had the weakness
to accept the dedication; I had even the still greater folly
to receive its author at my house; this piece of conde
scension injured me greatly. Until that period I had not,
like madame de Pompadour, shown myself the protectress
and patroness of men of letters; and even my warmest
friends could not deny, that in stepping forwards as the
encourager of literature, I had made a very unfortunate
choice in selecting the chevalier de la Morliere as the
first object of my patronage. But how could I have
done otherwise ? The prince de Soubise, who found this
man serviceable upon many occasions, would have sacri
ficed any thing to promote his advancement; and I have
been assured, that had the marechal taken half the pains
on the day previous to the battle of Rasbach, we should
not have left it so disgracefully.
The king well knew the unfortunate chevalier for a
man as destitute of modesty as merit; when therefore he
saw his book upon the mantel-piece of my drawing-room,
he said,
" So ! you are the inspiring muse of the chevalier de
la Morliere; I only warn you, when the day comes for
him to be hanged, not to ask me to pardon him." (z°S)

206 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"Be assured," replied I, "that I will never deprive
the Place de Greve of one so formed to do honour to it. "
In fact, the chevalier was within an ace of reaching
it before his friends anticipated; for, very shortly after
this conversation, he was guilty of the most detestable
piece of knavery I ever heard of. He learned that an
unfortunate young man from the country, into whose
confidence he had wormed himself, was to receive 15,000
livres on his father's account ; he invited him to supper,
and, by the aid of two villains like himself, stripped him
of his last sous. Not satisfied with this, he wrote the
father such an exaggerated account of his son's loss and
general bad habits, that the enraged and irritated parent
procured an order to confine his son at Saint Lazare!
Did you ever hear of a more infamous and accomplished
rogue than my honourable protdge"? However, I shall
give him up to his fate, be it good or bad, and proceed
with the relation of my affair with duc de Choiseul.
I had named to madame de l'Hopital the hour at which
I could receive the duke. She had requested, in pursuance
of her directions, no doubt, that the conversation between
us should take place either amidst the groves of Ver
sailles or in the labyrinth of Marly ; — the self-love of
M. de Choiseul inducing him to desire that this interview
should be so contrived, as to wear the air of a mere chance
rencontre. To this I would not consent; saying, that it
did not suit my pleasure to quit the house ; and that when
a gentleman solicited the favour of speaking to a lady,
it became his business to wait upon her, without expect
ing she should come in search of him; and, spite of all
the arguments of madame de l'Hopital, I persisted in
my determination: she had no alternative but to submit,
and I awaited the coming of M. de Choiseul on the fol
lowing day.
The duc de Choiseul possessed a greater reputation
than his talents were entitled to; and his advancement
was more attributable to his good fortune than his merit.
He had found warm and powerful assistants in both phi
losophers and women; he was a confirmed egotist, yet
passed for a man who cared little for self. He was quick.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 207
at matters of business, and he obtained the character of
a deep and profound politician. It must, however, be
admitted, that he was witty, gallant, and gifted with man
ners so elegant and fascinating, that they never failed to
remove the first unfavourable impression caused by his
excessive plainness. The tide of public favour was with
him; and, in order to contest it, it required all the influ
ence of a woman, and that woman to be no less than the
beloved mistress of the king of France.
He presented himself before me tastefully and mag
nificently dressed, both look and voice wearing the stamp
of high-born pride and haughtiness. Nevertheless, amidst
all this pomp, it was evident that he did not entirely feel
the ease he assumed, and that a species of remorse rankled
at his heart, spite of the courtier-like gallantry with which
he had invested himself.
" Madam, " said he, bowing twice most profoundly, " the
moment has arrived which I have long most ardently
desired. "
"The fault has not been mine, my lord," said I, "that
it has been delayed until now. My door has never been
shut against any visit you might have honoured me with. "
" Ah, madam ! why have I not known this sooner ?
Some evil planet ruled my thoughts when it occurred
to me that I might not be so happy as to meet with a
favourable reception. "
" There, my lord, you were indeed in error ; for though I
might not feel a very tender friendship towards you whilst
supposing I had many causes for complaint, I could not
refuse you those marks of respect your rank and station
entitle you to receive."
" Then, madam, I may flatter myself that I should have
been kindly received ? "
" Yes, sir, you would ever have been welcome, but not
those belonging to you, for I will be perfectly candid;
always excepting the duchesse de Choiseul, for whom I
entertain the greatest veneration and respect."
" She is indeed well worthy the exalted opinion you ex
press of her; and had I followed her advice, I should not
have been found amongst the ranks of your enemies."

208 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" You confess the fact then, monsieur le duc ? " said I.
" I trust, madam, you will not take advantage of an
inadvertent expression to turn it against myself. What I
fear is, that without ever having been your enemy, I may
have passed for such in your estimation ; and such indeed is
the cruel position in which I am placed."
" Stay, my lord duke, " cried I ; " be candid, and ac
knowledge that you are my enemy as you have ever been ;
and that it is only because there has been war between
us that you are now come to conclude a treaty of peace — "
"Peace or war, madam," replied he, "as you please to
will it; all I will admit is, that things have turned out
most unfavourably for my wishes. Your arrival at Ver
sailles, your grace, beauty, and wit, excited universal
jealousy; and, amidst the general panic caused by your
all-excelling merit, was it not necessary I too should
keep myself on my guard ? For the first time in my life
a beautiful woman became an object of alarm to me;
you may further believe me, when I protest that, at the
outset, I warmly defended you; but how could I wage
war against so many — how oppose the general torrent ?
It bore me down."
"And you fear lest it should carry you beyond your
depth, and would fain return to terra firma; is it not
so, my lord duke ? "
At this ironical speech an expression of heavy dis
pleasure rose to the countenance of M. de Choiseul, and
he remained for several minutes like a man who fears to
trust himself to reply. Then he added,
" Madam, when I solicited the favour of this conversa
tion, it was with the sincerest desire of adjusting all
differences between us, and it would but ill advance that
purpose were I now to reply to you with warmth and
petulance; condescend, on your part, to lay aside sarcasm
and raillery. You have already too many advantages
over me, and it would ill accord with your wonted generos
ity to insult a half-conquered foe. "
"You are right, my lord," answered I; "jests and re
crimination will effect nothing; let us rather proceed at
once to consider what is best for the interest of both."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 209
"Willingly," replied he. "Now you speak to the pur
pose; and as I was prepared to hear you — are you in
clined for a serious discussion of our business ? "
" Pray begin, my lord, I am all attention. "
" Well, madam, I deeply regret all that has passed, and
deplore that my friends and part of my family should be
disagreeable to you; I take upon myself to engage that
their hostility shall end, and am willing to afford you
the most perfect satisfaction upon this point. Impressed
with highest respect for his majesty, and the most lively
desire to serve him, I ask for nothing more than to be
on good terms with those he loves; and as for the future,
my unshrinking loyalty may be relied on. "
" I am well assured of it, my lord duke ; and likewise
that you have never taken any part in the calumnies
which have been aimed at me. Let us then forgive the
past; and since we are agreed as to the future, let us speak
but of the present. I have friends fitted to serve the
king, whose ambition leads them to aspire to that honour.
What will you do to assist them ? "
" Ere I promise that, madam, it is necessary I should
be acquainted with them."
" What would it avail to name them to you ? You per
fectly well comprehend to whom I allude. I am reso
lutely decided to support them, and to employ for this
purpose the friendship with which his majesty deigns to
honour me."
The duke coloured deeply at these words.
"Then, madam," said he, "you would fain strip me
to enrich others ? *
" No, my lord, I ask but a division of your possessions.
You cannot have every thing; and it would not be fair
that our reconciliation should be profitable to you only."
" I did not anticipate, madam, in coming hither, that
you would command me to offer up myself as a sacrifice
upon an altar raised by you to -the interests of your
friends." "Meaning to say, my lord duke, that you will keep
every thing to yourself. I cannot compliment you upon
your liberality, however I may for your candour."
H

210 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Madam, I have never since my entry into the min
istry sought to live at the expense of my country, and
let me resign office when I may, I shall retire loaded
only with debts, whilst you and your friends draw large
revenues from the nation."
The conversation became warm and angry; the duke
and myself, with crimson cheeks and inflamed counte
nances, surveyed each other with haughty defiance. At
length he added,
" I had hoped that I should have quitted you more
kindly disposed towards me."
"And I, my lord, fancied that you were .coming with
an ardent desire for peace; but no, the spirit of your
sister leads you astray, and you would fain punish me
for her absence from court."
" Madam, I beseech you to leave my sister in peace ;
she has gone, that ought to satisfy you. We will not,
if you please, speak of her."
" I only wish that she would likewise do me the honour
to be silent respecting me. I am not ignorant that she
continues to aim her slanders at me from afar as she
did when near me. One might suppose that the sole
object of her journeyings was but to excite all France
against me."
"Madam, you are mistaken. My sister — "
"Continues to play the same part in the country she
did in Paris. She detests me because I happen to have
youth and beauty on my side. May her hatred last
forever. "
"Ah, madam, say not so; for with your charms you
are indeed too formidable an antagonist; and the more
so, as I clearly perceive you are not inclined for peace."
"At least," said I, "the war on my side shall be fair
and open, and those belonging to you have not always
waged it with me upon those terms."
The duke merely warded off this last assertion by some
unmeaning compliment, and we separated greater enemies
than ever.
The first person to whom I could communicate what
had passed was the duc d'Aiguillon. He listened to my

COMTESSE DU BARRY 211
recital without any decided expression of his opinion; but
no sooner had I concluded, than he took me by the hand,
and pressing it with a friendly grasp,
" How I congratulate you, " said he, " upon the good
fortune which has extricated you from this affair. Do
you know that a reconciliation with the duc de Choiseul
would have involved your inevitable disgrace ? What
evil genius counselled you to act in such a manner ? "
" I fancied I was doing right, " said I, " in thus prov
ing to the king that I was not an unreasonable woman."
" The Choiseuls, " replied he, " would have entangled you
in their nets, and, separated from your real friends, would
have made you the innocent author of your own destruc
tion Tell the king just so much, that the duc de Choiseul
has been to see you, that you conversed together some
time, and that he has offended you more than ever."
"I promise you, my kind friend," said I, "to follow
your advice."
When I next saw the king, I apprized him of the visit.
"That does not astonish me," said Louis XV., "the
duke is anxious to be on friendly terms with you."
" He has then taken a very contrary road to arrive at
my friendship, " said I ; "if he really desires that we should
be on good terms, he must conduct himself very differ
ently " ; and there the conversation ended. But several
days afterwards, having sent away my mditre d'hdtel, with
whom I had reason to be dissatisfied, and the king ap
pearing surprised at seeing a fresh countenance amongst
my household, I said to him, " Sir, I have got rid of
my Choiseul, when will it please you to get rid of yours ? "
The king, without replying to me, began to laugh; in
which, for want of a better termination to my remark,
I was constrained to join.

CHAPTER XXIII.
Dorine — Mademoiselle Choin and the marechal d'Uxelles — Zamor — M.
de Maupeou's wig — Henriette — The duc de Villeroi and Sophie —
Letter from the comtesse du Barry to the duc de Villeroi — His
reply — The countess writes again — Madame du Barry and Sophie
— Louis XV. and the comtesse du Barry.
Among the number which composed my household were
three beings who played conspicuous parts in my
family, and who received the kindest caresses in
honour of their mistress. These three favoured objects
were Dorine, Zamor, and Henriette. Following the or
der or disorder in which I have written thus far, I will
first introduce my dear Dorine to your notice.
Sweet, beautiful Dorine! how amiably affectionate and
attached to thy mistress wert thou! The poor animal
still exists ; for I would have you know that I am speak
ing of a most faithful little dog; now indeed grown old,
asthmatic and snappish; but fifteen years since, distin
guished for her lightness, swiftness, and grace, for her
pretty little countenance, white teeth, large sparkling
eyes, long tufted tail, and above all, for her snow-white
coat, spotted here and there with the most beautiful brown.
Dorine was just three months old when madame de
Montmorency brought her to me in her muff; her throat
was adorned with a rich gold collar, bearing the arms of
the du Barrys, and clasped with a large sapphire sur
rounded with diamonds. The moment she saw me Dorine
leaped upon my lap with the most endearing familiarity,
and from that period has never quitted me. My train of
courtiers hastened to become those of the new favourite
likewise; and pastrycooks and confectioners racked their
brains to procure tempting morsels for the gentle Dorine.
She sipped her coffee daily from a golden saucer, and
(212)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 213
Zamor (between whom and Dorine a mutual dislike ex
isted) was appointed her cupbearer. The wonderful in
stinct of the highly gifted animal soon taught her, that
although she had free permission to bark at all the rest
of the world, there was one person in it to whom it be
hoved her to show herself in her most gracious and smil
ing moods; who this person was I leave it to your sagacity
to divine. She, however, indemnified herself for this
extra complaisance by barking and biting at all who ap
proached; and the handsomest, best turned leg in the
court was not secure from the sharp teeth of mademoiselle
Dorine. Nevertheless, all vied in praising and fondling
her, and I was enchanted with the general admiration
she excited, as well as the attention she received. One
day that I was exultingly relating to the duc d'Aiguillon
the cares and praises lavished on my dog, he replied,
"The grand dauphin, son of Louis XIV., after the death
of his wife, Marie Christine of Bavaria, secretly espoused
mademoiselle Choin. The marechal d'Uxelles, who was
not ignorant of this marriage, professed himself the most
devoted friend of the lady ; he visited her regularly morn
ing and evening, and even carried his desire to please
her so far, as to send a servant with a dish of grilled
hare for the house dog, who had a particular fancy for
game dressed in that manner! These attentions and assi
duities were faithfully continued for several years, till the
grand dauphin died, and then no more morning and even
ing visits, no more presents to either mistress or dog.
Apply the story well," added the duke, as be terminated
his recital. Unfortunately the application of the tale pre
sented itself but too soon, and I have experienced the sad
truth of the history of mademoiselle Choin. At the death
of the king so did my visitors disappear; and poor Dorine
has partaken of the disgrace of the comtesse du Barry.
The second object of my regard was Zamor, a young
African boy, full of intelligence and mischief; simple
and independent in his nature, yet wild as his country.
Zamor fancied himself the equal of all he met, scarcely
deigning to acknowledge the king himself as his superior.
This son of Africa was presented to me by the duc de

214 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
Richelieu, clad in the picturesque costume of his native
land; his head ornamented with feathers of every colour,
a short petticoat of plaited grass around his waist, while
the richest bracelets adorned his wrists, and chains of
gold, pearls, and rubies, glittered over his neck and hung
from his ears. Never would any one have suspected
the old marechal, whose parsimony was almost proverbial,
of making such a magnificent present.
In honour of the tragedy of Alzire, I christened my
little negro Zamor, to whom by degrees I became attached
with all the tenderness of a mother. You ask me why ?
Indeed that is more than I can tell; perhaps at first I
looked upon him as a sort of puppet or plaything, but,
imperceptibly to myself, I became passionately fond of
my little page, nor was the young urchin slow in per
ceiving the ascendancy he had gained over me, and, in
the end, to abuse his influence, and attained, as I have
before said, an almost incredible degree of insolence and
effrontery. Still I pardoned all his folly, and amused
myself from morning to night with watching his nimble
fingers perform a thousand tricks of jugglery. Even now
that I have lost the gaiety of my happy days, when I
recall his irresistibly comic ways, I catch myself laughing,
like an old simpleton, at the bare recollection of his
monkey feats. I could relate twenty of his mischievous
pranks, each more amusing than the other. I will,
however, excuse you from hearing nineteen of them,
upon condition that you shall listen to the twentieth,
which I select as being the shortest.
One day, upon which I had invited some select friends
to dinner, a superb pie was brought to table as a present
which the ungallant M. de Maupeou had had the polite
ness to send me in the morning. One of the company
proceeded to cut it, when scarcely had he pierced the
crust, than its perfidious contents proved to be an im
mense swarm of cockchafers, which spread humming and
buzzing all over the chamber. Zamor, who had never
before seen these insects, began to pursue them all over
the room, buzzing and humming as loudly as they did.
The chase lasted a long time; but at last the poor cock-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 215
chafers, weary of carrying on the war, and mistaking the
peruke of M. de Maupeou for an impregnable fortress,
flew to take refuge there. What did Zamor do, but run
to the chancellor, snatch off his wig, and carry it in
triumph to a corner of the room with its colony of cock
chafers, leaving us all to admire the bald head of the
chief magistrate. I could willingly have enjoyed a hearty
laugh at this scene, but, out of respect for M. de Mau
peou, 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 en
treaties 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.
There was but one person in the world whom Zamor
really feared; he was however on good terms with all
my friends, and did not disdain the society of the king.
You have heard that the latter, by way of amusement,
bestowed on my little negro the title of governor of the
Pavilion de Lucienne, with a revenue arising therefrom
of a thousand crowns, and that the chancellor caused
the necessary papers to be prepared and delivered to him
sealed with the state seal.
But of all the persons who visited me, the one most be
loved by Zamor was madame de Mirepoix, who never came
without bringing him amusing presents or some sweet
meats. The sight of her threw him into ecstasies of delight ;
and the moment he caught sight of her, he would clap his
hands, leap with joy, dance around her, and kiss her hand,
exclaiming, "Ah! mame la c hale J" ("Ah! madame la
marechale"). The poor marechale always dreaded meet
ing the king when she came to visit me and Zamor; for
the great delight of his majesty was to make my little
negro repeat a name of Israelitish origin, which he did
in so ridiculous a manner, that the modesty of my fair
friend was most shockingly put to the blush.
One person alone never vouchsafed to bestow the slight
est glance of encouragement upon my little imp of Africa,
and this was comte Jean, who even went so far as to
awe him into silence either by a frown or a gesture of

216 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
impatience; his most lively tricks could not win a smile
from the count, who was either thoughtful or preoccupied
with some ambitious scheme of fortune. Zamor soon felt
a species of instinctive dread of this overpowering and awe-
inspiring genius, whose sudden appearance would chill him
in his wildest fits of mirthful mischief, and send him cow
ering to a corner of the room; where he would remain
huddled together, and apparently stupefied and motion
less, till the count quitted the apartment.
At the moment of my writing this, Zamor still resides
under my roof. During the years he has passed with
me he has gained in height, but in none of the intellectual
qualities does he seem to have made any progress; age
has only stripped him of the charms of infancy without
supplying others in their place ; nor can I venture to affirm,
that his gratitude and devotion to me are such as I have
reason to expect they should be;* for I can with truth
affirm, that I have never ceased to lavish kindness on
him, and to be, in every sense of the word, a good mis
tress to him.
There was one member of my establishment, however,
whom I preferred to either Dorine or Zamor and this
was Henriette, who was sincerely attached to me, and
who, for that very reason, was generally disliked through
out the castle. I had procured a good husband for her,
on whom I bestowed a post which, by keeping both him
self and his wife in the close vicinity of the castle, pre
vented my kind friend from quitting me. However, my
poor Henriette was not fated to enjoy a long connubial
felicity, for her husband, being seized with a violent fever,
in a fit of delirium threw himself from a window into the
court below, and was taken up dead. Slander availed
herself even of this fatal catastrophe to whisper abroad,
that the death of the unhappy man arose from his deep
sense of his wife's misconduct and infidelity. This I can
positively assert was not the case, for Henriette was
warmly and truly attached to him, and conducted herself
as a wife with the most undeviating propriety. The fact
*This wretch, whom the comtesse du Barry loaded with her fa
vours and benefits, conducted her to the scaffold.— Editor.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 217
was, that Henriette had drawn upon herself a general
hatred and ill will, because she steadily refused all gos
siping invitations, where my character would have been
pulled to pieces, and the affairs of my household dis
cussed and commented upon: there, indeed, she had
sinned beyond all hope of pardon.
She it was who pointed out to me the perfidious con
duct of the duc de Villeroi. This gentleman, from the
very beginning of my rise in the royal favour, had demon
strated the most lively friendship for me, of which he
sought to persuade me by the strongest protestations,
which, weak and credulous as I was, I implicitly be
lieved, until one day that Henriette, availing herself of
my being quite alone, let me into the secrets of my es
tablishment and furnished me with a key to the assiduities
of M. de Villeroi.
Amongst the females in my service was one named
Sophie, young, beautiful both in face and form, of a sweet
disposition, and every way calculated to inspire the ten
der passion. M. de Villeroi felt the full force of her
charms, and became the whining, sighing lover — her
very shadow. Up to this period I had had no cause of
complaint against M. de Villeroi; and certainly I should
not have interfered with his plebeian flame had he not
thought proper, when questioned by my enemies as to
his continual presence at the castle, and great assiduities
there, to protest that his visits thither were not in honour
of my charms, but for those of my waiting-maid. How
ever, my vanity had rendered me his constant dupe.
I felt perfectly astonished as I listened to Henriette's
recital; and when she had ceased, I conjured her to tell
me candidly, whether she had not invented the whole
tale either out of spite to Sophie or with a design to
make me break off further friendship with the duke.
This she most solemnly denied, and recommended me
to make inquiries amongst my friends, who would be
compelled to bear testimony to the truth of all she had
asserted. I determined to do so; and the first person
whom I was enabled to interrogate respecting the affair
was the bishop de Senlis. This prelate came frequently

218 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to see me, and I found his society each day more pleas
ing. He served me as a kind of gazette of all that
passed with the princesses, in whose opinion I had still
the misfortune not to be in the very highest estimation.
When occasion required it, M. de Roquelaure would ven
ture to take my part, and that without making a single
enemy; for who could be offended with one so affable,
so good, so full of kindness towards all ? In fact, the
worthy bishop was so fortunate as to obtain the love of
every person who knew him; and, in the most select
society of opposing parties, each would reserve a place
for good M. de Roquelaure.
When I questioned him as to his knowledge of the
affair, his embarrassment was evident.
" What a world is this ! * cried he. " Why, let me
ask, do you listen to those who repeat such mortifying
tales to you ? "
" Because, my lord, my friends will not see me made
the sport of a heartless and perfidious friend; and, if you
entertain the slightest regard for me, I conjure you to
tell me all you know upon the subject."
" And do you, my good madam, conceive that it would
become my sacred calling to speak ill of my neighbour ?
besides, surely you would not attach any belief to the
idle reports spread about the castle by ill-disposed persons ? "
" All this has nothing to do with my question, my lord, "
resumed I. " I ask you once again, whether you ever
heard the duc de Villeroi assign his passion for one of
my women as the reason for his visits to me ? Have
you, my lord bishop ? I entreat you to answer. "
"Madam, I have not," said the good prelate, colouring
deeply. "Ah, monsieur de Roquelaure," cried I, "you must
not say mass to-morrow, for I greatly fear you have just
committed a certain fault which is styled fibbing."
The bishop made no reply, and his silence spoke vol
umes of confirmation.
Scarcely had he quitted me than the duc d'Aiguillon
entered, to whom I put the same question ; and he frankly
confessed, that the excuse alleged to have been used by

COMTESSE DU BARRY 319
the duc de Villeroi was strictly the expression of that
gentleman. "I was wrong," said the duke, "not to have mentioned
it to you, but I was silent from a desire to preserve peace
between you. Now that the affair has been revealed
to you, I will not sully my lips with a falsehood for the
pleasure of upholding an unprincipled man."
" I will not ask you to tell me more, " replied I. " I
know enough to make me despise the cowardly spirit of
him whom I reject as unworthy of my friendship." So
saying, I ran to my writing-table, and wrote to the duc
de Villeroi the following note : —
« Monsieur le duc, — I love my friends with all their faults, but I
cannot pardon their perfidy; and, since from what I have heard I
am left to conclude, that but for the charms of my attendant Sophie,
I should not have been favoured with so many of your visits, I now
write to warn you, that I this day dismiss the unfortunate object of
your admiration from my service, and therefore recommend you to
cease all further communication. Your presence in my house would
be any thing but agreeable to me; and since the fair object which
has hitherto attracted you will no longer dwell under my roof, I pre
sume your presenting yourself before me would only be more painful
than you have hitherto found it. The frankness of my conduct may
offend you, but it cannot surprise or grieve you more than your
duplicity has me.
" I remain with befitting sentiments, monsieur le duc,
"Your most humble and obedient servant."
When I had completed my letter, I rang, and a foot
man attended. "Go," said I to him, "carry this note im
mediately to the duc de Villeroi, and wait, if it be
necessary, the whole day, until you can return with the
assurance that you have delivered it into his own hand."
Whilst I was thus speaking to the man, who had been
engaged by my steward, and very recently entered into
my service, I chanced to look at him inadvertently, when
my attention was arrested by seeing him rapidly change
colour. I could not at the moment conceive what could
thus agitate him, and making a sign for him to depart
immediately upon his commission, he slowly left the room,
regarding me as he went in such a manner, that I could
not fail recognising him: and here, my friend, I must

220 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
lay aside every particle of self-love and vanity ere I can
make you a complete confession; the retrospect of my
life brings many events, of which the remembrance is
indeed painful to me, and only the solemn promise I am
under to conceal nothing restrains me from consigning
many particulars to oblivion. I am once more about to
incur the chance of drawing down your contempt by my
candour, but before I enter upon the subject, permit me
to conclude my affair with the duc de Villeroi.
My letter was a thunderbolt to the duke. He better
than any one knew the extent of my credit, which he
dreaded, lest I might employ it to his injury; he there
fore hastened to reply to me in the following words : —
"Madame la comtesse, — I am a most unhappy, or rather a vilely
calumniated man; and my enemies have employed the most odious
means of making me appear despicable in your eyes. I confess, that
not daring to aspire to you, I stopped at the footstool of your throne,
but I wholly deny the words which have been laid to my charge. I
venture to expect from your justice that you will grant me the favour
of an opportunity of exculpating myself from so black a charge. It
would be cruel indeed to condemn a. man without hearing him.
"I am with the most profound respect, &c."
To this hypocritical epistle I replied by another note
as follows: —
"Every bad and unfavourable case may be denied, monsieur le
duc, therefore I am not astonished at your seeking to repel the
charge of having uttered the disrespectful words laid to your charge.
As for the explanations you offer me they would be fruitless; I will
have none with those who have either been my friends or appeared
to be such. I must therefore beg you will cease all attempts at a
correspondence which can lead to no good results.
"I have the honour to remain, &c, &c."
After this business was despatched, I caused Sophie
to be sent for to attend me.
"Well, Sophie," said I, "you perceive the confusion
you have occasioned through your folly. Is it then true
that the duc de Villeroi has spoken of love to you ? "
"Yes, indeed, madam," replied the poor girl, weeping
bitterly. " And you return his passion ? "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 221
" I believe so, madam. "
This naif confession made me smile. I continued —
" Then you are not quite sure of the fact ? "
" No, madam ; for when I do not see him I forget all
about it ; but when he is before me, so handsome and so
generous, so full of love, I try to make myself equally
fond of him ; but somehow I cannot help preferring his
courier, M. l'Eclair."
These last words completely destroyed all attempts
at preserving my gravity, and I burst into the most un
controllable laughter, which, however, soon gave place
to a painful recollection of how soon this young and
artless creature, as simple as she was beautiful, was likely
to lose this open-heartedness in the hands of her se
ducer. " Sophie, " said I to her at last, " this unfortunate affair
forbids my retaining you any longer in my service ; I am
compelled to send you from me. I trust this noble lover
of yours will never forsake you; have a care only to
conceal from him, should you persist in encouraging his
addresses, that he has a rival in the person of his courier,
l'Eclair." Sophie threw herself weeping at my feet. I raised and
encouraged her by the kindest words to pursue the right
path, but I remained steady in my determination of send
ing her from me.
I was not mistaken. The duc de Villeroi became the
possessor of poor Sophie, and publicly boasted of having
her under his protection. He did not, however, proceed
to these extreme measures until he had essayed every
possible means of effecting a reconciliation with me, and
he employed more than a hundred persons in the vain
attempt of inducing me to pardon him. With this view
the marechale de Mirepoix, whose succour he had im
plored, observed to me that it was sometimes necessary
to feign to overlook an insult; I replied, that dissimula
tion was an art I knew nothing of, nor did I wish ever.
to acquire it.
" Really, my dear countess, " cried she, " you should
not live at court, you are absolutely unfit for it. "

222 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"It may be so," replied I; "but I would rather quit
Versailles altogether than be surrounded by false and
perfidious friends."
All the remonstrances of the good-natured mare'chale
were fruitless, I could not bring myself to pardon a man
who had so openly outraged my friendship.
Directly I saw the king, I related the whole affair to
him. "It must be confessed," said he, "that the duke has
behaved very ill towards you, but he has certainly shown
his taste as far as regards Sophie. She is a sweet crea
ture. "
"Ah! you are all alike," cried I. "You gentlemen think
a pretty face an excuse for every fault ; and he only de
serves blame who can attach himself where beauty is want
ing." " Because he is a simpleton for so doing, " said Louis
XV. with the utmost gravity, giving me at the same time
an affectionate embrace.

CHAPTER XXIV.
The prince des Deux Ponts — Prince Max — The dauphin and Marie
Antoinette — The comtesse du Barry and Bridget Rupert— The
countess and Genevieve Mathon — Noel — Fresh amours — Nocturnal
adventure — Conclusion of this intrigue.
All my friends were not treacherous as the duc de
Villeroi; and I may gratefully assert I have pos
sessed many true and sincere ones who have
ever faithfully adhered to my fortunes. One in partic
ular I shall mention here, that I may recommend him
to your warmest esteem; for, although of high and dis
tinguished rank, he did not despise the good opinion of
the meanest citizen. I speak of the prince des Deux
Ponts, Charles Auguste Christian. This prince, who
chanced to visit France during the zenith of my court
favour, was very desirous of seeing me, and both he and his
brother were presented to me by the comte de la Marche,
their friend, and they quickly requested the honour of
my friendship. Auguste Christian pleased me most by
his gentle and amiable manners, although most persons
gave the preference to his brother, Maximilian Joseph,
better known by the name of prince Max. Auguste Chris
tian, in the fervour of his attachment, speaking openly
to me of the delicacy of the situation, proposed to me,
in case of any reverse, that I should seek an asylum in
his dominions ; and I must do him the justice to say, that
at the death of the king, far from forgetting his proffer,
he lost no time in reminding me of it. Fidelity and at
tachment such as his, is sufficiently rare to merit a place
in my journal. The prince des Deux Ponts was pre
sumptive heir to an immense inheritance, that of the
electorate of Bavaria, and the electorate Palatine, to the
(223)

224 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
latter of which he was direct heir after the decease of
his cousin, the present elector. I could almost wish that
he had already succeeded to these possessions: he can
never reign too soon for the happiness of his subjects.
Prince Max had served in France; he was extremely
well looked upon at court both by the king and the prin
cesses. As for the dauphiness, prejudiced against him
as she was by her mother, she naturally regarded him
with an eye of cool mistrust, and manifested her open
dislike by never inviting him to any of her parties. Prince
Max spoke of this pointed neglect to the king, who im
mediately summoned the dauphin. " My son, " said he to
him, " I see with regret that prince Max is never an in
vited guest at any of your balls and fetes. Remember,
he belongs to a family which has been our most ancient
ally, and do not take up the quarrels of a house which,
until your marriage, has ever been disposed in deadly
hatred to us."
If the dauphin was not gifted with a very extensive
capacity, he was possessed of sufficient plain sense to com
prehend, and to enter into the views of his grandfather,
to whom he pledged his word, that henceforward prince
Max should be treated with more respect; and he kept
his word, for the instant he returned to his apartments,
he commanded the duc de la Vauguyon to add the name
of prince Max to the list of invited persons. When the
paper was drawn out it was carried to the dauphiness,
who was with her husband. She read on till she came
to the name of prince Max, which she desired might be
erased; but the dauphin interfered.- "Oblige me," cried
he, " by suffering this name to remain ; his ancestors have
for ages been the friends of our family, and his alliance
may one day be useful to us in Germany."
The dauphiness comprehended the signification of these
words, and her fine eyes were filled with tears. How
ever, she no longer insisted upon the erasure, when her
husband, who most tenderly loved her, further declared
it to be the king's desire that nothing should be done
which could in any way displease the prince des Deux
Ponts. He was, therefore, from that period invited to

COMTESSE DU BARRY 225
the house of Marie Antoinette, who indemnified herself
for this compulsory civility, by refusing to bestow upon
him one single smile or gracious word. It must indeed
be agreed that the dauphiness had brought with her into
France too many Austrian notions, which she was long
in losing for those of a wife and mother; but now at the
moment of my writing this, she is much changed, and is
as true a French woman as though she had been born
and bred in Paris. Unfortunately, the people appear
slow in giving her credit for her altered opinions, and
to this mistake will she owe the loss of that general love
and popularity to which she has such just claims.
Prince Auguste Christian entertained for me a sincere
regard, which I returned with the truest friendship. My
feelings were as pure and simple as his own, spite of the
odious calumnies with which my enemies have attacked
this harmless acquaintance; but their slander in this
matter was no worse than the manner in which they
spoke of every person who visited me. According to
their report, I was the mistress of all who presented
themselves. 'Tis well for you, ye courtly dames, that
you may convert friends into lovers with impunity; be
the number ever so large none dares arraign your conduct ;
but for those of more humble pretensions it is indeed
considered atrocious to number more than two admirers;
should we ask to swell the list to a third — what com
ments, what scandal, what vilifying reports are in circu
lation !
In this letter, my friend, I shall speak to you ex
clusively of myself. You will find little in my conduct
to praise, and I fear, much to blame. You will easily
perceive my heart was better than my head; and dear
as your opinion is to me, I write on in the hope, that
should my candid avowal lose me any portion of your
esteem, it will yet obtain me a larger share of your
friendship. The dismissal of Sophie from my service occasioned
a vacancy in my household. Immediately her departure
was known, I received numberless solicitations from all
who heard of it. Three days afterwards, Henriette came
is

226 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to inform me that the wife of an attorney of Chatelet
solicited the task of serving me in Sophie's stead; that
she was a well-looking and respectable person, and might
very probably suit me.
" Will you see her, madam? " continued Henriette. " She
is recommended by the marchioness de Montmorency."
" Willingly, " answered I ; " desire her to come in. "
Henriette left me and quickly returned, introducing the
new candidate.
At the first glimpse I recognised Brigitta Rupert, that
haughty girl, who had been my early friend and com
panion at Saint Aure, but who found it impossible to
continue her friendship and favour to a humble milliner's
girl. The sight of her occasioned me a surprise by no
means of a pleasing nature; and the involuntary start I
gave, evidently recalled me to her recollection. In a
moment her cheeks assumed the paleness of death, and
her self-love seemed to suffer the most horrible torments
at the light in which our rencontre mutually placed us.
As soon as she could command herself sufficiently to
speak, she cried,
" Ah ! madam, do I then appear in your presence ? "
" Yes, " replied I, " before the poor and humble milliner
to whom you so harshly refused your friendship ! "
" Fortune has well avenged you, madam," said Brigitta,
in a melancholy tone ; " and as I can easily imagine how
unpleasant the sight of me must be, I will hasten to re
lieve you from it."
These last words touched me, and restored me in a de
gree to my natural good temper.
" Brigitta, " said I to her, " after the little affection you
have ever manifested for me, it would be impossible as
well as unwise to take you into my service; but let me
know in what way I can best promote the interest of your
self and husband, and I pledge myself to accomplish it
for you."
"I thank you, madam," answered she, resuming her
accustomed haughtiness, " I came to solicit a situation
near the person of the comtesse du Barry. Since that is
refused me, I have nothing more to request."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 227
"Be it as you please," replied I. Brigitta made a low
courtesy, and quitted the room.
Henriette, who had been the witness of this scene, ex
pressed her apprehensions that I should be displeased
with her for introducing an unwelcome visitor to me.
« No," cried I, « 'tis not with you I am vexed, but myself."
" And why so, dear madam ? »
" Because I reproach myself with having in my own
prosperity forgotten one of my earliest and dearest friends,
who loved me with the tenderest affection. Possibly she
may now be in trouble or difficulties, from which I might
have a thousand ways of relieving her ; but it is never too
late to do good. To-morrow, early, you shall set out for
Paris; when there, go to the rue Saint Martin, inquire
for the sign of la Bonne Foi; it is kept by a pastrycook,
named M. Mathon, of whom I wish you to learn every
particular relative to his daughter Genevieve."
My wishes were laws to Henriette, who instantly re
tired to prepare for her journey. I had not ventured to
desire her to glean any information concerning the brother
of Genevieve, and yet at the recollection of the handsome
Nicolas my heart beat impetuously. With what impa
tience did I await the return of Henriette! at length she
came. "Well!" said I.
" I have found out M. Mathon, " answered Henriette.
« Which, the father ? »
"Yes, madam."
" And what is his present occupation ? "
" As usual, madam, superintending his kitchen and shop. "
" Is he alone in his business ? "
"Oh, no! madam; he is assisted by his son, a fine dark
handsome young man."
" His son then lives with him ? "
"Yes, madam, and he is married."
"Married! — but it is not of this young man I wish
to speak, but of his sister, of Genevieve; tell me of
her." " I only learned, madam, that she had married a tailor,
named Guerard ; who, after having been very unsuccessful

228 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
in business, died suddenly, leaving her wholly destitute
with two young children."
I immediately wrote the following note to my early
friend : —
" The comtesse du Barry having heard of the misfortunes of madame
Guerard, and knowing how much she is deserving of a better fate,
is desirous of being useful to her. She therefore requests madame
Guerard will call next Monday, at two o'clock, on her at her hotel, rue
de la Pussienne."
Poor Genevieve nearly fainted when she received this
note, which was conveyed to her by a footman wearing my
livery. She could not imagine to whom she was indebted
for procuring her such exalted patronage, and she and
her family spent the intervening hours before her ap
pointed interview in a thousand conjectures on the
subject. On Monday, punctually at two o'clock, she was
at the hotel dressed in her best, her lovely countenance
setting off the humble style of even her holiday garb.
She knew me the instant she saw me; and, in the frank
simplicity of her own heart imagining she could judge
of mine, she ran to me, and threw herself into my arms,
exclaiming, "Oh, my dear Jeannette, what pleasure does it afford
me to meet you again. Oh ! I see how it is ; you are the
friend of the comtesse du Barry, and it is to you I shall
owe my future good fortune, as I do this present mark
of her favor."
" No, my good Genevieve, " cried I, weeping for joy,
" she who now embraces you is the comtesse du Barry. "
After we had a little recovered ourselves, I took my
friend by the hand, and led her to a sofa, where we
seated ourselves side by side. Returning to the scenes
of our early youth, I related to Genevieve all that had
occurred since — my adventures, faults, and favour.
When I had concluded my recital, Genevieve commenced
hers, but it was soon told. There is little to relate in
the life of a woman who has passed her days in the
virtuous discharge of her duties.
Our mutual confidences being over, and having again
exchanged a most affectionate embrace, I put into the

COMTESSE DU BARRY 229
hands of my companion a portfolio, containing 30,000
livres in bank bills. I promised her likewise to obtain
for her some lucrative situation. "Do more than this
for me!" cried Genevieve. "Since you will still grant
me your friendship, secure for me the happiness of oc
casionally meeting you. I can with truth declare, that
of all your proofs of kindness and regard, that which I
prefer is the pleasure of seeing you."
This ingenuous request touched my heart, and I replied
to it by fondly caressing the warm-hearted Genevieve,
and assuring her that my purse and my house should be
ever open to her. We then resumed our interesting rem
iniscences, and Genevieve was the first to speak of her
brother. At the name of Nicolas I felt the blood mount
to my very forehead, and an indefinable sensation passed
over me at the mention of him who had possessed my
virgin love. I strove, however, to conceal from my friend
the powerful emotion which agitated me, and I replied,
with apparent tranquillity, that I should be happy to assist
her brother with the best of my credit and influence;
and I kept my word by obtaining for him, at the solici
tation of his sister, some lucrative situation, the exact
nature of which I do not now recollect, where they re
sided together in ease and comfort. I had only to recom
mend them to the notice of M. de Boulogne, who felt
himself much flattered at being selected by me to make
the fortunes of my two friends.
From this time Genevieve visited me as frequently as
she could, and her society delighted me; whilst, in her
conversation I found a frankness and sincerity which I
had vainly sought for at court. She had loved me when
a simple milliner, and she cherished the same fond re
gard for me in my improved situation. Her friendship
has not forsaken me in my reverses; and I feel quite
assured that death only will dissolve the tender friend
ship which still subsists between us. As for her brother,
he spared me much shame and confusion by never seek
ing my presence ; a meeting with him would indeed have
overwhelmed me with painful recollections.
And now, my friend, I am about to relate to you an

230 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
adventure, the bare mention of which covers my cheek
with guilty blushes; fain would I conceal it from you,
but my promise is given to lay my whole heart before
you, and it shall be done, cost what it may.
I know not why it should ever have been permitted
you gentlemen to frame laws, which, while they permit
you, in the gratification of your passions, to descend ever
so low in the scale of society without any disgrace at
taching itself to you from the obscure condition of the
object of your search, to us females it is prohibited, un
der penalty of incurring the utmost degradation, to
gratify the inclination of our hearts when awakened by
one of more humble rank than our own. A great lord
may love a kitchen maid, a noble duke, like M. de Vil
leroi, may indulge his fancy for a waiting-woman, and
yet lose no portion of his dignity, or of the esteem in
which the world holds him ; but, on the other hand, woe
to the high-born dame who should receive the homage
of an obscure citizen, or the noble countess who should
lend a favourable ear to the sighs of her valet de chambre ;
the public voice would loud and angrily inveigh against
so flagrant a breach of decorum. And why should this
be ? But, my friend, do you not see in my seeking to de
fend so weak a cause sufficient intimation that such a
justification involves a consciousness of requiring it ?
Alas! I plead guilty, and will no longer delay the pain
ful confession I have to make.
Do you remember a singularly handsome young man,
who, during my abode with madame Lagarde, fascinated
me till my very senses seemed bewildered by my passion.
You know how he betrayed me, and how, through him,
I was expelled the house, as well as the termination of
this foolish adventure. You are now to pass over seven
or eight years, and take your place with me in the draw
ing-room, in which I stood when I rang to summon a
servant to convey a letter to the duc de Villeroi. You
may remember what I told you in the last chapter of the
person who entered, of his agitation and his blushes, and
of his fixing his eyes with deep meaning upon me till
he quitted the room — this servant was Noel!

COMTESSE DU BARRY 231
Had I listened to the dictates of prudence, I should,
without loss of time, have obtained against him a lettre
de cachet, which would have freed me from all chance of
discovery through his means; but I could not listen to
such cool-blooded, though cautious, suggestions. One
idea only took possession of my mind — the absurd desire
to know what had become of Noel since we separated,
and by what accident I now found him wearing my livery
in the castle. With this intent I availed myself of the
first moment I was secure from interruption, to summon
him to my presence. He threw himself at my feet, im
ploring of me to pardon his audacity. « Alas, madam ! "
said he, " I am more unfortunate than guilty. I saw
you walking some time since, and I could obtain no rest
or peace till I was fortunate enough to obtain admission
to your establishment. Punish me for my temerity if
you will ; expel me from the castle, have me confined in
a prison, I deserve it all ; but, voluntarily, I cannot leave
this house ; and if you will only permit my stay, I solemnly
vow you shall see nothing in my conduct but the zeal
of an attached and respectful servant."
I was weak enough to pardon Noel and shortly after
to raise him to the rank of valet de chambre, which brought
him infinitely too much about me.
Yes, my friend, the woman is, after all attempts to
excuse it, blamable for bestowing her affection on one
below herself in the scale of society. Nature herself
appears to have planted in our bosoms a kind of instinct,
which warns us from it, and a prejudice against all those
who so degrade themselves. It is different with men;
they can confer rank and elevation on the beloved object.
A woman should always have reason to look up to and feel
proud of the man to whom she consigns her heart; this
species of vanity is mixed with the noblest love, and the
woman who can overlook it, acts from passion of the
lowest, basest kind. How easy is it to reason ! Alas ! why
have I not always acted as well as I speak.
I was thus again a second time enthralled by Noel,
and much more so, too, than I will now tell you. My
faithful Henriette, whose devoted attachment for me kept

232 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
her ever watchful of my safety and reputation, was thun
derstruck at perceiving what I vainly strove to conceal
from her; and, as she has since told me, was long in
deciding whether to speak to me of the affair, when an
unexpected incident arose, which determined her, at every
risk of my displeasure, to use her endeavors to put an
end to so disgraceful a connexion, which must infallibly
have ended in my disgrace.
One night, or rather midnight, all was at rest in the
castle, and I was sleeping peacefully in the arms of
Noel, when all at once I was awakened by the sudden
opening of an outer door, which announced to me the
approach of the king, who had merely one more door to
open ere he would be in my apartment. Noel, terrified,
leaped quickly out of bed, and ran to seek refuge in a
small chamber adjoining where Henriette slept. Happily
she was yet awake; and, by the light of a night-lamp or
veilleuse recognized Noel, who, with clasped hands, con
jured her to take pity upon him. Henriette saw the
danger, and putting out her hand, seized him, and draw
ing him rapidly towards her, made him lie down beside
her. Noel, struck with her goodness, was preparing to
offer her the same marks of his gratitude he had shown
me of his respect; but repulsing him, she said in a low
voice, " Wretch, think not it is on your account I thus
expose my reputation; 'tis to save that of my beloved
mistress; either conduct yourself with silent respect or
you are lost. " At this threat Noel's courage melted away
and he lay still as a frightened child. " Listen, " said
Henriette, "if you do not quit this place to-morrow at
break of day, without seeking to see madame again, I
will denounce you to the king, who will inflict upon you
the most dreadful punishment."
Whilst these things were passing in the chamber of
Henriette, I did not feel perfectly at ease on my side,
and many were the wise reflections I made upon my
folly, as well as the promises I gave never again to ex
pose myself to such imminent danger. Nor did my
terrors abate till after the king had quitted me. At the
sound of my bell Henriette hastened to my bed-side.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 233
"My good Henriette," said I to her, trembling from
head to foot, " what a night of anxiety have I passed, I
must indeed confess — "
"Fear not, my beloved mistress," replied she; "I will
watch over your safety, and trust to be enabled fully to
provide for it."
I durst not then ask for any further explanation of
her words, for such was the ascendancy her good and steady
conduct had given her over me, that she would certainly
have blamed me for my glaring imprudence. I pressed
her hand in mute thankfulness; she comprehended my
silence and left me to myself.
At the end of some days, seeing nothing of Noel, I
ventured to question her as to his fate : she then related
to me all you have been told, and added, that the day
following this shameful and unfortunate night she had
lost no time in apprizing the comte Jean of all that had
occurred, who had quickly despatched Noel out of the
kingdom, furnishing him with a purse of ten thousand
livres to defray his travelling expenses. Such was the
fortunate termination of this disgraceful affair; and now,
having completed my painful confession, I will change
the subject to others doubtless more calculated to interest
you than the recital of such lapses.

CHAPTER XXV.
Madame du Barry succeeds in alienating Louis XV. from the duc de
Choiseul — Letter from madame de Grammont — Louis XV. — The
chancellor and the countess — Louis XV. and the abbe de la Ville
— The marechale de Mirepoix and madame du Barry.
Matters now assumed an air of importance. My strug
gle with the des Choiseuls had become a deadly
war, which could only be terminated either by his
downfall or my dismissal from court; this latter measure
was not very probable ; an old man is not easily detached
from a woman whom he loves, and each day only added
to my ascendancy over the mind of the king. It is true,
that the same force of habit which enchained Louis XV.
to me bound him likewise to M. de Choiseul. The idea
of change terrified him; and so great was his dread of
fresh faces, that he would have preferred dying with his
old minister, to creating a younger one who might witness
his end. Happily the duke himself brought on the crisis
of his fate; his power was cramped on all sides, yet, re
solved not to lay it down till the last extremity, he sought
to stay his failing credit with the rising influence of the
dauphiness. His enemies were not slow in pointing out
to the king his minister's frequent visits and great assi
duities to a foreign princess, and enlarged upon the fatal
effects this new alliance might produce to the monarchy.
Meanwhile the chancellor, threatened by the parlia
ments, saw only one way of averting the storm which
was about to burst on his head. This was to introduce
into the cabinet persons entirely devoted to himself; but
to accomplish his purpose, it was necessary to exclude the
duc de Choiseul and his party. M. de Maupeou came to
me in December, and after having gently scolded me for
(234)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 235
what he termed my carelessness, he showed me a letter
from the duchesse de Grammont, which, he said, would
wonderfully aid our plans. This letter was written to
one of the presidents of the parliament of Toulouse, M.
de  . I cannot give you his name ; for, although I
have preserved the original of the letter, I have mislaid
the envelope on which the address was written. I here
give you a copy of this curious and important produc
tion : —

"Monsieur le president, — I promised to give you the exact de
tails of all that passed in this gay metropolis, and 'tis with much
pleasure I sit down to fulfill my engagement. Things go on much
as usual, or, perhaps, I should be speaking more correctly, were I
to say, they are rapidly progressing from bad to worse. We have
no longer a king in France; all power is lodged in the hands of one
sprung from the most infamous origin; who, in conjunction with
others as intriguing as herself, seeks only to ruin the kingdom, and
to degrade it in the eyes of other nations.
"The noble firmness of sovereign courts is odious to people of this
class; thus you may imagine the detestation in which they regard
the candid and loyal conduct of the duke. In the hopes of procuring
the dismissal of my brother, they have chosen for his successor a
wretch loaded with crimes, a coward, an extortioner, a murderer —
the duc d'Aiguillon. As for you gentlemen, who now constitute our
parliament, your places will soon be filled by a magistracy drawn
from the dregs of society; a troop of slaves, deaf and blind, except
as he who pays them best will have them exercise those powers.
"This is no time for indolent repose; we must at once courage
ously and unanimously defeat the guilty schemes of our enemies. So
long as my brother retains his present post he will support you with
his best interest ; but, should he be dismissed, your business will soon
be finished.
« I beg my best remembrances, first, to your excellent lady, and
after her, to madame B. and madame L., not forgetting the mar
quise de Chalret, whose wit is truly Attic; nor the marquise de P— s,
who conceals beneath the graceful exterior of a Languedocian the
soul of one of Corneille's Roman matrons. For yourself rely upon
my warmest friendship and endeavours to serve you. My brother is
most anxious to know you, after the flattering manner in which I
have mentioned you to him. When will you gratify us both by vis
iting Paris ? Ever yours,"
Nothing could have arrived more a propos for our pur
pose than this letter. I was still engaged in its perusal

236 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
when the king was announced ; I wished to hurry it back
into the hands of M. de Maupeou; but he, more crafty
than I, requested I would keep it.
" It is fitting, " said he, " that it should be seen by the
right person."
Louis XV., astonished at the strange scene, inquired
what it meant.
"A most shameful piece of scandal, sire," replied I.
" An infamous epistle, " added the chancellor, " which
one of my friends managed to abstract from the post-
office, and forwarded to me: I brought it to madame
la comtesse, that she might admire the determined malice
of our enemies."
" You excite my curiosity, " cried Louis XV. " Madame,
have the kindness to allow me to see this paper."
" Indeed, sire, " exclaimed I, " I know not whether I
ought to obey your majesty, so entirely has the writer
of the letter forgotten the respect due to your sacred
person. "
" Oh, " said the king, " do not fear that ; I am but too
well used to the offence to feel astonishment at its oc
currence. "
I placed the paper in the hand of Louis XV., whose
eye easily recognised the handwriting of madame de
Grammont. " Ah, ah ! " cried he, " is it so ? let us see
what this restless lady has to say of us all." I watched
the countenance of the king as he read, and saw the
frown that covered it grow darker and darker ; nevertheless
he continued to read on without comment till he had
reached the end; then sitting down and looking full at
the chancellor, he exclaimed,
"Well, M. de Maupeou, and what do you think of this
business ? "
" I am overwhelmed with consternation, sire, " replied
be, "when I think that one of your majesty's ministers
should be able to conspire thus openly against you."
" Stay, " cried Louis hastily, " that fact is by no means
proved. The duchesse de Grammont is a mad woman,
who involves the safety of her brother ; if I only believed
him capable of such treachery, he should sleep this night

COMTESSE DU BARRY 237
in the Bastille, and to-morrow the necessary proceedings
should be commenced against him: as for his sister, I
will take care of her within four good walls, and avenge
myself for her past misconduct, by putting it out of her
power to injure me further."
"Sire, "said I, in my turn, "remember she is a woman;
I beseech you to pardon her, and let the weight of your
just indignation fall upon her brother."
"Chancellor," cried the king, "this business must not
be lightly passed over."
" Nor without due consideration, " replied M. de Maupeou,
" your majesty may look upon this letter as the basis of
a secret plot: as for the duchess, I am of my cousin's
opinion; despise her audacious attempts, but spare not
her brother; he alone is the guilty as well as dangerous
person. "
The king made no answer, but rose, and crushing the
letter in his hand, threw it from him.
" Would, " exclaimed he at last, " that the fiends had
those who take such delight in disgusting me with my
very existence. Heavens! how justly may I say I de
spise all men; nor have I a much better opinion of your
sex, madame la comtesse, I must warn you."
"Much obliged, sire," cried I; "really I was not pre
pared for such gallantry. It is rather hard that you should
quarrel with me because this disagreeable duchess behaves
ill ! Upon my word it is very unpleasant ! "
" Come, come, " said Louis XV. , kissing my cheek,
<< don't you be a naughty child; if I had not you, where
should I turn for consolation amidst the torments by which
I am surrounded ? Shall I tell you ? In the midst of all
these perplexing affairs, there are moments in which I
fear I may not be promoting the happiness of my peo
ple." "Your majesty is greatly mistaken," replied the chan
cellor ; " the nation in general must esteem themselves
most happy under your reign ; but it will always happen
that ill-disposed persons seek to pervert the public opinion,
and to lead men's minds astray. The duchess, when
travelling, was the faithful and active agent of her brother.

238 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
The duke, to secure his stay in the ministry, will eagerly
avail himself of every adventitious aid ; within your king
dom he seeks the support of the parliaments and philos
ophers; without, he claims the succour of Germany and
Spain. Your majesty is certainly master of your own
will, and it would ill become me to point out the path
you should tread; but my duty compels me to say, that
the duc de Choiseul is the greatest enemy of the royal
house : of this he gave me a convincing proof in the case
of your august son; and now, if he fancied he should
find it more advantageous to have the dauphin for his
master — "
" Chancellor of France, " cried Louis, much agitated,
" do you know what you are asserting ? "
" The truth, sire, " I exclaimed. " The public voice
accuses the duc de Choiseul of the death of your son;
they declare — "
" How! you, too, madam! " exclaimed the king looking
at me fixedly.
" And why not, sire ? I am merely repeating what
is in every one's mouth. "
" I have heard this horrible charge before, " added the
king ; " the Jesuits informed me of it, but I could not
give credit to such a monstrosity. "
"So much the worse," replied I; "in the world in which
we live we should always be on our guard."
" Sire, " added the chancellor, with the most diabolical
address, " I am persuaded that M. de Choiseul is the most
honourable man in the world, and that he would shudder
at the bare idea of any attempt upon the life of your
majesty ; but his relations, friends, and creatures believe,
that, supported by the dauphiness, he would continue in
office under your successor. Who can answer for their
honour ? Who can assure you, that some one among
them may not do that for the duke which he would never
venture to attempt himself ?
" This is the personal danger your majesty runs so long
as M. de Choiseul continues in office; were he dismissed,
the world would soon abandon the disgraced minister, and
the dauphiness be amongst the first to forget him."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 239
The king was pale with agitation, and for some min
utes 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 ? "
" There are palpable proofs to that effect, " replied the
chancellor; "your majesty may recollect the skilful man
ner in which, on the 3d of last September, he avoided
attending you to parliament; most assuredly, had he not
been the friend of rebels, he would not have shrunk from
evincing by his presence how fully he shared your just
indignation. "
"That is but too true," cried Louis XV.; "and I felt
much annoyed at the time, that he preferred going to
amuse himself at the house of M. de Laborde, when his
duty summoned him to my side."
"Your majesty cannot fail to perceive how everything
condemns him ; his personal conduct, equally with that of
his sister, proves how little he regards his royal master's
interest; and should your clemency resolve upon spar
ing him now, you may find your mercy produce fatal
effects to yourself."
" His dismissal, " resumed the king, " would disorganize
all my political measures. Who could I put in his
place ? I know no one capable of filling it. "
"Your majesty's wisdom must decide the point," re
plied the chancellor. " My duty is to lay before you
the true state of things; this I have done, and I know
myself well enough not to intrude my counsel further.
Nevertheless, I cannot help remarking, that in your
majesty's court there are many as capable as M. de
Choiseul of directing affairs — M. d'Aiguillon, for ex
ample. "
" Ah ! " answered Louis XV. ; " this is not the moment,
when M. d'Aiguillon is smarting from his severe contest
with the long robes, to elevate him over the head of my
hitherto-esteemed minister. "
M. de Maupeou and myself perceived that we should
best serve my friend's cause by refraining from pressing

240 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the matter further, and we therefore changed the con
versation. Nevertheless, as what had already passed had
taken its full effect upon the king's mind, he suggested
an idea which I should never have dreamed of recom
mending ; and that was to consult the abb6 de la Ville on
the subject.
The abb6 de la Ville, head clerk of foreign affairs, was
a man who, at the advanced period of fourscore, preserved
all the fire and vivacity of youth ; he was acquainted with
ministerial affairs even better than M. de Choiseul him
self. Having formerly belonged to the Jesuits, to whom
he was entirely devoted, he had appeared to accelerate
the period of their destruction; never had he been able
to pardon his patron the frightful part he had compelled
him to enact in the business. Years had not weakened
his ancient rancour, and it might be said, that he had
clung to life with more than natural pertinacity, as un
willing to lay it down till he had avenged himself on
de Choiseul. Louis XV. wrote to him, desiring he would
avail himself of the first pretext that occurred to request
an audience. This note was forwarded by a footman,
the good abbe1 easily divined that this mystery concealed
some great design; he therefore hastened to solicit an
audience as desired. When introduced into the cabinet
of the king, his majesty inquired at once,
" Monsieur l'abb6, can I depend upon your discretion ? "
"Sire," replied the abb6, with a blunt frankness, " I am
sorry your majesty can doubt it."
" Be satisfied, sir," replied the king, " I had no intention
to offend you; but I wish to consult you upon a point,
the importance of which you will fully appreciate; an
swer me without disguise. Do you believe that the ser
vices of the duc de Choiseul are useful to my kingdom,
and that my interests would suffer were I to dismiss
him ? »
"Sire," replied M. de la Ville, without hesitation,
" I protest to you, as a man of honour, that the presence
of the duc de Choiseul is by no means essential to the
ministry, and that your majesty's interests would sustain
not the slightest injury by his absence,"

COMTESSE DU BARRY 241
After this the abbe1 de la Ville entered into particulars
unnecessary to repeat here; it is sufficient to say, that all
he advanced materially aided our wishes. He afterwards
reaped the reward of his friendly services, for when the
duc d'Aiguillon had displaced the duc de Choiseul, he
bestowed on M. de la Ville the title of director of foreign
affairs, an office created for him, and the bishopric in
partibus of Tricomie. The good abb6 did not, however,
long enjoy his honours, but ended his career in 1774.
This conversation had been repeated to me; and, on my
side, I left no means untried of preventing Louis XV.
from placing further confidence in his minister; but, feeble
and timid, he knew not on what to determine, content
ing himself with treating the duke coolly; he sought, by
continual rebuffs and denials to his slightest request, to
compel him to demand that dismissal he had not the
courage to give.
Whilst these things were in agitation, madame de Mire
poix, who had been for some days absent from Versailles,
came to call upon me. This lady possessed a considerable
share of wit; and, although on the most intimate terms
with me, had not altogether broken off with the des
Choiseuls, to whom she was further bound on account of
the prince de Beauvau, her brother. It therefore excited
in me no surprise, when I heard that the des Choiseuls
had called on her to ascertain, whether it would not be
possible, through her mediation, to come to some terms
with me.
" And you must not be angry with me, " continued
she, " for undertaking the negotiation ; I well foresaw all
the difficulties, and entertained no hopes of its success,
but upon second thoughts, I considered it better I should
accept the mission; for, in case of a negative being re
turned, it will be safe in my keeping, and I will not add
to the chagrin of a failure the shame of a defeat."
" It is my opinion, " replied I, " that all propositions
coming from these people should be rejected; they have
compelled me to raise between them and myself an im
mense wall of hatred, not less difficult to surmount than
the grand wall of China."
16

242 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Yet, " replied the marechale, smiling, " they are dis
posed to pay any price for so doing."
" I have friends, " said I, " from whom I can never sep
arate myself."
" They are willing that your friends shall be theirs
likewise," cried she, "for they see that M. de Maupeou,
the duc de la Vrilliere, and the abbe" Terray, are provided
for, and that the duc d'Aiguillon alone remains to be
suitably established; M. de Choiseul would be happy to
aid him in obtaining the post of minister of naval affairs. "
"Well, and the duchesse de Grammont," inquired I,
" would she visit me ? "
" Oh, as to that, I know nothing about it, and can ven
ture no opinion ; my commission does not extend so far. "
" I understand you, " said I ; " she seeks for peace only
as it would enable her the better to carry on her hostilities
against me. I am sorry, madame la marechale, that I
cannot accept your terms for a reconciliation."
" Remember, I pray of you, that I have been an am
bassadress, and nothing more, " said madame de Mirepoix ;
" recollect I have spoken to you in the words of others,
not my own. I must beg of you to be secret; if
you divulge the particulars of this morning's con
versation, it is I who will suffer by it: your friends will
be displeased with me for my interference; and I have
no inclination to provoke the anger of a party so power
ful as yours."
I promised the marechale to observe an inviolable
secrecy; and, so well have I kept my promise, that you
are the first person to whom I ever breathed one syllable
of the affair. I must own, that it struck me as strange,
that the duc de Choiseul should abandon his cousin, and
consent to take his seat beside the duc d'Aiguillon, whom
he detested: perhaps he only sought to deceive us all
by gaining time, till the death of the king. But what
avails speculation upon the words and actions of a courtier,
whose heart is an abyss too deep for gleam of light to
penetrate ?

CHAPTER XXVI.
Baron d'Oigny, general post-master— The king and the countess read
the opened letters — The disgrace of de Choiseul resolved upon —
Lettre de cachet — Anecdote — Spectre of Philip II., king of Spain
— The duc de Choiseul banished — Visits to Chanteloup — The
princesses — The dauphin and dauphiness — Candidates for the
ministry.
The interference of madame de Mirepoix, originating,
as it did, in the duc de Choiseul, let me at once into
the secret of his fears and the extent of my own
power. The knowledge of the weakness of my adversary
redoubled my energy; and from this moment, I allowed
no day to pass without forwarding the great work, till I
succeeded in effecting the duke's ruin and securing my
own triumph. The pamphleteers in the pay of my ene
mies, and those who merely copied these hirelings, assert
that one evening after supper, when Louis was intoxi
cated with wine and my seductions, I prevailed upon
him to sign a lettre de cachet against his minister, which
he immediately revoked when the break of day had re
stored to him his senses. This was a malicious falsehood.
You shall hear the exact manner in which the lettres de
cachet were signed.
On the evening of the 23d of December, his majesty
having engaged to sup with me, I had invited M. de
Maupeou, the duc de la Vrilliere, and the prince de
Soubise. It appears, that the king, previously to com
ing, had gone to visit the dauphiness; he had not men
tioned whither he was going, so that his attendants believed
him to be in my apartments, and directed M. d'Oigny,
post-master general to seek him there. The baron brought
with him a packet of opened letters; when he saw me
alone he wished to retire, for the servants, believing him
(243)

244 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to be one of the expected guests, had ushered him in.
However, I would not permit him to go until the king's
arrival; and, half sportively, half seriously, I took from
him his letters, protesting I would detain them as hostages
for his obedience to my desires. At this moment Louis
XV. entered the room; and M. d'Oigny, having briefly
stated his business, bowed and departed. The baron was
a very excellent man, possessing an extensive and intel
ligent mind; he wrote very pleasing poetry, and had not
his attention been occupied by the post he filled, he might
have made a conspicuous figure in literature.
When we were left to ourselves, I said to the king,
" Now, then, for this interesting and amusing budget ;
for such, I doubt not, it will prove."
" Not so fast, madam, if you please, " replied Louis
XV. ; " perhaps these papers may contain state secrets
unfit for your eye."
" Great secrets they must be, " said I, laughing, " confided
thus to the carelessness of the post." So saying, I broke
the seal of the envelope so hastily, that the greater part
of the letters and notes were scattered over the carpet.
" Well done, " cried the king.
"I entreat your majesty's pardon," said I, "but I will
repair the mischief as far as I can."
I stooped to collect the fallen papers, and the king
had the gallantry to assist me: we soon piled the various
letters upon a tray, and began eagerly to glance over
their contents. My good fortune made me select vfrom
the mass those epistles addressed to the members of the
country parliaments; they were filled with invectives
against me, insulting mention of the king, and praises
of the duc de Choiseul. I took especial care to read them
in a loud and distinct voice.
" This really is not to be endured, " cried Louis XV. ;
" that the mistaken zeal of these long-robed gentlemen
should make them thus compliment my minister at my
expense. °
" So much the worse for you, sire, " replied I, " consider
ing that you continue to prefer your minister to every
other consideration."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 245
As I continued searching through the letters, I found
and read the following phrase : —
"Spite of the reports in circulation, I do not believe it possible
that M. de Choiseul will be dismissed; he is too necessary to the
king, who, without him, would be as incapable as a child of manag
ing his affairs: his majesty must preserve our friend in office in
spite of himself."
When I had finished, the king exclaimed, in an angry
tone, " We shall see how far the prophecy of these sapi
ent gentlemen is correct, and whether their ( friend * is
so important to me that I dare not dismiss him. Upon
my word, my minister has placed himself so advanta
geously before his master, as to exclude him entirely
from the eyes of his subjects."
Whilst these words were speaking, M. de Maupeou and
M. de la Vrilliere were announced; the king, still warm,
let fall some words expressive of his displeasure at what
had happened. The gauntlet was thrown; and so well
did we work upon the irritated mind of Louis XV., that
it was determined M. de Choiseul should be dismissed
the following day, December 24, 1770. Chanteloup was
chosen for the place of his retreat, and M. de la Vrilliere,
by the dictation of the king, wrote the following letter
to the duke: —
"Cousin, — The dissatisfaction caused me by your conduct compels
me to request you will confine yourself to your estate at Chanteloup,
whither you will remove in four and twenty hours from the date
hereof. I should have chosen a more remote spot for your place of
exile, were it not for the great esteem I entertain for the duchesse
de Choiseul, in whose delicate health I feel much interest. Have a
care that you do not, by your own conduct, oblige me to adopt
harsher measures; and hereupon I pray God to have you in his
keeping." (Signed) "Louis,
(and lower down) " Philippeaux."
When this letter was completed, I said to the king,
" Surely, sire, you do not mean to forget the duke's
faithful ally, M. de Praslin ? It would ill become us to
detain him when the head of the family has taken leave
of us."

246 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" You are right, " replied the king, smiling ; " besides, an
old broom taken from a masthead would be as useful
to us as he would."
Then, turning to M. de la Vrilliere, the king dictated
the following laconic notice: —
" Cousin, — I have no further occasion for your services ; I exile
you to Praslin, and expect you will repair thither within four and
twenty hours after the receipt of this."
" Short and sweet, " cried I.
" Now let us drop the subject, " said Louis ; " let
madame de Choiseul repose in peace to-night, and to
morrow morning, at eleven o'clock, go yourself, M. de la
Vrilliere, and carry my orders to the duke, and bring
back his staff of office."
" To whom will you give it, sire ? " inquired the chan
cellor. "I have not yet considered the subject," replied the
king. At this instant M. de Soubise was announced. " Mot us ! "
exclaimed the king, as M. de Soubise, little suspecting the
nature of our conversation, entered the room. I profited
by his coming to slip out of the room into my boudoir,
from which I despatched the following note to M.
d'Aiguillon :
"My dear duke, — Victoria! We are conquerors; master and man
quit Paris to-morrow. We shall replace them by our friends; and
you best know whether you are amongst the number of them."
When I returned to the drawing-room, the king ex
claimed, "Come, madam, you are waited for; the prince de Sou
bise has a very curious anecdote to relate, which befell
a lady of his acquaintance; I begged of him to defer
telling it till you rejoined us."
" Are you afraid of ghosts ? " inquired the marechal
of me.
"Not this evening," replied I; "to-morrow, perhaps, or
the next day, I may be."
This jest amused the king and the duc de la Vrilliere,
whilst M. de Maupeou, who seemed to fear lest I should

COMTESSE DU BARRY 247
by any indiscretion, reveal our secret, made a signal of
impatience; to which I replied, by shrugging up my
shoulders. Poor M. de Soubise, although he did not
comprehend my joke, laughed at it as heartily as the
rest who saw its application. " Oh ! you courtier, " thought
I. We then entreated of him to commence the recital
of his tale, which he did in the following words —
"There is in Lower Brittany a family gifted with a
most singular endowment: each member of the family,
male or female, is warned exactly one month previous
to his or her decease of the precise hour and day in which
it will take place. A lady belonging to this peculiar race
was visiting me rather more than a month since; we
were conversing quietly together, when, all at once, she
uttered a loud cry, arose from her seat, endeavoured
to walk across the room, but fell senseless upon the floor.
Much grieved and surprised at this scene, I hastily sum
moned my servants, who bestowed upon the unfortunate
lady the utmost attention, but it was long ere she revived.
I then wished to persuade her to take some rest. * No, *
cried she, rising and giving me orders for her immediate
departure, * I have not sufficient time for rest ; scarcely
will the short period between me and eternity allow me
to set my affairs in order.* Surprised at this language,
I begged of her to explain herself. ' You are aware,* said
she, 'of the fatal power possessed by my family; well,
at the moment in which I was sitting beside you on this
sofa, happening to cast my eyes on the mirror opposite,
I saw myself as a corpse wrapped in the habiliments of
death, and partly covered with a black and white drapery;
beside me was an open coffin. This is sufficient; I have
no time to lose: farewell, my friend, we shall meet no
more.' Thunderstruck at these words, I suffered the
lady to depart without attempting to combat her opinion.
This morning I received intelligence from her son that
the prophecy had been fulfilled — she was no more."
When the marechal had finished, I exclaimed,
" You have told us a sad dismal tale ; I really fear I
shall not be able to close my eyes at all to-night for think
ing of it. "

248 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" We must think of some means of keeping up your
spirits," answered Louis XV. "As for your story,
marechal, it does not surprise me; things equally inex
plicable are continually taking place. I read in a letter
addressed by Philip V., of Spain, to Louis XIV., that
the spirit of Philip II., founder of the Escurial, wanders
at certain intervals around that building. Philip V. af
firms that he himself witnessed the apparition of the
spectre of the king."
At this moment supper was announced. " Come, gentle
men," said I, "let us seek to banish these gloomy ideas
around our festive board." Upon which the king con
ducted me to the supper-room, the rest of the company
following us. Spite of all my efforts to be gay, and in
duce others to be so likewise, the conversation still
lingered upon this dismal subject.
" Heaven grant, " exclaimed the chancellor, " that I
may not soon have to dread a visit from the ghost of
the deceased parliament; however, if such were the case,
it would not prevent my sleeping."
" Oh ! " cried the king, " these long-robed gentlemen
have often more effectually robbed me of sleep than all
the spectres in the world could do; yet one night — "
"Well, sire," said I, seeing that Louis was silent, "and
what happened to you that night ? "
" Nothing that I can repeat, " answered Louis XV. ,
glancing around with a mournful look.
A dead silence followed, which lasted several minutes;
and this evening, which was to usher my day of triumph,
passed away in the most inconceivable dullness. What
most contributed to render me uneasy was the reflection,
that, at the very moment when we had freed ourselves
of our enemies, we were ignorant who would fill their
vacant places. This was an error, and a great one. My
friends would not listen to the nomination of the comte de
Broglie, the comte de Maillebois, the duc de la Vauguyon,
any more than either M. de Soubise or M. de Castries.
The abbe- Terray, having upon one occasion proposed the
marechal duc de Richelieu, he very narrowly escaped
having his face scratched by M. d'Aiguillon, who cared

COMTESSE DU BARRY 249
very little for his dear uncle ; but I have unintentionally
wandered from the thread of my narrative; I will there
fore resume it at once.
I had hoped that the king would this night have re
tired to his own apartment, and that I should have been
enabled to hold a secret council with M. de Maupeou,
and the dues de la Vrilliere and d'Aiguillon; but no such
thing. Imagining, no doubt, that I should be kept awake
by my fear of ghosts, his majesty insisted upon remain
ing with me, and I was compelled to acquiesce. He
passed a very agitated night, much more occupied with
the des Choiseuls than me; he could think of noth
ing, speak of nothing, but the sensation which their
disgrace would produce; he seemed to dread his family,
the nobility, the nation, Europe, and the whole world.
I strove to re-assure him, and to inspire him with fresh
courage; and, when he quitted me in the morning, I felt
convinced that he would not again alter his determina
tion. As soon as Louis XV. had left me, comte Jean entered.
Although concealed behind the curtain, and apparently
not on the best terms with me, my brother-in-law never
theless directed my actions, and gave me most excellent
advice. It was not long ere the duc d'Aiguillon arrived ;
he had seen M. de Maupeou during the night, and
learned from him the exile of the late minister, but be
yond that fact he knew nothing. He inquired of me,
with much uneasiness, whether anything had been de
cided in his behalf. I replied, that the king was as yet
undecided in his choice of ministers, but that, if the duc
d'Aiguillon came into office, he would, in all probability,
be nominated to the administration of foreign affairs : the
direction of the war-office had been my noble friend's
ardent desire.
Whilst we were thus conversing together on the 24th
of December, 1770, eleven o'clock struck; and we could,
from the windows, perceive M. de la Vrilliere taking his
way towards that part of the building occupied by M.
de Choiseul when at the castle. This latter was in con
versation with M. Conzi£, bishop of Arras, when the arrival

250 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
of the duc de la Vrilliere, bearing the king's commands,
was signified to him. The, prelate, not doubting but the
mission related to affairs of importance, took his leave;
M. de la Vrilliere then presented the lettre de cachet, ac
companying it with some remarks of his own upon the
talents of the minister, and his regret at being selected
for so unpleasant an office. " A truce to your feigned
regrets, my lord duke," replied the disgraced minister,
sarcastically, " I am well assured my dismissal could not
have been brought me by hands more ready to discharge
the trust than yours. " Saying this, M. de Choiseul placed
his credentials in the hands of the duke, and slightly bow
ing, turned his back upon him, as though he had forgotten
his presence. M. de Choiseul then retired to summon his
sister, to communicate to her and his wife the misfortune
which had befallen him : he then set out for Paris, to make
the necessary preparations for removing to Chanteloup.
There an officer from the king, charged to accompany
him to his place of exile, gave him his majesty's orders
that he should see no person, and receive no visits.
This order did not proceed from me, but was the work
of the duc de la Vrilliere, who sought, by this paltry
action, to avenge himself upon M. de Choiseul for the
reception he had given him. It was wholly useless, how
ever; for in the exile of the duke was seen a thing un
heard of, perhaps, before, and, in all probability, unlikely
ever to occur again — the sight of a whole court espousing
the part of an exiled minister, and openly censuring the
monarch who could thus reward his services. You, no
doubt, remember equally well as myself the long file of
carriages that for two days blocked up the road to Chante
loup. In vain did Louis XV. express his dissatisfaction;
his court flocked in crowds to visit M. de Choiseul.
On the other hand, the castle was not in a more tranquil
state. At the news of the dismissal and banishment
of M. de Choiseul, a general hue and cry was raised
against me and my friends : one might have supposed, by
the clamours it occasioned, that the ex-minister had
been the atlas of the monarchy; and that, deprived
of his succour, the state must fall into ruins. The prin-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 251
cesses were loud in their anger, and accused me publicly
of having conspired against virtue itself! The virtue of
such a sister and brother! I ask you, my friend, is not
the idea truly ludicrous ?
The dauphiness bewailed his fall with many tears; at
least, so I was informed by a lady of her suite, madame
de Campan. This lady was a most loquacious person;
she frequently visited my sister-in-law; and, thanks to
her love of talking, we were always well-informed of all
that was passing in the household of Marie Antoinette.
However, the dauphin was far from sharing the grief of
his illustrious spouse. When informed of the dismissal
of the duke, he cried out, " Well, madame du Barry has
saved me an infinity of trouble — that of getting rid of so
dangerous a man, in the event of my ever ascending the
throne." The prince did not usually speak of me in
the most flattering terms, but I forgave him on the present
occasion, so much was I charmed with his expression
relative to the late minister; it afforded me the certainty
that I should not have to dread the possibility of his re
calling de Choiseul.
Whilst many were bewailing the downfall of the des
Choiseuls, others, who had an eye more to self-inter
est, presented themselves to share in the spoils of his
fortune. There were the princes de Soubise and de
Conde", the duc de la Vauguyon, the comtes de Broglie,
de Maillebois, and de Castries, the marquis de Monteynard,
and many others, equally anxious for a tempting slice of
the ministry, and who would have made but one mouthful
of the finest and best.
The marquise de l'Hopital came to solicit my interest
for the prince de Soubise, her lover. I replied, that his
majesty would rather have the marechal for his friend than
his minister; that, in fact, the different appointments had
taken place ; and that, if the names of the parties were not
immediately divulged, it was to spare the feelings of certain
aspirants to the ministry: madame de l'H6pital withdrew,
evidently much disconcerted at my reply. Certainly M.
de Soubise must have lost his reason, when he supposed
that the successor of M. de Choiseul would be himself,

252 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the most insignificant prince of France; he only could
suppose that he was equal to such an elevation. How
ever this may be, he took upon himself to behave very
much like an offended person for some days; but, finding
such a line of conduct produced no good, he came round
again, and presented himself as usual at my parties, whilst
I received him as though nothing had occurred.
I had more difficulty in freeing myself from the im
portunities of Messieurs de Broglie and de Maillebois. I
had given to each of them a sort of promise ; I had allowed
them to hope, and yet, when the time came to realize
these hopes, I told them, that I possessed much less
influence than was generally imagined; to which they
replied, that they knew my power to serve them was
much greater than I appeared to believe. After a while,
I succeeded in deadening the expectations of M. de Broglie,
but M. de Maillebois was long ere he would abandon
his pursuit. When every chance of success had left him,
he gave way to so much violence and bitterness against
M. d'Aiguillon, that the duke was compelled to punish
him for his impudent rage. I will mention the other
candidates for the ministry at another opportunity.

CHAPTER XXVII.
The comte de la Marche and the comtesse du Barry — The countess
and ..the prince de Conde — The duc de la Vauguyon and the
countess — Provisional minister — Refusal of the secretaryship of
war — Displeasure of the king — The marechale de Mirepoix —
Unpublished letter from Voltaire to madame du Barry — Her reply.
The comte de la Marche had always evinced the warmest
regard for me, and he sought, on the present occa
sion, to be repaid for his attachment. Both he and
the prince de Cond^ had their ambitious speculations
in the present change of ministers; and both fancied,
that because their relation, the duke, had governed dur
ing the king's minority, the right to the several appoint
ments now vacant, belonged as a matter of course to their
family. The count had already sent to solicit my inter
est, through the mediation of madame de Monaco, mis
tress to the prince de Cond6; and, as I shrewdly suspect,
the occasional chere amie of himself. Finding this measure
did not produce all the good he expected, he came, with
out further preface, to speak to me himself about it.
Unwilling to come to an open rupture with him, I en
deavoured to make him comprehend, that the policy of
the sovereign would never permit his placing any of the
administrative power in the hands of the princes of his
family; that he had consented, most reluctantly, to in
vesting them with military command, and that it would
be fruitless to urge more.
The comte de la Marche appeared struck by the just
ness of my arguments, he replied,
" Well, madam, since I cannot be a minister, I must
e'en give up my wishes; but, for the love of heaven, in-
treat of the king to bestow his favours in the shape of
(253)

254 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
a little pecuniary aid. Things look ill at present; they
may take a worse turn, but he may confidently rely on
my loyalty and devotion: the supreme courts, driven to
the last extremity, will make a stand, and princes and
peers will range themselves under the banners. We well
know how much this resistance will displease his majesty;
I pledge myself never to forsake your cause, but to de
fend it with my life ; that is, if my present pressing neces
sity for money be satisfied. How say you, madam; can
you procure it for me ? "
"Very probably I may be enabled to assist you," re
plied I; "but you must first inform me how much will
satisfy you."
"Oh," answered he, carelessly, "something less than
the mines of Peru will suffice; I am not extravagant, and
merely ask for so much as is absolutely necessary. In
the first place 60,000 livres paid down, and, secondly, a
yearly payment of 200,000 more."
This demand did not appear to me unreasonable, and
I undertook to arrange the matter to the prince's satis
faction, well pleased on my own side to secure so illus
trious an ally at so cheap a rate. I procured the assent
of the king and the comptroller-general; the 60,000 livres
were bestowed on the comte de la Marche in two sepa
rate payments, the pension settled on him, and, still further,
an annuity of 30,000 livres was secured to madame de
Monaco ; and I must do the count the justice to say, that
he remained faithful to our cause amidst every danger
and difficulty; braving alike insults, opprobrium,' and the
torrent of pamphlets and epigrams of which he was the
object; in fact, we had good reason for congratulating
ourselves upon securing such devotion and zeal at so
poor a price.
The prince de Conde\ surrounded by a greater degree of
worldly state and consideration, was equally important to
us, although in another way. He had in some degree
compromised popularity by attaching himself to me from
the commencement of my court favour, and the reception
he bestowed on me at Chantilly had completed his disgrace
in the eyes of nobility. He visited at my house upon

COMTESSE DU BARRY 255
the most friendly footing; and whenever he found me
alone, he would turn the conversation upon politics, the
state of affairs, and the great desire he felt to under
take the direction of them in concert with me ; he would
add, "You might play the part of madame de Pompa
dour, and yet you content yourself with merely attempt
ing to do so; you are satisfied with possessing influence
when you might exercise power and command. Your
alliance with a prince of the blood would render you sole
mistress in this kingdom; and should I ever arrive,
through your means, to the rank of prime minister, it
would be my pleasure and pride to submit all things to
you, and from this accord would spring an authority
which nothing could weaken."
I listened in silence, and, for once, my natural frank
ness received a check; for I durst not tell him all I
knew of the king's sentiments towards him. The fact
was, Louis XV. was far from feeling any regard for the
prince de Cond6; and, not to mince the matter, had un
equivocally expressed his contempt for him. He often
said to me, when speaking of him, " He is a conceited fel
low, who would fain induce persons to believe him some
body of vast importance." Louis XV. had prejudices,
from which no power on earth could have weaned him;
and the princes of the house of Cond6 were amongst
his strongest antipathies: he knew a score of scandalous
anecdotes relating to them, which he took no small
pleasure in repeating.
However, all the arguments of the prince de Conde"
were useless, and produced him nothing, or, at least,
nothing for himself, although he procured the nomina
tion of another to the ministry, as you will hear in its
proper place; but this was not sufficient to allay the
cravings of his ambition; and, in his rage and disap
pointment, when open war was proclaimed between the
king and his parliament, he ranged himself on the side
of the latter. He soon, however, became weary of his
new allies; and, once more abandoning himself to the
guidance of interest, he rejoined our party. Well did M.
de Maupeou know men, when he said they all had their

256 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
price ; and great as may be the rank and title of princes,
with plenty of money, they too may be had.
But amongst all the candidates for the ministry, the
one who occasioned me the greatest trouble was the
duc de la Vauguyon, who insisted upon it that he had
done much for me, and complained bitterly of his unre
quited services, and of my having bestowed my confi
dence on others. Up to the moment of the disgrace
of the des Choiseuls, he had been amongst the most
bitter of the malcontents; but no sooner were they ban
ished from court than M. de la Vauguyon forgot every
thing, and hastened to me with every mark of the
warmest friendship.
" Ah ! " exclaimed he, " I have much to scold you for,
but I will forgive you all your past misdeeds, if you
will perform your promise to me."
"My dear father," cried I (for I used jestingly to
style him so, in the same manner as I designated the
bishop of Orleans gros pere), "are you, indeed displeased
with me ' That is very naughty: for you know I love
you with all my heart. "
" If it be true that you entertain any regard for me,
why have you evinced so little towards me ? Am I not
of the right materials for making ministers ? Why, then,
have you never procured my appointment to any of the
vacant situations ? "
" Stay, stay, my dear father, " cried I ; " how you run
on! To hear you talk, any person would suppose that
places and appointments rained down upon me, and that
I had only to say to you, my dear duke, choose which
you please ; then, indeed, you might complain with justice ;
but you know very well, that all these delightful things
are in the hands of the king, who alone has a right to
bestow them as he judges best, whilst I am wholly pow
erless in the business."
"Say, rather," replied the duke, quickly, "that you
find it suits your present purpose to put on this want of
power. We all know, that your veto is absolute with
his majesty, and it requires nothing more to obtain
whatsoever you desire."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 257
The duc de la Vauguyon was powerful, and repre
sented 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 mes
sieurs d'Aiguillon, de Maupeou, and the abbe" Terray,
would not have accepted his services at any price.
The good duke returned several times to the charge;
sometimes endeavouring to move me by gentle intreaties,
and, at others, holding out threats and menaces; good
and bad words flowed from his lips like a mixture of
honey and gall; but when he found that both were
equally thrown away upon me, he retired offended; and
by the expression of his rage and disappointment, suc
ceeded in incensing both the dauphin and dauphiness
against me. May heaven preserve you, my friend, from
the anger of a bigot!
I think I have detained you long enough with the re
lation of the intrigues by which I was surrounded upon
the dismissal of the des Choiseuls, and I will now return
to the morning of the 24th of December. When the ex
iles were fairly out of Paris, the king found himself not
a little embarrassed in the choice of a prime minister.
Those who would have suited our purposes did not meet
with the king's approbation, and he had not yet suffi
cient courage to venture upon electing one who should
be disagreeable to us; he therefore hit upon a curious
provisional election; the abbe" Terray, for instance, was
placed at the head of the war department. This measure
was excused by the assertion, that it would require the
head of a financier to look into and settle the accounts,
which the late minister had, no doubt, left in a very con
fused state. Upon the same principle, M. Bertin was
appointed to the direction, of foreign affairs, and M. de
Boynes was invested solely with the management of naval
affairs. This man, who was counsellor of state, and first
president of the parliament of Besancon, knew not a let
ter of the office thus bestowed upon him, but then he
was bound body and soul to the chancellor; and it was
worth something to have a person who, it might be re
lied on, would offer no opposition to the important reforms
17

258 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
which were to be set on foot immediately. We required
merely automata, and M. de Boynes answered our purpose
perfectly well; for a provisional minister nothing could
have been better.
The king had at length (in his own opinion), hit upon
a very excellent minister of war ; and the person selected
was the chevalier, afterwards comte de Muy, formerly
usher to the late dauphin: he was a man of the old school,
possessing many sterling virtues and qualities. We were
in the utmost terror when his majesty communicated to
us his election of a minister of war, and declared his
intention of immediately signifying his pleasure to M.
de Muy. Such a blow would have overthrown all our
projects. Happily chance befriended us; the modern
Cato declared that he should esteem himself most honored
to serve his sovereign by every possible endeavour, but
that he could never be induced to enter my service upon
any pretext whatever. The strangeness of this refusal
puzzled Louis XV. not a little. He said to me, " Can you
make out the real motive of this silly conduct ? I had a bet
ter opinion of the man; I thought him possessed of sense,
but I see now that he is only fit for the cowl of a monk;
he will never be a minister." The king was mistaken;
M. de Muy became one under the auspices of his successor.
Immediately that the prince de Conde" was informed
of what had passed, he recommenced his attack; and
finding he could not be minister himself, he deter
mined, at least, to be principally concerned in the
appointment of one; he therefore proposed the marquis
de Monteynard, a man of such negative qualities, that the
best that could be said of him was, that he was as incapable
of a bad as of a good action ; and, for want of a bet
ter, he was elected. Such were the colleagues given to
M. de Maupeou to conduct the war which was about to
be declared against the parliaments. I should tell you,
en passant, that the discontent of the magistracy had
only increased, and that the parliament of Paris had even
finished by refusing to decide the suits which were re
ferred to them ; thus punishing the poor litigants for their
quarrel with -.the minister.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 259
Meanwhile, the general interest expressed for the duc
de Choiseul greatly irritated the king.
" Who would have thought, " said he to me, " that a
disgraced minister could have been so idolized by a whole
court ? Would you believe that I receive a hundred peti
tions a day for leave to visit at Chanteloup ? This is some
thing new indeed! I cannot understand it."
"Sire," replied I, " that only proves how much danger
you incurred by keeping such a man in your employ
ment. "
"Why, yes," answered Louis XV.; "it really seems
as though, had he chosen some fine morning to propose
my abdicating the throne in favour of the dauphin, he
would only have needed to utter the suggestion to have
it carried into execution. Fortunately for me, my grand
son is by no means partial to him, and will most certainly
never recall him after my death. The dauphin possesses
all the obstinacy of persons of confined understanding:
he has but slender judgment, and will see with no eyes
but his own. '*
Louis XV. augured ill of his successor's reign, and
imagined that the cabinet of Vienna would direct that
of Versailles at pleasure. His late majesty was mistaken ;
Louis XVI. is endowed with many rare virtues, but they
are unfortunately clouded over by his timidity and want
of self-confidence.
The open and undisguised censure passed by the whole
court upon the conduct of Louis XV. was not the only
thing which annoyed his majesty, who perpetually tor
mented himself with conjectures of what the rest of
Europe would say and think of his late determinations.
" I will engage, " said he, " that I am finely pulled to
pieces at Potsdam. My dear brother Frederick is about
as sweet-tempered as a bear, and I must not dismiss a
minister who is displeasing to me without his passing a
hundred comments and sarcastic remarks. Still, as he
is absolute as the Medes and Persians, surely he can have
no objection to us poor monarchs imitating him: and
allow me the same privilege in mine. After all, why
should I need his or any other person's opinion; let the

260 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
whole world applaud or condemn, I shall still act accord
ing to my own best judgment."
On my side I was far from feeling quite satisfied with
the accounts I continued to receive from Chanteloup;
above all, I felt irritated at the parade of attachment
made by the prince de Beauvau for the exiles, and I
complained bitterly of it to the marechale de Mirepoix.
" What can I do to help it, " said she ; " my sister-in-
law is a simpleton ; who, after having ruined her brother,
will certainly cause the downfall of her husband. I be
seech you, my dear, out of regard for me, to put up with
the unthinking conduct of the prince de Beauvau for a
little while; he will soon see his error and amend it."
He did indeed return to our party, but his obedience
was purchased at a heavy price.
Some days after the disgrace of the duc de Choiseul, I
received a letter from M. de Voltaire. This writer, who
carped at and attacked all subjects, whether sacred or
profane, and from whose satires neither great nor small
were exempt, had continual need of some powerful friend
at court. When his protector, M. de Choiseul, was dis
missed, he saw clearly enough that the only person on
whom he could henceforward depend to aid and support
him, was she who had been chiefly instrumental in re
moving his first patron. With these ideas he addressed
to me the following letter of condolence or, to speak
more correctly, of congratulation. It was as follows : —
* Madame la comtesse, — Fame, with her hundred tongues, has an
nounced to me in my retreat the fall of M. de Choiseul and your
triumph. This piece of news has not occasioned me much surprise;
I always believed in the potency of beauty to carry all before it ; but,
shall I confess it ? I scarcely know whether I ought to congratulate
myself on the success you have obtained over your enemies. M. de
Choiseul was one of my kindest friends, and his all-powerful protec
tion sufficed to sustain me against the malice of my numerous ene
mies. May a humble creature like me flatter himself with the hope
of finding in you the same generous support ? for when the god Mars
is no longer to be found, what can be more natural than to seek the
aid of Pallas, the goddess of the fine arts ? Will she refuse to protect
with her segis the most humble of her adorers ?
"Permit me, madam, to avail myself of this opportunity to lay at
your feet the assurance of my most respectful devotion. I dare not

COMTESSE DU BARRY 261
give utterance to all my prayers in your behalf, because I am open
to a charge of infidelity from some, yet none shall ever detect me
unfaithful in my present professions ; at my age, 'tis time our choice
was made, and our affections fixed. Be assured, lovely countess, that
I shall ever remain your attached friend; and that no day will pass
without my teaching the echoes of the Alps to repeat your much-
esteemed name.
"I have the honour to remain, madam, yours, etc., etc."
You may be quite sure, my friend, that I did not allow
so singular an epistle to remain long unanswered. I
replied to it in the following words: —
" Sir, — The perusal of your agreeable letter made me almost grieve
for the disgrace of the duc de Choiseul. Be assured, that to his own
conduct, and that of his family, may be alone attributed the misfor
tune you deplore.
"The regrets you so feelingly express for the calamity which has
befallen your late protector do honour to your generous heart; but
recollect that your old friends were not the only persons who could
appreciate and value your fine talents; to be esteemed worthy the
honourable appellation of your patron is a glory which the proudest
might envy; and, although I cannot boast of being a Minerva, who,
after all, was possibly no wiser than the rest of us5 I shall always
feel proud and happy to serve you with my utmost credit and in
fluence. " I return you my best thanks for the wishes you express, and the
attachment you so kindly profess. You honour me too much by re
peating my name amidst the bosom of the Alps I be assured, that I
shall not be behindhand in making the saloons of Paris and Ver
sailles resound with yours. Had I leisure for the undertaking, I
would go and teach it to the only mountain worthy of re-echoing it
— at the foot of Parnassus. "I am, sir, yours, etc., etc."
You perceive, my friend, that I intended this reply
should be couched in the wittiest style imaginable, yet,
upon reading it over at this lapse of time, it appears to
me the silliest thing ever penned ; nevertheless, I flattered
myself I had caught the tone and manner in which M.
de Voltaire had addressed me: he perceived my inten
tion, and was delighted with the flattering deference it
expressed. You know the vanity of men of letters; and
M. de Voltaire, as the first writer of the age, possessed,
in proportion, the largest portion of conceit.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
A few words respecting Jean Jacques Rousseau — The comtesse du
Barry is desirous of his acquaintance — The countess visits Jean
Jacques Rousseau — His household furniture — His portrait —
Therese — A second visit from madame du Barry to Jean Jacques
Rousseau — The countess relates her visit to the king — Billet
from J. J. Rousseau to madame du Barry — The two duchesses
d'Aiguillon.
Spite of the little estimation in which I held men of
letters, generally speaking, you must not take it
for granted that I entertained an equal indifference
for all these gentlemen. I have already, I fear, tired
your patience when dwelling upon my ardent admiration
of M. de Voltaire; I have now to speak to you of that
with which his illustrious rival, Jean Jacques Rousseau,
inspired me; the man who, after a life so filled with con
stant trouble and misfortunes, died a few years since in so
deplorable a manner. At the period of which I am now
speaking this man, who had filled Europe with his fame,
was living at Paris, in a state bordering upon indigence.
I must here mention, that it was owing to my solicitation
that he had been permitted to return from his exile, I having
successfully interceded for him with the chancellor and
the attorney-general. M. Seguier made no difficulty to
my request, because he looked upon Jean Jacques Rousseau
as the greatest enemy to a set of men whom he mortally
hated — the philosophers. Neither did M. de Maupeou,
from the moment he effected the overthrow of the
parliament, see any objection to bestowing his protection
upon a man whom the parliaments had exiled. In this
manner, therefore, without his being aware of it, Rousseau
owed to me the permission to re-enter Paris. Spite of
the mortifying terms in which this celebrated writer
(262)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 263
had spoken of the king's mistresses, I had a lively
curiosity to know him; all that his enemies repeated of
his uncouthness, and even of his malicious nature, far
from weakening the powerful interest with which he
inspired me, rather augmented it, by strengthening the
idea I had previously formed of his having been greatly
calumniated. The generous vengeance which he had
recently taken for the injuries he had received from Vol
taire particularly charmed me.* I thought only how I
could effect my design of seeing him by one means or
another, and in this resolution I was confirmed by an
accident which befell me one day.
It was the commencement of April, 1771, I was read
ing for the fourth time, the " Nouvelle He"loise," and for
the tenth, or, probably, twelfth, the account of the party
on the lake, when the marechale de Mirepoix entered
the room. I laid my open volume on the mantel-piece,
and the marechale, glancing her eye upon the book I had
just put down, smilingly begged my pardon for disturbing
my grave studies, and taking it in her hand, exclaimed,
"Ah! I see you have been perusing ' La Nouvelle
He'lo'ise'' ; I have just been having more than an hour's
conversation respecting its author."
" What were you saying of him ? " asked I.
"Why, my dear, I happened to be at the house of
madame de Luxembourg, where I met with the comtesse
de Boufflers."
"Yes, I remember," said I, "the former of these ladies
was the particular friend of Jean Jacques Rousseau."
" And the second also, " answered she ; " and I can
promise you, that neither the one or the other spoke too
well of him."
" Is it possible ? " exclaimed I, with a warmth I could
not repress.
" The duchess, " resumed madame de Mirepoix, " says
he is an ill-bred and ungrateful man, and the countess
insists upon it he is a downright pedant."
*Jean Jacques Rousseau in his journey through Lyons in June,
1770, subscribed for the statue of Voltaire.

264 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Shameful, indeed, " cried I ; " but can you, my dear
friend, account for the ill-nature with which these ladies
speak of poor Rousseau ? "
" Oh ! yes, " replied the mar6chale, " their motives are
easily explained; and I will tell you a little secret, for
the truth of which I can vouch. Madame de Luxem
bourg had at one time conceived the most lively passion
for Jean Jacques."
"Indeed!" cried I; "and he — *'
"Did not return it. As for madame de Boufflers, the
case was exactly reversed ; and Rousseau has excited her
resentment by daring long to nurse a hopeless flame, of
which she was the object: this presumption on the part
of the poet our dignified countess could never pardon
However, I entreat of you not to repeat this; remember,
I tell you in strictest secrecy."
" Oh, be assured of my discretion, " said I ; "I promise
you not to publish your secret " ( which, by the way, I
was very certain was not communicated for the first time
when told to me).
This confidence on the part of the marechale had, in
some unaccountable manner, only increased the ardent
desire I felt to see the author of the " Nouvelle Hiloise ";
and I observed to madame de Mirepoix, that I had a great
curiosity to be introduced to Rousseau.
" I fear, " said she, " you will never be able to persuade
him to visit at the chateau."
" How then can I accomplish my desire of seeing this
celebrated man ? "
" By one simple method ; if he will not come to you,
you must go to him. I would willingly accompany you,
but he knows me, and my presence would spoil all. The
best thing you can do is to dress yourself quite plainly,
as a lady from the country, taking with you one of your
female attendants. You may take as a pretext for your
visit some music you would wish to have copied. Be sure
to treat M. de Rousseau as a mere copyist, and appear
never to have heard of his superior merit: do this, and
you will receive the best possible reception."
I greatly approved of the mar^chale's advice, which 1

COMTESSE DU BARRY 265
assured her I would delay no longer than till the follow
ing day to put into practice; and, after some further con
versation upon J. J. Rousseau, we parted.
Early the next day I set out for Paris accompanied
by Henriette; there, in pursuance of the suggestion of
madame de Mirepoix, I dressed myself as a person re
cently arrived from the country, and Henriette, who was
to accompany me, disguised herself as a villager. I as
sure you, our personal attractions lost nothing by the
change of our attire. From the rue de la Jussienne to
the rue Platriere is only a few steps; nevertheless, in
the fear of being recognised, I took a hired carriage.
Having reached our place of destination, we entered, by
a shabby door, the habitation of Jean Jacques Rousseau:
his apartments were on the fifth floor. I can scarcely
describe to you, my friend, the emotions I experienced
as I drew nearer and nearer to the author of "Heloi'se."
At each flight of stairs I was compelled to pause to
collect my ideas, and my poor heart beat as though I
had been keeping an assignation. At length, however,
we reached the fifth story; thereafter having rested a
few minutes to recover myself, I was about to knock at
a door which was opposite to me, when, as I approached,
I heard a sweet but tremulous voice singing a melan
choly air, which I have never since heard anywhere;
the same voice repeated the romance to which I was
listening -several times. When it had entirely ceased I
profited by the silence to tap with my knuckles against
the door, but so feeble was the signal, that even Hen
riette, who was close behind me, could not hear it. She
begged I would permit her to ring a bell which hung
near us; and, having done so, a step was heard approach
ing the door, and, in a minute or two, it was opened
by a man of about sixty years of age, who, seeing two
females, took off his cap with a sort of clumsy gal
lantry, at which I affected to be much flattered.
"Pray, sir," said I, endeavouring to repress my emotion,
" does a person named Rousseau, a copier of music, live
here ? »
" Yes, madam ; I am he. What is your pleasure ? "

266 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" I have been told, sir, that you are particularly skilful
in copying music cheaply; I should be glad if you would
undertake to copy these airs I have brought with me."
" Have the goodness to walk in, madam. "
We crossed a small obscure closet, which served as a
species of antechamber and entered the sitting-room of
M. de Rousseau, who seated me in an arm-chair, and
motioning to Henriette to sit down, once more inquired
my wishes respecting the music.
" Sir, " said I, " as I live in the country, and but very
rarely visit Paris, I should be obliged to you to get it
done as early as possible."
" Willingly, madam ; I have not much upon my hands
just now."
I then gave to Jean Jacques Rousseau the roll of music
I had brought. He begged I would continue seated, re
quested permission to keep on his cap, and went to a
little table to examine the music I had brought.
Upon my first entrance I had perceived a close and
confined smell in these miserable apartments, but, by
degrees, I became accustomed to it, and began to examine
the chamber in which I sat with as strict a scrutiny as
though I had intended making an inventory of its contents.
Three old elbow-chairs, some rickety stools, a writing-
table, on which were two or three volumes of music,
some dried plants laid on white-brown paper; beside the
table stood an old spinet, and, close to the latter article
of furniture, sat a fat and well-looking cat. Over the
chimney hung an old silver watch ; the walls of the room
were adorned with about half a dozen views of Switzer
land and some inferior engravings, two only, which
occupied the most honourable situations, struck me; one
represented Frederick II., and under the picture were
written some lines (which I cannot now recollect) by
Rousseau himself ; the other engraving, which hung oppo
site, was the likeness of a very tall, thin, old man, whose
dress was nearly concealed by the dirt which had been
allowed to accumulate upon it; I could only distinguish
that it was ornamented with a broad riband When I
had sufficiently surveyed this chamber, the simplicity of

COMTESSE DU BARRY 267
which, so closely bordering on want and misery, pained
me to the heart, I directed my attention to the extraor
dinary man who was the occasion of my visit. He was
of middle height, slightly bent by age, with a large and
expansive chest ; his features were common in their cast,
but possessed of the most perfect regularity. His eyes,
which he from time to time raised from the music he
was considering, were round and sparkling but small,
and the heavy brows which hung over them, conveyed
an idea of gloom and severity; but his mouth, which was
certainly the most beautiful and fascinating in its ex
pression I ever saw, soon removed this unfavourable im
pression. Altogether there belonged to his countenance
a smile of mixed sweetness and sadness, which bestowed
on it an indescribable charm.
To complete my description, I must not forget to add
his dress, which consisted of a dirty cotton cap, to which
were fixed strings of a riband that had once been scar
let; a pelisse with arm-holes, a flannel waistcoat, snuff-
coloured breeches, gray stockings, and shoes slipped down
at the heel, after the fashion of slippers. Such was the
portrait, and such the abode of the man who believed
himself to be one of the potentates of the earth and
who, in fact, had once owned his little court and train
of courtiers; for, in the century in which he lived, talent
had become as arbitrary as sovereign power — thanks to
the stupidity of some of our grandees and the caprice
of Frederick of Prussia.
Meanwhile my host, undisturbed by my reflections, had
quietly gone over his packet of music. He found
amongst it an air from " Le Devin du Village, " which I
had purposely placed there; he half turned towards me,
and looking steadfastly at me, as if he would force the
truth from my lips.
" Madam, " said he, " do you know the author of this
little composition ? "
"Yes," replied I, with an air of as great simplicity as
I could assume, "it is written by a person of the same
name as yourself, who writes books and composes operas.
Is he any relation to you ? "

268 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
My answer and question disarmed the suspicions of
Jean Jacques, who was about to reply, but stopped him
self, as if afraid of uttering a falsehood, and contented
himself with smiling and casting down his eyes. Taking
courage from his silence, I ventured to add, — "The M.
de Rousseau who composed this pretty air has written
much beautiful music and many very clever works.
Should I ever know the happiness of becoming a mother
I shall owe to him the proper care and education of my
child." Rousseau made no reply, but he turned his
eyes towards me, and at this moment the expression of
his countenance was perfectly celestial, and I could readily
imagine how easily he might have inspired a warmer
sentiment than that of admiration.
Whilst we were conversing in this manner, a female,
between the age of forty and fifty, entered the room.
She saluted me with great affectation of politeness, and
then, without speaking to Rousseau, went and seated her
self familiarly upon a chair on the other side of the table:
this was Th6rese, a sort of factotum, who served the
master of these apartments both as servant and mistress.
I could not help regarding this woman with a feeling of
disgust ; she had a horrible cough, which she told us was
more than usually troublesome on that day. I had heard
of her avarice; therefore to prevent the appearance of
having called upon an unprofitable errand, I inquired
of Jean Jacques Rousseau how much the music would
cost. "Six sous a page, madam," replied he, "is the usual
price. "
"Shall I, sir," asked I, "leave you any cash in hand
for the purchase of what paper you will require ? "
" No, I thank you, madam, " replied Rousseau, smiling ;
" thank God ! I am not yet so far reduced that I cannot
purchase it for you. I have a trifling annuity — "
"And you would be a much richer man," screamed
The"rese, "if you would insist upon those people at the
opera paying you what they owe you. " These words were
accompanied with a shrug of the shoulders, intended to
convey a vast idea of her own opinion.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 269
Rousseau made no reply; indeed he appeared to me
like a frightened child in the presence of its nurse; and
I could quickly see, that from the moment of her enter
ing the room he had become restless and dejected, he
fidgeted on his seat, and seemed like a person in exces
sive pain. At length he rose, and requesting my pardon
for absenting himself, he added, " My wife will have the
honour to entertain you whilst I am away." With these
words he opened a small glass-door, and disappeared in
the neighbouring room.
When we were alone with Th6rese, she lost no time in
opening the conversation.
" Madam, " cried she, " I trust you will have the goodness
to excuse M. Rousseau; he is very unwell; it is really
extremely vexatious."
I replied that M. Rousseau had made his own excuses.
Just then Therese, wishing to give herself the appearance
of great utility, cried out,
" Am I wanted there, M. Rousseau ? "
"No, no, no," replied Jean Jacques, in a faint voice,
which died away as if at a distance.
He soon after re-entered the room.
" Madam, " said he, " have the kindness to place your
music in other hands to copy; I am truly concerned that I
cannot execute your wishes, but I feel too ill to set about
it directly."
I replied, that I was in no hurry; that I should be in
Paris some time yet, and that he might copy it at his
leisure. It was then settled that it should be ready within
a week from that time; upon which I rose, and cere
moniously saluting Therese, was conducted to the door
by M. Rousseau, whose politeness led him to escort me
thither, holding his cap in his hand. I retired, filled with
admiration, respect, and pity.
When next I saw the duc d'Aiguillon, I could not re
frain from relating to him all that had happened. My
recital inspired him with the most lively curiosity to see
Rousseau, whom he had never met in society. It was
then agreed, that when I went to fetch my music he
should accompany me, disguised in a similar manner to

270 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
myself, and that I should pass him off as my uncle. At
the end of the eight days I repaired early as before
to Paris; the duke was not long in joining me there.
He was so inimitably well disguised, that no person would
ever have detected the most elegant nobleman of the court
of France beneath the garb of a plain country squire.
We set out laughing like simpletons at the easy air
with which he wore his new costume ; nevertheless our
gaiety disappeared as we reached the habitation of J. J.
Rousseau. Spite of ourselves we were compelled to
honour and respect the man of talent and genius, who
preferred independence of ideas to riches, and before
whom rank and power were compelled to lay aside their
unmeaning trappings ere they could reach his presence.
When we reached the fifth landing-place I rang, and
this time the door was opened by Therese, who told us
M. Rousseau was out.
" But, madam, " answered I, " I am here by the direc
tion of your husband to fetch away the music he has
been engaged in copying for me."
"Ah, madam," exclaimed she, "is it you? I did not
recollect you again; pray walk in. M. Rousseau will be
sure to be at home for you."
" So, then, " thought I, " even genius has its visiting
lists." We entered; Jean Jacques formally saluted us,
and invited us to be seated. He then gave me my
music; I inquired what it came to; he consulted a little
memorandum which lay upon the table, and replied, " So
many pages, so much paper, eighteen livres twelve
sous ; " which, , of course, I instantly paid. The duc
d'Aiguillon, whom I styled my uncle, was endeavoring
to lead Rousseau into conversation, when the outer bell
rung. Th6rese went to open the door, and a gentleman
entered, of mature age, although still preserving his good
looks. The duke regarded him in silence and immedi
ately made signs for me to hasten our departure; I
obeyed, and took leave of Rousseau, with many thanks
for his punctuality. He accompanied us as before to
the door, and there I quitted him never to see him more.
As we were descending the staircase, M. d'Aiguillon told

COMTESSE DU BARRY 271
me that the person who had so hastened our departure
was Duclas, and that his hurry to quit Rousseau arose
from his dread of being recognised by him. Although
M. Duclas was a very excellent man, I must own that
I owed no small grudge for a visit which had thus
abridged ours.
In the evening the duc d'Aiguillon and myself related
to the king our morning's pilgrimage. I likewise re
counted my former visit, which I had concealed until
now. Louis XV. seemed greatly interested with the re
cital of it; he asked me a thousand questions, and would
fain hear the most trifling particulars.
"I shall never forget," said Louis XV., "the amazing
success obtained by his ' Devin du Village. * " There cer
tainly were some beautiful airs, and the king began to
hum over the song of
"J'ai perdu tout mon bonheur?
" Yes, madam, " continued his majesty, " I promise you,
that had Rousseau after his success chosen to step for
ward as a candidate for public favour, he would soon
have overthrown Voltaire."
" Pardon me, " replied I ; " but I cannot believe that
would have been possible under any circumstances. "
" And why not ? " asked the king ; " he was a man of
great talent."
" Doubtless, sire, but not of the kind to compete with
Voltaire. "
The king then changed the conversation to Therese,
inquiring whether she possessed any attractions?
" None whatever, sire, " replied the duke ; " at least
none that we could perceive."
"In that case," rejoined his majesty, "she must have
charmed her master by some of those unseen perfections
which take the deepest hold of the heart; besides I know
not why we should think it strange that others see with
different eyes to ourselves."
I made no secret with the comte Jean of my visit,
and he likewise expressed his desire to know a man so
justly celebrated, and, in its proper place, you may hear

272 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
how he managed to effect this, and what befell him in
consequence — but, to finish for the present with Rous
seau, for I will not promise that I shall not again indulge
in speaking of him. I will just say, that after the lapse
of two or three days from the time of my last visit, the
idea occurred to me of sending him a thousand crowns
in an Indian casket. This I sent by a servant out of
livery, whom I strictly enjoined not to name me but to
say simply that he came from a lady. He brought back
the casket to me unopened, and the following billet from
Rousseau : —
"Madam, — I send back the present you would force upon my ac
ceptance in so concealed a manner; if it be offered as a testimony
of your esteem I may possibly accept it, when you permit me to
know the hand from which it comes. Be assured, madam, that there
is much truth in the assertion of its being more easy to give than to
receive. "I have the honour to remain, madam, yours, etc., etc.,
"J. J. Rousseau."
This was rather an uncouth manner of refusing ; never
theless, when at this distance of time I review the trans
action, I cannot help admitting that I well deserved it.
Perhaps when it first occurred I might have felt piqued,
but since I have quitted the court I have again read
over the works of J. J. Rousseau, and I now speak of him,
as you see, without one particle of resentment.
I must now speak to you of a new acquaintance I made
about this period — that of the two duchesses d'Aiguil
lon. From my first entrance into the chateau until
the close of 1770, madame d'Aiguillon, the daughter-
in-law, observed a sort of armed neutrality towards me;
true, she never visited me, but she always met me with
apparent satisfaction at the houses of others; thus she
managed to steer clear of one dangerous extreme or
the other till the downfall of the des Choiseuls ; when the
duc d'Aiguillon having been nominated to the ministry,
she perceived that she could not, without great ingratitude,
omit calling to offer me her acknowledgments, and ac
cordingly she came. On my side, I left no means untried
of rendering myself agreeable to her ; and so well did

COMTESSE DU BARRY 273
I succeed, that from that moment her valuable friendship
was bestowed on me with a sincerity which even my un
fortunate reverses have been unable to shake; and we
are to this day the same firm and true friends we were in
the zenith of my power. Not that I would seek to justify
the injury she sought to do our queen, but I may and
do congratulate myself, that the same warmth which per
vades her hatreds likewise influences her friendships.
I cannot equally boast of the treatment I received from
the duchess dowager d'Aiguillon, who, as well as her
daughter-in-law, came to see me upon the promotion of
her son. She ' overloaded me with caresses, and even
exceeded her daughter-in-law in protestations of devotion
and gratitude. You should have heard her extol my
beauty, wit, and sweetness of disposition; she, in fact, so
overwhelmed me with her surfeiting praises, that at last
I became convinced that, of the thousand flattering things
she continually addressed to me, not one was her can
did opinion; and I was right, for I soon learned, that
in her circle of intimates at the houses of the Beauffre-
mons, the Brionnes, and above all, the marquise du Def-
fant, she justified her acquaintance with me, by saying it
was a sacrifice made to the interests of her son, and
amused these ladies by censuring my every word and
look. The dowager's double-dealing greatly annoyed me ;
nevertheless, not wishing to vex her son, or her daughter-
in-law, I affected to be ignorant of her dishonourable
conduct. However, I could not long repress my indig
nation, and one day that she was praising me most ex
travagantly, I exclaimed, " Ah, madam, how kind it
would be of you to reserve one of these pretty speeches
to repeat at madame du Deffant's. " This blow, so strong
yet just, rather surprised her; but, quickly rallying her
courage, she endeavoured to persuade me that she always
spoke of me in the same terms. "It may be so," replied
I ; " but I fear that you say so many flattering things to
me, that you have not one left when out of my sight."
The marechale de Mirepoix used to say, that a caress
from madame d'Aiguillon was not less to be dreaded than
the bite of M. d'Ayen. Yet the duchess dowager has
18

274 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
obtained a first-rate reputation for goodness; every one
styled her the good duchesse d'Aiguillon. And why, do
you suppose ? Because she was one of those fat, fresh,
portly-looking dames of whom you would have said, her
very face and figure bespoke the contented goodness of
her disposition; for who would ever suspect malice could
lurk in so much embonpoint ? I think I have already told
you that this lady expired whilst bathing, of an attack
of apoplexy, in the month of June, 1772. Her son shed
many tears at her loss, whilst I experienced but a very
moderate share of grief.
Adieu, my friend; if you are not already terrified at
the multiplicity of the letters which compose my journal,
I have yet much to say; and I flatter myself the con
tinuance of my adventures will be found no less inter
esting than those you have perused.

CHAPTER XXIX.
The king's friends — The duc de Fronsac — The duc d'Ayen's remark
— Manner of living at court — The marquis de Dreux — Breze —
Education of Louis XV. — The Parc-aux-Cerfs — Its household —
Its inmates — Mere Bompart — Livres expended on the Parc-aux-
Cerfs — Good advice — Madame.
I was now firmly fixed at court, the king, more than
ever devoted to me, seemed unable to dispense with
my constant presence. I had so successfully studied
his habits and peculiarities, that my empire over him
was established on a basis too firm to be shaken, whilst
my power and unbounded influence convinced my ene
mies, that, so long as the present monarch sat upon the
throne of France, their attempts at diminishing my credit
and influence would only recoil upon themselves. Louis
XV. generally supped in my apartments every evening,
unless indeed, by way of change, I went to sup with
him. Our guests were of course of the first order, but
yet not of the most exemplary morals. These persons
had tact, and saw that, to please the king, they must not
surpass him; so that, if by chance he should reflect on
himself, he would appear to advantage amongst them.
Poor courtiers! It was labour in vain. The king was
in too much fear of knowing himself to understand that
study: he knew the penetration and severity of his own
judgment, and on no account would he exercise it at
his own expense.
The duc de Duras, although a man of little wit, was
yet gay and always lively. He amused me; I liked
his buoyant disposition, and forgave him although he had
ranged himself with the protesting peers. In fact, I
could not be angry with him. The folly of opposition
had only seized on him because it was epidemic. The
(275)

276 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
dear duke had found himself with wolves, and had begun
to howl with them. I am sure that he was astonished
at himself when he remembered the signature which
he had given, and the love he had testified for the old
parliament, for which, in fact, he cared no more than
Jean de Vert. God knows how he compensated for this
little folly at the chateau. It was by redoubling his as
siduities to the king, and by incessant attentions to me. In
general, those who wished to thrive at court only sought
how to make their courage remembered; M. de Duras was
only employed in making his forgotten.
The prince de Terigny, the comte d'Escars, the duc de
Fleury, were not the least amusing. They kept up a
lively strain of conversation, and the king laughed out
rageously. But the vilest of the party was the duc de
Fronsac. Ye gods ! what a wretch ! To speak ill of him
is no sin. A mangled likeness of his father, he had all his
faults with not one of his merits. He was perpetually
changing his mistresses, but it cannot be said whether it
was inconstancy on his part, or disgust on theirs, but the
latter appears to me most probable. Though young, he
was devoured by gout or some other infirmity, but it
was called gout out of deference to the house of Richelieu.
They talked of the duchess de  , whose husband was
said to have poisoned her.
The saints of Versailles — the duc de la Vauguyon,
the duc d'Estissac, and M. de Durfort — did like others.
These persons practised religion in the face of the world,
and abstained from loose conversation in presence of
their own families; but with the king they laid aside
their religion and reserve, so that these hypocrites had
in the city all the honours of devotion, and in the royal
apartments all the advantages of loose conduct. As for
me, I was at Versailles the same as everywhere else.
To please the king I had only to be myself. I relied,
for the future, on my uniformity of conduct. What
charmed him in the evening, would delight again the
next day. He had an equilibrium of pleasure, a balance
of amusement which can hardly be described; it was
every day the same variety; the same journeys, the same

COMTESSE DU BARRY 277
fStes, the balls, the theatres, all came round at fixed periods,
with the most monotonous regularity. In fact, the
people knew exactly when to laugh and when to look
grave. There was in the chateau a most singular character,
the grand master of the ceremonies of France. His great
grandfather, his grandfather, his father, who had ful
filled these functions for a century, had transmitted to him
their understanding and their duties. All he thought of
was how to regulate the motions and steps of every per
son at court. He adored the dauphin and dauphiness,
because they both diverted and fatigued themselves ac
cording to the rules in such cases made and provided.
He was always preaching to me and quoted against me
the precedents of Diane de Poitiers, or Gabrielle d'Estr£es.
One day he told me that all the misfortunes of made
moiselle de la Valliere occurred in consequence of her
neglect of etiquette. He would have had all matters
pass at court during the old age of Louis XV. as at the
period of the childhood of Louis XIV., and would fain
have had the administration of the Parc-aux-Cerfs, that
he might have arranged all with due ceremonies.
Since this word Parc-aux-Cerfs has escaped my pen, I
will tell you something of it. Do you know, my friend,
that but little is known of this place, of which so much
has been said. I can tell you, better than any other per
son, what it really was, for I, like the marquise de Pom
padour took upon myself the superintendence of it, and
busied myself with what they did there. It was, entre
nous, the black spot in the reign of Louis XV., and will
cost me much pain to describe.
The vices of Louis XV. were the result of bad edu
cation. When an infant, they gave him for governor the
vainest, most coxcombical, stupidest of men — the duc de
Villeroi, who had so well served the king (si bien servi
le roi).*
Never had courtier so much courtiership as he. He saw
*The countess alludes to the chanson written, after his famous
defeat, " Villeroi, Villeroi a fort bien servi le roi.n

278 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the young prince from morning till night, and from morn
ing till night he was incessantly repeating in his ears that
his future subjects were born for him, and that they
were all dependent on his good and gracious pleasure.
Such lessons daily repeated, necessarily destroyed the
wise instructions of Massillon. When grown up, Louis
XV. saw the libertinism of cardinal Dubois and the orgies
of the regency : madame de Maillis' shameless conduct was
before his eyes and Richelieu's also. Louis XV. could
not conduct himself differently from his ministers and his
family. His timid character was formed upon the
example of others. At first he selected his own mistresses,
but afterwards he chose some one who took that trouble
off his hands. Lebel became purveyor in chief to his
pleasures; and controlled in Versailles the house known
as the Parc-aux-Cerfs.
As soon as the courtiers knew of the existence and
purposes of this house, they intrigued for the control of
it. The king laughed at all their efforts, and left the
whole management to Lebel, under the superintendence
of the comte de Saint-Florentin, minister of the royal
household. They installed there, however, a sort of mil
itary chief, formerly a major of infantry, who was called,
jestingly, M. de Cervieres; his functions consisted in an
active surveillance, and in preventing young men from
penetrating the seraglio. The soldiers at the nearest sta
tion had orders to obey his first summons. His pay
was twelve thousand livres a year.
A female styled the surintendante had the management
of the domestic affairs; she ruled with despotic sway;
controlled the expenses; preserved good order; and regu
lated the amusement of her charges, taking care that
they did not mix one with the other. She was an
elderly canoness of a noble order, belonging to one of
the best families in Burgundy. She was only known at
the Pare as Madame, and no one ventured to give her
any other title. Shortly after the decease of Mme. de
Pompadour, she had succeeded in this employ a woman
of low rank, who had a most astonishing mind. Louis
XV. thought very highly of her, and said that if she

COMTESSE DU BARRY 279
were a man he would have made her his minister. She
had put the harem on an admirable system, and in
structed the odalisques in all the necessary etiquette.
The Madame of my time was a woman of noble ap
pearance, tall, ascetic, with a keen eye and imperious
manner. She expressed a sovereign contempt for all the
low-born beauties confided to her trust. However, she
did not treat her wards ill, for some one of them might
produce a passion in the heart of the king, and she was
determined to be prepared for whatever might fall out.
As to the noble ladies, they were her favourites.
Madame did not divide her flock into fair and dark,
which would have been natural, but into noble and ig
noble. Besides Madame, there' were two under-mistresses,
whose duties consisted in keeping company with the young
ladies who were placed there. They sometimes dined
with new comers, instructed them in polite behaviour,
and aided them in their musical lessons, or in dancing,
history, and literature in which these dleves were in
structed. Then followed a dozen women of lower station,
creatures for any service, half waiting women, half com
panions, who kept watch over the young ladies, and neg
lected nothing that could injure each other at every
opportunity. The work of the house was performed by
proper servants and male domestics, chosen expressly
for their age and ugliness. They were paid high, but
in return for the least indiscretion on their part, they
were sent to linger out their existence in a state prison.
A severe watch was kept over every person of either
sex in this mysterious establishment. It was requisite,
in fact, that an impenetrable veil should be cast over
the frailties of the king ; and that the public should know
nothing of what occurred at the Parc-aux-Cerfs.
The general term eTeves was applied to the young
persons who were kept there. They were of all ages
from nine to eighteen years. Until fifteen they were
kept in total ignorance of the city which they inhabited.
When they attained that age, no more mystery was made
of it; they only endeavoured to prevent them from be-

280 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
lieving that they were destined for the king's service.
Sometimes they were told that they were imprisoned as
well as their family; sometimes, a lover rich and power
ful kept them concealed to satisfy his love. One thought
she belonged to a German prince, another to an English
lord. There were some, however, who, better informed,
either by their predecessors, or by chance, knew pre
cisely what was in store for them, and accordingly built
some exceedingly fine castles in the air. But when they
were suspected to be so knowing, they were sent away,
and either married (if pregnant), or compelled to enter
a cloister or chapter.
The noble damsels were served with peculiar eti
quette, their servants wore a green livery. Those who
belonged to the ignobles, had their valets clothed only
in gray. The king had arranged this, and applauded
it as one of the most admirable decisions of his life,
and contended with me that the families who paid this
impost for his pleasures, were greatly indebted to him
for it. I assure you, my friend, that there are often
very peculiar ideas in the head of a king.
After madame, the sous-madames, the young ladies,
came a lady, who had no title in the house, because
she " carried on the war " out of doors, but still was a
most useful personage. In very truth la mere Bompart
was a wonderful animal. Paint to yourself a woman rather
small than large, rather fat than lean, rather old than
young, with a good foot, a good eye, as robust as a
trooper, with a decided " call " for intrigue, drinking
nothing but wine, telling nothing but lies, swearing by,
or denying God, as suited her purpose. Fancy such an
one, and you will have before you la mere Bompart,
pourvoyeuse en chef des celludes du Parc-aux-Cerfs.
She was in correspondence with all sorts of persons,
with the most celebrated appareilleuses, and of course
with the most noted pimps. She treated Lebel as her
equal, went familiarly to M. de Sartines, and occasion
ally condescended to visit M. de Saint-Florentin. Every
body at court received her graciously; everybody but
the king and myself, who held her in equal horror.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 281
The Parc-aux-Cerfs cost enormous sums. The lowest
expense was calculated at 150,000 livres, to pay only the
functionaries and the domestics, the education and the
board of the /leves, etc. This does not include the cost
of the recruiting service, the indemnities paid to families,
the dowry given with them in marriage, the presents
made to them, and the expenses of the illegitimate
children: this was enormous in cost, at least 2,000,000
livres a year, and yet I make the lowest estimation. The
Parc-aux-Cerfs was kept up for thirty-four years: it cost
annually 4 or 5,000,000 livres, and that will amount to
nearly 150,000,000 (J~ 6,250,000). If you think I mis
take, go through the calculation.
A short time after my sojourn at Versailles, when I
was the acknowledged mistress of the king, the duc de
Richelieu asked me if I had heard of the Parc-aux-Cerfs ?
I asked him, in my turn, what he meant, and if I could
procure any account of the place. He then told me of
the care which madame de Pompadour bestowed on
the place, the advantage she drew from it, and assured
me of the necessity for following her example. I spoke
of this to comte Jean, and begged his advice. My brother-
in-law replied: —
" You must do as the marquise de Pompadour did, and
as the duc de Richelieu has advised. They spend a vast
deal of money in this house, and I undertake to look
over their accounts. Nominate me your prime minister,
and I shall be the happiest of men. It is impossible but
there must be something to be gleaned from his majesty."
" In truth, my dear brother-in-law, you would be in
your element; money to handle and young girls to man
age. What more could you covet ? You will establish
a gaming table at the Parc-aux-Cerfs, and never quit it
again. "
Comte Jean began to laugh, and then seriously advised
me to follow the plain counsel of the duc de Richelieu.
I decided on doing so. I sent for Madame. She came
with all the dignity of an abbess of a regally founded
convent. But in spite of her pretensions, I only saw in
her the rival of Gourdan and Paris, and treated her as

282 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
such; that is, with some contempt, for with that feeling
her office inspired me. She told me all I have described
to you, and many other things which have since escaped
me. At that time there were only four Aleves in the
house. When she had given me all the details I wished,
I sent her away, . desiring to be informed of all that
passed in her establishment.

CHAPTER XXX.
Fete given by the comtesse de Valentinois — The comtesse du
Barry feigns an indisposition — Her dress — The duc de Cosse —
The comte and comtesse de Provence — Dramatic entertainment —
Favart and Voisenon — A few observations — A pension — The
marechale de Luxembourg — Adventure of M. de Bombelles — Copy
of a letter addressed to him — Louis XV. — M. de Maupeou and
madame du Barry.
My present situation was not a little embarrassing;
known and recognised as the mistress of the king,
it but ill accorded with my feelings to be compelled
to add to that title the superintendent of his pleasures;
and I had not yet been sufficiently initiated into the in
trigues of a court life to accept this strange charge without
manifest dislike and hesitation. Nevertheless, whilst so
many were contending for the honour of that which I
condemned, I was compelled to stifle my feelings and
resign myself to the bad as well as the good afforded by
my present situation; at a future period I shall have
occasion again to revert to the Parc-aux-Cerfs during the
period of my reign, but for the present I wish to change
the subject by relating to you what befell me at a fete
given me by madame de Valentinois, while she feigned
to give it in the honour of madame de Provence.
The comtesse de Valentinois, flattered by the kindness of
the dauphiness's manner towards her, and wishing still
further to insinuate herself into her favour, imagined
she should promote her object by requesting that princess
would do her the honour to pass an evening at her house ;
her request was granted, and that too before the duchesse
de la Vauguyon could interfere to prevent it. Furious
at not having been apprized of the invitation till too late
to cause its rejection, she vowed to make the triumphant (283)

284 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
countess pay dearly for her triumph; for my own part I
troubled myself very little with the success of madame de
Valentinois, which, in fact, I perceived would rather assist
than interfere with my projects. Hitherto I had not made
my appearance at any of the houses of the nobility when
the princesses were invited thither; this clearly proved to
the public, in general, how great was the opposition I
experienced from the court party. I was now delighted to
prove to the Parisians that I was not always to lead the life
of a recluse, but that I could freely present myself at those
parties to which other ladies were invited. However,
as my friends apprehended that the comtesse de Provence
might prevail upon her lady of honour not to invite me, by
the advice of the chancellor and the minister for foreign
affairs, it was arranged that I should for a week previous
to the fete feign a severe indisposition. It would be im
possible to describe the joy with which these false tidings
were received by my enemies. We are all apt to picture
things as we would have them, and already the eager
imaginations of the opposing party had converted the
account of my illness into an incurable and mortal disease.
Every hour my friends brought me in fresh anecdotes
of the avidity with which the rumour of my dangerous
state had been received, whilst I lay upon what the
credulous hopes of my enemies had determined to be
my death-bed, laughing heartily at their folly, and pre
paring fresh schemes to confound and disappoint their
anticipated triumph.
One very important object of consideration was my
dress for the coming occasion. The king presented me
with a new set of jewels, and himself selected the materials
for my robe and train, which were to be composed of a
rich green satin embroidered with gold, trimmed with
wreaths of roses, and looped up with pearls; the lower
part of this magnificent dress was trimmed with a pro
fusion of the finest Flemish lace. I wore on my head
a garland of full blown roses, composed of the finest
green and gold work; round my forehead was a string
of beautiful pearls, from the centre of which depended
a diamond star; add to this a pair of splendid ear-rings,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 285
valued at 100,000 crowns, with a variety of jewels
equally costly, and you may form some idea of my ap
pearance on that eventful evening. The king, who pre
sided at my toilette, could not repress his admiration;
he even insisted upon clasping my necklace, in order
that he might, as he said, flatter himself with having
completed such a triumph of nature and art.
At the hour fixed upon I set out, conducted by the
dues d'Aiguillon and de Coss6; and now I remember I
have introduced this latter to you for the first time,
however I will promise that it will not be for the last;
he possessed, and still possesses all the virtues of his
noble house, he was impetuous from a deeply feeling
heart, and proud from a consciousness of being properly
appreciated. Young, handsome, and daring, he was pre
eminently calculated both to inspire love, and to feel it;
it was quite impossible for him to fail in winning the
affections of any female he exerted himself to please,
and even at the present time that he has lost some of
his earlier graces, he is still irresistible as ever; his nat
urally gay disposition was but ill suited to nourishing
grave or philosophic reasoning, but then he was the soul
of company, and possessed a fine and delicate wit which
ever vented itself in the most brilliant sallies. M. de
Cosse1, like the knights of old, was wholly devoted to his
king and his mistress, and would, I am sure, had oc
casion required it, have nobly died in defence of either;
I only pray he may never be put to the proof. I saw
much of him at the beginning of our acquaintance, but
as his many amiable qualities became better known, I found
myself almost continually in his society, indeed as I
have something to confess in the business, I could hardly
choose a better opportunity than the present, did I not
recollect that the good duc d'Aiguillon is waiting all
this while for me to announce the entre"e of our party
into the anteroom of Madame de Valentinois.
My entrance was a complete coup-de-thMtre. I had
been imagined languishing on the bed of sickness, yet
there I stood in all the fulness of health and freshness
of beauty. I could very easily read upon each counte-

286 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
nance the vexation and rage my appearance of entire
freedom from all ailment excited; however, I proceeded
without any delay to the mistress of the house, whom I
found busily engaged in seating her visitors, and playing
the amiable to the dauphiness. This princess seemed
equally astonished at my unexpected apparition; never
theless, taken off her guard, she could not prevent her
self from courteously returning the profound salutation I
made her. As for the duchesse de la Vauguyon, when
she saw me, she turned alternately from red to white,
and was even weak enough to give public vent to her
fury. The comte de Provence, who had been told that
I was not expected, began to laugh when he perceived
me, and taking the first opportunity of approaching me,
he said, "Ah, madame! so you too can mystify your
friends, I see! Have a care; the sight of charms like
yours is sufficient to strike terror into any adversaries,
without having recourse to any expedient to heighten
their effect." Saying this he passed on without giving
me the opportunity of replying, as I could have wished
to have done.
The marechale de Mirepoix, to whom I had confided
my secret, and of whose fidelity I was assured, was
present at the fete. I availed myself of the offer of a
seat near her and directly we were seated, " You are a
clever creature, " said she, " for you have completely be
wildered all the female part of this evening's society,
and by way of a finishing stroke will run away with the
hearts of all the flutterers here, before the fair ladies
they were previously hovering around, have recovered
their first astonishment."
"Upon my word," said I, smiling, "I do not wonder at
the kind looks with which the ladies favour me, if my
presence is capable of producing so much mischief."
"Pray, my dear," answered the marechale, "be under
no mistake ; you might be as much beloved as others are,
if you did not monopolize the king's affections; the con
sequence is, that every woman with even a passable face
looks upon you as the usurper of her right, and as the
fickle gentlemen who woo these gentle ladies are all ready

COMTESSE DU BARRY 287
to transfer their homage to you directly you appear, you
must admit that your presence is calculated to produce
no inconsiderable degree of confusion."
The commencement of a play which formed part of the
evening's entertainment obliged us to cease further con
versation. The first piece represented was " Rose et Colas, " a charm
ing pastoral, to which the music of Monsigny gave a fresh
charm; the actors were selected from among the best
of the Com^die Italienne — the divine Clairval, and the
fascinating mademoiselle Caroline. I was completely
enchanted whilst the play lasted ; I forgot both my cabals
and recent triumph, and for a while believed myself
actually transported to the rural scenes it represented,
surrounded by the honest villagers so well depicted; but
this delightful vision soon passed away, and soon, too
soon I awoke from it to find myself surrounded by my
excellent friends at court.
" Rose et Colas " was followed by a species of comedy
mixed with songs. This piece was wholly in honour of
the dauphiness, with the exception of some flattering
and gallant allusions to myself and some gross compli
ments to my cousin the chancellor, who, in new silk
robe and a fine powdered wig, was also present at this
fete. The performers in this little piece, who were Favart,
the actor, and Voisenon, the priest, must have been fully
satisfied with the reception they obtained, for the comedy
was applauded as though it had been one of the chefs
d'oeuvre of Voltaire. In general a private audience is very
indulgent so long as the representation lasts, but no sooner
has the curtain fallen than they indulge in a greater
severity of criticism than a public audience would do.
And so it happened on the evening in question ; one couplet
had particularly excited the discontent of the spectators,
male and female; I know not what prophetic spirit in
spired the lines.
The unfortunate couplet was productive of much offence
against the husband and lover of madame Favart, for
the greater part of the persons present perfectly detested

288 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
my poor cousin, who was " to clip the wings of chicanery. **
Favart managed to escape just in time, and the abb6 de
Voisenon, who was already not in very high favour with his
judges, was compelled to endure the full weight of their
complaints and reproaches; every voice was against him, and
even his brethren of the French academy, departing from
their accustomed indulgence upon such matters, openly
reprimanded him for the grossness of his flattery ; the poor
abbe" attempted to justify himself by protesting that he
knew nothing of the hateful couplet, and that Favart alone
was the guilty person upon whom they should expend their
anger. " I am always, " cried he, " doomed to suffer for the
offences of others; every kind of folly is made a pres
ent to me."
"Have a care, monsieur l'abb6," exclaimed d'Alembert,
who was among the guests, "have a care! men seldom
lavish their gifts but upon those who are rich enough
to return the original present in a tenfold degree."
This somewhat sarcastic remark was most favourably
received by all who heard it, it quickly circulated
through the room, while the poor, oppressed abbe" pro
tested, with vehement action.
The fete itself was most splendidly and tastefully con
ducted, and might have sent the different visitors home
pleased and gratified in an eminent degree, had not
spite and ill-nature suggested to madame de la Vau
guyon, that as the chancellor and myself were present,
it must necessarily have been given with a view of
complimenting us rather than madame de Provence. 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 ap
proached 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

FACSIMILE OF LETTER FROM MME. DU BARRY
TO THE DUC DE BRISSAC.

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C-l*uy

TRANSLATION
Heavens! my dear friend, how sad are the days when I am
deprived of the happiness of passing the time with you, and with
what joy do I watch for the moment which will brino- you to me.
I shall not go to Paris to-day, because the person I was going to
see is coming Thursday. As you will be going away, I shall
visit the barracks instead, for I believe you approve of the object.
Adieu. I await you with impatience, with a heart wholly yours,
which, in spite of your injustice, could never belong to any other,
even if I had the wish. I think of you and that word of yours
which you will surely regret; and still another regret is that I am
deprived of you. That is the watchword of each instant.
The Countess du Barry.
At Louvecienne, Noon.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 289
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."
Madame de Valentinois came to me with tears in her
eyes to repeat the cruel remark of the princess; the
marechale de Mirepoix, who heard her, sought to con
sole her by assurances, that it would in no degree affect
her interest at court. " Never mind, my good friend, " said
she; "the pretty bird merely warbles the notes it learns
from its keeper la Vauguyon, and will as quickly forget
as learn them. Nevertheless, the king owes you a rec
ompense for the vexation it has occasioned you."
Immediately that I found myself alone with the mare
chale, I inquired of her what was the nature of the
reparation she considered madame de Valentinois entitled
to expect from the hands of his majesty. She replied,
" ' Tis on your account alone that the poor countess
has received her late mortification; the king is therefore
bound to atone for it in the form of a pension. Money,
my dear, money is a sovereign cure at court; calms
every grief and heals every wound."
I fully agreed with the good-natured marechale; and,
when I bade the sorrowful madame de Valentinois good
night, I assured her I would implore his majesty to re
pair the mischief my presence had caused. Accordingly
on the following day, when the king questioned me as
to how far I had been amused with the fete given by
madame de Valentinois, I availed myself of the opening
to state my entire satisfaction, as well as to relate the
disgrace into which she had fallen, and to pray his
majesty to bestow upon her a pension of 15,000 livres.
" Upon my word, " exclaimed Louis XV. , hastily trav
ersing the chamber, "this fete seems likely to prove a
costly one to me."
"Nay, sire," said I, "it was a most delightful evening;
and you will not, I hope, refuse me such a trifle for
those who lavished so much for my amusement."
" Well, " cried he, " be it so ; the countess shall have
the sum she requires, but upon condition that she does
not apply to me again."
19

290 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Really your majesty talks, " replied I, " as though
this trifling pension were to be drawn from your own
purse. "
The king began to smile at my remark, like a man who
knows himself found out, I knew him well enough to be
certain that, had he intended the pension awarded madame
de Valentinois to come from his own privy purse, he would
scarcely have consented to bestowing on her more than a
shabby pittance of a thousand livres per annum. It is
scarcely possible to conceive an idea of the excessive
economy of this prince. I remember, that upon some
great occasion, when it was requisite to support the public
treasury, which was failing, by a timely contribution, the
duc de Choiseul offered the loan of 250,000 livres, whilst
the king, to the astonishment of all who heard him, con
fined his aid to 2,000 louis! The marechale de Mirepoix
used to assert that Louis XV. was the only prince of his
line who ever knew the value of a crown. She had, never
theless, managed to receive plenty from him, although, I
must own, that she had had no small difficulty in obtaining
them ; nor did the king part with his beloved gold without
many a sigh of regret.
At the house of madame de Valentinois I met the
marechale de Luxembourg, who had recently returned
from Chanteloup. There really was something of in
fatuation in the general mania which seemed to prevail
of treating the king's sentiments with indifference, and
considering his displeasure as an affair of no consequence.
Before the disgrace of the Choiseuls they were equally the
objects of madame de Luxembourg's most bitter hatred,
nor was madame de Grammont backward in returning her
animosity; yet, strange as it may seem, no sooner was the
Choiseul party exiled, than the marechale never rested till
she saw her name engraved on the famous pillar erected to
perpetuate the remembrance of all those who had visited
the exiles. She employed their mutual friends to effect
a reconciliation, which was at length effected by letter,
and a friendly embrace exchanged by proxy. These pre
liminaries over, the marechale came to the king to make
the request to which he had now become accustomed, but

COMTESSE DU BARRY 291
which did not the less amuse him. Of course Louis XV.
made no hesitation in granting her the request she
solicited. Speaking to me of the subject, he said, " The
tender meeting of madame de Grammont and the marechale
de Luxembourg must indeed be an overpowering sight;
I only trust these two ladies may not drop the mask
too soon, and bite each other's ear while they are em
bracing. "
Madame de Luxembourg, daughter of the duc de
Villeroi, had been first married to the duc de Boufflers,
whose brows she helped to adorn with other ornaments
than the ducal coronet ; nor whilst her youth and beauty
lasted was she less generous to her second husband: she
was generally considered a most fascinating woman, from
the loveliness of her person and the vivacity of her
manners; but behind an ever ready wit, lurked the most
implacable malice and hatred against all who crossed her
path or purpose. As she advanced in life she became
more guarded and circumspect, until at last she set her
self up as the arbitress of high life, and the youthful part
of the nobility crowded around her, to hear the lessons of
her past experience. By the number and by the power
of her pupils, she could command both the court and
city; her censures were dreaded, because pronounced in
language so strong and severe, as to fill those who in
curred them with no hope of ever shining in public opinion
whilst so formidable a veto was uttered against them ; and
her decrees, from which there was no appeal, either
stamped a man with dishonour, or introduced him as a first-
rate candidate for universal admiration and esteem, and
her hatred was as much dreaded as ever her smiles had
been courted: for my own part, I always felt afraid of
her, and never willingly found myself in her presence.
After I had obtained for madame de Valentinois the
boon I solicited, I was conversing with the king re
specting madame de Luxembourg, when the chancellor
entered the room; he came to relate to his majesty an
affair which had occasioned various reports, and much
scandal. The viscount de Bombelles, an officer in an
hussar regiment, had married a mademoiselle Camp.

292 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
Reasons, unnecessary for me to seek to discover, induced
him, all at once, to annul his marriage, and profiting
by a regulation which forbade all good Catholics from
intermarrying with those of the reformed religion, he
demanded the dissolution of his union with mademoi
selle Camp. This attempt on his part to violate, upon
such grounds, the sanctity of the nuptial vow, whilst it
was calculated to rekindle the spirit of religious perse
cution, was productive of very unfavourable consequences
to the character of M. de Bombelles; the great cry was
against him, he stood alone and unsupported in the con
test, for even the greatest bigots themselves would not
intermeddle or appear to applaud a matter which attacked
both honour and good feeling: the comrades of M. de
Bombelles refused to associate with him; but the finish
ing stroke came from his old companions at the mili
tary school, where he had been brought up. On the
27th of November, 1771, the council of this establish
ment wrote him the following letter: —
"The military school have perused with equal indignation and
grief the memorials which have appeared respecting you in the pub
lic prints. Had you not been educated in this establishment, we
should merely have looked upon your affair with mademoiselle Camp
as a scene too distressing for humanity and it would have been
buried in our peaceful walls beneath the veil of modesty and silence;
but we owe it to the youth sent to us by his majesty, for the incul
cation of those principles which become the soldier as the man, not
to pass over the present opportunity of inspiring them with a just
horror of your misguided conduct, as well as feeling it an imperative
duty to ourselves not to appear indifferent to the scandal and dis
graceful confusion your proceedings have occasioned in the capital.
We leave to the ministers of our religion, and the magistrates who
are appointed to guard our laws, to decide upon the legality of the
bonds between yourself and mademoiselle Camp, but by one tribunal
you are distinctly pronounced guilty towards her, and that is the
tribunal of honour, before that tribunal which exists in the heart of
every good man. You have been universally cited and condemned.
There are some errors which all the impetuosity of youth is unable
to excuse, and yours are unhappily of that sort. The different per
sons composing this establishment, therefore, concur not only in
praying of us to signify their sentiments, but likwise to apprize
you, that you are unanimously forbidden to appear within these
walls again."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 293
The chancellor brought to the king a copy of this
severe letter, to which I listened with much emotion,
nor did the king seem more calm than myself.
"This is, indeed," said he at length, "a very sad af
fair; we shall have all the quarrels of Protestantism
renewed, as if I had not had already enough of those
of the Jansenists and Jesuits. As far as I can judge,
M. de Bombelles is entitled to the relief he seeks, and
every marriage contracted with a Protestant is null and
void by the laws of France."
"Oh, sire," cried I, "would I had married a Protes
tant." The king smiled for a moment at my jest, then re
sumed :
" I blame the military school. "
" Is it your majesty's pleasure," inquired the chan
cellor, " that I should signify your displeasure to them ? "
"No, sir," replied Louis, "it does not come within
your line pf duty, and devolves rather upon the minis
ter of war; and very possibly he would object to exe
cuting such a commission; for how could I step forward
as the protector of one who would shake off the moral
obligation of an oath directly it suits his inclinations to
doubt its legality ? This affair gives me great uneasiness,
and involves the most serious consequences. You will
see that I shall be overwhelmed with petitions and pam
phlets, demanding of me the revocation of the edict of
Nantes. "
" And what, sire, " asked the chancellor gravely, " could
you do, that would better consolidate the glory of your
reign ? *
" Chancellor," exclaimed Louis XV., stepping back with
unfeigned astonishment, "have you lost your senses ?
What would the clergy say or do ? The very thought
makes me shudder. Do you then believe, M. de Mau
peou, that the race of the Clements, the Ravaillacs, the
Damiens, are extinct in France?"
"Ah, sire, what needless fears."
"Not so needless as you may deem them," answered
the king. " I have been caught once, I am not going

294 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to expose myself to danger a second time. You know
the proverb, — no, no, let us leave things as my prede
cessors left them; besides, I shall not be sorry to leave
a little employment for my successor; he may get
through it how he can, and spite of all the clamouring of
the philosophers, the Protestants shall hold their present
privileges so long as I live. I will have neither civil
nor religious war, but live in peace and eat my supper
with a good appetite with you, my fair comtesse, for my
constant guest, and you, M. de Maupeou, for this even
ing's visitor."
The conversation here terminated.

CHAPTER XXXI.
Madame du Barry purchases the services of Marin the gazetteer —
Louis XV. and madame de Rumas — M. de Rumas and the com
tesse du Barry — An intrigue — Dinouement — A present upon the
occasion — The duc de Richelieu in disgrace — 100,000 livres.
This Marin, a provencal by birth, in his childhood one
of the choristers, and afterwards organist of the vil
lage church, was, at the period of which I am speak
ing, one of the most useful men possible. Nominated by M.
de St. Florentin to the post of censor royal, this friend
to the philosophers was remarkable for the peculiar tal
ent, with which he would alternately applaud and con
demn the writings af these gentlemen. Affixing his
sanction to two lines in a tragedy by Dorat had cost
him twenty-four hours' meditation within the walls of
the Bastille; and for permitting the representation of
some opera (the name of which I forget) he had been
deprived of a pension of 2,000 francs; but, wedded to
the delights of his snug post, Marin always contrived,
after every storm, to find his way back to its safe
harbor. He had registered a vow never to resign the
office of censor, but to keep it in despite of danger
and difficulty. I soon discovered that he passed from
the patronage of Lebel to that of Chamilly, and I was
not slow in conjecturing that he joined to his avocations
of censor and gazetteer that of purveyor to his majes
ty's petits amours.
Spite of my indefatigable endeavors to render Louis
XV. happy and satisfied with the pleasures of his own
home, he would take occasional wandering fits, and go
upon the ramble, sometimes in pursuit of a high-born
dame, at others eager to obtain a poor and simple gri-
sette ; and so long that the object of his fancy were but
(295)

296 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
new to him, it mattered little what were her claims to
youth, beauty, or rank in life. The marechale de Mire
poix frequently said to me, " Do you know, my dear
creature, that your royal admirer is but a very fickle
swain, who is playing the gay gallant when he ought to
be quietly seated at his own fireside. Have a care, he
is growing old, and his intellect becomes more feeble
each day; and what he would never have granted some
few years back, may be easily wrung from him now.
Chamilly aspires at governing his master, and Marin sec
onds him in his project."
At length, roused to a sense of impending evil, by the
constant reminding of the marechale, I summoned Marin
to my presence. " Now, sir, " said I, as he approached,
" I would have you to know that I am apprised of all
your tricks: you and your friend Chamilly are engaged
in a very clever scheme to improve your own fortunes
at the expense of the king your master."
Marin burst into loud protestations of his innocence,
declaring that he was as innocent as the lamb just born.
I refused to believe this, and desired he would explain to
me why he went so frequently to the apartments of M.
Chamilly. " Alas, madam ! " replied Marin, " I go thither but to
solicit his aid in craving the bounty of his majesty."
"You are for ever pleading poverty, miserly being,"
cried I ; " you are far richer than I am ; but since you want
money I will supply you with it, and in return you shall
be my secret newsman, and royal censor in my service.
Now understand me clearly; every month that you faith
fully bring me an account of certain goings on, I will
count into your hand five and twenty louis d'or. "
I must confess that Marin only accepted my propo
sition with much reluctance, but still he did accept it, and
withdrew, meditating, no doubt, how he should be en
abled to satisfy both Chamilly and myself.
A long time elapsed before Marin brought me any news
of importance, and I began to feel considerable doubts
of his fidelity, when he came to communicate a very im
portant piece of intelligence. He had just learned that

COMTESSE DU BARRY 297
Chamilly frequently went to Paris, the bearer of letters
from the king to a young and pretty female, named
madame de Rumas, who resided in the old rue du Temple.
Here was a pretty discovery; the king actually engaged
in a love affair, letters passing between him and his mis
tress, whilst the head valet de chambre was acting the
part of Mercury to the lovers. This indeed required some
speedy remedy, and I lost no time in summoning my
privy counsellor, comte Jean, whom I acquainted with
what had occurred, and begged his advice as to the best
measures to be pursued. " Indeed, " replied my brother-
in-law, "what others would do in our place would be
to throw M. Chamilly from one of the windows of the
chateau, and treat this his friend Marin with a lodging in
the Bastille; but, as we are persons of temper and mod
eration, we will go more gently to work. I will, in
the first place, gain every information relative to the
affair, that I may satisfy myself Marin is not seeking
to show his honest claims to your gold, by imposing
a forged tale upon your credulity; when that is ascer
tained we will decide upon our next best step."
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. He learnt that this lady had recently married
a person of her own rank, to whom she professed to be
violently attached; that they lived together with great
tranquillity, and had the reputation of conducting them
selves as persons of extreme propriety and regularity;
paid their debts, and avoided, by their air of neatness,
order, and modest reserve, the scandal of even their
most ill-natured neighbors. The husband was said to
be a great religionist, which increased the suspicions of
comte Jean. With regard to the epistolary correspondence
carried on by the lady, no information could be gleaned
in that quarter.
Marin was again sent for by my brother-in-law, who
questioned and cross-questioned with so much address,
that Marin found it impossible to conceal any longer the

298 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
remaining part of the affair, of which he had before
communicated but so much as his policy deemed advis
able. He confessed that he had originally mentioned
madame de Rumas (whom he himself had long known)
to Chamilly, had shown him several of her letters; and,
as he expected, the style of these epistles so pleased the
head valet, that he expressed a wish to see the fair
writer. Marin accordingly introduced him to the rue du
Temple, where he was most graciously received, and
returned home enchanted with the lady: he spoke of her
to the king, strongly recommending his majesty to judge
for himself. 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 duti
ful respect for his majesty. She replied to the royal
note in so prudent yet obliging a manner, that the king
was enchanted. This effective billet was answered by a
second letter from the king, which obtained a reply even
more tenderly charming than the one which preceded it.
An interview was next < solicited and granted; for a visit
was such a trifle to refuse. The royal guest became
pressing and the lady more reserved, till the time was
lost in attempts at convincing each other. 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. This was going too far; and Louis XV.,
who thought it no scandal to have a hundred mistresses,
was alarmed at the thoughts of occasioning the bustle
and confusion attendant upon disgracing his acknowledged
favorite and recognised mistress; he therefore assured
her, her request was beyond his power to grant.
Madame de Rumas now sought to compromise the
affair, by talking of a share in his favor. She asked, she
said, but the heart of her beloved monarch, and would
freely leave me in possession of all power and influence.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 299
The king whose heart was regularly promised once a day,
did not hesitate to assure her of his fidelity, and his wily
enslaver flattered herself, that with time and clever man
agement, she should succeed in inducing him to break
off those ties which he now refused to break.
Things were in this state when Marin divulged to us
the intrigue conducted by Chamilly, and directed, though
in a covert manner, by the mar6chal duc de Richelieu.
This spiteful old man possessed no share of the talent
of his family ; and, not contented with the favor bestowed
on his nephew, thought only of his personal credit and
influence, which he fancied he should best secure by
introducing a new mistress to the king. This well-con
cocted scheme threw both comte Jean and myself into
a perfect fury. We dismissed Marin with a present of
fifty louis, and my brother-in-law besought of me to
grant him four and twenty hours undisturbed reflection,
whilst, on my side, I assured him I should not rest until
we had completely discomfited our enemies.
On the following day comte Jean laid before me several
projects, which were far from pleasing in my eyes; too
much time was required in their execution. I knew the
king too well to be blind to the danger of allowing this
mere whim of the moment to take root in his mind. One
idea caught my fancy, and without mentioning it to
comte Jean, I determined upon carrying it into execution.
The mare"chale de Mirepoix happened at this moment
not to be at Paris at her hotel in the rue Bergere, but
at her country house, situated au Port a l'Anglaise. I
signified to the king my intention of passing a couple
of days with the marechale, and accordingly set out for
that purpose. Upon my arrival at Paris I merely changed
horses, and proceeded onwards with all possible despatch
to rejoin the marechale, who was quite taken by surprise
at my unexpected arrival. After many mutual embraces
and exchange of civilities, I explained to her the whole
affair which had brought me from Versailles. The good-
natured marechale could not believe her ears. She soon,
however, comprehended the nature of my alarms; and
so far from seeking to dissipate them, urged me to lose

300 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
no time in crushing an affair, which grew more threatening
from each day's delay. 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.
That lady would doubtless have preferred my asking
her to assist me in any other way, but still she could
not refuse to serve me in the manner described: for I
either bestowed on her all she desired, or caused others
to gratify her slightest request; and how could she be
sure, that were my reign to end, she might derive the
same advantages from any new favorite ? 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 mare
chale, and then returned to sleep at Paris.
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. Now-a-days such a
mode of dissembling would be too flimsy to impose
even on children; and hypocrites are ever greater pro
ficients in their art than was even M. de Rumas.
Madame de Mirepoix left us alone together, in order
that I might converse more freely with him. I knew
not how to begin, but made many attempts to convey,
in an indirect manner, the reasons for his being sum
moned to that day's conference. However, hints and
insinuations were alike thrown away upon one who had
determined neither to use eyes nor ears but as interest
pointed out the reasonableness of so doing; and ac
cordingly, unable longer to repress my impatience, I
exclaimed abruptly,
" Pray, sir, do you know who I am ? "
"Yes, madam," replied he, with a profound bow, and
look of the deepest humility, "you are the comtesse du
Barry."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 301
"Well, sir," added I, "and you are equally well aware,
no doubt, of the relation in which I stand to the king ? " ,
" But, madam — "
" Nay, sir, answer without hesitation ; I wish you to
be candid, otherwise my exceeding frankness may dis
please you. "
"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—" " 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."
" 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 yester
day; take it and read it."
"Heaven preserve me, madam," exclaimed the time
serving wretch, "from presuming to cast my eyes over
what is meant only for his majesty's gracious perusal;
it would be an act of treason I am not capable of com
mitting. "
" Then, sir, " returned I, " I may reasonably conclude
that it is with your sanction and concurrence your wife
intrigues with the king ? "
"Ah, madam," answered the wily de Rumas, in a soft
and expostulating tone, "trouble not, I pray you, the
repose of my family. I know too well the virtue of madame

302 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
de Rumas, her delicacy, and the severity of her principles ;
I know too well likewise the sentiments in which her
excellent parents educated her, and I defy the blackest
malice to injure her in my estimation."
" Wonderfully, sir ! ** cried I ; "so you determine to be
lieve your wife's virtue incorruptible, all the while you are
profiting by her intrigues. However, I am too certain of
what I assert to look on with the culpable indifference you
are pleased to assume, whilst your virtuous wife is seeking
to supplant me at the chateau ; you shall hear of me before
long. Adieu, sir."
So saying, I quitted the room in search of the marechale,
to whom I related what had passed.
" And now, what think you of so base a hypocrite ? "
asked I, when I had finished my account.
" He well deserves having the mask torn from his face,"
replied she ; " but give yourself no further concern ; return
home, and depend upon it, that, one way or other, I will
force him into the path of honor."
I accordingly ordered my carriage and returned to
Versailles, where, on the same evening, I received the fol
lowing letter from the marechale: —
"My dear countess, — My efforts have been attended with no bet
ter success than yours. Well may the proverb say, 'There is none so
deaf as he who will not hear,' and M. de Rumas perseveres in treat
ing all I advanced respecting his wife as calumnious falsehoods. Ac
cording to his version of the tale, madame de Rumas has no other
motive in seeing Louis XV. so frequently, but to implore his aid in
favor of the poor in her neighborhood. I really lost all patience when
I heard him attempting to veil his infamous conduct under the mask
of charity ; I therefore proceeded at once to menaces, telling him that
you had so many advantages over his wife, that you scorned to con
sider her your rival; but that, nevertheless, you did not choose that
any upstart pretender should dare ask to share his majesty's heart.
To all this he made no reply ; and as the sight of him only increased
my indignation, I at length desired him to quit me. I trust you
will pardon me for having spoken in as queenlike a manner as you
could have done yourself. "Adieu, my sweet friend."
This letter was far from satisfying me, and I de
termined upon striking a decisive blow. I sent for
Chamilly. and treating him with all the contempt he

COMTESSE DU BARRY 303
deserved, I told him, that if the king did not immedi
ately give up this woman he might prepare for his own
immediate dismissal. At first Chamilly sought to ap
pease my anger by eager protestations of innocence,
but when he found I already knew the whole affair,
and was firmly fixed in my determination, he became
alarmed, threw himself at my knees, and promised to
do all I would have him. We then agreed to tell
Louis XV. some tale of madame de Rumas that should
effectually deter him from thinking further of her.
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 inter
vention of his mistress. Louis XV. wrote off instantly
to M. de Sartines, to have a watchful eye over the pro
ceedings of the Rumas family. The lieutenant of police,
who had some regard for me, and a still greater portion
of fear, was faithful to my interests, and rendered to
Louis XV. the most horrible particulars of the profligate
mode of life pursued by madame de Rumas; assuring
him, that from every consideration of personal safety,
his majesty should shun the acquaintance. The king,
incensed at the trick put upon him by these seemingly
virtuous people, was at first for confining both husband
and wife in prison, but this measure I opposed with all
my power; for, satisfied with the victory I had gained,
I cared for no further hurt to my adversaries. I con
trived to insinuate to the worthy pair the propriety of
their avoiding the impending storm by a timely retreat
into the country, a hint they were wise enough to follow
up, so that I was entirely freed from all further dread of
their machinations.
All those who had served me in this affair I liberally
rewarded; Marin received for his share 500 louis. It is
true he lost the confidence of Chamilly, but he gained
mine instead, so that it will easily be believed he was no
sufferer by the exchange. I caused the marechale to
receive from the king a superb Turkey carpet, to which
I added a complete service of Sevres porcelain, with a

304 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
beautiful breakfast set, on which were landscapes most
delicately and skilfully drawn in blue and gold: I gave
her also two large blue porcelain cots, as finely executed
as those you have so frequently admired in my small
saloon. These trifles cost me no less a sum than 2800
livres. I did not forget my good friend M. de Sartines,
who received a cane, headed with gold, around which
was a small band of diamonds. As for Chamilly, I granted
him his pardon; and I think you will admit that was
being sufficiently generous.
After having thus recompensed the zeal of my friends,
I had leisure to think of taking vengeance upon the
duc de Richelieu for the part he had acted. He came of
his own accord to throw himself into the very heat of
my anger. He had been calling on the marechale de
Mirepoix, where he had seen with envious eyes the mag
nificent carpet I had presented her with; the cupidity
of the duke induced him, after continually recurring to the
subject, to say, that where my friends were concerned, no
one could accuse me of want of liberality. " No, sir, "
answered I, " I consider that no price can sufficiently
repay the kind and faithful services of a true friend, nor
can baseness and treachery be too generally exposed and
punished." From the tone in which I spoke the . old
marechal easily perceived to what I was alluding. He
was wise enough to be silent, whilst I followed up this first
burst of my indignation, by adding,
" For instance, monsieur le duc, how can I sufficiently
repay your friendly zeal to supply the king with a new
mistress ? "
"I, madam?"
"Yes, sir, you; I am aware 01 all your kind offices, and
only lament my inability to reward them in a suitable
manner. "
" In that case I shall not attempt to deny my share in
the business."
" You have then sufficient honor to avow your enmity
towards me ? "
"By no means enmity, madam. I merely admit my
desire to contribute to the amusement of the king, and

COMTESSE DU BARRY 305
surely, when I see all around anxious to promote the
gratification of their sovereign, I need not be withheld
from following so loyal an example. The duc de Duras
was willing to present his own relation for his majesty's
acceptance, the abb6 Terray offers his own daughter,
comte Jean his sister-in-law, whilst I simply threw a
humble and modest female in his majesty's path. I can
not see in what my fault exceeds that of the gentlemen
I have just mentioned."
"You really are the most audacious of men," replied
I, laughing ; " I shall be obliged to solicit a lettre de
cachet to hold you a prisoner in Guienne. Upon my
word, your nephew and myself have a valuable and trust
worthy friend in you."
"Hark ye, madam," rejoined the marechal. "I know
not, in the first place, whether his majesty would very
easily grant you this lettre de cachet, which most cer
tainly I do not deserve. You have served my nephew
and neglected me; I wished to try the strength of my
poor wings, and I find, like many others, that I must
not hope to soar to any height."
While we were thus talking the marechale de Mirepoix
was announced. I was still much agitated, and she im
mediately turned towards the duke, as if to inquire of
him the cause of my distress: upon which, M. de Riche
lieu related all that had passed with a cool exactitude that
enraged me still further. When he had finished, I said,
" Well, madame la marechale, and what is your opinion
of all this ? »
" Upon my word, my dear countess, " answered madame
de Mirepoix, "you have ample cause for complaint, but
still this poor duke is not so culpable as you imagine
him to be. He has large expenses to provide for: and
to obtain the money requisite for them he is compelled
to look to his majesty, whose favor he desires to win
by administering to his pleasures."
" Alas ! " replied the duke, " can you believe that but
for the pressure of unavoidable circumstances I would
have separated myself from my nephew and my fair
friend there ? "

306 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Come, come, " cried the marechale, " I must restore
peace and harmony between you. As for you, my lord
duke, be a true and loyal subject; and you, my sweet
countess, use your best endeavors to prevail on the king
to befriend and assist his faithful servant."
I allowed myself to be managed like a child; and
instead of scratching the face of M. de Richelieu, I
obtained for him a grant of 100,000 livres, which the
court banker duly counted out to him.

CHAPTER XXXII.
A prefatory remark — Madame Brillant — The marechale de Luxem
bourg's cat — Despair of the marechale — The ambassador, Beau-
marchais, and the duc de Chaulnes — The comte d'Aranda — Louis
XV. and his relics — The abb6 de Beauvais — His sermons — He is
appointed bishop.
When I related to comte Jean my reconciliation with
the duc de Richelieu, and the sum which this
treaty had cost me, my brother-in-law flew into the
most violent fury; he styled the marechal a plunderer
of the public treasury. Well may the scripture tell us
we see the mote in our neighbor's eye, but regard not
the beam which is in our own eye. I was compelled
to impose silence on comte Jean, or in the height of his
rage he would have offered some insult to the old mare
chal, who already most heartily disliked him for the
familiarity of his tone and manner towards him. I did
all in my power to keep these two enemies from coming
in each other's way, counselled to that by the marechale
de Mirepoix, whose line of politics was of the most pa
cific nature; besides I had no inclination for a war car
ried on in my immediate vicinity, and, for my own part,
so far from wishing to harm any one, I quickly forgave
every affront offered to myself.
But hold! I perceive I am running on quite smoothly
in my own praise. Indeed, my friend, it is well I have
taken that office upon myself, for I fear no one else
would undertake it. The most atrocious calumnies have
been invented against me; I have been vilified both
in prose and verse ; and, amongst the great number of
persons on whom I have conferred the greatest obligations,
none has been found with sufficient courage or gratitude
(3<>7)

308 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to stand forward and undertake my defence. I do not
even except madame de Mirepoix, whose conduct towards
me in former days was marked by the most studied
attention. She came to me one evening, with a face
\ of grief.
" Mercy upon me, " cried I, " what ails you ? *
" Alas ! " replied she, in a piteous tone, " I have just
quitted a most afflicted family; their loss is heavy and
irreparable. The marechale de Luxembourg is well nigh
distracted with grief."
"Good heavens!" exclaimed I, "can the duchesse de
Lauzun be dead ? "
"Alas! no."
" Perhaps poor madame de Boufflers ? "
" No, my friend. "
"Who then is the object of so much regret? Speak;
tell me."
« Madame Brillant. "
" A friend of the old marechale's ? "
" More than a friend, " replied madame de Mirepoix ;
"her faithful companion; her only companion; her only
beloved object, since her lovers and admirers ceased to
offer their homage — in a word, her cat."
" Bless me ! " cried I, " how you frightened me ! but
what sort of a cat could this have been to cause so
many tears ? "
" Is it possible that you do not know madame Bril
lant, at least by name ? "
"I assure you," said I, "this is the very first time I
ever heard her name."
"Well, if it be so, I will be careful not to repeat
such a thing to madame de Luxembourg; she would
never pardon you for it. Listen, my dear countess,"
continued madame de Mirepoix; "under the present
circumstances it will be sufficient for you to write your
name in her visiting-book."
I burst into a fit of laughter.
"It is no joke, I promise you," exclaimed the mare
chale ; " the death of madame Brillant is a positive
calamity to madame de Luxembourg, Letters of condo-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 309
lence will arrive from Chanteloup; madame du Deffant
will be in deep affliction, and the virtues and amiable
qualities of the deceased cat will long furnish subjects
of conversation."
" It was then a singularly engaging animal, I presume ? "
"On the contrary, one of the most stupid, disagree
able, and dirty creatures of its kind; but still it was
the cat of madame de Luxembourg."
And after this funeral oration the marechale and my
self burst into a violent fit of laughter.
When the king joined us, I acquainted him with this
death, and my conversation with the marechale. Louis
XV. listened to my recital with an air of gravity ; when I
had finished, he said,
" The present opportunity is admirably adopted for satis
fying the request of one of my retinue, one of the best-
hearted creatures, and at the same time one of the silliest
men in the kingdom."
"I beg your pardon, sire," cried I, "but what is his
name ? For the description is so general, that I fear lest
I should be at a loss to recollect of whom you are
speaking. "
" You are very ill-natured, " cried Louis XV. , " and I
hardly know whether you deserve to be gratified by
hearing the name of the poor gentleman: however, I will
tell it to you; he is called Corbin de la Chevrollerie. A
few days since this simple young man, having solicited an
audience, informed me, that he was desirous of marrying a
rich heiress, but that the young lady's family were re
solved she should marry no one who was not previously
employed as an ambassador. I expressed my surprise at
so strange a caprice, but the poor fellow endeavored to
vindicate his bride's relations, by stating that they were
willing to consider him as my ambassador if I would only
commission him to carry some message of compliment
or condolence. Accordingly I promised to employ him
upon the occasion of the first death or marriage which
should take place in a ducal family. Now, I think I cannot
do better than make him the bearer of my inquiries
after the marechale de Luxembourg."

3io MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
This idea struck me as highly amusing, and I imme
diately dispatched a servant to summon M. de la Che
vrollerie to the presence of the king. This being done,
that gentleman presented himself with all the dignity
and importance of one who felt that a mission of high
moment was about to be entrusted to him.
His majesty charged him to depart immediately to the
house of madame de Luxembourg, and to convey his
royal master's sincere condolences for the heavy loss
she had sustained in madame Brillant.
M. Corbin de la Chevrollerie departed with much pride
and self-complacency upon his embassy: he returned in
about half an hour.
"Sire," cried he, "I have fulfilled your royal pleasure
to madame de Luxembourg. She desires me to thank
you most humbly for your gracious condescension: she
is in violent distress for the severe loss she has experi
enced, and begged my excuse for quitting me suddenly,
as she had to superintend the stuffing of the deceased."
"The stuffing!" exclaimed the king; "surely you mean
the embalming?"
" No, sire, " replied the ambassador, gravely, " the stuff
ing. »
" Monsieur de la Chevrollerie, " cried I, bursting into a
violent fit of laughter, "do you know in what degree of
relationship the deceased madame Brillant stood to ma
dame de Luxembourg ? "
" No, madam, " replied the ambassador, gravely, " but I
believe she was her aunt, for I heard one of the females
in waiting say, that this poor madame Brillant was very
old, and that she had lived with her mistress during the
last fourteen years."
Thus finished this little jest. However, Louis XV.,
who was extremely kind to all about him, especially those
in his service, shortly after recompensed his simple-
minded ambassador, by intrusting him with a commission
at once profitable and honorable.
Another event which took place at this period, caused
no less noise than the death of madame Brillant. At
this time, mademoiselle Mesnard was, for her many

COMTESSE DU BARRY 311
charms of mind and person, the general rage throughout
Paris. Courtiers, lawyers, bankers, and citizens crowded
alike to offer their homage. Frail as fair, mademoiselle
Mesnard received all kindly, and took with gracious
smiles the rich gifts showered upon her by her various
adorers. The first noblemen of the court, knights of
the different orders, farmers - general, all aspired to
the honor of ruining themselves for her. She had al
ready satisfied the ruinous propensities of at least a dozen
of lovers, when the duc de Chaulnes entered the lists, and
was fortunate enough to eclipse all his rivals. He might
long have enjoyed the preference thus obtained, but for
an act of the greatest imprudence of which a lover could
be guilty. He was so indiscreet as to invite several of
his most intimate friends to sup with himself and Ma
demoiselle Mesnard. Amongst the number was Caron
de Beaumarchais, a man possessed of the grace of a
prince and the generous profusion of a highwayman.
Caron de Beaumarchais attracted the fancy of the fickle
mademoiselle Mesnard, a mutual understanding was soon
established between them, and in a snug little cottage
surrounded by beautiful grounds in the environs of Pere
la Chaise, the enamored lovers frequently met to ex
change their soft vows.
Happily the deity who presided over the honor of
the duke was carefully watching their proceedings.
This guardian angel was no other than madame Duver-
ger, his former mistress, who, unable to bear the deser
tion of her noble admirer, had vowed, in the first burst
of rage and disappointment, to have revenge sooner or
later upon her triumphant rival. With this view she
spied out all the proceedings of mademoiselle Mesnard,
whose stolen interviews and infidelity she was not
long in detecting; she even contrived to win over a
femme de chambre, by whose connivance she was en
abled to obtain possession of several letters containing
irrefragable proofs of guilt, and these she immediately
forwarded to the duc de Chaulnes.
This proud and haughty nobleman might have par
doned his mistress had she quitted him for a peer of

312 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the realm and his equal, but to be supplanted by a
mere man of business, an author, too ! — the disgrace was
too horrible for endurance. The enraged lover flew to
Beaumarchais, and reproached him bitterly with his
treachery; the latter sought to deny the charge, but
the duke, losing all self-possession, threw the letters in
his face, calling him a base liar. At this insult, Beau
marchais, who, whatever his enemies may say of him,
was certainly not deficient in courage, demanded instant
satisfaction. The duke, by way of answer, seized the man
of letters by the collar, Beaumarchais called his ser
vants, who, in their turn, summoned the guard, which
speedily arrived accompanied by the commissary, and
with much difficulty they succeeded in removing M. de
Chaulnes (who appeared to have entirely lost his rea
son) from the room.
The conduct of the duke appeared to us completely out
of place, and he would certainly have answered for it
within the walls of the Bastille, had not his family made
great intercession for him. On the other hand, Beau
marchais, who eagerly availed himself of every opportunity
of writing memorials, composed one on the subject of
his quarrel with M. de Chaulnes, complaining that a great
nobleman had dared to force himself into his house, and
lay forcible hands on him, as though he were a thief or a
felon. The whole of the pamphlet which related to this
affair was admirably written, and, like the "Barber of
Seville," marked by a strongly sarcastic vein. However,
the thing failed, and the duc de la Vrilliere, the sworn
enemy of men of wit and talent, caused Beaumarchais to be
immediately confined within Fort l'Eveque. So that the
offended party was made to suffer the penalty of the
offence. In the same year the comte de Fuentes, ambassador
from Spain to the court of Louis XV., took leave of us.
He was replaced by the comte d'Aranda, who was in a
manner in disgrace with his royal master: this nobleman
arrived preceded by a highly flattering reputation. In the
first place, he had just completed the destruction of the
Jesuits, and this was entitling him to no small thanks and

COMTESSE DU BARRY 313
praises from encyclopedists. Every one knows those two
lines of Voltaire's —
"Aranda dans I'Espagne instruisant les fidkles,
A r inquisition vient de rogner les ailes.i*
The simplicity of comte d' Aranda indemnified us in
some degree for the haughty superciliousness of his pred
ecessor. Although no longer young, he still preserved
all the tone and vigor of his mind, and only the habit
which appeared to have been born with him of reflecting,
gave him a slow and measured tone in speaking. His
reserved and embarrassed manners were but ill-calculated
to show the man as he really was, and it required all the
advantages of intimacy to see him in his true value. You
may attach so much more credit to what I say of this in
dividual, as I can only add, that he was by no means one
of my best friends.
When Louis XV. heard of the nomination of the comte
d'Aranda to the embassy from Spain to France, he ob
served to me,
" The king of Spain gets rid of his Choiseul by sending
him to me."
" Then why not follow so excellent an example, sire ? "
replied I ; " and since your Choiseul is weary of Chante
loup, why not command him upon some political errand to
the court of Madrid."
" Heaven preserve me from such a thing," exclaimed
Louis XV. " Such a man as he is ought never t o quit
the kingdom, and I have been guilty of considerable over
sight to leave him the liberty of so doing. But to return
to comte d'Aranda ; he has some merit I understand ; still
I like not that class of persons around me; they are in
exorable censors, who condemn alike every action of my
life." However, not the king's greatest enemy could have
found fault with his manner of passing his leisure hours.
A great part of each day was occupied in a mysterious
manufacture of cases for relics, and one of his valets
de chambre, named Turpigny, was intrusted with the
commission of purchasing old shrines and reliquaries;

314 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
he caused the sacred bones, or whatever else they con
tain, to be taken out by Grandelatz, one of his almoners,
re-adjusted, and then returned to new cases. These
reliquaries were distributed by him to his daughters, or
any ladies of the court of great acknowledged piety.
When I heard of this I mentioned it to the king, who
wished at first to conceal the fact; but, as he was no
adept at falsehood or disguise, he was compelled to ad
mit the fact.
" I trust, sire, " said I, " that you will bestow one of
your prettiest and best-arranged reliquaries on me."
"No, no," returned he, hastily, "that cannot be."
" And why not ? ** asked I.
"Because," answered he, "it would be sinful of me.
Ask anything else in my power to bestow, and it shall
be yours."
This was no hypocrisy on the part of Louis XV.,
who, spite of his somewhat irregular mode of life,
professed to hold religion in the highest honor and es
teem; to all that it proscribed he paid the submission
of a child. We had ample proofs of this in the ser
mons preached at Versailles by the abbe de Beauvais,
afterwards bishop of Senetz.
This ecclesiastic, filled with an inconsiderate zeal, feared
not openly to attack the king in his public discourses;
he even went so far as to interfere with many things
of which he was not a competent judge, and which by
no means belonged to his jurisdiction: in fact, there
were ample grounds for sending the abbe to the Bastille.
The court openly expressed its dissatisfaction at this au
dacity, and for my own part I could not avoid evincing
the lively chagrin it caused me. Yet, would you believe
it, Louis XV. declared, in a tone from which there was
no appeal, that this abbe had merely done his duty, and
that those who had been less scrupulous in the perform
ance of theirs, would do well to be silent on the subject.
This was not all: the cardinal de la Roche Aymon, his
grand almoner, refused to sanction the nomination of M.
de Beauvais to the bishopric, under the pretext of his not
being nobly descended.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 315
M. de Beyons, bishop of Carcassone, a prelate of irre
proachable character, was deeply distressed to find that
the want of birth would exclude M. de Beauvais from the
dignities of his holy profession. He went to discuss
the matter with the grand almoner, who again advanced
his favorite plea for excluding M. de Beauvais. " My
lord," replied M. de Beyons, "if I believed that nobility
of descent were the chief requisite for our advancement
in our blessed calling, I would trample my crosier under
foot, and renounce for ever all church dignities."
M. de Beyons sought the king, and loudly complained
to him of the infatuation and obstinacy of M. de la
Roche Aymon. Louis XV. however commanded that
M. de Beauvais should be appointed to the first vacant
see, and when the grand almoner repeated his objections
to the preferment, the king answered, " Monsieur le car
dinal, in the days of our blessed Saviour the apostles had
no need to present their genealogical tree, duly witnessed
and attested. It is my pleasure to make M. de Beau
vais a bishop; let that end the discussion of the matter."
The command was too peremptory to admit of any
course but instant and entire submission.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
M. D  n and madame de Blessac — Anecdote — The rendezvous
and the ball — The wife of Gaubert — They wish to give her to
the king — Intrigues — Their results — Letter from the duc de
la Vrilliere to the countess — Reply — Reconciliation.
Amongst the pages of the chapel was one whom the king
distinguished so greatly, that he raised him to the
rank of a gentleman of the bedchamber, and confided
to his charge the cabinet of medals, for which he had im
bibed a taste since his liaison with madame de Pompadour.
This esteemed page was named M. D  n, who united to
the most amiable wit a varied and deep knowledge of men
and things. He had had adventures at an age when they
are usually just understood, and talked of them with the
utmost indiscretion. But this so far from doing him
any injury in the eyes of the world only served to make
him the more admired; for women in general have an in
clination for those who do not respect their reputation.
At the period I allude to a madame de Blessac, a very
well-looking woman, took upon herself to be very kindly
disposed towards the gentleman-in-waiting. She told
him so, and thereupon M. de D  n ranged himself
under her banner, and swore eternal constancy. How
ever, the lady, by some accident, became greatly smitten
with the prince de la Trimouille, and without quitting
the little keeper of medals, gave him a lord for a sub
stitute. M. D  n soon learnt this fact, that he was
not the sole possessor of a heart which formed all his
joy and glory. He found he was deceived, and he swore
to be revenged.
Now the prince de la Trimouille had for his mistress
mademoiselle Lubert, an opera-dancer, very pretty and
extraordinarily silly. M. D  n went to her; " Ma-
(316)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 317
demoiselle," said he, " I come to offer my services to you
in the same way that M. de la Trimouille has offered his
to madame de Blessac, with whom I was on exceedingly
intimate terms."
The services of young D  n were accepted, and he
was happy. He then wrote to his former mistress, saying,
that anxious to give her a proof of his sincere attachment
he had visited mademoiselle Lubert, that he might leave
her at leisure to receive the visits of the prince de la
Trimouille. Madame de Blessac, stung to the quick, quarrelled
with the prince, who was excessively enraged with his
rival; and there certainly would have been an affair
between these two gentlemen, had not the king preserved
the peace by sending his gentleman to St. Petersburg
as attache" to the embassy. M. D  n went to Russia,
therefore, and on his return came to see me, and is now
one of the most welcome and agreeable of the men of
my private circle.
As to madame de Blessac, she continued to carry
on the war in grand style. Her husband dying she
married again a foolish count, thrfee parts ruined, and
who speedily dissipated the other quarter of his own
fortune and the whole of his wife's. Madame Ramoski
then attacked the rich men of the day one after another.
One alone stood out against her; it was M. de la Garde,
who had been one of my admirers. Madame Ramoski
wrote to him; he did not answer. At length she de
termined on visiting him, and wrote him a note, to say
that she should call upon him about six o'clock in the
evening. What did M. de la Garde ? Why he gave a
ball on that very evening; and, when madame Ramoski
reached his hotel, she found it illuminated. As she had
come quite unprepared she was compelled to return as
she came, very discontentedly.
But to leave madame de Blessac and M. D  n, and
to talk of my own matters. We had at this period a
very great alarm at the chateau, caused by the crime of
a man, who preferred rather to assassinate his wife than
to allow her to dishonor him. It is worthy of narration.

318 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
A pretty shopkeeper of Paris, named Gaubert, who
lived in the rue de la Montagne Sainte-Genevieve, had
recently married a woman much younger than himself.
From the Petit Pont to the rue Mouffetard, madame
Gaubert was talked of for her lovely face and beautiful
figure; she was the Venus of the quarter. Everybody
paid court to her, but she listened to none of her own
rank, for her vanity suggested that she deserved suitors
of a loftier rank.
Her husband was very jealous. Unfortunately M. Gau
bert had for cousin one of the valets of the king: this
man, who knew the taste of his master, thought how he
could best turn his pretty cousin to account. He spoke
to her of the generosity of Louis XV., of the grandeur
of Versailles, and of the part which her beauty entitled
her to play there. In fact, he so managed to turn the
head of this young woman, that she begged him to ob
tain for her a place in the king's favor. Consequently
Girard (that was his name) went to madame de Lau-
geac, and told her the affair as it was. She pleased with
an opportunity of injuring me, went to Paris, and betook
herself incog, to the shop of madame Gaubert. She
found her charming, and spoke of her to the duc de la
Vrilliere, and both agreed to show her portrait to his
majesty. But how to procure this portrait ? Her husband
was her very shadow, and never left her. Le petit saint,
who was never at a loss, issued a lettre de cachet against
him, and the unfortunate man was shut up in Fort
l'Eveque. It was not until the portrait was finished that
he was set at liberty.
He returned to his home without guessing at the mo
tives of his detention, but he learned that his wife had had
her portrait painted during his absence, and his jealousy
was set to work. Soon a letter from Girard, a fatal
letter, which fell into his hands, convinced him of the
injury done him. He took his wife apart, and, feigning
a resignation which he did not feel, "My love," he
said, "I loved thee, I love thee still: I thought, too,
that thou wert content with our competence, and wouldst
not have quitted thine husband for any other in the

COMTESSE DU BARRY 319
world: I have been convinced otherwise. A letter from
Girard informs me, that with thine own consent the
king, whom thy portrait has pleased, desires to see thee
this very day. It is a misfortune, but we must submit.
Only before thou art established at Versailles, I should
wish thee to dine with me once more. You can invite
cousin Girard, too, for I owe him something for what
he has done for thee."
The young wife promised to return and see her hus
band. That evening at the performance at the court
she was seated in the same box with the marquise de
Laugeac; the king's glass was directed towards her the
whole time, and at the termination of the spectacle it
was announced to her, that she was to sleep at the
chateau the next evening. The project was never realized.
The next day, according to promise, the young wife
went to Paris with the valet. She informed her hus
band of the success which had befallen her, and he ap
peared delighted. Dinner being ready, they seated
themselves at table, ate and drank. Girard began to
laugh at his cousin for his complaisance, when suddenly
all desire to jest left him. He experienced most horrible
pains, and his cousin suffered as well as himself.
" Wretches ! " said Gaubert to them, " did you think I
would brook dishonor ? No, no ! I have deceived you
both the better to wreak my vengeance. I am now
happy. Neither king nor valet shall ever possess my
wife. I have poisoned you, and you must die." The two
victims implored his pity. "Yes," said he to his wife,
"thy sufferings pain me, and I will free you from them."
He then plunged a knife to her heart; and, turning to
Girard, said, " As for thee, I hate thee too much to kill
thee; die." And he left him.
The next day M. de Sartines came and told me the
whole story. He had learnt them from the valet, who
had survived his poisoning for some hours. Gaubert
could not be found, and it was feared that he would at
tempt some desperate deed. No one dared mention it
to the king, but the captain of the guards and the first
gentleman in waiting took every possible precaution ; and

320 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
when Louis XV. asked for the young female who was to
be brought to him, they told him that she had died of a
violent distemper. It was not until some days afterwards
that the terror which pervaded the chateau ceased. They
had found the body of the unfortunate Gaubert on the
banks of the Seine.
In spite of what had passed, the duc de la Vrilliere
had the impudence to present himself to me. I treated
him with disdain, reproaching him and Laugeac for their
conduct. He left me in despair, and wrote me the fol
lowing letter : —
"Madame la comtesse, — Your anger kills me. I am guilty, but
not so much so as you may imagine. The duty of my office compels
me to do many things which are disagreeable to me. In the affair for
which you have so slightingly treated me there was no intent to in
jure you, but only to procure for the king an amusement which
should make him the more estimate your charms and your society.
Forgive a fault in which my heart bore no share; I am sufficiently
miserable, and shall not know repose until I be reinstated in your
good graces.
"As for the poor marchioness she is no more to blame than my
self. She feels for you as much esteem as attachment, and is anxious
to prove it at any opportunity. I beseech you not . to treat her
rigorously. Think that we only work together for the good of the king,
and that it would be unjust of you to hate us because we have en
deavored to please this excellent prince. I hope that, contented with
this justification, you will not refuse to grant me the double amnesty
which I ask of your goodness."
I replied thus: — v
«Your letter, monsieur le duc, seduces me no more than your
words. I know you well, and appreciate you fully. I was ignorant
up to this time, that amongst the duties of your office, certain such
functions were imposed upon you. It appears that you attend to
them as well as to others, and I sincerely compliment you there
upon; I beg of you to announce it in the < Court Kalendar.1 It will
add, I am convinced, to the universal esteem in which you are
held. "As to madame de Laugeac, she is even more insignificant than
you, and that is not saying much. I thank her for her esteem
and attachment, but can dispense with any marks of them; no good
can come from such an one as she. Thus, M. le duc, keep quiet both

COMTESSE DU BARRY 321
of you, and do not again attempt measures which may compromise
me. Do your business and leave me to mine.
"I am, with all due consideration, "Your servant, « Comtesse du Barry."
I mentioned this to the king, who insisted on reconcil
ing me with le petit saint, who came and knelt to me.
I granted the pardon sought out of regard for Louis
XV. ; but from that moment the contempt I felt for the
duke increased an hundredfold.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Conversation with the king— Marriage of the comte d'Artois — In
trigues— The place of lady of honor — The marechale de Mirepoix
— The comtesse de Forcalquier and madame du Barry — The
comtesse de Forcalquier and madame de Boncault.
The king was much annoyed at the indifference I
evinced for all state secrets, and frequently ob
served to me, "You are not at all like madame de
Pompadour: she was never satisfied unless she knew all
that was going on, and was permitted to take an active
part in every transaction; she would frequently scold me
for not telling her things of which I was myself igno
rant. She was at the bottom of the most secret in
trigues, and watched every turn of my countenance, as
though she sought to read in my eyes the inmost thoughts
of my mind. Never," continued the king, "did woman
more earnestly desire supreme command ; and so completely
had she learned to play my part, that I have frequently
surprised her giving private instructions to my ambas
sadors, differing altogether from what I myself had dic
tated to them. Upon the same principle she maintained
at various courts envoys and ministers, who acted by her
orders, and in her name; she even succeeded in obtaining
the friendship of the grave and austere Marie Therese,
who ultimately carried her condescension so far, as only
to address the marchioness by the title of * cousin * and
<dear friend.* I must confess, however, that these pro
ceedings on the part of madame de Pompadour were by
no means agreeable to me, and I even prefer your igno
rance of politics to her incessant interference with them. "
This was said by Louis XV. upon the occasion of the
approaching marriage of the comte d'Artois, the object of
universal cabal and court intrigue to all but myself, who
(322)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 323
preserved perfect tranquillity amidst the general excite
ment that prevailed.
Various reasons made the marriage of this prince a
matter of imperative necessity. In the first place, the
open gallantry of the young count had attracted a crowd
of disreputable personages of both sexes to Versailles,
and many scandalous adventures occurred within the
chateau itself; secondly, a motive still more important in
the eyes of Louis XV., originated in the circumstance of
neither the marriage of the dauphin nor that of the comte
de Provence having been blest with any offspring. The
king began to despair of seeing any descendants in a
direct line, unless indeed heaven should smile upon the
wedded life of the comte d'Artois. Louis XV. disliked
the princes of the blood, and the bare idea that the duc
d'Orleans might one day wield his sceptre would have
been worse than death.
Many alliances were proposed for the prince. Marie
Josephe, infanta of Spain, was then in her twentieth
year, and consequently too old. The princess Marie-
Frangoise - Benedictine -Anne - Elizabeth-Josephe-Antonine-
Laurence-Ignace-Therese-Gertrude-Marguerite-Rose, etc.,
etc., of Portugal, although younger than the first-men
tioned lady, was yet considered as past the age that
would have rendered her a suitable match for so youthful
a bridegroom. The daughter of any of the electoral
houses of Germany was not considered an eligible match,
and the pride of the house of Bourbon could not stoop
to so ignoble an alliance. There was no alternative left
therefore, but to return to the house of Savoy, and take
a sister of the comtesse de Provence. This proposal
was well received by the royal family, with the exception
of the dauphiness, who dreaded the united power and
influence of the two sisters, if circumstances should ever
direct it against herself or her wishes ; and I heard from
good authority, that both the imperial Marie Therese and
her daughter made many remonstrances to the king upon
the subject. "The empress," said Louis XV., one day,
" believes that things are still managed here as in the
days of the marquise de Pompadour and the duc de

324 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
Choiseul. Thank heaven, I am no longer under the
dominion of my friend and her pensionaries. I shall
follow my own inclinations, and consult, in the marriage
of my grandson, the interests of France rather than those
of Austria."
The little attention paid by Louis XV. to the repre
sentations of Marie Therese furnished my enemies with
a fresh pretext for venting their spleen. They accused
me of having been bribed by the court of Turin, which
ardently desired a second alliance with France. I was
most unjustly accused, for I can with truth affirm, that
the comte de la Marmora, ambassador from Piedmont to
Paris, neither by word nor deed made any attempt to in
terest me in his success. The king was the first person
who informed me of the contemplated marriage, and my
only fault (if it could be called one) was having ap
proved of the match.
More than one intrigue was set on foot within the
chateau to separate the princes. Many were the attempts
to sow the seeds of dissension between the dauphin and
the comte d'Artois, as well as to embroil the dauphin
with monsieur. The first attempt proved abortive, but
the faction against monsieur succeeded so far as to ex
cite a lasting jealousy and mistrust in the mind of Marie
Antoinette. This princess was far from contemplating
the marriage of the comte d'Artois with any feelings of
pleasure, and when her new sister-in-law became a mother,
she bewailed her own misfortune in being without chil
dren with all the feelings of a young and affectionate
heart. Heaven did not, however, always deny her the
boon she so ardently desired.
You will readily believe that the same anxiety pre
vailed upon the occasion of this approaching marriage
as had existed at the unions of the dauphin and the
comte de Provence, to obtain the various posts and places
the ambition of different persons led them to desire in
the establishment of the newly married pair. Wishing
on my own part to offer the marechale de Mirepoix a
proof of my high estimation of her friendship towards
me. I inquired of her whether a superior employment

COMTESSE DU BARRY 325
about the person of the comtesse d'Artois would be
agreeable to her ?
"Alas! my dear creature," replied the good-natured
mar6chale, "I am too old now to bear the toil and con
finement of any service. The post of lady of honor would
suit me excellently well as far as regards the income
attached to it, but by no means agree with my inclina
tions as far as discharging its functions goes. You see
I am perfectly candid with you. Listen to me; if you
really wish to oblige me, you can do this — give the title
to another, and bestow the pecuniary part of the engage
ment on me. In that manner you will be able to gratify
two persons at the same time."
" I will endeavor, " said I, " to meet your wishes as far
as I possibly can, and you may be assured that you shall
derive some advantage from this marriage."
And I kept my word by shortly after obtaining for the
marechale a sum of 50,000 livres; a most needful supply,
for the poor marechale had to re-furnish her house, her
present fittings-up being no longer endurable by the eye
of modish taste: she likewise received an augmentation
of 20,000 livres to her pension. This proceeding was
highly acceptable to her, and the king afforded his as
sistance with the best possible grace. He could be
generous, and do things with a good grace when he
pleased. The refusal of the marechale, which it was agreed we
should keep secret, obliged me to cast my eyes upon a
worthy substitute, and I at length decided upon selecting
the comtesse de Forcalquier, a lady who possessed every
charm which can charm and attract, joined to a faultless
reputation; and, setting aside her strict intimacy with
myself, the court (envious as it is) could find no fault
with her. I was convinced she would not be long in
acquiring an ascendency over the mind of the princess,
and I was equally well assured she would never turn
this influence against myself; this was a point of no
small importance to me.
Madame de Forcalquier most ardently desired the place
of lady of honor, without flattering herself with any hopes

326 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
of obtaining it; and, not liking to ask me openly for it,
she applied to the duc de Cosse. I felt some regret
that she had gone to work in so circuitous a manner,
and in consequence wrote her the following note: —
" Madam, — I am aware that you are desirous of obtaining the post
of lady of honor. You should not have forgotten that I am suffi
ciently your friend to have forwarded your wishes by every possible
exertion. Why did you apply to a third person in preference to
seeking my aid ? I really am more than half angry with you for so
doing. Believe me, my friends need not the intervention of any medi
ator to secure my best services. You, too, will regret not having
jnade your first application to me, when I tell you that I was re
serving for you the very place you were seeking by so circuitous a
route. Yes, before you had asked it, the post of lady of honor was
yours. I might have sought in vain for a person more eminently
qualified for the office than yourself, or one in whom I could place
more unlimited confidence. Come, my friend, I pray of you, not to
thank me, who have found sufficient reward in the pleasure of obliging
you, but to acknowledge the extreme kindness and alacrity with
which his majesty has forwarded your wishes.
"Believe me, dear madam,
"Yours, very sincerely, "The Comtesse du Barry."
Madame de Forcalquier was not long in obeying the
summons contained in my note; she embraced me with
the warmest gratitude and friendship, delighted at find
ing herself so eligibly established at court, for at that
period every person regarded the comte d'Artois as the
only hope of the monarchy ; and blinded by the universal
preference bestowed on him, the young prince flattered
himself that the crown would infallibly ornament his
brows. I have been told, that when first the queen's
pregnancy was perceived, a general lamentation was
heard throughout the castle, and all ranks united in de
ploring an event which removed the comte d'Artois
from the immediate succession to the throne.
Up to the present moment I knew Madame de For
calquier only as one whose many charms, both of mind
and person, joined to great conversational powers and
the liveliest wit, had rendered her the idol of society,
and obtained for her the appellation of Bellissima. I

COMTESSE DU BARRY 327
knew not that this woman, so light and trifling in ap
pearance, was capable of one of those lively and sincere
attachments, which neither time nor change of fortune
could destroy or diminish. She had a particular friend,
a madame Boncault, the widow of a stockbroker, and she
was anxious to contribute to her well-doing. With this
view she solicited of me the place of lady in waiting for
this much-esteemed individual. Astonished at the re
quest I put a hasty negative on it.
" If you refuse me this fresh favor, " said madame de
Forcalquier, " you will prevent me from profiting by your
kindness to myself."
" And why so ? " inquired I.
" I owe to madame Boncault, " answered she, " more
than my life; I am indebted to her for tranquillity,
honor, and the high estimation in which the world has
been pleased to hold me. I have now an opportunity of
proving my gratitude, and I beseech of you to assist my
endeavors. "
"But tell me, first," cried I, "what is the nature of
this very important service you say madame de Boncault
has rendered you ; is it a secret, or may I hear it ? "
"Certainly," replied the countess, "although the re
cital is calculated to bring the blush of shame into my
cheek. Are we alone, and secure from interruption ? "
I rang and gave orders that no person should be suf
fered to disturb us; after which madame de Forcalquier
proceeded as follows : —
" I was scarcely seventeen years old, when my parents
informed me that they had disposed of my hand, and that
I must prepare myself to receive a husband immediately.
My sentiments were not inquired into, nor, to confess
the truth, was such an investigation usual, or deemed a
matter of any import. A young female of any rank has
no voice in any transaction till the day which follows
her marriage; until then her wishes are those of her
family, and her desires bounded by the rules of worldly
etiquette. I had scarcely conversed twice or thrice with
my future lord, and then only for a few minutes at a
time, before he conducted me to the foot of the altar,

328 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
there to pronounce the solemn vow which bound me his for
life. I had scarcely seen him, and barely knew whether
he was agreeable or disagreeable. He was neither young
nor old, handsome nor ugly, pleasing nor displeasing;
just one of those persons of whom the world is princi
pally composed; one of those men who enter or leave
a saloon without the slightest curiosity being excited re
specting him. I had been told that I ought to love my
husband, and accordingly I taught myself to do so; but
scarcely had the honeymoon waned, than my fickle part
ner transferred his affections from me to one of my
attendants; and to such a height did his guilty passion
carry him, that he quitted his home for Italy, carrying
with him the unfortunate victim of his seductive arts.
It was during his absence that I first became acquainted
with madame Boncault; she was my own age, and
equally unfortunate in her domestic life; the same tests,
griefs, and a great similarity of temper and disposition
soon united us in the bonds of the firmest friendship;
but as she possessed a stronger and more reasonable
mind than I did, she forgot her own sorrows to admin
ister to mine. However, if the whole truth must be
owned, I ought to confess that my chief consolation was
derived from a young cousin of my own, who freely
lavished upon me that unbounded affection I would fain
have sought from my husband.
"Meanwhile, wearied of his folly, this latter returned;
and, after having transferred his capricious fancies to at
least half a dozen mistresses, he finished where he should
have begun by attaching himself to her, who, as his wife,
had every claim to his homage. Men are unaccountable
creatures, but unfortunately for my husband his senses
returned too late ; my heart was too entirely occupied to
restore him to that place he had so hastily vacated. My
affections were no longer mine to bestow, but equally
shared by my estimable friend madame Boncault and my
young and captivating cousin. I was a bad hand at
dissimulating, and M. de Forcalquier perceived enough
of my sentiments to excite his jealous suspicions, and
immediately removed with me to one of his estates.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 329
" However, my cousin (whom my husband was far from
suspecting) and madame Boncault accompanied me in my
retreat; there myself and my admirer, more thrown to
gether than we had been at Paris, began insensibly to
lay aside the restraint we had hitherto imposed on our
inclinations, and commenced a train of imprudences which
would quickly have betrayed us had not friendship watched
over us. The excellent madame Boncault, in order to
save my reputation, took so little care to preserve her own,
that M. de Forcalquier was completely caught by her
manoeuvre. One morning, finding me alone, he said,
" * Madam, I am by no means satisfied with what is
going on here. Your friend is wholly devoid of shame
and modesty ; she has been with us but one short fortnight,
and is now the open and confessed mistress of your
cousin. *
"(Sir,* exclaimed I, trembling for what was to follow,
' you are, you must be mistaken : the thing is impossible.
Madame Boncault is incapable — *
^Nonsense, madam,' replied M. de Forcalquier; (I
know what I am saying. Several things have induced
me to suspect for a long while what I now assert with
perfect confidence of its truth; but if you are still in
credulous, behold this proof of guilt which I found just
now in your cousin's chamber.'
"So saying, my husband put into my hands a letter
written by my cousin evidently to some female in the
chateau, whom he solicited to admit him that evening
to the usual place of rendezvous, where he flattered him
self their late misunderstanding would be cleared up.
" After having read, or, to speak more correctly, guessed
at the contents of this fatal letter, I conjured my hus
band to replace it where he had found it, lest his guests
should suspect him of having dishonorably obtained pos
session of their secret. He quitted me, and I hastened
in search of my friend: I threw myself on my knees be
fore her, and related all that had passed, accusing myself
of the basest selfishness in having consented to save my
honor at the expense of hers; then rising with renewed
courage, I declared my intention of confessing my im-

33© MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
prudence to my husband. Madame Boncault withheld me.
* Do you doubt my regard for you ? * asked she ; ( if in
deed you do justice to my sincere attachment to you,
permit me to make this one sacrifice for your safety.
Leave your husband at liberty to entertain his present
suspicions respecting me, but grant me one favor in your
turn. Speak to your cousin; request him to quit the
chateau, for should he remain the truth will be discov
ered, and then, my friend, you are lost past my endeav
ors to save you.'
" Less generous than madame Boncault, I consented to
follow her advice. However, I have never forgotten her
generous devotion; and now that the opportunity has
presented itself of proving my gratitude, I beseech of
you, my dear countess, to aid me in the discharge of my
debt of gratitude."
As madame de Forcalquier finished speaking, I threw
myself into her arms. "From this moment," cried I,
"madame Boncault is my dear and esteemed prote'ge'e;
and if I have any influence over the mind of the king,
she shall be appointed lady in waiting to our young
princess. Such a woman is a treasure, and I heartily
thank you for having mentioned her to me."

.CHAPTER XXXV.
Marriage of madame Boncault — The comte de Bourbon Busset —
Marriage of comte d'Hargicourt — Disgrace of the comte de Broglie
— He is replaced by M. Lemoine — The king complains of ennui —
Conversations on the subject — Entry into Paris.
Spite of the merit of madame Boncault, and the many
eulogiums I bestowed on her whilst relating her
history to the king, I could not immediately obtain
the post madame de Forcalquier had requested for this
paragon of friends. His majesty replied to me by say
ing, that no doubt so many virtues merited a high reward,
but that ere madame Boncault could be appointed lady in
waiting to his granddaughter, she must be presented at
court under some other name than the one she now bore.
" Oh, if that be all, sire, " replied I, " it will soon be
effected. Ladies who have the good fortune to possess a
rich dowry and powerful friends need never look far for
a choice of husbands. Only let madame Boncault have
reason to reckon upon your patronage, and she will have
no lack of admirers."
The king, always ready to oblige me, caused it to be
understood throughout the chateau that he was desirous
of seeing madame Boncault well established, as he had
it in contemplation to confide to her a place of great
trust. Immediately a score of suitors presented them
selves; the preference was given to the comte de Bourbon
Busset as the person most calculated in every respect to
answer our purpose; he possessed elegant manners, an
unblemished reputation, and a descent so illustrious as to
be traced even to the reigning family. No sooner were
the celebrations of this marriage over, than I procured
the formal appointment of madame de Bourbon Busset
(330

332 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to the post of lady in waiting to the new princess. This
nomination tended greatly to increase the high opinion
entertained of the judgment and discrimination of the
comtesse de Forcalquier, and you may easily believe, from
the friendship I bore this lady, that I fully entered into
her triumph on the occasion.
When the comtesse de Bourbon Busset came to return
me her acknowledgments for what I had done, she
accompanied it with a request for a fresh interference
on my part: this was to obtain for her husband the
title of duke and peer. Accordingly I mentioned her
wishes to the king, observing at the same time how very
surprising it was that one so nearly related to the house of
Bourbon should not have reached the honors of the
ducal peerage: to which Louis XV. replied, that he had
no desire to increase the number of princes of the
blood, of whom there were quite sufficient of legitimate
birth without placing the illegitimate upon the same
footing; that Louis XIV. had been a sufficient warning
of the folly of acting too indulgently towards these latter,
who were only so many additional enemies to the royal
authority. To all this I answered, that it was not fit-:
ting to treat the family of Bourbon Busset, however
illegitimate might be its origin, as though it merely be
longed to the petite noblesse, etc. ; but my arguments
were in vain, and, as the proverb says, " I talked to the
wind." My friends recommended me not to press the
subject, and the matter ended there. However, in order
to smooth the refusal as much as possible, I procured
M. de Bourbon Busset the appointment of first gentle
man usher to the young prince.
The establishment of the comtesse d'Artois was now
formed. M. de Cheglus, bishop of Cahors, had the post
of first almoner; and strange to say, although a prelate,
was a man of irreproachable virtue; he had little wit
but strong sense, and was better known by his many
charitable deeds than by the brilliancy of his sayings.
He was eminently suited for the office now conferred
on him; and those who knew him best were the least
surprised to find the nomination had fallen on him.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 333
I also procured a post in the establishment of the young
couple for my sister-in-law, the comtesse d'Hargicourt.
Her maiden name was Fumel, an ancient family in
Guienne, and M. de Fumel, her father, was governor of
the chateau Trompette at Bordeaux. This marriage had
at first encountered many difficulties from the deadly
hatred which existed in the chateau against us. Comte
Jean, perceiving that things were going against us, applied
to the king himself for assistance in the affair. Louis XV.
could not endure him, but his dislike was manifested only
by an uneasy timidity in his presence, and he freely
granted any request that would the soonest free him
from his presence. The king acted upon the same prin
ciple in the present conjuncture; he bestowed a million
of livres upon the comte d'Hargicourt, that is to say,
500,000 livres to be employed in paying the debts of the
comte de Fumel, and in freeing his estates from a dowry
of 60,000 livres to be paid to his daughter on her marriage,
with various other clearances and payments ; besides this
my brother-in-law, comte d'Hargicourt, was appointed
captain in the prince's Swiss guards, one of the most
honorable commissions that could have been conferred
on him.
The comte de Crussel and the prince d'Henin were
named captains of the guard to M. d'Artois. This prince
d'Henin was of such diminutive stature that he was some
times styled, by way of jest, the " prince of dwarfs, " or
" the dwarf of princes. " He was the beloved nephew of
the marechale de Mirepoix, whose fondness could not
supply him with the sense he so greatly needed; he was
besides very profligate, and continually running into some
difficulty or other by his eager pursuit after pleasure. It
is related of him, that the duc de Lauragnais, wearied with
seeing the prince d'Henin for ever fluttering about his
mistress, mademoiselle Amoult, drew up a consultation,
to inquire whether it were possible to die of ennui: this
he submitted to several physicians and celebrated lawyers,
who having united in replying affirmatively, he caused
the consultation with its answer to be forwarded to the
prince d'Henin, warning him henceforward to cease his

334 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
visits to mademoiselle Arnoult; or, in the event of her
death, he would certainly be taken up as a party con
cerned in effecting it.
The opposite party was now more irritated than ever
by the many places and employments I caused to be
given either to my own friends, or to those for whom
they solicited my interest. The duchesse de Grammont,
flattering herself that she might now take the field against
me with advantage, arrived in Paris one fine morning
from Chanteloup. Those about me were full of wrath, I
know not for why, at her arrival, but I explained to them,
that they were mistaken in supposing madame de Gram
mont an exile ; she had voluntarily accompanied her brother
into his retreat, and when that was no longer agreeable
to her she returned to Paris. However, her journey did
neither good nor harm; she had many invitations to
fetes given in honor of herself, was frequently asked to
dinners, balls, etc., but that was all; no person set their
wits to work to reinstate her in the good graces of the
king. I soon comprehended the forlorn hopes of my
poor enemy, and my former animosity soon gave way to
the play with which she inspired me.
About the period of the marriage of the comtesse
d'Artois, an individual of some eminence fell into dis
grace; this was the comte de Broglie. This gentleman,
as you know, was private minister to Louis XV., in
trusted for some time past with his correspondence, and
affected the airs of a favorite. He solicited upon the
present occasion the honor of going to meet the prin
cess at the bridge of Beauvoisin, a request which was
granted. This was not sufficient for him; he begged
for a month's leave of absence, with permission to pro
ceed to Turin: this depended on the duc d'Aiguillon,
who was by no means partial to the comte de Broglie.
He said to me when speaking of him,
"I feel no inclination to oblige this minister; on the
contrary, he may wait long enough for what he desires
as far as I am concerned."
"I fear he will be greatly offended with you," an
swered I.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 335
" Oh, never mind that, " replied the duke ; " if Tie grows
sullen about it, why well; if he is loud and vehement,
better still ; and should his anger lead him to the com
mission of any act of folly, depend upon it we will
take advantage of it."
As I foresaw, the comte de Broglie was deeply of
fended, and wrote to the duc d'Aiguillon a letter full
of imprudent expressions. This was exactly what this
latter desired, who eagerly carried and read the paper to
the different members of the council, who heard it with
every expression of surprise and displeasure; the king
viewed it as a piece of open rebellion, and resolved to
punish the writer with his heaviest displeasure ; the duc
d'Aiguillon asked nothing better, and ere an hour had
elapsed, the duc de la Vrilliere received orders to draw
up a lettre de^ cachet in which the king expressed his
discontent of the comte de Broglie, deprived him of the
commission he had given him to go and receive the
princess of Savoy, and exiled him to Buffee, one of his
estates near Angouleme.
This was a matter of great talk at the chateau; no one
could imagine what had made the comte de Broglie con
duct himself so foolishly. It was at this period that M. de
Marchault said of him, when he saw him pass his house
on his way to Buffee, "He has the ministry by the tail."
M. de Broglie having gone, his majesty was compelled
to look out for another confidant, and raised to that
eminence M. Lemoine, clerk of his closet. M. Lemoine,
in an inferior station had shown himself competent to
fill the highest offices in the state. Such abilities are
rare. He was an excellent lawyer, admirable chancellor
of exchequer, and had the king said to him, " I make
thee a general," he would, the next day, have com
manded armies and gained victories. Despite his merit
he lived long unknown: the reason was obvious — he
knew nothing of intrigue; and his wife, though pretty,
was discreet; and these are not the means to advance a
man at court.
Louis XV., who knew something of men when he
chose to study them, was not slow in detecting the tal-

336 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
ent of Lemoine, and in consequence gave him that
station in which de Broglie had been installed. No
sooner had Lemoine glanced over the affairs submitted
to his control, than he became master of them, as much
as though they had occupied the whole of his life, and
in a short time he gave to his situation an importance
which it had never before reached. Unwilling, however,
to incur hatred, he enveloped himself in profound mys
tery, so much so that nobody, with the exception of Messrs.
d'Aiguillon and de Sartines, knew anything of his labors.
This pleased the king, who was averse to publicity.
The duc d'Aiguillon could not conceal his joy at being
freed from de Broglie, his most troublesome colleague.
It was a grand point gained for him, as he could now
make sure of the post of secretary-at-war, the main
object of his ambition. He wished to be placed in the
duc de Choiseul's position, and to effect this he redoubled
his attentions towards the king, who, though not really
regarding him, at length treated him as the dearest of
his subjects. There are inexplicable mysteries in weak
characters ; obstinacy alarms them, and they yield because
they hate resistance.
The king was ennuied to death, and became daily more
dull and heavy. I saw his gloom without knowing how
to disperse it, but it did not make me particularly un
comfortable. Occupied with my dear duc de Brissac I
almost forgot his majesty for him : the marechale de Mire
poix, who had more experience than I had in the affairs
at Versailles, and who knew the king well, was alarmed
at my negligence, and spoke to me of it.
"Do you not see," she said, one day, "what a crisis is
at hand ? »
" What crisis ? " I asked.
"The king is dying of ennui."
"True."
" Does it not alarm you ? " said the marechale.
« Why should it ? »
"What makes him so? Think well when I tell you
that your mortal enemy has seized Louis XV. ; your most
redoubtable enemy, ennui! "

COMTESSE DU BARRY 337
« Very well ; but what would you have me do ? "
"You must amuse him."
" That is easier said than done. "
"You are right, but it is compulsory. Believe me,
kings are not moulded like other men: early disgusted
with all things, they only exist in a variety of pleasures;
what pleases them this evening will displease them to
morrow; they wish to be happy in a different way.
Louis XV. is more kingly in this respect than any other.
You must devise amusements for him."
" Alas, " I replied, " how ? Shall I give him a new
tragedy of la Harpe's, — he will yawn; an opera of Mar-
montel, — he will go to sleep. Heavens! how unfortunate
I am!"" Really, my dear, ** replied the marechale, " I cannot
advise you; but I can quote a powerful example. In
such a case madame de Pompadour would have admitted
a rival near the throne."
"Madame de Pompadour was very amiable, my dear,"
I replied, "and I would have done so once or twice, but
the part of Mother Gourdan does not suit me; I prefer
that of her young ladies."
At these words the marechale laughed, whilst I made
a long grave face. At this instant comte Jean entered,
and exclaimed,
" Really, ladies, you present a singular contrast. May
I ask you, sister, what causes this sorrow ? What ails
you ? "
" Oh, brother ! " was my response, " the king is dying
of ennui."
"That is no marvel," said my brother-in-law.
" And to rouse him, " I added, " it is necessary, the
marechale says, that I must take a pretty girl by the hand,
and present her to the king with these words : * Sire, hav
ing found that you grow tired of me, I present this lady
to you, that you may amuse yourself with her. ' "
" That would be very fine, " replied comte Jean ; " it
would show him that you had profited by my advice."
Then, whispering in my ear, "You know, sister, I am
capable of the greatest sacrifices for the king."

338 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" What are you saying, comte Jean ? " asked the
marechale, who had heard some words.
"I said to my sister," answered he, coolly, "that she
ought to be executed to please the king."
"And you, too, brother," I cried.
" Yes, sister, " said he, with a theatrical tone, " I see
the dire necessity, and submit to it unrepiningly. Let
us yield to fate, or rather, let us so act as to make it
favorable to us. The king requires some amusement, and
let us find him a little wench. We must take heed not
to present any fine lady: no, no; by all the devils — !
Excuse me, marechale, 'tis a habit I have."
"It is nature, you mean," replied the marechale: "the
nightingale is born to sing, and you, comte Jean, were
born to swear ; is it not true ? "
" Morbleu, madam, you are right."
After this conversation the marechale went out, and
comte Jean departed to arrange his plans for the king's
amusement. However, the ennui of Louis XV. was somewhat dis
sipated by the tidings of the various incidents which oc
curred at the grand entry of the dauphin and dauphiness
into Paris. We learnt that the duc de Brissac, as gov
ernor of Paris, on receiving the dauphiness, said,
" Madam, you see about you two hundred thousand
lovers." He was right; the princess looked like an
angel. I had taken a mortal aversion to her. Alas!
circumstances have too fully avenged me: this unfortu
nate queen loses popularity daily; her perfidious friends
have sacrificed her to their interests. I pity her.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Visit from a stranger — Madame de Pompadour and a Jacobinical
monk — Continuation of this history — Deliverance of a state pris
oner — A meeting with the stranger.
One day, at an hour at which I was not accustomed
to see any person, a lady called and requested to
see me; she was informed that I was visible to no
person. No matter, she persisted in her request, saying
that she had to speak to me upon matters of the first
importance, and declared, that I should be delighted with
her visit. However, my servants, accustomed to the arti
fices practised by persons wishing to see me for interested
purposes, heeded very little the continued protestations
of my strange applicant, and peremptorily refused to
admit her; upon which the unknown retired with the
indication of extreme anger.
Two hours afterwards a note, bearing no signature, was
brought me, in which the late scene was described to
me, and I was further informed, that the lady, so abruptly
repulsed by my servants, had presented herself to com
municate things which concerned not only my own per
sonal safety but the welfare of all France; a frightful
catastrophe was impending, which there was still time to
prevent; the means of so doing were offered me, and I was
conjured not to reject them. The affair, if treated with
indifference, would bring on incalculable misfortunes and
horrors, to which I should be the first victim. All this
apparent mystery would be cleared up, and the whole
affair explained, if I would repair on the following day, at
one o'clock, to the Baths of Apollo. A grove of trees
there was pointed out as a safe place of rendezvous, and
being so very near my residence, calculated to remove any
fears I might entertain of meeting a stranger, who, as
(339)

340 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the note informed me, possessed the means of entering
this secluded spot. I was again conjured to be punctual
to the appointed hour as I valued my life.
The mysterious and solemn tone of this singular epis
tle struck me with terror. Madame de Mirepoix was
with me at the moment I received it. This lady had a
peculiar skill in physiognomy, and the close attention
she always paid to mine was frequently extremely em
barrassing and disagreeable She seemed (as usual) on
the present occasion to read all that was passing in my
mind; however, less penetrating eyes than hers might
easily have perceived, by my sudden agitation, that the
paper I held in my hand contained something more
than usual.
" What ails you ? " asked she, with the familiarity our
close intimacy warranted; "does that note bring you
any bad news ? "
"No," said I; "it tells me nothing; but it leaves me
ample room for much uneasiness and alarm: but, after
all, it may be merely some hoax, some foolish jest
played off at my expense; but judge for yourself." So
saying, I handed her the letter: when she had perused
it, she said,
" Upon my word, if I were in your place, I would
clear up this mystery; good advice is not so easily
met with as to make it a matter of difficulty to go as
far as the Baths of Apollo to seek it. It is by no
means impossible but that, as this paper tells you, some
great peril is hanging over you. The marquise de Pom
padour," continued madame de Mirepoix, "received more
than once invitations similar to this, which she never failed
to attend; and I recollect one circumstance, in which she
had no cause to regret having done so : without the kind
offices of one of these anonymous writers it is very pos
sible that she might have expired heart broken, and per
haps forsaken in some state prison, instead of ending her
days in the chateau of Versailles, honored even to the
tomb by the friendship and regard of the king of France. "
I asked my friend to explain her last observation, and
she replied as follows: —

COMTESSE DU BARRY 341
" One day an anonymous billet, similar to this, was
left for madame de Pompadour: it requested her to re
pair, at a specified hour, to the church of the Jacobins,
rue Saint Honore, in Paris, where she was promised some
highly important communications. The marchioness was
punctual to the rendezvous; and, as she entered the
church, a Jacobite, so entirely wrapped in his capuchin
as to conceal his features, approached her, took her by
the hand, and conducted her to an obscure chapel ; where,
requesting her to sit down, he took a seat himself, and
began as follows : —
" ' Madam, you are about to lose the favor of the king ;
a party is at work to give a new mistress to the king;
the lady is young, beautiful, witty, and possessed of an
insatiable ambition ; for the last six months she has been
in the daily habit of seeing the king, unknown to you
and all the court, and this has been accomplished in the
following manner: her father is valet de chambre to his
majesty, and she has an only brother, two years younger
than herself, whose astonishing resemblance to her has
created continual mistakes; this brother is promised the
inheritance of his father's office; and, under pretext of
acquiring the due initiation for future post, has been
permitted every morning to attend the king's rising.
" ( However, this embryo page is the sister, who comes
each morning disguised in her brother's clothes. The
king has had many private conversations with the design
ing beauty ; and, seduced by her many charms of mind and
person, as well as dazzled by the hidden and concealed
nature of their intrigue, finds his passion for her in
creases from day to day. Many are the designing persons
ready to profit by the transfer of the king's affections
from you to this fresh favorite; and they flatter them
selves the desired event is close at hand. You are to
be confined by a lettre de cachet to the isle of St. Margaret,
for the place of your exile is already chosen. The prin
cipal conspirators are two powerful noblemen, one of
whom is reputed your most intimate friend. I learned
all these particulars,* continued the Jacobite, 'from a
young penitent, but not under the seal of confession.

342 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
This penitent is the particular friend of the female in
question, who confided the secret to her, from whom I
received it, accompanied by the most flattering promises
of future protection and advancement. These splendid
prospects excited her jealous envy, and she came here
to confess the whole to me, requesting I would seek you
out and inform you of the whole affair. Here is a letter
she obtained unknown to her aspiring friend, which she
wishes you to see, as a pledge of the veracity of her state
ment.* The marchioness cast her eyes over the paper
held out to her by the Jacobite. It was a letter addressed
by the king to his new mistress.
" You may imagine the terror of madame de Pompa
dour, her anxiety and impatience to return to Versailles.
However, ere she quitted the friendly monk she assured
him of her lasting gratitude, and begged of him to point
out how she could best prove it. * For myself, * replied
he, <I ask nothing; but if you would render me your
debtor, confer the first vacant bishopric on a man whom
I greatly esteem, the abbe de Barral.' You will easily
suppose that the abbe de Barral had not long to wait for
his preferment: as for the Jacobite the marchioness never
again saw or heard anything of him. She mentioned him
to the newly appointed bishop, who could not even un
derstand to what she alluded. She related the affair,
when he called heaven to witness that he knew nothing
of any Jacobite either directly or indirectly."
" And how did the marchioness get rid of her rival ? "
inquired I of madame de Mirepoix.
"By a very simple and effective expedient. She sent
for the duc de Saint Florentin, whom she requested im
mediately to expedite two lettres de cachet; one for the
valet de chambre, who was shut up in the chateau de
Lectoure, and the other for the daughter, whom the mar
chioness sent to the isle of St. Marguerite, to occupy the
place she had so obligingly destined for herself."
"And now," asked I, "did these unfortunate people
ever get out of prison ? "
"That I know not," answered the marechale; "and, God
forgive me, for aught I ever inquired they may be there now. '*

COMTESSE DU BARRY 343
"If so," cried I, "the conduct of both the king and
the duc de la Vrilliere is abominable and unpardonable."
" Why, bless your heart, my dear, " exclaimed the mare
chale, "do you expect that his majesty should recollect
all the pretty women he has intrigued with, any more
than the poor duke can be expected to keep a list in
his memory of the different persons he has sent to a
prison ? He would require a prodigious recollection for
such a purpose."
This unfeeling reply filled me with indignation, and
redoubled the pity I already felt for the poor prisoners.
I immediately despatched a note to the duc de Saint
Florentin, requesting he would come to me without de
lay: he hastened to obey my summons. When he had
heard my recital he remained silent some minutes, as
though collecting his recollections upon the subject, and
then replied,
" I do indeed remember that some obscure female was
confined in the chateau of the isle Sainte Marguerite
at the request of madame de Pompadour, but I cannot
now say, whether at the death of the marchioness any
person thought of interceding for her release."
" That is precisely what I wish to ascertain, " cried I ;
"return to your offices, monsieur le duc, and use your
best endeavors to discover whether this unfortunate girl
and her parent are still in confinement; nor venture
again in my presence until you have despatched the
order for their deliverance: you will procure a convey
ance for them from their prison to Paris at the expense
of government. You understand, my lord ? "
The following morning the duke brought me the de
sired information. He told me, that the father had been
dead seven years, but the daughter still remained a pris
oner: the order for restoring her to liberty had been for
warded the night preceding. I will now briefly relate
the end of this mournful story.
Three weeks after this I received an early visit from
the duc de la Vrilliere, who came to apprize me, that
my prote'ge'e from the isle of St. Marguerite was in my
antechamber awaiting permission to offer me her grateful

344 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
thanks. I desired she might instantly be admitted: her
appearance shocked me ; not a single trace of that beauty
which had proved so fatal to its possessor now remained.
She was pale, emaciated, and her countenance, on
which care and confinement had imprinted the wrinkles
of premature old age, was sad and dejected even to
idiocy. I could have wished that madame de Pompa
dour, by way of punishment for her cruelty, could but
have seen the object of her relentless persecution. I
think she would have blushed for herself. When the
poor girl entered my apartment she looked wildly around
her, and casting herself at my feet, inquired with many
tears to what motive she was indebted for my generous
interference in her behalf. The duc de la Vrilliere con
templated with the utmost sang froid the spectacle of a
misery he had so largely contributed to. I requested of him
to leave us to ourselves. I then raised my weeping prote"ge"e,
consoled her to the best of my ability, and then requested
her to give me the history of her captivity. Her story
was soon told: she had been an inhabitant of the same
prison for seventeen years and five months, without
either seeing a human being, or hearing the sound of a
human voice. Her recital made me shudder, and I
promised her that henceforward her life should be ren
dered as happy as it had hitherto been miserable.
The king supped with me that evening. By some
singular chance he was on this occasion in the happiest
temper possible: he laughed, sung, joked with such un
usual spirits, that I hesitated ere I disturbed a gaiety
to which Louis XV. was so little prone. However, I
took him aside, saying, " Sire, I have to ask atonement
and reparation for a most horrible piece of injustice."
After which, I proceeded to acquaint him with the dis
tressing history of his unfortunate mistress. He appeared
perfectly well to recollect the female to whom I alluded;
and when I ceased speaking, he said, with a half -suppressed
sigh, "Poor creature! she has indeed been unfortunate; sev
enteen years and five months in prison! The duc de la
Vrilliere is greatly to blame in the affair; but when once

"OH, COSSE, HAVE I HURT YOU, HAVE I HURT
YOU?"

By courtesy of Mr. David Belasco and Mrs. I,eslie
Carter. This scene is from David Belasco's play,
Du Barry, played at Belasco's Theatre, New York,
with Mrs. I,eslie Carter as I^a Du Barry.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 34;
he has placed persons between four walls, he thinks he
has fulfilled the whole of his duty. He should recollect,
that a good memory is a necessary qualification for the
situation he holds ; it is indeed an imperative duty in him
to think of the poor wretches he deprives of their liberty. "
"And in you too, sire," interrupted I; "and it appears
to me that you have lost sight of it, in the present af
fair, as culpably as your minister."
" I confess it, indeed, " answered Louis XV. ; " but the
unfortunate sufferer herself was not without a due share
of blame in the matter. Her presumption had greatly
irritated madame de Pompadour, who punished her as
she thought fit: of course I could not, consistently with
the regard I professed for the marchioness, interfere in
the execution of her vengeance."
" I do not agree with you, " said I.
" Why, what else could I do ? " asked Louis XV. , with
the most imperturbable calmness ; " she had superior
claims, was acknowledged as chief favorite, and I could
not refuse her the sacrifice of a mere temporary caprice."
"Very well said," answered I, "and founded upon ex
cellent principles; but surely it was not necessary to
shut up the object of your caprice in a state prison,
and, above all, to leave her there for such a length of
time. However, the mischief is done; and all we have
to think of is to repair it. You have now, sire, a fine
opportunity of displaying your royal munificence."
"You think, then," returned Louis XV., "that I am
bound to make this unhappy girl some present? Well,
I will; to-morrow I will send her 1000 louis."
" A thousand louis ! " exclaimed I, clasping my hands ;
" what, as a recompense for seventeen years' imprison
ment ? No, no, sire, you shall not get off so easily ; you
must settle on her a pension of 12,000 livres, and pre
sent her with an order for 100,000 more as an imme
diate supply. "
" Bless me ! " ejaculated the king, " why all the girls in
my kingdom would go to prison for such a dowry: how
ever, she shall have the pension; but, in truth, my treas
ury is exhausted."

346 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"Then, sire," returned I, "borrow of your friends."
" Come, come, let us finish this business ; I will give
your prote'ge'e 4000 louis."
"No, I cannot agree," answered I, "to less than 5000."
The king promised me I should have them; and, on
the following day, his valet Turpigny brought me the
order for the pension, and a bag, in which I found only
4000 louis. This piece of meanness did not surprise me,
but it made me shrug up my shoulders, and sent me to
my cabinet to take the sum deficient from my own funds.
With this dowry my poor prote'ge'e soon found a suitable
husband in the person of one of her cousins, for whom I
procured a lucrative post under government. These
worthy people have since well repaid me by their grate
ful and devoted attachment for the service I was enabled
to render them. One individual of their family was,
however, far from resembling them either in goodness of
heart or generosity of sentiment — I allude to the brother
of the lady; that same brother who formerly supplied his
sister with his clothes, that she might visit the king un
suspected. Upon the incarceration of the father the son
succeeded him in his office of valet de chambre, and ac
quired considerable credit at court; yet, although in the
daily habit of seeing the king, he neither by word nor deed
sought to obtain the deliverance of either his parent or
sister. On the contrary, he suffered the former to perish in
a dungeon, and allowed the latter to languish in one dur
ing more than seventeen years, and in all probability she
would have ended her days without receiving the slight
est mark of his recollection of his unfortunate relative.
I know no trait of base selfishness more truly revolting
than the one I have just related.
But this story has led me far from the subject I was
previously commencing: this narrative, which I never call
to mind without a feeling of pleasure, has led me away
in spite of myself. Still I trust that my narrative has
been sufficiently interesting to induce you to pardon the
digression it has occasioned, and now I will resume the
thread of my discourse.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
A conspiracy — A scheme for poisoning madame du Barry — The four
bottles — Letter to the duc d'Aiguillon — Advice of the ministers
— Opinion of the physicians — The chancellor and lieutenant of
police — Resolution of the council.
Have you any curiosity to learn the denouement of the
story I was telling you of my anonymous correspond
ent ? Read what follows, then, and your wishes
shall be gratified : that is, if you have patience to hear a
rather long story; for I cannot promise you that mine
will very speedily be completed. Let me see: where did
I leave off? Oh, I recollect.
I was telling you that madame de Mirepoix urged me
to repair, as I was requested, to the Baths of Apollo. I
had a key which opened all the park gates; we entered
the park, took the path which turns off to the left, and
after having walked for about five minutes, found our
selves opposite the person we were in search of. It was
a female of from thirty to forty years of age, of diminu
tive stature, dressed after the fashion of the bourgeoises
of the day, but still an air of good taste was evident
through the simplicity of her attire. Her countenance
must once have been handsome, if one might judge by
the beauty of her eyes and mouth, but she was pale,
withered and already impressed with the traces of a pre
mature old age. But her beauties, although faded, were
still animated by a quick and ever-varying expression
of a keen and lively wit.
Whilst I made these hasty remarks the stranger saluted
me, and afterwards the marechale de Mirepoix, with an
ease of manner which perfectly surprised me. Nor did
she in any other instance betray the embarrassment of a
(347)

348 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
person who finds herself for the first time in the presence
of persons of a rank superior to her own.
"Madam," she said, addressing herself to me, "I trust
you will pardon me for having given you the trouble of
coming hither; I might have spared it you, had your
people permitted me to see you when I called at your
house yesterday."
"Your invitation," replied I, "was so pressingly en
forced, that I confess my curiosity has been most keenly
awakened. "
"I will immediately satisfy it," answered she, "but
what I have to say must be told to yourself alone."
"Well, then," said the marechale, "I will leave you
for the present: I am going to admire that fine group of
Girardon"; and so saying, she quitted the walk in which
I was standing.
Directly she was gone the stranger said to me, " Madam,
I will explain myself without reserve or unnecessary
prolixity; I beseech of you to listen attentively whilst
I tell you, in the first place, that both your life and
that of the king is in imminent danger."
" Heavens ! >* cried I, " what do I hear ? "
" That which I well know to be true, " answered the
female, with a firm voice ; " I repeat that your life and
that of the king is in danger."
These words, pronounced in a low, solemn voice, froze
me with terror; my limbs tottered under me, and I al
most sank to the ground. The stranger assisted me to
a bench, offered me her arm, and when she saw me a
little recovered, she continued,
" Yes, madam, a conspiracy is afoot against yourself and
Louis XV. You are to be made away with out of re
venge, and Louis XV. is to suffer, in the hopes of his
death effecting a change in the present face of affairs."
"And who," inquired I, "are the conspirators?"
"The Jesuits and parliamentarians; these ancient ri
vals, equally persecuted by the royal government, have
determined to make common cause against their mutual
foe. The Jesuits flatter themselves that the dauphin in
herits the kind feelings entertained by his father for

COMTESSE DU BARRY 349
their order, and the parliamentarians justly reckon upon
the friendly disposition of the young prince towards the
old magistracy. Both parties equally flatter themselves
that a fresh reign would bring about their re-establish
ment, and they are impatient to accelerate so desirable an
event: the conspiracy is directed by four Jesuits and the
same number of the ex-members of the parliament of
Paris. The remainder of the two corporations are not
initiated in the secret of the enterprise. I am not able
at present to give you the names of the eight conspir
ators, the person from whom I derive my information
not having as yet confided them even to myself, but I
trust ere long to obtain such a mark of confidence."
The female ceased speaking, and I remained in a state
of doubt, fear, and alarm, impossible to describe. Still
one thing appeared clear to me, that information so mys
teriously conveyed was not deserving of belief, unless
supported by more corroborating testimony. My un
known friend evidently divined all that was passing in
my mind, for she observed,
" I perceive that my recital appears to you improbable ;
one particular which I will state may perhaps overcome
your incredulity. Are you not in the habit, madam, of
taking every evening eau sucre'e mixed with a large pro
portion of orange-flower water ? '*
"I am," replied I.
"This day," continued my informant, "you will receive
four bottles of orange-flower water contained in a box,
bearing the usual appearances of having come from the
perfumers', but it is sent by other hands, and the liquor
contained in the flasks is mingled with a deadly poison — . "
These last words made me tremble. " You must com
plete your kind offices, >* cried I to my visitor, " by bring
ing me acquainted with the person from whom you have
derived your intelligence: that individual must be ac
quainted with the whole of the plot; and, believe me, I
will not be unmindful of either of you."
" Stay one instant, " replied the lady, without evincing
the slightest emotion; "the man who was my informant
is assuredly aware of the names of those concerned in

350 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the conspiracy, but he has charged me not to state who
he is but upon certain conditions; a recommendation I
shall most certainly attend to."
"Be assured," interrupted I, "that your demands shall
be acceded to; you shall yourself fix the price of your
entire disclosure of every fact connected with the busi
ness." "It will not be an exorbitant one," replied the
lady; "merely 600,000 francs, to be equally divided be
tween the friend you desire to know and myself; for
this sum, which is not a very large one, you may com
mand the services of both of us. One word more,
madam, and I am gone. Observe a strict silence upon
all I have told you; or, if you must have a counsellor
in such perilous circumstances, confide merely in some
tried friend; say the duc d'Aiguillon or the chancellor,
or both should you deem it necessary; but have a care
how you admit a third to a participation of the affair;
you could scarcely select another person without choosing
one already corrupted by your enemies. It is said that
they are in correspondence with even those persons
immediately about the person of the king. Adieu,
madam; I will see you at your own apartments the
day after to-morrow, when I trust you will have ready
100,000" francs, on account of the 600,000 I have stipu
lated for."
So saying, she curtsied and left me, overcome with
surprise. A thousand fearful ideas pressed upon my
brain, and my heart sickened at the long train of
gloomy images which presented themselves. I had had
sufficient proofs since my elevation of the deadly
hatred borne me by those whom my good fortune had
rendered my enemies: yet, hitherto, my strongest appre
hensions had never been directed to anything more
terrible than being supplanted in the favor of the
king, or being confined in my chateau du Lucienne.
The horrible ideas of murder, poison, or assassination by
any means, had never presented themselves to me. All
at once I recollected the young man in the garden of
the Tuileries; his predictions of my future greatness

COMTESSE DU BARRY 351
had been accomplished. He had also announced to me
fearful vicissitudes, and had threatened to appear to me
when these catastrophes were about to occur. Doubt
less he would keep his word; now was the time for
so doing, and I timidly glanced around as I caught the
sound of a slight rustle among the branches, fully ex
pecting to see my young prophet; but the figure which
met my eye was that of madame de Mirepoix, who,
tired of waiting, had come to rejoin me.
" What ! " said she, " are you alone ? I did not observe
your visitor leave you. Did she vanish into air ? "
"Very possibly," answered I.
"So then," replied the marechale, "she proved a fairy,
or some beneficent gdnie, after all ? "
"If she were a spirit," said I, "it certainly was not to
the better sort she belonged."
" Have a care, " cried the marechale ; " I have already
formed a thousand conjectures as to what this woman
has been telling."
"And all your suppositions," replied I, "would fall
short of the reality. Listen, my dear marechale," added
I, rising, and taking her arm to proceed homewards, "I
have been strictly prohibited from admitting any coun
sellor but the duc d'Aiguillon and the chancellor; still I
can have no reserves with you, who I know, from the
regard you bear both to the king and myself, will advise
me to the best of your power."
As we walked towards the chateau, I explained to my
companion the joint conspiracy of the Jesuits and ancient
members of the parliament against the king's life and
my own. When I had ceased speaking, she replied,
" All this is very possible ; despair may conduct the
"Jesuits and parliamentarians to the greatest extremities;
but still this mysterious female may be nothing more
than an impostor. At any rate, I am anxious to learn
whether the box she described has been left at your
house; if so, it will be a strong corroboration, if not, a
convincing proof of the falsehood of what she asserts."
We had by this time reached the bottom of the stair
case which conducted to my apartments; we ascended

352 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the stairs "rapidly, and the first person I met in the ante
room was Henriette.
"Henriette," said I, "has any thing been brought for
me during my absence ? "
" Nothing except a box of orange-flower water from
Michel the perfumer's, which I presume you ordered,
madam. "
A glance of mutual surprise and consternation passed
between the marechale and myself. We entered my
chamber, where madame de Mirepoix opened the fatal
box; it contained the four bottles exactly as had been
described. We regarded each other in profound silence,
not daring to communicate our reflections. However, it
was requisite to take some steps, and, catching up a pen,
I hastily wrote the following billet to the duc d'Aiguillon,
"Monsieur le duc, — Whatever may be the affairs with which you
are at present occupied, I pray of you to throw them aside, and
hasten to me instantly upon receipt of this. Nothing can equal
in importance the subject upon which I wish to see you ; I cannot
now explain myself fully, but prepare for news of the most horrible
description, and it refers to the safety and preservation of the most
valuable life in the kingdom. I cannot delay time by writing more;
I can only beseech of you not to lose one moment in obeying this
summons. Adieu; fail not to come and bring me back this note."
The duke hastened to me full of terror and alarm.
"Your letter has really frightened me," said he; "what
can be the matter ? Surely the life of his majesty is
not in danger ? "
"Too truly is it," answered I; "but sit down, and you
shall know all the affair. The marechale is already aware
of the matter and need not withdraw."
The duke listened with extreme attention to the recital
of my interview in the grove surrounding the Baths of
Apollo, as well as to the account of the discourse I had
held there with the strange female. I endeavoured to re
late the conversation as minutely and accurately as pos
sible, but still the duke sought further particulars. He
inquired the style of countenance, dress, manner, and
tone of voice possessed by the incognita. One might

COMTESSE DU BARRY 353
have supposed, by the closeness of his questions, that he
already fancied he had identified this mysterious person
age: he then examined the box, which stood on the
table, and remarked, " This is a very serious affair, nor
can I undertake the management of it alone; it involves
a too great responsibility. Spite of the lady's assertions,
I am confident the fullest confidence might be placed in
all the ministers. However, I will first have a conference
with M. de Saint-Florentin and the chancellor, in whose
presence I will send for the lieutenant of police; and the
contents of these bottles shall be immediately analyzed."
The duke, without quitting me, wrote immediately to
his two colleagues as well as to M. de Sartines, request
ing this latter to repair to my apartment without delay.
One of the ministers summoned by M. d'Aiguillon was
not at that moment at Versailles, having left at an early
hour in the morning for Paris. Neither he nor M. de
Sartines could possibly be with us before eight o'clock in
the evening; it was therefore agreed to adjourn our con
ference till their arrival. Meanwhile M. d'Aiguillon, the
marechale, and myself, remained in a state of the most
cruel anxiety. The duke first blamed me for not having
caused the woman to be arrested, and afterwards he con
fessed to the marechale, that perhaps it was better the
conspiracy should be allowed time to ripen into maturity.
During this time the liquid contained in the four bottles
was being decomposed: M. Quesnay, first physician,
Messrs. Thiebault and Varennes, visiting physicians, M.
de la Martiniere, counsellor of state, surgeon to his maj
esty, as well as Messrs. Ducor and Prost, apothecaries
to his majesty, had been collected together for this pur
pose by the duc d'Aiguillon.
These gentlemen came to report the termination of
their experiments at the very moment when the chan
cellor and lieutenant of police entered the room ; the duc
de la Vrilliere had preceded them by about five minutes ;
the duc d'Aiguillon requested these gentlemen to be
seated. The doctors Quesnay and la Martiniere were in
troduced, and desired to make known the result of their
operations. My newly-arrived guests, who as yet under-
23

354 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
stood nothing of what was going on, were struck with
astonishment at hearing it said, that the four bottles of
orange-flower water contained a considerable proportion
of a most active poison, of which a few drops would be
sufficient to cause instantaneous death. Having thus
executed their commission, the medical gentlemen bowed
and retired.
M. d'Aiguillon then explained to my wondering friends
the horrible affair which had occasioned their being
sent for so hastily. I cannot tell you what effect this
disclosure produced on M. de la Vrilliere or M. de
Maupeou, my whole attention being fixed upon M. de
Sartines. You may suppose that a lieutenant of police,
particularly one who piqued himself upon knowing every
thing, could not feel very much at his ease, when each
word that was uttered convicted him either of incapacity
or negligence. His brow became contracted, he hemmed,
choked, fidgeted about, and appeared as though he would
have given every thing in the world for liberty to justify
himself, but etiquette forbade it, and . he was only per
mitted to speak after the secretaries of state then present,
or if called upon by either of them.
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. He began
by saying, that the conspiracy was evident, and was
easily explained by the state of exasperation in which
the Jesuits and parliamentarians now were; both orders
looking for no other prospect of amendment in their
condition than such as might arise from some sudden
convulsion of the kingdom. He expressed his opinion
of the necessity of instituting a rigorous inquiry into
the conduct of these two bodies; and then, turning to
M. de Sartines, whose cheek grew pale at the move
ment, he charged him to lay before the council all those
particulars which he must necessarily possess as head
of the police, either respecting the present plot, or re-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 355
lating to any of the ancient members of parliament or
the order of Jesuits.
This was a dagger to the heart of M. de Sartines, who
in vain sought to frame a suitable reply: but what
could he say ? He did not in reality possess any of
the information for which he had received credit, and
after many awkward endeavours at explaining himself,
he was compelled frankly to confess, that he knew not
a word more of the conspiracy than he had just then
heard. It was now the turn of M. de la Vrilleire to speak.
He also would fain have attacked the unfortunate lieu
tenant of police; but, whether M. de Maupeou thought
that his own correction had been sufficiently strong, or
whether he begrudged any other person interfering with
his vengeance upon his personal foe, he abruptly inter
rupted the tirade of M. de la Vrilleire, by observing, that
a conspiracy conducted by only eight persons might very
possibly escape the eye of the- police ; but, furnished as it
now was with so many circumstances and particulars, it
was impossible that the plot should any longer defy their
vigilant researches.
M. d'Aiguillon fully concurred in this observation, and
M. de Sartines, recovered in some measure from his first
alarm, promised every thing they could desire ; and it was
finally arranged that the police should this night use every
precautionary measure in Paris, and that the officers of
the guard should receive orders to redouble their zeal
and activity in watching the chateau ; and that when the
unknown female called again on me, she should be con
ducted by madame de Mirepoix to the duc d'Aiguillon,
who would interrogate her closely.
These measures decided on, the council broke up, and I
went to receive the king, who was this evening to do me
the favour of taking his supper in my apartments.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Conclusion of this affair — A letter from the incognita — Her exam
ination — Arrest of Cabert the Swiss — He dies in the Bastille of
poison — Madame Lorimer is arrested and poisoned — The innocence
of the Jesuits acknowledged — Madame de Mirepoix and the
100,000 francs — Forgetfulness on the part of the lieutenant of
police — A visit from comte Jean — Madame de Mirepoix.
Mde Sartines did not sleep on his post, but his re
searches were fruitless; and, on the following
day, three successive messengers came to an
nounce to us that they had as yet made no discovery. The
day passed without bringing any fresh intelligence, and
our anxiety increased daily. At length arrived the period
fixed for the visit of the incognita. I awaited the coming
of this female with an impatience impossible to describe.
About mid-day a note was brought me; I instantly rec
ognized the writing as that of my mysterious friend,
and hastily breaking the seal, read as follows:
"Madam, — I must entreat your pardon for breaking the appoint
ment for to-day, imperative duties still detain me in Paris.
"Since our last interview I have been unceasingly occupied in en
deavouring to discover the names of the eight persons of whom I
spoke to you, and, I am sorry to say, I have but partially succeeded.
The person who has hitherto furnished me with my information
obstinately refuses to state who are the parliamentarians concerned
in the conspiracy. I am, however, enabled to forward you the names
of the four Jesuits, with some few particulars relating to these worthy
fathers. "The Jesuits in question are Messrs. Corbin, Berthier, Cerulti, and
Dumas; the first of whom was employed in the education of the
dauphin, the second and the third are sufficiently known; as for the
fourth, he is a bold and enterprising Parisian, capable of conceiving
and executing the most daring schemes. Whilst the order remained
in possession of power he had no opportunity of displaying his extraor
dinary talents, and consequently he obtained but a trifling reputa-
(356)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 357
tion; but since its banishment he has become its firmest support and
principal hope. All the treasures of the brotherhood are at his dis
posal, and I learn, that the day before yesterday he received a consid
erable sum from Lyons.
"This intrepid and daring spirit is the very soul of the conspiracy;
he it is who conceived the plan and set the whole machine in action.
It would be effectually extinguished could we but once secure him,
but this is by no means an easy task; he has no fixed abode; never
sleeps two nights following in the same home; one day he may be
found in one part of Paris and the next at the very opposite corner;
he changes his manner of dress as frequently as he does his abodes.
" I shall have the honour of seeing you to-morrow or the day after
at furthest. Meanwhile lay aside all uneasiness for his majesty's
safety: I pledge you my word he is for the present in perfect se
curity. The execution of the plot is still deferred for the want of a
Damiens sufficiently sanguinary to undertake the task.
"Deign, madam, to accept the assurance of my sincere devotion,
and believe that I will neglect no opportunity of affording you proofs
of it. « Yours, madam, etc., etc."
I immediately communicated this letter to the duc
d'Aiguillon, who convoked a fresh meeting of the per
sons who had been present on the preceding day. It
was at first deliberated whether or not to arrest the
whole body of Jesuits then in Paris, but this, although
the advice of M. d'Aiguillon, was by no means approved
of by the chancellor. M. de Sartines and M. de la
Vrilliere were for carrying the idea into execution, but the
objections of M. de Maupeou were too powerful to be
overruled, and the scheme was for the present aban
doned. The chancellor maintained that the other con
spirators, warned of their own danger by the seizure of
their friends, would either escape the vengeance of the
laws by flight or by close confinement in their houses;
he greatly dreaded as it was, that his foes, the parlia
mentarians, would avoid the punishment he longed to
inflict on them. Indeed, in his estimation, it seemed as
though every measure would be anticipated so long
as the female, who seemed so intimately acquainted with
their design, was at liberty; and this last opinion was
unanimously concurred in.
- SA1^ the delays greatly irritated me, and rendered my
impatience to witness the termination of the affair greater

358 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
than it had ever been. The stranger had promised to
make her appearance on the following day; it passed
away, however, without my hearing anything of her. On
the day following she came; I immediately sent to ap
prize M. d'Aiguillon, who, with M. de la Vrilliere and
the chancellor, entered my apartments ere the lady had
had time to commence the subject upon which she was
there to speak. This unexpected appearance did not
seem to disconcert her in the least, nor did her sang-froid
and ordinary assurance in any degree fail her. She re
proached me for having intrusted the secret to so many
persons, but her reproof was uttered without bitterness,
and merely as if she feared lest my indiscretion might
compromise our safety. She was overwhelmed with ques
tions, and the chancellor interrogated her with the keenest
curiosity; but to all the inquiries put to her she replied
with a readiness and candour which surprised the whole
party. She was desired to give the names of those en
gaged in the conspiracy; as well as of him who first in
formed her of it. She answered that her own name was
Lorimer, that she was a widow living upon her own
property. As for the man, her informant, he was a
Swiss, named Cabert, of about thirty years of age, and
had long been her intimate friend: however, the embar
rassed tone with which she pronounced these last words
left room for the suspicion, that he had been something
dearer to her than a friend. She was then urged to give up
the names of the four parliamentarians, but she protested
that she had not yet been able to prevail on Cabert to
confide them to her, that she was compelled to use the
utmost circumspection in her attempts at discovering the
facts already disclosed, but flattered herself she should
yet succeed in gaining a full and unreserved disclosure.
M. de Maupeou encouraged her, by every possible argu
ment, to neglect no means of arriving at so important a
discovery. The examination over, and the 100,000 francs she had
demanded given to her, she retired, but followed at a
distance by a number of spies, who were commissioned
to watch her slightest movement.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 359
Cabert, the Swiss, was arrested in a furnished lodging
he occupied in rue Saint Roch, and sent without delay
to Versailles, where, as before, M. d'Aiguillon with his
two colleagues waited in my study to receive and ques
tion the prisoner. Cabert was a young and handsome
man, whose countenance bore evident marks of a dis
solute and profligate life. He confessed, without any
difficulty, that his only means of gaining a livelihood
were derived from the generosity of a female friend,
but when he was pressed upon the subject of the con
spiracy, he no longer replied with the same candour,
but merely answered in short and impatient negatives
the many questions put to him, accompanied with fer
vent protestations of innocence; adding, that implacable
enemies had fabricated the whole story, only that they
might have an opportunity of wreaking their vengeance,
by implicating him in it.
"Accuse not your enemies," cried I, for the first
time mingling in the conversation, "but rather blame
your benefactress; it is madame Lorimer who has de
nounced you, and far from intending to harm you by
so doing, she purposes dividing with you the 100,000
livres which are to reward her disclosures."
I easily found, by the frowning looks directed towards
me by the three gentlemen present, that I had been
guilty of great imprudence in saying so much; but Ca
bert, wringing his hands, uttered, with the most despair
ing accent,
" I am lost ! and most horribly has the unfortunate
woman avenged herself."
" What would you insinuate ? "
"That I am the victim of an enraged woman," re
plied he.
He afterwards explained, that he had been the lover of
madame Lorimer, but had become wearied of her, and
left her in consequence; that she had violently resented
this conduct; and, after having in vain sought to move
him by prayers and supplications, had tried the most hor
rible threats and menaces. "I ought not indeed," con
tinued he, " to have despised these threats, for well I knew

360 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the fiendlike malice of the wretched creature, and dearly
do I pay for my imprudence, by falling into the pit she
has dug for me."
In vain we endeavoured to induce him to hold a differ
ent language. He persisted with determined obstinacy in
his first statement; continually protesting his own inno
cence, and loading the author of his woes with bitter im
precations. It was deemed impossible to allow this man
to go at large; accordingly M. de la Vrilliere issued a
lettre de cachet, which sent him that night to seek a lodg
ing in the Bastille. It was afterwards deemed advisable
to put him to the torture, but the agonies of the rack
wrung from him no deviation from, or contradiction of,
what he had previously alleged.
The affair had now become mysterious and inexplicable.
However, a speedy termination was most imperatively
called for; if it were permitted to become generally
known, it could not fail of reaching the ears of the king,
whose health was daily declining; and M. de Quesnay had
assured us, that in his present languid state, the shock
produced by news so alarming, might cause his instanta
neous death.
Whilst we remained in uncertainty as to our mode of
proceeding in the business, Cabert, the Swiss, three days
after his admission into the Bastille, expired in the most
violent convulsions. His body was opened, but no trace
of poison could be discovered: our suspicions were however
awakened, and what followed confirmed them.
Madame Lorimer was arrested. She protested that she
had been actuated by no feelings of enmity against her
unfortunate lover, whom she had certainly reproached
for having expended the money she furnished him with
in the society of other females, and to the anger which
arose between herself and Cabert on the occasion could
she alone ascribe his infamous calumnies respecting her;
that, for her own part, she had never ceased to love him,
and, as far as she knew, that feeling was reciprocal; and,
in betraying the conspiracy, her principal desire, next to
the anxious hope of preserving the king, was to make
the fortune of Cabert. She was confined in the Bastille,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 361
but she did not long remain within its walls; for at the
end of a fortnight she died of an inflammatory disease.
Her death was marked by no convulsions, but the traces
of poison were evident.
These two violent deaths occurring so immediately one
after another (as not the slightest doubt existed that
Cabert had likewise died of poison) threw the ministers
into a sad state of perplexity. But to whom could they
impute the double crime unless to some accomplice, who
dreaded what the unhappy prisoners might be tempted
to reveal. Yet the conduct of the Jesuitical priests
stated by madame Lorimer to be the principal ring
leaders in the plot, although exposed to the most rigorous
scrutiny, offered not the slightest grounds for suspicion.
Neither did their letters (which were all intercepted at
the various post-houses) give any indication of a treason
able correspondence.
M. de Sartines caused the private papers of the sus
pected parties to be opened during their owners' absence,
without discovering anything which could compromise
their character. I am speaking, however, of the fathers
Corbin, Berthier, and Cerulti, for all our efforts could
not trace father Dumas throughout all Paris. Nor was
the innocence of the parliamentarians less evident; they
vented their hatred against the ministry, and particularly
against M. de Maupeou, in pamphlets, couplets, and
epigrams, both in French and Latin, but they had no
idea of conspiracies or plots.
And thus terminated an affair, which had caused so
much alarm, and which continued for a considerable
period to engage the attention of ministers. How was
the mystery to be cleared up ? The poisoned orange-
flower water, and the sudden deaths of the two prisoners,
were facts difficult to reconcile with the no less undeniable
innocence of the three accused Jesuits. The whole busi
ness was to me an incomprehensible mass of confusion,
in which incidents the most horrible were mingled. At
last we agreed that the best and only thing to be done
was to consign the affair to oblivion; but there were
circumstances which did not so easily depart from the

362 MEMOIRS" OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
recollection of my excellent friend, the marechale de
Mirepoix. " My dear soul, " said she to me one day, " have
you ever inquired what became of the 100,000 livres
given to madame Lorimer ? she had no time to employ
them in any way before her imprisonment in the Bastille.
You ought to inquire into what hands they have fallen. "
I fully comprehended the drift of this question, which
I put to M. de Sartines the first time I saw him.
"Bless me," exclaimed he, "you remind me that these
100,000 livres have been lying in a drawer in my office.
But I have such a terrible memory."
" Happily, " replied I, " I have a friend whose memory
is as good as yours seems defective upon such occasions.
It will not be wise to permit such a sum to remain use
lessly in your office : at the same time I need not point
out that you, by your conduct in the late affair, have by
no means earned a right to them."
He attempted to justify himself ; but, interrupting him,
I exclaimed, " My good friend, you have set up a repu
tation of your own creating and inventing; and well it
is you took the office upon yourself for no one else would
have done it for you; but you perceive how frail have
been its foundations; for the moment you are compelled
to stand upon your own resources you faint, and are
easily overcome."
He endeavoured to make a joke of the affair, but indeed
it seemed to accord as ill with his natural inclination
as did the restitution of the 100,000 livres. However, he
brought them to me the following day, and as I was ex
pecting the arrival of madame de Mirepoix, I placed them
in a porcelain vase which stood upon my chimney-piece.
Unfortunately for the marechale, comte Jean presented
himself before she did. He came to inform me, that my
husband (of whose quitting Toulouse I had forgotten to
tell you) had again arrived in Paris. I did not disguise
the vexation which this piece of intelligence excited in me.
"And wherefore has comte Guillaume returned to
Paris?" inquired I, angrily.
" Because he is afraid. **
"Afraid of what?" replied I.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 363
" Of being murdered, " answered comte Jean : " it is a
most horrible and authentic story. Imagine to yourself
the dangers of his situation: some brigands, who have a
design on his life, have written him an anonymous billet,
in which they protest they will certainly murder him, un
less he deposits 50,000 livres in a certain place. You
may suppose his terror ; money he had none, neither was
his credit sufficiently good to enable him to borrow any.
As a last and only chance, he threw himself into a car
riage, and hastened, tremblingly, to implore your assist
ance. "
"And I am quite certain you will not withhold yours
from him," answered I.
" You are perfectly right, " cried he, " but unfortunately
just now I have not a single crown I can call my own;
so that it rests with you alone, my dearest sister, to save
the life of this hapless comte du Barry."
"I am extremely distressed, my dear brother-in-law,"
replied I, "that I am just as poor, and as unable to
afford the necessary aid as yourself; my purse is quite
empty. "
"Faith, my dear sister-in-law, I am not surprised at
that if you convert a china vase into a receptacle for
your bank notes."
Saying this, he drew a bundle of notes from the
hiding-place in which I had deposited them. " Do you
know," continued comte Jean, "I really think we shall
find money enough here." He began to count them;
and when he had finished he said, " My dear sister,
neither your husband nor myself wish to importune
you, or put you to any inconvenience, therefore you
shall merely oblige him with the loan of these 50,000
livres to extricate him from his present peril; they
shall be faithfully and quickly restored to you, and a
note of hand given you for that purpose if you de
sire it. " So saying, he divided the money into two parts,
replaced one in the vase, and pocketed the other.
I was very indignant at the cool impudence with
which this was done, and my patience had well nigh
forsaken me: however, I restrained myself; and I was

364 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
happy enough that I could so far conquer myself. My
reproaches would not have induced comte Jean to give
me back my money, and would only have roused his
violence ; which, when once excited, found vent in language
so vehement and energetic, that I did not desire to
hear any more of it than I could help. At these mo
ments he selected not the politest expressions, but those
which were the strongest: and besides, such was the un
governable nature of comte Jean's temper, that once
roused, he would have treated the king himself with as
little consideration as he did me. Still, he never de
liberately insulted me, nor did he compose those in
sulting verses respecting me, which were printed as his,
in "Les Anecdotes sur Madame du Barry." This would
have been an indignity I would quickly have caused
him to repent having offered.
"Well," inquired I, "are you very glad to see your
brother in Paris ? "
" No, 'pon my soul ! " returned he ; " but since he is
here, we must do the best we can with him ; he was very
anxious to see his sister-in-law and niece. He says the
former is ugly as sin, and the latter almost as handsome
as you."
"Very gallant," replied I; "but tell me, comte Jean,
does this elegant compliment proceed from my husband
or yourself ? "
We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the
marechale, and comte Jean retired.
" Well, my dear, " she began, " have you seen M. de
Sartines, and did you speak to him respecting those
100,000 livres ? "
"Oh, yes," replied I, "he gave them back to me; but
I have already had half of them stolen from me."
"By comte Jean, I'll engage," cried she. "Upon my
word, that man is a perfect spendthrift, a prodigal; who,
if you do not take great care, will certainly ruin you.
And what will you do with the remaining 50,000 livres,
my dear friend ; where will you place them ? "
"In your hands, my dear marechale; 'tis his majesty's
command."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 365
" To that command, " answered she, " I must perforce
submit " ; and, taking the bundle of notes, she continued,
" Assure his majesty that it will ever be my greatest
pride and pleasure to obey his slightest wish. My respect
for his orders can only be equalled by my tender friend
ship for her who is the bearer of the royal mandate."
Then, deliberately putting the money in her pocket, she
exclaimed, " You must own that comte Jean is a great
rogue. "

CHAPTER XXXIX.
My alarms — An dlhve of the Parc-aux-Cerfs — Comte Jean en
deavours to direct the king's ideas — A supper at Trianon — Table
talk — The king is seized with illness — His conversation with me
— The joiner's daughter and the small-pox — My despair — Conduct
of La Martiniere the surgeon.
Ihad occasionally some unaccountable whims and ca
prices. Among other follies I took it into my head
to become jealous of the duchesse de Cosse, under
the idea that the duke would return to her, and that I
should no longer possess his affections. Now the cause
of this extravagant conduct was the firmness with which
madame de Cosse refused all overtures to visit me, and
I had really become so spoiled and petted, that I could
not be brought to understand the reasonableness of the
duchesse de Cosse refusing to sanction her rival by her
presence. You may perceive that I had not carried my heroic
projects with regard to madame de Cosse into execution.
Upon these occasions, the person most to be pitied was
the duke, whom I made answerable for the dignified and
virtuous conduct of his wife. My injustice drove him
nearly to despair, and he used every kind and sensible
argument to convince me of my error, as though it had
been possible for one so headstrong and misguided as
myself to listen to or comprehend the language of reason.
I replied to his tender and beseeching epistles by every
cutting and mortifying remark; in a word, all common
sense appeared to have forsaken me. Our quarrel was
strongly suspected by part of the court ; but the extreme
prudence and forbearance of M. de Cosse prevented their
suppositions from ever obtaining any confirmation. But
(366)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 367
this was not the only subject I had for annoyance. On
the one hand, my emissaries informed me that the king
still continued to visit the baroness de New — k, although
with every appearance of caution and mystery, by the as
sistance and connivance of the duc de Duras, who had
given me his solemn promise never again to meddle with
the affair. The gouvernante of the Parc-aux-Cerfs fur
nished me likewise with a long account of the many
visits paid by his majesty to her establishment. The fact
was, the king could not be satisfied without a continual
variety, and his passion, which ultimately destroyed him,
appeared to have come on only as he advanced in years.
All these things created in my mind an extreme
agitation and an alarm, and, improbable as the thing ap
peared even to myself, there were moments when I trem
bled lest I should be supplanted either by the baroness
or some fresh object of the king's caprice; and again a
cold dread stole over me as I anticipated the probability
of the health of Louis XV. falling a sacrifice to the
irregularity of his life. It was well known throughout
the chateau, that La Martiniere, the king's surgeon, had
strongly recommended a very temperate course of life, as
essentially necessary to recruit his constitution, wasted by
so many excesses, and had even gone so far as to recom
mend his no longer having a mistress; this the courtiers
construed into a prohibition against his possessing a
friend of any other sex than his own; for my own part,
I experienced very slight apprehensions of being dis
missed, for I well knew that Louis XV. reckoned too
much on my society to permit my leaving the court,
and if one, the more tender, part of our union were dis
solved, etiquette could no longer object to my presence.
Still the advice of La Martiniere was far from giving
me a reason for congratulation; but these minor griev
ances were soon to be swallowed up in one fatal catas
trophe, by which the honours and pleasures of Versailles
were for ever torn from me.
The madame of the Parc-aux-Cerfs, fearing that some
of the subordinate members of that establishment might
bring me intimation of what was going on there without

368 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
her cognizance, came one day to apprize me that his
majesty had fallen desperately in love with a young
orphan of high birth, whom chance had conducted within
the walls of her harem ; that to an extraordinary share of
beauty, Julie ( for that was the name of my rival ) united
the most insatiate ambition; her aims were directed to
reducing the king into a state of the most absolute bond
age, "and he," said madame, "bids fair to become all
that the designing girl would have him."
Julie feigned the most violent love for her royal ad
mirer, nay she did not hesitate to carry her language
and caresses far beyond the strict rules of decency; her
manners were those of one accustomed to the most
polished society, whilst her expressions were peculiarly
adapted to please one who, like the king, had a peculiar
relish for every thing that was indecent or incorrect.
His majesty either visited her daily or sent for her to
the chateau. I heard likewise from M. d'Aiguillon, that
the king had recently given orders that the three uncles
and two brothers of Julie should be raised by rapid pro
motion to the highest military rank; at the same time
the grand almoner informed me he had received his maj
esty's express command to appoint a cousin of the
young lady to the first vacant bishopric.
These various reports threw me into a train of painful
and uneasy reflections. Louis XV. had never before be
stowed such marks of favour upon any e"leve of the Parc-
aux-Cerfs, and the intrigue had attained this height with
the most inconceivable rapidity. Chamilly interrupted
my meditations, by presenting himself with an account
of his having been commissioned by his majesty to cause
a most splendid suit of diamonds to be prepared for
mademoiselle Julie, the king not considering any jewels
of Paris worthy her acceptance. By way of a finish
to all this, I learned that two ladies, one of whom was
a duchess, had openly boasted at Versailles of their re
lationship to Julie. This was a more decided corroborative
than all the rest. Courtiers of either sex are skilful
judges of the shiftings of the wind of court favour, and
I deemed it high time to summon my brother-in-law to

COMTESSE DU BARRY 369
my assistance, as well as to urge him to exert his ut
most energies to support my tottering power.
My communication tormented comte Jean as much as
it did me; he proposed several means of combating this
rising inclination on the part of Louis XV. I assented
to whatever he suggested, and we set to work with an
eagerness, increased on my part by a species of gloomy
presentiment, which subsequent events but too fatally
confirmed. The marechale de Mirepoix, who, from being
on good terms with every person, was sure to be aware
of all that was going on, spoke to me also of this rival
who was springing up in obscurity and retirement; and
it was from the same source I learned what I have told
you of the two ladies of the court. She advised me not
to abandon myself to a blind confidence, and this opinion
was strengthened when I related all I had gathered upon
the subject.
"You may justly apprehend," said she, "that Julie will
instil some of her bold and fearless nature into the king,
and should she presume to put herself in competition
with you, victory would in all probability incline to the
side of the last comer " ; and I felt but too truly that the
marechale spoke with truth.
A few days after this, the king being alone with me,
comte Jean entered. After the usual salutations, he ex
claimed, " I have just seen a most lovely creature. "
" Who is she ? " inquired his majesty, hastily.
"No high-born dame," answered comte Jean, "but the
daughter of a cabinet-maker at Versailles; I think I
never beheld such matchless beauty."
" Always excepting present company, " replied the king.
"Assuredly," rejoined my brother-in-law, "but, sire,
the beauteous object of whom I speak is a nymph in
grace, a sylph in airy lightness, and an angel in feature. "
" Comte Jean seems deeply smitten indeed, madam, *
exclaimed Louis XV., turning towards me.
"Not I indeed," replied my brother-in-law, "my love-
making days are over."
" Oh ! oh !" cried the king, smiling, "fructus belli. "
" What does your majesty say ? " inquired I.
24

370 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
" Nay, let the comte explain, " cried Louis XV.
"The king observed, my dear sister," answered comte
Jean, " that ladies — but, in fact, I can neither explain
the observation, nor was it intended for you — so let
it rest."
He continued for some time to jest with comte Jean
upon his supposed passion for the fair daughter of the
cabinet-maker; and the king, whilst affecting the utmost
indifference, took every pains to obtain the fullest par
ticulars as to where this peerless beauty might be found.
When my brother-in-law and myself were alone, he
said to me, " I played my part famously, did I not ? How
eagerly the bait was swallowed ! "
" Explain yourself, " said I.
« My good sister, what I have said respecting this per
fection of loveliness is no fiction, neither have I at all
exaggerated either her perfections or her beauty, and
I trust by her aid we shall obliterate from the king's
mind every recollection of the syren of the Parc-aux-
Cerfs." " Heaven grant it," exclaimed I.
"My dear sister," replied comte Jean, "heaven has
nothing to do with such things."
Alas! he was mistaken, and Providence only employed
the present occasion as a means of causing us to be pre
cipitated into the very abyss of ruin we had dug for others.
On the following morning, Chamilly came to me to inquire
whether it was my pleasure that the present scheme should
be carried into execution."
"Yes, yes," answered I eagerly, "by all means, the
more we direct the inclinations of the king for the present,
the better for him and for us likewise."
Armed with my consent, Chamilly dispatched to the
unhappy girl that madame, whose skill in such delicate
commissions had never been known to fail. Not that
in the present instance any great bribes were requisite,
but it was necessary to employ some agent whose specious
reasoning and oily tongue should have power to vanquish
the virtuous reluctance of the victim herself, as well as
to obtain a promise of strict silence from her family

COMTESSE DU BARRY 37 1
They were soon induced to listen to their artful temptress ;
and the daughter, dazzled by the glittering prospect held
out to her, was induced to accompany madame back to
Trianon, where the king was to sup, in company with
the dues d'Aiguillon and de Richelieu, the prince de
Soubise, the dues de Cosse, de Duras, and de Noailles,
mesdames de Mirepoix, de Forcalquier, de Flaracourt, and
myself; my brother-in-law and Chon were also of the
party, although not among the number of those who sat
down to supper. Their presence was merely to keep up
my spirits, and with a view to divert me from dwelling
on the presumed infidelity of the king.
We had promised ourselves a most delightful evening,
and had all come with the expectation of finding consid
erable amusement in watching the countenances and con
duct of those who were not aware of the real state of
the game, whilst such as were admitted into my entire
Confidence, were sanguine in their hopes and expectations
of employing the simple beauty of the maiden of Ver
sailles to crush the aspiring views of my haughty rival
of the Parc-aux-Cerfs. This was, indeed, the point at
which I aimed, and my further intention was to request
the king to portion off mademoiselle Julie, so that she
might be ever removed from again crossing my path.
Meanwhile, by way of passing the tedious hours, I went
to satisfy my curiosity respecting those charms of which
comte Jean had spoken so highly. I found the object of
so many conjectures possessed of an uncommon share of
beauty, set off, on the present occasion, by every aid that
a splendid and elaborate toilette could impart; her fea
tures were perfect, her form tall and symmetrical, her
hair was in the richest style of luxuriance; but by way
of drawback to so many advantages, both her hands and
feet were large and coarse. I had expected to have
found her timid, yet exulting, but she seemed languid
and dejected even to indisposition. I attributed the lassi
tude and heaviness which hung over her to some natural
regrets for sacrificing some youthful passion at the shrine
of ambition; but I was far from guessing the truth. Had
I but suspected the real cause! but I contented myself

372 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
with a silent scrutiny, and did not ( as I should have done)
question her on the subject, but passed on to the saloon,
where the guests were already assembled. The evening
passed away most delightfully ; the marechale de Mirepoix
excelled herself in keeping up a continual flow of lively
conversation. Never had messieurs de Cosse and de
Richelieu appeared to equal advantage. The king laughed
heartily at the many humorous tales told, and his gaiety
was the more excited, from his believing that I was in
utter ignorance of his infidelity. The champagne was
passed freely round the table, till all was one burst of
hilarious mirth. A thousand different topics were started,
and dismissed only to give way to fresh subjects more
piquant than the preceding.
The king, in a fit of good humour, began to relate his
adventures with madame de Grammont; but here you
must pardon me, my friend, for so entirely did his
majesty give the reins to his inclination for a plain style
of language, that, although excess of prudery formed no
part of the character of any of the ladies assembled, we
were compelled to sit with our eyes fixed upon our plate
or glass, not daring to meet the glance of those near us.
I have little doubt but that Louis XV. indulged himself
to this extent by a kind of mental vow to settle the af
fair with his confessor at the earliest opportunity.
We were still at table when the clock struck two hours
past midnight.
"Bless me! so late?" inquired the king.
" Indeed, sire, " replied the marechale de Mirepoix,
"your agreeable society drives all recollection of time
away. "
" Then 'tis but fit I should furnish you all with memory
enough to recollect what is necessary for your own
health. Come, my friends, morning will soon call us to
our different cares, so away to your pillows."
So saying, the king bade us a friendly farewell, and
retired with the dues de Duras and de Noailles. We re
mained after his majesty, and retiring into the great
saloon, threw ourselves without any ceremony upon the
different couches and ottomans.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 373
" For my own part, " said the prince de Soubise, " I shall
not think of separating from so agreeable a party till
daylight warns me hence."
"The first beams of morn will soon shine through
these windows," replied M. d'Aiguillon.
" We can already perceive the brightest rays of Aurora
reflected in the sparkling eyes around us," exclaimed M.
de Cosse.
"A truce with your gallantry, gentlemen," replied
madame de Mirepoix, "at my age I can only believe
myself capable of reflecting the last rays of the setting
sun. "
" Hush ! " interrupted madame de Forcalquier, " you
forget we are at Versailles, where age is never thought
of, but where, like our gracious sovereign, all are young. "
"Come, ladies," said madame de Flaracourt, "let us
retire; I for one, plead guilty of being in need of re
pose. "
" No, no ! " replied the duc de Richelieu, " let us em
ploy the remaining hours in pleasing and social converse,"
and with a tremulous voice he began that charming trio
in " Selina and Azor, " " Veillons mes soeurs. " We joined
chorus with him, and the echoes of the palace of Louis
XV. resounded with the mirthful strain. This burst of
noisy mirth did not last long, and we relapsed into in
creased taciturnity, spite of our endeavours to keep up a
general conversation. We were all fatigued, though none
but madame de Flaracourt would confess the fact.
Tired nature called loudly for repose, and we were each
compelled to seek it in the different apartments assigned
us.' The duc d'Aiguillon alone was compelled, by the
duties of his office, to return to Versailles.
Upon entering my chamber I found my brother-in-law
there, in the most violent fit of ill humour, that the
king (who was in fact ignorant of his being at Trianon)
had not invited him to supper. As I have before told
you, comte Jean was no favourite with his majesty, and
as I had displayed no wish for his company, Louis XV.
had gladly profited by my indifference to omit him upon
the present occasion. I endeavoured to justify the king,

374 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
without succeeding, however, in appeasing comte Jean,
who very unceremoniously consigned us all to the care
and company of a certain old gentleman, whose territory
is supposed to lie beneath "the round globe which we
inhabit. "
" I have to thank you, " replied I, " for a very flattering
mode of saying ( good night. * "
"Perhaps," answered comte Jean roughly, "you would
prefer — "
" Nothing from your lips if you please, my polite
brother," cried I, interrupting him, "nothing you will
say in your present humour can be at all to my taste."
Chon interfered between us, and effected a reconcilia
tion, which I was the more willing to listen to, that I
might enjoy that sleep my weary eye-lids craved for.
Scarcely was my head on my pillow, than I fell into a pro
found sleep : could I but have anticipated to what I should
awake! It was eleven o'clock on the following morning
when an immense noise of some person entering my
chamber, aroused me from the sweet slumbers I was still
buried in. Vexed at the disturbance, I inquired, in a
peevish tone, " Who is there ? "
" ' Tis I, my sister, " replied Chon, " M. de Chamilly is
here, anxious to speak with you upon a matter of great
importance. "
Chamilly, who was close behind mademoiselle du Barry,
begged to be admitted.
" What is the matter, Chamilly ? " cried I, " and what
do you want? Is mademoiselle Julie to set off into the
country immediately ? "
"Alas! madam," replied Chamilly, "his majesty is ex
tremely ill."
These words completely roused me, and raising myself
on my arm, I eagerly repeated,
" 111 ! of what does he complain ? "
"Of general and universal pain and suffering," replied
Chamilly. " And the female who was here last night, how is she ? "
"Nearly as bad, madam; she arose this morning com
plaining of illness and languor, which increased so rap-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 375
idly, that she was compelled to be carried to one of the
nearest beds, where she now is."
All this tormented me to the greatest degree, and I
dismissed Chamilly for the purpose of rising, although I
had no distinct idea of what it would be most desirable
to say or do. My sister-in-law, with more self-possession,
suggested the propriety of summoning Bordeu, my phy
sician; a proposal which I at once concurred in, more
especially when she informed me, that La Martiniere was
already sent for, and hourly expected.
"I trust," said I, "that Bouvart knows nothing of this,
for I neither approve of him as a man or a doctor."
The fact was, I should have trembled for my own power,
had both Bouvart and La Martiniere got the king into
their hands. With La Martiniere I knew very well I
was no favourite; yet it was impossible to prevent his
attendance ; the king would never have fancied a prescrip
tion in which he did not concur.
Meanwhile I proceeded with my toilette as rapidly as
possible, that I might, by visiting the king, satisfy myself
of the nature of his malady. Ere I had finished dressing,
my brother-in-law, who had likewise been aroused by the
mention of his majesty's illness, entered my chamber with
a gloomy look ; he already, saw the greatness of the danger
which threatened us, he had entirely forgotten our quarrel
of the preceding evening, but his temper was by no means
improved by the present state of things. We had no
need of explaining ourselves by words, and he continued
walking up and down the room with his arms folded and
his eyes fixed on the floor, till we were joined by the
marechale de Mirepoix and the comtesse de Forcalquier.
Madame de Flaracourt had taken her departure at an
early hour, either ignorant of what had occurred or with
the intention of being prepared for whatever might
happen. As yet, it was but little in the power of any person to
predict the coming blow. "The king is ill," said each
of us as we met. "The king is ill," was the morn
ing salutation of the dues de Richelieu, de Noailles, de
Duras, and de Cosse. The prince de Soubise had followed

376 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
the example of madame de Flaracourt, and had quitted
Trianon; it seemed as though the hour for defections
were already arrived. A summons now arrived from his
majesty who wished to see me. I lost not a moment in
repairing to his apartment, where I found him in bed,
apparently in much pain and uneasiness. He received
me tenderly, took my hands in his, and kissed them ; then
exclaimed, "I feel more indisposed than I can describe, a weight
seems pressing on my chest, and universal languor ap
pears to chain my faculties both of body and mind. I
should like to see La Martiniere."
"And would you not likewise wish to have the advice
of Bordeu?"
(CYes," said he, "let both come, they are both clever
men, and I have full confidence in their skill. But do
you imagine that my present illness will be of a serious
nature ? "
"By no means, sire," returned I, "merely temporary, I
trust and believe."
"Perhaps I took more wine than agreed with me last
evening ; but where is the marechale ? "
" In my chamber with madame de Forcalquier. "
" And the prince de Soubise ? "
"He has taken flight," replied I, laughing.
" I suppose so, " returned Louis XV. , " he could not
bear a long absence from Paris ; company he must have. "
" In that respect he resembles you, sire, for you gener
ally consider company as a necessary good."
He smiled, and then closing his eyes remained for
some minutes silent and motionless, after a while he
said, "My head is very heavy, so farewell, my sweet friend,
I will endeavour to get some sleep."
"Sleep, sire!" said I, "and may it prove as healthful
and refreshing as I pray it may."
So saying, I glided out of the room and returned to
my friends, I found madame de Mirepoix and the duc
de Cosse waiting for me in the anteroom.
" How is the king ? " inquired they both in a breath.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 377
"Better than I expected," I replied, "but he is desir
ous of sleeping."
" So much the worse, " observed the duc de Cosse ; " I
should have thought better of his case had he been
more wakeful."
"Are you aware of the most imperative step for you
to take ? " inquired the marechale de Mirepoix.
"No," said I, "what is it?"
" To keep his majesty at Trianon, " replied she ; " it
will be far better for you that the present illness should
take its course at Trianon rather than at Versailles."
"I second that advice," cried the duc de Richelieu,
who just then entered the room; "yes, yes, as madame
de Mirepoix wisely observes, this is the place for the
king to be ill in."
"But," exclaimed I, "must we not be guided by the
physicians' advice?"
" Do you make sure of Bordeu, " said the duke, " and I
will speak to La Martiniere."
M. de Cosse took me aside, and assured me that I
might rely upon him in life or death. When we had
conversed together for some minutes, I besought of him
to leave the place as early as possible ; " Take madame
de Forcalquier with you," said I, "your presence just
now at Trianon would be too much commented upon."
He made some difficulties in obeying me, but I in
sisted and he went. After his departure, the duc de
Richelieu the marechale and myself walked together in
the garden. Our walk was so directed that we could see
through the colonnade every person who arrived up the
avenue. We spoke but little, and an indescribable feel
ing of solemnity was mingled with the few words which
passed, when, all at once, our attention was attracted by
the sight of comte Jean, who rushed towards me in a
state of frenzy.
"Accursed day," cried he, stopping when he saw us,
" that wretched girl from Versailles has brought the small
pox with her."
At this fatal news I heaved a deep sigh and fainted.
I was carried under the portico, while the poor marechale,

378 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
scarcely more in her senses than myself, stood over me
weeping like a child, while every endeavour was being
made to restore me to life. Bordeu, who chanced to be
at Versailles, arrived, and supposing it was on my ac
count he had been summoned, hastened to my assist
ance. The duc de Richelieu and comte Jean informed
him of all that had passed, upon which he requested to
see the unfortunate female immediately; while he was
conducted thither, I remained alone with the marechale
and Henriette, who had come to Trianon with my suite.
My first impulse upon regaining the use of my senses,
was to throw myself in the arms of the marechale.
" What will become of me ? " exclaimed I, weeping,
"if the king should take this fatal malady, he will never
survive it."
"Let us hope for the best," answered madame de
Mirepoix; "it would be encouraging grief to believe a
misfortune, which we have at present no reason to sus
pect. "
Comte Jean now rejoined us, accompanied by Bordeu
and the duc de Richelieu; their countenances were gloomy
and dejected. The miserable victim of ambition had the
symptoms of the most malignant sort of small-pox; this
was a finishing stroke to my previous alarms. However,
comte Jean whispered in my ear, " Bordeu will arrange
that the king shall remain here."
This assurance restored me to something like compo
sure; but these hopes were speedily dissipated by the
arrival of La Martiniere.
"What is the matter?" inquired he, "is the king very
ill?" "That remains for you to decide"; replied, the duc de
Richelieu; "but however it may be, madame du Barry
entreats of you not to think of removing the king to
Versailles. "
" And why so ? " asked La Martiniere, with his accus
tomed abruptness. " His majesty would be much better
there than here."
" He can nowhere be better than at Trianon, monsieur,"
said I.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 379
"That, madam," answered La Martiniere, "is the only
point upon which you must excuse my consulting you, un
less, indeed, you are armed with a physician's diploma."
"Monsieur la Martiniere," cried the duc de Richelieu,
" you might employ more gentle language when speaking
to a lady."
"Was I sent for hither," inquired the angry physician,
" to go through a course of politeness ? "
For my own part I felt the utmost dread, I scarcely
knew of what. Bordeu, seeing my consternation, hastened
to interfere, by saying,
" At any rate, monsieur la Martiniere, you will not
alarm the king needlessly."
" Nor lull him into a false security, * answered the de
termined La Martiniere. " But what is his malady ? have
you seen him, doctor Bordeu ? "
« Not yet. »
" Then why do we linger here ? Your servant, ladies
and gentlemen."
The medical men then departed, accompanied by the
duc de Richelieu.

CHAPTER XL.
La Martiniere causes the king to be removed to Versailles — The
young prophet appears again to madame du Barry — Prediction
respecting cardinal de Richelieu — The joiner's daughter requests
to see madame du Barry — Madame de Mirepoix and the 50,000
francs — A soirie in the salon of madame du Barry.
We continued for some minutes silently gazing on
the retreating figures of La Martiniere and his
companions.
"Come," said the marechale, "let us return to the
house " ; saying which, she supported herself by the arm
of comte Jean, whilst I mechanically followed her exam
ple, and sadly and sorrowfully we bent our steps beneath
the splendid colonnade which formed the entrance to the
mansion. When I reached my chamber, I found mademoiselle du
Barry there, still ignorant of the alarming news I had
just learned. She earnestly pressed me to return to bed,
but this I refused ; for my burning anxiety to learn every
particular relative to the king would have prevented my
sleeping. How different was the style of our present con
versation to that of the preceding evening; no sound of
gaiety was heard; hushed alike were the witty repartee,
and the approving laugh which followed it. Now, we
spoke but by fits and starts, with eye and ear on the watch
to catch the slightest sound, whilst the most trifling noise,
or the opening of a door, made us start with trepidation
and alarm. The time appeared to drag on to an inter
minable length.
At last the duc de Richelieu made his appearance.
"Well, my friends," said he, "the king is to be re
moved to Versailles, spite of your wishes, madam, spite
of his own royal inclination, and against mine, likewise.
(380)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 381
La Martiniere has thundered forth his edict, and poor Bor
deu opposed him in vain. His majesty, who expresses a
wish to remain here, stated his pleasure to La Marti
niere. "'Sire,* answered the obstinate physician, 'it cannot
be. You are too ill to be permitted to take your choice
in the matter, and to the chateau at Versailles you must
be removed.'
" ' Your words imply my being dangerously indisposed, *
said the king, inquiringly.
" ' Your majesty is sufficiently ill to justify every pre
caution, and to require our best cares. You must return
to the chateau; Trianon is not healthy; you will be much
better at Versailles.'
" * Upon my word, doctor, * replied the king, < your
words are far from consoling; there must be danger,
then, in my present sickness ? *
" ( There would be considerable danger were you to re
main here, whilst it is very probable you may avoid any
chance of it by following my directions with regard to
an immediate removal to Versailles.'
(<<I feel but little disposed for the journey,* said his
majesty. " ( Still, your majesty must be removed, there is an abso
lute necessity for it, and I take all the responsibility upon
myself. *
" What do you think of this determination, Bordeu ? '
" ( I think, sire, that you may be permitted to please
yourself. '
" ' You hear that, La Martiniere ? '
"'Yes, sire, and your majesty heard my opinion like
wise. ' Then turning towards Bordeu, ' Sir, * exclaimed
he, 'I call upon you in my capacity of head physician
to the king, to state your opinion in writing, and to abide
by the consequences of it; you who are not one of his
majesty's physicians.*
"At this direct appeal, your doctor, driven to extremi
ties, adopted either the wise or cowardly resolution of
maintaining a strict silence. The king, who was awaiting
his reply with much impatience, perceiving his reluctance

382 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
to speak, turned towards the duc de Duras, who was in
attendance upon him, and said, < Let them take me when
and where my head physician advises.'"
At this recital I shed fresh tears. The duke after
wards told us that when La Martiniere had quitted his
majesty, he went to ascertain the condition of the wretched
girl who had introduced all this uneasiness among us, and
after having attentively examined her, he exclaimed, " She
is past all hope, God only knows what the consequences
may be. " This gloomy prognostic added still more to my
distress, and whilst those around me strove to communi
cate fresh hopes and confidence to my tortured mind, I
remained in a state too depressed and dejected to admit
one, even one ray of consolation.
The king was removed from Trianon, followed by all
the persons belonging to his suite. The marechale in
sisted upon deferring her departure till I quitted the
place. We set out a few minutes after his majesty, and
my coachman had orders to observe the same slow pace
at which the royal carriage travelled. Scarcely had we
reached Versailles, when mechanically directing my eyes
towards the iron gate leading to the garden, a sudden
paleness overspread my countenance, and a cry of terror
escaped me, for, leaning against the gate in question, I
perceived that singular being, who, after having foretold
my elevation, had engaged to present himself before me,
when a sudden reverse was about to overtake me. This
unexpected fulfilment of his promise threw me into the
most cruel agitation, and I could not refrain from ex
plaining the cause of my alarm to those who were with
me. No sooner had I made myself understood than
comte Jean stopped the carriage, and jumped out with
the intention of questioning this mysterious visitor. We
waited with extreme impatience the return of my brother-
in-law, but he came back alone, nor had he been able to
discover the least trace of the object of his search. In
vain had he employed the two footmen from behind the
carriage to examine the different avenues by which he
might have retired. Nothing could be heard of him, and
I remained, more than ever, convinced that the entire

COMTESSE DU BARRY 383
fulfilment of the prophecy was at hand, and that the fatal
hour would shortly strike, which would witness my fall
from all my pomp and greatness. We continued our
route slowly and silently; the marechale accompanied me
to the door of my apartment, where I bade her adieu,
spite of her wish to remain with me ; but even her society
was now fatiguing to me, and I longed to be alone with
merely my own family.
My two sisters-in-law, the wife of comte d'Hargicourt
and that of my nephew, were speedily assembled to talk
over with me the events of the last twelve hours. I
threw myself upon my bed in a state of mental and
bodily fatigue, impossible to describe. I strove in vain to
collect my ideas, and arm myself for what I well saw was
approaching, and the exact appearance of the singular
predicter of my destiny prepared me for the rapid accom
plishing of all that had been promised.
Louis XV., during this fatal illness, was placed under
the care of Bordeu and Lemonnier. No particularly
alarming symptoms appeared during that day, and we re
mained in a state of suspense more difficult to bear than
even the most dreadful certainty. As soon as the king
felt himself sufficiently recovered from the fatigues of his
removal he requested to see me. After bestowing on me
the most gratifying marks of the sincerest attachment,
he said,
" I am well punished, my dear countess, for my incon
stancy towards you, but forgive me. I pray and believe
that, however my fancy may wander, my heart is all your
own. "
" Is that quite true ? " said I, smiling. " Have you not
some reservations ? Does not a noble female in the Parc-
aux-Cerfs come in for a share as well as the baroness de
New— k ? »
The king pressed my hand, and replied,
" You must not believe all those idle tales ; I met the
baroness by chance, and, for a time, I thought her pretty.
As for the other, if she renders you in any way uneasy,
let her be married at once, and sent where we need never
see her again."

384 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"This is, indeed, the language of sincerity," cried I,
"and from this moment I shall have the fullest confi
dence in you."
The conversation was carried on for a long while in
this strain. The physicians had made so light of the com
plaint, that the king believed his illness to be merely of
a temporary nature, and his gaiety and good spirits re
turned almost to their natural height. He inquired after
madame de Mirepoix, and whether my sisters-in-law were
uneasy respecting his state of health. You may imagine
that my reply was worded with all the caution necessary
to keep him in profound ignorance as to his real condi
tion. When I returned to my apartment I found Bordeu
there, who appeared quite at a loss what to say respect
ing the king's malady, the symptoms still remained too
uncertain to warrant any person in calling it the small-
poxj " And should it prove that horrible complaint ? " in
quired I.
"There would, in that case, be considerable danger,"
replied Bordeu, not without extreme embarrassment.
" Perhaps even to the extinction of all hope ? " asked I.
"God alone can tell," returned Bordeu.
" I understand, " interrupted I, quickly, " and, spite of
the mystery with which you would fain conceal the ex
tent of his majesty's danger, I know, and venture to
assert, that you consider him already as dead."
" Have a care, madam, " exclaimed Bordeu, " how you
admit such an idea, and still more of proclaiming it. I
pledge you my word that I do not consider the king is
in danger; I have seen many cures equally extraordinary
with his."
I shook my head in token of disbelief. I had uttered
what I firmly supposed the truth, and the sight of my
evil genius in the person of the prophet who had awaited
my return to Versailles, turned the encouraging words of
Bordeu into a cold, heavy chill, which struck to my
heart. Bordeu quitted me to resume his attendance upon
the king. After him came the duc d'Aiguillon, whose
features bore the visible marks of care and disquiet.

COMTESSE DTJ BARRY 385
met me with the utmost tenderness and concern, asked
of me the very smallest details of the disastrous events
of the morning. I concealed nothing from him, and he
listened to my recital with the most lively interest; and
the account of the apparition of the wonderful being who
seemed destined to follow me throughout my career was
not the least interesting part of our conversation.
" There are, " said the duke, " many very extraordi
nary things in this life, reason questions them, philosophy
laughs at them, and yet it is impossible to deny that
there are various hidden causes, or sudden inspirations,
which have the greatest effect upon our destiny. As a
proof, I will relate to you the following circumstance.
You are aware," continued the duke, "that the cardinal
de Richelieu, the author of our good fortune, spite of the
superiority of his mind, believed in judicial astrology.
When his own immediate line became extinct by the un
expected death of his family and relatives, he wished to
ascertain what would be the fate of those children be
longing to his sister, whom he had adopted as the suc
cessors of his name, arms, and fortune. The planets were
consulted, and the answer received was, that two cen
turies from the day on which Providence had so highly
elevated himself, the family, upon whom rested all his
hopes of perpetuating his name, should fail entirely in
its male descent. You see that the duc de Fronsac has
only one child, an infant not many days old. I also
have but one, and these two feeble branches seem but
little calculated to falsify the prediction. Judge, my dear
countess, how great must be my paternal anxiety! "
This relation on the part of the duc d'Aiguillon was
but ill calculated to restore my drooping spirits, and al
though I had no reason for concluding that the astrologer
had spoken prophetically to the grand cardinal, I was not
the less inclined to believe, with increased confidence, the
predictions uttered respecting myself by my inexplicable
visitor of the morning. My ever kind friend, the duch
esse d'Aiguillon, was not long ere she too made her ap
pearance, with the view, and in the hope of consoling me.
I could not resist her earnest endeavours to rouse me
25

386 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
from my grief, and a grateful sense of her goodness
obliged me to deck my features with at least the sem
blance of cheerfulness. Every hour fresh accounts of the
king's health were brought me, of a most encouraging
nature; by these bulletins one might naturally suppose
him rapidly recovering, and we all began to smile at our
folly in having been so soon alarmed; in fact, my spirits
rose in proportion as those about me appeared full of
fresh confidence, and the mysterious visit of my evil
genius gradually faded from my recollection.
In this manner the day passed away. I visited the
king from time to time, and he, although evidently much
oppressed and indisposed, conversed with me without any
painful effort. His affection for me seemed to gain fresh
strength as his bodily vigour declined, and the fervent
attachment he expressed for me, at a time when self
might reasonably have been expected to hold possession
of his mind, filled me with regret at not being able more
fully to return so much tenderness. In the evening I
wished to be alone, the marechale de Mirepoix had sent
to request a private interview, and I awaited her arrival
in my chamber, whilst an immense concourse of visitors
filled my salons. The king's danger was not yet suffi
ciently decided for the courtiers to abandon me, and the
chances continued too strongly in my favour to warrant
any one of them in withdrawing from me their usual
attentions. Comte Jean, however, presented himself be
fore me, spite of the orders I had given to exclude every
person but the marechale.
"My dear sister," cried he, as he entered, "Chamilly
has just told me that he has received the royal command
to have Julie married off without delay; now this is a
piece of delicacy towards yourself on the part of the
king for which you owe him many thanks. But I have
another communication to make you, of a less pleasing
nature. The unfortunate girl who has been left at Tri
anon, has called incessantly for you the whole of this
day; she asserts that she has matters of importance to
communicate to you."
Whatever surprise I experienced at this intelligence, it

COMTESSE DU BARRY 387
was impossible it could be otherwise than true, for was
it likely that, at a time like the present, comte Jean would
attempt to impose such a tale upon me.
" What would you have me do ? " asked I of my brother-
in-law. " Hark ye, sister, " replied he, " we are both of us in a
very critical situation just now, and should spare no en
deavour to extricate ourselves from it. Very possibly this
girl may be in possession of facts more important than
you at present conceive possible; the earnestness with
which she perseveres in her desire of seeing you, and her
repeated prayers to those around her to beg your attend
ance, proves that it is something more than the mere
whim of a sick person, and in your place, I should not
hesitate to comply with her wishes."
" And how could we do so ? " said I.
" To-night, " returned he, " when all your guests have
retired, and Versailles is in a manner deserted, I will
fetch you; we have keys which open the various gates
in the park, and walking through which, and the gar
dens, we can reach Trianon unobserved. No person
will be aware of our excursion, and we shall return with
the same caution with which we went. We will, after
our visit, cause our clothes to be burnt, take a bath, and
use every possible precaution to purify ourselves from
all chance of infection. When that is done you may
venture into the apartment of his majesty, even if that
malady which at present hangs over him should turn out
to be the small-pox."
I thought but little of the consequences of our scheme,
or of the personal danger I incurred, and I promised
my brother-in-law that I would hold myself in readiness
to accompany him. We then conversed together upon
the state of the king, and, what you will have some diffi
culty in crediting, not one word escaped either of us
relative to our future plans or prospects; still it was the
point to which the thoughts of comte Jean must naturally
have turned
We were interrupted in our t$te-a-t$te by the arrival
of the marechale, whose exactitude I could not but ad-

388 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
mire. Comte Jean, having hastily paid his compliments,
left us together.
"Well, my dear countess," said she, taking my hand
with a friendly pressure, " and how goes on the dear
invalid ? "
"Better, I hope," replied I, "and indeed, this illness,
at first so alarming to me, seems rather calculated to al
lay my former fears and anxieties by affording the king
calm and impartial reflection; the result of it is that my
dreaded rival of the Parc-aux-Cerfs is dismissed."
"I am delighted to hear this," replied madame de
Mirepoix, " but, my dear soul, let me caution you against
too implicitly trusting these deceitful appearances, to
morrow may destroy these flattering hopes, and the next
day — "
" Indeed ! " cried I, interrupting her, " the physicians
answer for his recovery."
" And suppose they should chance to be mistaken, "
returned my cautious friend, " what then ? But, my
dear countess, my regard for you compels me to speak
out, and to warn you of reposing in tranquillity when
you ought to be acting. Do not deceive yourself, leave
nothing to chance ; and if you have any favour to ask of
the king, lose no time in so doing while yet you have the
opportunity. "
" And what favour would you advise me to ask ? "
said- I.
" You do not understand me, then ? " exclaimed the
marechale, " I say that it is imperatively necessary for
you to accept whatever the king may feel disposed to
offer you as a future provision, and as affording you the
means of passing the remainder of your days in ease and
tranquillity. What would become of you in case of the
worst? Your numerous creditors would besiege you with
a rapacity, still further excited by the support they
would receive from court. You look at me with surprise
because I speak the language of truth; be a reasonable
creature I implore of you once in your life, and do not
thus sacrifice the interests of your life to a romantic dis
regard of self."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 389
I could not feel offended with the marechale for ad
dressing me thus, but I could not help fancying the
moment was ill chosen, and unable to frame an answer
to my mind, I remained silent. Mistaken as to the cause
of my taciturnity, she continued,
" Come, I am well pleased to see you thus reflecting
upon what I have said; but lose no time, strike the iron
while it is hot. Do as I have recommended either to
night or early to-morrow; possibly, after that time it may
be too late. May I venture also to remind you of your
friends, my dear countess. I am in great trouble just
now, and I trust you will not refuse to obtain for me,
from his majesty, a favour of which I stand in the utmost
need — 50,000 francs would come very seasonably; I have
lost that sum at cards, and must pay it, but how I know
not. »
"Let not that distress you," said I, "for I can relieve
you of that difficulty until the king's convalescence en
ables him to undertake the pleasing office of assisting
your wishes. M. de Laborde has orders to honour all my
drafts upon him, I will therefore draw for the sum you
require." So saying, I hastily scrawled upon a little tum
bled piece of paper those magic words, which had power
to unlock the strong coffers of a court banker. The
marechale embraced me several times with the utmost
vivacity. " You are my guardian angel, * cried she, " you save me
from despair. But, tell me, my generous friend, do you
think M. de Laborde will make any difficulty ? "
"Why," said I, "should you suppose it possible he will
do so ? "
" Oh, merely on account of present circumstances. "
" What circumstances ? "
" The illness — no, I mean the indisposition of his
majesty." " He is an excellent man, " said I, " and I doubt not
but he will act nobly and honourably."
"If we could but procure his majesty's signature — "
" But that is quite impossible to-night. "
"I know it is, and, therefore, I will tell you what I

390 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
think of doing. Perhaps, if I were to set out for Paris
immediately, I might be able to present this cheque be-
foie Laborde is acquainted with our misfortune. It is
not late, so farewell, my dearest countess. I shall return
to-morrow before you are up, but do not forget what I
have said to you ; and remember, that under any circum
stances, the king should secure you a safe and ample
independence. If his death finds you well provided for,
you will still have a court, friends, relatives, partisans,
in a word, the means of gratifying every inclination. Be
guided by me, and follow my advice. "
And after this lesson of practical morality, the mare
chale quitted me to hurry to Paris; and I, wearied and
heartsick, flew to my crowded salons as a remedy against
the gloomy ideas her conversation had given rise to.
On this evening my guests were more numerous and
brilliant, than usual, for no person entertaining the least
suspicion of the king's danger, all vied with each other
in evincing, by their presence, the desire they felt of ex
pressing their regard for me. My friends, acquaintances,
people whom I scarcely knew at all, were collected to
gether in my drawing-rooms; this large assemblage of
joyous and cheerful faces, drove away for a moment all
the gloom which had hung over me. I even forgot the
morning's visitor, and if the health of the king were at
all alluded to, it was only en passant. It seemed a gen
erally understood thing not to believe him seriously ill;
in fact, to deny all possibility of such a thing being the
case. Thus all went on as usual, scandal, slander, epi
grams, jeux d'esprits, all the lively nonsense usually cir
culated upon such occasions, went round, and were
laughed at and admired according to the tastes of those
to whom they were addressed.
Could a stranger have seen us, so careless, thoughtless,
and gay, he would have been far from suspecting that
we were upon the eve of a catastrophe which must change
the whole face of affairs in France. For my own part,
my spirits rose to a height with the giddy crowd around
me, and in levity and folly, I really believe I exceeded
them.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 391
At a late hour my rooms were at length forsaken, and
I retired to my chamber, where, having dismissed my
other attendants, I remained alone (as was frequently
my custom) with my faithful Henriette, whom I caused
to exchange my evening dress for a dark robe, which I
covered with a large Spanish mantle I had never before
worn, and thus equipped, I waited the arrival of comte
Jean. Henriette, surprised at these preparations, pressed
me with so many questions, that at last I explained my
whole purpose to her. The attached creature exerted all
her eloquence to point out the dangers of the enterprise,
which she implored of me to abandon, but I refused to
listen to her remonstrances, and she ceased urging me
further, only protesting she should await my return with
the most lively impatience.
At length, comte Jean appeared, armed with a small
sword-stick and pistols in his pocket, with every other
precaution necessary for undertaking so perilous an ad
venture. We descended into the garden with many
smiles at the singular figures we made, but no sooner
were we in the open air, than the sight of the clear
heavens sparkling with stars, the cool still night, the
vast walks lined with statues, which resembled a troop
of white phantoms, the gentle waving of the branches
as the evening breeze stirred their leaves, with that
feeling of awe and solemnity generally attendant upon
the midnight hour, awoke in our minds ideas more suit
able to our situation. We ceased speaking, and walked
slowly down the walk past the basin of the dragon, in
order, by crossing the park, to reach the chateau de Tri
anon. Fortune favoured us, for we met only one guard in
the park ; this man having recognised us as we drew near,
saluted us, and was about to retire, when my brother-
in-law called him back and desired him to take our key,
and open with it the nearest gates to the place which
we wished to go to. He also commanded him to await
our return. The soldier was accustomed to these noc
turnal excursions even on the part of the most scrupu
lous and correct gentlemen and ladies of the court.

392 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
He, therefore, assured us of his punctuality, and opened
for us a great iron gate, which it would have cost my
brother-in-law much trouble to have turned upon its
hinges. The nearer we approached the end of our journey, the
more fully did our minds become impressed with new
and painful disquietudes. At length, we reached the
place of our destination.
My brother-in-law desired he might be announced but
said nothing of who I was. We were expected, for a
Swiss belonging to the palace conducted us to a chamber
at one end of the chateau, where, stretched on a bed of
loathsome disease, was the creature who, but a few hours
before, had been deemed worthy the embraces of a
powerful monarch. Beside her were an elderly female,
her mother, and an aged priest, who had been likewise
summoned by the unfortunate girl, and her brother, a
young man of about twenty-four years of age, with an
eye of fire, and a frame of Herculean power. He was
sitting with his back turned towards the door ; the mother,
half reclining on the bed, held in her hand a handker
chief steeped in her tears, while the ecclesiastic read
prayers to them from a book which he held. A nurse,
whom we had not before perceived, answered the call
of the Swiss, and inquired of him what he wanted.
" I want nothing, myself, " answered he, " but here is
comte Jean du Barry with a lady from Versailles; they
say they come at the request of mademoiselle Anne."
We were now on the threshold of the door, and the
nurse, crossing the chamber, spoke to the mother, who
hastily rose, while the priest discontinued his prayers.
The mother looked at us, then whispered some words to
her daughter. The patient stirred in her bed, and the
nurse returning to us, said to comte Jean that he might
approach the bed of the invalid.
He advanced and I followed him, although the noisome
effluvia with which the air was loaded produced a sick
ness I scarcely could surmount. The gloom of the place
was still further increased by the dim light of two wax
candles placed in a nook of the room.

COMTESSE DU BARRY 393
The priest, having recognised my brother-in-law, and
suspecting doubtless who I was, was preparing to with
draw, but the sick girl made signs for him to remain.
He obeyed, but removing to a distance, he took his place
beside the young man, who, understanding only that
strangers had arrived, rose from his seat and displayed
his tall gigantic height to the fullest advantage.

CHAPTER XLI.
Interview with the joiner's daughter — Consultation of the physicians
respecting the king — The small-pox declares itself — The comte de
Muy — The princesses — Extreme sensibility of madame de Mirepoix
— The king is kept in ignorance of his real condition — The arch
bishop of Paris visits Versailles.
The gloomy and mysterious air scattered over the group
which presented itself to our eyes filled us with
desponding thoughts. There appeared throughout
the party a kind of concentrated grief and silent despair
which struck us with terror. We remained motionless in
the same spot without any persons quitting their fixed
attitude to offer us a seat. After some minutes of a deep
silence, which I durst not interrupt any more than comte
Jean, whose accustomed hardihood seemed effectually
checked, the suffering girl raised herself in her bed, and
in a hollow voice exclaimed,
" Comtesse du Barry, what brings you here ? "
The sound of her hoarse and grating voice made me
start, spite of myself.
" My poor child, " answered I, tenderly, " I come to see
you at your request."
"Yes, yes," replied she, bursting into a frightful fit of
laughter, " I wished to see you to thank you for my dis
honour, and for the perdition into which you have in
volved me."
"My daughter," said the priest, approaching her, "is
this what you promised me ? "
"And what did I promise to God when I vowed to
hold myself chaste and spotless? Perjured wretch that I
am, I have sold my honour for paltry gold; wheedled by
(394)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 395
the deceitful flattery of that man who stands before me,
I joined his infamous companion in the path of guilt and
shame. But the just vengeance of heaven has overtaken
me, and I am rightly punished."
Whether this language was the result of a previously
studied lesson I know not, but it was ill-calculated to
raise my failing spirits.
" My child, my beloved child ! " exclaimed the weeping
mother, "fear not, God is merciful and will accept your
sincere abhorrence of your fault. I have this day offered
in your name a fine wax taper to your patroness, St.
Anne, who will, no doubt, intercede for you."
" No, no ! " replied the unhappy girl ; " there is no
longer any hope for me; and the torments I now suffer
are but the preludes to those which I am doomed to en
dure everlastingly."
This singular scene almost convulsed me with agitation.
I seized the arm of my brother-in-law with the intention
of escaping from so miserable a spot; the invalid per
ceived my design and vehemently exclaimed,
" Stay, comtesse du Barry ; I have not yet finished with
you, I have not yet announced the full revenge I shall
take for your share in my present hopeless condition;
your infamous exaltation draws to a close, the same poi
son which is destroying me, circulates in the veins of him
you have too long governed ; but your reign is at an end.
He will soon quit his earthly crown, and my hand strikes
the blow which sends him hence. But still, dying a vic
tim to a cruel and loathsome complaint, I go to my
grave triumphing over my haughty rival, for I shall die
the last possessor of the king's affections. Heavens!
what agonies are these ? " cried she ; then, after a short
silence, she continued, extending to me her arms hideous
with the leprous blotches of her disgusting malady, "yes,
you have been my destruction; your accursed example
led me to sell myself for the wages of infamy, and to
the villainous artifices of the man who brought you here
I owe all my sufferings. I am dying more young, more
beautiful, more beloved than you; I am hurried to an
untimely end. God of heaven! die! did I say die? I

396 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
cannot, will not — Mother, save your child! — Brother,
help me, save me ! "
" My daughter, my darling child ' " cried the despairing
mother, wringing her hands and weeping bitterly.
" My dearest sister Anne, what can I do for you ? " in
quired the young man, whose stern features were melted
into mere womanish tenderness.
"Daughter," interrupted the priest, "God is good; he
can and will forgive you if you heartily turn to him,
with a sincere desire to atone for your fault."
All this took place in less time than it has taken in
the recital. My brother-in-law seemed completely de
prived of his usual self-possession by this burst of fright
ful raving; his feet appeared rooted to the floor of the
chamber; his colour changed from white to red, and a
cold perspiration covered his brows. For my own part,
I was moved beyond description; but my faculties seemed
spell-bound, and when I strove to speak, my tongue
cleaved to my mouth.
The delirium of poor Anne continued for some time
to find utterance, either by convulsive gesticulation, half-
uttered expressions, and, occasionally, loud and vehement
imprecations. At length, quite exhausted with her vio
lence, which required all the efforts of her brother to
subdue by positive force, she sunk into a state of insensi
bility. The priest, on his knees, implored in a loud voice
the mercy of Providence for the king and all his sub
jects. Had any person conceived the design of working
on my fears so far as to induce me to abandon a life at
court, they could not have succeeded more entirely than
by exhibiting to me the scene I have been describing.
Had not many contending ideas enabled me to bear up
under all I saw and heard, my senses must have for
saken me; under common circumstances, the aspect of
the brother alone would have terrified me exceedingly;
and even now, I cannot recollect without a shudder, the
looks of dark and sinister meaning he alternately directed
at me and at comte Jean. At this moment, the doctor
who had the charge of the unhappy girl arrived. The
warmth and eagerness of manner with which he addressed

COMTESSE DU BARRY 397
me directly he perceived my presence, might have proved
to all around that I was not the hateful creature I had
been described. This well-timed interruption restored
me to the use of my faculties, and repulsing the well-
meant attentions of my medical friend, I exclaimed,
"Do not heed me, I conjure you; I am only temporarily
indisposed. But hasten to that poor girl whose dangerous
state requires all your care."
My brother-in-law, recovering himself by a strong ef
fort, profited by the present opportunity to remove me
into another apartment, the pure air of which contrib
uted to cool my fevered brain; but my trembling limbs
refused to support me, and it was necessary to apply
strong restoratives ere I was sufficiently recovered to
quit the fatal spot. At Trianon, as well as at Versailles,
I was considered absolute mistress; those of the royal
household, who were aware of my being at the former,
earnestly solicited me to retire to the chamber I had oc
cupied on the preceding night, but to this arrangement
the comte and myself were equally opposed. A sedan
chair was therefore procured, in which I was rapidly
transported back to Versailles.
You may easily conceive in what a state I arrived
there. My good Henriette was greatly alarmed, and im
mediately summoned Bordeu, who, not venturing to bleed
me, contented himself with administering some cordials
which revived me in some degree. But the events of the
last few hours seemed indelibly fixed in my mind; and I
heard, almost with indifference, the bulletin issued re
specting the state of the king's health during the fatal
night which had just passed. One object alone engrossed
my thoughts; my eyes seemed still to behold the misera
ble girl stretched on her dying bed, whose ravings of
despair and threatening words yet rung in my ears, and
produced a fresh chill of horror, as with painful tenacity
my mind dwelt upon them to the utter exclusion of every
other consideration. The unfortunate creature expired on
the third day, a victim to the rapid progress of the most
virulent species of small-pox. She died more calmly and
resigned than I had seen her. For my own part, I freely

398 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
pardoned her injustice towards myself, and sincerely for
give the priest if he (as I have been told) excited her
bitterness against me.
The severe shock I had experienced might have ter
minated fatally for me, had not my thoughts been com
pelled to rouse themselves for the contemplation of the
alarming prospect before me. It was more than four
o'clock in the morning when I returned to the chateau,
and at nine I rose again without having obtained the
least repose. The king had inquired for me several
times. I instantly went to him, and my languid frame,
pale countenance and heavy eyes, all which he took as
the consequences of my concern for his indisposition,
appeared greatly to affect him; and he sought to com
fort me by the assurance of his being considerably better.
This was far from being true, but he was far from suspect
ing the nature of .the malady to which his frame was
about to become a prey. The physicians had now pro
nounced with certainty on the subject, nor was it possible
to make any mystery of it with me, who had seen Anne
on her sick-bed.
In common with all who knew the real nature of the
complaint, I sought to conceal it from the king, and in
this deception the physicians themselves concurred. In
the course of the morning a consultation took place ; when
called upon for their opinion, each of them endeavoured
to evade a direct answer, disguising the name of his
majesty's disease under the appellation of a cutaneous
eruption, chicken-pox, etc., etc., none daring to give it its
true denomination. Bordeu and Lemonnier pursued this
cautious plan, but La Martiniere, who had first of all pro
nounced his decision on the subject, impatient of so much
circumlocution on the part of those around him, could
no longer repress his indignation.
" How is this, gentlemen ! " exclaimed he, " is science
at a standstill with you? Surely, you cannot be in any
doubt on the subject of the king's illness. His majesty
has the small-pox, with a complication of other diseases
equally dangerous, and I look upon him as a dead

COMTESSE DU BARRY 399
"Monsieur de la Martiniere," cried the duc de Duras,
who, in quality of his office of first gentleman of the bed
chamber, was present at this conference, "allow me to
remind you that you are expressing yourself very impru
dently." " Duc de Duras, " replied the abrupt La Martiniere,
"my business is not to flatter the king, but to tell him
the truth with regard to his health. None of the medical
gentlemen present can deny the truth of what I have as
serted; they are all of my opinion, although I alone have
the courage to act with that candour which my sense of
honour dictates."
The unbroken silence preserved by those who heard
this address, clearly proved the truth of all La Martiniere
advanced. The duc de Duras was but too fully con
vinced of the justice of his opinion.
"The king is then past all hope," repeated he, "and
what remains to be done ? "
"To watch over him, and administer every aid and re
lief which art suggests," was the brief reply of La Mar
tiniere. The different physicians, when separately questioned,
hesitated no longer to express their concurrence in the
opinion that his majesty's case was entirely hopeless, un
less, indeed, some crisis, which human foresight could
not anticipate, should arise in his favour.
This opinion changed the moral face of the chateau.
The duc de Duras, who had not previously suspected
even the existence of danger, began to feel how weighty
a burthen reposed on his shoulders; he recommended to
the medical attendants the utmost caution and silence,
pointing out, at the same time, all the ill consequences
which might arise, were any imprudent or sudden ex
planation of his real malady made to the august sufferer.
Unable to attend to everything himself, and not inclined
to depend upon his son, whose natural propensity he was
fully aware of, he recalled to his recollection that the
comte de Muy, the sincere and attached friend of the
dauphin, son to Louis XV., was then in Versailles. He
immediately sought him out in the apartments he occu-

400 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
pied in the chateau, and communicated to him the result
of the consultation respecting the king's illness.
The comte de Muy was one of those rare characters
reserved by Providence for the happiness of a state,
when kings are wise enough to employ them. He thought
not of personal interest or advantage, but dictated to the
duke the precise line of conduct he himself would have
pursued under similar circumstances.
"The first thing to be done," said he, "is to remem
ber that the king is a Christian, and to conform in every
respect to the customs of his predecessors. You are
aware, my lord duke, that directly any member of the
royal family is attacked by the small-pox, he ought im
mediately to receive extreme unction ; you will, therefore,
make the necessary arrangements, and apprize those
whose duty it becomes to administer it."
"This is, indeed, an unpleasant commission," replied
the duke; "to administer extreme unction to his maj
esty, is to announce to him cruelly and abruptly that his
last hour has arrived, and to bid him prepare for death. "
"The duty is nevertheless imperative," answered the
comte de Muy, "and you incur no slight responsibility
by neglecting it."
The consequence of this conversation was, that the duke
sent off two couriers immediately, one to madame Louise,
and the other to the archbishop of Paris. He also ap
prized the ministers of the result of the consultation
which had taken place, whilst the comte de Muy took
upon himself the painful office of acquainting the dau
phin with the dangerous state of his grandfather. This
young prince, whose first impulses were always amiable,
immediately burst into tears ; the dauphiness endeavoured
to console him. But from that moment her royal high
ness appeared to show by her lofty and dignified bearing,
her consciousness of the fresh importance she had neces
sarily acquired in the eyes of the nation. Meanwhile,
the dauphin hastened to the sick room of his beloved
relative, anxious to bestow upon him the cares and at
tentions of a son; but in the anteroom his progress was
stopped by the duc de la Vrilliere, who informed him,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 401
that the interests of the throne would not permit his
royal highness to endanger his life by inhaling the con
tagious atmosphere of a room loaded with the venom of
the small-pox. He adjured him, in the name of the king
and his country, not to risk such fearful chances. The
lords in attendance, who did not partake the heroism of
the young prince, added their entreaties to those of le
petit saint, and succeeded, at length, in prevailing upon
him to return to his apartments, to the great joy of Marie
Antoinette, who could not endure the prospect of being
separated from her husband at so important a juncture.
No sooner had the princesses learned the danger of
their august parent, than without an instant's hesitation
they hurried to him. I was in his chamber when they
arrived; they saluted me with great gentleness and affa
bility. When the king saw them, he inquired what had
brought them thither at so unusual an hour.
"We are come to see you, my dearest father," replied
madame Adelaide ; " we have heard of your indisposition,
and trifling as it is said to be, we could not rest without
satisfying our anxious wish to know how you found your
self." The other sisters expressed themselves in similar terms.
"It is all very well, my children," said Louis XV.,
with a pleasing smile, " and you are all three very excel
lent girls, but I would rather you should keep away from
this close room ; it can do you no good, and I promise to
let you know if I find myself getting any worse."
After a slight resistance the princesses feigned an
obedience to his will ; but, in reality, they merely retired
into an adjoining chamber, concealed from the sight of
their parent, where they remained, until the moment
when they undertook the charge of the patient. Their
heroic devotion was the admiration of all France and
Europe. Much as their presence constrained me, I still kept my
place beside the sick-bed of his majesty, who would not
suffer me to leave him for a minute.
At an early hour the marechale de Mirepoix returned,
according to her promise. I met her in the corridor as I
26

402 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
was passing along on my way to the king's apartment;
her face was full of cheerful smiles.
" How greatly am I obliged to you for your prompt
succour, " said she, without even inquiring after my health
or that of the king. " Do you know, I was but just in
time; ten minutes later, and I should have been refused
payment for your cheque. M. de Laborde, who was so
devotedly your friend only yesterday, counted out to me
the glittering coin I was so anxious to obtain. He even
accompanied me to my carriage, when behold, just at the
moment, when, with his hat in his hand, he was most
gallantly bowing, and wishing me a pleasant journey, a
courier arrived from Versailles bringing him the news
of the king's illness. He looked so overwhelmed with
consternation and alarm, that I could not prevent myself
from bursting into a hearty fit of laughter, nor has my
gaiety forsaken me up to the present moment."
"You are very fortunate," said I, "to be enabled thus
to preserve your good spirits."
" My dear creature, I would fain cheat time of some
of his claims upon me. But now I think of it, what is
the matter since I was here ? Is the king worse, and what
is this I hear whispered abroad of the small -pox ? "
"Alas, madam," answered I, much hurt at the insensi
bility she displayed, " we run but too great danger of
losing our friend and benefactor for ever."
" Dear me, how very shocking ! But what has he settled
on you ? What have you asked him for ? "
" Nothing ! " replied I, coolly.
"Nothing! very admirable, indeed; but, my good soul,
these fine sentiments sometimes leave people to eat the
bread of charity. So, then, you have not followed my
advice. Once more, I repeat, lose not the present oppor
tunity, and, in your place, I would set about securing
my own interest without one instant's delay."
"That I could not do, madam," said I; "it is wholly
foreign to my nature to take advantage of the weakness
of a dying man."
" Dying man ! " repeated the marechale incredulously,
"come, come, he is not dead yet; and whilst there is life

COMTESSE DU BARRY 403
there is hope ; and I suppose you have carried your ideas
of disinterestedness so far as to omit mentioning your
friends, likewise. You will never have any worldly sense,
I believe. My dear soul," said she, stooping down and
whispering in my ear, " you are surrounded by a set of
selfish wretches, who care nothing for you unless you
can forward their interests."
" I see it, I know it, " exclaimed I impatiently ; " but
though I beg my bread, I will not importune the king."
" As you please, " cried madame de Mirepoix, " pray do
not let me disturb your intentions. Silly woman that
you are, leave others to act the sublime and grand, your
part should be that of a reasonable creature. Look at
myself, suppose I had not seized the ball at the bound."
"You were born at Versailles," answered I, smiling in
spite of myself.
" True, and I confess that with me the greatest of all sense
is common sense, which produces that instinctive feeling
of self-preservation implanted even in animals. But is
the king indeed so very ill ? "
" He is, indeed, dangerously ill, "
"I am very sorry," answered she, "his majesty and
myself were such old friends and companions; but things
will now be very different, and we shall soon see the
court filled with new faces, whilst you and I, my poor
countess, may hide our diminished heads. A set of
hungry wretches will drive us away from the princely
banquet at which we have so long regaled, and scarcely
will their eagerness leave us a few scattered crumbs —
how dreadful! Yes, I repeat that for many reasons, we
shall have just cause for regretting the late king."
"The late king!" exclaimed I. "His majesty is not
yet dead, madame la marechale."
" I know that, but he will die ; and by speaking of the
event as if it had already taken place, we prepare our
minds to meet the blow with greater resignation when it
does, fall. I am much concerned, I can assure you; but
let us quit the close confined air of this corridor, and go
where we may breathe a purer atmosphere."
She took me by the arm with a greater familiarity

404 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
than she had ever before assumed, and led the way to
my chamber, where I found the duc de la Vrilliere await
ing me, to request I would return to the king, who had
asked for me more than once. This consummate hypo
crite seized the present opportunity of renewing his as
surances of an unalterable attachment to me, vowing an
eternal friendship. I was weak enough to believe him,
and when I gave him my hand in token of reconciliation,
I espied the marechale standing behind him, making sig
nals to me to distrust his professions.
I know not the reason of this conduct on the part of
the duc de la Vrilliere, but I can only suppose it origi
nated in his ..considering the king in less danger than he
was said to be; however, I suffered him to lead me to
the chamber of the invalid. When Louis XV. saw me
return, he inquired why I had quitted him ? I replied,
because I was fearful of wearying him; upon which he
assured me, that he only felt easy and comfortable so
long as I was with him.
" But, perhaps, there is some contagion in my present
complaint ? " exclaimed he, as though labouring under
some painful idea.
" Certainly not, " replied I ; "it is but a temporary erup
tion of the skin, which will, no doubt, carry off the fever
you have suffered with."
" I feared it was of a more dangerous nature, " an
swered the king.
" You torment yourself needlessly, sire, " said I ; " why
should you thus create phantoms for your own annoyance
and alarm ? Tranquillize yourself, and leave the task of
curing you to us."
I easily penetrated the real import of his words; he
evidently suspected the truth, and was filled with the
most cruel dread of having his suspicions confirmed.
During the whole of this day he continued in the same
state of uncertainty; the strictest watch was set around
him that no imprudent confession should reveal to him
the real nature of his situation. I continued sitting be
side him in a state of great constraint, from the knowl
edge of my being, closely observed by the princesses, of

COMTESSE DU BARRY 4°S
whose vicinity we durst not inform him, in the fear of
exciting his fears still more.
The courier, who had been despatched to madame
Louise, returned, bringing a letter from that princess to
her sisters, under cover to madame Adelaide, in which
she implored of them not to suffer any consideration to
prevent their immediately acquainting their father with
the dangerous condition he was in. The duty, she added,
was imperative, and the greatest calamity that could be
fall them, would be to see this dearly loved parent expire
in a state of sinful indifference as to his spiritual wel
fare. The august recluse, detached from all sublunary con
siderations, saw nothing but the glorious hereafter, where
she would fain join company with all her beloved friends
and connexions of this world.
The archbishop of Paris, M. de Beaumont, a prelate
highly esteemed for his many excellent private qualities,
but who had frequently embarrassed the king by his per
tinacity, did not forget him on this occasion; for no
sooner did the account of his majesty's illness reach him,
than, although suffering with a most painful complaint,
he hastened to Versailles, where his presence embarrassed
every one, particularly the grand almoner, who, a better
courtier than priest, was excessively careful never to give
offence to any person, even though the king's salvation
depended upon it; he, therefore, kept his apartment,
giving it out that he was indisposed, and even took to his
bed, the better to avoid any disagreeable or inconvenient
request. The sight of the archbishop of Paris was far
from being agreeable to him. This prelate went first in
search of the princesses who were not to be seen on
account of their being with their father. A message was
despatched to them, and mesdames Adelaide and Sophie,
after having a long conference with him, by his advice,
summoned the bishops of Meaux, Goss, and de Senlis,
and held a species of council, in which it was unanimously
agreed that nothing ought to prevent their entering upon
an explanation with the king, and offering him spiritual
succour.

406 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
Who was to undertake the delicate commission, became
the next point to consider. M. de Roquelaire declined,
not wishing, as he said, to infringe upon the rights of
the grand almoner, who was now at Versailles. M. de la
Roche Aymon was therefore sent for, requesting his im
mediate attendance. Never did invitation arrive more
mal a propos, or more cruelly disturb any manoeuvring soul.
However, to refuse was impossible, and the cardinal ar
rived, execrating the zeal of his reverend brother of Paris ;
who, after having explained the state of affairs to him,
informed him that he was sent for for the purpose of
discharging his office by preparing the king for confes
sion. The grand almoner replied, that the sacred duty by no
means belonged to him; that his place at court was' of a
very different nature, and had nothing at all to do with
directing the king's conscience. His majesty, he said, had
a confessor, who ought to be sent for, and the very sight
of him in the royal chamber would be sufficient to ap
prize the illustrious invalid of the motives which brought
him thither. In a word, the grand almoner got rid of
the affair, by saying, "that, as it was one of the utmost
importance, it would be necessary to confer with his
royal highness, the dauphin, respecting it."

CHAPTER XLII.
First proceedings of the council — The dauphin receives the prelates
with great coolness — Situation of the archbishop of Paris — Riche
lieu evades the project for confessing the king — The friends of
madame du Barry come forward — The English physician — The
abbe Terray — Interview with the prince de Soubise — The prince
and the courtiers — La Martiniere informs the king of the true
nature of his complaint — Consequences of this disclosure.
The different members of this concile impromptu de
clared themselves in favour of this advice, much to
the grief and chagrin of the princess Adelaide. She
easily perceived by this proposition that the court would
very shortly change masters, and could she hope to pre
serve the same influence during the reign of her nephew
she had managed to obtain whilst her father held the
sceptre ? However, she made no opposition to the reso
lution of the prelates, who forthwith proceeded to the
dauphin, who received them with considerable coolness.
As yet, but ill-assured in the new part he had to play,
the prince showed himself fearful and embarrassed. The
dauphiness would willingly have advised him, but that
prudence would not permit her to do, so that the dauphin,
left wholly to himself, knew not on what to determine.
This was precisely what the grand almoner had hoped
and expected, and he laughed in his sleeve at the useless
trouble taken by the archbishop; and whilst he openly
affected to promote his desires as much as was in his
power, he secretly took measures to prevent their suc
cess. M. de Beaumont, who was of a most open and up
right nature, was far from suspecting these intrigues;
indeed, his simple and pious character but ill-qualified him
for the corrupt and deceitful atmosphere of a court, es
pecially such a one as Versailles. His situation now be-
(4°7)

408 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
came one of difficulty; abandoned by the bishops and the
grand almoner, disappointed in his hopes of finding a
supporter in the dauphin, what could he do alone with
the princesses, who, in their dread of causing an emo
tion, which might be fatal to their parent, knew not what
to resolve upon. As a last resource, they summoned the
abbe Mandaux, the king's confessor. The prelate excited
his zeal in all its fervour, and this simple and obscure
priest determined to undertake that which many more
eminent personages had shrunk from attempting.
He therefore sought admittance into the chamber of
the king, where he found the dues de Duras and de Rich
elieu, to whom he communicated the mission upon which
he was come.
At this declaration, the consequences of which he
plainly foresaw, the duc de Duras hesitated to reply,
scarcely knowing how to ward off a blow the responsi
bility of which must fall upon him alone. The duc de
Richelieu, with greater self-command, extricated him from
his difficulty.
" Sir, " said he to the abbe, " your zeal is highly praise
worthy, both the duke and myself are aware of all that
should be done upon such an occasion as the present;
and although I freely admit that the sacred act you
speak of is of an imperative nature, yet I would observe,
that the king being still in ignorance of his fatal malady,
neither your duties nor ours can begin, until the moment
when the physicians shall have thought proper to reveal
the whole truth to his majesty. This is a matter of
form and etiquette to which all must submit who have
any functions to fulfil in the chateau."
The duc de Duras could have hugged his colleague for
this well-timed reply. The abbe Mandaux felt all the
justness of the observation, yet with all the tenacity of
his profession, he replied,
" That since it rested with the physicians to apprize the
king of his being ill with the small-pox, they ought to
be summoned and consulted as to the part to take."
At these words the duc de Duras slipped away from
the group, and went himself in search of Doctor Bordeu,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 409
whom he brought into an angle of the chamber out of
sight of the king's bed. The duc de Duras having ex
plained to him what the abbe had just been saying to
them, as well as the desire he had manifested of pre
paring the king to receive the last sacraments, the doctor
regarded the abbe fixedly for some instance, and then in
quired in a severe tone, "Whether he had promised any
person to murder the king ? "
This abrupt and alarming question made the priest
change colour, whilst he asked for an explanation of such
a singular charge.
" I say, sir, " replied Bordeu, " that whoever speaks at
present to his majesty of small-pox, confession, or ex
treme unction, will have to answer for his life."
"Do you, indeed, believe," asked the duc de Richelieu,
" that the mention of these things would produce so fatal
a result ? "
"Most assuredly I do; and out of one hundred sick
persons it would have the same effect upon sixty, perhaps
eighty; indeed, I have known the shock produce instan
taneous death. This I am willing to sign with my own
blood if it be necessary, and my professional brother
there will not dispute its truth."
At these words he made a sign for Lemonnier to ad
vance, and after having explained to him the subject of
conversation, begged of him to speak his opinion openly
and candidly. Lemonnier was somewhat of a courtier,
and one glance at the two noblemen before whom he
stood, was sufficient to apprize him what opinion was ex
pected from him. He, therefore, fully and unhesitatingly
confirmed all that Bordeu had previously advanced.
Strong in these decisions, the duc de Duras expressed
his regret to the confessor at being unable to accord his
request. " But, " added he, " You perceive the thing is
impossible, unless to him who would become a regicide."
This terrible expression renewed the former terror of
the abbe, who, satisfied with having shown his zeal, was,
perhaps, not very sorry for having met with such insur
mountable obstacles. He immediately returned to the
apartment of madame Sophie, where the council was still

410 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
assembled, and related the particulars of his visit; whilst
the poor archbishop of Paris, thus foiled in every attempt,
was compelled to leave Versailles wholly unsuccessful.
I heard all these things from the duc de Richelieu; he
told me that nothing could have been more gratifying
than the conduct of Bordeu and Lemonnier, and that I
had every reason for feeling satisfied with the conduct of
all around me. "It is in the moment of peril," said he,
"that we are best able to know our true friends."
" I see it, " replied I ; " and since our danger is a mu
tual one ought we not to forget our old subjects of dis
pute ? »
" For my own part, madam, " returned he, " I do not
remember that any ever existed ; besides, is not my cause
yours likewise ? A new reign will place me completely
in the background. The present king looks upon me as
almost youthful; while, on the contrary, his grandson will
consider me as a specimen of the days of Methuselah.
The change of masters can be but to my disadvantage;
let us, therefore, stand firmly together, that we may be
the better enabled to resist the attacks of our enemies."
" Do you consider, " inquired I, " that we may rely upon
the firmness of the duc de Duras ? "
" As safely as you may on mine, " answered he, " so long
as he is not attacked face to face ; but if they once assail
him with the arms of etiquette, he is a lost man, he will
capitulate. It is unfortunate for him that I am not likely
to be near him upon such an occasion."
Comte Jean, who never left me, then took up the con
versation, and advised M. de Richelieu to leave him to
himself as little as possible ; it was, therefore, agreed that
we should cause the duc de Duras to be constantly sur
rounded by persons of our party, who should keep those
of our adversaries at a distance.
We had not yet lost all hope of seeing his majesty
restored to health; nature, so languid and powerless in
the case of poor Anne, seemed inclined to make a salu
tary effort on the part of the king.
Every instant of this day and the next, that I did not
spend by the sick-bed of Louis XV., were engrossed by

COMTESSE DU BARRY 411
most intimate friends, the dues d'Aiguillon, de Cosse,
etc., mesdames de Mirepoix, de Forcalquier, de Valen
tinois, de l'H6pital, de Montmorency, de Flaracourt, and
others. As yet, none of my party had abandoned me;
the situation of affairs was not, up to the present, suffi
ciently clear to warrant an entire defection. The good
Genevieve Mathon, whom chance had conducted to Ver
sailles during the last week, came to share with Henriette,
my sisters-in-law, and my niece, the torments and uncer
tainties which distracted my mind. We were continually
in a state of mortal alarm, dreading every instant to hear
that the king was aware of his malady, and the danger
which threatened, and our fears but too well proclaimed
our persuasion that such a moment would be the death
blow to our hopes. It happened that in this exigency, as
it most commonly occurs in affairs of great importance, all
our apprehensions had been directed towards the ecclesi
astics, while we entirely overlooked the probability that
the abrupt la Martiniere might, in one instant, become
the cause of our ruin. All this so entirely escaped us,
that we took not the slightest precaution to prevent it.
No sooner was the news of the king being attacked
with small-pox publicly known, than a doctor Sulton, an
English physician, the pretended professor of an infalli
ble cure for this disease, presented himself at Versailles,
and tendered his services. The poor man was simple
enough to make his first application to those medical at
tendants already intrusted with the management of his
majesty, but neither of them would give any attention to
his professions of skill to overcome so fatal a malady.
On the contrary, they treated him as a mere quack, and
declared that they would never consent to confide the
charge of their august patient to the hands of a stranger
whatever he might be. Sulton returned to Paris, and
obtaining an audience of the duc d'Orleans, related to
him what had passed between himself and the king's
physicians. The prince made it his business the follow
ing day to call upon the princesses, to whom he related
the conversation he had held with doctor Sulton the pre
ceding evening.

412 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
In their eagerness to avail themselves of every chance
for promoting the recovery of their beloved parent, the
princesses blamed the duke for having bestowed so little
attention upon the Englishman, and conjured him to
return to Paris, see Sulton, and bring him to Versailles
on the following day. The duc d'Orleans acted in strict
conformity with their wishes; and although but little sat
isfied with the replies made by Sulton to many of his
questions relative to the measures he should pursue in his
treatment of the king, he caused him to accompany him
to Versailles, in order that the princesses might judge
for themselves. The task of receiving him was under
taken by madame Adelaide. Sulton underwent a rigorous
examination, and was offered an immense sum for the
discovery of his secret, provided he would allow his
remedy to be subjected to the scrutiny of some of the
most celebrated chemists of the time. Sulton declared
that the thing was impossible; in the first place, it was
too late, the disease was too far advanced for the appli
cation of the remedy to possess that positive success it
would have obtained in the earlier stage of the malady;
in the next place, he could not of himself dispose of a
secret which was the joint property of several members
of his family.
Prayers, promises, entreaties were alike uselessly em
ployed to change the resolution of Sulton; the fact was
evidently this, he knew himself to be a mere pretender
to his art, for had he been certain of what he advanced,
had he even conceived the most slender hopes of saving
the life of the king, he would not have hesitated for a
single instant to have done all that was asked.
This chance of safety was, therefore, at an end, and
spite of the opinion I entertained of Sulton, I could not
but feel sorry Bordeu had not given him a better recep
tion when he first made known his professed ability to
surmount this fatal disorder. However, I was careful not
to express my dissatisfaction, for it was but too important
for me to avoid any dispute at a time when the support
of my friends had become so essentially necessary to me.
In proportion as the king became worse, my credit

COMTESSE DU BARRY 413
also declined. Two orders, addressed to the comptroller-
general and M. de la Borde, for money, met with no
attention. The latter replied, with extreme politeness,
that the 100,000 francs received by comte Jean a few
days before the king was taken ill, and the 50,000 paid
to madame de Mirepoix recently, must be a convincing
proof, in my eyes, of his friendly intentions towards me,
but that he had no money at present in his possession,
the first he received should be at my disposal.
The abbe Terray acted with less ceremony, for he
came himself to say, that, so long as the king remained
ill, he would pay no money without his majesty's signa-
ture, for which my brother-in-law might either ask or
wait till there no longer existed any occasion for such a
precaution; and that, for his own part, he could not con
ceive how he could have consumed the enormous sums
he had already drawn from the treasury.
This manner of speaking stung me to the quick.
" I find you," said I to him, "precisely the mean, contempt
ible wretch you were described to me; but you are pre
mature. I am not yet an exile from court, and yet
you seem already to have forgotten all you owe to me."
"I have a very good memory, madam," replied he,
"and if you wish it, I can count upon my fingers the
money you and your family have received of me. You
will see — "
" What shall I see ? " interrupted I, " unless, indeed, it
be an amount of your regrets that such a sum was not
left in your hands to be pillaged by your mistresses and
their spurious offspring. Really, to hear you talk, any
one would suppose you a Sully for integrity, and a Col
bert in financial talent."
This vigorous reply staggered the selfish and coarse-
minded abbe, who easily perceived that he had carried
matters too far, and had reckoned erroneously upon the fee
bleness and timidity of my natural disposition ; he attempted
to pacify me, but his cowardly insolence had exasperated
me too highly to admit of any apology or peace-making.
"Have a care what you do," said I, "or rather employ
yourself in packing up whatever may belong to you, for

414 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
you shall quit your post whatever may befall. In the
event of the king's death you will certainly be turned
out by his successor, and if he regain his health, he
must then choose between you and me, there can be
no medium. Henceforward, you may consider me only
in the light of your mortal enemy."
He wished to insist upon my hearing him, but I ex
claimed, "Quit the room, I wish neither to see nor hear
more of you."
The abbe saw that it was necessary to obey, he there
fore bowed and retired. Two hours afterwards he sent
me the sum which I had asked of him for my brother-in-
law, accompanied by a most humble and contrite letter.
Certainly, had I only listened to the inspiration of my
heart, I should have sent back the money without touch
ing it, and the epistle without reading it ; but my heroism
did not suit comte Jean, who chanced to be present.
"Take it, take it," cried he; "the only way of punishing
such a miscreant, is to break his purse-strings. He would,
indeed, have the laugh on his side were your fit of anger
to change into a fit of generosity; besides, this may be
the last we shall ever see."
My brother-in-law and the comptroller-general were an
excellent pair. I treated the latter with silent contempt,
not even replying to his letter; this was, however, my
first and only stroke of vengeance, the disastrous events
which followed did not permit me to pursue my plans for
revenging this treacherous and contemptible conduct.
This quarrel, and the defection of the worthy abbe, had
the effect of rendering me much indisposed. My illness
was attributed to an excess of sorrow for the dangerous
condition of his majesty, nor did I contradict the report;
for, in truth, I did most sincerely lament the malady with
which the king was suffering, and my regrets arose far
more from a feeling of gratitude and esteem, than any
self-interested calculations. It was, therefore, in no very
excellent humour that I saw the prince de Soubise enter
my apartment. You may remember that this nobleman
had quitted Trianon without saying one word to me, and
since that period I had never seen him, although he had

COMTESSE DU BARRY 4x5
punctually made his inquiries after the king. When I
perceived him, I could not help inquiring, with something
of a sarcastic expression, whether his majesty had been
pronounced convalescent ? The prince comprehended the
bitterness of the question.
"You are severe, madam," replied he, "yet I can
solemnly affirm that circumstances, and not inclination,
have kept me from your presence until now."
" May I believe you ? " said I. " Are you quite sure
you have not been imitating the policy of the abbe
Terray ? " Upon which I related the behaviour of the
comptroller-general. " Priest-like, " answered the prince.
" And is it not courtier-like also ? " inquired I.
"Perhaps it may," rejoined M. de Soubise; "for the
two species of priest and courtier so nearly resemble
each other in many particulars, as to have become well
nigh amalgamated into one ; but I claim your indulgence
to make me an exception to the general rule, and to
class me as a soldier and a man of honour; besides
which, you are too lovely ever to be forgotten, and your
past goodness to me will ensure you my services let what
may occur."
" Well, then, " said I, extending my hand, " as a re
ward for your candour, which I receive as genuine, I will
request your forgiveness for any annoyance I may have
caused you on your family's account, I ought never to
have resented any thing they have done. My presence
here could not fail of being highly disagreeable to them ;
however, they will soon be relieved from that source of
uneasiness, my stay draws rapidly to a close."
The prince de Soubise, with a ready grace and oblig
ing manner, for which I shall ever remember him with
a grateful recollection, endeavoured to dispel my appre
hensions as to the state of the king; but whilst I ac
knowledged the kindness of his intention, my heart
refused all comfort in a case, which I too well knew
was utterly hopeless.
The state of affairs was now so manifest, that already
an obsequious crowd beseiged the doors of the dauphin,

416 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
anxious to be first in the demonstration of their adoration
of the rising sun; but the young prince, aided by the
clear-minded advice of his august spouse, refused, with
admirable prudence, to receive such premature homage;
and since he was interdicted by the physicians from
visiting the royal invalid, he confined himself within his
apartments, admitting no person but a select few who
possessed his confidence.
The disappointed satellites, frustrated in their endeav
ours to ingratiate themselves with the dauphin, turned
their thoughts towards the comte de Provence, imagining
that this prince, spite of his extreme youth, might have
considerable influence over the mind of his brother, the
dauphin. But this idea, however plausible, was by no
means correct; it was too much the interest of ambitious
and mercenary men to create a want of harmony between
the royal pair, and up to the moment in which I am
writing, no attempts have been made to produce a
kinder and more fraternal feeling between two such near
relatives. I quitted the king as little as possible, watching with
deep concern the progress of a malady, the nature of
which was a secret to himself alone; for, in the dread
of incurring my displeasure, no person had ventured to
acquaint him with the awful fact. By the aid of the
grand almoner, I had triumphed over the wishes of the
archbishop of Paris, and those of the confessor. The
princes and princesses awaited the event; all was calm
composure ; when, all at once, the barriers I had been so
carefully erecting were crushed beneath my feet, at one
sudden and unexpected blow.
The king was by no means easy in his own mind with
regard to his illness. The many messages that were con
tinually whispered around him, the remedies administered,
and, above all, the absence of his grandsons, all con
vinced him that something of a very unusual and alarm
ing nature was progressing. His own feelings might,
likewise, well assure him that he was attacked by an ill
ness of no ordinary nature. Tortured beyond further
bearing by the suggestions of his fancy, Louis XV. at

COMTESSE DU BARRY 417
length resolved to ascertain the truth, and, with this in
tent, closely questioned Bordeu and Lemonnier, who did
their best to deceive him. Still, dissatisfied with their
evasive replies, he watched an opportunity, when they
were both absent, to desire La Martiniere would at once
explain the true malady with which he was then suffer
ing. La Martiniere puzzled and confused, could only
exclaim, " I entreat of you, sire, not to fatigue yourself with
conversation ; remember how strongly you have been for
bidden all exertion."
" I am no child, La Martiniere, " cried Louis XV. , his
cheeks glowing with increased fire ; " and I insist upon
being made acquainted with the precise nature of my
present illness. You have always served me loyally and
faithfully, and from you I expect to receive that candid
statement every one about me seems bent upon con
cealing. "
" Endeavour to get some sleep, sire," rejoined La Mar
tiniere, " and do not exhaust yourself by speaking at
present. "
"La Martiniere, you irritate me beyond all endurance.
If you love me, speak out, I conjure you, and tell me,
frankly, the name of my complaint. "
" Do you insist upon it, sire ? "
" I do, my friend, I do. "
"Then, sire, you have the small-pox; but be not
alarmed, it is a disease as frequently cured as many
others. "
" The small-pox ! " exclaimed the king, in a voice of
horror; "have I indeed that fatal disease? and do you
talk of curing it ? "
"Doubtless, sire; many die of it as well as other dis
orders, but we are sanguine in our hopes and expecta
tions of saving your majesty."
The king made no reply, but turned heavily in his
bed .and threw the coverlet over his face. A silence
ensued, which lasted until the return of the physicians,
when, finding they made no allusion to his condition, the
king addressed them in a cool and offended tone.
27

4.18 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"Why," said he, "have you concealed from me the fact
of my having the small-pox?" This abrupt inquiry pet
rified them with astonishment, and unable to frame a
proper reply, they stood speechless with alarm and ap
prehension. "Yes," resumed the king, "but for La Mar
tiniere, I should have died in ignorance of my danger. I
know now the state in which I am, and before .long
I shall be gathered to my forefathers."
All around him strove to combat this idea, and exerted
their utmost endeavours to persuade the royal patient
that his disorder had assumed the most favourable shape,
and that not a shadow of danger was perceptible, but in
vain; for the blow had fallen, and the hapless king,
struck with a fatal presentiment of coming ill, turned a
deaf ear to all they could advance.
Bordeu, deeply concerned for what had transpired,
hastened to announce to the duc de Richelieu the turn
which had taken place in the face of affairs. Nothing
could exceed the rage with which the news was received.
The duke hurried to the king's bedside.
"Is it, indeed, true, sire," inquired he, "that your maj
esty doubts of your perfect restoration to health ? May I
presume to inquire whether any circumstance has occurred
to diminish your confidence in your medical attendants ? "
" Duc de Richelieu," replied the king, looking as though
he would search into his very soul, " I have the small
pox." "Well," returned the duke, "and, as 1 understand, of
a most favourable sort ; perhaps, it might have been better
that La Martiniere had said nothing about it. However,
it is a malady as readily subdued by art as any other;
you must not allow yourself to feel any uneasiness re
specting it, science has now so much improved in the
treatment of this malady."
"I doubt not its ability to cure others, but me! In
deed, duc de Richelieu, I would much rather face my
old parliament than this inveterate disease."
"Your majesty's being able to jest is a good sign."
At this moment, ignorant of all that had taken place,
I entered the room; for, in the general confusion, no

COMTESSE DU BARRY 419
person had informed me of it. The moment Louis XV.
perceived me, he exclaimed in a hollow tone,
" Dearest countess, I have the small-pox. "
At these words a cry of terror escaped me.
"Surely, sire," exclaimed I, "this is some wandering
of your imagination, and your medical attendants are
very wrong to permit you to indulge it for a minute."
" Peace ! " returned Louis XV. ; " you know not what you
say. I have the small-pox, I repeat; and, thanks to La
Martiniere, I now know my real state."
I now perceived whose hand had dealt the blow, and
seeing at once all the consequences of the disclosure, ex
claimed in my anger, turning towards La Martiniere,
" You have achieved a noble work, indeed, sir ; you
could not restrain yourself within the bounds of prudence,
and you see the state to which you have reduced his
majesty." La Martiniere knew not what to reply; the king un
dertook his defence.
" Blame him not, " said he ; " but for him I should have
quitted this world like a heathen, without making my
peace with an offended God."
At these words I fainted in the arms of doctor Bordeu,
who, with the aid of my attendants, carried me to my
chamber, and, at length, succeeded in restoring me. My
family crowded around me, and sought to afford me that
consolation they were in equal need of themselves.
Spite of the orders I had given to admit no person,
the duc d'Aiguillon would insist upon seeing me. He
exerted his best endeavours to persuade me to arm my
self with courage, and, like a true and attached friend,
appeared to lose sight of his own approaching fall from
power in his ardent desire to serve me.
In this mournful occupation an hour passed away, and
left my dejected companions sighing over the present,
and, anticipating even worse prospects than those now
before them.

CHAPTER XL-Ill.
Terror of the king — A complication — Filial piety of the princesses —
Last interview between madame du Barry and Louis XV. — Con
versation with the marechale de Mirepoix — The chancellor Maupeou
— The fragment — Comte Jean.
Perhaps no person ever entertained so great a dread
of death as Louis XV., consequently no one re
quired to be more carefully prepared for the alarm
ing intelligence so abruptly communicated by La
Martiniere, and which, in a manner, appeared to sign
the king's death-warrant.
To every person who approached him the despairing
monarch could utter only the fatal phrase, " I have the
small-pox," which, in his lips, was tantamount to his de
claring himself a dead man. Alas! had his malady been
confined to the small-pox, he might still have been spared
to our prayers; but, unhappily, a complication of evils,
which had long been lurking in his veins, burst forth
with a violence which, united to his cruel complaint, bade
defiance to surgical or medical skill.
Yet, spite of the terror with which the august suf
ferer contemplated his approaching end, he did not lose
sight of the interests of the nation as vested in the per
son of the dauphin, whom he positively prohibited, as
well as his other grandsons, from entering his chamber
or even visiting the part of the chateau he occupied.
After this he seemed to divest himself of all further care
for sublunary things; no papers were brought for his
inspection, nor did he ever more sign any official document.
The next request made by Louis XV. was for his
daughters, who presented themselves bathed in tears,
and vainly striving to repress that grief which burst forth
in spite of all their endeavours. The king replied to their
(420)

COMTESSE. DU BARRY 421
sobs, by saying, "My children, I have the small-pox; but
weep not. These gentlemen [pointing towards the phy
sicians] assure me they can cure me. " But, while uttering
this cheerful sentence, his eye caught the stern and iron
countenance of La Martiniere, whose look of cool disbelief
seemed to deny the possibility of such an event.
With a view to divert her father from the gloom which
all at once came over his features, the princess Adelaide
informed him that she had a letter addressed to him by
her sister, madame Louise.
" Let me hear it, " cried the king ; " it is, no doubt
some heavenly mission with which she is charged. But
who knows ? " He stopped, but it was easy to perceive
that to the fear of death was added a dread of his well-
being in another world. Madame Adelaide then read
the letter with a low voice, while the attendants retired
to a respectful distance. All eyes were directed to the
countenance of the king, in order to read there the na
ture of its contents; but already had the ravages of his
fatal disease robbed his features of every expression,
save that of pain and suffering.
The princesses now took their stations beside their
parent, and established themselves as nurses, an office
which, I can with truth affirm, they continued to fill
unto the last with all the devotion of the purest filial
piety. On this same day Louis XV. caused me to be sent
for. I ran to his bedside trembling with alarm. The
various persons engaged in his apartment retired when
they saw me, and we were left alone.
" My beloved friend, " said the king, " I have the small
pox; I am still very ill."
"Nay, sire," interrupted I, "you must not fancy things
worse than they are; you will do well, depend upon it,
and we shall yet pass many happy days together."
" Do you indeed think so ? " returned Louis XV. " May
heaven grant your prophecy be a correct one. But see
the state in which I now am; give me your hand."
He took my hand and made me feel the pustules with
which his burning cheeks were covered. I know not

422 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
what effect this touch of my hand might have produced,
but the king in his turn patted my face, pushed back
the curls which hung negligently over my brow; then,
inclining me towards him, drew my head upon his pillow.
I submitted to this whim with all the courage I could
assume; I even went so far as to be upon the point of
bestowing a gentle kiss upon his forehead. But, stopping
me, with a mournful air, he said, "No, my lovely coun
tess; I am no longer myself, but here is a miniature
which has not undergone the same change as its unfortu
nate master."
I took the miniature, which I placed with respectful
tenderness in my bosom, nor have I ever parted with it
since. This, scene lasted for some minutes, after which I was
retiring, but the king called me back, seized my hand,
which he tenderly kissed, and then whispered an af
fectionate "Adieu." These were the last words I ever
heard from his lips.
Upon re-entering my apartments I found madame de
Mirepoix awaiting me, to whom I related all that had
taken place, expressing, at the same time, my earnest
hope of being again summoned, ere long, to the pres
ence of my friend and benefactor.
"Do not deceive yourself, my dear," said she; "de
pend upon it you have had your last interview; you
should have employed it more profitably. His portrait!
why, if I mistake not, you have five already. Why did
you not carry about with you some deed of settlement
ready for signature? he would have denied you nothing
at such a moment, when you may rest assured he knew
himself to be taking his last farewell."
"Is it possible?" exclaimed I. "And can you really
suppose the king believed he spoke to me for the last
time ? "
"I have not the slightest doubt of it; I have known
him for many a day. He remembers the scene of Metz,
and looks upon you as forming the second edition of the
poor duchesse de Chateauroux, who, by the by, was not
equal to you in any respect."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 433
I burst into a fit of tears, but not of regret for having
allowed my late interview with the king to pass in so
unprofitable a manner. However, the marechale, mis
conceiving the cause of this burst of grief, exclaimed,
" Come, come ; it is too late now, and all your sorrow
cannot recall the last half -hour. But, mademoiselle du
Barry," continued she, "I advise you to commence your
packing up at once, that when the grand move comes,
you may not in your hurry, leave anything behind
you. "
These remarks increased my affliction, but the mare
chale had no intention of wounding my feelings, and
worldly-minded as she was, considered all that could be
saved out of the wreck as the only subject worthy at
tention. Meanwhile, comte Jean, with a gloomy and
desponding air, continued silently with folded arms to
pace the room, till all at once, as if suddenly struck by
the arguments of madame de Mirepoix, he exclaimed,
" The marechale is right " ; and abruptly quitted the
apartment, as if to commence his own preparations.
Ere madame de Mirepoix had left me and she remained
till a late hour, the dues d'Aiguillon and de Cosse ar
rived, who, although less experienced in their knowledge
of the king's character, were yet fully of her opinion
respecting my last visit to him.
Scarcely had these visitors withdrawn, than I was ap
prized that the chancellor of France desired to see me.
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 with
out the smallest ceremony ; " at what page of our history
have we arrived ? "
« By the unusual freedom and effrontery of your man
ner, " answered I, " I should surmise that we have reached
the word finis."
" Oh, " replied the chancellor, " I crave your pardon for
having omitted my best bow; but, my good cousin, my
present visit is a friendly one, to advise you to burn
your papers with as little delay as possible."

424 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
"Thank you for your considerate counsel," said I,
coolly, " but I have no papers to destroy. I have neither
mixed with any state intrigue, nor received a pension
from the English government. Nothing will be found in
my drawers but some unanswered billets-doux."
"Then as I can do nothing for you, my good cousin,
oblige me by giving this paper to the duc d'Aiguillon."
" What is it ? " inquired I, with much curiosity.
" Have you forgotten our mutual engagement to support
each other, and not to quit the ministry until the other
retired also ? I have lately been compelled (from per
ceiving how deeply the duke was manoeuvring against
me) to send him a copy of this agreement. Under other
circumstances I might have availed myself of this writ
ing, but now it matters not; the blow which dismisses
me proceeds from other hands than his, and I am willing
to leave him the consolation of remaining in power a
few days after myself. Give him, then, this useless docu
ment; and now, farewell, my pretty cousin, let us take
a last embrace."
Upon which the chancellor, presuming until the last
upon our imaginary relationship, kissed my cheek, and
having put into my hands the paper in question, retired
with a profound bow.
This ironical leave taking left me stupefied with aston
ishment, and well I presaged my coming disgrace from
the absurd mummery the chancellor had thought fit to
play off.
Comte Jean, who had seen M. de Maupeou quit the
house, entered my apartment to inquire the reason of his
visit. Silent and dejected, I allowed my brother-in-law
to take up the paper, which he read without any cere
mony. " What is the meaning of this scrawl ? " cried
comte Jean, with one of his usual oaths ; " upon my
word our cousin is a fine fellow," continued he, crushing
the paper between his fingers. "I'll engage that he still
hopes to keep his place; however, one thing consoles me,
and that is, that both he and his parliament will soon be
sent to the right about."
Our conversation was interrupted by the entrance of

COMTESSE DU BARRY 425
Chamilly, who came to acquaint me that the king was
sleeping, and did not wish to be again disturbed that night.
Remembering my usual omnipotence in the chateau, I
was about, like a true idiot, to prove to Chamilly that the
king's interdict did not extend to me, when I was stopped
in my purpose by the appearance of the duc d'Aiguillon ;
and as it was now nearly eleven o'clock at night, I could
scarcely doubt his being the bearer of some extraordinary
message.

CHAPTER XLIV.
The duc d'Aiguillon brings an order for the immediate departure of
madame du Barry — The king's remarks recapitulated — The count
ess holds a privy council — Letter to madame de Mirepoix and the
dues de Coss6 and d'Aiguillon — Night of departure — Rtiel— Visit
from madame de Forcalquier.
Isaid I did not expect the duc d'Aiguillon; and the
grief which was spread over his features, and the
large tears which stood in his eyes, persuaded me but
too plainly that all hope was at an end.
" Is the king dead ? " cried I, in a stifled voice.
"No, madam," replied he, "Louis XV. still lives, nor
is it by any means certain that the misfortune you ap
prehend is in store for us."
" He sends me from him, then, " exclaimed I, with a
convulsive cry, "and my enemies have triumphed."
"His majesty is but of human nature, madam," replied
the duke; "he feels himself dangerously ill, dreads the
future, and believes that he owes his people a sort of rep
aration for past errors."
"How, my lord duke," interrupted I, "this grave lan
guage in your lips — but no matter. Inform me only at
whose desire you state these melancholy facts; speak, I
am prepared for your mission, be it what it may."
"You shall hear everything, madam," replied the duke,
leading me to an arm-chair. I seated myself; my sisters-
in-law, my niece, and comte Jean stood around me,
eagerly waiting the duke's communication. "A few hours
after you had been removed from his chamber, the king
inquired of the princess Adelaide whether it were gen
erally known at Paris that he had the small-pox. The
princess replied in the affirmative, adding:
(426)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 427
" ' The archbishop of Paris was here twice during yes
terday to inquire after you.'
" ' Yet I belong more properly to the diocese of Char-
tres,' returned the king, 'and surely M. de Fleury would
not interest himself less about me than M. de Beaumont.'
" ' They are both truly anxious about you, my dearest
father, and if you would only see them — 5
"'No, no,' answered Louis XV.; 'they must not be
taken from the duties of their respective dioceses; be
sides, in case of need, I have my grand almoner.'
" Madame Adelaide did not venture to urge the matter
further just then, and, after a short interval of silence,
a message was brought from you, inquiring whether you
could see the king, to which he himself replied, that he
felt inclined to sleep, and would rather not see any per
son that night. I was in the chamber, and he very
shortly called me to him, and said:
" ' Duc d'Aiguillon, I have the small-pox ; and you are
aware that there is a sort of etiquette in my family
which enjoins my immediately discharging my duties as
a Christian.* " ' Yes, sire, if the malady wore a serious aspect ; but in
your case — '
" ' May God grant, ' replied he, ' that my disorder be
not dangerous; however, it may become so, if it is as yet
harmless, and I would fain die as a believer rather than
an infidel. I have been a great sinner, doubtless; but I
have ever observed Lent with a most scrupulous exacti
tude. I have caused more than a hundred thousand
masses to be said for the repose of unhappy souls; I
have respected the clergy, and punished the authors of
all impious works, so that I flatter myself I have not
been a very bad Christian.'
" I listened to his discourse with a heavy heart, yet I
still strove to reassure the king respecting his health, of
which, I assured him, there was not the slightest doubt.
" ' There is one sacrifice, ' said the king, in a low and
hurried tone, ' that my daughter Louise, her sisters, and
the clergy, will not be long in exacting from me in the
name of etiquette. I recollect the scene of Metz, and it

428 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
would be highly disagreeable to me to have it repeated
at Versailles; let us, therefore, take our precautions in
time to prevent it. Tell the duchesse d'Aiguillon that
she will oblige me by taking the comtesse du Barry to
pass two or three days with her at Ruel.'
« ' How, sire ! ' exclaimed I, ' send your dearest friend
from you at a time when you most require her cares ? '
" ' I do not send her away, ' answered the king, with
mournful tenderness, <I but yield to present necessity;
let her submit as she values my happiness, and say to her,
that I hope and believe her absence will be very short. * "
The duke here ceased his recital, which fully confirmed
all my previous anticipations. My female relatives sobbed
aloud, while comte Jean, compressing his lips, endeavoured
to assume that firmness he did not really possess. By a
violent effort I forced myself to assume a sort of resig
nation. "Am I required to depart immediately?" inquired I.
" No, " said the duke ; " to leave the chateau in the
middle of the night would be to assume the air of a flight,
we had better await the coming day; it will, besides, af
ford time to apprize the duchess."
While the duc d'Aiguillon was thus gone to arrange for
my departure, I requested to be left alone. My heart was
oppressed, and I felt the need of venting my grief upon
some friendly bosom. After a few moments, spent in
collecting my thoughts, I addressed two letters, one to the
marechale de Mirepoix, and the other to the duc de Cosse ;
to the former I wrote on account of my retirement to
Ruel, bewailed the sad turn my prospects had assumed,
expressed my deep concern for the severe illness of my
excellent friend and benefactor, begging of her to defend
my character from all unjust attacks, and to allow me to
be blamed for no faults but such as I had really been
guilty of. I concluded with these words, " I set out at
seven o'clock to-morrow morning; the duchesse d'Aiguillon
will conduct me to Ruel, where I shall remain until I
am ordered elsewhere."
To the duke I merely sent a short account of my
present prospects, hour of departure, etc. And, my feel-

COMTESSE DU BARRY 429
ings somewhat relieved by the penning of these epistles,
I threw myself upon a couch to await the morning.
Upon awaking, I received the following note from the
duchesse d'Aiguillon: —
"Madame la comtesse, — I owe his majesty many thanks for the
pleasing, yet mournful, task he has allotted me. Your kindness
to my family, independently of my private regard for you, gives
you the surest claim of my best services during this afflicting period.
Let me beseech of you not to despair, but cheerfully anticipate
brighter days.
" I will call for you at seven o'clock, and if you approve of it, we
will use my carriage. Ruel is entirely at your disposal and that of
your family."
This note was truly characteristic of its amiable writer,
who at court passed for a cold-hearted, frigid being,
whilst, in reality, the warm feelings of her excellent
heart were reserved for her chosen friends.
I have never admired those general lovers who profess
to love every one, nor do I feel quite sure it is a very
strong recommendation to say a person is beloved by all
who know her. Read, now, a striking contrast to the
short but sympathizing billet of madame d'Aiguillon, in
the following heartless letter from the marechale de
Mirepoix, which was put into my hands as I was ascend
ing the carriage.
"My lovely countess, — I am all astonishment! Can it be possi
ble that you are to quit Versailles ? You are right in saying you have
been the friend of every one, and those who could speak ill of you
are to be pitied for not having had better opportunities of under
standing your real character. But fear not, the dauphiness is virtue
personified, and the dauphin equally perfect. Every thing promises
a peaceful and indulgent reign, should we have the misfortune to lose
his present majesty. Still there will always be a great void left at
Versailles; as far as I am concerned, I have passed so much of my
time with you, that I cannot imagine what I shall do with my even
ings; it will cost me much of my age to alter habits and customs
now so long fixed and settled, but such is life; nothing certain,
nothing stable. We should imitate cats in our attachments, and rather
identify ourselves with the house than the possessor of it. I trust
you have secured an ample provision for the future; neglect not the
present, to-morrow may come in vain for you.

430 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
«Be sure you let me know the spot to which you permanently re
tire, and I will endeavour to see you as frequently as my engage
ments will admit of. Adieu, ma belle petite. »
Spite of the bitterness of my feelings, this letter drew
a smile to my lips; the allusion to cats which had es
caped the marechale exactly applied to her own character,
of which I had been warned before I became acquainted
with her; but her protestations of warm and unutterable
attachment had gained my confidence, and I allowed my
self to be guided implicitly by her.
The duchesse d'Aiguillon was waiting for me while I
perused the above letter; at length, with a sigh, I pre
pared to quit that palace of delights where I had reigned
absolute mistress. I cast a mournful look around me,
on those splendid walks, fountains and statues, worthy
the gardens of Armida, but where there reigned, at this
early hour, a sort of gloomy silence; whilst, in that
chamber where love had well nigh deified me and
recognised me as queen of France, lay extended the
monarch so lately my protector and friend.
It was the Wednesday of the fifth of May that I took
my seat in the carriage of the duchesse d'Aiguillon ac
companied by my sister-in-law and the vicomtesse Adolphe,
who would not forsake me. Bischi remained with madame
d'Hargicourt, whose duties detained her with the com
tesse d'Artois. Her husband also remained at Versailles,
while comte Jean and his son proceeded to Paris. I will
not attempt to describe the emotions with which I quitted
my magnificent suite of apartments, and traversed the
halls and staircases already crowded by persons anxiously
awaiting the first intimation of the king's decease. I was
wrapped in my pelisse, and effectually eluded observation.
It has been said that I left Versailles at four o'clock in
the morning, but that was a mere invention on the part
of my servants to baffle the curiosity of those who might
have annoyed me by their presence.
We pursued our way in mournful reflection, whilst
madame d'Aiguillon, with her wonted goodness, sought
by every means to distract me from the dejection in
which I was buried. Her husband, who remained with

COMTESSE DU BARRY 431
the king, engaged to write me a true account of all that
transpired during my absence, and I shall very shortly
present you with a specimen of the fidelity with which
he performed his promise. The duchess did the honours
of Ruel.
"Here," said she, "the great cardinal Richelieu loved
to repose himself from the bustle and turmoil of a
court. "
"I think," answered I, "it would have been less a
favourite with his eminence had it been selected for his
abode on the eve of his disgrace."
Immediately upon my arrival I retired to bed, for fa
tigue had so completely overpowered me that I fell into
a heavy slumber, from which I did not awake till the
following day; when I found the duchesse d'Aiguillon,
my sister-in-law, Genevieve Mathon, and Henriette, seated
by my bed: the sight of them was cheering and gratify
ing proof of my not being as yet abandoned by all the
world. I arose, and we were just about to take our places at
table, when madame de Forcalquier arrived. I must
confess that her presence was an agreeable surprise to
me ; I was far from reckoning on her constancy in friend
ship, and her present conduct proved her worthy of her
excellent friend, madame Boncault, whose steady attach
ment I had so frequently heard extolled. The sight of
her imparted fresh courage to me, and I even resumed
my usual high spirits, and in the sudden turn my ideas
had taken, was childish enough to express my regrets
for the loss of my downy and luxurious bed at Versailles,
complaining of the woful difference between it and the
one I nad slept on at Ruel.
The duchesse d'Aiguillon, who must have pitied the
puerility of such a remark, gently endeavoured to reconcile
me to it by reminding me that both the marquise de
Pompadour and the cardinal de Richelieu had reposed
upon that very couch.
I endeavoured to return some sportive reply, but my
thoughts had flown back to Versailles, and my momen
tary exhilaration was at an end. Tears rose to my eyes

432 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
and choked my attempts at conversation; I therefore
begged the duchess would excuse me, and retired to my
apartment until I could compose myself; but the kind
and attentive friend to whose hospitality I was then con
fided needed no further mention of my hard couch, but
caused the best bed Ruel contained to be prepared for
me by the time I again pressed my pillow.
This same evening brought M. de Cosse, who could no
longer repress his impatience to assure me of his entire
devotion. He appeared, on this occasion, if possible, more
tender and more respectful in his manner of evincing it
than ever.
We supped together without form or ceremony, the
party consisting of mesdames d'Aiguillon, de Forcalquier,
and myself, mademoiselle du Barry, and the vicomtesse
Adolphe, the prince de Soubise and the duc de Cosse.
But the meal passed off in sorrowful silence; each of us
seemed to abstain from conversation as though the
slightest remark might come fraught with some painful
allusion. On the following day I received the letter from
the duc d'Aiguillon which you will find in the following
chapter.

CHAPTER XLV.
The duc d'Aiguillon's first letter — The marechale de Mirepoix — A
second letter from the duc d'Aiguillon — Numerous visitors.
( t t» k y much esteemed friend, — I promised you upon your depar-
/yl ture to inform you of all that transpired, and although the
task is a mournful one, I will do my best to acquit myself
with zeal and sincerity, and each evening I will write you an exact
detail of all that has occurred during the day. The king remains
much as you left him, and you must know that already his medical
attendants differ in their opinion respecting him — Lemonnier utterly
despairing of his recovery, while Bordeu is most sanguine that he
shall be enabled to restore him to health. La Martiniere persists in
his assertion that the attention of the king should be immediately di
rected to his spiritual concerns. The archbishop of Paris remains
until called for in the ante-chamber, and the princesses never leave
the bedside of their august parent.
" The king spoke with me concerning you for some time this morn
ing, and I can assure you, you are the first object in his thoughts;
he has begged of me never to forsake you, and has deigned to re
pose in me the enviable post of your future protector. (I bequeath
my beloved friend to your fidelity,) added the suffering prince. I
took advantage of this opportunity to remark that I looked upon your
quitting Versailles as too precipitate and premature a step. <No, no,>
replied the king, <I have acted for the best; I have once been de
ceived as to my condition, and I would willingly prevent being again
taken by surprise. Tell my beloved and excellent countess how truly
I love her > ; and hearing the prince de Soubise mention his design of
supping at Ruel, he charged him to embrace you for him.
"The dauphin still remains secluded in his apartment, but I know
that he keeps up a regular correspondence with madame Victoire,
whose letters, after being immersed in vinegar, are carried to the
comte de Muy, who fumigates them previously to allowing them to
reach the hands of the dauphin. " I am, etc., etc.
"Versailles, May j, 1774, nine o'clock, evening. "
Upon awaking the following morning I again received
news of the king, who was stated to have passed a good
28 (433)

434 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
night, and even La Martiniere seemed inclined to hope.
As yet, then, there were no safe grounds for abandoning
me, and about two o'clock in the afternoon I was fa
voured with a visit from madame de Mirepoix, who, run
ning up to me, exclaimed with her usual vivacity,
"Oh, my dear creature, how I longed to see you!" and
then leading me into another chamber, she added,
" Do you know I quite missed you ? As I wrote you,
my time hung heavily on my hands. What in the world
will become of me if I am compelled to resign the de
lightful hours granted to the envied few who are per
mitted the entre"e to the petits appartementsf For you
see, my dear, the dauphiness will be far from bestowing
that honour upon me. I am too old to form one of her
coterie, and I shall be laid aside like the rest of the
antiquities of the chateau. By the way," continued
the voluble marechale, " there is already a great cabal in the
chateau respecting the formation of a new ministry, in
which, besides desiring lucrative posts for themselves, all
are anxious to introduce their private friends; in the
midst of so many absorbing interests you appear to be
already forgotten, which, by the way, is no bad thing
for you. Your best plan is to remain perfectly tranquil. "
Then rapidly passing to her most prevailing idea, this
excellent friend proceeded to inquire what the king had
bestowed on me as a parting present, " for, " said she, " he
would not certainly permit you to leave Versailles empty-
handed. "
"It is a point," replied I, "that neither his majesty nor
myself once thought of."
" Then such an omission proves him a vile egotist, and
you a prodigious simpleton," answered she; "and were I
in your place, I would commission the duc d'Aiguillon to
make a direct demand of a future provision for you ; you
really should see about this, and secure to yourself a
noble establishment for yourself and your friends, who
ought not to suffer for your overstrained delicacy. Look
at the duc de Choiseul, who has kept a regular court at
Chanteloup, and never wanted for a train of courtiers
at it."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 435
After this lesson of worldly wisdom, the excellent mare
chale gave me a friendly kiss, returned to her carriage,
and I saw her no more during my stay at Ruel.
The evening brought with it a second letter from the
duc d'Aiguillon, it was as follows: —
" Madam, — I hasten to acquaint you with the pleasing information
of his majesty being considerably better ; his strength appears to have
returned, and he himself, in the consciousness of improving health,
expressed aloud his regret for having been so hasty in advising your
removal from him. He has continually repeated, <How weak and
selfish of me thus to afflict my dearest countess! would you not ad
vise me, my friend, to request her immediate return ? * Of course,
my reply was in the affirmative. His majesty then put the same
question to the duc de Richelieu, who answered, that in his opinion
it was the best plan he could decide upon. The bulletin signed by
the different physicians accompanies this: it leaves me nothing to add
but to recommend your bearing with patience this temporary absence
from court, to which you will ere long return, more idolized, more
sought after, than ever. The duc de la Vrilliere and the abbe Terray
present the assurance of their unbounded respect and devotion,
etc., etc."
The duchess, my sister-in-law, and niece shared in joy
at such gratifying intelligence, and the ensuing day
brought a concourse of visitors to Ruel; indeed, any one
might have supposed that fresh swarms of flatterers and
courtiers had been created only to swell my number of
humble and obsequious adorers. I bestowed on each un
meaning guest a smiling welcome, for indeed, my heart
was too light and I felt too happy to be enabled to frown
even upon those who, when the storm appeared near,
had basely deserted me.
It was amusing enough to see with what zeal any per
son, whom I had previously recommended was assisted
by the various ministers in the pursuit of their object;
the petit saint found himself all at once at leisure to pay
his respects to me. He confirmed all the kind messages
sent me by the king through the duc d'Aiguillon.
Madame de Mirepoix, who had visited me the preceding
evening, reserved her next call for the following day,
but a few hours effected a cruel change in my fortune.

CHAPTER XLVI.
A third letter from the duke — The king receives extreme unction —
Letter from madame Victoire to the dauphin — M. de Machault —
A promenade with the duc de Cosse— Kind attention from the
prince des Deux Ponts — A fourth letter from the duc d'Aiguillon
— Comte Jean bids me farewell — M. d'Aiguillon's fifth letter, con
taining an account of the death of Louis XV. — The duc de la
Vrilliere — The lettre de cachet — Letter to the queen — Departure
for the abbey of Pont aux Dames.
The account received in the evening from the duc
d'Aiguillon I shall not transcribe, as it was merely
a repetition of the good tidings of the morning.
The day following still brought a continuation of favora
ble accounts, but the next letter was in these words: —
"Madam, and most honored friend, — Arm yourself with cour
age; the king is extremely ill, and I ought not to conceal from you
that serious apprehensions are entertained for his life ; he has passed
a wretched night. His daughters, who never quitted his bedside,
whispered to him that the archbishop of Paris and his grand almoner
were in the anteroom if he desired to see them. The king did not
seem to hear their words, but about three o'clock in the morning he
called the duc de Duras, whom he bade inquire whether M. Man-
doux were in the chateau; and, if so, to apprize him he wished to
speak with him.
« At these words the princesses and all who heard them burst into
a fit of weeping, which was only interrupted by the arrival of the
confessor, who, approaching the bedside of the penitent, held a con
ference with him of nearly a quarter of an hour: this being
concluded, the king, in a low and firm voice, inquired for his
almoner. The latter soon presented himself, anxious to discharge
the duties of his sacred office. His majesty kept continually repeating
to his afflicted children, <My daughters, why should what I am now
about to do agitate or alarm you ? You are well aware, that having the
small-pox, the etiquette established in my family compels me to re
ceive the last solemn rites of the church, and I but acquit myself of
an obligation in submitting to it.1
«The tone in which the king spoke convinced his attendants that
he rather strove to re-assure himself than his children, by the per-
(436)

COMTESSE DU BARRY 437
suasion that the receiving extreme unction was not so much the
consequence of his own dangerous state as a mere act of obedience
to an established custom. It was then decided that the sacred cere
mony should take place at seven o'clock in the morning; and here
arose some little embarrassment ; the ecclesiastics insisting upon the
necessity of the king's making some striking and open atonement for
what they were pleased to term the scandal of his private life.
"The king's chamber now presented a picture at once solemn and
gloomy. Grouped together on one side the bed might be seen the
different noblemen in attendance upon his majesty; a little removed
stood the clergy, concealed from the invalid by the closely-drawn
curtains ; in the midst of these contending parties were the princesses
going from one to the other, vainly seeking by mild and gentle
mediation to produce a satisfactory arrangement. It was at length
understood, that, on account of the extreme weakness of the invalid,
the grand almoner should pronounce in his name a kind of honor
able apology for past offences.
"You can scarcely imagine, madam, the universal consternation
spread throughout the ch&teau by the information that the king was
about to receive the last rites of his church. The terror and alarm
became overpowering for a while, but subsiding into a more religious
feeling crowds of persons followed with solemn reverence the holy
procession as it passed along, bearing the holy sacrament to their ex
piring monarch. At the moment when it was administered the grand
almoner, turning towards all present, pronounced the following words
in the king's name: —
"'Gentlemen, the weakness of his majesty preventing him from
expressing himself, he has commanded me to inform you, that al
though he is responsible to God alone for his conduct, he yet regrets
having caused any scandal to his people by the irregularities of his
life, that he sincerely repents of his sins; and, should Providence re
store him to health, he purposes living henceforward in all the virtue
and morality of his youth, in the defence and maintenance of re
ligion, in preserving a true faith, and in watching over the best
interests of his people.' "Yours, madam, etc., etc."
I learned also, through another channel, that (accord
ing to custom) forty hours' prayer had been enjoined in
every church in France to implore the mercy of heaven
for the king. I heard too that the shrine of Saint
Genevieve had been displayed for the veneration of true
believers. I passed a miserable night, dreaming of graves, wind
ing-sheets, and funeral-torches, from which I only awoke
to receive the morning's despatches. Alas! the news but

438 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
confirmed the distressing state of the king. The very
solitude in which I was left at Ruel might alone have
served to convince me of my misfortune; for, with the
exception of the duc de Cosse, no person came near us.
M. de Cosse invited me to walk with him in the garden;
I accepted the arm of this noble friend, and we directed
our steps towards the wood. When we were there se
cure from interruption, the duke inquired what were my
plans for the future ?
"How can I tell you," answered I; "what is hence
forward to be my fate is better known to our future
queen than to myself."
"That is precisely what I dread," replied M. de Cosse.
" Unfortunately you have deeply offended the queen elect,
who has irritated her husband's mind against you; and
then the Choiseul faction will, in all probability, come
into power."
" I see all this, " returned I, " and am prepared for
whatever may happen."
" I admire your calmness in a moment like the present, "
cried the duke; "but have a care. Perhaps the best
thing would be to remove you beyond the reach of the
first shock of court displeasure. In your place I would
request passports from the duc d'Aiguillon and travel into
England." " Oh, speak not of such a thing, I conjure you, " inter
rupted I ; " I have a horror of such journeys, and would
much rather trust to the generosity of the dauphiness. She
is about to become a great queen, while I shall be a
creature so humiliated and abased, that the very differ
ence between our situations will be a sufficient vengeance
in her eyes."
We returned to the house, and had scarcely entered,
when M. de Palchelbel, plenipotentiary to the prince
des Deux Ponts, was announced.
" M. de Palchelbel," cried I, extending my hand,
" what good wind brings you here ? "
" I have been honoured by the commands of the prince,
my master, madam," replied he, "to bring you the as
surances of his unalterable friendship ; and to say further,

COMTESSE DU BARRY 439
that whenever you feel dissatisfied with your residence
in France, you will find at Deux Ponts an asylum, which
the most earnest endeavors of the prince, my gracious
patron, will strive to render agreeable to you."
I was much affected by this mark of generous regard
on the part of prince Charles Auguste; and, turning
quickly towards the duke, I exclaimed,
" What think you of all this ? Will you henceforward
believe those self-dubbed philosophers, who assert that
friendship is unknown to royalty ? You have here a
proof of the contrary. For my own part, M. de Palchel
bel," continued I, turning towards the minister, " I am
much gratified by your message, and entreat of you to
thank his royal highness most sincerely for me. I will
write to him myself on the subject, but beg of you to
repeat that, kind as are his offers, I cannot accept of
them ; but shall certainly remain in France until the new
sovereign commands or permits me to quit it."
I afterwards repeated to the minister of Deux Ponts
what I had previously stated in the garden to M. de
Cosse, and had the satisfaction of hearing madame
d'Aiguillon approve of my sentiments.
When I retired to my apartment I was followed by
my niece.
"How happy are you, dear aunt," said she, "to pre
serve such friends in your present troubles."
"I owe them," replied I, "to my simplicity and candor."
" Will you not retire to Germany ? "
" Certainly not, " answered I.
"Yet it would be better to allow the first burst of
displeasure on the part of the dauphiness to pass over."
" Who gave you this counsel, my dear niece ? I am
quite sure it does not originate in yourself."
"I had promised not to tell," answered she; "but if
you insist upon it, I must confess, that I was persuaded
by the prince de Conde and M. de Soubise to urge you
to follow it."
" Do they then wish for my absence ? " inquired I, an
grily. "Only for your own sake, dearest aunt."

440 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
• I thank them ; but my resolution is formed to com
mit myself entirely to Providence in this melancholy
affair." The day passed on; and with feverish impatience I
waited the arrival of the next courier : he came, at length,
and confirmed my worst fears; the king was entirely
given over by his physicians, and his dissolution was
hourly expected. The letter containing this mournful
tidings concluded thus: —
« I have just seen comte Jean, he is here incognito. We had en
tirely forgotten that passports would be necessary; however, I have
now furnished him with four for England, Germany, Italy, and Swit
zerland. The count is far from partaking of your sense of security,
and is wisely anxious (as I think) of shielding himself from the first
burst of royal vengeance. The duchess has informed me of your re
fusal of an asylum at Deux Ponts ; and, while I admire your courage,
permit me to add, that you should rather have listened to the dic
tates of prudence than magnanimity under present circumstances."
The following morning, at an early hour, comte Jean
entered my chamber, saying,
" I understand the king is dead ; have you heard any
thing of it ? "
"Were the report correct," answered I, "I should have
known it ere the intelligence reached Paris."
"Well, living or dead, I am advised to keep out of the
way; and this night will see me on my journey from
Paris. Will you accompany me ? "
"No," replied I; "I have refused travelling with a
much more creditable companion than yourself."
"There you are wrong then; for, depend upon it, a
cloister will be your fate: at any rate my business here
is at an end. The new monarch is young, and attached
to his wife, and my daughter-in-law is too great a sim
pleton to be turned to any account at court."
My brother-in-law then requested I would furnish him
with money. I gave him what I had, and placed in his
hands diamonds to the value of 30,000 francs. He was
very anxious to obtain all my jewels, under pretence of
conveying them safely out of the kingdom, but this I was
too wise to agree to ; he would have staked them at the

COMTESSE DU BARRY 441
first gaming-table he met with. We separated without
much emotion on either side. He next took leave of
Chon and his daughter-in-law; the former wept bitterly,
for she was a most excellent and amiable girl ; but the lat
ter, who knew but too much of the villainy of her father-
in-law, could scarcely repress her joy at his departure.
Comte Jean perceived it; and, according to his brutal
custom, indulged in a coarse jest at her expense; for one
of his maxims was to hold all women in sovereign con
tempt but such as could be useful to him. For my own
part, his absence gave me something like a feeling of
pleasure; his presence was wearisome to me; it was like
the dregs of the cup which had intoxicated my senses.
During the day several false reports arrived of the death
of the king; but at length, about half past four o'clock
in the afternoon, I received the following letter: —
"Madam, — You have lost your best friend and I an excellent
master: at three o'clock this day his majesty breathed his last. I
can scarcely describe to you the horrors of his death-bed. The prin
cesses Adelaide and Sophie braved the frightful contagion to the last,
and never quitted him till the last spark had flown. Alas! with the
exception Of themselves, every attendant openly expressed their
weariness and disgust.
"For several days the physicians have forbidden the windows to
be opened; and those condemned to inhale the pestilential vapor of
the room vainly sought to counteract them by every powerful fumiga
tion. Alas, madam, what is a king when he can no longer grasp the
sceptre? How great a leveller is death! The prelates had aban
doned the sick chamber, and left a. simple cure of the chapel to take
their place; the lords in waiting and other officers shrunk from the
duties of their office, and, with their eyes fixed on a time-piece ea
gerly awaited the hour which should free them from it. The princesses,
who perceived this impatience, durst make no complaint, while the
king, occasionally recovering his senses, uttered broken sentences,
expressive of the religious terror which had seized his mind. At
length, at a few minutes past three o'clock, Lemonnier, in his
capacity of first physician, said, after laying his hand upon the heart
of the patient, and placing a glass before his lips, 'The king is dead.*
At these words all present strove with indecent haste to quit the
chamber; not a single sigh, not one regret was heard. The prin
cesses were carried insensible to their apartments.
"The extinction of a bougie which had been placed in a certain
window, announced the accession of the dauphin ere the duc
d'Aumont had informed him of the decease of his august grandsire.*

442 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
This letter wrung from me some bitter tears, as well
for the king, who had so lavishly bestowed his affections
upon me, as for myself. What would now be my fate ?
Alas ! I knew not ; all my brilliant prospects were buried
in the coffin of my late protector.
The duc d'Aiguillon arrived at Ruel about midnight;
he, as well as the other ministers who had been about
the late monarch during his last illness, being prohibited
by etiquette from following the present monarch to Choisy,
whither the whole of the royal family had retired for a
few days. He told us that the duc d'Aumont, having
commanded La Martiniere to proceed with the embalm
ing of the royal corpse, that physician replied, " Cer
tainly, my lord, it shall be done if you command it, but,
in that case, the duties of your office compel you to re
ceive his majesty's bowels in a golden dish; and I pro
test, that such is the state of the body, that of all who
may assist at the operation, not one will survive eight
days. It is for your grace to determine what shall be
done. "
M. d'Aumont thought no more of embalming his late
master, but gave orders for the body being immediately
placed in a leaden coffin, from which there still issued
frightful effluvia.
Up to the moment of my quitting Ruel madame de
Mirepoix gave me no token of recollection: I heard
that herself and the prince de Beauvau were reconciled,
and for her sake I rejoiced at it. No person came near
us the whole of the day with the exception of M. de
Cosse, and I sat in hourly expectation of some order
from court. At length we descried a travelling carriage
with six horses, proceeding at a rapid pace up the
avenue. « I know that livery, » exclaimed I ; « 'tis that of
my humble adorer, my obsequious slave, my friend at
court, the duc de la Vrilliere, commonly called le petit
saint. You see that the good soul could not delegate to
another the pleasing task of arresting me; but permit
me to retire to my apartment; it is fitting he should seek
me there if he has any communication to make to me."
The duchess, approved my resolution; and the duc de la

COMTESSE DU BARRY 443
Vrilliere having been introduced into the salon, after the
first compliments, requested to see me, that he might
acquaint me with the king's pleasure.
Mademoiselle du Barry undertook to inform me of the
duke's arrival.
"You were not mistaken, dear sister," said she; "the
duc de la Vrilliere is the bearer of the king's orders re
specting you: but compose yourself, I beseech you."
" Fear not," said I ; " I am as calm as you would have me.
Tell the vile dissembler, I mean the duke, I await him."
M. Tartuffe was but a faint copy of le petit saint as
he presented himself before me. His manners still re
tained part of their former servility, but there was a
lurking smile about him, which proved how well he was
pleased with the part he had to perform.
He approached me with lingering steps and an air of
mysterious importance, while a sort of sardonic grin con
tradicted the sorrow he endeavored to force into his
countenance. For my own part, I caused the folding-
doors to be thrown open, and advancing ceremoniously,
stood to receive the orders of the king. I bowed stiffly
and silently; and, with something like a malicious satis
faction, I witnessed the embarrassment into which my
cool and collected manner threw him.
" Madam, " said he at last, " I have a painful duty to
perform : in a word, I am the bearer of a lettre de cachet. "
"Well, sir!" said I, tranquilly.
" Madam, I must request you to believe how greatly I
regret the task imposed upon me; but my duty and obe
dience to the king — "
"Would enable you to strangle your nearest relative.
All that is well known; but, in the name of all that is
base, "cowardly, and unmanly, could no one but you be
found to remind a distressed and afflicted woman that she
has lost her only friend and support ? "
"Madam, I repeat, obedience — necessity — "
"Enough, sir; I pity you."
" Madam, you outrage the king in my person. "
"No, sir; I respect the king too highly to believe that
there could ever be any relation between him and one

444 MEMOIRS OF JEANNE VAUBERNIER
who is too contemptible to remind me that he was but a
few days back the most cringing of my servile slaves."
Le petit saint, boiling with rage, with an unsteady
hand, unfolded and read, in a trembling voice, the follow
ing words:
"Madame la comtesse du Barry, — For reasons, which have for
their object the preservation of the tranquillity of my kingdom, and
the prevention of any state secrets confided to you being promul
gated, I send this order for your immediate removal to Pont aux
Dames, accompanied by one female attendant only, and under the
escort of the exempt who has the necessary orders. TMs measure
is by no means intended to be either disagreeable or of long dura
tion. I therefore pray God to have you in his holy keeping.
"(Signed) Louis."
"That, madam," continued the duke, "is his majesty's
pleasure, and you have nothing to do but to submit."
" Your advice was not asked, my lord, " returned I ; " I
honor and obey the king's slightest wish, but your pres
ence is no longer requisite ; you will therefore be pleased
to rid me of it."
The duke, resuming his air of mock humility, bowed
low, and departed.
When I was alone, I must confess a few tears escaped
me, but I soon wiped them away; my resolution was
taken. The duchesse d'Aiguillon and my female friends has
tened to question me relative to the duke's visit. I
showed them the lettre de cachet, which confirmed the mis
fortune they had suspected from seeing Hamond, who
was to be my escort, waiting in the anteroom to conduct
me to the abbey of Pont aux Dames, near Meaux, the
place o£ my exile. They all evinced the utmost sorrow,
and both Chon and my niece protested that with the
king's permission, they would willingly attend me in my
seclusion. I felt grateful for this mark of attachment;
then sending for the exempt, I inquired whether I
might be allowed sufficient time to write a letter, and
cause a few necessary preparations to be made ? « Madam, "
replied he, "my only orders are to accompany you to
Pont aux Dames, the hour of departure is left to yourself."

COMTESSE DU BARRY 445
I then penned a few hasty lines to the king, indica
tive of my wishes for the happiness and prosperity of his
reign, of my ready obedience to his commands, and of
my earnest wishes that my sister-in-law and niece might
be permitted to visit me. This letter I was promised
should be punctually delivered. I had now the painful
duty to perform of choosing between Henriette and
Genevieve, as only one attendant was allowed me at
Pont aux Dames. Henriette pleaded her claim as my
servant, while the excellent Genevieve timidly urged her
early friendship.
" Let chance decide it, " cried I. They drew lots, and
Genevieve was selected.
We reached Pont aux Dames in the middle of the
night; it was a miserable looking place, which took its
date from the time of Saint Louis or Charlemagne for
ought I know. What a contrast met my eyes between
this ruinous old building, its bare walls, wooden seats,
and gloomy casements, and the splendor of Versailles or
Choisy ; all my firmness forsook me, I threw myself weep
ing into the arms of Genevieve.
A courier had announced my intended arrival, and I
found all the good sisters impatient to see me. What
eager curiosity did the pious nuns evince to behold one
of whom they had heard so much even in their quiet
retreat, and how many questions had I to reply to from
those who had the courage to address me. Alas! I, of
all the throng assembled, was the most anxious for quiet
and solitude.
I was lodged in the best apartments, which, however
magnificent the good people of Pont aux Dames might
consider them, were not on a par with the granaries of
Lucienne. But complaint was useless, and I could only
resign myself to what was offered me.

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