UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/memoirsofmadamedOOIamo 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
MEMOIRS 
 
 OF 
 
 MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 With Eight Half-tone Plates 
 
 New York 
 
 FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 
 Publishers 
 
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN 
 
DC 
 155" 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 With the death of Madame de Pompadour, in 1764, was 
 extinguished the star that had guided His Most Christian 
 Majesty Louis XV through some of the most anxious 
 times of his reign. For twenty years she had been the 
 uncrowned queen of France. Every political appoint- 
 ee ment had been of her choice or had received her appro- 
 up bation ; foreign and domestic affairs had been settled 
 * according to her undisputed wishes ; all documents 
 concerning public or private business had been overlooked 
 by her before being placed before the king ; she had spent 
 many weary hours each day with his ministers ; and by 
 saving Louis infinite work had ended by making herself 
 indispensable to him. Not only that : when her own 
 charms ceased to attract, Madame de Pompadour had 
 J instituted the Parc-aux-Cerfs, and kept it replenished with 
 <girls of fitting comeliness. Thus, by intelligence and skill, 
 ^had this remarkable woman maintained herself in the 
 ^favour of a monarch as fickle as he was ruthless. It had 
 been no easy task, however, and when Death came — and 
 Madame la Marquise dressed herself in full Court costume 
 to meet him — she was no more than forty-two years of 
 age. 
 
 For a while Louis, who had already turned his fifty- 
 fourth year, sought solace in the constant variety of beauty 
 furnished by Lebel, his discreet and assiduous valet. As 
 for affairs of State, Madame de Pompadour had left him 
 with efficient ministers, chief among whom was the 
 Due de Choiseul. Thus five years passed by ; and then 
 Louis began to tire of the insipid, would-be bashful 
 
 v 
 
 335643 
 
PREFACE 
 
 damsels who came to gratify his whims and vanish again 
 like passing figures in a crowded street. He missed, 
 moreover, the mental stimulant of some clever or impudent 
 woman as his constant companion. Symptoms of the 
 royal unrest and boredom were soon apparent, and were 
 eagerly welcomed by schemers of both sexes, anxious to 
 supply the sufferer with someone to love and cherish and 
 fill the ambiguous post of maitresse en titre. Chief among 
 these schemers was a political faction which well knew 
 that the only force strong enough to oust Choiseul from 
 power would be wielded by the soft hands of some pretty 
 woman. 
 
 It was at this propitious juncture, in 1769, that Madame 
 du Barri was introduced to the king's notice by Lebel. 
 The anti-Choiseul party, led by the Due d'Aiguillon, had 
 long been waiting their chance, and in the dazzling beauty 
 of this little adventuress they saw a fit tool for their 
 purpose. Louis's curiosity was excited in advance, by 
 stories of her charms, and after meeting her at a private 
 supper in his valet's apartments, he expressed his decided 
 approval of the new face, evincing more enthusiasm than 
 had been seen in his jaded eyes for years. Madame du 
 Barri's supporters discreetly fanned this approval into 
 infatuation, and did not rest until the new sultana had 
 been duly presented at Court and installed in Madame de 
 Pompadour's vacant post. From that day until his death, 
 five years later, Louis was a mere instrument in her hands, 
 to be wielded according to the schemes of the men who 
 had put her in power. Choiseul was dismissed, her own 
 creatures were rewarded with lucrative sinecures, and the 
 triumvirate of d'Aiguillon (undoubtedly her lover), 
 Chancellor Maupeou, and the Abbe Terray assumed 
 sovereign power. 
 
 It was no ordinary beauty that could capture the heart 
 of a debauchee like Louis ; and Madame du Barri's beauty 
 vi 
 
PREFACE 
 
 (was of no ordinary kind. Even her enemies unwillingly 
 / conceded that her portraits gave no idea of her voluptuous 
 L charm. Her fair hair, so fair that it shone like palest gold, 
 j nung in thick natural curls on her classically moulded neck 
 land shoulders. A lock of it is yet preserved, enclosed in a 
 letter she wrote to one of her lovers, and it is of the texture 
 of finest floss. In contrast to this fairness was the delicate 
 d brown of her eyebrows, and the heavy drooping dark 
 \ lashes that almost hid her violet eyes — eyes that were 
 j scarcely ever opened to the full, but conquered countless 
 /hearts with their long, slow, sidelong glances. She had a 
 ( small, delicately shaped nose, exquisitely arched lips, and 
 i skin that one of her contemporaries likened to a rose-leaf 
 <^fallen in cream. She never used powder or rouge and 
 laughed in good-natured contempt at those fine Court 
 ladies who needed to pencil their eyes and redden their 
 lips in order to make themselves presentable. Her figure 
 was perfect in correctness of line and poise, and her every 
 gesture revealed it in all its allurement. She disliked the 
 stiff formal fashions of Court costume, and was nearly 
 always to be seen, in the king's council chamber or at his 
 supper-table, en petit robe, a haze of chiffon and silk 
 insistently suggestive of the boudoir. With all this beauty 
 of face and figure she radiated an aura of luxury and 
 desire, like some vivid Aphrodite, and could inspire even so 
 ofcba cynic as Voltaire to exclaim, at sight of one of her 
 portraits : 
 
 L 'original etait fait pour les dieux. 
 
 What wonder that Louis gave his worn-out heart 
 and shrivelled soul to this wonderful creature, wor- 
 shipped even her impertinence, as when she called him 
 " La France," and thrilled with pride and delight because 
 this desirable woman treated him as a desirable man rather 
 than as an awe-inspiring king. 
 
 vii 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The Memoirs from which this book is taken appeared 
 in 1829, under the nominal editorship of Lamothe- 
 Langnon. Though written as autobiography, it would, 
 perhaps, be better to say that in those Memoirs the editor 
 collected the many reminiscences then current of Madame 
 du Barri and welded them into connected narrative. 
 The facts related are indisputably true, and their presenta- 
 tion through the medium of her personality, a personality 
 which pervades the whole book, throws a light of its own 
 upon that strange and tragic period immediately preceding 
 the French Revolution. The editor of this present volume 
 has added an Epilogue, to round off as briefly as possible 
 Madame du Barri's romantic story. 
 
 VHJ 
 

 PAGE 
 
 Preface ....... 
 
 . v 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 
 IVTy Ptrst TjOVfs 
 
 x. mi x inoi xju ¥ no . . . . 
 
 J 
 
 II. A Gay Life 
 
 t r 
 
 III. I Meet the King . 
 
 27 
 
 IV. Triumphs at Court 
 
 
 V. Scandal and Intrigue . . . 
 
 61 
 
 VI. The Parc-aux-Cerfs . . . 
 
 80 
 
 VII. Woe to my Enemies . 
 
 7 J 
 
 VIII. The King's Family Hate Me 
 
 1 IO 
 
 IX. My Enemies are Awake 
 
 1 IQ 
 
 X. Strange Stories 
 
 
 XI A DiFFicniT Casf 
 
 -£Xa XX X^ljriVUl^i VA0£ .... 
 
 l62 
 
 XII. My Power in Peril • 
 
 178 
 1/0 
 
 XIII. A New Lover . 
 
 '■yo 
 
 XIV. His Majesty is Bored 
 
 204. 
 
 XV. The King Dies .... 
 
 2l8 
 
 XVI. Banished from Court 
 
 
 XVII. An Affair of Jealousy ... 
 
 24.5 
 
 • *TJ 
 
 XVIII. Queen Marie Antoinette 
 
 2SQ 
 
 XIX. The Revolution .... 
 
 27Q 
 
 Epilogue . . . 
 
 291 
 
 Index ........ 
 
 . 300 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Madame du Barri, with her Negro boy Zamor Frontispiece 
 
 To face page 
 
 Louis the Fifteenth, King of France . . . . 32 
 
 A Dinner Party at Madame du Barn's Chateau at 
 
 Luciennes 64 
 
 Etienne Francois, Due de Choiseul .... 96 
 
 Madame du Barri, as Diana at the Bath . . . .128 
 
 Marie Antoinette, at the age of seventeen . . . 164 
 
 Madame Sophie, Daughter of Louis XV . . . 224 
 
 Madame du Barri and the Due de Cosse Brissac . . 256 
 
Memoirs of Madame du Barri 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 I was born on the 28th of August, 1744, at Vaucouleurs. 
 Much has been jokingly said at various times of my having 
 first seen the light of day in the same village which pro- 
 duced Jeanne d'Arc. The wags would have had a more 
 prolific theme had they but known that my mother 
 enumerated amongst her female ancestors the illustrious 
 heroine of Orleans. So much for my mother's side. As 
 to my father's family, it was by no means despicable, 
 although some most contemptible things have been said 
 of it. The Vaubernier family, to which my father be- 
 longed, came from very good citizens and even of petty 
 nobility. 
 
 My father, having no fortune, had been compelled to 
 accept a mean situation as clerk at the Barrieres. He 
 married my mother, who was no richer than himself, for 
 love. When I came into the world, Madame Dubreuil, 
 wife of the guard of a diligence at Vaucouleurs, who was 
 attached to my parents, proffered her services as my god- 
 mother. But fortune, who doubtless already favoured 
 me, had destined for me another godfather. The war of 
 1744 brought to our village M. Billard du Monceau, a 
 financier, and a man at once rich and benevolent. He 
 came to Vaucouleurs on the day of my birth. Madame 
 Dubreuil, only considering the interest of the family, 
 resolved to turn over to him the responsible honour. He 
 a 1 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 accepted it. I had then for a godfather M. Billard du 
 Monceau, who did the thing in a handsome manner, as 
 might be expected from a man of his wealth. I should 
 not forget to tell you that I was baptized by the name of 
 Marie-Jeanne. 
 
 As I grew up I became handsomer every day ; at least 
 they told me so, and, considering all things, I do not 
 refuse to believe that such was the case. It is to my face 
 alone, and I know it, that I am indebted for my elevation ; 
 and now that my beauty is daily becoming less and less, 
 it is not without regret that I remember what I have been. 
 Decrepitude inspires me with horror — I think I would 
 rather be dead than ugly. Let me quit such distressing 
 thoughts. 
 
 Fortunately for my vanity, I was not the only person 
 who thought me handsome, and my beauty gained me all 
 hearts. It was which of our neighbours should make most 
 of me, caress me, and testify their admiration. Every- 
 where I was welcomed, and my company sought. How 
 happy was I in those days ! 
 
 At the time I was fifteen my father earned enough for 
 our subsistence, and no more. My godmother was dead. 
 As to my godfather, he seemed to have forgotten his 
 pretty little god-daughter. They wrote to him, but he 
 returned no answer ; they wrote to him again, and then 
 came some well-sounding phrases, full of promise, but 
 nothing more. Time glided on, and our situation was 
 still the same ; that is, very dull, and pinched as to means. 
 This was not all — a greater misfortune was in store for us. 
 My father, the sole support of the family, died. To the 
 bitter regret of his loss was added the chagrin of the 
 frightful situation in which we were left. A mean stock 
 of furniture, and a few trinkets of no value, was all that 
 remained. 
 
 After the moments dedicated to grief, the persons who 
 2 
 
MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 took an interest in us, or pretended to do so, advised us 
 to go to Paris. There we should find, they told us, ample 
 resources. On the one side, my uncle Ange Gomart, who 
 had been for some time in the convent of Picpus, and on 
 the other M. Billard du Monceau my godfather, were 
 bound decidedly to assist us at this juncture. Moreover, 
 our ambition was necessarily bounded, and consequently 
 easily satisfied. 
 
 We went to live in the environs of the Place Royale, in 
 a street of which I forget the name, but remember well 
 that it was sad, dull, and silent. Apartments were cheap, 
 and we were not far from the convent of Picpus, in which, 
 as I have already said, resided Father Ange Gomart de 
 Vaubernier. My mother informed him of our arrival, 
 and he came to see us on the following day. I remember 
 that my mother wept much whilst the monk preserved a 
 calm air — his piety, he said, forbade any outward demon- 
 strations of inward sorrow. I believe, for my own part, 
 that he felt but little regret for his brother, and felt 
 much embarrassment from his sister-in-law and niece. 
 However, he allowed nothing of this to appear ; he told 
 me, after an embrace, that I had the face of a cherub, and 
 advised my mother not to lose a moment in soliciting the 
 protection of M. Billard du Monceau. 
 
 My lovely face, my locks, which waved most enchant- 
 ingly over my eyes, which were melting, sparkling, and 
 liquid as crystal, my mouth, small and red as a cherry, my 
 delicately-formed nose, my excessively fair skin, my 
 elegant and sylph-like figure, in fact the perfect beauty 
 of my person, made my mother conceive the greatest 
 hopes of success. " She is so lovely," said she, " that her 
 godfather cannot abandon her." My uncle, for his part, 
 had equal expectations ; whilst I feared that I should not 
 realize their wishes, and I told them so most ingenuously. 
 They reassured me, instructed me, and when my mother 
 
 3 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 had dressed me as becomingly as my scanty wardrobe 
 would allow, we went most magnificently in a hackney- 
 coach, for which my uncle paid. We reached the house, 
 and went upstairs. Good heavens ! how much was I 
 dazzled on entering the rich apartment ! The beautiful 
 ornaments ! The handsome carpets ! I dared not walk 
 over them. What glasses ! What furniture ! What 
 porcelain ! 
 
 Here we were, then, in the private apartment of M. 
 Billard du Monceau. Pere Ange, who was the most 
 eloquent of the party, opened the conversation. When he 
 had finished, M. Billard du Monceau said some words of 
 consolation to my mother, undertook to defray the ex- 
 penses of my education, and promised my mother to 
 procure for her the situation of housekeeper in some high 
 family ; he then wrote down our address, and bade adieu 
 to us. 
 
 My mother left the house of M. Billard du Monceau 
 more satisfied respecting my fate and her own. The 
 following week Pere Ange came to inform us that our 
 Providence had found a situation for my mother, a 
 situation in the family of Madame de Renage, widow of a 
 farmer-general. I was placed in a boarding-school in the 
 Rue des Lions Saint-Paul. There I learnt to sew, of which 
 I knew but little previously, as well as to mark and 
 embroider. They taught me how to read and write 
 tolerably; I was instructed in the Catechism, the Bible, 
 and arithmetic. 
 
 My godfather, who was attached to me, took me from 
 school and sent me to the convent of Sainte-Aure. I 
 was a. gainer by this change, for my education was more 
 carefully attended to than it had been previously. I 
 was fifteen years of age and very lovely, the most so of 
 any of the young ladies of Sainte-Aure, but I was at the 
 same time so free from affectation, so gay, so lively, so 
 4 
 
MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 loveable, that they excused the loveliness of my counten- 
 ance in consequence of the goodness of my heart. Besides, 
 we were all united by the irksomeness of a convent life. 
 
 I formed at Sainte-Aure a close intimacy with a boarder 
 of my own age, tall, and a brunette, named Genevieve 
 Mathon. Her father was the most celebrated pastry-cook 
 in the Rue Saint Martin. Another of my companions was 
 Brigitte Rubert, the daughter of an attorney-at-law, who 
 demeaned herself always like a high-born dame, and I, 
 like a fool, liked her better than all the world beside. 
 The worthy Genevieve Mathon was rather jealous of the 
 preference ; but if Genevieve was not my best beloved 
 friend, I was always the best beloved friend of Genevieve. 
 
 We were indeed " Pickles " in petticoats, and what is 
 worse, downright hypocrites. But we are all so, we are 
 always so, we women. Thanks to the education men-folk 
 give us, we learn to cheat whenever we choose, and the 
 greatest fool of us all can make a man believe that black 
 is white. 
 
 However, I was still innocent. There was a something 
 passing within me which told me that I was not formed 
 to live alone, but that was all I knew. 
 
 I remained at Sainte-Aure until my sixteenth year. At 
 this epoch my godfather, having taken me from the 
 convent, inquired what situation I wished to be placed 
 in. In accordance with my replies I was apprenticed to 
 Madame Labille, milliner in the Rue Saint Honore, near 
 the Oratoire and the Barrier e des Sergents. I now com- 
 menced a new existence, under the name of Mademoiselle 
 Lancon (for my uncle had desired me to take this name), 
 and was almost emancipated, almost free. On Sunday, 
 which was entirely at our own disposal when we were not 
 left in charge of the shop, we went out very frequently to 
 carry articles of millinery which had been ordered- My 
 first walks in Paris were not taken without fear ; however, 
 
 5 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 on the second Sunday of my new existence I formed the 
 bold project of paying a visit to my former friend, 
 Genevieve Mathon, who a week before me had returned 
 to her paternal home. I entered, and saw Genevieve 
 occupied in her father's kitchen. She saw me, and jump- 
 ing with joy, ran to me, and covered me with kisses. She 
 introduced me to her family, who gave me an invitation 
 to dinner, which I accepted. Opposite to me was seated 
 a tall, handsome young man, with dark eyes and brown 
 hair like Genevieve. It was her brother. Perhaps it was 
 because I loved his sister that I so soon took a liking for 
 him. I looked at him from the corner of my eye as 
 secretly as possible, and found his glance was fixed on me. 
 He anticipated my slightest wishes, and offered me before- 
 hand what I was about to ask for : I wished to drink, and 
 instantly he poured out wine for me : I desired some 
 particular morsel, and the same moment I found it on my 
 plate. His attentions embarrassed me, for I feared lest 
 his family should consider them as peculiar ; but they 
 took no notice, or rather viewed it only as a natural and 
 proper gallantry. 
 
 The family kept me as long as they could. They took 
 me for a walk on the boulevards, and after the walk we 
 went to the theatre. It was the first time such a pleasure 
 had been presented to me ; it so completely laid hold of 
 my mind and imagination that I almost forgot the 
 presence of the brother of Genevieve. Seated by my side, 
 he was only thinking how he should express his love for 
 me. One instant (when no one was observing us) he 
 attempted to squeeze my hand ; and I, without reflection, 
 without intention, lightly returned the pressure of the 
 hand which retained mine. He trembled, and then his 
 countenance beamed, his large black eyes sparkled like 
 fire, and a beautiful smile played upon his lips. 
 
 This day of enchantment, this delicious evening, had its 
 6 
 
MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 termination. My friend and her brother wished to escort 
 me back to Madame Labille's. Genevieve, on quitting 
 me, embraced me : Nicolas Mathon, still timid, contented 
 himself with kissing my hand. This kiss penetrated to 
 my heart. I call to remembrance all who have adored 
 me ; it is not poor Nicolas who pleased me least. I, too, 
 have known what first love is ! 
 
 The image of Genevieve's brother pursued me sleeping 
 or waking. Half the night was spent in a long sleepless- 
 ness : at length I fell asleep, and the adored image 
 appeared to me in my dream. The next day, when I had 
 to go into the shop, I had lost my liveliness, my usual 
 buoyancy of spirits had forsaken me, I was dull and 
 pensive. This change astonished my companions, who 
 inquired the cause of my evident depression. I blushed, 
 stammered, hesitated, and at last explained myself so ill 
 that the young ladies of the shop, who had great experience 
 in such matters, were unanimously of opinion that I was 
 in love. I denied it as well as I could, and keeping my 
 secret to myself, determined not to allow it to escape. 
 At that moment I raised my eyes, and through the window 
 of the shop saw Nicolas Mathon, who was walking in a 
 most melancholy mood in the Rue Saint Honore. I 
 remained stupified, with my eyes fixed immovably on the 
 young man who was walking up and down the street, and 
 endeavoured to smile upon him. He saw me, the blood 
 mounted to his cheek, and he showed me a paper he held 
 in his hand ; it was a letter, I felt sure, a letter to me ! 
 The first love letter ! How impatient was I to possess it ! I 
 made him a sign to approach, which he understood. A lady 
 entered the shop, and, profiting by the bustle which was 
 thereby occasioned, I glided into the passage, and thence 
 gained the door in an instant. Nicolas started when he 
 saw me so near to him. " Is it a letter from Genevieve ? " 
 I asked him, with much confidence. " Yes, mademoiselle," 
 
 7 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 he replied, in a faltering voice, and gave me the letter, 
 blushing deeply as he did so. I concealed in my corset 
 this precious treasure, and regained the shop before my 
 absence had been perceived. 
 
 I was certain that M. Nicolas would not delay coming 
 again to the house, nor was I mistaken ; for about ten 
 o'clock he was at his post. This time, without leaving 
 the shop, I contrived to throw a letter to him, which he 
 picked up and then departed triumphantly. From that 
 time, every morning and every evening, he passed the 
 shop. Matters went on thus until the following Sunday. 
 I then dressed myself as becomingly as possible, and 
 consulted my glass a long time, to convince myself that 
 I should please. I was pretty, very pretty. The hour 
 of our emancipation arrived. Madame Labille had gone 
 early in the morning with her family to Versailles to see 
 some f &te. I let all my companions go out before me, and 
 each was awaited in the street, one by a brother, another 
 by an uncle, the third by a cousin. I went out the last, 
 and scarcely set foot in the street, when I looked about 
 me on all sides. Nobody ! I was walking by chance and 
 pensively towards the Rue de la Ferronerie, when suddenly 
 I heard behind me someone walking who sighed. I 
 stopped, turned round ; it was Nicolas ! He accosted 
 me, and I passed with him all this happy and innocent 
 day, and afterwards found opportunities of giving him 
 many meetings. Our interviews were brief but delightful. 
 I thought really that I was the happiest of women, and 
 Nicolas obtained all from me. He owed this only to a 
 true feeling, and I am certain he was not the less willing 
 to marry me. 
 
 One day a mousquetaire entered the shop with much 
 importance. I never saw any person more grand, more 
 inflated, than the Comte d'Aubuisson, for that was the 
 name of this hero, who, himself alone, made more noise 
 8 
 
MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 than a whole regiment. His insolence, which I took for 
 grandeur, had a prodigious effect upon me. He came to 
 order the prompt completion of a hat for the Duchess de 
 Villeroi. The Comte d'Aubuisson was little, but well 
 made, with a handsome face : not very bright in in- 
 tellect, but perfectly satisfied with himself and all he did, 
 considering himself as the most noble, most amiable and 
 finest man of his day. 
 
 There was not one of the girls at Madame Labille's who 
 did not desire to attract the mousquetaire. I had the 
 honour to obtain the preference ; he told me so, and that 
 with so lofty an air that I dared not tell him that my 
 heart was another's. Besides, how could I resist a 
 mousquetaire, who perhaps sacrificed a duchess to me, 
 perhaps ten, and as many countesses and marchionesses ? 
 Poor Nicolas was then forsaken. I forgot that with him 
 an honourable marriage would crown our loves. Had I 
 listened to my heart, it would have guided me wisely, but 
 I abandoned myself to my vanity, and my vanity destroyed 
 me. 
 
 As much as my first lover had endeavoured to preserve 
 my reputation, so much did the second aim at com- 
 promising it. He had neither peace nor rest until he had 
 completely blazoned the affair to the whole world. I 
 lent myself to all his whims ; I went to see him at the 
 quarters of the mousquetaires, and then he introduced me 
 to his comrades, who congratulated him on the conquest 
 of so pretty a girl. I know not what I did, my head was 
 no longer my own. In vain did Madame Labille, who 
 loved me sincerely, give me good advice ; I listened to 
 nothing, I would hear nothing. 
 
 The Comte d'Aubuisson did not love me, and I found 
 it out when it was too late to profit by it. I resolved, 
 however, to show him that I had no more attachment to 
 him than he had to me. I left him as I had found him, 
 
 9 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 through vanity. There came to join the mousquetaires a 
 young Biscayan, tall and well made, with beautiful eyes, 
 pale complexion, but so timid and so simple that his 
 companions treated him with sovereign contempt. Well ! 
 it was on him that I cast my eyes, to satisfy my vengeance. 
 " There is no worse water," says the proverb, " than 
 stagnant water." The proverb is correct. This mous- 
 quetaire, so cold in appearance, was ardent, bold. He 
 saw that I wanted an avenger, and offered himself. I 
 had reason to be content. Our connexion was not 
 lasting. My new lover, having learnt the death of his 
 father, was obliged to leave me. He was the third ! 
 
 I had attained my eighteenth year. Pere Ange Gomart, 
 who was not satisfied with me, wished me to lead a 
 steadier life, did not spare his remonstrances and advice, 
 and imagined, to withdraw me from a dissipated life, it 
 would be best to place me with a Madame de Lagarde, in 
 the capacity of companion. He managed matters so well, 
 presented me in such a felicitous moment to this lady, 
 who was always whimsical and pettish, that I pleased her 
 I know not how, and she agreed to receive me into her 
 house. 
 
 I was now received in an honourable house, where the 
 wealth of the mistress attracted a numerous and brilliant 
 society. At first I was much embarrassed, feeling that I 
 was not in my place. That was natural enough ; the 
 change was too sudden for a young woman of my age, to 
 pass from the counter of a shop, in a few hours, to a 
 drawing-room in which the first company assembled. 
 I was sufficiently prudent to preserve a profound silence, 
 and to study how I could lose the commonplace habits I 
 had contracted. 
 
 My abode with Madame de Lagarde was of the greatest 
 advantage to me. This lady received the most distin- 
 guished in the city and court. The highest nobility often 
 10 
 
MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 came to visit her. I studied them, listened to them, and 
 with so much effect that in a short time I could talk and 
 comport myself without appearing ridiculous. 
 
 Madame de Lagarde had two sons, the elder had 
 succeeded his father in his post of farmer-general. He was 
 young, insolent as a page, foolishly fond of pleasure, 
 generous without nobleness, prodigal without honour. 
 His brother, a maitre des requetes, called M. Dudelay, was 
 the wit of the family ; always powdered, curled, and 
 trimly dressed ; precise in his movements, his conversation, 
 and attitudes. 
 
 The two brothers saw me admitted into the familiarity 
 of their house without uneasiness. My face did not 
 alarm them ; on the contrary, I soon found that I pleased 
 them much. At first, however, they contented them- 
 selves with showing me only slight attentions, lest they 
 should awaken the suspicions of their mother. But in her 
 absence they recompensed themselves for the forced 
 respect they assumed in her presence. As soon as one of 
 them met me alone, in the garden or elsewhere, he began 
 to paint his feelings in the most glowing colours. I 
 listened to their advances with an innocent air, and, as 
 well as I remember, received their double declaration on 
 the same day, and with but a few hours' interval. I felt 
 no preference for either, and thus it was easy for me to 
 behave so that neither of them was driven to despair. I 
 was thus beloved by two brothers ; and, that I might not 
 embroil them, I so contrived that neither doubted but 
 that I loved him with a reciprocity of affection. 
 
 Here permit me to make a slight digression, to describe 
 some of the celebrated characters who frequented the 
 house of Madame de Lagarde. 
 
 The first, whose name is at the nib of my pen because 
 I saw him yesterday, is M. de Marmontel. This man 
 never pleased me ; he was always pedantic, always 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 ensconced in his literary dignity, always having an air of 
 meditation, that he might be esteemed a profound thinker. 
 M. de Grimm also came to the evening parties of Madame 
 de Lagarde. He was a cunning fox, witty, though a 
 German, very ugly, very thin. There was in his large 
 eyes, which were half out of his head, a sinister light, and 
 something that prejudiced you against him, but his title 
 to the appellation of philosopher made him received 
 everywhere. I am sure he never loved anything in all his 
 life, neither his friends nor his mistress ; he loved himself 
 too well for that. He was a despotic dandy. He covered 
 with white paint his face, which was tanned and wrinkled, 
 and that so evidently that he was nicknamed Tyran-le- 
 Blanc ; never was a name better deserved or applied. 
 
 Diderot was another of the flatterers of my protectress. 
 Good heavens ! what skill was there in his bluntness, what 
 calculation in his enthusiasm ! How did he lay out for 
 effect, and how much art was there in his simplicity ! 
 At bottom he was an excellent man, provided his self-love 
 was not irritated, but unfortunately his self-love was 
 wounded on the slightest occasion. D'Alembert, who 
 was apparently on the closest terms with him, was, in 
 fact, scarcely so in reality. They could not bear each 
 other, they mutually tormented each other about their 
 reputation, which was nearly on a par : with them the 
 vanity of the author put to flight all philosophical modesty. 
 M. d'Alembert was like a cat, he had agreeable little ways, 
 engaging little manners. He exercised his malice whilst 
 he sported, he caressed whilst he scratched, and put out 
 a paw of velvet to the grandees whom he hated. But 
 there is one above all others whom I must mention. 
 This is Voltaire. What reputation did he enjoy, even 
 whilst living ! what glory did he attain ! This mighty 
 genius had all eyes in France and Europe fixed upon him. 
 For my part I am so great an enthusiast that I would 
 
 12 
 
MY FIRST LOVES 
 
 never perceive his faults. I shall again mention him and 
 the letters he wrote to me, which I have carefully pre- 
 served. If I would have given them to Beaumarchais he 
 would have received them with much pleasure. I did 
 not care to do so, and thus Beaumarchais only printed 
 what all the world knows. By means of these letters I 
 might have set M. de Voltaire and the Choiseuls by the 
 ears : I have not done so, nor ever contemplated such a 
 thing. 
 
 To return, however, to my own affairs. Despite my 
 liaison with the two brothers, I had surrendered my heart 
 to the handsomest scamp of a fellow, sixteen years of age, 
 that I had ever seen. Noel had the impudence to tell me 
 that he loved me, and I had the weakness not to fling him 
 out of the window. One night someone suddenly knocked 
 at my door. I was alarmed, lost my presence of mind, 
 and answered as chance dictated. A voice, which seemed 
 like that of a woman, told me to open the door im- 
 mediately, as it was Madame de Lagarde. Still more 
 alarmed, and thinking that Noel had got away (he could 
 have done so by a little door), I opened the door. Some- 
 one entered ; it was the amorous mcutre des requites. He 
 took my hand and imprinted on it a kiss, he prayed me to 
 listen to him and not to make a noise. I uttered a cry, he 
 in his turn became frightened, and tried to go out, and as 
 he did so, he struck his nose against the door, which I 
 closed as quickly as possible. The next morning, at 
 Madame de Lagarde's, when he was endeavouring to 
 explain how he came by the mark that decorated his nose, 
 I could not prevent myself from laughing at him. But 
 later in the day I received billets even more tender. 
 My pardon was entreated for the great boldness, and an 
 interview was solicited. 
 
 It was impossible to avoid the Messieurs de Lagarde 
 entirely ; either in the garden or the drawing-room I 
 
 13 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 met them continually. They stopped me to pour forth 
 their declarations, and, perhaps, at last began to suspect 
 that each was chasing the same game. Noel, to whom I 
 sacrificed everything, made me wretched by his incessant 
 jealousy. I had told him all, and showed him the letters 
 they had written to me, as well as my replies, and some- 
 times we concocted them together at our nightly meetings. 
 He knew, therefore, that, yielding to so much persever- 
 ance, I had accepted a rendezvous of M. Dudelay. What 
 does Noel ? He gets a friend to write a letter to M. de 
 Lagarde, and in this letter told him the hour and place 
 when and where he could surprise me with his brother. 
 I, ignorant of the treason, went to the assignation, which 
 was at the Salle des Marroniers. M. Dudelay was not 
 slow in joining me, and was kissing my hand when his 
 brother, coming from behind a tree, advanced towards 
 us. He reproached me with my duplicity, threw a packet 
 of letters to his brother, and quitted us. M. Dudelay 
 took the letters and cast his eyes over them. Imagine his 
 vexation when he saw that these letters were precisely the 
 same as his own. He called me all sorts of names and left 
 me. I had gone up into my own room when they called 
 me down to Madame de Lagarde, to whom her younger 
 son had told all. She spoke to me as I deserved, and 
 ordered me to quit her house on the instant. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 A GAY LIFE 
 
 There were then at Paris two charming sisters, the 
 Demoiselles Verriere. They bore the sceptre of the 
 highest gallantry, and, the better to ruin their adorers, 
 they had gambling tables. Their salon was the meeting- 
 place, if not of the best, certainly of the most brilliant 
 society. Great lords and rich financiers abounded at their 
 house ; and as handsome women are always in requisition 
 where there are financiers and lords, I went to the house 
 of the Demoiselles Verriere. It was there that I saw, 
 for the first time, the Chevalier de la Morliere, a wretch 
 dishonoured by a thousand villainous transactions, and who 
 was received because he was a desperate fencer. A man 
 of perverted talent, capable of most things, he had 
 assumed to himself the post of tyrant of the pit at the 
 Comedie Frangaise. He was gallant and attentive to 
 females, but it was only to cheat those who listened to 
 him. He played, and always pocketed the money won, 
 without ever handing over the money lost. Such was the 
 Chevalier de la Morliere, whom I could not bear, though 
 he did me the honour to single me out. After my elevation, 
 * he took his station amongst my enemies, and is one of 
 those of whom I have the greatest right to complain. 
 
 Since I am in a mood to talk of celebrated personages, I 
 must mention the Prince de Soubise and the Chevalier 
 d'Arc, natural son of the Comte de Toulouse. The 
 Chevalier d'Arc, with refined manners, a perfect figure 
 and countenance, and all the externals of a man of rank, 
 was intrinsically as worthless as the Chevalier de la 
 
 15 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Morliere ; he was a real roue in the full sense of the word. 
 I will give a trait of his effrontery. He had some reason, 
 
 I know not what, to complain of the Duchesse de la V , 
 
 his mistress. What did he do ? He cut off a portion of 
 one of her letters, in which were some very significant 
 phrases with her signature, and placed it under a glass 
 which was in the centre of a very large snuff-box, decorated 
 richly with diamonds. He placed this trophy negligently 
 on the table where he played, and all comers could read 
 with ease the extravagancies of the duchess. The chevalier 
 asked nothing better, and it caused a most notorious 
 scandal. The king was informed of it, and sent to the 
 Chevalier d'Arc one of his gentlemen-in-waiting, with an 
 order to have burnt, in his presence, the paper on the 
 snuff-box, and what else remained of this peculiar cor- 
 respondence. The whole conduct of the chevalier 
 accorded with this one anecdote. 
 
 The Prince de Soubise was the worthy companion of 
 the Chevalier d'Arc. In spite of his immense fortune, 
 the charms of his wit, the mildness of his temper, and the 
 intimate confidence of the king, he was neither esteemed 
 in the city nor the court. Never was there a more 
 plebeian great man. He was always to be found where 
 there was estimation to be lost and contempt gained. 
 He was not content with haunting notorious places, he 
 supported them. 
 
 After having made this disclosure of others, I ought to 
 make my own. I did not confine myself to the character 
 of an observer only at the house of the sisters Verriere. 
 I formed an acquaintance with M. Radix de Sainte-Foix, 
 a small financier, as I then learnt, and a great filch, as I 
 have subsequently discovered. He was gallant, witty, and 
 agreeable, but his company soon disgusted me. I was 
 sure that I should not want protectors, but as my affairs 
 were in a tolerably good state, I was in no hurry. Feeling 
 16 
 
A GAY LIFE 
 
 that I was borne out by my beauty, I raised my thoughts 
 somewhat high. I went to the houses of many women 
 of quality, where useful connexions could be formed. 
 There were suppers every evening, and frequently dances ; 
 nothing but pleasures and feasting. 
 
 It was in one of these houses that I met Jean du Barri, 
 then known as the Comte de Serre. He was about forty, 
 or five-and-forty ; but, with his bad health and bad 
 humour, might have been judged older. He was a 
 man of good family, allied to all the first-rate persons of 
 Gascoigne and Languedoc. He was not wealthy, and lived 
 in that sort of aristocratical indigence so common in the 
 provinces. The Comte de Serre had married a wife of 
 easy and respectable circumstances, but induced by the 
 liveliness of his passions, and the desire of pushing his 
 fortune, he had come to Paris, where, being without 
 resources, he had incurred debts, and paid them from the 
 profits of the gaming table. On the one side you would 
 see a man of high temper, swearing like a trooper, taking 
 coarseness for ease, a gambler, fond of women and wine, 
 and regularly tipsy seven times a week. Reverse the coin, 
 and you find a generous heart, with a fine taste for the 
 arts, a player, opening his purse to whomsoever needed it ; 
 and on the least hint of a friend, ready to give the last 
 sixpence. 
 
 From our first interview he obtained a powerful 
 ascendancy over me. In vain did I seek to overcome it ; 
 I was really under the influence of a charm. Comte Jean, 
 by which title I shall in future designate him, thought me 
 handsome, and proposed an unchained alliance, of which 
 he would defray all the expenses, and I was to enjoy all 
 the pleasures. I accepted it. We lodged in the Rue des 
 Petits-Champs, opposite the Rue des Moulins. We 
 received a great deal of company, but my companion was 
 not at all jealous, he watched more over his own interests 
 
 B 17 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 than my conduct. He was a man of wit, only saw what it 
 was necessary to see, and only understood what it was 
 requisite for him to understand ; and I, thanks to this 
 conjugal kindness, led the happiest life in the world. 
 
 I was one day crossing the Tuileries, when I saw that 
 I was followed by a young man of very agreeable exterior. 
 He walked close to me without accosting me, but keeping 
 a profound silence until I reached my house, facing the 
 Rue des Moulins. I was much annoyed, and went to the 
 window, whence I saw him in the street walking up and 
 down and gazing from time to time on my house. I 
 looked at my unknown, and asked myself why he pestered 
 me, and if he were enamoured of me, why he was so 
 silent. I was dying with desire to enter into conversation 
 with him, and went into the narrow walks of the Tuileries, 
 hoping that he would then accost me, but no : he followed, 
 accompanied me like my shadow, but still preserved un- 
 broken silence. 
 
 I had a waiting-maid, a young Norman, not less giddy 
 than myself, and almost as handsome. She knew all my 
 affairs, and was never tardy when it was in her power to 
 oblige me. When I had returned home I called Henriette, 
 and pointing out to her my unknown, told her of my 
 excessive desire to know who he was and why he followed 
 me. 
 
 " Oh ! mademoiselle," said Henriette, " that is easy 
 enough ; you have only to ask him, and with your per- 
 mission I will go at once and accost him." 
 
 I looked out through the blind of the window. She 
 accosted the young man, talked to him with much 
 earnestness, made him a low curtsy, and tripped away 
 from him. I met Henriette in the antechamber. When 
 she entered I exclaimed, " Well ! " 
 
 " Well ! madame, he is either a madman or a very 
 dangerous character. He told me that he did not 
 18 
 
A GAY LIFE 
 
 follow you, nor was he thinking at all about you. Why 
 tell such lies ? Ma foi ! I mistrust the young fellow." 
 
 I formed instantly a thousand conjectures, each more 
 ridiculous the one than the other. However, two days 
 afterwards, the weather being very fine, although the 
 morning air was cool, I resolved to walk out. It was just 
 close upon the winter of 1767. I went towards the 
 Champs Elysees, when suddenly a grey and cold fog came 
 on, which became momentarily so dense that I could 
 not distinguish an object at four paces. However, I 
 continued my walk, not without some alarm, when I 
 heard someone walking close behind me. I turned 
 round in some fear and found myself face to face with 
 the unknown. 
 
 " Sir," I exclaimed, " what do you seek ? I have done 
 you no harm, why do you follow me thus ? " 
 
 I spake thus, and the unknown endeavoured to force a 
 smile. He took my hand, and after having kissed it 
 respectfully, said to me in a voice, gentle but firm : 
 
 " Mademoiselle, promise to grant me the first reasonable 
 favour I shall ask of you, when you shall be queen of 
 France." 
 
 At these words I found I was talking with a madman, 
 and instantly replied : 
 
 " Yes, sir, I will grant you what you ask, when I shall 
 be queen of France." 
 
 I could not help smiling disdainfully as I said this, and 
 he, perceiving it, said : 
 
 " You think me mad, I know, but I pray you have a 
 better opinion of me. Adieu, mademoiselle. There will 
 be nothing more extraordinary after your elevation than 
 your end." 
 
 The unknown pronounced these words with an air of 
 inspiration, and, saluting me respectfully, disappeared in 
 the density of the fog. 
 
 19 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 On my return home, my head full of this adventure, I 
 could not forbear detailing it to Comte Jean. 
 
 " Queen of France ! " said he, " that is somewhat 
 singular. This worthy has odd ideas, but there have been 
 things more wonderful." 
 
 " Why, Jean, I begin to suspect the steadiness of your 
 brain, as much as I did his. I queen of France ? What 
 can you be thinking of ? " 
 
 " Why, not exactly queen, perhaps, but — — , like 
 Madame de Pompadour, for instance. Does that seem 
 improbable to you ? " 
 
 Thus, it was a prediction that inspired Comte Jean with 
 a project which seemed to me impracticable, but which 
 he has so successfully realized. From that instant he 
 thought of nothing but the means by which he could 
 make me queen after the fashion of Madame de Pompa- 
 dour. As for me, I abandoned to him the dreams of 
 future greatness, and continued to pass my life giddily, 
 living from day to day without fear of degrading myself 
 by anticipation, 
 
 I was alone one morning in my apartment when Comte 
 Jean entered. He had a thoughtful air and walked with 
 long strides up and down, rubbing his hands and talking 
 to himself. 
 
 " I wish the devil may choke your unknown, whose 
 prophecy has made me grasp at a phantom. He has put 
 an idea into my head, and I shall not be content 
 until you have given me the king of France for a 
 successor." 
 
 " Have you forgotten who I am ? " 
 
 " A very lovely woman, capable of turning a stronger 
 head than the king's. He must be wearied with the 
 monotony of his amours. They only introduce maidens 
 to him, or women who pretend to be so. Then respect 
 twists the neck of all pleasure. They are statues, automata, 
 20 
 
A GAY LIFE 
 
 destitute of life or soul. Morbleu ! you will know how 
 to behave with a king." 
 
 " Oh, as to that you may be sure, king or no king, I 
 shall alter none of my ways for him." 
 
 " Good. Now I have a favour to ask of you ; it is that 
 you will to-day look smilingly on the fool Morand, for I 
 believe that to get at the master you will have to pass 
 through the antechamber." And Comte Jean left me 
 laughing. 
 
 But who is this M. Morand ? M. Morand is a tall, thin 
 man, nearly six feet, with a broad flat face, neck like a 
 crane, legs of an ostrich, grey eyes fringed with red, a 
 mouth which opens from ear to ear to show five or six 
 teeth, and a vile nose crammed with snuff. He wears a 
 coat of mulberry velvet, breeches of the same ; a waist- 
 coat covered with silver, a sword as long as Charlemagne's, 
 and shoes laden with large silver buckles, ornamented 
 with paste. Behold M. Morand from head to foot. 
 His life is a problem. In the morning, at Court, he is the 
 valet of the king's valets ; and, in the evening, gives 
 suppers at his own house to the high nobility and the 
 prettiest women. He is a wonderful man at uniting two 
 hearts, or calling forth mutual sympathies. 
 
 M. Morand came to dine at our house. There were 
 but a few persons present. M. the Prince de Salm, 
 M. de la Harpe the author, the vicar of the Archbishop 
 of Toulouse, whose name I forget, Mademoiselle Guimard 
 of the Opera, M. Morand, the hero of the feast, Comte 
 Jean and myself ; in all seven persons. 
 
 My soft smile and tender glances made M. Morand feel 
 ill at ease. Never had he had such a welcome. He opened 
 as wide as possible his little eyes, to look languishingly, 
 and pursed up his cavernous mouth when speaking to me 
 in the most comical squeaking tone possible. After dinner 
 I continued to play my part. Poor Morand could scarcely 
 
 21 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 contain himself. At length, seeing an arm-chair vacant 
 beside me, he flung himself into it, and whispered in my 
 ear with a tone of transport, 
 
 " You are charming ! " then returning to his pristine 
 demureness, he continued : " Yes, charming, a hundred 
 times too much so for an old sinner like me ; but there 
 is in France a man whose acquaintance would be very 
 useful to you." 
 
 " Name him." 
 
 " M. Lebel ; he is a gallant, gay, fervent adorer of the 
 fair sex, and can be of infinite service to them. Nobody 
 knows him better than I do. I am his intimate friend ; 
 we are connected in many transactions, and I will bring 
 him to see you." 
 
 " Anything from your hand will be acceptable." 
 
 " And you will do well ; for the protection of such a 
 man will be of great service to you. But mum on all I 
 have said ; do not utter a syllable to Comte Jean : he is 
 a brute ! " At these words he rose and left the arm-chair. 
 
 Comte Jean had seen the tall M. Morand approach me 
 and speak in a mysterious manner. He was impatient to 
 know if the fish had gorged the hook. I told him word 
 for word, and Comte Jean was delighted. 
 
 " Good," said he, " all goes as it should do. This ass 
 Morand thinks he is only working for Lebel ; he shall 
 strike better game without thinking of it. Lebel knows 
 me already ; I could bring him to my house, but would 
 rather he came of his own accord. My dear Jeannette " 
 (this was the name he gave me in moments of tenderness), 
 " be charming, be flighty, throw, if you like, your cap at 
 the ceiling. We are playing for high stakes, and Lebel 
 must be infatuated so that a still greater man than himself 
 may be also infatuated." 
 
 Comte Jean and myself expected Lebel with the utmost 
 impatience. Morand had given us reason each week to 
 22 
 
A GAY LIFE 
 
 expect him to visit us on the week following, but Lebel 
 did not arrive. I was astonished at his daring thus to 
 defer the happiness of the king, or, if they had spoken 
 to him of me, that he was not in greater haste to offer 
 his homage to the Comtesse du Barri. This title and this 
 name had been conferred on me by Comte Jean, about 
 the month of December, 1 767. As he had several brothers 
 in Languedoc, he thought he could make it credited that 
 I was married to one of them, believing that the name 
 of sister-in-law could give to our intimacy the excuse 
 which he required for it. Comte Jean saw further than 
 I did. I obeyed him, assumed my nom de guerre, and in 
 this way we were prepared for whatsoever should fall out. 
 
 One morning Comte Jean entered my apartment, his 
 face beaming with delight. 
 
 " Read," said he, giving me a letter, " read Jeannette : 
 victory is ours. News from Morand. Lebel is coming to 
 Paris, and will dine with us ! " 
 
 At one o'clock I was under arms, and prepared to 
 receive 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 satis- 
 faction played on his lips, and extending his arms to me, 
 without venturing to touch me, " You are charming, 
 divine," he said. " Lebel ought to go and hang himself if 
 he does not fall down at your knees." 
 
 Soon afterwards the folding-doors were hastily opened, 
 and a servant announced M. Lebel with M. Morand. 
 The Comte went to meet the arrivals, and I saw Lebel 
 for the first time. He presented him to me in form. 
 
 " Sister, this is M. Lebel, 'premier de sa Majeste, who 
 has done us the honour to come and dine with us." 
 
 " And he confers a real pleasure on us," said I, looking 
 23 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 incoherent 
 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. " Yes, 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. 
 
 This was an opening which was not followed up by 
 Lebel. His first enthusiasm having passed, he measured 
 me from head to feet, 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. The custom of 
 living at Versailles had given him a certain air of easy 
 impertinence, but you could not discover anything dis- 
 tinguishing in his manners, nothing which concealed his 
 primitive extraction. The direction of the Parc-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 nobility sought his friendship with 
 avidity. They all had a wife, a sister, a daughter, whom 
 they wished to make the favourite sultana : and for this 
 it was necessary to get the ear of Lebel. Thus, under a 
 libertine prince, the destinies of France were at the mercy 
 H 
 
A GAY LIFE 
 
 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. 
 
 After dinner, when we left the table, Lebel paid me 
 some compliments ; then pulling out his watch, spoke of 
 an appointment at the Marais, and left without saying a 
 word of seeing us again. Two days elapsed without being 
 marked by any event. Comte Jean had spent them with 
 much anxiety. He was absent when, on the third morn- 
 ing, Henriette came hastily into my room. " Madame," 
 she said, " M. the first valet de chambre of the king is in 
 the drawing-room, and inquires if you will receive him." 
 At this news I was surprised and vexed. M. Lebel took 
 me unawares ; my toilet was not begun. I gave a hasty 
 glance at my mirror, " Let M. Lebel come in " ; and 
 M. Lebel, who was on the heels of my maid, entered 
 instantly. We entered into conversation, and I found that 
 Lebel really thought me the sister-in-law of Comte Jean ; 
 and I remarked the involuntary respect that attended even 
 his familiarity. He talked 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, and whilst I kept a tranquil 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. This equipage made him suspect a vist 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 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 : vou 
 25 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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." 
 
 Comte Jean instantly led him into another room, and 
 when they were alone, Lebel said to him, " Do you know 
 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. 
 Would you refuse to grant him that pleasure ? " 
 
 " It would be a crime of lese-majeste" said Comte Jean, 
 laughing, " and my family have too much respect for 
 their monarch. We should not be content with a fugitive 
 favour. 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, one of whom is 
 the Baron de Gonesse — the king." 
 
 26 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 I MEET THE KING 
 
 Thanks to my natural thoughtlessness, no troublesome 
 thoughts interfered to break my rest on the night pre- 
 ceding 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. At length we set out according to our 
 agreement with Lebel. I was closely muffled up in my 
 large caleche — the carriage rolled along ,till we reached 
 Versailles, where we engaged a lodging ; 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. We knocked cautiously 
 at a door, which was opened to us with equal caution. 
 Scarcely had we entered than he came eagerly forward to 
 receive us, and with the most ceremonious gallantry 
 conducted me to a private dressing-room, where I found 
 several females waiting to assist me at my toilet. I 
 abandoned myself to their cares, which were, indeed, most 
 skilfully exercised in my behalf. They wrought wonders 
 in my appearance, bathing me after the Eastern fashion, 
 adorning my hair and person, till I issued from their hands 
 blooming and beauteous as a houri. 
 
 When I returned to the room in which Lebel was 
 expecting me, his surprise was almost overpowering. 
 
 " You are indeed," exclaimed he, " the new sun which 
 is to rise upon Versailles." 
 
 All at once the hasty sound of a bell, violently pulled, 
 was heard. 
 
 27 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " The object of your attack approaches," said Lebel to 
 me, " it would be as well to reconnoitre a little. Re- 
 member, not a word of his rank, no cast-down, timid looks 
 at his sovereign power ; no bending of knees, or faltering 
 of voice." 
 
 We thereupon proceeded onwards till we reached the 
 apartment where our invited friends were expecting us ; 
 and here I will digress awhile, in order to say a few 
 introductory words respecting the personage with whom 
 I had the honour of supping. 
 
 Louis XV, King of France (or as he was upon the 
 present occasion styled, Baron de Gonesse), was one of 
 those sentimental egotists who believed he loved the 
 whole world, his subjects, and his family ; whilst 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 devoured by ennui. 
 Devoid of taste, he esteemed men only in proportion to 
 the number and richness of their armorial bearings. The 
 very mention of a man of letters was terrifying to his 
 imagination from its disturbing the current 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 general of the age, 
 and entertained the utmost jealousy of Frederic II, and 
 spoke with undisguised spleen and ill-humour of the 
 exploits of his brother of Prussia. The habit of com- 
 manding, 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 
 28 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 itself, but he knew his own weakness, and feared lest he 
 should be compelled to make show of a firmness he was 
 conscious of not possessing. 
 
 Immediately after Lebel had conducted me into the 
 salon he was called away, and quitted us. The king rose 
 and approached me, saluting me with the most admirable 
 gallantry, 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 though 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 honour of my notice, and hopes of future 
 
 29 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 patronage from one whom they easily foresaw would be 
 fully qualified to bestow it. 
 
 As for me, I talked and laughed with perfect freedom 
 from all restraint, and my frank, unaffected mirth appeared 
 to enchant the king ; I 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 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 becoming 
 grace and modesty. As I have before said, the exterior 
 of the king was very prepossessing, and what he wanted 
 in youth, 1 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 monarch, and 
 in order to keep up my pretended ignorance of his 
 grandeur I quitted the apartment with little ceremony. 
 Lebel conducted me to an adjoining chamber, furnished 
 with the utmost magnificence. When we were seated, he 
 turned to Comte Jean, who had followed us, and said, 
 " It rests with yourself whether you will return to Paris, 
 or remain at Versailles. But as for miladi, who seems 
 much fatigued, she will, we trust, honour us by resting 
 at the Chateau." 
 
 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 anyone ; besides, although I have found 
 no difficulty in reciting former events of my life, I find 
 my pen more prudish and coy than were my ears or mouth. 
 1 Louis was at this time fifty-eight years of age. 
 3° 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 All I shall say is, that the following day, so 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 
 communicate to me the usual signal of disgust or dislike, 
 but he has spoken of you to me in the most favourable 
 light, declaring, that for the first time in his life, he felt 
 the influence of a true and sincere affection." 
 " Will he then see me again ? " inquired I. 
 " To-morrow evening, if agreeable to you." 
 " Only say that his wishes are mine." 
 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. Inviting him to sit beside me, I 
 related to him and Lebel those particulars which my pen 
 refuses to retrace. 
 
 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 clasp, 
 worth at least 60,000 francs, and bank-notes to the 
 amount of 200,000 livres. 
 
 Comte Jean and myself were well nigh stupified with 
 astonishment at the sight of such treasures ; to us, who 
 had never in our lives possessed such sums, they appeared 
 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 
 
 31 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 abundance to a momentary inclination on the part of 
 the king, so the turn of an hour, or a fresh fancy on the 
 part of my munificent adorer, might reduce me to the 
 unprovided state in which I had been so lately. 
 
 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, together with many others. 
 
 Upon repairing to Versailles punctually at the appointed 
 hour I was conducted into the same apartment as before, 
 where I found the females who had then assisted at my 
 toilet again prepared to lend their aid ; and from this 
 moment I had a regular establishment 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 continued standing beside 
 me so long as the operation lasted. I felt greatly em- 
 barrassed, 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 com- 
 plete ; 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. 
 
 In the morning the king entreated of me not to return 
 to Paris, but to give him my company for the whole week. 
 Lebel made his appearance to beg I would consider myself 
 as mistress of the apartments I occupied, and that he had 
 received orders to provide me with an establishment upon 
 the most handsome scale. 
 
 32 
 
LOUIS THE FIFTEENTH, KING OF FRANCE 
 From the painting in the LowVre. 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 Our supper was lively as the first had been. The 
 Due de Richelieu entertained us with several amusing 
 anecdotes ; not that they contained anything very 
 piquant, but the duke related them well, and we were all 
 in the humour to be pleased, and laughed heartily at what 
 he said. Comte Jean, whose eye constantly 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 tHe-a-tete 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 favour, and the adulatory 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 horizon 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. 
 
 The week glided away, and each day my fortune seemed 
 more fully assured. The love of the king increased, 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 
 two enemies — the Due de Choiseul and the Duchesse 
 de Grammont, his sister. 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. 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 
 c 33 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Versailles, but hastened to prosecute her inquiries in 
 Paris with M. de Sartines. The lieutenant of police 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 CMteau a multitude 
 of prejudicial tales against me, hoping that they would 
 reach the ears of the king and disgust him with his amour. 
 But these scandals produced no other effect than to 
 increase the attachment he had for me, and to diminish 
 that which he felt for the Due de Choiseul. 
 
 In the midst of this cross-fire of intrigues, one was 
 devised against me which might have terminated in my 
 ruin ; but thanks to the indefatigable activity of Comte 
 Jean, it only served to fix me more firmly in my situation. 
 Lebel came to me one day, his face sad, and his look 
 serious. By his manner I augured that my reign had 
 passed, and that I must quit my post. At length he 
 began thus : 
 
 " Madame, you have many bitter enemies, who are 
 labouring to effect your ruin with a bloodthirstiness which 
 nothing can assuage. They have now spread a report 
 that you are not married. This infamous calumny " 
 
 " 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. 
 " Are you not the wife of Comte Guillaume du Barri ? " 
 
 " 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." 
 
 34 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 " 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 
 bitterly reproached him about the mistress he had pro- 
 cured for the king, adding that it was his duty to make the 
 king acquainted with these particulars, unless I, the 
 pretended wife of du Barri, 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, to whom he recommenced his tale of grief. 
 
 " You are drowning yourself in a glass of water," said 
 my future brother-in-law. " Go back to the Duchesse 
 de Grammont, and tell her that Madame was married at 
 Toulouse. She will have an inquiry set on foot ; in the 
 meanwhile my brother will arrive, and the marriage shall 
 take place. Then we will show the rebels a real Comtesse 
 du Barri ; 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." 
 
 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 manners 
 and southern accent ; but, after a few minutes, I found 
 that this Gascon pronunciation had many charms. 
 Mesdemoiselles du Barri were not handsome, but very 
 agreeable. One was called Isabelle, whom they had nick- 
 named Bischiy the other's name was Fanchon, and her 
 name had been abbreviated to Chon. I was soon much 
 pleased with her, and the king became equally so. He 
 used to make her jump upon his knees ; and although she 
 had passed the first bloom of youth, he played with her 
 35 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 like a child. But what most particularly diverted the king, 
 was calling my sister-in-law by her nickname : " Petite 
 Chon, grande Ghon" he was always saying, " do this, go 
 there, come here." Louis XV did the same with his own 
 daughters. He had amongst them Loque, Graille and 
 Chijfe, 1 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. 
 
 Let me revert to my marriage, which was performed 
 very secretly at the parish of Saint Laurent. I believe 
 the king knew of it, although he never alluded to it any 
 more than myself. Thus the malice of my enemies was 
 completely baulked in this affair. 
 
 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, nor 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 was unbounded, 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. 
 
 Louis XV was excessively timid : with an air which 
 appeared of a dreadnought quality, he was fearful at heart. 
 The clamours 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 complaints of 
 the people and the sarcasms and satires of society. By 
 these unpropitious channels the king had learnt all the 
 hatred which was borne to Madame de Pompadour. He 
 
 1 These nicknames may be broadly translated as Rag, Tag and 
 Tatters. 
 
 36 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 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-humour of 
 his other children. He loved his pleasure much, but his 
 ease more. 
 
 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 
 repose in him, was sorry he had asked for it, and was silent. 
 He began to tattoo with his fingers on the chimney-piece. 
 
 " Your Majesty speaks to me," I answered, " with 
 great condescension, 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." 
 
 " 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." 
 
 " It is not terror but envy that I would excite. Let 
 37 
 
 335642 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 my daughters. Heaven preserve 
 you from all the irksomeness of court ceremony ! " and 
 the king sighed. " Well," he exclaimed, attempting to 
 force a smile, " well ! I will write to the ladies de Gram- 
 mont, to inform them that they need not give themselves 
 the trouble to remain near me at the Chiteau." 
 
 On saying these words I darted towards the door, and 
 went into my chamber. The king followed, and finding 
 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 Barri, 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. 
 
 The daughters of Louis XV had united against me with 
 a fury which nothing could justify. They were incessantly 
 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 daughters, preserved towards 
 them a complaisance and external appearance of kindness 
 which was a substitute for paternal love. When Mesdames 
 
 38 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 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 ? " 
 
 About this time I made acquaintance with 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, changes the face of empires. Ardent, yet cool ; 
 bold, but reflective ; neither the clamours of the populace 
 astonished, 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 arrived 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 parliaments, but 
 since the reign of Louis XIII the use of parliaments was 
 finished. 
 
 The Chancellor asked me 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." 
 39 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Do you think," I replied with emotion, " that 
 matters are unfavourable 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." 
 
 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'Aiguillon, 
 who should have the credit of presenting him, and he 
 left me with as much mystery as he had entered. 
 
 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 Terray, 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. 
 
 My presentation was a matter of first-rate importance 
 to me and mine. I needed partizans, and the Due 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 elevation. 
 The Due d'Aiguillon also drew over to my party M. 
 Bertin, who bore no love to the Choiseuls, and who saw 
 that the preponderance of interest was- on my side of the 
 scale. When I was assured of a considerable number of 
 defenders I thought I might venture on the master-stroke, 
 and thus I went to work. 
 
 One evening the king was with me, and the MM. de 
 Maupeou and de Richelieu were there also. We were 
 discoursing of different things, and the king was perfectly 
 tranquillized, little anticipating the scene that was in 
 40 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 store for him. I rose suddenly from my arm-chair, and 
 going up to His Majesty, after a profound curtsy, 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 favour 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, on some fine day, in the 
 presence of the whole court, I will go the the State apart- 
 ments, and try whether I shall be repulsed at the door." 
 
 " Madame is right," replied the Due 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, Due de Richelieu ? " 
 
 " I would tear out the eyes of these gentlemen," I 
 added, " if they thought differently from me." 
 
 " 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 of joy 
 which might have been heard by my rivals. After that, 
 I advanced 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 became thoughtful, and continued to murmur 
 4 1 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 between his teeth, " I wash my hands of it — they will 
 cry out, they will clamour, but it must be so." 
 
 Next day there was a general rumour of my presentation. 
 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 intro- 
 ductress. The presentation is effected by the inter- 
 mediation 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 to me : it distressed me sadly, and I wept over 
 it with my friends. 
 
 M. de Maupeou, whose good services I can never 
 sufficiently 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 de Beam, 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 someone 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." 
 
 M. Morand, after having found out the attorney of 
 Madame the Comtesse de Beam, went to him under some 
 pretext, and boasted of my vast influence with the 
 Chancellor. Madame de Beam then came to me with 
 M. Morand. Gracious heavens ! how simple we were to 
 42 
 
I MEET THE KING 
 
 take so much pains with this lady : had we known her 
 better we should not have been so long in coming to the 
 point. 
 
 " 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 gratitude 
 all my life." 
 
 " 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 ? " 
 
 " 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. 
 
 Thus, then, was my presentation stopped by Madame 
 de Beam. This mischance did not damp 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 immediately 
 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 Due 
 d'Aiguillon succeeded on another. He was in some way 
 related to Madame de Beam. What, I believe, finally 
 43 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 to my presentation ; I 
 mean the displeasure of Mesdames. I do not speak of 
 Madame Louise, of whom I can only write in terms of 
 commendation ; but I had opposed to me Mesdames 
 Victoire and Sophie, and especially Madame Adelaide, 
 who, as the eldest, gave them their plan of conduct. 
 
 The intrigues carried on by those about the princess 
 delayed this (to me) important day of my presentation 
 till the end of the month of April, 1770. On the evening 
 of the 2 1 st the king, according to custom, announced a 
 presentation for the following day ; but he durst not 
 explain himself more frankly ; he hesitated, appeared 
 embarrassed, and only pronounced my name in a low 
 and uncertain voice ; it seemed as though he feared his 
 own authority was insufficient to support him in such a 
 measure. This I did not learn till some time afterwards ; 
 and when I did hear it, I took the liberty of speaking my 
 opinion upon it freely to His Majesty. 
 
 44 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 On the next day, the 22nd, 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, Bohemer, 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 importance 
 of the occasion well excused. 
 
 Paris and Versailles were filled with various reports. 
 Throughout the city, within, without the castle, all 
 manner of questions were asked, as though the monarchy 
 itself was in danger. Couriers were despatched every 
 instant with fresh tidings of the great event which was 
 going on. 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 of the rapid flight of time, 
 which had already carried us beyond the hour appointed 
 for my appearance. 
 
 At length I arrived ; and never had I been more 
 successful in appearance. I was conducted by my god- 
 mother, who was all joy and satisfaction to see herself a 
 sharer in such pomp and splendour. 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 
 45 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 many of the spectators, especially to the ladies of 
 honour. 
 
 But my greatest triumph was with the king. I appeared 
 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 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. 
 
 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 Tremouille, de Duras, d'Aiguillon, and d'Ayen. 
 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 speak on any account. 
 
 Comte Jean participated in this great joy. He had no 
 longer reason to blush for his alliance with me, and could 
 now form, without excess of presumption, the most 
 brilliant hopes for the splendour of his house. I did not 
 forget him in the distribution of my rewards ; and the 
 king's purse was to him a source into which he frequently 
 dipped both hands. It was now that the king decided on 
 the greatest act of courage he had ever essayed in my 
 favour ; it was, to desire the favour of the Due de Choiseul 
 on my behalf. 
 
 The credit of this minister was immense, and this 
 
 4 6 
 
TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 credit was based on four powerful auxiliaries ; namely, 
 the Parliament, the philosophers, the literati, and the 
 women. 
 
 The king was fully aware of this unanimity of public 
 opinion in favour of his minister. He was, besides, 
 persuaded that the Due de Choiseul had evinced admir- 
 able diplomatic talents, and rendered France real and 
 important service. 
 
 Now, by the act of my presentation, the Due 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 resistance of the minister and his wife to en- 
 counter ; but the Duchesse de Grammont was there, and 
 this haughty and imperious dame had great ascendancy 
 over her brother. 
 
 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 miracle, 
 but he hoped to have a greater ascendancy over his 
 minister. It was to the Due de Choiseul, therefore, that 
 he first addressed himself. 
 
 " Due de Choiseul," said Louis, " I have formed for 
 my private hours a most delightful society. The most 
 attached of my subjects consider themselves highly 
 favoured when I invite them to these evening parties so 
 necessary for my amusement. I see with pain that you 
 have never yet asked me to admit you there. 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 Barri ? Who 
 has put it into your head that she is opposed to you ? 
 You do not know her : she is an excellent woman : not 
 47 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 only has she no dislike of you, but even desires nothing 
 more than to be on good terms with you. 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 opposition to my desire." 
 
 " I know the obedience that is due to Your Majesty," 
 said de Choiseul, bowing low. 
 
 Here the conversation terminated. The Due de 
 Choiseul did not become my friend any the more, but 
 behaved towards me with all due consideration. He used 
 grace and finesse in his proceedings, without mingling 
 with it anything approaching to nonsense. 
 
 M. de Maupeou had told me that he would endeavour 
 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 the 
 favour and life of her who preceded me in the affections 
 of Louis XV. One day Madame la Marechale de 
 Mirepoix was announced. The Marechale, who followed 
 closely on the valet's heels, did not give me time for much 
 reflection. 
 
 " Madame la Marechale," said I, " 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. I wish to obtain your friendship, 
 and to testify to the king that I am sincerely attached to 
 him." 
 
 " You overwhelm me, madame," cried I, much 
 delighted, " and I beg you to give me your confidence." 
 
 I had heard a great deal concerning Madame de 
 Mirepoix ; but 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 
 
 4 8 
 
TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 be charmed by it. The greater part of the time I did not 
 know how to defend myself from her ; she was at once 
 so natural and so perfidious ; and occasionally I allowed 
 myself to love her with all my heart, so much did she seem 
 to cherish me with all enthusiasm. She had depth in her 
 wit, a piquancy of expression, 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. 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 Pompadour, her absence from my parties 
 was insupportable to him, and almost contrary to the 
 rules of etiquette at the CMteau. 
 
 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 temper in the world 
 during the rest of the evening. He scolded me, however, 
 for the mystery I had made in concealing from him the 
 agreeable visit of the Mar exhale. I justified myself easily 
 by the pleasure which this surprise caused him ; and, on 
 my side, gave my sincere thanks to the Chancellor. 
 
 Louis evinced, moreover, plainly the ascendancy I had 
 over his mind. He assisted publicly at my toilet, he 
 d 49 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 walked out with me, left me as little as possible, and 
 sought by every attention to console me for the im- 
 pertinences with which my enemies continued to bespatter 
 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 Guemende, I went 
 to it, and scarcely was seated when my neighbour got 
 up, saying, " Disgusting ! " 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. I was compelled to complain to the king, who 
 instantly sent the Princesse de Guemen£e an order to 
 quit Marly forthwith, and betake herself to the Princesse 
 de Marsan, governante 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 
 though the whole nobility of France was immolated at 
 " one fell swoop." To have heard the universal clamour, 
 it would have been thought that the princess had been 
 sent to the most obscure prison in the kingdom. 
 
 The greatest disagreeableness I encountered was occa- 
 sioned by the capricious behaviour 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 
 variability. 
 
 The Prince de Conde" having announced his intention 
 of giving a grand f £te at Chantilly, the princesses declared 
 they would not be present if I were there. The Prince 
 de Conde* was one of the most subtle courtiers ; and as 
 5o 
 
TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 soon as he was informed of the princesses' intention he 
 came, without any ceremony, to explain the matter to 
 me. This was the first visit he had honoured 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 success- 
 fully manoeuvred that they have wrought upon the royal 
 daughters of our 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 disappointment 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 honours Chantilly with his presence." 
 
 I felt deeply flattered by the invitation. The Prince 
 continued to pay me several elegant and gallant compli- 
 ments ; and I was, upon the whole, charmed with our 
 interview. However, the king was highly displeased with 
 his daughters' proceedings. " I have a great inclination," 
 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 themselves to 
 become in the hands of the greatest simpleton who will 
 take the trouble of leading them." 
 
 I endeavoured 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 ill- 
 spoken of by my enemies, it was next to impossible they 
 should be able to prevent themselves from adopting the 
 opinions of those around them. " And that," said he, 
 " is what I principally find fault with. What have they 
 to do with apeing the tone of those about them ; and 
 what point of their duty teaches them to detest those 
 
 51 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 whom I love ? I will take care to let them know my 
 displeasure." 
 
 The king kept his word ; and the report in general 
 circulation was, that the princesses had declared their 
 intention of not going to Chantilly ; it was further 
 rumoured that I was there, but in a private and concealed 
 manner. This is wholly untrue ; the king would never 
 have permitted such a humiliation ; nor do I believe I 
 should have submitted to it had he even desired it. 
 
 My cousin, the Chancellor of France, had remained to 
 keep me company instead of joining the party at Chantilly. 
 My cousin, and by what right or title could M. de Maupeou 
 become such ? I will explain. First of all he only aspired 
 to the honour of relationship, but afterwards, turning 
 over the archives of his family, he found the most in- 
 contestable proofs of his belonging to the ancient family 
 of the du Barri ; 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 humour. 
 
 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 favour, he 
 bestowed upon me the splendid pavilion de Luciennes, 
 sold by the Due de Penthievre after the death of his son, 
 the Prince de Lamballe, a 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. 
 
 About this period the Prince de Conde, whose gallantry 
 never failed, entreated the king to pay a second visit to 
 Chantilly ; and it was upon this occasion that Louis 
 52 
 
TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 erased from the list of court ladies all those whose presence 
 would be disagreeable to me during our stay at Chantilly. 
 One scene of pleasure followed another, and one f£te 
 succeeded another. Louis was never from my side, and 
 appeared solely occupied in gratifying my slightest wish ; 
 the princes of the court carefully imitated 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 that my influence 
 should destroy theirs. I may, with truth, affirm that I 
 received the honours and attention of a queen ; verses, 
 plays, all written to convey some praise or compliment 
 to me ; and the king testified the lively gratification 
 it afforded him to see me thus an object of general 
 solicitude, as well as of the most flattering distinction. 
 
 One day I was conversing with the Comte de la Marche 
 upon the disputes concerning the parliaments, and 
 expressing my fear that, if driven to desperate measures, 
 the people would rise in open rebellion in favour of the 
 magistracy. " They would be still more clamorous," 
 replied 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." 
 
 " Explain yourself, my lord," said I. 
 
 " 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." 
 
 53 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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. With a view to satisfy myself more positively 
 upon the subject, I availed myself of the first time I 
 was alone with the king to lead the conversation on this 
 story. 
 
 At the mention of the Iron Mask Louis started. " And 
 do you really credit such a fable ? " asked he. 
 
 " Is it then entirely untrue ? 99 inquired I. 
 
 " Certainly not," he replied ; " all that has been said 
 on the matter is destitute of even commonsense." 
 
 " Well," cried I, " what Your Majesty says only 
 confirms what I heard from the Comte de la Marche." 
 
 " 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 communicated 
 to you." 
 
 " The Comte 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 State." 
 
 " 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 curio- 
 sity," said he ; " this is a point in history which must 
 54 
 
TRIUMPHS AT GOURT 
 
 never be cleared up ; State reasons require that it should 
 forever remain a matter of doubt." 
 
 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 during the moments of the most tender 
 confidence could I obtain the information I desired. 1 
 
 The marriage of the dauphin with the Archduchess 
 Marie-Antoinette created the utmost stir at Versailles. 
 Feeling myself but newly established in the king's affec- 
 tions, the idea of the arrival of the young dauphiness filled 
 me with anxiety and alarm. I pictured her to myself, as 
 she really was, young, beautiful, and fascinating : once at 
 Versailles, how could she fail to support the Choiseuls, to 
 be guided by them, and to seek the destruction of my 
 favour. I dreaded her rank, her wit, her many accom- 
 plishments, and the influence she might probably obtain 
 over the mind of her grandfather. All these anticipations 
 filled me with dread ; and my friends, who, like myself, 
 feared her arrival, sought by every possible means to 
 irritate me against her, and to induce me to become her 
 enemy before she had shown the nature of her sentiments 
 towards me. 
 
 1 The identity of the Man with the Iron Mask, who died in the 
 Bastille in 1703, is one of the most baffling of historical mysteries. His 
 name was kept secret from the highest officials, and he was buried under 
 the name of Marchiali. It has been suggested that he was the Due de 
 Vermandois, son of Louis XIV and La Valliere ; the son of Anne of 
 Austria and the Duke of Buckingham, thus an elder brother of Louis 
 XIV ; twin brother of Louis XIV ; Count Mattioli, an Italian convicted 
 of treachery ; a valet, named Dauger, an illegitimate son of Oliver Crom- 
 well. There is little evidence to support any of these theories, and the 
 mystery will probably remain unsolved. The Iron Mask, it should be 
 noted, was really black velvet. 
 
 55 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Well, my lovely friend," said the king to me one day, 
 " we shall soon have a new princess among us. I will 
 engage that she expects to carry all before her at Versailles. 
 I doubt not but she will do as she pleases with her husband, 
 but with me it will be a very different affair." 
 
 " May my lucky planet defeat any schemes she may 
 form of supplanting me in Your Majesty's favour." 
 
 " Oh ! be under no fears on that head," replied the 
 king ; " she would only have her trouble for her pains 
 were she to attempt such a thing ; for, believe me, you 
 are as necessary to my happiness as the minister Kaunitz 
 can be to Marie Therese." 
 
 " Sire," cried I, " you bring back joy and consolation 
 to my heart, for I feared that this new princess might 
 appear worthy to engross all your affection." 
 
 The approaching arrival of the dauphiness at Versailles 
 absorbed universal attention, and the courtiers eagerly 
 awaited their first view of her, in order to decide upon 
 the degree of influence she would exercise over the mind 
 of the king, that they might regulate their own measures 
 for ingratiating themselves into her favour accordingly. 
 It was perfectly well known that she had been well tutored 
 by her mother which persons or families to be upon good 
 terms with, and which to treat with coolness ; and great 
 was the anxiety that existed to have a glance at the notes 
 relative to them, with which her secret tablets were filled. 
 You can scarcely conceive the agitation which pervaded 
 the courtiers, both male and female, during this uncertain 
 state of things ; some flattering themselves with the hopes 
 of making a favourable impression upon the young 
 princess, and others dreading the effect of impressions 
 already received by her fatal to their wishes. 
 
 The evening that the dauphiness arrived the king said 
 to me, " Look as handsome as you can to-morrow. I 
 wish to prove to my granddaughter that I am a man of 
 
 56 
 
TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 taste. You shall sup with us at Maette." The next day, 
 after having made myself as handsome as possible, I went 
 to the Chateau. My unexpected arrival, the affability 
 with which the king, taking me by the hand, presented 
 me to his granddaughter, the extreme grace with which 
 she received me, the favourable words which she addressed 
 to me, and which neither her smile nor her looks belied ; 
 in a word, my triumph, drove my enemies to despair. 
 The king, who watched me with the greatest anxiety, 
 could not forbear asking the dauphiness what she thought 
 of me ; " Madame," replied the princess, " seems to me 
 a very seducing lady, and I cannot be astonished at any 
 attachment that she may inspire." This flattering remark 
 was told me instantly, and greatly delighted me. 
 
 The princess was between fifteen and sixteen years of 
 age. She appeared to me less beautiful and fair than 
 pleasant and lady-like. Her hair was of a reddish auburn, 
 but her skin was of a dazzling whiteness. She had a 
 beautiful forehead, a delicious set of teeth, a well-formed 
 nose, eyes full of vivacity and expression ; her air was 
 majestic and dignified. She walked well ; her figure was 
 well shaped, and her gestures were more free and un- 
 studied than those of the princesses of the blood royal 
 of France. 
 
 From the instant of the arrival of the dauphiness, the 
 Duchesse de Grammont, most unwisely flattering herself 
 that so mere a child would easily be led to support her 
 in all her haughty measures, increased her impertinence 
 towards me till I could no longer bear it. I complained 
 to the king of her conduct, and besought him to silence 
 this insolent woman. Louis had a personal dislike to the 
 duchess ; but as the dauphiness had exhibited some show 
 of regard for this lady, he felt reluctant to annoy his 
 granddaughter by exiling a person for whom she enter- 
 tained a partiality. 
 
 57 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 I was one day going to pay my court to the dauphin, 
 when Madame de Grammont, either by design or accident, 
 managed to obstruct my way ; and, rudely endeavouring 
 to pass me, set her foot upon the train of my dress, and 
 tore it to atoms ; after which she proceeded, laughing 
 most immoderately. The king, who happened to be 
 following me, was witness of the outrage. He made me a 
 sign to be silent, and I easily read in the angry frown which 
 darkened his countenance that this insult would not long 
 remain unpunished. I returned to my house agitated, 
 and weeping with rage. 
 
 As quickly as Louis could take leave of his grand- 
 daughter he hastened to rejoin me. Directly he saw me, 
 he exclaimed, " Ask me nothing, tell me nothing ; I 
 promise you that your cause is mine also, and in my 
 own person I will avenge it. To-morrow the Duchesse 
 de Grammont shall be publicly expelled the court." 
 
 It was in vain I supplicated in her favour ; the king 
 was inflexible. Then, returning to his palace, the king 
 sent the Due d'Ayen to the Duchesse de Grammont, with 
 orders to acquaint her that the king granted the audience 
 she requested, and begged she would not fail to keep the 
 appointed time. Great was the surprise of the lady at 
 receiving this message. She could not restrain herself 
 from saying to him that she had requested no audience 
 of the king ; for having the facility of seeing him daily as 
 much as she desired, she had no need to solicit a private 
 interview. " Doubtless, madame," said the duke, " the 
 king's message has reference to some affair of gallantry. 
 You know how deeply he venerates wit and beauty." 
 
 The Duchess, seeing no means of turning aside the 
 threatened blow, determined to meet it courageously. 
 She was a woman of energetic mind, clear, clever head, 
 and possibly had a heart disposed for friendship. She 
 presented herself before the king with much embarrass- 
 
TRIUMPHS AT COURT 
 
 ment in her manner. Louis received her with that severe 
 glance which disconcerts, and that cold politeness more 
 chilling than any words, and begged of her to be seated. 
 
 " Sire," she said, " Your Majesty, in addition to your 
 many acts of favour to myself and family, has condescended 
 to bestow upon me the honour of an interview I had not 
 ventured so far to solicit. I have hurried to receive Your 
 Majesty's commands, the least of which will be held 
 sacred by me." 
 
 " One thing is certain," replied the king ; " and that 
 is, that your submission to my will is merely in appear- 
 ance ; and whatever may be the desires I may form, you 
 trouble yourself very little to gratify them. I am under 
 the necessity of expressing my dissatisfaction." 
 
 " Dissatisfaction with me, sire ? " 
 
 " Yes, with you, madam ; and what is there in those 
 words can excite your surprise ? It is now nearly two 
 years that you have taken pleasure in rendering yourself 
 disagreeable, and have eagerly sought every opportunity 
 of annoying me. I have to charge you with a long tissue 
 of unkind actions towards a person most dear to me. You 
 may not love her, that I cannot insist upon ; but you 
 should respect her for the affection I bear her." 
 
 " Ah, sire," cried the Duchess, " that would indeed be 
 more than I could endure." 
 
 The king went on. " I choose to be master in my own 
 house ; and when those about me refuse to conform to 
 my wishes they must quit it." 
 
 " Your Majesty dismisses me, then." 
 
 u Dismisses or exiles you, whichever you please. Your 
 absurd behaviour drives me to extremities ; and the last 
 act of determined malice fills up the measure of your 
 offences." 
 
 " Ah, sire, do not punish me for hating her who has 
 so fatally succeeded in effecting my ruin." 
 
 59 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Pardon me ; you are free to hate as you please, but 
 your rude and gross insults I cannot allow. Thus I punish, 
 not your hatred, but your unpolite and unworthy conduct. 
 I therefore command your absence from court, and 
 recommend you to travel in any country but this until 
 you receive fresh orders." 
 
 " What, sire ! do you persist in your rigour ? 99 
 
 " Yes, madame, as obstinately as you have done in 
 your system of opposition. You have constantly insulted 
 me for two years ; and I therefore banish you from court 
 for a similar period : wait until the third year of your 
 exile ere you accuse me of severity." So saying, Louis 
 bestowed the usual salute which announced the termina- 
 tion of the conference. Madame de Grammont, quite 
 overcome, was going to throw herself at the feet of the 
 king, but he prevented her, and taking her by the hand, 
 conducted her to the door, where he honoured her by a 
 profound inclination of the head. 
 
 When the king next visited me, and we were alone, he 
 said to me, " Behold the proof that you are avenged. 
 The Duchess quits Paris and only returns under every 
 assurance of good behaviour." 
 
 60 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 Eagerly as I longed to hear the explanations of the 
 Due de Choiseul, I felt but little inclination to enter upon 
 terms of friendship with him. But he anxiously solicited 
 an interview, through the medium of Madame de 
 l'Hopital, and I yielded. She had requested, in pursuance 
 of her directions, that the conversation between us should 
 take place either amidst the groves of Versailles or in the 
 labyrinth of Marly ; the self-love of M. de Choiseul 
 induced 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 gentle- 
 man solicited the favour of speaking to a lady, it became 
 his business to wait upon her, without expecting she 
 should come in search of him. 
 
 On the following day he presented himself before me 
 tastefully and magnificently 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, in spite of the 
 courtier-like gallantry with which he had invested himself. 
 
 " Madame," 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." 
 61 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRT 
 
 " Then, madame, 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 
 express of her ; and had I followed her advice, I should 
 not have been found amongst the ranks of your enemies." 
 
 " You confess the fact then, monsieur le due ? " 
 said I. 
 
 " Madame, when I solicited the favour of this con- 
 versation it was with the sincerest desire of adjusting 
 all differences between us." 
 
 " Pray begin, my lord, I am all attention." 
 
 " Well, madame, 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." 
 
 "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, madame, it is necessary I should 
 be acquainted with them." 
 
 " What would it avail to name them to you ? You 
 perfectly well comprehend to whom I allude. I am 
 resolutely 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. 
 
 62 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 " Then, madame," said he, " you would fain strip me 
 to enrich others f " 
 
 " No, my lord, I ask but a division of your possessions. 
 You cannot have everything ; and it would not be fair 
 that our reconciliation should be profitable to you only." 
 
 " Madame, I have never, since my entry into the 
 ministry, sought to live at the expense of my country ; 
 and let me resign my 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 counten- 
 ances, 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." 
 
 " Madame, I beseech you 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. One might suppose that the 
 sole object of her journeyings was but to excite all France 
 against me." 
 
 The duke merely warded off this last assertion, and we 
 separated greater enemies than ever. 
 
 The first person to whom I could communicate what 
 had passed was the Due d'Aiguillon. He listened to my 
 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 
 
 63 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 fortune which has extricated you from this affair. Do 
 you know that a reconciliation with the Due de Choiseul 
 would have involved your inevitable disgrace ? The 
 Choiseuls would have entangled you in their nets, and, 
 separated from your real friends, would have made you 
 the innocent author of your own destruction. Tell the 
 king that the Due 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 no.t astonish me," said Louis, " 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 
 differently ; " and there the conversation ended. " But 
 several days afterwards, having sent away my maitre 
 d'hotel, with whom I had reason to be dissatisfied, and 
 the king appearing surprised at seeing a fresh countenance 
 amongst my household, I said to him, " Sire, 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. 
 
 Amongst my household favourites at this time was 
 Zamor, a young African boy, full of intelligence and 
 mischief ; simple 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 Due de 
 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 
 
 6 4 
 
(A. G. Photo). 
 
 A DINNER PARTY AT MADAME DU BARRI'S CHATEAU 
 AT LUCIENNES 
 
 From a painting by Moreau in the Louz're. 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 the richest bracelets adorned his wrists, and chains of 
 gold, pearls, and rubies glittered over his neck and hung 
 from his ears. Never would anyone have suspected the 
 old Marshal, whose parsimony was almost proverbial, 
 of making such a magnificent present. 
 
 I became passionately fond of my little page, nor was 
 the young urchin slow in perceiving the ascendancy he had 
 gained over me, and, in the end, he abused his influence, 
 and attained 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. 
 
 Zamor was on good terms with all my friends, and did 
 not disdain the society of the king, who, by way of amuse- 
 ment, bestowed on my little negro the title of Governor 
 of the Pavilion de Luciennes, with a revenue arising there- 
 from of a thousand crowns, and the chancellor caused 
 the necessary papers to be prepared and delivered to him 
 sealed with the State seal. 
 
 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 1 ; 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 
 mistress to him. 
 
 I may gratefully assert I have possessed many true and 
 sincere friends, who have ever faithfully adhered to my 
 fortunes. One in particular I shall mention here, Prince 
 
 1 This wretch, whom the Comtesse du Barri loaded with her favours 
 and benefits, was eventually responsible for bringing her to the scaffold. 
 E 65 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 Christian, 
 in the fervour of his attachment, speaking openly to, me 
 of the delicacy of my 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. 
 
 Prince Max was extremely well looked upon at Court 
 both by the king and the princesses. 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 immediately summoned the dauphin. 
 " My son," said he to him, " I see with regret that 
 Prince Max is never an invited 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 opposed in deadly hatred to us." 
 
 If the dauphin was not gifted with a very extensive 
 capacity, he was possessed of sufficient plain sense to 
 comprehend, and to enter into the views of his grand- 
 father, 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 Due de la Vauguyon to 
 66 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 add the name of Prince Max to the list of invited persons. 
 He was, therefore, from that period invited to 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 ; 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. 
 
 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. 
 
 I will now return to the recital of those events which 
 hastened the fall of the Due de Choiseul. 
 
 My friendship for the Due d'Aiguillon had long made 
 me use my influence for his reinstatement in the king's 
 favour. One day I received a letter from M. de Maupeou, 
 asking me to receive him and the duke in private audience. 
 On the following day both the duke and the chancellor 
 were faithful to their appointment, and after the usual 
 salutations, which I made as brief as possible, I abruptly 
 demanded of M. de Maupeou his reason for desiring us 
 to meet. " Do not imagine, madam," said he, " that it 
 has reference to any matter of moment ; it merely 
 concerns three mere trifles : primo, to dismiss the present 
 minister, the Due de Choiseul ; secundo, to procure the 
 Due d'Aiguillon to be his successor ; and, tertio, to over- 
 throw every parliament in the kingdom." 
 
 The avowal of these three purposes drew from me an 
 involuntary cry, and the duke replied, in a gloomy tone : 
 
 6 7 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " It would be more than equal to the labours of a dozen 
 Hercules." 
 
 " It shall be accomplished by me alone," said the 
 chancellor. " I who am no Hercules will accomplish it, 
 provided you, madam, will do me the favour to submit 
 the memorial you see before you to the king, and to 
 support it with your utmost influence." 
 
 Thus saying, he put into my hands a large roll of paper 
 tied round with a black riband. I pointed this last circum- 
 stance out to the chancellor with a sort of superstitious 
 dread. 
 
 " It has happened entirely by chance," replied he, " and 
 is merely prophetical of the downfall of your enemies." 
 
 " Well, my good cousin," said I, " what is to be the 
 preliminary step in this momentous business ? " 
 
 " This, madam : that we shall mutually explain our 
 motives and views in entering upon the affair ; for, after 
 all, self-interest will be the fundamental principle of our 
 alliance. How far would it suit the duke's ideas to enter 
 into a strict alliance with me that should endure, even in 
 the prospect of his being called to the ministry ? for I 
 will not conceal from you, that my interest is materially 
 concerned in such a measure." 
 
 " I am willing to accept whatever proposition you may 
 make me to that effect," said the duke. 
 
 " Let us then engage, by a reciprocal promise, mutually 
 to support each other so long as we shall remain at the 
 head of affairs, and to quit them together in such a way, 
 that the disgrace of one shall be the signal of retreat to 
 the other ; excepting always, what is very unlikely to be 
 the case, that either of us should voluntarily desire to 
 resign the administration," and, placing himself im- 
 mediately at my writing-table, he drew up an engagement, 
 which the Due d'Aiguillon copied, merely changing the 
 names. 
 
 68 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 These agreements having been dated, signed, and en- 
 closed in an envelope, sealed with the arms of the duke 
 and M. de Maupeou, the latter placed them in my 
 hands, requesting I would take charge of them until 
 M. d'Aiguillon should be appointed by the king to the 
 ministry, then I was to deliver to each the written 
 engagement of his colleague. 
 
 " The Due de Choiseul," said the chancellor, " is our 
 greatest and, apparently, most difficult enemy to over- 
 come ; nevertheless, the task may be less impossible than 
 it appears upon a first view. The king no longer cherishes 
 any regard for him, but retains him in his office from the 
 impression that he is useful as well as devoted to the 
 interests of monarchy. These ideas it must be our task 
 to efface from the mind of his majesty. The Duchesse de 
 Grammont may, unknown to herself, be brought to aid 
 our schemes against her brother ; for that purpose we 
 must effect her recall to Court. Every unguarded word 
 which escapes her must be carefully collected and brought 
 to the king : then we will strike our last blows ; I, in the 
 course of my ministerial capacity with the king, and you, 
 madam, during the familiarity of your conversations with 
 his majesty. There is nothing our monarch would not 
 listen to from your lips. Avail yourself of this to promote 
 our common interest, and, above all, when the Duchesse 
 de Grammont shall be returned, to effect which you must 
 immediately exert all your energies, you must more 
 particularly show yourself alarmed by these fresh intrigues. 
 Well, my lord duke, what think you of all this ? " 
 
 " That you are a wonderfully clever man," replied the 
 Due d'Aiguillon. " We may reckon much upon the 
 extravagances Madame de Grammont will inevitably 
 commit." 
 
 " We shall require the assistance of our lovely countess," 
 concluded M. de Maupeou ; and following up his speech 
 
 6 9 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 by immediate action, the chancellor proceeded to trace 
 out for me a plan of conduct replete with the greatest 
 skill and talent. 
 
 M. de Maupeou possessed a peculiar genius for all that 
 is usually designated intrigue. No ordinary man would 
 have ventured to attempt the ruin of the whole ministry, 
 and to accomplish so daring a work a more than common 
 capacity, as well as a superior courage and audacity, were 
 requisite. 
 
 In addition to the written bond subsisting between 
 them, M. d'Aiguillon and the chancellor bound themselves 
 by the most solemn assurances of mutual fidelity ; and, I 
 must say, from that moment up to the accomplishment 
 of their entei prise, they acted with the most remarkable 
 sincerity. Our league was shortly after strengthened by 
 the addition of two powerful auxiliaries, the Abb 6 Terray 
 and the Due de la Vrilliere. 
 
 The Abbe" Terray had powerful reason for joining us 
 in the hatred he bore to the Due de Choiseul, spite of his 
 having entered into the ministry with him. His fear 
 induced him to unite his forces to those of the Due 
 d'Aiguillon and M. de Maupeou, although, in his heart, 
 he felt no regard for either one or the other. The Due 
 de la Vrilliere had the same deeply-rooted aversion to 
 the Due de Choiseul ; and, like the Abbe Terray, joined 
 our party principally with the view of gratifying his 
 revengeful schemes. The Choiseuls held the Abbe in the 
 most sovereign contempt, and continually played off some 
 trick at his expense, to the great amusement of the whole 
 Court. After us, too, came the Due de Richelieu, the 
 Due de la Vauguyon, and the Comte de Broglie. The 
 latter was a man of great character, who had been exiled 
 at the instance of Choiseul, but was now returned and 
 in charge of the secret police. 
 
 Thus the Chancellor Maupeou, the Dues d'Aiguillon, 
 70 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 de Richelieu, de la Vrilliere, and de la Vauguyon, the 
 Abbe Terray, the Comtes de Maillebois and de Broglie, 
 were the allies with whose assistance I was about to bring 
 down the already tottering power of the de Choiseuls. 
 
 The first, and, perhaps, most mortal blow was dealt 
 by me, when I requested the king to recall Madame 
 de Grammont. 
 
 " In the name of heaven," exclaimed the king, " what 
 can occasion the singular interest you seem to take in 
 this woman ? " 
 
 " I have no further reason for it, sire," replied I, " than 
 that I prefer her being at Versailles rather than in the 
 provinces : she is traversing the kingdom solely with a 
 view of making fresh enemies for me ; and she has done 
 me much more harm during her exile than whilst she was 
 dwelling at Versailles or Paris." 
 
 " Still," resumed Louis, " it may be easy to send her to 
 some spot where her accursed tongue may no longer 
 exercise itself at your expense." 
 
 " No, sire," exclaimed I, " I conjure you to recall 
 her ; she will be a continual annoyance to me so long as 
 she is at a distance. I would rather face my enemy than 
 allow her to go on spreading her mischief far and near." 
 
 " Well," rejoined the king, " all I can say is that 
 Madame de Pompadour, in your place, would have 
 adopted a very different line of conduct." 
 
 " Ah ! but then you know I am better than she was ; 
 at least, more forgiving — am I not ? " 
 
 " Indeed," replied Louis, " you are ; and you well 
 deserve to be rewarded for such genuine goodness of 
 heart ; so be content. The duchess shall be recalled ; 
 and I am glad of it for her brother's sake. But remember 
 one thing, the return of the duchess will be a glorious 
 triumph to the party of the Choiseuls ; all the worse for 
 you, my sweet countess, if hereafter you should have 
 7i 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 reason to repent your kindness, whose fault will it have 
 been ? Not mine, certainly ; but your very own, my 
 dear, charitable friend." 
 
 Saying this, the king made me a profound bow of mock 
 respect. I threw my arms about his neck, and embraced 
 him ; for I well knew that nothing was more welcome and 
 gratifying to him than these unexpected marks of my 
 attachment. He quitted me, all impatience to put an 
 end to the frigid ceremony which had been established 
 between him and his minister since the departure of the 
 Duchesse de Grammont. He reached his own apartments, 
 and instantly despatched a messenger, to desire the Due 
 de Choiseul to come to him without delay. The moment 
 the minister entered, " My lord," cried Louis, " I 
 authorize you to inform your sister that I permit her to 
 return to Versailles. I wish you to let her know that she 
 is indebted for her recall to the generous solicitations of 
 the Comtesse du Barri ; for, as far as my feelings were 
 concerned, I can only say, I was very far from thinking 
 of terminating her exile." 
 
 I am persuaded that the duke would have preferred 
 that his sister should not have been pardoned, rather than 
 to owe it to my prayers. However, he loaded the king 
 with thanks and acknowledgments, mingled with the 
 handsomest mention of myself. 
 
 Meanwhile, the famous memorial of M. de Maupeou 
 had been delivered into the hands of the king. One 
 evening, when his majesty came to pay me his accustomed 
 visit, he appeared sad and dejected, nor could all my 
 gaiety relax his features from their gloomy expression : 
 at last, losing all patience, I exclaimed : 
 
 " Plague take the hateful causes of your majesty's 
 bad spirits." 
 
 " I shall never know peace," said Louis, " so long as 
 these accursed long robes preserve the power that the 
 72 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 weakness or credulity of my predecessors invested them 
 with. Do you know anything of a memorial the 
 chancellor left, for me ? " 
 
 " 'Tis here, sire," said I, drawing it from a porcelain 
 vase. " M. de Maupeou gave it me yesterday (I had, in 
 fact, been its guardian for the last fortnight) ; and, as he 
 told me it contained very important facts, I have been 
 attentively perusing it this morning." 
 
 " And what do you think of it ? " 
 
 " Me, sire ? I do not presume to understand affairs of 
 State importance. All I can say is, that if the parliaments 
 appeared to me so dangerous, they should not remain 
 four-and-twenty hours in my service." 
 
 " Go on, go on," exclaimed the king, traversing the 
 chamber with hurried steps, " do as others have done ; 
 force me to take some imprudent step, which shall draw 
 down upon my head the hatred of all France." 
 
 " Sire," cried I, " you mistake ; you are the object of 
 universal love ; everything proves it ; but, unfortunately, 
 you have not made yourself sufficiently an object of 
 dread ; and your forbearance and unwearied clemency 
 have given rise to the mistaken idea that you may be 
 disobeyed with impunity. Were you but to burst like the 
 thunderbolt on the parliament of Paris, the cowardly 
 members of it would be thankful by any concessions to 
 remove your just resentment : your glorious ancestor, 
 Louis XIV, governed them with a whip and a scourge." 
 
 " Upon my word," cried the king, rubbing his hands, 
 " I have a great inclination to follow your advice : I do 
 not see what I can do better." 
 
 Just at this critical moment fortune brought both the 
 chancellor and the Due d'Aiguillon to my apartments. 
 
 " Gentlemen," said the king, in answer to their pro- 
 found salutation, " I have been conferring with my 
 excellent friend here, and she has proposed to me some 
 73 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 very decided measures ; nothing less than to wage open 
 war with the parliaments of Paris." 
 
 " Deign, sire," added M. de Maupeou, " to preserve 
 these praiseworthy intentions. The malice of the parlia- 
 ments, unless put a stop to by your majesty, is greatly to 
 be feared." 
 
 " Well, then," said the king, " if it must be so, summon 
 a general assembly at Versailles for the day after to- 
 morrow." 
 
 " And why, may it please your majesty, should it be 
 at Versailles ? " inquired the chancellor. " It is, on the 
 one hand, displaying a species of weakness to summon the 
 magistracy to meet you here, while, on the other, it is 
 affording the people a fair opportunity of exclaiming 
 against this violation of their usual forms. Do better 
 than this — leave this place without apprising any person, 
 and appear at Paris whilst you are wholly unexpected ; 
 your unlooked-for presence will strike terror into every 
 heart." 
 
 This advice met with my entire approbation, as well as 
 that of the Due d'Aiguillon. It appeared the only method 
 of avoiding the united resistance of the opposite party, 
 of preventing Paris from being inundated with pamphlets 
 in prose and verse, and of encouraging the timid or em- 
 boldening the courageous. The king likewise approved 
 this counsel ; and it was therefore agreed that it should 
 be kept secret till the next day only, and that at the 
 breaking up of the council the members should be 
 apprised of it. 
 
 The following day was Saturday. When the council 
 had terminated, the king, who had quitted the room 
 hastily, returned : " Gentlemen," said he, " I was about 
 to leave you, forgetting that I had not announced to you 
 my intentions for the morrow. The parliament has 
 exhausted my patience. Early to-morrow I shall present 
 74 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 myself in my own person at the palace, and, I natter 
 myself, I shall bring the parliament to a proper sense of 
 its duty." 
 
 At this intimation the Due de Choiseul became pale 
 as death ; he saw in his exclusion from the privy council 
 in which these measures had been resolved, the rapid 
 diminution of his credit ; whilst, at the same time, he 
 feared that if the king thought fit to take him with him 
 to Paris, it would embroil him with the magistracy. 
 Nevertheless, advancing towards the king, and repressing 
 his profound emotion, he said : 
 
 " Is my presence necessary to your majesty ? " 
 
 " No, my lord duke," replied the king ; " this is an 
 affair which comes only within the jurisdiction of my 
 chancellor." 
 
 " In that case, sire, as I had proposed going to-morrow 
 to la Fert6, to pass some days there with M. Delaborde, 
 if you will deign to permit me, I will accomplish this 
 journey." 
 
 " Take your pleasure in whatever way seems best to 
 you, my lord," replied the king ; " and I wish you all 
 possible enjoyment." Saying which, Louis XV bowed to 
 M. de Choiseul, and quitted the room. 
 
 The king having returned to my apartments, sent to 
 desire the attendance of the captain of the guards then 
 upon duty, and issued the necessary orders for his regiment 
 being in readiness to march on the following day. Com- 
 panies were placed along the road and in the squares of 
 Paris, in order that, in case of any disturbance, they might 
 be ready to quell the least appearance of a tumult. When 
 we were alone, the king said to me : 
 
 " To-morrow will see me, not merely the nominal, but 
 the real master of France ; hitherto I have shared my 
 crown with my parliament, but it is time I should vindicate 
 my reign alone." 
 
 75 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Monday, September 3, 1770, at length arrived. At the 
 break of day the various detachments of the king's guards 
 took possession of the posts assigned to them ; and their 
 martial and imposing appearance was sufficient to inform 
 every malcontent that they had the power, as well as 
 will, to repress all demonstrations of dissatisfaction. 
 
 Every member of parliament, summoned at an early 
 hour of the morning to attend an assembly extraordinary 
 of the states-general, repaired with punctuality to the 
 palace ; a great number of peers likewise attended, and 
 never had a more solemn assembly been collected to 
 discuss the affairs of a nation. After the prescribed 
 ceremony Louis XV, having made the usual salutation to 
 his parliament, contented himself with pronouncing these 
 laconic words : 
 
 " Gentlemen, my chancellor will explain to you my 
 intentions." Upon which M. de Maupeou read aloud 
 a long paper in which the king recapitulated his com- 
 plaints against the parliament, more especially their 
 neglect of his command to withdraw certain actions against 
 the Due d'Aiguillon. In the strongest terms he then 
 prohibited them from meeting again to discuss such 
 matters, and concluded : 
 
 " His majesty further enjoins his first president, or any 
 other president or officer who shall preside in his absence, 
 to dissolve every meeting in which any proposition may 
 be made tending to discuss matters respecting which the 
 most perfect silence is commanded, as well as touching 
 any ambassador who may be sent you from the other 
 parliaments." 
 
 The chancellor here terminated this vigorous protesta- 
 tion, from which we all anticipated the happiest results. 
 In the beds of justice none but the sovereign, or his 
 delegates, had the power of speaking ; the parliament 
 therefore listened in profound silence, however it 
 
 76 
 
SCANDAL AND INTRIGUE 
 
 might be internally resolving not to obey the king's 
 pleasure. 
 
 Those who had dreaded the fury of the populace were 
 not mistaken. Scarcely were the particulars of this 
 meeting known, than the Court, the city, the whole of 
 France, became in a state of violent excitement, of which 
 an adequate idea can scarcely be formed. A universal 
 clamour arose against the Due d'Aiguillon, the chancellor, 
 and even the king, and, as you may readily suppose, I 
 was not spared in the business. I received from different 
 parts of the kingdom more than two hundred anonymous 
 letters, in which I was threatened with every disgrace, as 
 well as humiliating punishment. 
 
 The conduct of the Due de Choiseul was universally 
 admired and eulogized, and his not having accompanied 
 the king to the bed of justice was praised to the skies, 
 as proving how nobly this nobleman had protested against 
 that disastrous measure : he was everywhere styled the 
 friend and supporter of the laws of the land and the 
 defender and champion of parliaments. 
 
 In my despair at thus seeing the chances turn so 
 entirely in the favour of this minister, I vowed his ruin, 
 and I busied myself in the fulfilment of my oath with a 
 bitter and revengeful feeling, of which I could not have 
 believed myself capable ; I was still further excited 
 thereto by the return of the Duchesse de Grammont, who 
 was received in triumph at Court, where every one 
 crowded around her to offer the most joyful welcome, 
 and to assure her she had not been forgotten during her 
 absence ; however, her vain boasting, and the parade she 
 made of her haughtiness and hatred to me, contributed 
 not a little to the success of my projects, the particulars 
 of which I shall hereafter relate. 
 
 It was about the commencement of this year that the 
 Choiseuls, who had formerly inveighed so bitterly against 
 77 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 the disgraceful situation of being mistress to the king, 
 made a powerful effort to supplant me in the affections 
 of Louis XV. The Comte de Choiseul, son to the 
 marquis, had espoused a young and beautiful Creole, 
 Mademoiselle de Rubi, whose all-surpassing loveliness was 
 expected to eclipse the whole Court ; she was rumoured 
 to be the most perfect beauty that had ever appeared, 
 and her relations built the greatest hopes upon the 
 sensation she would produce. I own that I had many 
 serious alarms on the subject myself. One day the 
 Mareohale de Mirepoix said to me, with her accustomed 
 good-humour : 
 
 " Well, my fair countess, so you have a rival in training, 
 the modest and virtuous Choiseuls are dying with envy 
 to step into your shoes. Have a care of them, they are 
 a deep set. I am sadly afraid, not of their succeeding 
 in their plot, but of their filling your mind with 
 alarm." 
 
 I replied, with some haughtiness, that I had no fears 
 for myself ; but this assertion did not indeed prove the 
 fact, for I found it impossible to rest till I had informed 
 the king of it, who, shrugging up his shoulders, replied : 
 " I know all their schemes, and the hopes formed upon 
 them ; but fear not, you run no danger whilst I see 
 Madame de Grammont behind the curtain. Were I to 
 accept a mistress from her hand, she would wish to govern 
 all France ; and her insatiable ambition would convert 
 the temple of love into an office for intrigue." 
 
 The king kept his word with me ; the haughty beauty 
 was brought to Versailles to exhibit her graces and 
 sylph-like form. Louis XV saluted her with politeness, 
 addressed to her many courteous expressions, but never 
 once looked at her, or seemed aware of her bewitching 
 presence. The eyes of more than two hundred persons 
 were intently watching the effect she would produce on 
 
 78 
 
the king, but he appeared wholly preoccupied and in- 
 attentive to all that was going on. The conduct of the 
 king upon this occasion perfectly delighted me, by 
 proving how entirely I was the sovereign mistress of his 
 heart. 
 
 79 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 THE PARC-AUX-CERFS 
 
 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 enemies 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 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 him- 
 self to undertake 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 Prince de Terigny, Comte d'Escars, the Due 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 Due de 
 Fronsac. Ye gods ! what a wretch ! To J 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 
 80 
 
THE PARC-AUX-CERFS 
 
 was inconstancy on his part, or disgust on theirs, though 
 the latter appears to me most probable. 
 
 The saints of Versailles — the Due de la Vauguyon, the 
 Due 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 apart- 
 ments 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. 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 fetes, the balls, the 
 theatres, all came round at fixed periods, with most 
 monotonous regularity. In fact, 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 fulfilled 
 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 person 
 at Court. He was always preaching to me, and quoted 
 against me the precedents of Diane de Poitiers, or Gabrielle 
 d'Estrees. One day, he told me that all the misfortunes of 
 Mademoiselle 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. 
 
 f 81 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Since this word Parc-aux-Cerfs has escaped my pen, I 
 will tell something of it. I can tell better than any other 
 person what it really was, for I, like the Marquise de 
 Pompadour, 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 were the result of bad education. 
 When an infant, they gave him for governor the vainest, 
 most coxcomical, stupidest of men — the Due de Villeroi. 
 Never had courtier so much courtiership as he. He saw 
 the young prince from morning till night, and from 
 morning 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. 
 When grown up, Louis XV saw the libertinism of Cardinal 
 Dubois and the orgies of the regency. Madame de Mailli's 
 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 someone 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 house- 
 hold. They installed there, however, a sort of military 
 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 
 82 
 
THE PARC-AUX-CERFS 
 
 station had orders to obey his first summons. His pay was 
 twelve thousand livres a year. 
 
 A woman styled the surintendante had the management 
 of the domestic affairs. She ruled with despotic sway ; 
 controlled the expenses ; preserved good order ; and 
 regulated the amusements 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 
 name. Shortly after the decease of Madame de Pom- 
 padour 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 were a man 
 he would have made her his minister. She had put the 
 harem on an admirable system, and instructed the 
 odalisques in all the necessary etiquette. 
 
 The Madame of my time was a woman of noble appear- 
 ance, tall, ascetic, with a keen eye and imperious manner. 
 She expressed a sovereign contempt of 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 ignoble. 
 
 Besides Madame, there were two under-mistresses, 
 whose duties consisted in keeping the young ladies 
 company 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 v/hich these Sieves were instructed. 
 Then followed a dozen women of lower station, creatures 
 for any service, half waiting-women, half companions, who 
 
 «3 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 kept watch over the young ladies, and neglected 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 highly, but in return for the least in- 
 discretion 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 Sieves was applied to the young 
 persons who were kept here. 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 had attained that age, no more mystery was made of 
 it ; they only endeavoured to prevent them from believing 
 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 powerful 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 precisely 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 
 or compelled to enter a cloister or chapter. 
 
 The noble damsels were served with peculiar etiquette ; 
 their servants wore a green livery. Those who belonged 
 to the ignobles had their valets clothed only in grey. 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 
 
 8 4 
 
THE PARC- AUX-CERFS 
 
 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-mesdames, 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 Mere Bompart was a wonderful 
 animal. Picture 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 Mere Bompart, pourvoyeuse en chef des cellules 
 du Parc-aux-Cerfs. 
 
 She was in correspondence with all sorts of persons. 
 She treated Lebel as her equal, went familiarly to M. de 
 Sartines, and occasionally condescended to visit M. de 
 Saint-Florentin. Everybody at Court received her 
 graciously ; everybody but the king and myself, who held 
 her in equal horror. 
 
 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 board 
 of the Sieves, 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, even 
 at the lowest estimate. The Parc-aux-Cerfs was kept up 
 for thirty-four years : it cost annually 4,000,000 or 
 5,000,000 livres, and that will amount to nearly 150,000,000 
 (£6,250,000). 
 
 A short time after my sojourn at Versailles, when I was 
 the acknowledged mistress of the king, the Due de 
 
 85 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 Due 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 
 manage. 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 Due 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 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 Sieves 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. 
 
 My present situation was not a little embarrassing ; 
 known and recognized as the mistress of the king, it but 
 ill accorded with my feelings to be compelled to add to 
 86 
 
THE PARC- ATJX-CERFS 
 
 that title the superintendent of his pleasures ; and I had 
 not yet been sufficiently initiated into the intrigues of a 
 Court life to accept this strange charge without manifest 
 dislike and hesitation. Nevertheless, 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 what 
 befell me at a f£te given me by Madame de Valentinois, 
 while she feigned to give it in honour of Madame de 
 Provence. 
 
 The Comtesse de Valentinois, flattered by the kindness 
 of the dauphiness's manner towards her, requested that 
 that princess would do her the honour to pass an evening 
 at her house. 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 f£te feign a severe indisposition. It would be 
 impossible to describe the joy with which these false 
 tidings were received by my enemies. Every hour my 
 friends brought me in fresh anecdotes of the avidity with 
 which the rumour of my dangerous state had been 
 received, while I lay upon what the credulous hopes of 
 my enemies had determined should be my death-bed, 
 laughing heartily at their folly, and preparing fresh 
 
 87 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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, 
 valued at 100,000 crowns, with a variety of jewels equally 
 costly, and you may form some idea of my appearance 
 on that eventful evening. The king, who presided 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 I set out, conducted by the Dues 
 d'Aiguiilon and de Cosse\ I have introduced this latter 
 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. 
 
 My entrance was a complete coup de theatre. I had 
 been imagined languishing on the bed of sickness, yet 
 there I stood in all the fullness of health and freshness of 
 beauty. I could very easily read upon each countenance 
 88 
 
THE PARC-AUX-CERFS 
 
 the vexation and rage my appearance 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 ; 
 nevertheless, taken off her guard, she could not prevent 
 herself 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. 
 
 Marechale de Mirepoix, to whom I had confided my 
 secret, and of whose fidelity I was assured, was present 
 at the f£te. 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 bewildered 
 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." 
 
 The commencement of a play which formed part of 
 the evening's entertainment obliged us to cease further 
 conversation. 
 
 The first piece represented was Rose et Colas, a charming 
 pastoral, to which the music of Monsigny gave a fresh 
 charm ; the actors were selected from among the best 
 of the ComeMie 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. 
 
 8 9 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Rose et Colas was followed by a species of comedy mixed 
 with songs. 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. The fSte in itself was most 
 splendidly and tastefully conducted, 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 Vauguyon, 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 approached to express her hopes that the 
 entertainment which she had honoured with her presence 
 had been to her royal highness's satisfaction, the dauphiness 
 coolly replied, " Do not, madame, affect to style this 
 evening's fSte one bestowed in honour of myself, or any 
 part of my family ; 'tis true we have been the ostensible 
 causes, and have, by our presence, given it all the effect 
 you desired, but you will pardon our omitting to thank 
 you for an attention, which was, in reality, directed to the 
 Comtesse du Barri 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 console 
 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 recom- 
 pense for the vexation it has occasioned you." 
 
 Immediately I found myself alone with the marechale, 
 90 
 
THE PARC- AUX-CERFS 
 
 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 ; it 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 repair 
 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 fSte 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 of his majesty to bestow 
 upon her a pension of 15,000 livres. 
 
 " Upon my word," exclaimed Louis XV, hastily traver- 
 sing the chamber, " this f Ste 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." 
 
 " Really, your majesty talks," replied I, " as though 
 this trifling pension were to be drawn from your own 
 privy 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 
 
 91 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 con- 
 tribution, the Due de Choiseul offered the loan of 
 250,000 livres, whilst the king, to the astonishment of all 
 who heard him, confined his aid to 2000 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, nevertheless, managed to receive plenty 
 from him, although, I must own, that she had had no 
 small difficulty in obtaining them ; not did the king part 
 with his beloved gold without many a sigh of regret. 
 
 92 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 On the evening of the 23rd of December, his majesty 
 having engaged to sup with me, I had invited M. de 
 Maupeou, the Due de la Vrilliere, and the Prince de 
 Soubise. It appears that the king, previously to coming, 
 had gone to visit the dauphiness ; he had not mentioned 
 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 
 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 
 entered the room ; and M. d'Oigny, having briefly stated 
 his business, bowed and departed. 
 
 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 ; 
 " 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 
 voer the carpet. 
 
 93 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 from 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 Due de Choiseul. I took especial care to read them 
 in a loud and distinct voice. 
 
 " This really is not to be endured," cried Louis ; " 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, " con- 
 sidering that you continue to prefer your minister to 
 every other consideration." 
 
 As I continued searching through the letters, I found 
 and read the following phrase : 
 
 " 1 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 managing 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 
 sapient gentlemen is correct, and whether their ' friend ' 
 is so important to me that I dare not dismiss him." 
 
 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, 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, 
 94 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 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 y 
 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." 
 
 " You are right," replied the king, smiling ; " besides, 
 an old broom taken from a mast-head 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." 
 
 95 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " To whom will you give it, sire ? " inquired the 
 chancellor. 
 
 " I have not yet considered the subject," replied the 
 king. 
 
 At this instant M. de Soubise was announced. 
 " Motus ! " exclaimed the king, as M. de Soubise, little 
 suspecting the nature of our conversation, entered the 
 room. I profitted 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. 
 
 I had hoped that the king would this night have retired 
 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. His majesty insisted upon remaining with 
 me, and I was compelled to acquiesce. He passed a very 
 agitated night, much more occupied with the Choiseuls 
 than me ; he could think of nothing, 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 reassure him, 
 and to inspire him with fresh courage ; and, when he 
 quitted me I felt convinced that he would not again alter 
 his determination. 
 
 It was not long ere the Due d'Aiguillon arrived ; he 
 had seen M. de Maupeou during the night, and learned 
 from him the exile of the late minister, but beyond that 
 fact he knew nothing. He inquired of me, with much 
 uneasiness, whether anything had been decided in his 
 behalf. I replied that the king was as yet undecided in 
 his choice of ministers, but that, if the Due d'Aiguillon 
 came into office, he would, in all probability, be nominated 
 
 96 
 
ETIENNE FRANCOIS, DUC DE CHOISEUL 
 From the painting by Van Loo, Versailles. 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 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 on the 24th of 
 December, 1770, eleven o'clock struck ; and we could, 
 from the windows, perceive M. de la Vrilliere making 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. Conzi6, Bishop of Arras, when the 
 arrival of the Due 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, accompanying 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 dismissa 
 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 bowing, 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 Chant eloup. 
 
 In the exile of the duke was seen a thing unheard 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. A long file 
 of carriages for two days blocked up the road to Chante- 
 loup. In vain did Louis express his dissatisfaction ; his 
 Court flocked in crowds to visit M. de Choiseul. 
 c 97 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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. The princesses were loud in their 
 anger, and accused me publicly of having conspired against 
 virtue itself ! 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 in- 
 formed 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 
 Barri has saved me an infinity of trouble — that of getting 
 rid of so dangerous a man, in the event of my ever ascend- 
 ing 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 recalling de Choiseul. 
 
 The grand crisis had terminated to my advantage ; the 
 Choiseul party was destitute of any leader, and to the 
 late rebellious parliaments had succeeded a supple and 
 pacific magistracy, so that we could breathe freely, as 
 well as look forward with confidence to the future. 
 Nevertheless, one minister still remained — this was the 
 Bishop of Orleans, a man wholly unworthy of his high 
 office, from the scandalous immorality of his life ; besides 
 which, he had ever been the chosen friend and firm ally 
 of the Due de Choiseul and, consequently, could not 
 remain in power after his patron's disgrace. However, as 
 he was by no means a favourite with the king, he did not 
 give us much uneasiness, more especially as we knew we 
 
 9 8 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 could easily get rid of him whenever our interest seemed 
 to require his downfall. 
 
 " Sire," said I, one day to the king, " what are you 
 going to do with M. de Jarente ? Would it not be as 
 well to send this worthy pastor back to his flock ? " 
 
 " With all my heart," answered Louis XV ; " but 
 whom shall we put in his place ? " 
 
 " The beloved Bishop de Senlis," cried I ; "a prelate 
 esteemed by every one ; not displeasing to me, and justly 
 honoured with your favour and regard, as well as that of 
 your royal daughters." 
 
 " I am sorry to disappoint your wishes," said the king, 
 " but M. de Senlis is not calculated for the successor of 
 M. d'Orleans, whom, at your desire, I am willing to 
 remove from his see. As for who shall be invested with 
 the vacant bishopric, it must be a matter for further and 
 mature consideration ; for the present, the grand almoner 
 shall be temporary director of church benefices." 
 
 " As you please, sire," answered I ; " the change can 
 scarcely be for the worse." 
 
 This grand almoner was the Cardinal de la Roche 
 Aymon, a man of little mind, and wholly devoid of genius, 
 but crafty and servile. Of all the individuals who, from 
 humble beginnings, have attained riches and eminence, 
 few could boast equal good fortune with M. de la Roche 
 Aymon, who, rather crawling than walking, and bowing 
 even to the ground before all whose necks he was ready to 
 tread on, so that they could serve him as a stepping-stone, 
 had risen to the exalted station he at present occupied. 
 To the many other useful and convenient qualities 
 possessed by this gentleman, were those of always agreeing 
 in sentiments with the last speaker, and never meddling 
 with any Court intrigue unless for his own interest. He 
 was a living instance of how little merit has to do with 
 Court favours and success. 
 
 99 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 M. de la Roche Aymon was not slow in making the 
 most courteous advances to me. Forgetful of the dignity 
 of his character and office, as well as the doubtful situation 
 in which I stood, he came boldly to pay his devoirs at my 
 first arrival at Versailles. He came one morning quite 
 early to pay his respects, accompanied with Geraud, 
 Archbishop of Damas, and nuncio to the Pope, as great 
 a flatterer as himself, but possessed of a far more active 
 spirit. The nuncio, a real Italian, bore on his countenance 
 the stamp of his country ; he was a mixture of knavery, 
 cunning, malice, good-nature and wit ; ever on the watch, 
 neither word nor look escaped his scrutiny. This continual 
 tension and straining of the mind rendered him wearying 
 when he might have been agreeable ; he possessed many 
 solid qualities, which he employed to the advantage of 
 his compatriots and by means of which he continued to 
 wage war against our party at Versailles. 
 
 Both he and the grand almoner never failed to attend 
 my toilette, and it might have caused a smile of surprise 
 and pity to see these two venerable successors of the 
 apostles performing the duties of lady's maid, and disputing 
 for the honour of presenting me with the different 
 ornaments looked out for my use. 
 
 Meanwhile, I was unceasingly occupied in urging the 
 king to keep his promise regarding the Due d'Aiguillon. 
 The duke, informed of the efforts I was making in his 
 favour, would not run the risk of destroying my good 
 intents by making his appearance at the battle I was 
 about to fight for him. About the end of May he set out 
 for his estate at Vernet, in order that his appointment, 
 should it take place, might appear the spontaneous act 
 of the monarch's free will and choice. Scarcely had he 
 quitted Paris before I began to broach the subject which 
 lay so near my heart ; to all I advanced the king offered 
 objections, which appeared to me as though they had been 
 ioo 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 suggested to him ; but I was not so easily repulsed, and 
 fortunately the chancellor came most opportunely to my 
 assistance. 
 
 " Sire," said he to the king, " you have deigned to 
 honour me with your confidence, and I am in duty bound 
 to state to your majesty that mine is entirely bestowed 
 upon the Due d' Aiguillon, who is the only man from whom 
 I shall henceforward receive counsel or support." 
 
 " I have a great regard for the duke," replied the king ; 
 
 " but he is displeasing to my family and the public " 
 
 He stopped. 
 
 " Then, sire," exclaimed the chancellor, " you must 
 give him up to the condemnation of the parliament of 
 Bretagne or that of Paris. Your majesty has not adjudged 
 him guilty, and therefore should treat him as though he 
 were innocent." 
 
 This argument seemed unanswerable ; and Louis XV, 
 yielding to our representations, on the 5th of June, 1771, 
 appointed the Due d'Aiguillon minister of foreign affairs. 
 
 There was a lady in Paris at this time who deserves 
 some mention. This was Madame du Defiant. Madame 
 du Defiant was of high birth and great attainments, and 
 by now far advanced in years ; she lived about nine years 
 after the period I am speaking of. She had passed her life 
 much as the generality of ladies of her rank usually do ; 
 that is to say, in a mixture of folly and thoughtlessness 
 and, as report said, she had commenced her search after 
 pleasure at a very early age, abandoning herself freely to 
 the allurements by which she was surrounded. Never- 
 theless, this giddy levity appears in no way to have 
 compromised her reputation, and her errors were all 
 forgotten and forgiven in consideration of her birth, her 
 numerous connections with the most distinguished persons 
 in the kingdom, and still more were they excused by the 
 richness of her mind and the cultivation of her under- 
 101 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 standing. When maturer years had corrected the 
 flightiness of her conduct, without improving or purifying 
 her heart (for she never appears to have possessed one), 
 she retired to the convent of St Joseph ; where, although 
 blind, she continued until her death to assemble around 
 her the best society of Paris. She was the intimate friend 
 of Voltaire, d'Alembert, and all the principal literati of 
 the day. Among the number of her female acquaintances 
 were Mesdames de Luxembourg, de Mirepoix, de Boufflers, 
 de Forcalquier, d'Aiguillon, de Beauvau, de Choiseul, de 
 Crussol, etc. Among her male visitors were Messieurs 
 de Choiseul, de Beauffremont, de Beauvau, de Lauzun. 
 
 Devoted to the Choiseuls, to whom she was allied, she 
 attached herself to their house and fortunes with the most 
 zealous regard, espousing their interests with a warmth 
 and activity that knew no bounds. She spared no means 
 of annoying me ; sometimes seeking to wound me by 
 the bitter sarcasm of her letters and writings, and occasion- 
 ally publishing the severest epigrams upon me. These 
 attempts to injure me, although affording just cause for 
 complaint, I pardoned, from consideration for the Due 
 d'Aiguillon, whose wife and mother were amongst the 
 number of her friends. Madame de Mirepoix and herself 
 mutually exchanged visits, nor did the wide dissimilarity 
 of taste between these ladies oppose any bar to an intimacy 
 which only appeared more extraordinary from the in- 
 congruous qualities of which their union was made up. 
 
 Such a one was the Marquise du Defiant, with whom 
 my friends sought to bring me on visiting terms, but I 
 refused. I had received too much offence from the 
 manner in which she had spoken of me in her correspond- 
 ence with the Englishman Walpole — a correspondence 
 of which I had many opportunities of judging whenever 
 the postmaster-general laid the letters from his office 
 before the king. 
 
 102 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 Although Louis XV had a great objection to receive 
 at his Court any of the foreign princes who were mostly 
 curious to visit France, there were yet several who, spite 
 of all difficulties, came from afar to see and admire the 
 wonders of Paris. Amongst the number was the crown 
 prince of Sweden, who, in the full expectation that, ere 
 long, the sceptre of Sweden would pass into his hand, was 
 traversing Europe to perfect himself in the art of govern- 
 ing. Louis received the young hero with less reluctance 
 than he generally manifested upon such occasions, and 
 soon became fascinated with his ingenuous manners, set 
 off, as they were, by an urbanity truly Parisian. 
 
 The king was so warm in his commendation of this son 
 of the north that my curiosity was excited ; and I begged 
 that I might have the gratification of seeing him at supper. 
 I had heard that he professed to care but little for our sex ; 
 that he was a second Hippolytus, cold, haughty, and 
 indifferent. This account only augmented my desire of 
 judging for myself how far this reputation was merited ; 
 and I can only £">v, that whilst in my presence, and within 
 the range of my observation, I found him as pleasing as 
 he was handsome ; nor could I discover in his warm and 
 animated glances any of that apathy with which he had 
 been charged. His conversation was pleasing in the 
 highest degree, and delighted me as well as the king, 
 whose favour he was anxious to obtain, no doubt with a 
 view to forward the great political stroke he meditated. 
 
 " Comte de Haga," said Louis, " Sweden is a fine 
 kingdom." 
 
 " It would," replied the person addressed, " make a 
 fine province of France ; its inhabitants are Frenchmen 
 in their hearts ; and, for my own part, I feel myself more 
 than ever bound to France by the gracious and flattering 
 reception your majesty has been pleased to afford me." 
 
 This compliment was uttered as rapidly as thought. 
 103 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 The Comte de Haga was accompanied by his brother, 
 the Duke of Sudermania, who, unless I am greatly 
 deceived, is not destined to acquire the high renown of 
 Gustavus III. His sinister look was far from inspiring 
 the same prepossession in his favour, nor was he gifted 
 with the winning frankness which so strongly characterized 
 his brother. These two princes, delighted at seeing and 
 inquiring into everything worthy of observation, could, 
 with the most easy condescension, lay aside their high 
 rank ; and this effectual appeal to the confidence of all 
 ranks made their appearance at Paris the most successful 
 debut that had been made by royalty within the oldest 
 recollection. 
 
 It was on the ist of March, 1771, that the prince 
 received at Paris the news of his father's decease. Thus 
 invested with regal honours whilst traversing the world 
 as a simple individual, immediately that the information 
 reached him, he hastened to despatch Comte Scheffer to 
 Versailles, to communicate the important tidings to the 
 king. Louis was still in bed when the envoy-extraordinary 
 arrived ; nevertheless, that he might give the young 
 monarch a proof of his regard, he caused M. Scheffer to 
 be admitted to his bedside. This latter, having paid his 
 respects, and announced the accession of the young and 
 handsome traveller to the throne, Louis inquired whether 
 the new king of Sweden was desirous of being hence- 
 forward received with royal honours ; adding, that, if so, 
 the necessary orders should immediately be issued. The 
 count replied that his Swedish majesty would prefer 
 retaining his incognito for the present, and would wish 
 still to be considered only as the Comte de Haga. 
 
 It was not long before the king of Sweden invited 
 himself to supper, entreating me to suffer none but the 
 chancellor, the Due d'Aiguillon, and a third person, 
 whom he did not venture to name, but at whose hands 
 104 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 he had a great favour to solicit, to be present. I showed 
 his note to Louis, who easily guessed that by the third 
 person alluded to was meant himself. He promised to 
 attend with the Due de Duras. " And should the king 
 of Sweden have aught to speak of in private," added he, 
 " the good duke will never suspect the importance of the 
 matters upon which we confer." 
 
 Gustavus III made his appearance, attended only by 
 Comte Scheffer, who enjoyed his entire confidence. He 
 seemed disappointed at the sight of M. de Duras ; and, 
 when I repeated what Louis had said, he smiled, and 
 answered, " Nevertheless, madam, I must be silent in 
 his presence." 
 
 I communicated these words to the king, who caused 
 the Due de Duras to be informed immediately, by the 
 chancellor that a council was about to be held, at which 
 his presence would not be required ; but the same 
 intimation requiring the absence of the Due d'Aiguillon, 
 forced him to retire also, to our great regret. When the 
 two monarchs, the chancellor, Comte Scheffer and 
 myself were alone, Gustavus III opened the conversation 
 by announcing his firm resolution of claiming back from 
 the seditious nobles those rights which they had usurped 
 from his ancestors. He then proceeded to lay before the 
 king the plan he proposed to follow, ending it with a 
 request to be assisted by the counsel and protection of his 
 royal ally. Louis promptly engaged to aid him, by every 
 possible means, in the accomplishment of so magnanimous 
 a determination. 
 
 " Your majesty," said he, " is young, and possessed of 
 more than usual courage. You can and ought to chastise 
 those rebels who have dared to tear by violence from their 
 sovereigns those rights which they derive from God 
 himself. You may rely upon my hearty co-operation ; 
 and, should your own finances be unequal to defray the 
 105 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 necessary expenses, you may freely command my purse. 
 I am only too anxious to keep up the good understanding 
 subsisting between our houses." Gustavus was so en- 
 chanted with this frank declaration that, without consider- 
 ing what he was about, he seized the hand of Louis and 
 was about to press it to his lips ; but the king, inclining 
 his face towards him, exclaimed : 
 
 " Ah, my brother, let us rather ratify our newly-formed 
 treaty by a friendly embrace." 
 
 " Sire," cried Gustavus, throwing' himself into the 
 king's arms, " you are my second father, and may always 
 confidently reckon upon receiving from me the tenderness 
 of a son." 
 
 This touching scene brought tears into my eyes ; and 
 even the chancellor exhibited symptoms of the liveliest 
 emotion. After this the two kings and their respective 
 ministers conferred upon the best method of affording 
 the Swedish prince the assistance he claimed. Whilst 
 this interesting discussion was going forwards, I was 
 amusing myself with my dog. Gustavus, who perceived 
 it, sent me the following day a collar for the little animal, 
 composed of red morocco, with a clasp and ring of 
 brilliants, to which was affixed a chain of more than a 
 yard in length, composed entirely of rubies. The mag- 
 nificence of this present astonished me so much the more 
 as the king of Sweden was by no means rich ; however, 
 this piece of gallantry was most graciously received by 
 Louis, and materially heightened the favourable opinion 
 he had conceived of the royal stranger. 
 
 When Gustavus had retired, Louis expressed his admira- 
 tion of him with the utmost candour. " Unless I greatly 
 mistake," added he, " our noble young Swede will one day 
 rival Prussia in power. I own I shall not be sorry to see 
 my prediction fulfilled, and I will gladly afford my best 
 aid to assist him ; besides, I like to find my example has 
 106 
 
WOE TO MY ENEMIES 
 
 power to lead others to imitate it ; his senate resembles 
 my parliament. Nothing can be more dangerous for 
 monarchs than those debating assemblies where subjects 
 have the audacity to treat their masters as though they 
 were their equals, and even to attempt to hold them in 
 subjection. I would not be king of England for one year, 
 if I were compelled to endure the insupportable prosing 
 of the Houses of Lords and Commons." 
 
 These expressions of the king recall to my recollection 
 the language held by one of his grandsons long afterwards. 
 It was about the period of the American War, the English 
 parliament had compelled George III to dismiss his 
 ministers. The haughty and noble French prince could 
 not conceive the possibility .of there existing in a kingdom 
 a body sufficiently influential to constrain the sovereign 
 pleasure in the choice of his ministers ; and he expressed 
 his opinion with some warmth in presence of the English 
 ambassador. 
 
 If," said he, " ministers are to be dismissed because 
 the parliament does not think proper to approve of them, 
 a stable-boy is better off than the king of England." 
 
 " Sire," replied Lord Stair, " that must depend upon 
 a man's tastes and habits." 
 
 This year was celebrated the marriage of the Comte 
 de Provence, 1 then little more than fifteen years of age, 
 with Princesse Marie Josephine Louise, of Savoy, who 
 was about two years older than her husband. This 
 excellent young lady, whose many virtues justly entitled 
 her to the love of the whole nation, was, unfortunately, 
 very plain. However, the eagerness with which he 
 welcomed his bride served effectually to re-establish him 
 in the opinion of both married and single. On the other 
 hand, the young and innocent princess displayed the most 
 
 1 Afterwards Louis XVIII. His younger brother, Comte d'Artois 
 became Charles X. 
 
 I07 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 undisguised affection for her youthful partner, as well as 
 eagerness for the performance of the rite which united 
 them for life ; and it was with much difficulty that they 
 were restrained from too openly exhibiting their mutual 
 fondness in the presence of the whole Court. 
 
 The Comte d'Artois, who was still quite young, joked 
 his brother upon the exceeding energy and loudness of 
 tone with which, in the nuptial ceremony, he had made 
 the responses. 
 
 " Do you know," said he, " that you answered ' / will 9 
 so loud, that the room re-echoed with it." 
 
 " I could have wished," replied the Comte de Provence, 
 with his accustomed sweetness of temper, " that the sound 
 had reached from Paris to Turin." 
 
 The marriage of the Comte de Provence was, for a 
 long time, the subject of conversation in our private 
 apartments, as well as that of the dauphin. The contrast 
 of the manners of the two husbands, and their conduct 
 towards their august spouses, amused us greatly ; whilst 
 the Comte de Provence, more warm, more ardent in 
 all his feelings than his brother, was incessantly occupied 
 in affectionate and tender cares for his young bride, whom 
 he loaded with caresses, the Due de Berri, more timid and 
 retiring in his nature, still only presumed to treat the 
 dauphiness with the respectful fondness of a beloved 
 sister. Louis, who found much to interest him in this 
 display of a purely fraternal affection, held many con- 
 ferences upon a subject which baffled all his endeavours 
 to account for. 
 
 But the youngest of the princes, the Comte d'Artois, 
 required all the watchful solicitude of the Due de la 
 Vauguyon. This young prince was of a most impetuous 
 and impatient temperament, quick, volatile, and head- 
 strong, he spurned all restraint ; whilst, tenacious of the 
 least attempt at depriving him of his liberty, he only 
 108 
 
vvur. ± (J m i r. in .cm ins 
 
 plunged more eagerly into pleasures wholly unfit for his 
 tender years. Sometimes the object of his pursuits was a 
 femme de chambre ; at others, the modest wife of some 
 subaltern officer, whose heart he sought to win by his 
 honeyed words and flattering promises. In a word, the 
 Comte d'Artois was a miniature resemblance of Henry IV. 
 This early indication of so strong an admiration for 
 female beauty impressed every one with the idea that he 
 would, when age should have more sobered his youthful 
 effervescence, become the most gallant of French 
 chevaliers, as he already was one of the most pleasing and 
 captivating. All this impetuosity found a ready excuse 
 in the mind of Louis XV, who seemed to see his own 
 image revived in the gay and indiscreet young prince ; 
 and, spite of himself, he ever treated the Comte d'Artois 
 with a marked preference. 
 
 109 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE KING'S FAMILY HATE ME 
 
 The arrival of Marie Antoinette in France, in all the 
 splendour of her rank, her age, beauty, wit, and virtues, 
 could not fail to be highly displeasing to me ; I dreaded 
 lest she might acquire over the mind of the king that 
 ascendancy to which she had so just a claim ; and still 
 further, that she would employ the many gifts with which 
 heaven had endowed her to my prejudice. Her marriage, 
 effected by the Due de Choiseul, had naturally given that 
 minister a large share in her good graces ; besides which, 
 I well knew that the princesses, who no longer sought to 
 conceal their aversion to me, were impatiently awaiting 
 the arrival of the young dauphiness, that they might, 
 in concert with her, effect my ruin. The dauphin had 
 openly evinced the unfavourable nature of his sentiments 
 towards me : the king was feeble in purpose and timid by 
 nature, unstable in his own disposition, and not very 
 prone to rouse himself to any particular exertion for the 
 preservation of his friends. All these reasons combined 
 to excite within me a spirit of jealousy, distrust, and un- 
 easiness, as well as to convince me that peace would not 
 reign long between the dauphiness and myself. 
 
 The princesses lost no time in protesting to their niece 
 that if she allowed her balls and parties to be profaned by 
 my presence, they must for the future be excused from 
 attending; and the dauphiness, respecting these precon- 
 certed notions of her aunts, forbore to invite me. I 
 was deeply wounded by this stroke of malice, and in my 
 turn shed tears over it, while Louis, well disposed to look 
 no 
 
THE KING'S FAMILY HATE ME 
 
 upon this mode of treating me as a personal offence and 
 indirect censure upon his own conduct, seized the first 
 opportunity of demanding of the dauphiness the reason 
 of the neglect I had so much reason to complain of. 
 
 Marie Antoinette replied that her royal aunts, having 
 expressed a repugnance to meet me, she had considered 
 it a duty to prefer their company to that of a stranger, 
 but that, nevertheless, if his majesty expressly laid his 
 commands upon her, I should certainly be invited. Taken 
 by surprise, Louis knew not what to say ; he therefore 
 changed the conversation as quickly as he could, and 
 returned to me without having effected anything. 
 
 Things were in this train, when the dauphiness refused 
 to be present at a review at Fontainebleau, and to dine 
 beneath the tent which the Comte du Chatelet had caused 
 to be pitched in the wood. When this nobleman presented 
 himself before Marie Antoinette, to invite her to the f £te, 
 her first inquiry was, " Will the Comtesse du Barri be 
 there ? " She was answered in the affirmative. " In that 
 case, sir," replied the princess, " she may take my place, 
 for I will never endure her presence." 
 
 The Comte du Chatelet had strong claims upon my 
 gratitude for his kindness in concealing this conversation 
 from all but myself, but the dauphiness could not deny 
 herself the gratification of boasting of what she had said 
 and done, and this was no small consolation to the almost 
 expiring party of the Choiseuls ; but I soon had the laugh 
 on my side, when, declining further warfare with her royal 
 highness, I assailed the duke, who had hitherto directed 
 all the attacks of my enemies ; and the fall of this minister, 
 who, as the archduchess knew, had had the principal hand 
 in effecting her marriage, caused her the most lively 
 chagrin. In vain did she apply to the king to avert the 
 threatened blow ; he remained immovable and unshaken 
 in the resolution with which I had inspired him. 
 
 in 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Such were the principal causes which brought about 
 an open struggle between the dauphiness and myself. 
 Her husband, who thoroughly hated me, contented him- 
 self with offering me such childish annoyances as the follow- 
 ing, which my enemies took pains to circulate throughout 
 France. We were at Bellevue, and had already sat down 
 to dinner, when all at once the dauphin arrived by 
 accident. I was seated at the right of Louis XV, and 
 consequently I occupied his place ; he walked directly up 
 to me as though to claim it, when, anticipating his 
 purpose, I rose and offered him my chair, making him at 
 the same time a low and respectful curtsy. He did not 
 expect that I should thus deprive him of the opportunity 
 of openly offering me an act of impoliteness ; he just cast 
 upon me a look full of vexation and rage, and, muttering 
 between his teeth some species of compliment, sat down 
 hastily. The king bit his lips and remained silent for 
 some time ; but, recovering himself by degrees, he strove 
 to make amends for the rudeness of his grandson by 
 treating me with the most marked kindness during the 
 whole of the dinner. As for me, delighted at having the 
 laugh on my side, I ate my dinner with an excellent 
 appetite ; and, far from sitting sullenly, as my enemies 
 were pleased to state, I continued in the highest and 
 happiest spirits during the whole of the evening. 
 
 Whilst the breach was thus daily widening between 
 myself and the virtuous and august pair who were destined 
 one day to ascend the throne of France, a prince of the 
 blood-royal evinced every disposition to be upon good 
 terms with me, and even commissioned a gentleman of 
 his establishment to converse with me upon the subject. 
 What the motives were which actuated this proceeding 
 I am to this day ignorant of. The particulars of the 
 transaction are as follows : 
 
 The hatred with which both the dauphiness and 
 
 112 
 
THE KING'S FAMILY HATE ME 
 
 dauphin regarded me was no secret at Court. Many 
 expressed their astonishment that I did not seek to 
 anticipate the vengeance they would one day or other 
 pour down upon me, and gloomy hints of assassination 
 and poison began to be whispered throughout the castle, 
 but I contented myself with avenging my wrongs in a 
 manner more consonant to the feelings of my heart ; and, 
 far from seeking the life of those who had offended me, I 
 directed all my endeavours to falsify that beauty the 
 dauphiness so justly prided herself in, and by this means 
 only more fully demonstrated how little I cared for truth 
 or justice where my angry feelings were excited. 
 
 Whilst these things were going on I received several 
 visits in the interval of a very few days from the Marquis 
 de Montesquieu, first gentleman-in-waiting to his royal 
 highness the Comte de Provence. This unusual assiduity 
 surprised me, and I could not forbear speaking to my 
 sister-in-law, Chon, of the multiplied attentions I was 
 now honoured with from that nobleman. 
 
 " Excellent," said my sister-in-law, with her usual 
 perspicacity ; " and do you imagine this gay bird frequents 
 your drawing-rooms only to display his own warbling ? 
 No such thing ; as surely as possible he is merely the envoy 
 of some great and powerful person." 
 
 " Who can you allude to ? " cried I. 
 
 " Oh, sister," answered Chon, " you can be very simple 
 sometimes. Just think in whose service the marquis is, 
 and the next time he comes turn the conversation upon 
 his master." 
 
 It was not long before the Marquis de Montesquieu 
 afforded me the desired opportunity by repeating his 
 visit. Profiting by the counsel of Chon, I made many 
 inquiries after the Comte and Comtesse de Provence, 
 extolling the former in the highest terms. 
 
 " I am delighted," exclaimed the marquis, " to find so 
 
 H 113 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 reciprocal a feeling existing between yourself and his royal 
 highness, whose sentiments respecting you are of the 
 most flattering nature ; and however unfavourable the 
 heads of some establishments may be towards you, I can 
 assure you it is greatly the reverse with my illustrious 
 patron." 
 
 " It gratifies me to hear so pleasing an assurance," 
 answered I, " and the kindness of the Comte de Provence 
 will enable me to bear with more patience the insults I 
 am exposed to from other members of his family." 
 
 " Be satisfied, madam," interrupted M. de Montes- 
 quieu, " that you are looked upon in a very different light 
 by the prince I have the honour to serve." 
 
 " I pray of you, then," said I, " to convey to their 
 royal highnesses the expressions of my profound respect 
 and devoted attachment." 
 
 From that time their royal highnesses treated me with 
 the most flattering marks of distinction ; they even 
 invited me to a splendid f £te. But it would seem that the 
 dauphin and dauphiness complained to their brother and 
 sister-in-law of their intimacy with me ; for, all at once, 
 without any cause or reason, the Comte and Comtesse de 
 Provence resumed their original distance and reserve ; and 
 the Marquis de Montesquieu ceased his accustomed visits. 
 I was cruelly vexed at seeing a friendship, so frankly 
 offered me, thus destroyed. Nevertheless, I smothered my 
 angry feelings, and imitated my enemies in the closest 
 observance of every prescribed form of politeness, but 
 when I subsequently encountered M. de Montesquieu, I 
 spoke to him of the vacillating conduct both of himself 
 and his master, to which he replied, " Your pardon, 
 madam ; but we could not make up our minds to force 
 so lovely a woman into a political intrigue." 
 
 In consequence of the refusal of the princes of the blood 
 to be present at the installation of the new parliament, 
 114 
 
THE KING'S FAMILY HATE ME 
 
 they were not directly exiled, but requested, in a more 
 civil and polite manner, to abstain from approaching 
 Versailles. They would willingly have defied the king's 
 resentment, but their heroism sank from its altitude when 
 they perceived that their allowances, which had been 
 hitherto paid in the form of additional pensions, were now 
 stopped. 
 
 One day I saw the Princesse de Conti enter my apart- 
 ment without the least ceremony ; she was an old lady, 
 justly revered by myself and all mankind for her many 
 virtues and rare qualities. I was utterly unprepared for 
 this visit, and, confused at the unexpected honour done 
 me, endeavoured to show my sense of her condescension 
 by every attention in my power, whilst I listened anxiously 
 to hear the extraordinary motive which had induced her 
 to present herself at my door. She assured me that she 
 came with the best possible intentions ; that her desire 
 was to pacify things, and allay the present agitation of 
 mind, but to effect this my aid would be necessary. She 
 added : 
 
 " Many ill-disposed persons are anxious to create a 
 quarrel between you and the princes. Have a care, my 
 child ! you are placed in a critical situation, and whatever 
 unfortunate events may occur, depend upon it they will 
 be severely visited upon your head. The people and the 
 Court are equally irritated against you ; and, should a 
 misfortune, which I will not venture to anticipate, occur, 
 you would remain alone and unprotected, a mark for public 
 hatred to expend its violence upon. Why not seek to 
 create for yourself some sure resting-place ? A safe and 
 sure asylum is open to you in espousing the cause of the 
 princes ; if you uphold them in their present difficulties, 
 gratitude will compel them to protect you in their turn, 
 nor will they ever forsake you." 
 
 " Alas ! madame," cried I, " how can I help it, if it is 
 "5 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 the pleasure of their highnesses to contradict and thwart 
 the king in his projects ? I know very well how precarious 
 is my existence ; and I must confess that the thoughts of 
 the future give me very little concern. But what I really 
 regret, is to be mistaken for the enemy of the princes of 
 the blood, when I would willingly prove my attachment 
 to them by every possible means." 
 
 " Well, then, you would be the most excellent creature 
 alive," cried the princess, " if you could prevail on the 
 king to command the restoration of the private pensions 
 of the princes." 
 
 " Doubtless, madam," said I, " these pensions are very 
 desirable things ; but would it not be better for the 
 princes to obtain a perfect reconciliation with the 
 king ? " 
 
 " I see numerous difficulties to that measure," answered 
 the princess ; " his majesty will not renounce his new 
 parliament, and the princes will never acknowledge it 
 but upon certain conditions." 
 
 " I understand," cried I ; " they will never cease their 
 opposition till they find it their interest so to do." 
 
 The Princesse de Conti, who possessed a quick and 
 ready wit, understood my meaning, and smiled at my 
 observation. She repeated all her former arguments, and 
 I engaged to use my endeavours to satisfy the princes, 
 with which her serene highness expressed herself much 
 pleased, and retired charmed with her visit. 
 
 Shortly after she had left me the chancellor arrived, to 
 whom I related all that had passed. M. de Maupeou 
 pointed out to me that the sole aim and purpose of the 
 princes in seeking my favour was to procure the restoration 
 of their pensions ; that it was utterly impossible for them 
 ever to afford me the least protection, or to render me 
 any service. He added, " We no longer live in those days 
 when the interference of a prince of the blood could avert 
 116 
 
THE KING'S FAMILY HATE ME 
 
 the anger of a king. Two centuries ago their refusal to 
 acknowledge a parliament would have thrown the kingdom 
 into a state of ferment from one end to the other ; but 
 now, although they have protested against the new 
 parliament, they are merely dispensed from appearing at 
 it ; and, while they grow sullen at the little notice they 
 have the power to excite, they are utterly forgotten ; they 
 are, in fact, mere citizens like myself, courtiers in the 
 castle and disgraced men in the city. What protection 
 could they afford you, when they are compelled to solicit 
 yours ? " 
 
 Just then the Due d'Aiguillon and the Abbe Terray 
 entered ; we related to them the subject of conversation, 
 and they both agreed with the chancellor in his view of 
 the case. It was therefore agreed that I should return the 
 visit with which the Princesse de Conti had honoured me, 
 and inform her I found it impossible to effect anything 
 with the king in favour of the exiled princes. 
 
 However, when I saw his majesty in the evening, I 
 communicated to him their message. " Upon my word," 
 cried Louis, " I admire their effrontery ; they think 
 proper to refuse me the obedience to which I am justly 
 entitled, and yet they ask for my money. No, no ! 
 parbleu / Not one farthing shall they see of it till they 
 return to their duty. Let them resume their proper 
 allegiance, and I may then listen to their request ; this 
 is my determination ; tell the Princesse de Conti so." 
 
 This, by the way, was a piece of intelligence not very 
 pleasing to be the bearer of. Nevertheless, on the follow- 
 ing day I went to pay my visit to the princess. I told her 
 that I attempted, but vainly, to move the king in favour 
 of the princes, but that his majesty refused to listen to any 
 argument until they evinced a perfect submission to his 
 will. " For my own interests and preservation," said I, 
 " I must confide in the justice of my sovereign, and trust 
 117 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 that it will never fail me at any period." The princess 
 replied very coolly, and permitted me to depart without 
 observing the most trifling rule of common civility towards 
 me. When the princes learned the result of their scheme 
 they were filled with the bitterest rage. 
 
 118 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 The Prince de Conti, although gifted with considerable 
 talent, was ill calculated to play an eminent part in politics ; 
 the time which was not engrossed by his pleasures he 
 employed in studying medals, and his love for antiquities 
 almost equalled his admiration of the fair sex. He revived 
 in the Isle d'Adam, and in the salons of the Temple, the 
 frightful orgies of the regency, adding to them scenes too 
 horrible for repetition. This antiquarian Sybarite, who 
 had been extolled by the cabal as the most perfect hero 
 of his time, had rendered himself a general favourite 
 by the politeness and affability of his manners ; and his 
 obstinate stand against the king's wishes was magnified 
 into magnanimous courage and heroic firmness. 
 
 He was far from being rich, and yet he kept up habits of 
 profuse expenditure. It is related of him that when his 
 treasurer came one day to inform him that his horses were 
 entirely without food (the person who supplied theii 
 provender having refused to do so any longer unless his 
 many claims were discharged), the prince calmly inquired 
 whether all his other creditors were equally refractory. 
 
 " Yes, my lord," replied the treasurer, " all, with the 
 exception of your poulterer, refuse to supply you further." 
 
 " Then," replied his highness, " feed my horses with 
 chickens." 
 
 The king returned the fixed opposition evinced towards 
 him by the Prince de Conti with the most determined 
 hatred ; he looked upon him as the enemy of the throne, 
 was uneasy and restless at the most trifling action on the 
 119 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 prince's part, and caused him to be constantly watched by 
 the mysterious police of the Comte de Broglie, and the 
 official police of M. de Sartines. Nevertheless, the Prince 
 de Conti, seeing himself the idol of the people, cared but 
 little for all these precautions, and took especial delight 
 in observing, on every occasion, a line of conduct dia- 
 metrically opposite to that pursued at Court. His palace 
 was the focus where the parliamentarians collected to 
 concert fresh schemes, and project new conspiracies ; and 
 we have always believed that the pamphlets which 
 appeared in such numbers against us, and which had for 
 their aim the keeping up a continual ferment and irritation 
 in the public mind, were fabricated and printed in the 
 Temple, under the immediate inspection of his highness 
 himself. The chancellor, who was by no means too 
 delicately handled by this secret committee, was occa- 
 sionally worked up to fits of the most violent fury with 
 the Prince de Conti ; and it was several times in serious 
 consideration to banish him the kingdom. I can with 
 truth affirm that but for my individual opposition, this 
 measure would have been carried into effect. I fancied 
 there was something great and elevated in this resistance 
 to the wishes of a king ; and a woman, as you know, is 
 easily caught by anything which appears strikingly grand 
 and marvellous. 
 
 The prince was well aware of the part I took in the 
 affair, and he sent to thank me for my kindness towards 
 him. The person charged with this commission was an 
 Italian, named Falloni, a man of talent, who had the care 
 and arrangement of his highness's cabinet. This Falloni, 
 who was a dealer in curiosities, frequently called upon 
 Comte Jean and myself. I took an opportunity to request 
 he would say from me to his serene highness, that I 
 trusted he would not confound me with his enemies ; 
 that if ever I meddled with politics it was always with 
 120 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 great reluctance, and never with the intention of injuring 
 any person. Upon which the prince wrote me a note I 
 have ever carefully preserved, as a very curious and 
 important document. It was as follows : 
 
 Madame la Comtesse. — Monsieur Falloni has apprised 
 me of your friendly disposition towards me. I beg most 
 gratefully to thank you for your goodness, and only regret 
 that, under existing circumstances, I cannot personally 
 express my gratitude. I had always coupled in my own 
 mind a beauty so rare, so perfect as yours, with a heart 
 equally noble and excellent ; and your generous conduct 
 towards myself leaves me only the satisfaction of finding 
 I have rightly estimated you. Be assured, that if, whilst 
 waging war with my enemies, any flying parties should 
 annoy you, it will be a matter of serious regret to me ; and 
 happy should I esteem myself if, in consequence of an 
 honourable peace, I might come to lay down my arms at 
 your feet. 
 
 Deign, I beseech you, to accept, etc. 
 
 I showed this letter to Louis, who read it over two 
 separate times, then returning it with an air of impatience, 
 he said : 
 
 " I had hoped to have found some overtures for a 
 reconciliation, but I perceive only the expression of a 
 commonplace gallantry." 
 
 " That is enough for me," answered I, laughing. 
 
 " Yes," replied the king, " that is the case with all you 
 ladies ; you care very little for affairs of State, and at the 
 first fine compliment paid you, you shout victory ! For 
 my own part, these continued oppositions displease me 
 greatly ; and I shall never be at rest till all the princes of 
 my family have returned to their duty. I am willing to 
 believe that there is no prospect of a civil war, but these 
 
 121 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 petty and daily disputes are highly prejudicial to royal 
 authority ; they weaken it by disgracing it." 
 
 Louis held all contradiction in the greatest horror ; a 
 few examples will prove the truth of what I advance. 
 The king, in consequence of what he had heard from the 
 Due de Choiseul, had taken a profound hatred to the 
 Jesuits ; he determined to exile them. The king of 
 Prussia (who eagerly embraced every opportunity of tor- 
 menting Louis XV), learning the circumstance, hastened 
 to declare himself the protector of the Jesuits, to whom 
 he offered an asylum in Silesia. This piece of malice made 
 Louis almost frantic. Upon another occasion, the con- 
 versation happened to fall upon the correspondence of 
 Frederic II with M. de Voltaire. The Prince de Poix 
 took upon him to express his astonishment as to 
 what they possibly could have to write about. " What 
 should you suppose ? " replied Louis, with impatience ; 
 " why, to talk scandal about me, and misinterpret my 
 actions." 
 
 At the period of which I am speaking Diderot, then 
 an obscure writer, and great pretender to philosophy, 
 received from Catherine of Russia so pressing an invitation 
 to visit St Petersburg that he resolved upon going thither. 
 This piece of intelligence was soon spread throughout 
 Versailles ; and at a supper-party which took place in 
 my apartments, the king having asked the guests what 
 were the last news, the Marquis de Chauvelin replied that 
 the subject of most general interest was the approaching 
 departure of Diderot for Russia. 
 
 " And what is he going there for ? " cried the king. 
 " I should not have imagined him sufficiently rich to 
 undertake such a journey." 
 
 " He does not undertake it at his own cost," replied 
 the Prince de Soubise ; " her imperial majesty pays all 
 travelling expenses." 
 
 122 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 " What does her imperial majesty want with him ? " 
 asked Louis, with an air of dissatisfaction. 
 
 " To enjoy the charms of his conversation," was the 
 answer. 
 
 " You did not inform me of this," observed the king, 
 abruptly turning towards the Due d'Aiguillon. 
 
 " Sire," replied the minister, " I saw nothing of a 
 State affair in the transaction." 
 
 " I crave your pardon," replied Louis ; " Diderot is 
 the ambassador of the philosophical cabal, who have 
 determined upon sending him to hold me up to derision 
 and mockery in a strange land. He has never set foot in 
 the CMteau, yet he will take upon himself to repeat a 
 thousand falsehoods respecting my private life ; and, in 
 proportion as his calumnies are favourably received will 
 he go on fabricating fresh slanders. Of a truth, the lot 
 of a king need not be envied." 
 
 " If your majesty realiy apprehends any mischief from 
 the impertinent gossip of Diderot," exclaimed the Due 
 de Duras, " it would perhaps be as well to forbid his 
 leaving the kingdom." 
 
 " Yes," added le petit saint, " a lettre de cachet ; that 
 will be the thing to stop his prating. I will cause it to be 
 prepared the moment I leave this table." 
 
 " Have a care," cried the king ; " you will involve me 
 in a never-ending quarrel with her imperial majesty. 
 She wishes for Diderot, and I have no right to oppose his 
 departure : there would be a fine confusion if I did. 
 Every honour and praise would be ascribed to the Semira- 
 mis of the North, whilst poor I would be exposed to the 
 pitiless storm of pamphlets, satires, lampoons, epigrams, 
 etc. These foreign potentates are not particularly nice 
 in their line of conduct towards me. Have I ever seduced 
 away their men of genius ? Why should they deprive 
 me of those who ornament my reign ? It has always been 
 123 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 a mania among my neighbours to take from France our 
 most skilful artists and celebrated men of letters ; they 
 
 are welcome enough to the first, but for the latter " 
 
 Louis stopped for a few minutes, then resumed, " One 
 thing is certain, — that so long as I live, this Diderot shall 
 never be admitted into the academy ; I will have no more 
 atheists and philosophers ; there are plenty already." 
 
 The day following this conversation Louis caused a 
 letter to be written to M. Durand, our charge d'affaires 
 at Petersburg, desiring him to keep a watchful eye over 
 the words and actions of the encyclopaedist. 
 
 His majesty was much amused at the importance 
 attached by the Dues de Richelieu and d'Aumont to the 
 management of the theatres ; and frequently, by way of 
 badinage, he would affect to bestow his patronage upon 
 some player who happened to be out of their favour. 
 But the most indefatigable patron of theatres was the 
 Bishop of Orleans, M. de Jarente, who even whilst holding 
 the administration of church benefices, was for ever 
 occupied with the concerns of the male performers, and 
 in providing for the comfort and well-being of the female 
 part of the corps dramatique. One day, as the Due 
 d'Aumont was obtaining the royal signature to some 
 paper relative to the Comedie Italienne, his majesty- 
 observed : 
 
 " Due d'Aumont, this must be a point of some nicety 
 between you and your conscience ; for, remember, you 
 are infringing upon the territories of M. d'Orleans." 
 
 " Ah, sire," replied the duke, " I would give him a 
 handsome sum to exchange his post for mine." 
 
 " I am perfectly sure he will agree to the bargain," 
 returned Louis, " if the actresses are comprised in it." 
 
 Speaking of theatrical subjects leads me to mention a 
 man who is now undisputed master of the boards. Caron 
 de Beaumarchais acquired, by a trifling lawsuit, a sur- 
 124 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 prising reputation. M. de Beaumarchais (for the gentle- 
 man resents any familiar attempt to address him as 
 Caron de Beaumarchais) is a man who cannot exist without 
 bustle and confusion ; to condemn him to a life of repose 
 would be a far more cruel sentence than to sentence him 
 to death. 'Tis not glory he is ambitious of, but noise : 
 so that could he but succeed in making himself the object 
 of general conversation he cared very little whether good 
 or ill were spoken of him. For this individual the hundred 
 trumpets with which Fame is invested were too few to 
 blazon his name abroad. He possesses sense ; and, what 
 is very seldom found in company with wit, great skill in 
 the management and application of it. He is clever in 
 all schemes of commercial speculation, and studies 
 diplomacy with a view to promote the success of his com- 
 mercial enterprises, and he turns his literary reputation 
 to the profit of pecuniary undertakings. What shall I 
 say further of him ? He is particularly clever and eloquent 
 in his descriptions, strong and forcible in argument, but 
 a jester and a liar. Woe to his adversary ; he would cast 
 him into the mud even at the risk of himself sharing in 
 the fall. 
 
 I have been led on to sketch this hasty portrait of 
 Beaumarchais by the recollection of the first appearance 
 of his memoirs. The gazetteer Marin, who was paid for 
 keeping a watchful eye over men of letters, came to me 
 in a great rage, to demand vengeance on Beaumarchais, 
 who, in his memoirs, had treated him with great severity. 
 Comte Jean, who was with me, took up the matter, 
 exclaiming : 
 
 " Who the devil advised you, Marin, to thrust your 
 nose where you are not wanted ? Your business is to 
 espy the proceedings of men of letters, and not to take 
 upon yourself to quarrel and fight with every clever man 
 who has a slap at you. Beaumarchais, you say, has 
 125 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 handled you roughly ; so much the worse for you. You 
 are well paid ; be wise and hold your tongue." 
 " But, my lord, my honour " 
 
 " Oh, for mercy's sake, my good friend, never make 
 yourself uneasy about so mere a trifle." 
 
 Saying which, my brother-in-law gently took le Marin 
 by the shoulders, and, in a friendly manner, put him out 
 of the room. 
 
 This Marin, a Provencal by birth, in his childhood one 
 of the choristers, and afterwards organist of the village 
 church, was, at the period of which I am speaking, one 
 of the most useful men possible. Nominated by M. de 
 Saint Florentin to the post of censor-royal, this friend to 
 the philosophers was remarkable for the peculiar talent 
 with which he would alternately applaud and condemn the 
 writings of 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 
 2000 francs ; but, wedded to the delights of his snug post, 
 Marin always contrived, after every storm, to find his 
 way back to its safe harbour. 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 joined to his avocations of censor and gazetteer that 
 of purveyor to his majesty's petits amours. 
 
 Spite of my indefatigable endeavours to render Louis 
 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 grisette ; and 
 so long as the object of his fancy were but new to him, it 
 mattered little what were her claims to youth, beauty, or 
 rank in life. The Marechale de Mirepoix frequently said 
 126 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 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 seconds him in his project." 
 
 At length, roused to a sense of impending evil by the 
 constant hints of the mardchale, 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 faithfully 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 proposition 
 with much reluctance, but still he did accept it, and with- 
 drew, meditating, no doubt, how he should be enabled to 
 satisfy both Chamilly and myself. 
 
 A long time elapsed before Marin brought me any 
 news of importance, and I began to feel considerable 
 127 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 doubts of his fidelity, when he came to communicate a 
 very important piece of intelligence. He had just learned 
 that 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. 
 
 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 learned 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 neighbours. The husband was said to be a 
 great religionist, which increased the suspicions of Comte 
 Jean. With regard to the 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 he found it impossible to conceal any longer 
 the remaining part of the affair, of which he had before 
 communicated but so much as his policy deemed advisable. 
 He confessed that he had originally mentioned Madame 
 de Rumas (whom he himself had long known) to Chamilly, 
 128 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 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 accord- 
 ingly introduced him to the Rue du Temple, where he 
 was most graciously received, and returned home en- 
 chanted 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 
 honour, and afterwards of her dutiful respect for his 
 majesty. 
 
 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 inter- 
 view 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, 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 favourite and recognised mistress ; he there- 
 fore assured her the request was beyond his power to 
 grant. 
 
 Madame de Rumas now sought to compromise the 
 affair, by talking of a share in his favour. She asked, she 
 said, but the heart of her beloved monarch, and would 
 freely leave me in possession of all power and influence. 
 The king, whose heart was regularly promised once a day, 
 did not hesitate to assure her of his fidelity, and his 
 i 129 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 wily enslaver flattered herself that with time and 
 clever management she would succeed in inducing 
 him to break off those ties which he now refused to 
 sever. 
 
 Things were in this state when Marin divulged to us 
 the intrigue conducted by Chamilly, and directed, though 
 in a covert manner, by the Marechal Due de Richelieu. 
 This spiteful old man possessed no share of the talent of 
 his family ; and, not contented with the favour 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- 
 concocted 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 Marechale de Mirepoix happened at this moment 
 not to be at Paris at her Hotel de la Rue Bergere, but at 
 her country house, situated at 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 
 130 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 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. Self- 
 interest bound her to my service, and accordingly she 
 wrote to M. de Rumas a very pressing letter, requesting 
 to see him on the following day upon matters of 
 the highest importance. This letter sent off, I dined 
 with the Marechale, and then returned to sleep at 
 Paris. 
 
 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, com- 
 pressed Hps and uplifted eye. Nowadays such a mode of 
 dissembling would be too flimsy to impose even on 
 children ; besides hypocrites are ever greater proficients 
 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 summoned 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 accordingly, 
 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, 
 " you are the Comtesse du Barri." 
 
 " 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 
 131 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 be candid, otherwise my exceeding frankness may displease 
 you." 
 
 " I know, madam," replied trie 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 honour his 
 subjects." 
 
 " But," replied I, quickly, " may dishonour 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 mere calumny ? " said I. 
 " No, sir, nothing can be more true ; and if you would 
 wish further confirmation, behold the letter which 
 Madame de Rumas wrote to the king only the day before 
 yesterday ; take it and read it." 
 
 " 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 
 132 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 and expostulating tone, " trouble not, I pray you, 
 the repose of my family. I know too well the 
 virtue of Madame 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." 
 
 " Wonderful, sir ! " cried I ; "so you determine to 
 believe 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 seek- 
 ing 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 Mare- 
 chale, 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 honour." 
 
 This advice was far from satisfying me, and I deter- 
 mined upon striking a decisive blow. I sent for Chamilly, 
 and, treating him with all the contempt he deserved, I 
 told him, that if the king did not immediately give up 
 this woman he might prepare for his own immediate 
 dismissal. At first Chamilly sought to appease 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 some tale of Madame de 
 Rumas that should effectually deter him from thinking 
 further of her. 
 
 133 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 wrote off instantly to 
 M. de Sartines to have a watchful eye over the proceed- 
 ings 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 
 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 contrived 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 
 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 salon. 
 These trifles cost me no less a sum than 2800 livres. I 
 
MY ENEMIES ARE AWAKE 
 
 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. 
 
 135 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 STRANGE STORIES 
 
 At one time I had a quarrel with the Due de Richelieu 
 respecting Mademoiselle Guimard the actress, which I 
 must not pass over in silence. The noble duke, although 
 affecting a great friendship for the Prince de Soubise, 
 could not, in reality, endure him. Ancient military dis- 
 putes were raked up, and a continual jealousy was kept 
 up by the fears of each proving a dangerous rival near 
 the king. M. de Richelieu, by virtue of his office as 
 first gentleman of the bed-chamber, had the entire super- 
 intendence of the Comedie Francaise, whose best per- 
 formers were accustomed to take a part in the private 
 theatricals conducted by Mademoiselle Guimard. Under 
 pretext of the public good, the wily marshal prohibited 
 the French comedians from appearing elsewhere than on 
 the boards of their own theatre. 
 
 The Prince de Soubise, perceiving the intention of 
 this sudden regard for the interests of Paris, applied to 
 the king to withdraw the offensive injunction. M. de 
 Laborde, who was a great favourite of Louis XV, joined 
 in the request ; I came in as a third suppliant in the cause 
 of Mademoiselle Guimard, and victory decided in our 
 favour. The duke was perfectly furious at his failure. 
 Having accidentally encountered me at Fontainebleau, 
 he spoke to me in a tone and manner which greatly 
 annoyed me and excited all my anger ; I replied to him 
 in an equally severe strain. Carried away by rage, the 
 mareehal had no longer any command over himself ; and 
 what further he might have said or done I know not, had 
 136 
 
 / 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 not the king, fortunately for us both, happened to pass 
 within twenty steps from where we stood. The sight of 
 his sovereign restored the duke to the possession of his 
 senses ; and, recognising the folly of his conduct, he 
 hastily implored me, in a low voice, to pronounce his 
 pardon. My only answer was to dart on him a look of 
 the most perfect contempt, and to quit him. 
 
 Meanwhile I had not forgotten a promise I had formerly 
 given of endeavouring to render Mademoiselle Guimard 
 some essential service in a pecuniary way ; nor did I 
 consider myself at all released by the assistance I had 
 lately afforded her in the matter of her theatrical dispute 
 with the Due de Richelieu. With the hope of attracting 
 the king's attention towards her, I gave a little fSte, of 
 which the Due de Duras undertook the management. 
 It went off delightfully. First, several pieces were played 
 from Pandora, an opera the words of which were written 
 by Voltaire ; afterwards, some clever proverbs were acted, 
 and the whole finished by a ballet, in which Mademoiselle 
 Guimard took a part. As I expected, his majesty was 
 charmed with the exceeding grace and elegance of her 
 dancing, which he extolled in the warmest terms. I took 
 the opportunity, when his enthusiasm was at its height, to 
 insinuate a few regrets that so talented an actress should 
 be so unfortunately crippled in her purse, and con- 
 sequently exposed to so many embarrassments. 
 
 " Indeed ! " said Louis, when I had ceased speaking, 
 " and so poor Mademoiselle de Guimard is in difficulties ? 
 I am very sorry for her ; but, I dare say, neither the 
 Prince de Soubise nor M. de Laborde will suffer her to 
 want for anything." 
 
 " Ah, sire ! " rejoined I, " they are far from acting 
 liberally towards her ; and really she has such a beautiful 
 house, and does the honours of it so elegantly, that she 
 is well deserving the munificence of your majesty." 
 137 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Well, well," replied the king, " I will think about it." 
 
 I lost no time in apprising Mademoiselle Guimard that 
 his majesty had promised to bear her in mind, upon which 
 she immediately began to contract fresh debts ; trusting, 
 from what I mentioned to her, that her old ones would 
 be all settled by the royal bounty. 
 
 Three or four days after this Louis put into my hand 
 a paper, saying, with a smile, " You see I have not forgotten 
 your protegee." It contained a deed of settlement upon 
 Mademoiselle Guimard of an annuity of 1500 livres ! 
 Such generosity perfectly overwhelmed me. The idea 
 of 1500 livres to a woman who owed nearly a million ! 
 I really could not recover myself. Nevertheless, I endea- 
 voured to dissimulate my ill-humour and dissatisfaction, 
 for the good king would never have been able to enter 
 into my views and ideas on the subject. For my own part, 
 as I would not offend Mademoiselle Guimard by offering 
 her so paltry a sum, I added to it from myself a pearl 
 necklace, worth 10,000 livres, and a similar sum in money. 
 When the whole reached her, and she saw the narrow 
 limits set by Louis to his munificence, she could not 
 conceal her disappointment ; and the king's splendid 
 present formed, for many days, the favourite topic of 
 conversation. 
 
 After my reconciliation with Mademoiselle Guimard 
 (for, in fact, I seem determined to confuse periods), that 
 is to say, before the long story I have just been relating, 
 I was concerned in an affair of much greater importance, 
 in which his majesty displayed a far more princely 
 generosity — I allude to the marriage of my nephew, 
 Vicomte Adolphe du Barri. Comte Jean was very 
 anxious to see this young man eligibly settled, as he had 
 already suffered considerable annoyance and vexation 
 from his rash and thoughtless conduct. My brother-in- 
 law reaped, in the extravagant conduct of his son, the 
 
 138 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 harvest he had himself sown. The young viscount 
 possessed many excellent qualities ; but, imprudent and 
 dissipated, he had already injured his health, and nearly 
 destroyed his reputation likewise : his entire destruction 
 must infallibly ensue if he were not stopped in his wild 
 career. Marriage alone seemed to promise a happy 
 termination to his folly and our inquietudes, and 
 we eagerly availed ourselves of the only chance left 
 to us. 
 
 Suitable alliances were easily formed : in fact, so many 
 proposals had been made from families of the highest 
 rank and power, that our only difficulty seemed likely to 
 be, which we would select. In the midst of our de- 
 liberations Comte Jean said to me : 
 
 " Sister, you will scarcely guess what I am disposed 
 to attempt." 
 
 " Some grand project," answered I, laughing. 
 
 " You are right," replied Comte Jean. " No less a 
 scheme than to ally Adolphe with the royal family." 
 
 " Moderate, indeed ! " cried I. " And which of the 
 princesses do you design the honour of demanding in 
 marriage. Will you accept Madame Clotilde, or deign 
 to prefer Madame Elizabeth ? " 
 
 " Neither the one nor the other ; but do, I pray of you, 
 be serious for one minute, and you shall hear. Old Yon 
 has brought up a daughter of his majesty, called Made- 
 moiselle de Saint Andre. She is now at the convent of 
 the Presentation. She would, you must allow, be a very 
 suitable match for my son ; so only use your interest with 
 the royal papa, and the thing is settled." 
 
 It appeared to me a much more reasonable thing to 
 demand for my nephew the hand of a spurious branch 
 of royalty than to aspire to one of the daughters of France, 
 and I lost no time in speaking of it to his majesty. Louis 
 troubled himself very little with his illegitimate offspring, 
 139 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 whom he never saw, and rarely inquired after, leaving them 
 to live or die in peace. These children, whether male or 
 female, had a fixed sum of about 500,000 livres settled on 
 them at their birth, the interest of which was allowed to 
 accumulate until they came of age, by which means the 
 capital was necessarily doubled. Should any out of the 
 number happen to die, his or her portion was divided 
 among the survivors, but in very unequal proportions, 
 by far the larger part going to the sons. The daughters 
 nearly always espoused men of quality, and their mothers 
 were generally married off to bankers, merchants, and the 
 like. 
 
 When first I applied to the king for the hand of Made- 
 moiselle Saint Andre* I had to explain to him which of his 
 progeny I alluded to ; for, as he had no less than eighty 
 of these natural descendants, he was apt to confuse him- 
 self in the recollection of them. All at once a light broke 
 in upon him, and he comprehended wonderfully well the 
 individual I was desirous of securing for the Vicomte 
 Adolphe ; but all my endeavours could not elicit from 
 him a decided answer one way or the other. He took it 
 into his head to affect the anxious parent — a character 
 he would sometimes, when the fit was on him, assume. 
 He began to express his doubts of the happiness of his 
 beloved daughter were she married to my nephew ; and 
 he very gravely asked me, with the most paternal air, if 
 I believed that the young Vicomte du Barri would make 
 her a kind and tender husband ? I promised everything 
 for my nephew ; explained to Louis how gratifying the 
 alliance would be to me ; and, in a word, after some 
 demurring on his side, obtained his consent. That 
 agreed upon, the king, who was a most orderly man, began 
 to examine his papers. " I see," said he," " that it is a 
 person named Yon who has the guardianship of my 
 daughter ; let him be desired to come to me immediately, 
 140 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 that I may have some conversation with him concerning 
 this marriage." 
 
 In pursuance of the king's desire, Comte Jean went 
 in search of Yon. Yon was a grave, formal, and affected 
 personage, who, proud of filling the place of father to a 
 daughter of the king, treated all matters relative to his 
 ward with the most solemn gravity. However, Comte 
 Jean, who never anticipated the possibility of a mischance 
 under any circumstances, and still less in the present, went 
 with the most perfect assurance of success to seek out 
 M. Yon, to whom he communicated his project, pointing 
 out at the same time all the advantages which should 
 accrue to him as the lady's guardian. The crafty old man 
 assured him of his entire devotion to his wishes, and 
 immediately repaired, according to the king's orders, to 
 Versailles. 
 
 It fell to the lot of Chamilly to introduce the important 
 Yon to the king ; and, by virtue of his office, he remained 
 in the apartment and became a witness to the conversation 
 which ensued ; a conversation which he lost not a moment 
 in carrying to my brother-in-law. It commenced with 
 Louis explaining his intentions respecting his daughter to 
 M. Yon. The latter then replied : 
 
 " Sire, it grieves me beyond measure to oppose your 
 majesty's wishes, but I am bound to declare that the 
 marriage is impossible." 
 
 " And why so, may I ask, my good Yon ? " said Louis. 
 
 " Because one so nearly related to your majesty as is 
 my amiable ward, should not be exposed to any reverses 
 of fortune. The husband you propose for your daughter 
 holds but a precarious existence at Court, of which he 
 may be deprived at any minute. No, sire ! if you will 
 reflect, you will see the impossibility of the Vicomte du 
 Barri espousing Mademoiselle de Saint Andre. You 
 certainly are sole arbiter of your daughter's fate, but I, 
 141 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 who have the exceeding honour to be your representative 
 with the young lady, cannot betray her interests so far as 
 to give my countenance and consent to this marriage. 
 Permit me, Sire, to withdraw from the affair altogether, 
 and let not my name appear upon any of the deeds which 
 may be drawn up." 
 
 The king was silent, and Yon, encouraged by this tacit 
 approbation of his opinion, continued to keep up a hot 
 fire against oui party, and to attack us in every possible 
 way. He next advanced the fact of the Marquis de la 
 Tour du Pin la Choise having applied to him for his 
 interest with Mademoiselle de Saint Andre\ The king, 
 who, fearing my influence, was anxious to bring the affair 
 to a termination, availed himself of this concluding 
 argument to settle the matter, by saying : 
 
 " You are perfectly right. I had quite forgotten M. 
 de la Tour du Pin, to whom I had, in fact, promised the 
 hand of my daughter, and I thank you for recalling him 
 to my recollection before I had unintentionally broken 
 my faith with him ; I therefore haste to atone for my 
 fault by commissioning you to call on him in my name, 
 and acquaint him that I accept him as the husband of the 
 young person in question." 
 
 Yon, whose heart was entirely devoted to the Choiseuls, 
 lost no time in executing those measures, which must 
 necessarily deprive my nephew of all hope of success. 
 The good creature Chamilly, who, on the other hand, 
 was in my interests, ran to apprise me of all that had 
 passed, and I confess that it occasioned me great annoy- 
 ance and dissatisfaction. Again I urged the matter on 
 the king ; but in spite of my reiterated importunities, I 
 could not move him from his last determination. He 
 pleaded a prior engagement formed with the Marquis 
 de la Tour du Pin la Choise, which had for a time escaped 
 his recollection, and afterwards excused himself upon the 
 142 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 grounds of the very dissipated conduct of my nephew. I 
 was therefore compelled to give up all thoughts of this 
 marriage, and look about for some other equally 
 eligible. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Prince de Soubise, learning the vast 
 pains and trouble I was taking to procure a suitable 
 establishment for my nephew, came to me one morning, 
 and proposed to me a relation of his own, Mademoiselle 
 de Tournon. This Mademoiselle de Tournon was at once 
 the most beautiful and nobly-born lady in the kingdom, 
 but, at the same time, one of the very poorest of our 
 nobility. She was allied to nearly all the Court, and 
 would be of incalculable advantage to her husband, as 
 far as introducing him to the first society in the nation 
 went. We were perfectly dazzled with the splendid 
 prospect held out by this match ; Comte Jean particu- 
 larly was charmed with it. The want of fortune we 
 neither of us looked upon as any obstacle ; that was a 
 deficiency we knew very well how to get over. The only 
 difficulty which seemed likely to arise was from her 
 relations, of whom she had some very illustrious, for 
 instance, the Prince de Conde, son-in-law to the Prince 
 de Soubise, was one. 
 
 This prince had been a great plague to us, and had cost 
 us no inconsiderable sum to bring back to the Court party. 
 I knew him well enough to be certain that if he agreed to 
 serve us in the matrimonial project we had in view, he 
 would expect to be well rewarded for his conduct. I 
 therefore commissioned the Marechale de Mirepoix to 
 confer with him on the subject at the house of the 
 Princesse de Monaco. 
 
 When Madame de Mirepoix came to report to me the 
 results of her embassy, I heard that the prince demanded, 
 as the price of his consent, the liquidation of his debts, to 
 the sum of 1,500,000 livres ; the purchase price of his 
 H3 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 palace in Paris ; and admission into the council as a 
 minister of State ! 
 
 These demands appeared to me exorbitant, and 
 greatly alarmed me ; nevertheless, it was necessary for 
 me to speak to the king respecting it. I set about this 
 difficult business with all the tact I could command. 
 
 " Sire," said I, " you have refused us the opportunity 
 of forming one good alliance for my nephew, we have 
 now another proposed for him ; not equal to the other, 
 certainly, but proceeding from a highly respectable and 
 well-connected family." 
 
 " And who is the lady ? " inquired Louis. 
 
 " Mademoiselle de Tournon." 
 
 " Indeed ! " replied the king ; " a most excellent match 
 indeed. And what says the Prince de Conde* to this 
 alliance ? " 
 
 " He says ' No,' just at present," returned I ; " but 
 he will change his tone directly he can obtain from your 
 majesty certain favours he is desirous of asking of you." 
 
 " What are they ? " cried Louis. " Some folly or other, 
 I make no doubt." 
 
 " Rather say extravagances, sire," answered I. " His 
 demands are as unreasonable as they are boundless : he 
 asks for both heaven and earth." 
 
 " Poor viscount ! " ejaculated the king ; " he is 
 certainly very unfortunate ; but tell me what is it the 
 prince does ask ? " 
 
 " Perfect extravagances I tell you, sire." 
 
 " But of what nature ? What is it he requires ? " 
 
 " In the first place, 1,500,000 livres to silence his most 
 noisy and clamorous creditors ; secondly, that you shall 
 purchase his hotel of him ; and, thirdly and lastly, that 
 you shall grant him admission to the council with the 
 title of minister." 
 
 " Bless me," cried Louis, sighing, " how you frighten 
 144 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 me ! Really these conditions are enormous and un- 
 reasonable, but still not so bad as I expected, my dear 
 countess ; you exaggerated the matter prodigiously." 
 
 I was delighted with this speech ; and, after assuring 
 the king of the pleasure it gave me to find he was not 
 more displeased and surprised at the excessive price at 
 which the Prince de Conde valued his consent, he added, 
 " I am resolved to please you, and to do all in my power 
 to procure an honourable alliance for your nephew ; I 
 therefore grant the sum demanded, and will purchase the 
 Hotel de Conde to build an additional wing to the 
 Comedie Francaise. As for the admittance into council, 
 it may be a point of some difficulty ; but should the prince 
 not obtain his wish immediately, he may depend upon 
 my promise that he shall be gratified in that likewise, 
 sooner or later." 
 
 Louis had his own reasons for replying thus to me ; for 
 he judged, and with reason, that his ministers would look 
 with mistrust and dislike upon the entry of the Prince de 
 Conde to the ministry. His spirit of arbitrary domination 
 was too well known not to be dreaded ; the pacific 
 monarch trembled at the bare idea of kindling an intestine 
 war among his ministers, nor could any consideration have 
 prevailed upon him to provoke one. 
 
 The good-natured Marechale de Mirepoix again set to 
 work. She hastened to his most serene highness, and 
 related to him what the king had engaged to do. The 
 Prince de Conde raved and fumed, declared that he 
 despised pecuniary advantages, and sought honour, 
 honour alone ! In fact, he behaved most amusingly upon 
 the occasion. The marechale was not dismayed ; and, to 
 serve me, she determined to fight for me by hinting at the 
 possibility of my own downfall. 
 
 " But, indeed, your highness seems determined to 
 stand in the way of your own interest," urged the mare- 
 
 K 145 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 chale ; " you have not reflected upon half the advantages 
 which may result to you from this marriage. Mademoiselle 
 de Tournon is seventeen years of age, transcendently 
 beautiful, highly born, well educated, clever, witty, and 
 virtuous. She will be admitted into the intimate society 
 of Madame du Barri, where she will have daily oppor- 
 tunities of seeing and being seen by the king. Who knows 
 what may happen ? She may please him, and so, in 
 progress of time, eclipse her aunt. Think of all you would 
 gain were she to become the king's mistress ! " 
 
 " Well," exclaimed the prince, " then I consent to 
 the projected marriage, but on one fresh condition — 
 that 100,000 crowns shall be divided between you and the 
 Princesse de Monaco ! " 
 
 The marechale came to inform me of the termination 
 of this great affair ; her modesty and moderation would 
 not permit her to tell me the last clause in the treaty. 
 The Prince de Cond£, however, took care I should not 
 remain ignorant of it, but sent the Prince de Soubise to 
 speak to me of it ; I referred him to the comptroller- 
 general, and everything was settled in the happiest manner 
 possible. His serene highness received the 1,500,000 
 livres and the price of his hotel, and the two ladies shared 
 the 300,000 livres between them. Over and above all 
 this, Madame de Monaco claimed the 50,000 livres which 
 the marechale had promised her in my name, and she 
 further received a superb wedding present. I have already 
 observed, and I cannot too often repeat it, that at 
 Court all difficulties are to be got over by the aid of 
 money. 
 
 The marriage was celebrated at St Roch with the utmost 
 splendour and magnificence. The king spared no expense, 
 and caused the nuptial feast to be prepared with a most 
 uncommon disregard of money and a truly princely 
 grandeur. 
 
 146 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 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. Two 
 hours afterwards a note, bearing no signature, was brought 
 to me, in which I was informed that the lady had presented 
 herself to communicate things which concerned not only 
 my own personal 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, cal- 
 culated to remove any fears I might entertain of meeting 
 a stranger, who, as 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 epistle 
 struck me with terror. Madame de Mirepoix was with 
 me at the moment I received it. 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." 
 
 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 ourselves opposite the person we were in search of. 
 H7 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 It was a female of from thirty to forty years of age, of 
 diminutive stature, dressed after the fashion of the day, 
 but with an air of good taste 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 premature 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. 
 
 " 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, 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 un- 
 necessary 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." 
 
 These words, pronounced in a low, solemn voice, froze 
 me with terror ; my limbs tottered under me, and I 
 almost sunk on 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 revenge, 
 148 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 and the king 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 
 rivals, equally persecuted by the royal Government, have 
 determined to make common cause against their mutual 
 foe. The Jesuits natter themselves that the dauphin 
 inherits the kind feelings entertained by his father for 
 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-establishment, 
 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 conspirators, 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. 
 
 " 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 sucree mixed with a large pro- 
 portion of orange-flower water ? " 
 
 " I am so," 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 
 your perfumer's ; but it is sent by other hands, and the 
 liquor contained in the flasks is mingled with a deadly 
 poison. The man who was my informant is aware of the 
 149 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 names of those concerned in the conspiracy, but he has 
 charged me not to state who he is but upon certain con- 
 ditions ; 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 en- 
 tire disclosure of every fact connected with the business." 
 
 " It will not be an exorbitant one," replied the lady ; 
 " merely 2000 crowns, to be equally divided between the 
 friend you desire to know and myself ; for this sum, which 
 is not a very large one, you may command 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 Due 
 d'Aiguillon or the chancellor, or both, should you deem it 
 necessary. 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 amount I have stipulated for." 
 
 So saying, she curtsied and left me, overcome with 
 surprise. 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 apprehensions had never been directed to any- 
 thing more terrible than being supplanted in the favour 
 of the king, or being confined in my chateau. The 
 horrible ideas of murder, poison, or assassination by any 
 means, had never presented themselves to me. I timidly 
 glanced around as I caught the sound of a slight rustle 
 among the branches, 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. 
 
 150 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 As we walked towards the cMteau, I explained to my 
 companion the joint conspiracy of the Jesuits and ancient 
 members of 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 Parlia- 
 mentarians 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 staircase 
 which conducted to my apartments ; we ascended the 
 stairs rapidly, and the first person I met in the anteroom 
 was Henriette. 
 
 " Henriette," said I, " has anything 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 a billet to the Due d'Aiguillon, asking him 
 to come at once, which he did. 
 
 The duke listened with extreme attention to the recital 
 of my interview in the grove surrounding the Baths of 
 Apollo. I endeavoured to relate the conversation as 
 minutely and accurately as possible, but still the 
 duke sought further particulars. He inquired the style 
 of countenance, dress, manner and tone of voice possessed 
 151 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 by the incognita. One might have supposed, by the 
 closeness of his questions, that he already fancied he had 
 identified this mysterious personage. He then examined 
 the box, which stood on the table, and remarked, " This 
 is a very serious affair, nor can I undertake the manage- 
 ment of it alone ; it involves a too great responsibility. I 
 will 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 analysed." 
 
 The duke wrote immediately to his two colleagues as 
 well as to M. de Sartines, requesting 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 there- 
 fore agreed to adjourn our conference till their arrival. 
 During this time the liquid contained in the four bottles 
 was being analysed : M. Quesnay, first physician, Messrs 
 Thiebault and Varennes, visiting physicians, M. de la 
 Martiniere, counsellor of State, surgeon to his majesty, 
 as well as Messrs Ducor and Prost, apothecaries to his 
 majesty, had been collected together for this purpose by 
 the Due d'Aiguillon. 
 
 These gentlemen came to report the termination of 
 their experiments at the very moment when the chancellor 
 md lieutenant of police entered the room ; the Due de la 
 Vrilliere had preceded them by about five minutes. The 
 Due d'Aiguillon requested these gentlemen to be seated. 
 Doctors Quesnay and la Martiniere were introduced, 
 and desired to make known the result of their operations. 
 My newly-arrived guests, who as yet understood nothing 
 of what was going on, were struck with astonishment at 
 hearing it said that the four bottles of orange-flower 
 152 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 water contained a considerable proportion of a most 
 active poison, of which a very 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. 
 Naturally, a lieutenant of police, particularly one who 
 piqued himself upon knowing everything, 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 permitted 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 chan- 
 cellor 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 look- 
 ing 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 movement, he charged him to lay 
 iS3 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 before the council all those particulars which he must 
 necessarily possess as head of the police, either respecting 
 the present plot, or relating 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 informa- 
 tion for which he had received credit, and after many 
 awkward endeavours at explaining himself, he was com- 
 pelled 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 Vrilliere 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 Vrilliere 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 everything they could desire ; and it was 
 finally arranged that the police should that 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 
 conducted byMadame de Mirepoix to the Due 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 
 
 !54 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 to do me the favour of taking his supper in my 
 apartments. 
 
 M. de Sartines did not sleep on his post, but his re- 
 searches were fruitless ; and, on the following day, three 
 successive messengers came to announce to us that they 
 had as yet made no discovery. 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 midday a note was brought me, giving 
 me the names of four Jesuits at the head of the plot. She 
 herself promised to come and see me later. 
 
 I immediately communicated this letter to the Due 
 d'Aiguillon, who convoked a fresh meeting of the persons 
 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 VriUiere 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 abandoned. 
 
 All the delays greatly irritated me, and rendered my 
 impatience to witness the termination of the affair greater 
 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 
 apprise M. d'Aiguillon, who, with M. de la Vrilliere and 
 the chancellor, entered my apartment 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 reproached 
 me for having entrusted the secret to so many persons, 
 but her reproof was uttered without bitterness, and merely 
 155 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 as if she feared lest my indiscretion might compromise our 
 safety. 
 
 She was overwhelmed with questions, 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 engaged in the conspiracy, as 
 well as of him who first informed 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 embarrassed tone with which she pronounced 
 these last words left room for the suspicion that he had 
 been something dearer to her than a friend. 
 
 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. 
 
 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 
 question the prisoner. Cabert was a young and handsome 
 man, whose countenance bore evident marks of a dissolute 
 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 conspiracy, he no longer 
 replied with the same candour, but merely answered in 
 short and impatient negatives the many questions put to 
 him, accompanied with fervent 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. 
 
 156 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 " 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 denounced 
 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 Cabert, 
 wringing his hands, uttered, with the most despairing 
 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," replied 
 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 
 horrible threats and menaces. 
 
 It was deemed impossible to allow this man to go at 
 large ; accordingly M. de la VriUiere issued a lettre &e 
 cachet^ which sent him that night to seek a lodging 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 
 157 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 produced by news so alarming, might cause his instan- 
 taneous 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 f eelings 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, 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 ringleaders 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 
 
 i 5 8 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 post-houses) give any indication of a treasonable corres- 
 pondence. 
 
 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 Cerutti, 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 un- 
 deniable innocence of the three accused Jesuits. The 
 whole business 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 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 
 159 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 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 I placed them 
 in a porcelain vase which stood upon my chimney-piece. 
 Unfortunately Comte Jean presented himself. He came 
 to inform me that my husband had again arrived in Paris. 
 I did not disguise the vexation which this piece of intelli- 
 gence excited in me. 
 
 " And wherefore has Comte Guillaume returned to 
 Paris ? " inquired I, angrily. 
 
 " Because he is afraid." 
 
 " Afraid of what ? " replied I. 
 
 " 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, 
 unless 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 carriage, 
 and hastened, tremblingly, to implore your assistance." 
 
 " 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 
 160 
 
STRANGE STORIES 
 
 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 desire it." So saying, he divided the 
 money into two parts, replaced one in the vase, and 
 pocketed the other. 
 
 L 
 
 l6l 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 Nothing could exceed the bitterness with which I was 
 regarded by the female members of the royal family. 
 The three princesses, with the dauphiness, inveighed most 
 bitterly against my manners, conduct, dress, expenses ; 
 nothing escaped their criticism, and most particularly did 
 they exclaim at my extravagance in building a country 
 house in the environs of Versailles. It is true, that at first 
 I laughed at all these impotent attempts at injuring me ; 
 still I have no doubt, but by dint of continual annoyances, 
 my enemies would have rendered me as ill-natured and 
 vindictive as they were themselves had I remained much 
 longer at Versailles. My sisters-in-law had their share in 
 my torment, and above all, Madame de Fumel, who 
 deafened me with her complaints, until at last I said to 
 her husband, " My good sir, I never meet your wife 
 without feeling assured of being thrown into low spirits 
 for the whole of the day." 
 
 She was a person neither handsome not agreeable, who 
 would have passed through the world without exciting 
 the smallest notice, had she not been gifted with a large 
 fortune and an illustrious birth. Her husband was a 
 merry creature, whose embonpoint bespoke a jovial and 
 facetious temperament ; his wit consisted in a ready and 
 boisterous laugh, which he introduced upon all occasions ; 
 his sensibility was composed of a long list of shrugs and 
 grimaces, and his sense was principally evinced by his 
 remaining silent when he could not conveniently have 
 borne his part in the conversation : his virtues were all of 
 162 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 the negative kind, and he was known by the surname of 
 the " Good Man," merely because he was neither my 
 husband nor Comte Jean. His unaffected disposition 
 greatly pleased me, and I should have seen him more 
 frequently but for his better half, who was a perfect 
 fury. 
 
 The Comte d'Hargicourt (for it was thus he styled 
 himself after having been known by the appellation of 
 the Chevalier and Marquis du Barri), went his way 
 through the world honestly and inoffensively, making no 
 enemies if he formed no friends. I, however, esteemed 
 him greatly, and raised him to the rank of colonel without 
 his ever having smelled powder ; he required nothing 
 more than my favour and interest to procure his advance- 
 ment, and I only waited the convenient moment for 
 procuring him the title of Marshal of France. He said 
 to me one day, as we were walking at Choisy : 
 
 " Pray, sister, do you know the Baroness de N ? " 
 
 " No, I do not," answered L 
 
 " You knew her at least formerly," said he, " under her 
 first name of Madame Pater." 
 
 " Oh, yes ! I recollect," said I ; " she is very beautiful. 
 And where did you meet with her ? " 
 
 " At the house of the Due de Duras, where she is a 
 frequent visitor." 
 
 " And do you visit her at her own house ? " 
 
 " Certainly." 
 
 " In that case," replied I, " her second husband has 
 not the jealousy of her former one, who used to get rid 
 of the crowd of admirers who fluttered about her, by 
 saying, * Gentlemen, my house cannot possibly be to your 
 ideas, for I am old-fashioned enough to keep my wife 
 company both by day and night ; consequently your 
 services can be dispensed with.' " 
 
 This Madame Pater, since Baroness de N , really 
 
 163 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 possessed an uncommon share of beauty ; and had her 
 mind but equalled her beauty, she might have seen the 
 whole Court at her feet ; but, without being wholly 
 destitute of sense, she had not the sort that was admired 
 in France. Cold, taciturn and haughty, she seemed to 
 think universal homage her right and claim ; and her 
 repulsive manners kept back those whom her beauty had 
 attracted. Her former husband had shown himself 
 
 jealous and mistrustful, but the Baron de N- , more 
 
 politic, kept at a distance, and by no means objected to 
 the arrival of any signal piece of good fortune, however 
 attributable to the charms of his wife, who, during her 
 first marriage, had moved in a sort of sphere where 
 we had frequently met ; however, I had long lost 
 sight of her, and should have forgotten her altogether 
 had not the enthusiasm with which she had 
 inspired my brother-in-law brought her back to my 
 recollection. 
 
 He was extolling the beauty of his beloved baroness 
 when Comte Jean joined us, and began complaining to 
 his brother of his having neglected him greatly of late. 
 D'Hargicourt made the best excuse he could recollect just 
 then, and took leave of us. 
 
 " You must not be surprised at the frequent absence 
 of d'Hargicourt," said I to Comte Jean, " the poor fellow 
 is in love." 
 
 " In love ! " repeated Comte Jean. " Not with his 
 wife, I trust." 
 
 " No, no," cried I ; " such a failing does not belong 
 
 to your family, but with the Baroness de N , the 
 
 late Madame Pater. He has become acquainted with 
 her at the house of the Due de Duras, where she had 
 talked to him greatly respecting us, and most particu- 
 larly has been very minute in her inquiries respecting 
 
(Victoria and Albert Museum.) 
 
 MARIE ANTOINETTE, AT THE AGE OF SEVENTEEN 
 From the painting by F. H. Drouais. 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 At these latter words I saw the forehead of my brother- 
 in-law darken over with frowns ; he folded his arms, and 
 began to pace the room with rapid strides ; then coming 
 opposite to where 1 sat, he said : 
 
 " And is it possible that you do not see the drift of all 
 this ? " 
 
 " Bless me, Comte Jean," said I, smiling, " what has 
 your sagacity discovered now ? " 
 
 " Oh, nothing," replied he, with an air of importance, 
 " a mere trifle ; only the Due de Duras wishes to poach 
 
 on our manor. The Baroness de N is an artful 
 
 creature, who is making a tool of that poor silly dupe 
 d'Hargicourt. But you warn me in time, and I am ready 
 to receive the enemy." 
 
 " Are we then deceived ? " cried I. " Ah! I begin to 
 comprehend the danger. Yes, yes, my dear duke, you 
 shall pay for this ; I will tear out your perfidious eyes the 
 first time I see your dissembling face." 
 
 " Have a care, my dear sister," replied Comte Jean ; 
 " there may possibly be no truth in all our suspicions ; 
 let us go to work gently, and not spoil everything by an 
 ill-judged impetuosity. Just let d'Hargicourt fall into 
 the snare without warning him of it, his straightforward 
 uprightness would ruin everything ; but we may carry on 
 our schemes under his colours." 
 
 A few minutes after the count had quitted me the 
 Marechale de Mirepoix arrived : she found me agitated, 
 and demanded the cause. 
 
 " I am very unhappy," replied I. "I detest a person, 
 and yet I am strictly enjoined to receive him with all the 
 smooth policy of a regular courtier." 
 
 " Mercy upon me, my dear ! " returned the marechale, 
 " how you talk. Why, have you not yet learned to practise 
 deceit without an effort ? Alas ! we do not live in the 
 days of innocence, but in the iron age, and moreover at 
 165 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Court. But who has offended you ? Tell me who is the 
 unfortunate object of your displeasure ? " 
 
 " I have been desired not to name him, but still I 
 must tell you, for that will give me an opportunity of 
 speaking of him as he deserves, although I dare not use 
 my nails in disfiguring his face. The traitor is the Due 
 de Duras." 
 
 " Poor man ! " cried the marechale ; " and what has 
 he done, if I may inquire ? " 
 
 " Oh, hitherto I believe he has only sinned in inten- 
 tion ; but he would fain supplant me by introducing 
 the late Madame Pater — she who is now the Baroness de 
 N " 
 
 " Why, indeed," said the marechale, taking a pinch 
 of snuff, " there must be some little truth in what you 
 tell me, for a confused report has already reached my 
 ear." 
 
 " And yet," said I, indignantly, " you have never said 
 anything to me." 
 
 " And what good would that have done ? " said she, 
 calmly. " Do you not know that there are a thousand 
 envious of your present post, and a hundred who flatter 
 themselves with purchasing it at cost price. You ought 
 certainly to be sufficiently on your guard to prevent their 
 outbidding you." 
 
 " You have, then, heard mention of this scheme ? " 
 said I. 
 
 " I have and I have not. I was the other day at the 
 house of Madame du Defiant, with the Marechale de 
 Luxembourg, Mesdames de Cambis and de BoufHers, the 
 Bishop de Mirepoix, and le Carracioli. The conversation 
 
 turned upon Madame de N . Le Carracioli, who 
 
 is as spiteful as a monkey, declared that she was to 
 be admitted to a share of your power, and that she 
 owed being promoted to the honour of being your 
 166 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 colleague entirely to the skilful management of the Due 
 de Duras." 
 
 " And what did the rest of the party at Madame du 
 Deffant's say to this ? " 
 
 " Very little, on account of my being there." 
 
 " One thing," said I, " seems at least certain, that the 
 intrigue is known." 
 
 " Or at least presumed possible ; for I can assure you, 
 the assertions of Carracioli do not always obtain implicit 
 credence. The Neapolitan is esteemed justly as a man of 
 great wit, but decidedly the greatest liar in the world." 
 
 " Indeed ! " replied I ; " then let Signor Carracioli 
 beware of exercising his inventive powers upon subjects 
 which so nearly concern me, or I will speedily arrange for 
 his return to his own country." 
 
 " Nay," interrupted the marechale, " I really think his 
 proneness to falsehood and exaggeration may rather be 
 employed to serve than injure your cause." 
 
 As the marechale pronounced these words she stopped, 
 and, after a moment's silence, continued, " Pardon me, my 
 dear friend, if I strongly counsel you to avoid any fracas 
 with the Due de Duras. The duties of his employment 
 keep him perpetually about the king's person, and an open 
 quarrel between you would greatly annoy his majesty, 
 who, as you know, is too much habituated to him to be 
 easily reconciled to his loss, were you to seek his dismissal. 
 And who can tell whether Louis might not seek his society 
 
 even in the house of this very Madame de N . Keep 
 
 on terms of amity with him ; depend upon it, the king will 
 be highly gratified with you for so doing." 
 
 These observations clearly pointed out to me the 
 necessity of prudence, and I promised 'the marechale I 
 would strictly adhere to her advice ; I waited likewise till 
 Comte Jean had investigated the affair. I therefore con- 
 tinued to treat the duke as usual, whilst I carefully 
 167 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 concealed all my uneasiness from the king, whom I knew 
 too well to lose my time in questioning. He was the most 
 expert dissembler in all France, and, what I could not 
 endure in his character, was the ease and coolness with 
 which he could assume the appearance of friendship and 
 interest towards those very persons he had resolved upon 
 depriving of their place at Court, and dismissing them 
 from office. 
 
 The king had acquired this fault (which my natural 
 frankness exalted into a crime) from the Due de Villeroi, 
 his tutor, and Cardinal de Fleury, his Mentor ; both of 
 whom had inculcated dissimulation as a virtue indis- 
 pensably necessary to kings. Thus I well knew that if 
 there really did exist any understanding between Louis 
 
 and the Baroness de N , it was not from his lips I 
 
 should hear a confession of it ; his greatest pleasure 
 consisted in those little acts of infidelity which he could 
 commit unknown to me. For many days I remained 
 seriously uneasy ; the Comte d'Hargicourt visited me 
 daily. I spoke to him of the baroness, of whom he still 
 continued greatly enamoured, although he no longer 
 pronounced her name without pain and confusion. I 
 inquired the cause of this change. " My elder brother," 
 replied he, " does me great injustice ; he accused me 
 
 only yesterday of aiding the Baroness de N by my 
 
 indiscretion, to spy all your proceedings. His charge was 
 very painful to me, and I have determined for the future 
 to be more on my guard how I reply to even the most 
 indifferent question." 
 
 I advised him to persevere in so wise a resolution, and 
 not to repeat anything, however innocent, which might 
 be so ingeniously tortured into mischief by the evil- 
 disposed. 
 
 Nearly a week had elapsed, when one morning Comte 
 Jean entered my apartment with an air of triumph. 
 168 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 " Victoria ! 99 cried he, " the game is ours. This paper 
 contains the whole story of the intrigue ; Blagnac has 
 done wonders ; he is worth a dozen of Parisian valets." 
 (Blagnac was the name of the valet de chambre of my 
 brother-in-law, Comte d'Hargicourt, and Comte Jean 
 had bribed him to make a surreptitious raid upon the 
 baroness's private papers.) 
 
 " What have you learned then ? " inquired I. 
 
 " All, my good sister : the fellow played his part so 
 well with the femme de chambre of the baroness (by the 
 way, he found the task easier, as the girl was young and 
 pretty), that she told him all she knew, and even more. 
 This letter was intended to be put into the post ; Blagnac 
 took charge of it ; it is a most curious production, written 
 by the baroness in German, of which I have had a double 
 copy made. One is for you, take it, and make what use 
 you think proper of it." 
 
 I lost no time in perusing the following letter, which 
 certainly might serve as a model of German naivete : 
 
 My Kindest and Much-esteemed Cousin, — / have been 
 more successful than I could have ventured to antici- 
 pate, and in a short time I shall be the envy of every 
 female but yourself, my excellent cousin, who love me too 
 well to feel jealous at my good fortune. I have already 
 informed you of the friendly intentions of his grace the Due 
 de Duras, first gentleman in waiting to the king, and 
 besides that, my dear cousin, I have had the extreme honour 
 of being presented to his majesty, Louis XV, who was so 
 good as to praise my beauty ; indeed I am daily expecting 
 fresh proofs of his gracious approbation. But, alas I my 
 dear cousin, this great prince is growing old, like the poorest 
 of his subjects, although that artful creature the Comtesse 
 du Barri contrives, by one deceitful scheme and another, 
 to make him believe he is still young. However, I am told 
 169 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 her influence is quite on the decline, and I trust the time 
 is not jar distant when the king will 'perceive that there 
 are other females near him more worthy in every respect 
 of his royal preference. 
 
 Accident has favoured me with an admirer, capable of 
 furnishing me with much information on many important 
 subjects ; he is a brother-in-law of this Madame du 
 Barri, a young man, not eminently qualified to shine as a 
 statesman, but particularly usejul as a babbler and 
 revealer oj secrets. 
 
 The remainder of this letter bore no reference to me, 
 and merely related to family affairs. 
 
 " What think you of this epistle ? " inquired the count, 
 as I laid it down. 
 
 " The affair is not so far advanced as I had thought it," 
 replied I ; " and I begin to feel rather less alarm." 
 
 " I did not confine myself," continued Comte Jean, 
 " to abstracting the letter, but I went further still ; I 
 called immediately upon the lieutenant of police. We 
 agreed that M. Rigeley d'Oigny should carry the original 
 to his majesty after the discussion which takes place to-day 
 in the private cabinet ; we are in hopes that it may have 
 the double effect of disturbing the king in his amour, 
 and drawing down his displeasure upon the Due de 
 Duras." 
 
 I had no advice to give in an affair which appeared 
 already settled and arranged ; I therefore left Comte Jean 
 and M. de Sartines to act as they thought proper, whilst 
 I determined to use my best weapons in defence of my 
 own cause. I redoubled my usual attentions and assiduities 
 towards the king, increased my natural gaiety and vivacity, 
 varied each day my ornaments and style of dress ; by 
 turns a timid shepherdess or a sprightly coquette, a dis- 
 hevelled Bacchante or a tender and languishing maiden, 
 170 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 till poor Louis had no time to recover from one fit of 
 surprise and admiration till he was thrown into another. 
 However, he preserved a strict silence upon the subject 
 of the letter of the baroness ; still he saw her less and 
 less frequently, whilst the Due de Duras seemed lost in 
 astonishment at my increasing favour. One day that we 
 were alone together I could not refrain from saying : 
 
 " My lord duke, you will certainly lose your cause." 
 
 " What cause, madam ? " asked he. 
 
 " That which you expected to gain through the inter- 
 ference of the Baroness de N " 
 
 The duke was overcome with confusion ; but darting 
 on him a look of sovereign contempt, I quitted him to 
 join Madame de Flavacourt, who had just entered the 
 room. The poor duke could not recover himself the 
 whole of the evening, and I was sufficiently avenged by 
 the sight of his evident disquietude. 
 
 Whilst Comte Jean and myself were amusing ourselves 
 at the expense of M. de Duras, the poor duke continued 
 upon thorns. The worthy man had no objection to aid 
 his sovereign, as a faithful subject should do, in the 
 prosecution of his pleasures, but he by no means liked the 
 idea of involving himself in an open quarrel with me 
 before his schemes were sufficiently matured to incur my 
 displeasure without any personal risk. Early the follow- 
 ing day a note was brought me from the alarmed duke, 
 praying of me to grant him an interview as early as 
 convenient. 
 
 After some little hesitation I returned a verbal message 
 by his valet de chambre, signifying that M. de Duras 
 might call on me whenever he pleased. 
 
 The duke was not slow in profiting by my permission ; 
 he soon arrived, dressed in all his best smiles and graces, 
 and seeking, under the mask of an assumed ease and 
 cheerfulness of demeanour, to conceal the embarrassment 
 171 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 he really felt. I returned his salutation with the same 
 ceremonious politeness, and certain of being able to 
 torment him whenever I pleased, allowed him to com- 
 mence a studied strain of conversation upon indifferent 
 subjects, evidently spun out by him with a view to put 
 off the fearful discussion which brought him to me. 
 
 " Madam," said he, at last, with a sort of involuntary 
 agitation, " you sported with my feelings yesterday in 
 the most cruel manner ; a most cutting observation fell 
 from your lips ; it was altogether so very painful to my 
 sentiments, that I considered it an act of duty as well as 
 friendship " 
 
 " Friendship, my lord ! " interrupted I ; " say, rather, 
 that my remark boded ill for your interests." 
 
 M. de Duras exclaimed against the severity of my 
 language, protesting that he felt for me the liveliest and 
 most sincere attachment. 
 
 " Sincere ! " repeated I ; " you must pardon me, my 
 lord duke, if I have my doubts on that point : but my 
 observation of yesterday was prematurely uttered. I 
 attacked when I should have been content to have 
 awaited my adversary's first blow." 
 
 Again the duke solicited an explanation of the mystery 
 contained in my remarks. 
 
 " I see," said he, " that I am the victim of some black 
 calumny, and my enemies appear to have succeeded in 
 injuring me in your estimation." 
 
 " They have at least endeavoured so to do, my lord 
 duke," answered I ; " but in that respect you have fared 
 no worse than the rest of my friends and adherents. I 
 have ever rejected with disdain all such base insinuations ; 
 and I now flatter myself that you will be enabled to prove 
 satisfactorily that you have not forfeited your reputation 
 for candour and open dealing." 
 
 " Most assuredly, madam, I shall be able with ease to 
 172 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 establish my claims to such a character, at least," replied 
 the duke. 
 
 " Then pray, 1117 lord, begin ; I am all attention to 
 what you have to say." 
 
 These words, pronounced in a dry and sarcastic manner, 
 were far from satisfying him to whom they were addressed, 
 and we resumed our original position with regard to each 
 other. The duke, who had by no means intended to lead 
 me to this point, saw at once that he must determine 
 upon some measure by which to extricate himself from 
 his present unpleasant situation. " Madam," said he, at 
 length, " I will be candid with you ; for between persons 
 like ourselves good faith alone should be employed. You 
 accuse me of having attempted to introduce the Baroness 
 
 de N into the Chateau of Versailles, with a view of 
 
 placing her in his majesty's way. I declare the charge to 
 be wholly false, and certainly it would not be me who 
 would wish to provoke such a revolution in his majesty's 
 preference." 
 
 Delighted to see him thus losing every advantage, I 
 pressed the duke with fresh questions. 
 
 " Yet I presume you are acquainted with the lady in 
 question ? " 
 
 " I am so, madam." 
 
 " And you think her handsome ? " 
 
 " She is generally admitted to be so," answered the 
 duke ; " and I must confess, that I know but of one female 
 of more surpassing loveliness." 
 
 " Pray no compliments, my lord," said I, coolly 
 bowing ; " but this lady — you see her frequently, I 
 believe ? " 
 
 " Occasionally, madam." 
 
 " And what is your opinion of her ? Is she amiable, 
 sensible ? Of an estimable character ? Or is she a person 
 capable of injuring her friends f " 
 173 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " No,- madam," replied de Duras, quickly, " I know 
 her sufficiently well to be quite persuaded that no circum- 
 stance could ever induce her to betray those who would 
 fain have served her." 
 
 " In that case," rejoined I, " I must leave it to you to 
 decide on which side the fault lies. Here, my lord," 
 continued I, putting a paper into his hand, " here is the 
 exact copy of a letter, the original of which is in the 
 possession of his majesty. Take the trouble of reading it i 
 it will convince you that I am much better informed than 
 you suppose me to be." 
 
 The duke, ignorant of what the paper contained, 
 eagerly unfolded it, and continued to read, or rather to 
 study it with long and fixed attention ; not knowing what 
 to reply, yet feeling well aware that some remark was 
 necessary. 
 
 " What can I say to all this, madam ? " cried he, at 
 length. " This letter surprises me beyond expression ; 
 the baroness must be the basest and vilest of her sex. 
 However " He stopped. 
 
 " Pray proceed, my lord duke," said I. " I am all 
 attention to your explanation." 
 
 " Well, then, madam," returned he, hesitatingly, 
 " you already possess it : the confession is made, you are 
 informed of all I wished to conceal ; and since disguise 
 is useless, I must acknowledge the truth of everything 
 contained in this letter, with the exception of those 
 remarks concerning you, which I pledge my honour never 
 proceeded from me. No, madam, I entertain too sincere 
 and warm a regard for you." 
 
 " Stay, my lord ! nor insult me further with these idle 
 professions. You have been worse than an open or de- 
 clared enemy. I will not annoy the king by communica- 
 ting to him your perfidious conduct ; he is satisfied with 
 you, and I respect his preference too much to disturb it, 
 
 m 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 but never shall you obtain from me the slightest mark of 
 favour ; and whenever I draw out any list of persons by 
 his majesty's command, you may be very certain of being 
 excluded from it." 
 
 During this address the duke stood motionless, with his 
 eyes fixed on the ground, looking the very personification 
 of a disappointed courtier : then, stammering out a few 
 words of regret at having been so unfortunate as to lose 
 my confidence, he bowed and retired. 
 
 I was soon visited by the good-natured mediatrix of all 
 those with whom I had any cause of complaint — the 
 Marechale de Mirepoix, who, in her anxiety to live upon 
 terms of universal goodwill and amity, never decidedly 
 espoused the quarrel of any person. 
 
 " And so, my dear creature," cried she, " you and poor 
 de Duras are completely at war, like cat and dog. You 
 appear to have vented your anger most warmly, and he 
 still dreads fresh explosions. Depend upon it the poor 
 man was drawn into the scheme without fully com- 
 prehending the part he was acting ; and, as he protests, 
 thought much less of injuring you than of benefiting 
 himself." 
 
 " Leave this double-faced man, my dear marechale, I 
 beseech of you," said I ; " and if you really love me, talk 
 of something else." 
 
 Madame de Mirepoix was about to reply, when the 
 king entered with his grand almoner ; they were both 
 laughing immoderately ; I inquired the cause. " I must 
 refer you to the cardinal," answered the king. 
 
 I turned to his eminence, and begged of him to afford 
 myself and Madame de Mirepoix an opportunity of 
 sharing in their mirth ; and M. de la Roche Aymon, 
 who seldom required much solicitation to talk, readily 
 undertook to gratify me, and related the following 
 anecdote : 
 
 175 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Mass was yesterday celebrated, according to custom, 
 at the church of the Quinze Vingts. In pursuance 
 of an ancient rule, the office of sounding the bell at 
 the elevation is performed by a blind man. Upon the 
 present occasion the person upon whom devolved the 
 performance of this sacred duty being compelled to 
 quit the altar, left it for a minute, and returned with 
 all possible haste, just as the priest had concluded the 
 introductory prayer ; in considerable agitation he 
 threw himself on his knees, with one hand sought to 
 regain his little bell, which he could not immediately 
 find, and with the other attempted to raise the garment 
 of the officiating priest. A loud scream was heard ; a 
 sudden tumult arose, and the unfortunate blind man was 
 dragged from the altar with every indication of rage and 
 abhorrence." 
 
 " What had the poor creature done ? " inquired I, with 
 much anxiety. 
 
 " Alas ! madam," replied the cardinal, " he had mis- 
 taken the robe of a female devotee for the sacerdotal 
 vestment." 
 
 At these words we were seized with an irresistible fit 
 of laughter, in which the king most heartily joined. 
 
 The grand almoner next related to us that at Rheims a 
 female servant, very pious, but still more silly, had been 
 desired by her confessor, by way of penance, to strike her 
 bosom every time she heard the bell sound during the 
 service. Unfortunately she had selected as the spot for 
 performing this duty a church at which two masses were 
 celebrating ; the first was duly and properly noticed by 
 the fair penitent, who dealt out her blows with the most 
 praiseworthy energy ; but, lo ! a second bell was heard, 
 and the poor girl felt no small difficulty in deciding how 
 to discharge the double penance : so, while with one hand 
 she struck her bosom the most furious blows, with the 
 176 
 
A DIFFICULT CASE 
 
 other she struck herself on a part of her body rather more 
 suited for such rough treatment. 
 
 The Cardinal de la Roche Aymon possessed a long string 
 of these tales, which he delighted in repeating, and he 
 kept us all amused for hours at a stretch. 
 
 M 
 
 177 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 One fine morning my sister-in-law, Chon, came into my 
 chamber with a grave and solemn air. 
 
 " My brother is arrived," said she. 
 
 " Well," replied I, " let him come in." 
 
 " My dear sister," said she, " I am not speaking of 
 Comte Jean." 
 
 " Of whom, then, can you be speaking ? " cried I. 
 
 " Of Comte Guillaume, your husband." 
 
 " Heaven defend me," exclaimed I, " what brings him 
 to Paris without my knowledge or consent ? It is a great 
 presumption on his part. Did we not agree that he should 
 remain at Toulouse ? " 
 
 " It appears," replied Chon, " that he has had some 
 disagreement there, and having espoused the part of the 
 ancient magistracy, he has come hither to see and to speak 
 with you on the subject." 
 
 " All that I can do for him," said I, " is to obtain a 
 lettre de cachet from the Due de Vrilliere, so as to shelter 
 him that way from the anger of the chancellor." 
 
 Chon, who easily perceived that I spoke jestingly, 
 began to assure me how greatly her brothers, as well as 
 herself, regretted the unexpected arrival of Comte 
 Guillaume ; she entreated me not to refuse him the short 
 interview he was desirous of obtaining ; and with my 
 natural good-nature I promised to see him the first time 
 I went to Paris. The truth was, I felt some little curiosity 
 to converse with my husband ; for, excepting for the 
 i 7 S 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 responses made by him during the nuptial ceremony, the 
 very sound of his voice was unknown to me. 
 
 I allowed several days to pass before I visited Paris. 
 At length I went thither under pretext of calling upon 
 the Mar£chale de Mirepoix. I took Chon with me in 
 order that she might go and forewarn her brother of my 
 being ready to receive him. He must have had some 
 previous intimation of my coming, for he presented 
 himself at my door nearly as soon as we had quitted the 
 carriage ; he looked greatly embarrassed ; I held out my 
 hand to him. 
 
 " I trust you are well, sir," said I ; "I am happy to 
 see you. I presume you were weary of Toulouse ? " 
 
 "You are right, madam," replied he, bowing. 
 " Toulouse is a sad, gloomy place ; besides, I had an 
 ardent desire to pay my respects to you." 
 
 " I thank you, sir," said I. " Our interviews have been 
 tolerably rare until now. I onlypray they may continue so." 
 
 "Ah, madam, 'tis that distresses me. Could I but 
 hope " 
 
 " A truce with these idle compliments, M. le Comte," 
 cried I ; " 'twas not to listen to them I came hither ; 
 let us behave more honestly to each other, and speak with 
 candour." 
 
 " Willingly, madam ; I am entirely of your opinion." 
 
 " Listen to me, Monsieur le Comte. When we were 
 married we were all but entire strangers to each other ; 
 you did not espouse me for my beauty, neither did I 
 bestow my hand upon you for the pleasure of being your 
 wife. I wanted a name, you wanted a fortune ; each of 
 us obtained the object we were in need of. I am fully 
 satisfied with my bargain : are you not content with 
 yours ? " 
 
 " No, madam ; I consider myself shamefully treated ; 
 my elder brother keeps everything in his own hands." 
 179 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " My good sir," said I, " Comte Jean is the greatest 
 feudalist in the world, and will not easily lay aside his 
 right of seniority ; but it is my wish that you should have 
 an honourable subsistence. I will therefore cause your pen- 
 sion to be so far augmented that both yourself and any fair 
 companion you may choose cannot fail of being satisfied." 
 
 My husband thanked me again and again for my good- 
 ness. I wished to put an end to the scene, and therefore 
 rang for Chon, who entered, and led away Comte 
 Guillaume, whom I never again beheld. My noble 
 husband little dreamed that, at that very moment, I 
 was endeavouring to procure an edict from Rome for the 
 dissolution of my marriage. I had formed great projects, 
 or, perhaps, to speak more correctly, they had been 
 formed for me. That Marquise de Maintenon, I could 
 not get her out of my head. 
 
 I have hinted at my intention of dissolving my marriage, 
 a measure to which I was strongly urged by every one 
 around me excepting, indeed, those belonging to my 
 husband's family. It was flattery certainly, although none 
 could have been more palatable than the continual 
 assertion of those who sought to profit by my credulity, 
 that my husband was the only obstacle to my sharing the 
 throne of Louis XV. The chancellor was one of the first 
 to put this absurd idea into my head. He was doing his 
 utmost, he said, to lead the king's mind to the favourable 
 contemplation of such a measure. For my own part, it 
 seemed too much of a jest to elevate the frail mistress of 
 Nicolas Mathon to the dignity of queen of the empire 
 of France, and I even smiled at the absurdity of fancying 
 myself the grandmother of the dauphin, and, as such, 
 compelling even the dauphiness to bow the knee of respect 
 and duty. 
 
 Madame de Monaco warmly encouraged me in my 
 ambitious projects ; interest, however, was the cause of 
 180 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 this lady's energetic attempts to hurry forward my schemes 
 of fortune ; and, as her own views were directed to 
 forming a marriage with the Prince de Conde, she was 
 very anxious that the king should, by his union with me, 
 afford her a precedent upon which to raise her own 
 matrimonial greatness. With a view to accelerate the 
 business, she introduced to me an advocate, named 
 Linguet, who, at that period, bore a high reputation, 
 which, indeed, he still lives to enjoy. 
 
 Whilst these steps were paving the way at home for 
 my divorce, I was equally anxious to have some efficient 
 agent sent for that purpose to the Court of Rome. 
 
 " The man suited for that embassy," said the chancellor, 
 " should be one as devoid of virtue as consistency ; a fellow 
 whom we might altogether disown if occasion required it ; 
 but to succeed in his mission this man should be both 
 a profligate and an intrigant, as clever as cunning." 
 
 " And where, my good cousin," cried I, " am I to find 
 such a person ? I know of no one within the circle of my 
 acquaintance so highly gifted, unless, indeed, I were to 
 select one of our prelates as my ambassador to the Holy 
 See." 
 
 " I have precisely the description of messenger you 
 stand in need of," replied the chancellor. "I am sure 
 of my man, who is a provenfal abb£, one of the very worst 
 of the ecclesiastical profession, and that is saying no trifle. 
 He is witty, lively, eager for advancement, and covetous 
 of money ; promise him a bishopric and he will stop at 
 nothing. Rather than miss the reward, I will engage that 
 he will turn the very stones of Rome upside down." 
 
 This abb e* was quickly engaged for my service. I will 
 not now give his name, because he has attained to great 
 eminence, and has become a prince of the Church. 
 Although he did not succeed, I could not suffer his zeal 
 to pass unrewarded, and he owes to me his fortune. He 
 181 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 had to struggle against a very powerful party, and before 
 he had been enabled to obtain any decided advantage 
 over them, I had given up my project of dissolving my 
 marriage. Meanwhile my ambassador quitted Paris for 
 Rome, furnished with a letter of credit for Cardinal de 
 Bernis, who represented the King of France with the 
 Holy Father. 
 
 M. de Bernis, upon receipt of my letter, easily perceived 
 at what I was aiming ; and, fearing to meddle with an 
 affair which might place him on bad terms with the 
 dauphin, he wrote me a truly Jesuitical reply. 
 
 I fancied, upon perusing his letter that my object was 
 already effected, and my success perfectly sure ; but my 
 courtly education was yet incomplete, and Madame de 
 Mirepoix took upon herself the office of putting the 
 finishing stroke to it. We were sitting together after 
 dinner ; she had been relating to me a number of stories ; 
 all at once she stopped. 
 
 " I have a great mind," said she, " to scold you ; you 
 are committing a great indiscretion ; whether by your 
 own advice or that of others, I know not, but depend 
 upon it, it will tend to your prejudice, and not a little 
 assist the schemes of your enemies." 
 
 I readily divined to what the mar&hale alluded to, 
 and I replied, with some confusion : 
 
 " I do not see anything very ridiculous in seeking to 
 dissolve a marriage." 
 
 " Ridiculous," exclaimed the marechale, " is not the 
 word ; you should say useless. You cannot reach the 
 end you propose ; and shall I tell you why ? The Abbe* 
 Terray is playing you false, I am perfectly sure. I do not 
 believe too implicitly in the good faith of your cousin, the 
 chancellor ; and as for the cardinal, learn that he has been 
 consulting the Abbe* de Vermond, as to which will be his 
 safest path in the course of your affair." 
 
 182 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 The marechale stopped here, but she might have gone 
 on talking for hours without my interrupting her. At 
 last my anger found vent in a torrent of words and 
 expressions ill suited to the lips of a courtly dame, who 
 believed herself on the very eve of becoming a queen. 
 
 " Ah, now you are in a rage," cried the marechale, 
 very composedly taking a pinch of snuff. " I like to see 
 you in these fits, they so greatly set off your beauty. But 
 to return to the subject we were discussing. I will give 
 you one other piece of intelligence : the comptroller- 
 general, Abb e* Terray, will seek to interrupt your success 
 by every means in his power, simply because he wishes to 
 put Madame Dumerval in your place." 
 
 " Madame Dumerval, his own daughter ? " 
 
 " Even so ; and you must confess there is nothing so 
 very improbable in the fact." 
 
 I was too horrified and astounded to say more. 
 
 I related what I had heard from the marechale to the 
 Due d'Aiguillon. He replied, " Madame de Mirepoix is 
 quite right. The royal family are apprised of your 
 intentions, and the dauphin has been speaking to me 
 respecting them this morning. I am charged to desire 
 you will lay aside your measures for procuring a divorce, 
 under penalty of incurring their eternal displeasure ; 
 there are some hidden agents industriously employed in 
 irritating the whole royal party against you. I therefore 
 entreat of you, my lovely friend, to be perfectly quiet in 
 the affair." Spite of the advice of the Due d'Aiguillon, I 
 could not preserve the prudent silence he dictated 
 towards the comptroller-general, whose insincerity I had 
 long had reason to suspect, notwithstanding the increased 
 and studied attentions he showed me. The daughter he 
 sought to introduce to the king was the child of his mis- 
 tress, Madame de Cleree, and married to a man who 
 well deserved the aversion she entertained for him. 
 
 183 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 The Abbe* Terray had never been good-looking, even 
 in his best days, but when he called on me in answer to 
 my indignant summons, he appeared with a pallid and 
 distorted countenance, and something almost fiendish in 
 his aspect. He endeavoured, however, to affect a coolness 
 he was far from feeling ; and, advancing with a ceremoni- 
 ous air, sought to conceal the tormenting anxiety he felt, 
 under the veil of extreme respect. 
 
 " Pray, sir," I began, " what is your post in this 
 kingdom ? " 
 
 " Madam," replied he, hesitatingly, " I am comptroller- 
 general of the finances." 
 
 " And I, sir," cried I, " am mistress of the king of 
 France, a place I intend to keep ; nor can I look on and 
 see any person endeavouring to supplant me in it, more 
 especially when that person happens to be one who has 
 hitherto professed to be my friend." 
 
 " Nay, madam," answered the abb£, endeavouring to 
 treat the matter jestingly, " I can affirm that I never 
 thought of becoming your rival." 
 
 " No," exclaimed I, indignantly, " not for yourself, 
 but for your daughter, would you seek to supplant me in 
 the affections of the king. However, I warn you, I am 
 aware of your treachery, and since you would have war, 
 you shall have it openly and fairly — do you understand ? " 
 
 The abbe* sought in vain to speak, his tongue appeared 
 to refuse its office, and at that moment the king was 
 announced. The comptroller -general, hastily struggling 
 to recover from his terror, attempted to pay his respects 
 to his sovereign, but in so confused and embarrassed a 
 manner that Louis easily perceived something uncommon 
 had taken place. 
 
 Immediately that the Abbe* Terray had departed, the 
 king questioned me as to the scene he appeared to have 
 interrupted when he entered the room. 
 
 184 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 " Sire," replied I, " your minister, not satisfied with 
 discharging the duties of his own office, would fain 
 entrench upon mine, and I have expressed to him my just 
 resentment of his conduct." 
 
 " I do not comprehend you," answered the king. 
 
 " Oh, yes," cried I, " your majesty understands full 
 well to what I allude. The Abbe* Terray is desirous of 
 offering his daughter, Madame Dumerval, for your 
 acceptance, and you, who would not, he believes, refuse 
 to receive the daughter of a priest, might find it no very 
 difficult matter to put up with a mistress who is said to be 
 tolerably good-looking." 
 
 " I dislike everything bordering on an impious jest," 
 replied Louis, blushing. " I can easily perceive that you 
 are the friend and correspondent of Voltaire." 
 
 The king's answer gave me no surprise. This good 
 prince, however irregular in many of his habits, had a 
 strong feeling of religious respect and veneration, even 
 in the most trifling matters connected with it. Thus my 
 using words having a reference at once to sacred and 
 profane objects appeared to him as a species of sacrilege. 
 I hastily answered, " Neither do I, sire, approve of 
 impiety or impious proceedings. Your Abbe" de Terray 
 is a contemptible wretch, ready to sell his own child." 
 
 " That is not possible," cried Louis ; " a priest prosti- 
 tute his own daughter ? " 
 
 " Exactly what I said this morning," said I ; " but I 
 do not see anything so very extraordinary in a priest, who 
 has been impious enough to break his vow of chastity, 
 seeking to turn even his children to profit." 
 
 The king protested to me that he had never once 
 bestowed an idea upon Madame Dumerval, and, whether 
 from confidence in him or myself, I believed what he said. 
 
 I experienced, nevertheless, one or two rather violent 
 alarms, arising from the sudden attentions bestowed by 
 
 185 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 the king upon the Princesse de Lamballe. This lady was 
 young, tolerably pretty and vivacious, but destitute of 
 wit, and possessed of little or no knowledge of a Court life. 
 I really am not sure that she ever thought of such a thing 
 as attracting the notice of the king ; all I remember is, 
 that I feared she had designs upon him. Chon was for ever 
 remarking, " The Princesse de Lamballe seems a pro- 
 digiously great favourite with the king." 
 
 My brother-in-law came one morning in a great bustle. 
 " Sister," said he to me, " I have something of import- 
 ance to say to you. I hear it everywhere whispered that 
 this Savoyard princess is about to play us a slippery trick ; 
 keep your eye well upon her ; it will never do to be 
 outgeneralled by her." 
 
 Scarcely had Comte Jean quitted me, than the Due 
 d'Aiguillon entered, and repeated to me the same advice ; 
 if not precisely in similar terms, yet bearing a like meaning. 
 In fact, I heard nothing but a long string of complaints, 
 all ending in the same strain — " Beware ! " 
 
 Again I sought advice from Comte Jean, and he 
 suggested having recourse to the beauties of the Parc-aux- 
 Cerfs. 
 
 " Surely," replied I, " the remedy would be worse 
 than the disease." 
 
 " Not at all. You cannot draw any comparison between 
 the Princesse de Lamballe and a young girl, whose 
 ignorance of the world will effectually dispel your alarms 
 of any ambitious ideas inducing her to aspire to that 
 sovereign power so justly your own. Where would she 
 find persons to support and maintain her interests ? No, 
 she would merely hold her situation so long as it suited 
 you to suffer her ; and when you desired her dismissal it 
 would be done." 
 
 " I appear to be precisely in the same predicament in 
 which the Marquise de Pompadour was placed." 
 186 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 " To be sure," answered Comte Jean ; " in accepting 
 her post you must expect to be burdened with the various 
 duties appertaining thereto. Come, come ; no false 
 shame ; this is merely a harmless ruse de guerre. Let us 
 proceed boldly ; but, first, you must giye me full power 
 to treat with madame." 
 
 I immediately furnished Comte Jean with a sort of 
 letter of credit, with which he took his leave ; whilst I 
 remained, like a simpleton, nursing my ill-humour, 
 and forming a thousand schemes for the downfall 
 of the dangerous Princesse de Lamballe, whom I 
 would gladly have sent to the remotest corner of the 
 earth. 
 
 When Comte Jean presented himself at the Parc-aux- 
 Cerfs, the governor of this sacred retreat was greatly 
 alarmed, and even refused to grant him admission ; but 
 at the sight of my writing the inflexible gaoler began to 
 relax, and at length consented to conduct him to the 
 presence of madame. Having made known the purport of 
 his mission, the lady informed him that he came in a 
 propitious moment, for that she had then three elhves 
 
 ready for presentation — Josephine de M , a young 
 
 lady of quality ; Linette, a Flemish girl ; and a native of 
 Auvergne, named Dorothea. My brother-in-law objected 
 to the first on account of her birth, but Dorothee 
 was precisely what he sought for. She had just attained 
 her eighteenth year, was exceedingly beautiful, and, still 
 better for our purpose, was considered very simple. It 
 was the custom at the Parc-aux-Cerfs to give to each of 
 the Sieves a portrait of the king, in order to prepare them 
 for seeing him. In the same manner, the portraits of the 
 young creatures who composed this establishment were 
 shown to the king, in order to determine his choice. Comte 
 Jean selected the last portrait which had been taken of 
 Dorothee, and returned to the castle furnished with what 
 
 i8 7 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 he styled a preservative against the charms of Madame 
 de Lamballe. 
 
 Upon his return to the castle, he went in search of 
 Chamilly, Lebel's successor, saying : 
 
 " Chamilly, you must convey this snuff-box to the 
 king .» 
 
 " How beautiful ! " exclaimed the valet, as he fixed his 
 eyes upon the portrait ; " but, surely, you would not 
 wish to introduce such a formidable candidate." 
 
 " My good friend," answered Comte Jean, " just listen 
 to a little common sense, 'tis all I ask of you. The original 
 of this charming miniature dwells in a neighbouring 
 establishment, of which Lebel formerly had the super- 
 intendence." 
 
 Chamilly had wit, although it frequently suited his 
 purpose to conceal it, that he might not give offence to 
 others. He comprehended wonderfully well what we 
 wished him to do, and hastily visiting the Parc-aux-Cerfs, 
 returned perfectly dazzled with the beauty of Dorothee, 
 whose miniature he contrived that same evening to place 
 in his majesty's way. 
 
 Louis, who was a great connoisseur in beauty, hastily 
 inquired where the original of so lovely a painting was to 
 be met with. The obsequious Chamilly replied, that his 
 majesty had only to inquire at the Parc-aux-Cerfs, and he 
 would meet with her. The king gave one more look at the 
 portrait, and then announced his intention of visiting the 
 Parc-aux-Cerfs. We knew nothing of Dorothee, and had 
 imagined her weak, and easily led, but we were in error. 
 She was certainly modest and timid, but endowed with a 
 powerful and fearless disposition, which was not to be 
 intimidated or restrained ; besides this, she had a lover, 
 who, after having been long separated from her, had at 
 last discovered her in the Parc-aux-Cerfs. The intrepid 
 Dorothee, who contrived to meet her lover in the gardens 
 1 88 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 which surrounded her prison, first learned from his lips 
 that she was an inhabitant of that wretched place, set 
 apart for the education of those unfortunate beings 
 destined for the temporary gratification of the king of 
 France ; and the same instant which opened the eyes of 
 the innocent girl to the true nature of her situation, 
 witnessed the fervent vow with which she pledged herself 
 never to yield to the splendid infamy prepared for her, 
 nor to falsify the affection she had so long and faithfully 
 cherished for the beloved of her heart. 
 
 I will now proceed with my narration. Louis XV 
 repaired without delay to the Parc-aux-Cerfs, attired as 
 a mere man of business ; but, at the first glance of his 
 noble and handsome countenance, Dorothee recognized 
 her sovereign, before whom she stood confused and 
 speechless. The king mistook her emotion for sudden 
 admiration, and began to address her in the language of 
 love ; but, falling at his feet, " Sire," cried she, " you are 
 known to me ; I entreat your mercy and pardon for 
 speaking thus boldly. You have many virtues ; deign to 
 respect mine. I am here by constraint, and when I was 
 brought hither, I knew not the fate reserved for me ; it 
 is far too great and dazzling for my poor wishes ; I am 
 not worthy to aspire so high, and ask only to be restored 
 to my liberty." 
 
 Louis XV was but little prepared for such a scene, and 
 possibly it was the first refusal he had ever experienced 
 within the walls of the Parc-aux-Cerfs. He sought in 
 vain to overcome the objection of Dorothee, but finding 
 her immovably fixed in her resolution, he returned home 
 in extreme ill-humour. 
 
 No sooner had the king entered his apartment than 
 he vented the full torrent of his rage upon poor Chamilly, 
 who was anxiously waiting the result of his master's visit 
 to the Parc-aux-Cerfs. Chamilly immediately flew to 
 189 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 complain of the treatment he had received to Comte 
 Jean ; Comte Jean hastened to lecture madame upon the 
 want of proper management exhibited by her elfaes, and 
 madame flew in a rage to acquaint the trembling Dorothee 
 that, as a fit reward for her presumptuous conduct towards 
 the king, she should be for ever confined within the walls 
 of a cloister. 
 
 The following morning I was at my toilette, when 
 Henriette announced to me that a good-looking young 
 man was earnestly entreating permission to speak to me. 
 I desired he might be admitted ; the lover of Dorothee 
 (for it was no other) advanced, it is true, with an awkward 
 and somewhat embarrassed manner, but at the same time 
 with a frankness and confidence which greatly pleased and 
 interested me. As he timidly glanced towards me I 
 perceived that he was terribly agitated, and bestowed on 
 him one of my most encouraging smiles. Thereupon he 
 told me the whole story of his love for Dorothee, and 
 ended by beseeching my protection and help. Here was a 
 young and helpless girl soliciting my interest to escape 
 from the Parc-aux-Cerfs, and I, the mistress of the king, 
 the very person on whom her innocence relied for assist- 
 ance, it was, who sought, by throwing her in the king's 
 way as a temporary gratification, to wean him from a more 
 formidable rival. Addressing myself to the trembling 
 lover, I inquired : 
 
 " And how, sir, did you discover the retreat of your 
 mistress ? How manage to procure an interview with 
 her ? " 
 
 " Ah, madam," replied he, still harping on the same 
 string, " we had loved each other since we were children." 
 
 I can scarcely describe to you, my friend, how much I 
 was charmed with this simple, yet discreet, mode of 
 reply. 
 
 " Madam," exclaimed the young man, in the most 
 190 
 
MY POWER IN PERIL 
 
 supplicating tone, " will you forsake us in our misfortune ? 
 Will you not pity us ? " 
 
 " My friend," answered I, " you and your mistress have 
 greatly interested me ; I will be your friend, and you 
 shall, ere long, have proof of the sincerity of my intentions. 
 Be prudent, and to-morrow shall restore to you your 
 beloved Dorothee." 
 
 When the king next visited me, he appeared quite 
 confused and ashamed of his prank. 
 
 " Sire," said I to him, " you have been somewhat gay 
 lately." 
 
 " Yes," said he, affecting to smile, " but I have been an 
 unsuccessful wooer." 
 
 " Well, but what are you going to do with your little 
 rebel ? " inquired I. 
 
 Louis was silent for a moment, and then replied : 
 
 " Would not the best way be to send her to a convent ? " 
 
 " Tranquillize yourself," replied I ; " the surest way 
 to prevent these young people from speaking ill of you is 
 to load them with benefits. I have already arranged every- 
 thing. Let the poor girl marry the youth of her heart, 
 and bestow upon her the usual marriage dowry, the jewels 
 and clothes given upon such occasions." 
 
 " Well, be it so," answered Louis XV ; " but, in my 
 opinion, half the customary portion would be sufficient 
 in the present instance." 
 
 I made no reply to this last attempt to economize, 
 but arranged the whole affair according to my own 
 inclinations, and had every reason to be satisfied with 
 the result. 
 
 The nuptial ceremony took place without further delay. 
 
 When the affair was terminated, Comte Jean observed : 
 " All this is Vastly well ; but Dorothee is gone, and 
 Madame de Lamballe remains as dangerous an enemy 
 as ever." 
 
 191 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Do as you please," answered I ; " I promise you I will 
 not again interfere." 
 
 Comte Jean resumed the road towards the Parc-aux- 
 Cerfs, and managed so well that his majesty wholly 
 forgot, in the society of a young and lovely creature taken 
 from its walls, all the fascinations of the Princesse de 
 Lamballe. 
 
 192 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 A NEW LOVER 
 
 When first I had the good fortune to attract the king's 
 regard, I did not find the Due de Cosse* Brissac amongst 
 those courtiers who crowded around me with their 
 flattering admiration. I remarked this defection with 
 much regret, for the duke was spoken of as one of the most 
 accomplished noblemen of the day. My female friends 
 extolled him for his fine person, and his brave and noble 
 disposition ; whilst, by the other sex, he was equally 
 commended for his frank, disinterested conduct, and the 
 solidity of his judgment. All these encomiums excited my 
 lively curiosity to satisfy myself whether the original really 
 deserved all that was said in his behalf. But still M. de 
 Cosse made no attempts for an introduction to me, and I 
 knew not whether he were one of the Choiseul party or not. 
 
 Every person spoke in the most enthusiastic terms of 
 the Due de Cosse* except the Due d'Aiguillon, who hated 
 M. de Brissac with a hatred arising from a secret jealousy 
 of his many virtues, and the consciousness of his possessing 
 every advantage which M. d'Aiguillon so vainly toiled to 
 procure for himself. 
 
 M. d'Aiguillon left no means untried of injuring the 
 Due de Cosse* in my opinion, relating to me various 
 disreputable anecdotes of him, and repeating the most 
 disgraceful things as having been said by the Due de Cosse 
 against me. 
 
 I was one day walking at Marly with the Marechale 
 de Mirepoix, who had been reviewing the merits of all 
 the Court, praising some and criticising others. 
 
 N 193 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " And why," asked she, " do you detest M. de Brissac ? " 
 
 " Simply because he has conducted himself very shame- 
 fully towards me, and has circulated the most ill-natured 
 and untrue reports." 
 
 " My dearest creature, you are still very ignorant of 
 a life at Court, and take too much for granted what you 
 hear from others. Far from calumniating you, M. de 
 Brissac has more than twenty times taken up your defence." 
 
 Nothing more was said on the subject, and a month 
 elapsed before the events I am going to relate took place. 
 The Court was at Fontainebleau, a residence I greatly 
 preferred to Versailles, on account of the much greater 
 liberty to be enjoyed there ; and I frequently availed 
 myself of the leisure I managed to secure to take long 
 morning walks in the surrounding woods, accompanied 
 only by my faithful Henriette. 
 
 It was a beautiful morning in the month of September, 
 the air was mild, and almost partaking of summer heat, the 
 sky was cloudless, and scarcely the faintest zephyr ruffled 
 the forest leaves. The king had just departed for the 
 chase, and the noisy tumult which preceded this departure 
 had given place to a profound silence. Desiring Henriette 
 to follow me, I took my road towards the forest. I was 
 by no means of a sentimental nature, but my imagination 
 seemed on this occasion filled with an unusually romantic 
 impulse, and as I walked I became lost in reveries of the 
 most innocent yet pleasing description. Having entered 
 a narrow path almost overgrown with tangled underwood, 
 I perceived a young man of a fine and noble countenance, 
 dressed in a most elegant and becoming hunting garb. 
 A nearer approach convinced me it was the Due de Brissac. 
 He advanced towards me with a graceful bow, and 
 congratulated himself upon the happiness of meeting with 
 me. For my own part I remained overcome by contend- 
 ing emotions, scarcely able to articulate one word in reply, 
 194 
 
A NEW LOVER 
 
 and then, by way of covering my confusion, I began 
 to utter some hasty remarks upon the beauty of the 
 morning. 
 
 " Yes," replied the duke, " I do indeed think it a lovely 
 morning, and how much has it improved within the last 
 few minutes ! " 
 
 " And why, may I inquire," said I, " is not your grace 
 at the hunt ? " 
 
 " The hunt," replied he, with an absent air. "I care 
 very little at the present moment wherever it may 
 be." 
 
 As he said this, the duke offered me his arm with that 
 air of chivalrous gallantry which so well became him. I 
 accepted it, and in a little time M. de Cosse and myself 
 were wandering in the recesses of the forest. 
 
 We walked on in this manner for nearly an hour, when 
 we arrived at one of the most solitary parts of the forest, 
 on the summit of a hill, formed of rough blocks of stone 
 piled together. My companion then quitting my arm, 
 said, smilingly, "Do you not think, madam, that you 
 are very confiding to trust yourself in so solitary a place 
 with your most dangerous enemy ? " 
 
 I had now recovered my self-possession, and easily 
 guessed the duke's meaning. 
 
 " Indeed," replied I, " I have long since ceased to 
 regard your grace as an enemy. I now think of you only 
 as a friend who has been himself calumniated." 
 
 " Yes," exclaimed he, energetically, " shamefully, vilely 
 calumniated ; I have been the victim of a hateful intrigue. 
 M. de Choiseul is my friend, it is true, but I have never 
 approved of his conduct towards you ; that of his family 
 has been still more inexcusable, and I have never dis- 
 guised my utter disgust at it. Since my first intimation 
 of the well-founded prejudices you had formed respecting 
 me I have been twenty times upon the point of soliciting 
 195 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 the favour of a quarter of an hour's interview, that I 
 might have the opportunity of disproving such odious 
 falsehoods." 
 
 This conversation lasted for some time, and I remarked 
 with pleasure how eagerly M. de Cosse* sought to exculpate 
 himself in my eyes. He effectually removed every 
 lingering doubt of his sincerity from my mind, for the 
 manner in which he expressed himself was at once so 
 frank, so persuasive, and so calculated to impress his 
 hearers with an opinion of his sincerity, that I could not 
 listen without being charmed into belief. 
 
 Time passed too swiftly for both of us, when Henriette, 
 who had followed us at a little distance, approached and 
 reminded me that my hour of dressing had arrived. We 
 resumed the road to the Chateau, the duke accompanying 
 me to the very door of my apartment, where, bowing 
 respectfully, he quitted me. 
 
 In a few days Madame de Mirepoix besought an inter- 
 view for the duke on the morrow, to which I gladly 
 consented. 
 
 This approaching presentation occupied me the whole 
 night ; my thoughts, sleeping or waking, presented no 
 other idea, and the morning found me still engaged in 
 meditating upon it. Thus did I, without reflection, 
 indulge a growing passion for one who very possibly might 
 not bestow a second regard upon me ; and, without 
 considering the consequences to which such sentiments 
 might lead, gave myself up to all the delightful anticipa- 
 tions of continually seeing and hearing an object I should 
 have avoided rather than sought. 
 
 My friendship with this amiable man ripened apace, 
 and it was with the utmost pleasure that I was able to do 
 him a few small services, amongst which was the revocation 
 of some lettres de cachet. On writing to tell him of my 
 success in ^his, I received the following letter : 
 
 196 
 
A NEW LOVER 
 
 Yes, madam, you are, must be happy : for a mind like 
 yours will always find its greatest happiness in succouring 
 the unfortunate. Had you not desired me to conceal the 
 facts, with how much pleasure should I have proclaimed 
 to the world your generous sympathy with the distressed, 
 and my own unfeigned admiration of your many amiable 
 qualities. Never before have I known such an union of 
 beauty and virtue. Pardon me for repeating an observation, 
 which is for ever on my lips — " Why, oh why, did I not 
 know you earlier ? " 
 
 My heart beat at this happy assurance that the growing 
 passion I entertained for M. de Cosse had become mutual ; 
 that I was loved by the only man whose affections appeared 
 to me worth possessing ; and the bare idea was sufficient 
 to make me happier than I had ever been in my whole 
 life. 
 
 The next time that M. de Cosse saw me I was sur- 
 rounded by the king and several of the courtiers. The 
 duke approached, and said, in a low voice, " May I not 
 hope for the opportunity of thanking you in private ? " 
 
 The king's eye was at that instant so fixed on my 
 countenance that I could not reply ; but a few minutes 
 afterwards I said, with apparent carelessness, " The day 
 after to-morrow I shall spend the day at Paris ; I have 
 many purchases to make, and the morning will not be 
 sufficient for the purpose." 
 
 Whilst I was saying this, I looked at the Due de Cosse, 
 who perfectly comprehended my meaning ; his fine eyes 
 thanked me with a glance too eloquent to be mis- 
 understood, and all the rest of the evening he continued 
 the life and spirit of the party. The Due d'Aiguillon, 
 who was also present, and who had, as I imagined, caught 
 the look of mutual understanding which passed between 
 M. de Cosse and myself, had looks that spoke daggers ; but 
 197 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRT 
 
 his gloomy sullenness had no effect on me, who, intoxicated 
 with the anticipated delight of the day at Paris, could 
 think of nothing else. 
 
 On the day appointed I repaired to Paris, dispensing 
 with the attendance of either of my sisters-in-law. I 
 know not whether the duke had set any person to watch 
 my arrival, he came about a quarter of an hour after 
 myself, looking handsomer than ever. I could not conceal 
 my emotion at the sight of him ; he must have perceived 
 it ; but, far from presuming on the circumstance, it only 
 seemed to render him timid and respectful. At last, love, 
 not as applying to our own feelings, but considered as a 
 general passion, became the theme of our discourse. 
 Nevertheless, though we spoke not of ourselves, yet every 
 instant we inadvertently made some allusion or other to 
 our personal sentiments and respective situations. I was 
 much distressed at finding the duke struggling with some 
 concealed emotion, and, whilst I endeavoured to learn 
 the cause of his agitation, he suddenly seized my hand, 
 which he covered with the tenderest kisses. I fully 
 expected the denouement was at hand, when, all at once, 
 M. de Cosse rose, and stammering out a confused adieu, 
 left me perplexed and uneasy at having so fully revealed 
 a passion which perhaps was not returned. 
 
 The next morning, weary of tossing upon a sleepless 
 pillow, I rang for Henriette to commence the business of 
 the toilette. She held in her hand a letter, which had 
 been brought by the handsome courier of the Due de 
 Cosse. I took this letter, and breaking the seal, which 
 bore the impression of the arms of Brissac, I read as 
 follows : 
 
 Madam, — Since my courage deserted me when I would 
 have spoken to you, I have determined upo?i writing. 
 What must you have thought of my senseless flight? 
 198 
 
A NEW LOVER 
 
 You must, you do despise me for it ; I who, for one glance 
 of your bright eyes, would dare death itself. I love you 
 truly and passionately, and yet I fled from you. Yes, 1 
 repeat it, I love you. You have acquired over me the most 
 fatal ascendancy, and my whole faculties, enslaved by your 
 charms, seem able only to think or act as your will directs ; 
 but one cruel truth it is necessary I should ingenuously 
 confide to you. Know, then, that dearly as I love you, 
 another equally deserving with yourself shares my heart. 
 She to whom I allude cannot boast the same peerless beauty 
 with which you are endowed, but, like you, she is feeling, 
 amiable, and she loves me. Duty, honour, my solemn vows, 
 all bind me to her ; at the foot of the altar I have solemnly 
 sworn to be hers only ; and here I repeat my oath even to 
 you, whose heart it may chill towards me, that I will be 
 hers, and hers only, till death dissolves our bonds. 
 
 Ah I in mercy pardon my madness ; yet, if you can 
 or do share in my feelings, send but one line of comfort, by 
 assuring me that such felicity is mine ; but, should my 
 unfortunate passion provoke your displeasure, spare me, 
 I entreat of you, all blame, all reproach, and think not 
 that any earthly arguments can have power sufficient to 
 pluck it from my soul. Pardon me my involuntary crime of 
 yesterday, or console me for what I am at present suffering. 
 
 I knew not what to think of this singular epistle. On 
 the one hand, it was evident that the Due de Cosse loved 
 me, and it was equally apparent that he still entertained 
 a lively affection for his amiable wife. At last I sat down 
 and wrote a letter, telling him that I should ever value 
 his friendship, and that had it been my lot, gladly would 
 I have shared every vicissitude that life could bring him ; 
 but as he loved his wife so truly, I would never be the one 
 to come between them. 
 
 When I had concluded this letter I hastily despatched 
 199 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 it. Afterwards I threw myself on my bed, for I felt 
 throughout my whole frame a most extreme languor and 
 lassitude. I was still sleeping, when my dreams were 
 broken by the arrival of the grand almoner, the Pope's 
 nuncio, and, at last, Louis XV. My notary was soon 
 after announced, and I was compelled to rise before the 
 two prelates, who, with a gallantry truly episcopal, knelt 
 by the side of my bed, each presenting me with a slipper. 
 The king was highly pleased with the scene, and lost no 
 time in repeating it to all he met, so that it was quickly 
 circulated throughout the Chateau. 
 
 That day passed for me wretchedly enough, and early 
 in the evening I went to bed, complaining of an illness I 
 really felt. The king was immediately by my bedside, 
 solicitous and tender. Presently Henriette approached 
 me, holding a paper, which, under pretence of adjusting 
 my pillow, she managed to slip under the covering of 
 the bed. As she hastily held the letter to my view I 
 saw that it came from the Due de Cosse ; but how was I 
 to read it ? The king, who was seized with occasional fits 
 of curiosity, had only to ask me for it ; and what would 
 have become of me, had I thus furnished him with a 
 written proof of my culpability ? I was therefore con- 
 strained to put off the reading of this letter to a more 
 convenient opportunity. 
 
 Louis XV insisted upon supping in my chamber, nor 
 could I find any pretext for refusing him. But when his 
 majesty had retired, I dismissed the rest of the company ; 
 and no sooner was I alone than I eagerly broke the seal 
 of my letter, which again bore the impress of the arms of 
 the de Brissacs. 
 
 No, madam, I will not grant you what you have the 
 courage to demand of me. What, cease to love you ? 
 Ah, cease then to show yourself so worthy of my love. 1 
 200 
 
A NEW LOVER 
 
 shall cherish your dear image during my life, and in death 
 my last thoughts will be yours. To-morrow I shall throw 
 myself at your feet ; and should you forbid me your door, I 
 will not answer for the consequences. Remember, that the 
 overwhelming passion which consumes me renders me 
 desperate enough even for crime. Adieu, my beloved ; I 
 love you spite of fate. Adieu, but only until to-morrow. 
 
 Farewell, farewell. 
 
 This letter was ill calculated to restore me to reason, 
 and throughout the night my only occupation was to 
 read it over and over again. Sometimes I turned my 
 thoughts towards Madame de Cosse, whom I strove to 
 banish as quickly as possible from my memory, feeling 
 very certain that my conscience would never allow me to 
 indulge my love for the husband, whilst the image of the 
 noble and confiding wife rose between him and me. At 
 length I succeeded in banishing her from my thoughts. 
 I remembered only the eternal tenderness promised me, 
 and my own conviction of perfect happiness in the 
 possession of such a love. Certainly a sincere and reciprocal 
 love has treasures of peace and joy beyond calculation. 
 
 I arose on the following day with restored health and 
 spirits, and received the many who crowded to solicit 
 favours of me, in the most amiable and obliging manner. 
 As I was conducting out of the room a noble lady of 
 Bretagne, who had been soliciting some vacant post in 
 my establishment, I saw in one corner of the salon a 
 female sitting down. It was the Duchesse de Cosse. At 
 the sight of her my knees trembled, and I sank into a 
 chair ; we were quite alone. She rose, and approaching 
 me, said : 
 
 " Will you favour me with a short audience ? I must 
 speak with you." 
 
 201 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " You may command me, madam," answered I, 
 trembling ; " you have every right to do so." 
 
 " Well, then," replied she, with a manner as little 
 assured as my own, "forbid all interruption during our 
 conversation." 
 
 I rang, and gave orders that no person should be per- 
 mitted to enter the apartment in which we were. How 
 greatly did the presence of Madame de Cosse disquiet 
 me ! I, who possessed the royal favour, and who generally 
 boasted so much self-possession, who was a woman of 
 the world, became all at once metamorphosed by the 
 violence of my passion into a weak, timid creature, a mere 
 school-girl. The duchess was not, evidently, more at her 
 ease ; nevertheless, she was the first to break the em- 
 barrassing silence which ensued. 
 
 " You are doubtless surprised, madam," said she, " to 
 see me here, but I was anxious to see you, to reassure 
 you, and to restore to you the repose of which you have 
 deprived me — you love my husband ? " 
 
 " I, madam ? " 
 
 " Yes, you ; nor can you deny it. I love him likewise. 
 I look upon him as the best and most excellent of men ; 
 and, until yesterday, I entertained not a doubt that his 
 heart was all my own. You have cruelly undeceived me, 
 but I come not to reproach you ; the evil is done. Speak 
 to me only with candour, and answer my question, 
 whether you really love my husband ? " 
 
 " But too well," answered I, blushing. 
 
 " I am sorry for it, for all our three sakes," answered 
 the duchess ; " but no matter ; 'twas not to excite your 
 commiseration for myself I came hither. I wished to 
 tranquillize you; be assured that not one word on the 
 subject will escape my lips." 
 
 So much generosity startled and humiliated me. I 
 would have spoken to the duchess of my sorrow and 
 202 
 
A NEW LOVER 
 
 repentance, of the letter which I had written to her 
 husband, but she did not give me the opportunity ; for 
 as she finished speaking, she curtsied, and left me. 
 
 Scarcely had she quitted the castle than her husband 
 entered my apartment. I related to him the visit of the 
 duchess, and the kindness with which she had conducted 
 herself. He seemed touched by my recital, and I availed 
 myself of that favourable opportunity to urge him to 
 renounce his love for me, and to return to his amiable 
 partner. In vain : my prayers and entreaties were alike 
 fruitless. The duke appealed to my own heart, and soon 
 made me resume my natural feelings. I had indeed spoken 
 truly, when I assured him in my letter that I should always 
 love him. 
 
 What else remains to be told concerning it will be 
 found in its proper place in the continuation of these 
 pages. Well and nobly has M. de Cosse ever conducted 
 himself towards me. He was not less constant and 
 faithful in my reverse of fortune than was the Due 
 d'Aiguillon. This latter is no more, but M. de Cosse 
 still lives ; and I trust that both of us will grow old 
 together. Grow old ! What a word ! How full of gloomy 
 and painful ideas ! Still to grow old is to live ; and life 
 is dear to all of us. 
 
 203 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 There was a time when I had cause to be very anxious, 
 had I not been otherwise absorbed. The king was bored 
 to death, and became daily more dull and heavy. I saw 
 his gloom without knowing how to disperse it, yet it did 
 not make me particularly uncomfortable. Occupied with 
 my dear Due de Brissac, I almost forgot his majesty for 
 him. The Marechale de Mirepoix, 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 ? The king is dying of ennui." 
 
 " True." 
 
 " Does it not alarm you ? " said the marechale. " Think 
 well when I tell you that your mortal enemy has seized 
 on Louis ; your most redoubtable enemy, ennui ! " 
 
 " Very well ; but what would you have me do ? " 
 
 " You must amuse him." 
 
 " That is easier said than done." 
 
 " You are right, but it has got to be done. 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 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 
 204 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 Marmontel, — he will go to sleep. Heavens ! how un- 
 fortunate 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 qnce 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, having found that you grow tired of me, I present 
 this lady to you, that you may amuse yourself with 
 her.'" 
 
 "Ah! my dear," 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 
 favourable to us. The king requires some amusement, 
 and let us find him someone. 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, was born 
 to swear. Is not that true ? " 
 
 205 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " 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. 
 
 Whilst my honoured brother-in-law, like a faithful 
 subject, was seeking a toy for the king's amusement, I 
 also endeavoured to find a means of diverting him. I had 
 heard of a celebrated singer, who had retired from the 
 opera ; he was very old, but Louis had been much 
 attached to him in his day, and he still preserved the 
 freshness of his voice — I mean Chasse ; who, although 
 noble, had taken to the boards as much from love of 
 pleasure as aversion from poverty. He had obtained great 
 success as an actor and singer, and the folly of women had 
 added not a little to his reputation. 
 
 Chasse had his intrigues, and enjoyed the singular glory 
 of having caused a duel between two women. A Polish 
 woman fought a Frenchwoman in the Bois de Boulogne 
 on his account ; our country-woman was wounded. After 
 her recovery she was shut up in a convent, and the Pole 
 received an order to quit the country. Chasse remained 
 at home during the time this affair was rife, like a woman 
 who has been fought for by two adorers ; he thus received 
 the visits of those who came to compliment him. The 
 king sent him a message by the Due de Richelieu, desiring 
 him to terminate this parade. Chasse replied : 
 
 " Tell his majesty that it is not my fault, but that of 
 Providence, which has made me the most amiable man 
 in the kingdom." 
 
 " Know, vagabond," replied the Due de Richelieu, 
 " that you are only third in consideration ; the king 
 comes before you, and I after the king." 
 
 One day, at the first performance at the Comedie 
 Francaise, Chasse came, but had forgotten his admission 
 ticket. The person at the door, who did not know him, 
 206 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 refused to let him enter. The singer insisted, grew angry, 
 and at length said : 
 
 " Sir, I am Chasse from the opera." 
 
 " Very well," replied the man, " and you shall also be 
 chasse (driven away) from the Comedie Francaise," and 
 shut the door in his face. 
 
 Such was the personage whom I was advised to produce 
 to the king. I did not foresee the slightest difficulty, and 
 wrote to engage him to come and sing at my house at a 
 supper I was about to give to his majesty. My surprise 
 was not small when I received the following letter, sealed 
 with armorial bearings : 
 
 Madame la Comtesse, — / have received your in- 
 vitation ; I beg of you to accept the assurance of my regret 
 at being unable to obey your request. As a gentleman and 
 pensioner of the royal academy of music, I cannot sing at 
 the table of private persons without compromising myself. 
 You will, I am sure, agree with me on reflection. In spite 
 of my ardent desire to merit your patronage, I shall not 
 quit my house but at the express desire of the king, who is 
 my sovereign lord both as a noble and an actor. If his 
 majesty wishes to hear me, as soon as I learn his pleasure I 
 shall obey his mandate, happy to contribute to his pleasure 
 and yours. 
 
 I am, etc., etc. 
 
 The Due d'Aiguillon was with me when I received 
 this, and thought it exceedingly impertinent. 
 
 " I hope," he said, " that you will not give yourself 
 any more trouble about this creature." 
 
 " Not so," I replied ; " I will not be disappointed. The 
 creature must come." 
 
 I sent for the Due de Vrilliere, and desired him to write 
 a lettre de cachet to Chasse, the actor, desiring him to hold 
 himself in readiness to sing on the morrow at a supper 
 207 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 which the king was to have at the Comtesse du Barri's. 
 This letter was carried to Chasse, who assured the bearer 
 of his obedience. 
 
 He came next day ; he was a fine old man, and as lively 
 as a young abbe. He wore a splendid dress of red velvet, 
 embroidered and ornamented with brass buttons ; his 
 wig was splendid ; M. de Sartine's head was not more 
 becomingly decorated. He sang, and I was delighted at 
 his voice, still full, sustained, and melodious. The king 
 listened to him with pleasure ; and when he had con- 
 cluded, asked him how old he was. 
 
 " Sire, I am seventy-six," was the reply. 
 
 " You are a prodigy ! your voice has not altered in 
 the least." 
 
 " Sire," replied the actor, with a tone and look of pride, 
 " all my person is like my voice." 
 
 " I rejoice to hear it," replied the king ; " I wish I 
 could say as much." 
 
 The king did not make Chasse* any present ; these 
 gracious words were his sole recompense. They would 
 have been his only reward, had I not sent him a gold 
 snuff-box in the name of the king. 
 
 Notwithstanding all this, Louis continued still bored, 
 when one morning Comte Jean came to me. 
 
 " Make yourself easy, sister," said he, " I have good 
 news for you ; I have found the person we want, and I 
 have something for Frerat (our nickname for the king) 
 that will renew his appetite." 
 
 " Who is this new wonder ? " I asked, with a disdainful 
 air. 
 
 " A little creature, not so handsome as you, but very 
 pretty." 
 
 " Her name ? " 
 
 " Ursule Noblin. She is very virtuous, but devotes 
 herself to serve her brother, who is sentenced to death." 
 208 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 " What," I exclaimed, " would you present to his 
 majesty the sister of a brigand ? " 
 
 " The young man is not a robber. Meeting with a man 
 of some rank in the streets he would not give up the 
 pavement to him, and received a blow, to which he 
 replied by a blow of his cudgel which knocked the other 
 dead on the ground. You see it is a pardonable case. 
 I have spoken to Father Noblin, and promised to save his 
 son's life if he will resign his daughter to us. Young 
 Ursule wept, but she loves her brother, considers the 
 honour of her family, and has consented to follow me to 
 the Parc-aux-Cerfs, where I have left her." 
 
 In consequence of an intimation from Comte Jean, 
 Chamilly went to see this young lady, whom he found 
 very handsome, and made her eulogiums to the king. 
 Louis went to the Pare, and was delighted with Ursule. 
 It was not, however, without difficulty that he paid his 
 court, and he saw plainly that his victim was no voluntary 
 sacrifice. 
 
 It was next necessary to rescue the unfortunate brother 
 from the hands of justice. My brother-in-law took this 
 upon himself ; he desired Chon to speak to the chancellor : 
 he, however, wishing to be urged, replied at first by a 
 downright " No." Comte Jean, enraged, went to M. de 
 Maupeou ; he reproached him indignantly with his lack 
 of regard for what I desired. After some words on both 
 sides, M. de Maupeou complained of having lost my good 
 graces. 
 
 " Whose fault is that ? " asked my brother-in-law. 
 
 " Mine, perhaps," replied M. de Maupeou ; " perhaps 
 hers. Prevail on her to listen to me, and we may probably 
 come to terms. I can assure you that I am at all times 
 her devoted servant." 
 
 " And her good relation," added Comte Jean, spite- 
 fully ; " but be that as it may, I will undertake to say 
 o 209 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 that my sister shall listen to you, provided that you bring 
 to her the pardon of Noblin in due form." 
 
 M. de Maupeou knew very well that if he refused me 
 I should apply to the king ; he had no desire to combat 
 with me, but rather wished to regain my friendship : 
 he sent me word, therefore, by my brother-in-law that 
 he would wait upon me, and I awaited him with much 
 impatience. 
 
 The good apostle arrived with an air half serious, half 
 jesting. After two or three words of politeness he gave 
 me the liberating parchment sealed with the State seal, 
 and that in a manner so calm, as if it were the most 
 indifferent thing in the world : he would, I believe, have 
 brought me an order for execution with the same apathy. 
 The main thing for him was an excuse for presenting 
 himself to me. I received him with an air of dignity. 
 
 " My lovely cousin," said he, " will you frown at me 
 all my life ? " 
 
 " I, monseigneur ! " was my reply ; " I know too well 
 the respect due to you." 
 
 " It is not to your respect I pretend, but your friendship, 
 cousin ; and I think I have some claims on that." 
 
 " Really," I replied, with a haughty tone, " I did not 
 believe you cared about it." 
 
 " Those who told you so, lied ; I am guilty — not 
 towards you, but towards those who make use of you 
 against me. I am guilty, because I do not think that the 
 Due d'Aiguillon will ever make a good minister of war, and 
 because I am decidedly of opinion that the Abbe Terray 
 will make a detestable chancellor." 
 
 " The Abbe Terray chancellor ! What do you mean ? " 
 
 " In truth," said de Maupeou, " it is singular ; but 
 they are seeking to make it true. This man, the ruin of 
 France, thinks, that to escape the galleys, he must hide 
 himself beneath my robe. It is not mentioned to you in 
 210 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 precise terms, but yet it is no less the fact ; but I here 
 swear to you, madam, that I will die at my duty. They 
 cannot charge me with felony, and my only crime is in 
 having too well served my king." 
 
 " Indeed, cousin, you tell me strange news." 
 
 " This is nothing," added the chancellor. " I will tell 
 you more when you are fully reconciled to me ; to-day 
 I will not disclose another syllable. He who guides you 
 means well, but he is deficient in brains ; he is angry with 
 me, because I advised him to be content with the porte- 
 feuille he already holds. May heaven preserve him even 
 that. As to you, cousin, be assured that they who flatter 
 you most are not those who love you best ; and if ever 
 your fall should occur, it will be caused by those whom 
 you least mistrust." 
 
 I begged the chancellor to explain ; he refused, pro- 
 mising me, however, to tell me all at another interview, 
 which I appointed for the next day. 
 
 I went myself to the Parc-aux-Cerfs with the pardon 
 of Noblin, and gave the girl the important paper, which 
 she pressed to her bosom with enthusiasm mingled with 
 grief. " This favour has cost me dear," said she. " No 
 matter ; I would have bought it with my life's blood ; my 
 sin will be forgiven. I owed myself to my brother and 
 my family, and now I am happy." 
 
 Here the poor girl wept. I endeavoured to console 
 her, but in vain : I left her without having succeeded. 
 At a subsequent period, when I inquired after her, I 
 learnt she was dead. Oh, heaven ! if my fears were 
 founded. Shame will sometimes urge a virtuous heart 
 to crime. 
 
 According to our arrangement the chancellor sent me 
 word that he awaited me at my sister-in-law's, whither I 
 hastened. Chon would have left us, but I said : 
 
 " No, sister, stay, if monseigneur has no objection." 
 
 211 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " None at all," replied the chancellor. " Mademoiselle 
 du Barri is devoted to you, and honours me with the title 
 of friend ; let her stay if you please. Besides, I shall not 
 be sorry at the presence of a third party to impress on 
 you the importance of the communication I am about to 
 make to you." 
 
 We sat down on a sofa, and the chancellor, leaning on 
 the chimney-piece, began by asking my opinion of the 
 Prince de Conde. 
 
 " Indeed," I replied, " this prince is a brave man in 
 battle, but that is nothing, with the name he bears. His 
 conduct, however, latterly, has not raised him highly in 
 my esteem. I think he has more talent than frankness, 
 and more egotism than disinterestedness." 
 
 " Well, madam, and your opinion of the Comte de la 
 Marche ? " 
 
 " As to him, his friendship has cost me dear ; but, in 
 general, friendship is not cheap at Court. He is amiable 
 in a drawing-room, I know not what he would be at the 
 head of affairs." 
 
 " Wonderful ! And the Prince de Soubise ? " 
 
 " Oh, as to him, heaven in forming him only forgot to 
 give him brains and heart ; except these, he is perfection. 
 But tell me, M. de Maupeou, are you going to catechize 
 me upon all the courtiers ? " 
 
 " No, madam, I only wished for your opinion on these 
 three personages. Learn that, thanks to the pains of the 
 Princesse de Marsan, they have united to drive out the 
 real minister, to drive you from Court, and to put in your 
 place a woman on whom they can depend." 
 
 " What ! " I exclaimed, with more astonishment than 
 anger, " has the Comte de la Marche, who is wholly 
 devoted to me, joined in this plot ? " 
 
 " Ah, my dear cousin," replied the chancellor, " you 
 are always the same ; for ever for or against, this way or 
 
 212 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 that, without reason or motive. Believe me, the Comte 
 de la Marche is no better than others. If he has been 
 faithful to you for any time, it is because it has not been 
 his interest to betray you ; now he sees a chance of profit, 
 and does not hesitate to range himself under the enemy's 
 banner." 
 
 " What a villainous country, and what villainous 
 people ! " I exclaimed ; " but before I become angry I 
 wish to be convinced of what you assert. Have you any 
 proof, or is it but simple conjecture ? " 
 
 " Madam," replied the chancellor, taking out a paper, 
 " I have a proof ; behold it. It is a letter which the 
 Comte de la Marche wrote to the Prince de Soubise, and 
 which he left at little Cleophile's, who gave it to me." 
 
 " Ah, cousin ! " said I, " you complain of the demoraliza- 
 tion of the Court, you groan over the passions which reign 
 there, and yet you gallantly pay attentions to the mistress 
 of another man." 
 
 " You are mistaken," replied the chancellor ; " it is 
 not I who am on terms with Cleophile, but one of my 
 people, who has influence with her ; one of my secretaries, 
 a good-looking fellow, named Delbose, who allies diplomacy 
 and love very well, and whilst he transacts his own affairs 
 is careful of ours. Such a service deserves a recompense ; 
 and when a member of my parliament is suspended I 
 shall give his post to Delbose, who deserves it." 
 
 The chancellor gave me the Comte de la Marche's 
 letter, which he begged me to read aloud. It sub- 
 stantiated in every point all he had been telling me, and 
 was conclusive proof of the duplicity of those whom I had 
 regarded as my friends. 
 
 As I advanced with this letter my voice became changed. 
 The perfidy of the Comte de la Marche was death to me ; 
 I had preferred him to the Princes de Soubise and de 
 Conde. I remembered his base flatteries and cajoleries ; 
 213 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 epithets of the most vituperative kind escaped my lips 
 one after the other, the spontaneous production of my 
 rage. My sister-in-law was no less indignant than myself. 
 As for the chancellor, he looked at us in turns with a cool 
 glance, whilst a smile of contempt played on his pallid 
 lips. At last he said to me : 
 
 " Do you believe now that I am more your enemy than 
 the author of this letter ? 99 
 
 " I have a great mind to continue my enmity with you, 
 but I am compelled to confess, that in working for your 
 own interests you have served mine." 
 
 " Wonderful ! " said M. de Maupeou. " Let us cease 
 to be at cross purposes ; my advice will be useful to you." 
 
 " Why do you not run with d'Aiguillon ? " 
 
 " Because he runs to his ruin ; and because, according 
 to our agreement, I must leave the ministry when he 
 does. I save myself in saving him." 
 
 And so saying, the gallant chancellor took my hand and 
 kissed it. 
 
 The Due d'Aiguillon had heard of the plot of these 
 princes. He was fully persuaded that M. de Maupeou 
 guided these persons privately : he attempted to speak 
 against them to the king, and was cut short at his first 
 sentence. " Due d'Aiguillon," said the king, " I am sorry 
 that a good understanding no longer subsists between 
 yourself and M. de Maupeou ; but, to prevent all attempts 
 you may make against him, I warn you that I consider 
 his services as highly as yours. He has made me king of 
 France ; to the present time my predecessors and I were 
 only the humble servants of the parliaments ; he has 
 destroyed them as Cardinal de Richelieu destroyed the 
 lords of the feudality. My posterity will owe no less 
 to the chancellor than they will to the cardinal ; and, in 
 fact, so long as I am king, so long will M. de Maupeou 
 be chancellor." 
 
 214 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 The Due d'Aiguillon endeavoured in vain to disguise 
 the secret chagrin which these words of the king caused. 
 He would fain have answered but could not, and therefore 
 took his leave. 
 
 When we were alone the king said to me : 
 
 " I know not how to account for this difference between 
 him and the chancellor. I like him, and so does every one 
 else. Those who formerly ranged themselves with him 
 against the parliaments are now opposed to him ; the 
 Due and the Abbe Terray seem to pull together." 
 
 " True, sire," I replied, " I know as well as you do the 
 people you mention." 
 
 " What do you know of them ? " said Louis, turning 
 red, " I named no one." 
 
 " Oh, you need not name them ; I have my police, and 
 am instructed as well as your majesty with all that passes." 
 
 " Well, then, whom do you suspect ? " 
 
 " De Soubise, de Conde, and de la Marche. Am I 
 wrong ? " The king was silent. " Yes, sire, these three 
 gentlemen would fain become the regency of this 
 realm. And if you do not believe me, look, sire ; read 
 this letter from the Comte de la Marche to the Prince 
 de Soubise." 
 
 The king took the letter and read it, and I took it from 
 him as he said : 
 
 " I only see in this a natural desire to serve me ; a 
 laudable ambition ; the letter is written in good terms. 
 The only thing amiss is the improper reference to you, 
 whom they ought to respect for my sake ; otherwise I 
 see nothing to complain of." 
 
 " This is very fine," said I ; "I know now how far I 
 may depend upon your protection ; you would see me 
 torn to pieces before you would interfere, so that your 
 own personal safety was not compromised. However, be 
 satisfied, I will defend myself without your assistance ; 
 215 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 and henceforward I will never quit my chamber without 
 a brace of pistols in my belt." 
 
 " Come, come," replied Louis, " you look upon things 
 in a wrong light. Can you suppose that I would suffer 
 you to be attacked with impunity ? " 
 
 " How do I know ? You are so compassionate, that 
 you fear to hurt even those who are ready to murder 
 me." 
 
 " Be assured," answered the king, " that I will defend 
 you with my life. My ministers must take care of them- 
 selves ; their safety is their own business and not mine." 
 
 The last remark was unanswerable, and I was silent. 
 
 I next sent to request Madame de Valentinois to 
 come to me immediately ; and, in a long tite-a-tHe, I 
 explained to her my reasons for being dissatisfied with the 
 Prince de Conde, requesting, at the same time, she would 
 come to an explanation with her sister-in-law, Madame 
 de Monaco. I charged her further, to apprise this lady, 
 that if she continued to give me cause for displeasure I 
 should embrace every opportunity of creating a mis- 
 understanding between his majesty and the prince ; that 
 I should infallibly succeed in so doing, and in that case 
 the prince would find himself most disagreeably situated 
 between the public, who would repulse his advances, and 
 the Court, who refused to acknowledge him. Madame 
 de Valentinois repaired to her sister-in-law, and repeated 
 what I had said. In pursuance of all these reflections she 
 managed so well as to divert the Prince de Conde by 
 degrees from the prosecution of his plan, till at length he 
 wholly forgot it. 
 
 As for the Comte de la Marche, I avenged myself for 
 his perfidious conduct by the marked contempt with 
 which I treated him whenever I by chance encountered 
 him; nor did M. de Soubise meet with more lenient 
 treatment. I took particular delight in annoying him 
 216 
 
HIS MAJESTY IS BORED 
 
 upon all occasions ; sometimes by various tricks well played 
 off against him, and sometimes by smart observations and 
 pointed remarks upon various passages of his private life ; 
 but the most decided proof of my ill-will towards him 
 was shown in seeking, by every means, to injure Prince 
 Louis de Rohan, his kinsman, our ambassador at Vienna. 
 
 217 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE KING DIES 
 
 Meanwhile the period for the marriage of the Comte 
 d'Artois to Marie Therese of Savoy was fast approaching. 
 The young prince eagerly anticipated its arrival as the 
 signal for his emancipation. The careful watchfulness of 
 those around him was insupportable to one of his violent 
 and impetuous disposition. 
 
 Louis XV was exceedingly partial to the Comte 
 d'Artois, followed his youthful indiscretions with the 
 sincerest anxiety, and whilst affecting openly to blame his 
 lovesick fancies, would laugh in private at them. 
 
 The ceremony took place on the 16th of October. 
 Hitherto, the stern rules of etiquette had regulated all 
 such occasions, but the present joyful event was celebrated 
 with a burst of general feeling and unrestrained delight 
 which must have been highly gratifying to the youthful 
 pair who were principally concerned in it. The prince 
 had at all times evinced the utmost kindness and politeness 
 towards me, and I most heartily concurred in wishing him 
 every possible happiness. 
 
 I shall ever recall with pleasure the royal banquet. I 
 was seated (not at table, etiquette did not permit that), 
 but opposite his majesty. I was in the full possession 
 of my good looks, if I might believe the envious glances 
 directed to me by the several duchesses present. It has 
 been asserted that I wore, on that memorable day, 
 diamonds to the value of five millions ; that, however, is 
 an exaggerated statement, their utmost value was three 
 millions. My dress was composed of cloth of gold, trimmed 
 218 
 
THE KING DIES 
 
 with roses tied together by bows of diamonds ; each of 
 my ear-rings cost 100,000 crowns ; my belt and head- 
 dress were proportionately costly. The king, who 
 was in raptures with my dazzling appearance, seemed 
 scarcely able to gaze on any other object, and 
 continued to converse with me by signs, to the great 
 annoyance of the dauphiness, who always beheld me 
 with dislike. 
 
 I forgot to mention in its proper place a trick which 
 this princess played me, and which was long talked of in 
 the castle, very probably for no other reason than because 
 it was known to be unpleasant to me. 
 
 I had directed my jeweller to make me the most 
 magnificent diamond aigrette ever seen. I know not who 
 had the kindness to apprise the princess of the circum- 
 stance, but, however that may have been, when the 
 jeweller came to bring me the elegant ornament he had 
 made, he received orders to wait upon the dauphiness 
 immediately, without waiting to see me or any person. 
 When M. Lebon was introduced to the princess, she 
 inquired whether he had not some trinket or other with 
 him. M. Lebon, who suspected no harm, instantly 
 displayed my aigrette, which the dauphiness extolled as 
 very beautiful, and declared her intention of purchasing 
 it. M. Lebon, who feared incurring my displeasure, 
 replied that the article in question was not his to dispose 
 of, but belonged to the Comtesse du Barri. " No matter," 
 replied the dauphiness, " I shall keep it just the same, and 
 the Comtesse du Barri can order another, for this one 
 shall be mine." 
 
 Poor M. Lebon was compelled to retire in despair, and 
 sent his son to inform me of what had passed. In a 
 similar case Madame de Pompadour would have waged 
 open war, would have complained to the king, and 
 demanded vengeance at his hands ; but I was careful to 
 219 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 avoid such a line of conduct, and contented myself with 
 writing the following letter to the dauphiness : 
 
 Madam, — / have just learned that your royal highness 
 has purchased of M. Lebon a diamond aigrette I had 
 bespoke for myself. I am truly happy that the ornament 
 pleased you, and only regret, not having presumed to 
 suppose it might have been to your taste, that I might have 
 enjoyed the gratification of offering it myself for your 
 acceptance, as a small token of the respectful and sincere 
 attachment, with which I am, 
 
 Tour royal highnesses most devoted servant, 
 Comtesse du Barri. 
 
 When the king was informed of the manner in which I 
 had behaved in the affair he was quite charmed, and a 
 few days after recompensed me for the sacrifice I had 
 made, by presenting me with an aigrette composed of the 
 finest Oriental rubies surrounded with large diamonds, 
 and a necklace formed of four hundred pearls, each pearl 
 weighing from four to five grains each. As for the 
 dauphiness, directly she received my note she sent her 
 page in waiting, M. de la Chatagueraie, to express her 
 satisfaction at my complaisance. And thus terminated 
 an affair, in which I venture to say I displayed a degree 
 of sense so much the more praiseworthy as it was but 
 little expected from me. 
 
 Louis XV continued equally kind and desirous of 
 promoting my wishes as ever. I have already mentioned 
 to you my little African, Zamor, then so lively, pleasing, 
 and full of mirth. One day, after the king had been 
 amusing himself with him, I said : 
 
 " Really, sire, you owe this entertaining little creature 
 some mark of your royal favour." 
 
 " With all my heart," replied the king, " let me see, 
 220 
 
THE KING DIES 
 
 what shall I do for him ? " He was thoughtful for a few 
 moments, and then said, " I will appoint him governor 
 of the Chateau de Luciennes, with a salary of 600 
 livres." 
 
 I thanked his majesty for this act of generosity, but 
 added : 
 
 " With your permission, sire, I should wish to have 
 the credentials necessary for entering upon this office 
 regularly drawn up, and sealed with the State seal." 
 
 " That," replied the king, " is not my province, but 
 belongs to the chancellor. You had better signify youi 
 wish to him." 
 
 " And that I will do," returned I, " and I doubt not 
 M. de Maupeou will arrange things to my entire satis- 
 faction." 
 
 Here I should like to mention an anecdote of the king. 
 Louis XV was very fond of culinary affairs, and particu- 
 larly interested in studying the various branches of the 
 art of cooking. Les Dons de Comus, and La Cuisiniere 
 Bourgeoise, were his favourite volumes, and he knew 
 them by heart. A head cook, whom I had lately 
 engaged, coming one day to receive directions from me 
 respecting a dinner I was about to give, at which some 
 favourite dish of the king's was to be served up, Louis, 
 who was with me at the time, began to explain to 
 the man the most palatable and savoury manner of 
 preparing it. The cook, who had no idea that he was in 
 the presence of his sovereign, listened with enthusiasm 
 for some time, and then exclaimed, " I see, sir, that you 
 are a first-rate hand in our profession, and no doubt you 
 receive excellent wages." 
 
 One day Louis announced that, with his own hands, 
 he would prepare an omelette, and forbidding anyone to 
 interfere with him, went away to a private kitchen to do 
 so, while we all waited patiently to see what this royal 
 221 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 cook would produce. Besides several ladies, there were the 
 Dues d'Aiguillon and d'Ayen, and the Prince de Soubise. 
 The omelette was brought to table, but burned in a terrible 
 manner. The guests looked at each other with an air of 
 consternation ; nevertheless, Louis proceeded to help each 
 person to it, and then, taking a part himself, he said, 
 " It is rather burnt, to be sure, but still quite eatable." 
 
 I need not say that every one ate of this execrable 
 omelette, but the stomach of a courtier is as much at 
 his prince's disposal as his heart. 
 
 Louis supped almost every evening in my apartments. 
 From the moment of his entering my dining-room he 
 laid aside his royal dignity, and appeared only as a pleasing 
 and convivial companion. He possessed every qualifica- 
 tion to fit him for adorning the social board, an easy and 
 graceful manner, exquisite taste and style, and an ever- 
 ready attention to his guests ; yet, spite of the endearing 
 familiarity with which Louis XV comported himself, 
 those noblemen honoured by his invitation to the repast 
 observed the most respectful reserve. The king would by 
 no means have liked that they should treat him less 
 ceremoniously than usual ; and, although he was pleased 
 to divest himself for a while of the ensigns of power and 
 forget his rank, he did not wish that others should do 
 so too. 
 
 At these reunions perfect ease and freedom prevailed, 
 and both sexes were permitted to express their thoughts 
 in language, which, if not restrained by the stern hand 
 of etiquette, was yet regulated by the strictest propriety. 
 I alone submitted to no dictates but those of inclination, 
 and giving free vent to my natural vivacity, kept the king 
 incessantly amused with the arch and lively piquancy of 
 my remarks or replies. Yet, greatly as my unstudied and 
 open manners delighted the king, I am well assured he 
 would not have tolerated them in any other female of the 
 
 222 
 
THE KING DIES 
 
 Court. We frequently had supper parties, at which the 
 number of guests varied from four to eight. 
 
 These suppers possessed an infinite attraction ; a well- 
 filled board, and the gayest yet most decent wit presided 
 there. It was the hour for friendly converse, and one 
 for obtaining from the monarch that which he would 
 have unhesitatingly refused if solicited at a less propitious 
 moment. But these suppers were equally fatal to all 
 those persons who had made themselves obnoxious for 
 any cause to those assembled ; the opportunity thus 
 afforded of injuring them in the opinion of the sovereign 
 was so industriously employed that the offending parties 
 were lost, beyond a hope of redemption ; and one of the 
 greatest helps towards the disgrace of the Due de Choiseul 
 was his refusing to attend them, that he might not be 
 compelled to endure my presence likewise. I shall ever 
 regret these delightful repasts. How very far are the 
 grave and formal assemblies of the present day from 
 equalling these charming parties. Nowadays cheerful 
 conversation is at an end, and dry, gloomy discussion has 
 taken its place. During the last four or five years politics 
 have swallowed up every other topic. May heaven grant, 
 for the sake of our grandchildren, that the present state 
 of things may soon give place to those happier days I 
 so justly deplore. 
 
 Louis XV was, as I have shown, extremely fond of free 
 and unrestrained conversation ; it seemed, indeed, the 
 only thing which had power to divert his mind from 
 the fatigues of royalty, or the many causes he had for 
 uneasiness within his family, whom he well knew dealt 
 out with a lavish hand their censures on his mode 
 of life. 
 
 In proportion as he advanced in years his affection for 
 his family appeared to decline, until at length he regarded 
 his relations merely as heirs eager to strip him of his 
 223 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 possessions, and begrudging him the short period he had 
 to spend upon earth. His daughters were not more 
 liberally judged than his grandchildren ; and although 
 he made a practice of seeing the princesses every day, yet 
 his visits seldom extended to more than a minute, and 
 usually he had returned to his own apartments from his 
 morning visit to Princess Adelaide, ere her sisters Sophie 
 and Victoire had repaired to the appointed rendezvous ; 
 these hasty meetings were but little calculated to promote 
 confidence or cement the bonds of family union. Good 
 morning or evening, a broad joke, a familiar nickname, 
 was all that ever passed. 
 
 In the evening the princesses, dressed in full Court 
 costume, embroidered with gold or silver, came to return 
 their father's visit ; but frequently, with a view to 
 economize time, they had neglected the elaborate style 
 then in vogue of dressing their hair, so that the deshabille 
 in which their heads appeared formed a ludicrous contrast 
 with their rich velvet or brocaded dresses. This trifling 
 communication was all that took place between the king 
 and his daughters. 
 
 But in spite of the great hold I had on the king's love, 
 there were moments when I experienced real bitterness. 
 The gouvernante of the Parc-aux-Cerfs furnished me 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 this passion, 
 which ultimately destroyed him, appeared to have come 
 on as he advanced in years. All these things created in 
 my mind a state of extreme agitation and alarm, and, 
 improbable as the thing appeared even to myself, there 
 were moments when I trembled lest I should be supplanted 
 by 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 falling a sacrifice to the irregularity 
 224 
 
{W. F. Mansell photo.) 
 
 MADAME SOPHIE, DAUGHTER OF LOUIS XV 
 From the painting by Nattier, at Versailles. 
 
THE KING DIES 
 
 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 recommend 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 dismissed, 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 dissolved, etiquette could no 
 longer object to my presence. Still, the advice of La 
 Martiniere was far from giving me a reason for con- 
 gratulation ; but these minor grievances were soon to 
 be swallowed up in one fatal catastrophe, 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 
 her cognizance, came one day to apprise 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 bondage, " 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 
 p 225 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 adapted to please one who, like the king, had a peculiar 
 relish for everything the reverse of decent or correct. 
 His majesty either visited her daily or sent for her to the 
 CMteau. 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 promotion 
 to the highest military rank ; at the same time the grand 
 almoner informed me he had received his majesty's express 
 command to appoint a cousin of the young lady's to the 
 first vacant bishopric. 
 
 These various reports threw me into a train of painful 
 and uneasy reflections. Louis XV had never before 
 bestowed such marks of favour upon any eleve of the 
 Parc-aux-Cerfs, and the intrigue had attained this height 
 with the most inconceivable rapidity. Chamilly in- 
 terrupted my meditations, by presenting himself with an 
 account of his having been commissioned by his majesty 
 to cause a most splendid set of diamonds to be prepared 
 for Mademoiselle Julie, the king not considering any 
 jewels at present to be seen in the hands of the first 
 jewellers of Paris worthy her acceptance. By way of 
 finish to all this, I learned that two ladies, one of whom 
 was a duchess, had openly boasted at Versailles of their 
 relationship to Julie. This was a more decided corrobora- 
 tive than all the rest. Courtiers of either sex are skilful 
 judges of the shif tings of the wind of Court favour, and I 
 deemed it high time to summon my brother-in-law to my 
 assistance, as well as to urge him to exert his utmost 
 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 eager- 
 ness, increased on my part by a species of gloomy pre- 
 sentiment, which subsequent events but too fatally 
 226 
 
THE KING DIES 
 
 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 
 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. But our hopes and fears were all soon to be 
 forgotten in the dreadful event that came upon us like a 
 cataclysm. The king was taken ill, and his physicians 
 announced that he had smallpox. 
 
 Perhaps no person ever entertained so great a dread of 
 death as Louis XV. When at last he was told the nature 
 of his ailment it was, indeed, a death-blow. 
 
 To every person who approached him the despairing 
 monarch could utter only the fatal phrase, " I have the 
 smallpox," which, in his Hps, was tantamount to his 
 declaring himself a dead man. Alas ! had his malady 
 been confined to the smallpox, he might still have 
 been spared to our prayers ; but, unhappily, a com- 
 plication 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 sufferer 
 contemplated his approaching end, he did not lose sight 
 of the interests of the nation as vested in the person of 
 the dauphin, whom he positively prohibited, as well as 
 his other grandsons, from entering his chamber or even 
 visiting the part of the CMteau 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. 
 
 227 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 The next request was for his daughters, who presented 
 themselves bathed in tears, 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 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 
 smallpox ; I am ill, very ill." 
 
 " Nay, but 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. " 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 his 
 burning cheeks. I know not 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 countess ; I 
 am no longer myself, but here is a miniature which 
 has not undergone the same change as its unfortunate 
 master." 
 
 I took the miniature, which I placed with respectful 
 tenderness in my bosom, nor have I ever parted with it 
 since. 
 
 228 
 
THE KING DIES 
 
 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 affec- 
 tionate " Adieu." These were the last words I ever heard 
 from his Hps. 
 
 229 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 The news of the king's death was brought me by Comte 
 Jean, who 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." 
 
 " 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. 
 
 " There you are wrong ; 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." 
 
 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 
 first gaming-table he met with. We separated without 
 much emotion on either side. 
 
 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, — Ton have lost your best friend and I an 
 excellent master : at three o'clock this day his majesty 
 230 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 breathed his last. I can scarcely describe to you the 
 horrors of his death-bed. The Princesses 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 weariness and disgust. 
 
 For several days the physicians have forbidden the 
 windows to be opened ; and those condemned to inhale the 
 pestilential vapours of the room vainly sought to counteract 
 them by every powerful fumigation. Alas, madam, what 
 is a king when he can no longer grasp the sceptre ? How 
 great a leveller is death ! The prelates had abandoned 
 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 timepiece, eagerly awaited the hour which should 
 free them from it. The princesses, who perceived this im- 
 patience, 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 princesses were 
 carried insensible to their apartments. 
 
 The extinction of a candle, which had been placed in a 
 certain window, announced the accession of the dauphin 
 ere the Due d?Aumont had informed him of the decease of 
 his august grandsire. 
 
 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 ? 
 231 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Alas ! I knew not ; all my brilliant prospects were buried 
 in the coffin of my late protector. 
 
 The Due d'Aiguillon called on me 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. 
 
 I had retired a few miles out to Ruel. 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 Due 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." 
 
 M. Tartuffe was but a faint copy of le petit saint as he 
 presented himself before me. His manners still retained 
 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 
 contradicted the sorrow he endeavoured 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 satisfaction, 
 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 le J tre de cachet." 
 
 " Well, sir ! " said I, tranquilly. 
 
 232 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 " Madam, I must request you to believe how greatly 
 I regret the task imposed upon me ; but my duty and 
 obedience 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, 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 
 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 following 
 words : 
 
 Madame la Comtesse du Barri, — 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 promulgated, 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. This measure is by 
 no means intended to be either disagreeable or of long 
 duration. 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 honour and obey the king's slightest wish, but your 
 presence is no longer requisite ; you will therefore be 
 pleased to rid me of it." 
 
 233 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 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 friends hastened to 
 question me relative to the duke's visit. I showed them 
 the lettre de cachet, which confirmed the misfortune they 
 had suspected from seeing Hamoul, who was to be my 
 escort, waiting in the anteroom to conduct me to the 
 abbey of Pont aux Dames, near Meaux, the place of 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. 
 
 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 aught I know. 
 What a contrast met my eyes between this ruinous old 
 building, its bare walls, wooden seats, and gloomy case- 
 ments, and the splendour of Versailles or Choisy ; all my 
 firmness forsook me, I threw myself weeping 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 whatever was offered me. 
 
 234 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 The loss of my liberty far outweighed in my estimation 
 the loss of my courtly honours, and, like a prisoned bird, 
 to regain my freedom seemed the only aim and end of all 
 my exertions. Love sought to console me by suggesting 
 that henceforward no tie would interfere with my passion 
 for M. de Cosse" ; but the very idea brought with it a 
 torturing uncertainty, as to whether the duke might 
 consider a poor, disgraced favourite still worthy of his 
 love, as when she shared the honours of royalty. The 
 question was too painful to be entertained, more especially 
 in the state of desolation in which my misfortunes had 
 placed me. 
 
 The Due de Cosse was not the last to present himself 
 at the grate of the convent. How justly had I estimated 
 this excellent man, and well did his many noble and 
 exalted virtues merit the pure and undivided love I bore 
 him. Up to the present hour he has been my friend, 
 my support, my consolation amidst all the trials and 
 vicissitudes I have undergone ; but my obligations to 
 M. de Cosse* are greater than this. The king only 
 raised me to his throne, but M. de Cosse* elevated 
 me to a level with his own generous and exalted 
 mind, by associating me in his virtuous and dignified 
 sentiments. 1 
 
 My exile at the convent was not of long duration, and 
 by the sale of my hotel at Versailles I was enabled to 
 
 1 The Due de Cosse" Brissac (Louis Hercule Timoleon) well deserved 
 the high partiality with which Madame du Barri regarded him. Appointed 
 in 1 79 1 Commander-in-chief of the Constitutional Guard of Louis XVI, 
 he was one of the most faithful defenders of the monarchy, and perished 
 at Versailles in the ghastly massacre of September. After having long and 
 courageously repulsed his assailants, he was cut down by a blow from a 
 sabre. The gallant reply he made to some person, who had, previously 
 to this period, been complimenting him upon his generous and loyal 
 conduct, is well known : " I merely pay the debt I owe to the ancestors 
 of my king and myself ! " His bleeding head was brought to Madame du 
 Barri, as a fearful intimation of what she had herself to expect. 
 
 235 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 purchase the estate of Saint Vrain, situated between 
 Orleans and Paris. 
 
 Saint Vrain was a most delightful spot, with a magnifi- 
 cent garden, laid out in the English style, and adorned 
 with statues, fountains, and cascades. 
 
 It was not without much regret I bade adieu to the 
 kind sisterhood, whose friendly attentions had justly 
 alleviated the weight of my griefs ; but, with many 
 expressions of goodwill, and a promise on my part of one 
 day revisiting Pont aux Dames, I set out for my new 
 residence. 
 
 I regulated my establishment upon a scale of elegance 
 and comfort. My table, both at dinner and supper, was 
 prepared for four-and-twenty guests, to whom I did the 
 honours with ease and unaffected hospitality. The noble 
 families of Saint Vrain did not disdain my society, but 
 brought the female part of them to cheer my retirement. 
 Vainly did they seek in me for the bold and shameless 
 woman of intrigue they had been led to expect ; vainly 
 did they watch every word which escaped my lips, in 
 expectation of hearing some of those coarse and vulgar 
 sentiments ascribed to me by my enemies. They found a 
 female touched and chastened by the hand of trial, into 
 a character as quiet and subdued as though she had never 
 seen a court. 
 
 My time passed smoothly and peacefully at Saint Vrain, 
 where I frequently had the happiness of seeing the Due 
 de Cosse, who paid me many stolen visits. I was cheered 
 also by the presence of my ever kind friends, the Due and 
 Duchesse d'Aiguillon, who, spite of every attempt to 
 conciliate the new monarch, were sent into banishment 
 and deprived of every post of honour. 
 
 I sincerely sympathized with the duke, whose haughty 
 spirit writhed beneath the severity of the blow. Exiled 
 to his duchy in Guienne, he was proceeding thither by 
 236 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 the way of Saint Vrain, where I received them with the 
 warmest pleasure. The duchess had many claims upon 
 my gratitude and esteem ; her many virtues, her constant 
 kindness, and the heroic manner in which she flew to my 
 succour upon the death of Louis XV, all deserved and had 
 my tenderest and most respectful recollection. 
 
 But the seclusion of this country place soon bored me, 
 and I obtained leave to return to my old estate. I was 
 not long in availing myself of this permission, but quitted 
 Saint Vrain with a full resolution of never revisiting it, 
 and hastened to Luciennes, which seemed to me more 
 delightful than ever. I shed tears of joy as I re-entered 
 this enchanting abode, but its greatest charm to me was 
 its vicinity to Paris. 
 
 The termination of my exile brought around me a 
 crowd of friends, who had kept aloof before from a dread 
 of displeasing the queen. My head grew giddy with the 
 profusion of compliments I received, and when I saw 
 myself once again surrounded by such a train of courtiers, 
 I was tempted to believe the death of the king had been 
 all a dream. 
 
 And thus the time passed, with nothing really worthy of 
 remark, if I exclude the incessant Court intrigues of which 
 I have already given more than enough examples. 
 
 In 1 78 1 the king presented the queen with a diamond 
 necklace, intended by his august grandsire for a certain 
 Comtesse du Barri. This bijou was valued at 750,000 
 francs, and as I did not wish to purchase it on my own 
 account, it remained, after the death of Louis XV, in 
 the hands of the jeweller, who, not being able to dispose 
 of it, took an opportunity of placing it in the way of the 
 queen. Marie Antoinette, who was then pregnant of 
 the dauphin, was greatly struck with the necklace, and 
 constantly expressed her eager desire to become the 
 possessor of it. The king, informed of her wishes, sent 
 237 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 for the trinket, which he contrived to place on the toilet 
 of his royal consort at a moment when she was by no 
 means expecting such an agreeable surprise. Still, some 
 unaccountable caprice on the part of the queen made her 
 refuse the so much coveted ornament, which ultimately 
 became the commencement of that vile intrigue in which 
 her majesty and Prince Louis de Rohan were engaged 
 some years afterwards. 
 
 As I had some sort of interest in this necklace, I 
 will relate something of what occurred, as I knew it. As 
 was generally known, a deadly enmity existed between 
 Cardinal Rohan and the queen, but about the middle and 
 close of the year 1784 he appeared quite an altered man ; 
 his manners were improved and more cheerful, he seemed 
 delighted with his present situation, and, at length, unable 
 longer to conceal the secret which consumed him, he 
 came to me one day and said : 
 
 " All has succeeded, and I am now perfectly reconciled 
 to the queen." 
 
 " Upon my word, prince, I congratulate you, and that 
 with so much the more sincerity, as what you tell me 
 seems almost impossible." 
 
 " Oh, I have many ways of quieting the angry passions 
 of your sex," said the cardinal, with an air of the most 
 inconceivable conceit. " My influence over this woman 
 is built upon a secure foundation. Do you know she has 
 borrowed 100,000 crowns of me ? " 
 
 " Of you ? " 
 
 " That is to say, she has employed me to negotiate 
 
 such a loan for her with certain wealthy bankers of my 
 
 acquaintance." 
 
 " The more I hear the greater my surprise becomes " 
 
 " I promise you it shall be redoubled before long, but 
 
 you must preserve the strictest silence as to all I may 
 
 communicate to you." 
 
 238 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 " Believe me," returned I, " I know too well the danger 
 of breaking it." 
 
 " Comte de Cagliostro did not wish me to breathe a 
 syllable to you ; but old friends, you know, Madame la 
 Comtesse " 
 
 And here our conversation ended, leaving me perfectly 
 stupefied at the inexplicable conduct of the queen ; her 
 reconciliation with one so shallow and presuming as the 
 cardinal was at least a useless, if not a dangerous step ; 
 but the loan of 100,000 crowns baffled all my attempts to 
 reconcile it with the high idea I had always entertained 
 of the lofty and exalted principles of the queen. 
 
 About the month of March I heard much talk of the 
 magnificent necklace, valued at 2,000,000 francs, which 
 was now about to be sent by Bohemer, the jeweller, to 
 Constantinople, he having vainly endeavoured to sell it 
 to the king as a present for the queen, who refused to 
 accept of it. Cardinal de Rohan was present when the 
 affair was mentioned, and I perceived him look towards 
 me and smile with a peculiar meaning, of which, as I did 
 not comprehend it, I took not the least notice, nor did I 
 recollect the next minute either what I had heard respect- 
 ing the necklace, or the pantomimic gestures of the 
 cardinal ; but the very next time we were alone together 
 (a thing which frequently happened, from his knowledge of 
 the hours when I was generally to be found disengaged), 
 he said : 
 
 " Bohemer's necklace is not destined to adorn the 
 favourite, sultana ; it will not go out of France, for I 
 have purchased it for the queen." 
 
 " And you have purchased this celebrated necklace for 
 the queen's own use ? " 
 
 "At the price of 1,600,000 francs, to be paid for by 
 instalments, guaranteed by the hand of her majesty 
 herself." 
 
 239 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 After particulars so minutely detailed, how could I 
 (who, indeed, seldom troubled myself with much re- 
 flection) have for a moment supposed that the cardinal 
 was the dupe of the greatest villainy you can conceive. 
 I replied, however : 
 
 "What surprises me, prince, is, that you have not 
 pressed for an interview with her majesty ; it would be 
 so much more agreeable for you personally to vindicate 
 your character from the many charges laid to it." 
 
 The prince admitted the propriety of this observation, 
 and a few days afterwards he showed me a note in the 
 queen's own handwriting appointing a meeting with him 
 in the gardens at Versailles, after midnight had struck. 
 
 I awaited his coming the next day with extreme 
 impatience, and he soon arrived, even more joyful than 
 he had been the preceding morning. " No more doubts, 
 no more mistrust," exclaimed he ; " my happiness is 
 secure, I have both seen and spoken to the queen. She 
 met me in the shrubbery which leads direct from the 
 colonnade ; but she had barely time to utter a few words, 
 for madame and her sister approached us ; I hid myself 
 behind the bushes ; no person either saw or heard me, 
 and I am confident of being prime minister ere long ; 
 these Polignacs cannot hold out another month against 
 the blows I am preparing for them ; oh, my dear countess, 
 one of the first uses I shall make of my power will be to 
 restore to you what you have lost." 
 
 I was sitting alone on the 15 th of August, about five 
 o'clock in the evening, when a person entered, so pale, so 
 trembling and agitated, that I could scarcely recognize the 
 Baron de Sugere, to whom I had given permission at all 
 times to call on me, that he might serve as a kind of Court 
 gazette ; for latterly he had procured sufficient interest 
 to be presented at Versailles, and I, knowing how useful 
 one of his prying disposition might be, aided him with all 
 240 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 my power. The 15th of August was the Feast of the 
 Assumption, the very day on which the cardinal expected 
 to receive such striking proofs of the queen's favour. 
 Curious to know in what manner she would fulfil her 
 royal pledge on this important day (for that she would 
 keep an assurance once given I did not in the least doubt), 
 I had requested the Baron de Sugere to pay his respects 
 at Court, and to return to me and acquaint me with all 
 that was passing. Alas ! I was far from suspecting the real 
 state of things. 
 
 " Mercy upon me, baron," cried I, as he entered, 
 " what can have befallen you ; has your carriage broken 
 down on the road ? or have you been attacked by 
 thieves ? 99 
 
 " The Cardinal de Rohan, madam, is a ruined man ! 
 He has just been arrested by the king's command, dressed 
 in his pontifical robes, and at the very foot of the altar," 
 exclaimed the baron. 
 
 " The cardinal arrested ! " repeated I, as if my mind 
 could not receive the idea. " Why ? What has he done ? " 
 
 " He is suspected of having betrayed certain State 
 secrets which had come under his knowledge, of having 
 engaged in a conspiracy against the royal family, and of 
 forming designs contrary to the peace and security of his 
 majesty or his dominions." 
 
 " Tell me exactly what has happened," said I. 
 
 "The cardinal was waiting in the king's chamber the 
 moment for attending mass, at which, I believe, he was to 
 officiate, when he received a message from his majesty, 
 requesting his immediate attendance in his private 
 cabinet. The cardinal obeyed, and after a stay of about 
 twenty minutes, came out with a flushed and angry 
 countenance, and began to pace the gallery with an 
 unsteady step. All at once Baron de Breteuil quitted his 
 majesty's chamber, accompanied by the Due de Villeroi, 
 Q 241 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 captain of the guards, who, addressing an inferior officer 
 near him, said, ' Follow his eminence, by the king's 
 commands ' ; upon which the officer in question, M. de 
 Jouffray, approaching the cardinal, told him he was his 
 prisoner. The cardinal, pale as death, uttered not a 
 syllable, but led the way to his apartment. Judge of our 
 astonishment and curiosity ; but as yet nothing can be 
 learned of the motives of this extraordinary arrest. At 
 three o'clock, the Comte d'Agoult, chief of the brigade, 
 informed the cardinal that he must go to Paris im- 
 mediately." 
 
 In my salon that day all was gossip and wonder at this 
 strange happening. The wildest rumours were current 
 when, about ten o'clock, Madame de Cerneuil was 
 announced. This lady was equally considered as very 
 good authority in any case relative to the conduct of 
 ministers, with most of whom, particularly the Baron 
 de Breteuil, she was upon the most intimate terms. She 
 allowed us to tell the all-engrossing story after our own 
 version, and patiently waited till we had exhausted our 
 comments upon it. At length, when all seemed weary 
 with the discussion, she said, " Pray be under no fears for 
 the Cardinal de Rohan's losing his head on the scaffold. 
 I assure you he has a much greater chance of passing the 
 rest of his life in the galleys. Prince Louis de Rohan, 
 grand almoner of France, is now under arrest for stealing 
 a diamond necklace." 
 
 These words, added to what I already knew, gave me 
 at once an insight into the whole affair ; meanwhile, 
 Madame de Cerneuil proceeded to acquaint her attentive 
 audience that Cardinal de Rohan had been arrested at 
 the suit of Messrs Bosange and Bohemer, jewellers, for 
 having, by means of a forged authority, obtained from 
 them a necklace valued at 1,600,000 francs, which necklace 
 had disappeared without their being enabled to trace its 
 242 
 
BANISHED FROM COURT 
 
 destination. Madame de Cerneuil went on to relate 
 particular after particular with so much minuteness of 
 detail as to silence all inclination to rebut so formidable 
 a charge against his eminence. 
 
 The next facts learned were the arrests of the principal 
 instigators of the plot, the Comte and Comtesse de 
 Cagliostro, M. de Villette, and Baron de Plant a, one of 
 the cardinal's most intimate friends, a man of the strictest 
 honour, descended from one of the most ancient and 
 honourable families in Switzerland. At length, however, 
 truth pierced through the many attempts to conceal it, 
 and the innocence of the queen was fully established, 
 whilst that of the cardinal became much more equivocal, 
 and all agreed that he must either have played the part 
 of a rogue or a simpleton. To me it was evident enough 
 that the agent in whom he had so much confided, Madame 
 de la Motte Valois, had been making him her tool in 
 obtaining possession of the necklace, which she had now 
 confiscated to her own use. The only difficulty consisted 
 in accounting for the various interviews which, according 
 to the cardinal's account, had taken place between him 
 and the queen, but this mystery was also cleared up, when 
 a female named Olivia came forward and confessed that 
 she had received a large sum from Madame de la Motte 
 Valois for personating Marie Antoinette during several 
 short meetings given to Cardinal de Rohan in the gardens 
 of Versailles. This last explanation cleared up every- 
 thing, for as to the conversations reported to have passed 
 between himself and her majesty, I could easily imagine 
 they had their origin in his own imagination alone, with 
 a view to obtain my more ready belief of his wondrous 
 tale. 
 
 The cause took the usual course, and the cardinal was 
 declared innocent of all offence, except that of pre- 
 sumption in believing himself reinstated in the queen's 
 243 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 favour, while the Comtesse de la Motte Valois was sen- 
 tenced to be flogged, branded, and confined for life in 
 some strong prison. The former part of the sentence was 
 duly executed, but the latter was evaded by the lady's 
 making her escape to England, where, if I mistake not, 
 she still resides. 
 
 I heard from various channels of the deep regret with 
 which the queen learned the termination of the affair, as 
 regarded the cardinal, whose audacity in coupling her 
 name with his she would fain have seen severely punished. 
 Her tears and entreaties, however, determined Louis XVI 
 to visit such conduct with his severest displeasure, and he 
 accordingly deprived the cardinal at once of the office 
 of grand almoner of France, and his order of the Holy 
 Ghost, banishing him to his Abbaye de la Chaise Dieu in 
 Auvergne, but afterwards permitting him to retire to 
 his bishopric of Strasbourg. 
 
 244 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 One morning early I was surprised by a visit from the 
 Baron de Sugere, whom I had believed safe at his estate 
 at Orleans. Wishing the disagreeable man anywhere else, 
 I was yet compelled to welcome him to Luciennes, and 
 to inquire to what cause I might attribute the honour of 
 his visit. 
 
 " Madam," replied he, " thank God, I have no personal 
 motives but those of friendship. I am rich, and want 
 neither place nor pension. I enjoy myself my own way, 
 and seek the society of my friends that I may rejoice with 
 them at their misfortunes, or condole with them at their 
 good fortune ; that is, I mean — bless me, madam, I 
 hardly know how to explain myself." 
 
 " Never mind, Monsieur le Baron," answered I, smiling, 
 " the truth will escape sometimes in spite of you." 
 
 " Well, well ! I see you are like the rest of the world, 
 madam ; you think me ill-natured and severe, when, on 
 the contrary, I am of the kindest and most indulgent 
 nature." 
 
 " Ah ! my dear baron," cried I, " then you surely hate 
 no one ; for you treat all the world as friends." 
 
 " Do you think so ?' But I would ask you a little 
 question — do you see much of the Due de Cosse just 
 now ? " 
 
 " May I ask the reason of that question ere I answer 
 it ? " 
 
 " Simply because I believe the greater part of his time 
 is taken up with a pretty creature called Celine ? " 
 245 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " And who is Celine ? " said I, losing my gaiety as I 
 asked the question. 
 
 " Dear me ! do not you know her ? She is the daughter 
 of the woman who lets out the chairs at St Sulpice. She 
 so captivated the Abbe" de Boisgelin that he took her at 
 once under his care and protection. The Marquis de 
 M carried her off from the poor abb£, who com- 
 plained bitterly of this injustice ; a cry in which all the 
 clergy joined the more unanimously as they agreed that 
 Celine, being the daughter of an ecclesiastic (her father 
 was a beadle), she belonged of right to the Church, whose 
 property she was." 
 
 " Well, but what is all this to me ? " 
 
 " Nothing certainly ; but condescend to listen a few 
 minutes. The Abbe Terray was determined to avenge 
 his own fraternity, and offered such dazzling terms that 
 the marquis was cut out in his turn. But he, in his turn, 
 had to give place to the tempting offers of the Farmer- 
 general Soulot ; who was forsaken, after a time, for a 
 lieutenant in a regiment of infantry, who stripped her 
 of all the wealth her former lovers had bestowed upon 
 her, and treated her most cruelly. Disgusted with love, 
 and grown wise by experience, she determined upon a 
 reformation : that is to say, she loves no one, and deceives 
 those who love her ; and these principles are now so 
 firmly fixed in her, that she will go any length in the 
 execution of their suggestions." 
 
 " And the Due de Cosse visits her ? " 
 
 " He is her constant shadow — never leaves her but 
 when quite compelled. I really pity you ; his acquaint- 
 ance must have been so very agreeable for you " 
 
 " And who presumes to say I do not still continue to 
 enjoy it ? " inquired I, with a haughty tone. " The duke 
 is my friend, whom I am in the habit of seeing con- 
 tinually. But you, my good sir, have taken for granted 
 246 
 
AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 what was merely intended as a joke upon your 
 credulity." 
 
 The baron was about to reply, when company was 
 announced ; and the entrance of several visitors, among 
 whom was the Due de Cosse, put an end to all further 
 conversation on the subject. 
 
 Let whoever pleases endeavour to solve the riddle of 
 the human heart, it is a task far above my philosophy. 
 Yet let me honestly confess that the information I had 
 just received of the infidelity of M. de Cosse" stung me to 
 the quick, although I well knew my own conduct had not 
 been such as to warrant my exacting inviolable constancy 
 from him. Still, a feeling of rage and mortification filled 
 my soul, as though in bestowing his tenderness upon 
 others he was defrauding me of what was exclusively my 
 right. In vain did I seek to free myself from the crowd 
 of tedious and uninteresting persons, in order to remove 
 to the part of the room where M. de Cosse was seated ; 
 not once could I succeed in catching his eye, till just as I 
 had resolved upon crossing the salon, in order to request 
 his attendance in my boudoir, I saw him rising as though 
 to take his leave. My first impulse was to command him 
 to stay, but as I could not have commanded myself 
 sufficiently to do it with a steady voice, I feared the 
 possibility of bringing down upon me the attention of the 
 company and perhaps paving the way for some ridiculous 
 scene, and therefore contented myself with coolly return- 
 ing his parting bow. 
 
 I gave, on this trying day, a large dinner to a crowd 
 of foreigners, courtiers, and men of letters, and I was 
 peremptorily called upon to forget my own feelings in 
 order to do the honours of the table. Spite of all my 
 attempts to play my part well it would not do ; and after 
 many ineffectual attempts at forcing my spirits, I was 
 compelled to avail myself of the hackneyed excuse of severe 
 247 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME. DU BARRI 
 
 headache as a pretext for indulging in my own sorrowful 
 reflections. One thing I resolved upon, that, until fresh 
 particulars should transpire, I would not apprise the duke 
 of what I already knew ; and suddenly an idea arose in my 
 mind, which, as it presented the means of satisfying my 
 doubts and avenging myself, should they be effectually 
 confirmed, helped to dissipate my sorrow, and almost 
 consoled me for the pain I was suffering. 
 
 Just as dinner was nearly over Genevieve entered the 
 room, and informed me that a person who had just 
 arrived from Paris begged to speak with me that very 
 instant, and was awaiting me in the adjoining boudoir. 
 
 I rose from the table, and, begging Madame de Monaco 
 to take my place, repaired to the chamber where my 
 visitor awaited me. At the first glance a cry of emotion 
 escaped me, for it was no other than Comte Jean du 
 Barri who stood before me ; he whom I would have wished 
 in Siberia rather than Paris, met my gaze, as I looked 
 towards the table at which he was sitting. My brother- 
 in-law approached, and, saluting me with his accustomed 
 gallantry, exclaimed : 
 
 " How is this, my fair sister ? Terrified at the sight of 
 me ? Am I to construe your agitation as a token of joy 
 or sorrow ? " 
 
 " I did not expect you — your coming is so unlooked 
 for," faltered I. 
 
 " Yes, yes ; I perceive," answered Comte Jean. " I have 
 just returned from making the grand tour, have been all 
 over Europe, where many a time I have said with the 
 poet : 
 
 " ' On ne vit qu'a Paris et on vegete ailleurs.' 
 " No, viva Paris, say I, dear, delightful Paris, where one 
 can always find persons of sense to amuse one, fools and 
 simpletons to convert to profit and advantage, and pretty 
 women to reward your toils when they are over." 
 248 
 
AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 " Still the same, Comte Jean ; you will never change, 
 I think." 
 
 " Any more than yourself, my good sister-in-law. Do 
 you know you look more beautiful than ever ? Why, 
 upon my soul, to bury you here in all the splendour of 
 your beauty is nothing short of positive murder. I'll 
 tell you what, my pretty countess, there is a mine of gold 
 in those bright eyes, and if you will only aid my plans I 
 will prove my words." 
 
 " You are pleased to flatter me," replied I ; " but 
 indeed, I am satisfied to be as I am, and seek no further 
 change." 
 
 " Come, come, this is downright folly ; or has the death 
 of old Frerat made you renounce the world and determine 
 upon a reformation ? You should look upon his -Joss with 
 greater philosophy ; imitate France, and join in the cry 
 of vive le rot. France has accepted a new master, why 
 cannot you do the same, and give a worthy successor to 
 his august majesty." 
 
 " It will not be his grandson I shall select, at any rate," 
 said I, laughing. 
 
 " And why not ? " answered Comte Jean ; " that is, if 
 the thing were practicable. But there are other persons 
 in the world besides Louis XVI, and if you are docile 
 and willing to be conducted in the right road, I have 
 already several irons in the fire." 
 
 " Listen to me, Comte Jean," cried I, " you have 
 already bartered me times enough. I have been used by 
 you as an article of traffic, and either lent, sold, or ex- 
 changed, as best suited your interests or your humour ; 
 but I have regained my liberty, and am resolved to keep 
 it." 
 
 " Oh, I see ! the sweet melancholy of widowhood 
 charms you, and its elegant sensibilities are very seducing 
 with young ladies ; but, my pretty sister, let me warn 
 249 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 you, that widowhood, like marriage, has its honeymoon, 
 and that this moon once passed, ennui returns, and that 
 is an enemy we must try to dislodge." 
 
 " Pray," said I, " is your brother Comte Guillaume 
 
 dead ? " 
 
 " Dead ! " replied Comte Jean, " who the devil spoke 
 of him ? No ! 'Tis of your royal widowhood I spoke. 
 Come, come ; have you no ambition ? " 
 
 " I am very wretched." 
 
 " Softly, softly ; for heaven's sake, do not seek to move 
 me to pity." 
 
 " I wish but to relate to you my present cause of 
 chagrin," said I, bursting into tears, " the Due de Cosse 
 has betrayed my confidence, he loves another ! " 
 
 " The monster ! " 
 
 " He is indeed unfaithful, and she whom he prefers to 
 me is Celine." 
 
 " Celine ! " cried Comte Jean, interrupting me ; " stay, 
 I should know the person you mean. She was called 
 Javotte when the Abbe de Boisgelin took her to himself ; 
 Mademoiselle Albert, during the period of her acquaint- 
 ance with the Marquis de Vaudreuil ; Madame Laurent 
 when the Abbe* Terray honoured her with his addresses ; 
 and during the reign of the Farmer-general Soulot styled 
 herself the Baronne de Merfleur ; and when she forsook 
 her plebeian lover for young d'Amblemiens, she assumed 
 the appellation of Mademoiselle Celine." 
 
 " You seem wonderfully well acquainted with her 
 history," said I. " His treachery has almost distracted 
 me, and I must be avenged." 
 
 " Indeed," returned Comte Jean, " I see no harm in 
 your amusing yourself according to your fancy, but I do 
 not yet perceive in what way you propose doing so." 
 
 " My design," said I, " is to send to this fresh object of 
 de Cosse's love some person who shall feign a passion, 
 250 
 
AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 which, by provoking a reciprocal feeling on the part of 
 the fair one, shall supersede the ingrate, who thus rejects 
 me, and plant in his heart the torturing pang of jealousy 
 I now feel." 
 
 " And what if this mighty romantic scheme should not 
 succeed ? Really, sister-in-law, you seem still to consider 
 yourself as queen of France, when all things bent to your 
 will ; but, for the present, leave the affair in my hands, 
 and ere a fortnight shall have elapsed, you shall have all 
 the satisfaction you desire ; but first, let me have 200,000 
 francs." 
 
 " That I would do," answered I, " if you were not so 
 well acquainted with the road to all the gaming-houses 
 of Paris." 
 
 " An idea strikes me," cried Comte Jean, " but before 
 I explain myself I must see Mademoiselle Celine ; that I 
 will do to-morrow morning ; and at dinner-time you may 
 expect me to give an account of my proceedings. Adieu, 
 you are expected back to your friends, and I must return 
 to Paris. I shall reserve the account of my adventures 
 till our next meeting ; a propos, have you 100 louis in 
 your purse ? I left mine in my dressing-room, and I 
 have my vehicle to pay for." 
 
 I opened my secretaire and gave him the sum he 
 required, which he received with joy ; and hastily bidding 
 me farewell, quitted the room, leaving me scarcely knowing 
 whether to feel pleasure or pain from his visit. Upon the 
 whole, my mind felt somewhat relieved by our late 
 conversation, and I rejoined the company, radiant in 
 smiles and renewed hope. 
 
 " Well, sister," said Comte Jean, when I next saw him, 
 " I have just quitted Celine." 
 
 " And is she so very pretty ? " 
 
 " Beautiful ! charming ! " 
 
 " I must doubt both your taste and common sense," 
 251 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 retorted I, angrily ; " but pray proceed, what did she 
 say?" 
 
 " Why, she spoke much of you ; and I easily found out 
 that she was in the constant habit of seeing the Due de 
 Cosse\ She seems very desirous of meeting you, who, by 
 the way, she has never yet seen." 
 
 " An insolent creature ! Perhaps she expects that I 
 shall invite her to dine with me some day." 
 
 " I do not know ; but at any rate I hope you will sup 
 with her." 
 
 " Sup with her ! Yes, if I may strangle her at the same 
 time." 
 
 " Deuce take it, sister, how you talk ; really jealousy 
 and rage deprive you of your senses. We are permitted 
 to sup with all, but the usages of society do not allow of 
 our strangling any. Not but what I fully agree with you 
 in considering it by no means honourable or creditable 
 for you to take your seat at the table of so questionable a 
 person as Celine." 
 
 " Then why advise such a step." 
 
 " Because the thing may be managed without in any 
 way compromising you, without its ever being known that 
 you have ever so far honoured your rival. My plan is this : 
 I have told Celine that upon my return to Paris I was 
 accompanied by a young relation, who had a most ardent 
 curiosity to behold all the beauties of the day, and that I 
 wished she would assist his desire. I mean you to play 
 the part of my cousin." 
 
 There was something so romantically extravagant in all 
 this that it caught my fancy immediately. The thoughts 
 of deceiving Celine, while I enjoyed the triumph of 
 betraying her infidelity to the duke, seemed to me the 
 very refinement of malice, and the most piquant kind of 
 revenge I could possibly take. I therefore closed with 
 Comte Jean's suggestions, and, by the aid of a skilful tailor, 
 252 
 
AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 I was speedily supplied with a change of fashionable 
 costume, hats, swords, buckles, etc., etc., with everything 
 requisite for my new character. A perfect silence was 
 observed on the subject, except towards Genevieve and 
 Henriette. 
 
 Our plan was now fixed. I arrayed myself in my male 
 costume, of which the following description may serve 
 to convey an idea. 
 
 I wore a kind of loose trousers, embroidered silk stock- 
 ings, shoes with red heels, a waistcoat of silver cloth, and 
 a coat of chamois-coloured satin lined with blue, and 
 lightly worked in silver ; a cravat fastened by a diamond 
 brooch completed my dress, to which may be added a hat 
 ornamented with white feathers, and a golden-hilted 
 sword. My hair was half curled and tied in an enormous 
 bag. I really looked irresistible, at least so said my 
 glass, and my two faithful friends Genevieve and 
 Henriette. 
 
 However well 1 might have been satisfied with my 
 appearance, my heart beat violently when the time came, 
 as I thought of the possibility of my being recognized by 
 my rival. Comte Jean sought to reassure me, and I was 
 busily engaged listening to a comparison between myself 
 and Gil Bias, whom Comte Jean protested I put him 
 strongly in mind of, when the folding-doors of our 
 apartment were thrown open, and Celine appeared. Her 
 first glance was towards me, and as I returned her 
 scrutinizing look, I felt myself grow pale with spite, for 
 Celine was far more charming than I had been willing 
 to suppose. 
 
 My brother-in-law clearly perceived that his plan had 
 succeeded, and that the report of my large fortune had 
 rendered my rival unwilling that any person should share 
 with her the task of modernizing the country youth. 
 My brother-in-law took my hand. " Nephew," said he, 
 253 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " let me introduce you to a particular and excellent 
 friend of mine." 
 
 I advanced with awkward indifference, saluted her, 
 without once raising my eyes, and uttered some unin- 
 telligible compliment, which was set down to the score of 
 provincial gaucherie. However, my embarrassment did 
 not tell to my disadvantage, and I easily perceived by 
 the many encouraging glances bestowed on me, that I 
 might venture to press my suit without much fear of 
 being denied ; accordingly, ere we parted, I had received 
 permission from Celine to call upon her the following 
 day. 
 
 At the appointed hour I presented myself at the house 
 of Celine ; and advancing with perfect ease and self- 
 confidence, laid at her feet a bouquet of roses, fastened 
 round by a diamond ring. This mark of gallantry and 
 good taste was most graciously received, and the fair 
 object of my attentions took an opportunity of inquiring 
 whether my uncle had any control over my fortune. To 
 this I replied firmly in the negative ; and Celine, satisfied 
 that she should be enabled to plunder me quite at her 
 ease, began to throw off much of her reserve, and openly 
 to express the growing passion with which I inspired her. 
 
 A second meeting was made for the following day, when 
 I returned, bearing a present of several magnificent Indian 
 stuffs ; among which was some muslin, so fine, that 
 although sufficient in quantity for four dresses, it weighed 
 scarcely fifteen ounces. 
 
 Celine was really a seducing object ; witty, coquettish, 
 and sprightly, a countenance beaming with the sweetest 
 smiles, dark curling hair, large hazel eyes, a hand and 
 foot moulded in the most perfect symmetry, were among 
 the many charms with which nature had endowed her. 
 Perhaps, indeed, her slender figure was not sufficiently 
 embonpoint, but she was still too captivating for my wishes. 
 254 
 
AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 During this time I had much difficulty in preventing 
 my anger from breaking out whenever I met the Due de 
 Cosse\ I saw him, indeed, almost daily, as usual, and never 
 without hearing him reiterate his assurances of never- 
 failing attachment, which I feigned to believe, although 
 nearly bursting with my desire of reproaching him with 
 his perfidy. 
 
 At length this intrigue seemed rapidly approaching 
 its denouement; and one day that Celine had received 
 me with open arms, and while still enduring the warmth 
 of her embrace, a man suddenly entered the apartment : 
 it was the Due de Cosse. 
 
 Celine, at sight of him, uttered a cry of terror, and, 
 pushing me away, hid her face with her hands, while I 
 remained mute with sudden surprise and embarrassment, 
 arising from the strict and fixed scrutiny with which the 
 duke continued to gaze upon me. Worlds would I have 
 given to have been beyond the reach of his penetrating 
 looks. But, all at once, recovering his usual expression of 
 countenance, he demanded of me, with an insulting smile, 
 what was my business with Mademoiselle Celine ? 
 
 " Simply to pay my compliments, and seek to render 
 myself agreeable in her eyes ; and I flatter myself I have 
 not been altogether unsuccessful." 
 
 These words, which it cost me no small difficulty to 
 pronounce in an intelligible tone, terrified Celine into 
 a sense of her own danger, and interrupting any further 
 boasting on my part, she exclaimed : 
 
 " Poor silly child ! your ignorance of the forms of 
 society can alone excuse your presumption in mistaking 
 simple politeness for " 
 
 " My good Celine," exclaimed the duke, " that this 
 poor trembling swain of yours should not have sufficient 
 discretion to refrain from boastmg of a lady's favour, does 
 not astonish me in the least, but that you should attempt 
 255 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 to pass off the tender endearments I just now witnessed 
 for the mere form of politeness, is much more astonishing. 
 Meanwhile, my dapper little gentleman," cried he, 
 turning to me, " let me beg the honour of knowing by 
 what name you are generally known ? " 
 
 " Vicomte Henri de Beauselle," replied I. 
 
 " 'Tis a name wholly unknown at Versailles," answered 
 M. de Cosse, " nevertheless, I presume you are a man of 
 honour, and will not object to giving me such proofs as 
 I shall expect from you." 
 
 " You challenge me to fight ? " 
 
 " Unless, indeed, you manage these affairs by proxy, 
 and can acquaint me with the name of any good-natured 
 uncle or father who will take your place on the occasion. 
 Speak, boy." 
 
 " Sir, I never fight ; I dislike it, and always refuse upon 
 principle." 
 
 " Oh, the good-for-nothing little wretch," vociferated 
 Celine. " Why, I protest he is a coward." 
 
 " Hold your tongue you insolent creature ! " cried I, 
 with vehemence, giving her, at the same time, a hearty 
 box on the ear. Enraged and confounded, Celine turned 
 to implore the vengeance of the duke, who was laughing 
 immoderately at the ludicrous scene. 
 
 " Fie, sir," cried he, at length ; " you insult one who 
 cannot defend herself ; and now I have her cause as well 
 as mine to avenge." 
 
 "Be it so," replied I, weeping ; " take the part of 
 this creature ; it needed only such conduct to put the 
 finish to the many wrongs I have received from you." 
 
 Celine, stupefied at the sight of my tears, gazed in 
 silence ; while the duke, wholly unmoved, exclaimed : 
 
 " Come, come, my lord ; the sooner we terminate our 
 business together the better." And without further 
 ceremony, he took me by the arm, and led, or rather 
 256 
 
MADAME DU BARRI, AND THE DUC DE COSSE BRISSAC 
 The portrait of Madame du Barri is from a miniature painted by R. Coszvay 
 during her last visit to England. 
 
AN AFFAIR OF JEALOUSY 
 
 carried me to his equipage, which waited at the door, into 
 which he compelled me to ascend, without my having the 
 power to offer the smallest resistance. 
 
 Much more uneasy at the anticipation of what M. de 
 Cosse* must think of my strange conduct than by any 
 apprehensions of being despised by Celine for my pusil- 
 lanimity, I scarcely ventured to raise my eyes from the 
 ground ; when, suddenly, my meditations were broken 
 into by the duke's bursting into a violent fit of laughter. 
 Surprised, I was about to ask the cause of all this mirth, 
 when my companion, catching me in his arms, embraced 
 me with a vehemence which entirely deprived me of 
 utterance. 
 
 " You have, indeed, avenged yourself, my lovely friend," 
 cried the duke, " and, I trust, will no longer refuse me 
 your pardon for all the pain I have caused you." 
 
 " You know me then, perfidious man ! " exclaimed I, 
 half crying, half laughing. 
 
 " How could I fail of recognizing those heavenly 
 features under whatsoever disguise I might behold them ? 
 Believe me, they are too deeply engraved on my heart 
 to be for one moment mistaken. I knew you the instant 
 I entered the room, and took my measures accordingly." 
 
 " Would I had been aware of your extreme penetra- 
 tion," cried I, with all the volatility of my natural dis- 
 position ; "I might then have impressed my hated rival 
 with a high opinion of my courage at a cheap rate. But 
 how can you, my lord, justify yourself for so gross, so 
 flagrant a violation of your vows of perpetual constancy ? " 
 
 " By confessing my fault, and throwing myself on your 
 mercy. An error is not a crime. Be then yourself ; 
 pardon this one lapse, and bind me, thereby, more firmly 
 than ever to you." 
 
 " Could you doubt the sincerity of my affection ? " 
 interrupted I, with more of tenderness than anger. 
 r 257 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " Believe me, no," returned the duke. " I scorn to 
 shelter myself under so unworthy an idea. Never could 
 I doubt you, even were you to retaliate upon me by giving 
 me a rival in your turn." 
 
 " That will never happen," cried I. " But tell me in 
 what direction are we driving ? " 
 
 " To Luciennes." 
 
 " For heaven's sake," exclaimed I, " do not let me be 
 seen there so strangely attired. Bid your coachman 
 proceed with all speed to the residence of Comte Jean, 
 where I will strip off this odious dress never again to 
 resume it." 
 
 We had by this time reached the Champs Elys^es, but, 
 at the duke's command, the carriage turned in the 
 direction of Comte Jean's hotel. Luckily, my brother- 
 in-law was from home ; I therefore bade the duke adieu, 
 promising to see him in the evening, and hastened to 
 resume my feminine attire, after which, I returned to 
 Luciennes, whither M. de Cosse quickly followed me, and, 
 with many assurances of contrition for the past, and 
 promises never again to see Celine, obtained my pardon 
 for his offence 
 
 258 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 It happened that public attention became riveted upon 
 the doctrines of a German professor, named Mesmer, who 
 about this period brought the newly-discovered science of 
 magnetism with him into France. His lectures were 
 attended by crowded audiences, and while some went 
 away with the impression of his being something superior 
 to this world, a man who could unfold such wonders, 
 many departed with the conviction that if he were 
 endowed with supernatural powers, he derived them 
 from Lucifer himself. 
 
 The lively imagination of Madame de Forcalquier 
 eagerly caught at the wild tenets preached by Mesmer, 
 and she exerted herself so successfully over my mind as to 
 induce me to become one of his disciples, and went to the 
 trouble of having a magnetic apparatus set up at 
 Luciennes, which quickly brought a train of Mesmerians 
 around me. I should tell you that the initiatory fee 
 demanded by the doctor for the explanation of the 
 workings of the machine was a hundred louis, and it did 
 somewhat stagger my faith to find one who professed to 
 have no other intention than to serve humanity demand 
 so large a premium from his followers. However, en- 
 thusiasm easily reconciles the most seeming contradictions, 
 and the passion for magnetism swept away all attempts to 
 measure its proceedings by the dictates of reason. 
 
 The fetes were not less splendid at Versailles this year 
 than the preceding one ; on the contrary, luxury and 
 extravagance seemed each day to tax their powers to 
 259 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 invent fresh delights and refinements. In the midst of 
 all this splendour, the passion for gaming continued in 
 its fullest force ; fortune and character seemed daily 
 staked and lost over the destructive dice. Among the 
 greatest losers was the Comte d'Artois, whose strict 
 scruples in discharging these debts of honour reduced him 
 to the greatest difficulties, and made him the continual 
 dupe of designing persons, whose singular good fortune 
 might have rendered a more suspicious person disposed 
 to see something like good management as well as good 
 luck in their uninterrupted success. Never had gallantry 
 so free a scope, for when the fair gamesters were bankrupts 
 in purse, they found their smiles frequently accepted in 
 lieu of pecuniary payment. But I would fain call attention 
 to the close of Lent, 1 780, and the famous sermon preached 
 from that awful denunciation, " Yet forty days, and 
 Nineveh shall be destroyed." I was present at its delivery, 
 and can answer for the deep and solemn impression it 
 produced ; but Paris, although equal to the devoted city 
 in pride and impiety, was not yet moved to a more than 
 temporary feeling of repentance ; indeed, the unconcern 
 with which the higher classes trampled upon every 
 outward observance of religion was calculated to produce 
 the most fatal effects on those who, naturally enough, took 
 their tone from their superiors. The following incident 
 will tend to prove the truth of the assertion. 
 
 On Ash Wednesday, 1780, the Prince de Lambesc, his 
 brother, and the Princesse de Vandemont, were returning 
 from the country in a carriage drawn by six horses, when 
 they overtook a procession composed of priests carrying 
 extreme unction to a dying man. The postilion, from a 
 natural impulse of religious veneration, pulled up his 
 horses, but the coachman flogging his violently, com- 
 pelled him to move forward in so rapid a manner that an 
 attendant priest was flung down and trampled under the 
 260 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 horses' feet, to the great amusement of the young noble- 
 men in the carriage. 
 
 The enraged multitude, however, were not disposed to 
 take the same view of things, but pursued the vehicle 
 with stones, mud, and the bitterest imprecations. Nor 
 is it probable that they would have escaped with their 
 lives, had not the terrified drivers urged the animals they 
 drove to their utmost speed, and so escaped the storm. 
 The wounded priest being raised from the ground, was 
 carried to his convent, and placed under the care of a 
 surgeon, who pronounced his recovery extremely doubtful. 
 The Brotherhood of Saint Paul, to which he belonged, 
 instantly made a report to the archbishop of the enormous 
 sacrilege committed ; this latter contented himself with 
 writing to the Comtesse de Brienne, who, fearing the 
 consequences of so flagrant an offence, gave orders for the 
 dismissal of the coachman, and, hastening to the convent, 
 bought off the offender from further punishment by 
 settling on the wounded man an annuity of 200 livres, and 
 an assurance of her fortune, favour and protection. Thus 
 ended an affair which, under the reign of Louis XV, would 
 have been visited with the severest rigour of the law, 
 aided by the royal displeasure, which would, in all 
 probability, have banished from the kingdom the Prince 
 de Lambesc and his sacrilegious companion. But alas ! 
 his excellent and pious grandson was already beginning to 
 feel himself a king in nothing but name. 
 
 About this time a party of young men, nearly all 
 military officers, formed themselves into a kind of club 
 for the purpose of getting up plays and joining in various 
 recreations. Among them were Messieurs de Chabannes, 
 de Chabrillant, de Louvois, de Champcenity, de Tilly, de 
 Soyecour, de Cosse, de Dillon, de Polignac, de Vaucheuil, 
 de Thiars, de Noailles, etc., etc. The mirth and spirit of 
 these meetings were quickly noised abroad, and excited 
 261 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 in the mind of Marie Antoinette a lively desire to share in 
 a species of pleasure partaken of by the most correct 
 females at Court. This inclination on the part of the 
 queen somewhat awed and alarmed the members of this 
 little community, and by every respectful argument they 
 sought to dissuade her majesty from mingling in their 
 gaieties, but in vain ; she had formed her resolution, and 
 declared that if she was not expressly invited she would 
 break in upon them by surprise. This hint was sufficient, 
 and the whole party took care to learn the evening on 
 which the royal visit was to be made, as well as to be duly 
 prepared. 
 
 On the night in question, the assembly was held at the 
 house of the Duchesse de Villequier, when the arrival of 
 her majesty put an end to a concert, to which all were 
 listening with delighted attention. The queen, who 
 loved something of a novel and more entertaining des- 
 cription, honestly avowed her indifference to so insipid an 
 amusement. Eager to gratify their illustrious guest, they 
 began playing the novel game called descamfiativos, which 
 was played by persons so completely enveloped in a large 
 white mantle or drapery as to disguise both face and 
 figure, while one among them, seated in the centre of the 
 room, held a handkerchief, which was touched in turn by 
 all the others, who used a thousand tricks and pantomimic 
 gestures to divert the sitting person from guessing their 
 right name. The game ended by the discovery of one of 
 the party, who was then required to take the chair in the 
 middle of the room, while he who had formerly occupied 
 it rose and joined the rest of the party. 
 
 The novelty of this sport amused the queen excessively, 
 and the party was still further strengthened by the 
 arrival of the king, Madame, the Comte and Comtesse 
 d'Artois, and the Due and Duchesse de Chartres. A 
 select number of these amateur actors next performed a 
 262 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 parody upon a popular play, after which, at the queen's 
 desire, they renewed the descampativos, in which the king, 
 princes, and princesses joined, and the happy party did 
 not break up till four o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Etiquette must ever be deemed one of the greatest 
 hindrances to pleasure, and it may be compared in the 
 case of royalty to the holiday-suit of some country 
 gentleman, which, when laid aside, identifies him with 
 his fellow-men ; but when resumed, commands the rustic 
 bows and obsequious respect of all admiring spectators. 
 
 The French nation, ever accustomed to the most rigid 
 observance of etiquette, could imagine neither virtue nor 
 majesty without it ; and censured the youthful gaiety 
 and easy affability of its young and lovely queen, and 
 frowned at her innocent enjoyment of pleasures so natural 
 at her time of life. Alas ! these strictures came equally 
 loud and severe from those more immediately about the 
 person of Marie Antoinette, and the very nobility who 
 now accuse the people of undervaluing their excellent 
 queen, were the first to pave the way for the frightful 
 scenes we now daily see enacted. For my own part, I 
 shudder to behold those leagued against our beloved 
 princess, whom a grateful recollection of former favours 
 should have bound to her in adamantine chains. 
 
 It was about this time that having been unwell and full 
 of sorrowful memories, the tender solicitude of the Due 
 de Cosse soon perceived that change of scene and object 
 would be more likely than any other means to divert the 
 melancholy abstraction which occasionally stole over me, 
 and with this view he proposed an excursion to Bagatelle. 
 
 This terrestrial paradise arose from a wager between 
 Marie Antoinette and the Comte d'Artois, the former 
 of whom undertook (under penalty of 100,000 livres) to 
 build the pavilion of Bagatelle, and entirely furnish it in 
 the course of a month. Her majesty was, however, dis- 
 263 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 appointed in her expectations, and compelled to pay 
 forfeit. As yet, this fairy abode had scarcely been profaned 
 by the gaze of curiosity, and great interest was necessary 
 to obtain permission to visit it. Two days after the duke 
 had invited me to accompany him thither, we started at 
 an early hour from Paris (where I then was) in a splendid 
 carriage and six. The approach to Bagatelle is through a 
 wild and apparently uncultivated plantation ; masses of 
 rock and granite rudely piled together conspire to give 
 an air of wildness and sterility to the scene, which is, in 
 fact, a mere contrivance to heighten the effect of the 
 smiling beauties which afterwards break in full luxuriance 
 upon the sight. The road serpentines through a narrow 
 and somewhat difficult passage cut out of the solid rock, 
 interspersed with immense trunks of trees overgrown with 
 clustering ivy and underwood. At the end of this barren 
 approach the chateau is descried, on the principal door 
 of which is a fanciful device, surmounted by the words, 
 Parva sed apta, and, standing in a circle before the 
 entrance, are placed the statues of Silence, Mystery, Folly, 
 Night, Pleasure, and Reason : how or why the latter 
 found admission there I cannot tell. 
 
 I gazed with admiration at the coup d'ceil which 
 presented itself, and bestowed an equal share of praise 
 upon the choice of materials, and the judicious manner 
 in which they had been employed. Everything connected 
 with the edifice proved the existence of the most refined 
 taste, and abundantly showed that magnificence alone 
 had not presided over its construction. It was, in fact, a 
 sort of architectural miniature, of such beauty as to 
 suggest the idea of its being precisely what, in the days of 
 heathenish superstitions, anyone might have supposed a 
 god would have selected for his abode, whenever he had 
 chosen to assume the mortal form, and visit this terrestrial 
 sphere. 
 
 264 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 The ground floor consisted of a narrow vestibule, from 
 which opened a dining-room, salon, boudoir, and billiard- 
 room. The boudoir particularly charmed me ; the 
 decorations were most elegant ; the fittings were of pink 
 and silver, while immense mirrors, fixed in the walls, 
 reflected each form and object ; in a recess stood a bed, 
 the very aspect of which invited repose, while the sides 
 and ceiling of this tasteful apartment were ornamented 
 with some of the finest specimens of art ; from the windows 
 the finest points of view presented themselves, and after 
 a long glance over the smiling scenery, the eye rested on 
 the bridge of Neuilly, which terminated the vista. I 
 inquired for the staircase, and was shown a steep and 
 narrow flight of steps placed in a corner as if in shame at 
 its own insignificancy ; it was, in fact, merely a sort of 
 model for a larger one, although formed of fine mahogany, 
 carved with the most airy lightness ; it seemed as though 
 suspended in the air, and supporting each stair by such 
 delicate cobweb-work as to appear fit only to be pressed 
 by the feet of fairies ; two persons could not ascend it 
 at the same time, and a gentleman escorting a lady could 
 only follow her, without having the opportunity of 
 offering his arm. Such a state of things was wholly in- 
 compatible with the gallantry and politeness practised in 
 the reign of Louis XIV, any more than during the life 
 of the late king. 
 
 This staircase conducted to the sleeping-rooms, beautiful 
 from their apparent simplicity ; that destined for the 
 master of this lovely mansion particularly attracted my 
 admiration ; it represented a military tent, supported by 
 weapons and warlike emblems picturesquely grouped ; 
 these were surmounted by casques and helmets, so 
 arranged as to form a kind of capital to these novel pillars. 
 The chimney-piece was supported by cannon reared on 
 end, the stoves were constructed of a heap of cannon-balls 
 265 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 and grenades, and the frame for holding the wood repre- 
 sented hunting-horns ; in a word, everything in the 
 chamber was calculated to nourish a martial spirit, and to 
 make the prince who should occupy it more than ever 
 solicitous to rival the glory of his august predecessors. 
 How would Henry IV have loved to dream there of fresh 
 victories and new laurels to be gained — how would he 
 have tasted of happiness in this sweet spot in the arms of 
 his fair Gabrielle. 
 
 The offices and rooms underground received light from 
 a sort of grating contrived in the steps leading to the 
 vestibule which surrounded the pavilion; the garden, 
 although small, was tastefully laid out, and admirably 
 accorded with the lightness and elegance of the building 
 to which it belonged. Still, I would not have exchanged 
 Bagatelle, with all its costliness and rare beauty, for 
 Luciennes ; the former seemed to me, spite of its splen- 
 dour, by no means deserving to be the residence of a 
 powerful monarch ; nor were its diminutive proportions 
 calculated to impress on the mind of the beholder any 
 great or vast idea of the state and majesty of him who 
 inhabited it. 
 
 In the midst of the delight I experienced from the 
 view of this singular and lovely place, a thousand fears 
 tormented me, lest I might be surprised by some of 
 the Court, which was then at La Muette. I therefore 
 hastened to terminate my visit, to the great regret of my 
 companion, who, charmed at having my society so entirely 
 to himself, would fain have prolonged our stay. 
 
 I could now speak of Bagatelle, although curiosity was 
 on the rack to discover by what means I had been enabled 
 to gain admittance there. A few days after my return I 
 was much amused with the Baron de Sugere, who called 
 on me, saying : 
 
 " Ah, Madame la Comtesse, I have heard of your 
 266 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 delightful excursion to Bagatelle ; you are, indeed, one 
 of fortune's favourite children ; good luck seems for ever 
 to attend your footsteps." 
 
 " What is the auspicious event you allude to ? " asked 
 I. " I shall really be delighted to know." 
 
 " Nay, madam, why conceal what is so honourable to 
 yourself ? Besides, I know all about it. In the first place, 
 you wrote a note to his royal highness, requesting he 
 would grant you permission to view the CMteau, to which 
 he replied, that he should himself do the honours of it to 
 you. Accordingly, he received you at the door, assisted 
 you from your carriage, and conducted you over the 
 building with the most gracious politeness ; then, as you 
 were about to enter the garden, the queen accidentally 
 arrived ; you wished to avoid her, but the prince pre- 
 vented you. Her majesty approached, and you, falling 
 at her feet, thanked her for all her goodness, to which she 
 replied, i Rise, madam, the past is forgotten, and I trust 
 the future will present more agreeable sources of re- 
 collection.' " 
 
 This coinage of the good people of Paris had evidently 
 been received with entire credence by the baron, and 
 while I inwardly smiled at his folly in believing it, I could 
 not bring myself to contradict a report so flattering to 
 myself. I therefore eluded a direct reply, which, by 
 confirming the tale in the eyes of my worthy friend, 
 increased the natural malevolence of his disposition which 
 could ill endure the thoughts of good to another. 
 
 Perhaps in no part of the globe is scandal more eagerly 
 welcomed than at Paris ; it is there loved for itself alone, 
 and the delight felt in repeating a scandalous fact is 
 wholly independent of any feeling of like or dislike 
 towards those who are the actors in it. This is not, 
 however, the case when it relates to any of the leading 
 characters at Court, and public curiosity was particularly 
 267 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 on the stretch to learn the exact particulars regarding the 
 queen's recent taste for private theatricals at Petit Trianon, 
 where, in further violation of the rules of etiquette, she 
 always selected the parts of waiting-maids, soubrettes, 
 etc. ; and it not a little surprised every person to see her 
 majesty not satisfied with becoming an actress, but 
 actually choosing to appear wearing the dress of servitude 
 belonging to the characters she was pleased to assume. 
 Mesdames Julie and Diane de Polignac were also enlisted 
 into the corps dramatique. The actors were the Comte 
 d'Artois, Messrs de Dillon, de Reyenval, de Coigny, de 
 Vaucheuil, d'Adhemer, and a few other select personages. 
 Dagincourt and Dugayon were chosen to instruct these 
 courtly Rosciuses in their new vocation ; but few persons 
 were admitted, and, at first, the audience consisted only 
 of the different members of the royal family, and a few 
 persons of the household placed quite at the extremity of 
 the apartment in which the theatre was erected. At one 
 of these representations, and just at the moment when 
 the queen had concluded a little song, a loud hiss was 
 heard. Her majesty, fully sensible of there being but one 
 person in the company who would presume to venture 
 such a mark of disapprobation, advanced to the front of 
 the theatre, and, addressing the king, said, with a low 
 curtsy, " Sir, if my performance does not meet with 
 your approbation, have the kindness to retire. You 
 will have your money returned you at the door." 
 
 This playful retort was loudly applauded, and the king, 
 while asking pardon for his offence, protested that he 
 had committed it merely for the sake of mischief, and by 
 no means from ill-nature. However, it was universally 
 admitted that Marie Antoinette's acting fell far below 
 mediocrity, and might well have justified the disapproval 
 of her consort. The royal corps were soon weary of 
 playing to so scanty an audience, and longed for a few 
 268 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 admiring friends to witness their exertions. Accordingly, 
 a select number of courtiers was admitted, to the extreme 
 envy and jealousy of such as were excluded. One of the 
 malcontents said, in my hearing, " Her majesty seems 
 over-fond of playing comedy ; perhaps, ere long, she will 
 favour us with a tragedy." I cannot pretend to explain 
 with what feelings this remark was made ; but certain it 
 was that he who uttered it has since appeared foremost 
 among the queen's enemies, and eagerly embraced every 
 opportunity of adding to her sorrows. 
 
 By some chance her majesty happened to learn some- 
 thing of the general disapprobation entertained of her 
 appearing in private theatricals, and it occurred to her 
 that possibly the action might be less odious could she 
 induce any other member of the royal family to imitate 
 her example. She therefore sought to gain Madame, wife 
 of Monsieur, over to her side. A coolness had lately 
 existed between these two princesses, which her majesty 
 was now the first to break through by soliciting her 
 sister-in-law to join the private plays, and to take a part 
 in the next they should perform. This was readily 
 promised by Madame, who possessed an excessive fondness 
 for pleasure and amusement ; however, she was not able 
 to fulfil her engagement, for when the affair was mentioned 
 to Monsieur, he positively refused to permit it, nor could 
 any entreaties turn him from his purpose. The queen, 
 much displeased, remonstrated upon the severity of such a 
 prohibition, to which he coolly replied, that his rank and 
 situation in life did not permit his wife to become an 
 actress. 
 
 " When I do not consider it derogatory to my dignity 
 to do so," replied Marie Antoinette, proudly, " methinks 
 Madame might safely follow my example." 
 
 " Pardon me, your majesty is queen, and may do 
 anything." 
 
 269 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " I understand. Madame is merely queen in expecta- 
 tion, and you would fain see her ascend the throne 
 surrounded with the high homage and respect of the 
 whole nation." 
 
 " I did not say so," answered the prince, with im- 
 perturbable calmness. 
 
 " But you thought it, my good brother, which is not 
 much better." 
 
 Further discussion was prevented by his royal highness, 
 who, with a low bow, quitted the apartment, and went 
 to relate the affair among his particular friends. 
 
 I learned about the same period, from very good 
 authority, that a thousand manoeuvres were afloat to 
 supply the king with a mistress. Never did such an idea 
 enter the mind of Louis XVI, whose conjugal fidelity was 
 unquestionable, but those who mistrusted the unbounded 
 influence the queen possessed over his mind would fain 
 have given her a rival. Among the most remarkable of 
 the candidates for this honour was a lady named Saint 
 Alban, beautiful as an angel, but wicked and depraved 
 even beyond the height to which females of her class were 
 accustomed to carry their intrigues. This lady having 
 been well instructed in the part she was to play, arrived 
 at Brunoy, where she was placed so as to be most likely 
 to attract the king's observation, while many judicious 
 friends were skilfully grouped around for the purpose of 
 loudly extolling her grace and beauty, and directing the 
 king's attention to her. Louis XVI, far more bent upon 
 watching the amusements of the evening than the beauty 
 of Madame Saint Alban, heard with indifference the 
 culogiums of his companions, and when, at length, 
 importuned into a closer observation, he merely raised 
 his eyeglass, and said, " She is certainly a fine woman, 
 but not nearly so handsome as the queen." 
 
 Madame Saint Alban, informed of this husband-like 
 270 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 speech, quitted Brunoy in disgust, and her failure com- 
 pelled the conspirators to look around for a fresh object 
 to captivate the king. Fortunately for their purpose, a 
 lovely creature made her appearance about this time at 
 Paris ; she was deemed sufficiently qualified to melt the 
 icy heart of the king, and, accordingly, she received a 
 visit from a nobleman, high in the favour of a certain 
 prince, who said to her : 
 
 " Have you, Mademoiselle, any objection to embark 
 in a scheme, for which you shall recei/e 200,000 livres 
 in case of a failure ; while, should success attend 
 it, the reward would be of the most dazzling 
 nature ? " 
 
 " Who that possessed the use of their senses could resist 
 such a proposition ? " said the fair object addressed ; " but 
 what am I required to do ? " 
 
 " Simply to personate the sister of a smith for a month 
 or two." 
 
 The lady smiled. 
 
 " This will not, at least, be a very difficult part to 
 play," said she. 
 
 " Pardon me, / think it will. For instance, you must 
 be a simple, modest, timid maiden, virtuous to excess, 
 and shocked beyond expression at the least offence 
 against your innocence ; in a word, you must play the 
 hypocrite before a man whose honest nature suspects 
 no one of feigning a part." 
 
 " My dear sir," replied Justine, " for 200,000 livres I 
 would pass for a nun if necessary." 
 
 This ready assent drew forth a more complete explana- 
 tion, and the demoiselle learned that it was before the 
 king she was to enact the part of an inexperienced maiden, 
 sister to one of the men who worked at a forge belonging 
 to his majesty. It was not concealed from her that such 
 an attempt would expose her to the jealousy of the queen, 
 271 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 but ambition and interest made Mademoiselle Justine 
 ready to run all risks. 
 
 The plan of action was quickly marked out, and she 
 was introduced to her pretended brother, a Gascon, of 
 about her own age. The new relatives were instructed 
 in their various parts, and it was settled that Justine, 
 under one pretext or other, should frequently call in to 
 visit her brother while the king was superintending some 
 article he was beating out at the forge. 
 
 The brother was further instructed to make Justine the 
 frequent subject of conversation between himself and a 
 fellow-workman, who was to praise her beauty and virtues, 
 while he sighed in the style of a desponding lover who 
 had been rejected by her, and this could easily be done in 
 the presence of the king, as his kindness and condescension 
 permitted the workmen to converse without any restraint 
 during his visits to the forge. Now that Lebel could no 
 longer furnish materials for an intrigue, you must confess 
 that a more deeply laid one than this could scarcely have 
 been devised ; and while the unsuspecting monarch 
 listened unconsciously to the praises bestowed on Justine, 
 he little dreamed how he was falling into the snare so 
 cunningly spread for him. 
 
 One day, while a long discussion was going on between 
 the Gascon and his friend respecting the charms and 
 obduracy of Justine, a gentle tap was heard at the door. 
 " Bless me," cried one of them, opening it, and starting 
 back with well-feigned surprise, " here is Mademoiselle 
 Justine." At this name, which had so long been rendered 
 familiar to his ears, Louis XVI turned hastily round, and 
 saw a lovely, blushing girl, who, at the sight of a 
 stranger, curtsied timidly, and was about to retire, 
 when her brother, catching her hand, prayed permission 
 to retire with her for a few minutes that he might 
 not disturb his majesty. " Stay where you are," 
 272 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 answered the king, " and let me be no hindrance to 
 your conversation." 
 
 So saying, Louis XVI resumed his work over a piece of 
 iron he was busily fashioning, while Justine, having glided 
 into a nook of the workshop, conversed in a low tone for a 
 few minutes, when, with a modest grace, she saluted the 
 party and disappeared. Scarcely had the door closed upon 
 her than fresh raptures arose at her loveliness, mingled 
 with deep regrets that she should possess so inaccessible 
 a heart. Spite of himself, the king's attention was 
 attracted by these praises, and when he compared them 
 with the sweet girl to whom they related, he could but 
 think how far more attractive was the poor, but chaste 
 and simple Justine to the sparkling, ambitious, and 
 artificial females of the Court. 
 
 Everything was proceeding favourably for this intrigue, 
 and Justine had every reason to believe the king's affection 
 half won, when, unluckily, his visits to the forge were 
 interrupted by a journey to Marly. Mademoiselle 
 Justine, delighted with the flattering prospects which 
 presented themselves, could not resist the gratification of 
 communicating to a friend her approaching greatness. 
 The friend chosen upon this occasion was no other than 
 Celine, between whom and myself an explanation had 
 taken place, after the ridiculous scene my jealousy of 
 M. de Cosse* had made me perform, and from many little 
 kindnesses I had been enabled to show her, a lively 
 gratitude had arisen on her part. She, therefore, whilst 
 promising Justine to keep her secret inviolable, asked 
 permission to make an exception in favour of one dear 
 and particular friend, on whose discretion, she said, she 
 could confidently rely. Need I say this friend was myself ? 
 And, to my great surprise, upon awaking one morning, I 
 found Celine seated by the side of my bed, with a face 
 full of importance. Upon my questioning her as to the 
 s 273 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRl 
 
 cause of this early visit, she declared I should try and 
 guess it, and when all my attempts proved vain, she 
 stooped towards my pillow and related what I have been 
 telling you. 
 
 " Thank you, my dear Celine," said I, " but you have 
 forgotten to bind me to secrecy." 
 
 " Never mind," said she, with much naivete, " but 
 do not trust it to more than one person." 
 
 I thanked her again for her confidence in me, and when 
 she had retired, I determined to avail myself of her 
 permission. 
 
 I perceived that there was no time to be lost ; but to 
 whom should I trust to convey my important information 
 to the person most concerned ? All at once a bright idea 
 darted into my brain, and I hastily wrote the following 
 letter : 
 
 Madame la Duchesse, — I have need of your mediation 
 in order to render a service of some importance to her 
 majesty, and amid the many leading characters at Court, 
 I have selected you as the one in whose nobleness and 
 generosity of soul I have the greatest confidence. The 
 present affair has reference to the queen alone, and I must 
 beg you to believe my present conduct has its origin solely 
 in gratitude. I shall feel greatly obliged by your fixing a 
 time and place when I can have the honour of seeing you. 
 
 I remain, etc., etc. 
 
 The following reply was brought me the day after 
 sending the above : 
 
 Madam,— You have excited my curiosity so strongly 
 that I cannot refuse to accept the proposed meeting ; but 
 still, in the peculiar situation in which we are mutually 
 placed, I think we shall do right to conceal our interview 
 274 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 from public gaze. I shall be to-morrow, at three o'clock 
 precisely, in the church of the Jacobins, in the Rue St 
 Honor e. Adieu, madam, believe me ever your friend, 
 'Ihe Duchesse de Grammont. 
 
 It was, indeed, to Madame de Grammont herself I had 
 chosen to apply. In the midst of all my enmity with this 
 lady I had always esteemed and admired the firmness of 
 her character ; and the unshrinking courage and energy 
 with which she had opposed me when all else yielded and 
 bent before me, had impressed me with a high respect 
 for her. I knew no person better qualified to open the 
 eyes of the queen, and I therefore resolved to trust her, 
 certain of never having reason to repent so doing I was 
 punctual in attending the rendezvous, where I found the 
 duchess awaiting me in one of the small chapels on the 
 right hand. We took our seats beside each other with our 
 faces turned towards the wall, the better to conceal our- 
 selves from observation. 
 
 After the first exchange of compliments, Madame de 
 Grammont led to the affair which had drawn us thither, 
 by saying, " You have an important communication to 
 make to me, I believe." 
 
 I then related all I knew respecting Justine. At each 
 word the duchess grew more and more attentive, fixing 
 her penetrating eyes upon me as though she would have 
 read my inmost soul ; but the calmness and composure 
 with which I met her gaze soon satisfied her that neither 
 envy nor jealousy had instigated me to the disclosure, and 
 she soon perceived that I was more solicitous to serve the 
 queen than desirous of injuring Justine. When I had 
 concluded my recital she pressed my hand kindly, and said, 
 " You excite my wonder equally with my admiration, and 
 I most sincerely lament all I have said or done to injure 
 you. Rely upon the gratitude of her majesty, who. I 
 275 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 fancy, has some suspicion of the fact without having any 
 clue to her suspicions. Should I have need of further 
 particulars, and if you, madam, receive any fresh in- 
 formation, we will arrange to meet again. Adieu, rely 
 upon my zeal and secrecy." So saying, Madame de 
 Grammont bowed, and left the church. 
 
 Several days elapsed without my hearing anything from 
 Madame de Grammont, and I was beginning to grow 
 impatient, when I received another visit from Celine, who 
 entered my apartment with a look of ill-suppressed mirth, 
 which yielding, ere she could speak, to an irrepressible 
 gaiety, she burst into a fit of laughter so loud and long 
 that in my anxiety to learn what had brought her to me, 
 I could almost have beaten her for her merriment. 
 
 " Pardon me," said she, at length, when the fit had a 
 little subsided, " but I really could not help it ; never, 
 surely, had love affair so singular a denouement" 
 
 " When you are pleased to let me into the secret which 
 so greatly amuses you," said I, " I shall be better able to 
 give you my opinion." 
 
 " Well, then," cried she, " the days of heroism have 
 returned, and Scipio lives again in the person of our 
 gracious monarch ; but listen, I pray you, and I will 
 relate all I know in the very words in which Justine herself 
 gave me the account. 
 
 " ' 1 used to visit my brother daily, and never without 
 meeting his majesty, who evidently beheld me with much 
 pleasure, questioned me respecting my manner of life, 
 my habits, and my family, each day treating me with 
 greater kindness, and insensibly addressing me as though 
 one of his own family. When I was well established in 
 the workshop, my pretended lover, feigning an inability 
 to support my indifference, quitted the spot for ever. 
 The king perceived this, and put many questions to me to 
 learn why I did not return the affection of my admirer ? 
 276 
 
QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE 
 
 I evaded a direct reply, but with many sighs and half- 
 averted looks endeavoured to make myself understood in 
 vain. My royal visitor would not or did not take the hint 
 so plainly given. 
 
 " ' On the following day I ventured to recollect, all at 
 once, having forgotten to close the door of the humble 
 apartments supposed to be occupied by my brother and 
 myself, and I affected to quit the shop to repair my 
 negligence. My good-natured brother instantly offered 
 to go for me if his majesty would permit him ; the king 
 nodded assent. Matthieu went, and I remained alone 
 with his majesty. I had determined to make the most 
 of the opportunity, thinking that kings' hearts were not 
 more difficult to subdue than those of their subjects, and, 
 accordingly, I laid direct siege to that of Louis, and had 
 it been pregnable, I must have taken it by storm. Once, 
 indeed, I thought I had conquered, for the king was bold 
 enough to seize my hand and had half carried it to his 
 lips, when suddenly he let it fall, as though its touch had 
 blistered him. In vain did I throw the most tender 
 expression into my eyes, his reflected only the placid calm 
 of an anchorite, and his looks of admiration were such as 
 you would bestow upon some splendid painting or statue. 
 Long as was the absence of my brother, his return found 
 us not one jot further advanced. 
 
 " ' Yesterday morning the king entered the workshop 
 at the accustomed hour, but calm, and apparently musing 
 on some resolve. He walked across the room once or twice 
 with folded arms, then, suddenly stopping and addressing 
 Matthieu, he said, " My good friend, you have a very 
 pretty sister, whose beauty will expose her to a thousand 
 perils ; she deserves to be snatched from such a fate, and 
 she shall be ; here is an order for 24,000 livres, which I 
 present her for a marriage portion, and here are 100 louis 
 for yourself ; return immediately both of you into your 
 277 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 native province and live happily. I do not desire that your 
 sister should come to thank me, and I even charge you 
 to forbid her, in my name, making any attempts to see me 
 again ; you may now retire." 
 
 " 1 My Gascon brother,' " continued Celine (still speak- 
 ing in the words of her friend), " ' came, looking like a 
 simpleton, to relate these words to me ; no doubt, they 
 were very sublime, but I listened to them with the 
 keenest disappointment, for what was the paltry sum I 
 had gained to the brilliant destiny I had hoped to have 
 secured.' 
 
 " Here," said Celine, " my poor friend terminated her 
 recital, which I have flown impatiently to communicate 
 to you, and I can only say, by way of comment, that it is 
 a pity this trait of continence on the part of our amiable 
 king cannot be generally known, it might provoke the 
 nobility and clergy to follow his example." 
 
 I smiled at this conclusion, and telling Celine that I 
 wished to be alone, she left me, while I seated myself at 
 my writing-table to send these last particulars to Madame 
 de Grammont. 
 
 Her reply contained but these words, " All is known " ; 
 but on the same paper was traced, in another handwriting, 
 " I thank you." 
 
 278 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 THE REVOLUTION 
 
 How shall I ever begin to relate the horrors that began 
 to overtake France in 1789 ? One event followed another 
 with such rapidity as almost to c rowd hours into ages • 
 the Hospital of the Invalides was forced by the multitude, 
 who seized upon all the arms they could find there, and 
 established a kind of Volunteer Corps, which has since 
 become the National Guard, and he who did not hasten 
 to enrol himself into this new militia left his patriotism 
 liable to the strongest suspicion. 
 
 I remained all this while in a state of the most cruel 
 alarm, hearing continually accounts as distressing as they 
 were contradictory. From Paris I heard that the revolu- 
 tion was decided and victorious, while at Versailles they 
 reported that strong and effectual measures were in 
 agitation, which could not fail to put down the insurgents. 
 The command of the troops had been given to the 
 Marshal Due de Broglie, aided by Baron de Besenval, 
 and the various regiments quartered near the capital 
 received orders to march directly to the scene of action. 
 On the 13th of July the Due de Cosse* paid me a hurried 
 visit at a late hour in the evening. 
 
 " All will be well," said he, " and we shall yet be 
 saved. His majesty has acted with promptitude and de- 
 cision, and ere this time to-morrow night the National 
 Assembly will be purged from those unquiet spirits which 
 at present agitate it." 
 
 " Alas ! " cried I, " why have you told me this ? 
 Instead of sleep to-night I shall hear nothing but the 
 279 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 report of cannon, and should I fall into a slumber, I shall 
 be startled from it by some frightful dream, telling me 
 that the peaceful gardens of Luciennes are invaded by 
 the rebellious host." 
 
 " Nay, my sweet countess, be not alarmed, I beseech 
 you ; nothing of a serious nature will ensue, I pledge you 
 my word ; the canaille will never think of offering any 
 resistance, and the first sight of the glittering bayonets will 
 be sufficient to put them to the rout." 
 
 The air of confidence with which the duke spoke infused 
 a spirit of security and courage into my own mind ; still, 
 I was anxious to prevail on him to accept a bed for the 
 night at Luciennes, but this he was unable to occupy from 
 his being compelled to attend at Versailles, by reason of 
 his rank, as colonel of a Swiss corps. The queen, who 
 greatly esteemed him, had requested of him to be at his 
 post during the whole of the 14th of July, as well as the 
 night preceding, and all my entreaties were unable to 
 keep him away. I went to bed, but found it utterly im- 
 possible to sleep ; every little noise, whether real or 
 imaginary, kept me awake, but everything remained quiet 
 around Luciennes ; the Due de Cosse* had promised to 
 dispatch a courier to me the first thing in the morning, and 
 with a beating heart I awaited his coming. 
 
 My people, who were on the alert with the break of 
 day, reported to me that several persons they had met 
 on the road had assured them that all Paris had risen 
 in a body and declared against the royal family, while a 
 relation of one of my women came in with the intelligence 
 of having been present at the taking of the Bastille, and 
 the massacre of M. de Launay, M. Flesselles, and several 
 others. This news, so different from what I had expected, 
 threw me into an agony of grief, and I shut myself up in 
 my apartments that I might weep more at my ease. 
 
 The solitude to which I was left not a little contributed 
 280 
 
THE REVOLUTION 
 
 to my fears. My salon was deserted, and of a large party 
 I had invited to dinner, not one arrived, and my only 
 society was two or three neighbours, more terrified and 
 apprehensive than myself. 
 
 On the 15 th of July I received a visit from the Marechale 
 de Mirepoix ; she seemed to me ill and dejected. Em- 
 bracing me with more than her wonted affection, she 
 exclaimed : 
 
 " Well, my dear countess, you see what sad troubles are 
 befalling us ; a new era has commenced, and we must 
 give up all hopes of Court favour and preferment. Alas ! 
 our poor king himself will soon be a mere cipher, dependent 
 upon the people for the very bread he eats. What has 
 become of the boasted courage of royalty ? Laid aside for 
 ever with the rusty armour of his predecessors. You are, 
 no doubt, informed that her majesty's favourite^, the 
 Polignacs, are on the move ; the Prince de Conde, the 
 Due de Bourbon, the Due d'Enghien, and the Prince de 
 Conti go with them ? " 
 
 " Impossible ! " cried I ; " what have they to fear ? 
 wherefore should they forsake their king ? Pardon me, 
 madam, but I cannot believe so base, so disloyal a desertion; 
 some designing person has imposed on your credulity." 
 
 " My dear friend," returned the marechale, " what I 
 tell you is the positive truth ; this very night witnesses 
 their flight, nor will they go alone, for the Comte d'Artois 
 makes another in the party." 
 
 In vain did I feel incredulous of the good marechale' s 
 statement ; on the 17th of July, the whole of the Comte 
 d'Artois's family, with himself and the greater number 
 of the courtiers, repaired to Turin, the other princes 
 took the road to Brussels, while the Polignacs, with the 
 Prince de Lambesc, filed off towards Germany. 
 
 Louis XVI, irritated and goaded as he was by the 
 taking of the Bastille, was compelled to subdue his own 
 281 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 feelings and humble himself before his rebellious subjects ; 
 but, upon his arrival at Paris, he encountered only the 
 violence of the populace, and the angry, scowling looks 
 of the citizens, who conducted him to the Hotel de Ville, 
 where M. Bailly, Mayor of Paris, harangued the unhappy 
 monarch at some length upon his duties as a king. Louis 
 listened with calm composure, which was only interrupted 
 when the glittering arms of the Gardes Nationales caught 
 his eye ; but, quickly recovering himself, he bowed to the 
 audience and quitted them, apparently reconciled and 
 restored to their good opinion. 
 
 From this moment the revolution was perfected ; the 
 meeting assumed a fresh character, or rather threw off all 
 appearance of a regular assembly; the salons of the 
 noblesse were invaded by the bourgeois, who insolently 
 paraded through the apartments of those whom they 
 would scarcely have presumed to address a twelvemonth 
 back. 
 
 Among the revolutionary party I passed for an enemy 
 of the queen's, so that, having no mistrust of me, they 
 openly avowed their schemes and intentions towards her, 
 and I was enabled at all times to put her majesty on her 
 guard against any threatening danger. 
 
 The next blow struck after the annihilation of the 
 benefices of the clergy was the abolition of all the titles 
 and honours belonging to the nobility ; and for this 
 purpose an edict had passed on the 5 th of August in the 
 preceding year, by which the nobles were dispossessed 
 of all their rights and feudal privileges, upon the pro- 
 position (if I mistake not) of an obscure individual, named 
 Matthieu de Montmorenci, who, but for this daring act, 
 might never haye been heard of. This resolution was 
 followed up on the 19th of June by an order for suppress- 
 ing all titles, armorial bearings, heraldic ornaments, etc., 
 orders of the Holy Ghost, St Michael, St Lazare, etc., etc., 
 282 
 
THE REVOLUTION 
 
 making an exception only in favour of the order of St 
 Louis for the sake of the military. We were all un- 
 countessed, wwmarchionessed, to the great delight of the 
 canaille, who amused themselves with singing through the 
 streets and under our windows in the words of Moliere, 
 " Allons ! saute, marquis ! " while those titled persons, 
 thus rudely divested of all save the appellation their 
 parents would have borne had they been plain mechanics, 
 heard themselves styled after the new manner of things 
 with utter surprise and consternation. The Due de 
 Fronsac became simply Vignerot, the de Coignys, who 
 were not even suffered to adopt their family name of 
 Franquetot, were known only by the simple appellation 
 of Giraud, the Due de Bouillon was transformed into 
 Latour, the family of d'Escars was known as Perruse, and 
 the Rochefoucaults were styled des Verts ; in fact, it was 
 altogether a complete chaotic confusion which defied all 
 attempts to arrange or comprehend it. 
 
 An order was issued for effacing all armorial bearings 
 from the panels of carriages, and for dressing domestics 
 in the very plainest livery that could be devised. We 
 smiled, but it was with bitterness of heart, for things were 
 not likely to end here. 
 
 One evening I was agreeably surprised by a visit from 
 Madame de Campan, who, after talking for some time 
 upon indifferent subjects, suddenly exclaimed : 
 
 " My dear countess, could you oblige me by calling on 
 me the day after to-morrow, about ten o'clock, at the 
 Tuileries. I will take care to be alone, and we might then 
 discourse at our ease ? " 
 
 " And why could we not do so here, where we have 
 leisure and quiet ? " said I. 
 
 Madame de Campan only replied by a mournful shake 
 of the head, which made me much regret having asked 
 so imprudent a question, for I could easily suppose I was 
 283 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 not invited to such a rendezvous without some very 
 important necessity. 
 
 That same evening I was informed that a strange 
 gentleman desired to speak with me in private. I desired 
 he might be admitted, and when we were alone, the 
 person thus addressed me : 
 
 " Is it, madam, your desire to remain tranquil and 
 unmolested in these troublesome times ? " 
 
 " Most assuredly," replied I ; " nor do I believe myself 
 singular in forming such a wish." 
 
 " More striking proofs of your real sentiments are 
 required," answered the stranger. " You are aware of 
 the spot, in the Chateau of Versailles, where the late king 
 concealed a casket of vast importance, and " 
 
 "Sir ! " exclaimed I, turning deadly pale, "you are asking 
 a singular question." 
 
 " Which seems not a little to alarm you," replied my 
 interrogator, with the utmost sang-froid. " It is evident, 
 madam, that you are in possession of the secret I am 
 desirous of learning. Besides, my previous information 
 tells me that Louis XV confided this fact only to yourself, 
 the chancellor, and the Prince de Soubise ; the latter is 
 dead, and the former no longer able to recollect any past 
 event. The last time this casket was opened was when 
 the late king placed in it a large packet, sealed with five 
 large green seals, you standing with a taper in your hand 
 to afford his majesty a light. You see that we are in 
 possession of every detail relative to this mysterious affair." 
 
 " And he from whom you have learned it is a traitor, 
 whose base conduct I should hate myself could I imitate." 
 
 " So much the worse for yourself." 
 
 " May I know from whom you come ? " 
 
 The stranger stooped and whispered in my ear a name 
 which I could have wished not to have heard, and which 
 might have influenced me under any other circumstances ; 
 284 
 
THE REVOLUTION 
 
 but nothing could shake my resolution upon the present 
 occasion, and the unknown, finding that I persisted in my 
 refusal, left me with a bow of respect, and a smile of such 
 malignant import as made me shudder. 
 
 The casket in question still exists, and was that in which 
 the late king was used to preserve all those important 
 papers and writings not intended to be seen by any eye 
 but his own, or whose contents might compromise the 
 safety of some august individuals, and I trembled at the 
 bare apprehension of their existence having become known 
 to certain parties. 
 
 I awoke the next morning after an agitated sleep to 
 prepare for my interview at the Tuileries, which had been 
 fixed for ten o'clock. I was punctual to the hour, and 
 having ascended a terrace from the gardens, I proceeded, 
 as directed, up a private staircase, at the top of which was 
 a door carefully guarded by a sentinel, who, eyeing me 
 with eager scrutiny, inquired whom I sought ? I replied 
 that I was desirous of speaking with Madame de Campan, 
 first lady-in-waiting to her majesty. The garde du corps, 
 who was evidently apprised of my coming, immediately 
 offered to be my escort, and I followed him almost 
 mechanically, for a singular and unaccountable depression 
 hung over my senses, nor could I for some time rally my 
 spirits. Madame de Campan motioning me to follow, we 
 descended a flight of stairs, and entered an apartment 
 splendidly furnished, at one of the windows of which 
 stood a lady, apparently gazing with deep interest upon 
 some object below. My conductor, having ushered me 
 into the room, retired, and the lady, turning away from 
 the window, revealed to me the features of the queen ! 
 At the sight I fell on my knees, but her majesty approach- 
 ing, extended her hand with an air of dignified con- 
 descension, bidding me, kindly, " Arise." 
 
 " Alas ! " cried I, respectfully kissing the royal hand, 
 285 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 " how culpable have I been towards your majesty, but 
 let me humbly trust that my present devotion may be 
 received, and that the expressions of my entire attachment 
 and loyalty will be accepted by my gracious mistress, who 
 may command the heart of her who speaks — in life or 
 death." 
 
 " Such sentiments have become somewhat rare," 
 returned Marie Antoinette, " so that," continued that 
 adorable princess, with a sort of melancholy gaiety, " you 
 may reckon upon a first place in the general amnesty I 
 shall shortly publish." 
 
 While the queen was speaking, I contemplated with 
 admiring eyes that lovely countenance still so irre- 
 sistibly charming, spite of the many cares which preyed 
 upon her royal mind ; and tears filled my eyes as I re- 
 collected the ardour and enthusiasm which attended her 
 first arrival in France. The daughter of Marie Therese 
 evidently understood my feelings, for she said, mournfully : 
 
 " You see how sadly my motives are misconceived, 
 and how cruelly my enemies have prevailed against one 
 whose most earnest wish was to have promoted the 
 happiness of France. I have been compelled to look for 
 friends beyond this kingdom, and to seek that assistance 
 elsewhere I had hoped to have owed only to my people ; 
 for yourself, I requested your presence here that I might 
 entrust an important commission to your zeal." 
 
 " Your majesty may freely command me ; I swear 
 inviolable fidelity to whatsoever you shall desire." 
 
 I availed myself of this opening to speak of the casket 
 of Louis XV, as well as the recent endeavours made to 
 bribe me to disclose what I knew of it. The queen 
 listened with deep interest to my recital, and when I 
 had concluded, said, with a benignant smile : 
 
 " I thank you sincerely for so striking a proof of your 
 prudence and devotion, which shall not go unrewarded ; 
 286 
 
THE REVOLUTION 
 
 you must hold both the king and myself your debtors, 
 and ere long we will acquit ourselves of the obligation." 
 
 I volunteered my services to accompany any person 
 her majesty should appoint to go in search of the precious 
 casket. 
 
 " That will not be necessary," replied Marie Antoinette, 
 " and he whom I shall send will, when furnished with your 
 directions, be fully capable of discharging the trust alone." 
 
 The queen thanked me for the prompt compliance and 
 alacrity I evinced with the most nattering condescension, 
 and took leave of me in the most gracious manner. She 
 rang, and Madame de Campan entering, her majesty 
 said, " The many and essential services rendered me by 
 the Comtesse du Barri deserve, and have my warmest 
 thanks, and I am happy to have you, madam, as a witness 
 of my grateful sense of them." 
 
 I threw myself again at the feet of this adored sovereign, 
 whose hand I kissed and bathed with my tears. " Calm 
 yourself," said Marie Antoinette, " and return home, my 
 kind friend, ere our interview is discovered and mis- 
 represented by the malicious. Adieu, Madame la Comtesse, 
 we shall soon meet again." 
 
 I was about to retire, when, from beneath the window 
 of the apartment in which we were, arose a clear and 
 manly voice, singing in a low but clear and distinct tone 
 the following words, which formed one of the verses of a 
 popular romance : 
 
 " Dans les jardins de Trianon 
 Je cherchais des roses nouvelles, 
 Mais helas ! les fleurs les plus belles 
 
 Avaient peri sous l'aquilon. 
 J'eus beau chercher les dons de Flore, 
 Les hivers les avaient detruits, 
 Je ne trouvais que des soucis 
 Qu'humectaient les pleurs de PAurore." 
 287 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 We were still listening, when the queen observed, 
 " 'Tis a young man of about eighteen years of age, who 
 comes every day and sings in the same place verses of 
 different songs, each having some reference to myself. I 
 fancied he might be poor, and have sent him money, 
 which he has always refused, and I cannot doubt that this 
 youthful musician employs this method as an assurance of 
 his love for his queen." 
 
 As Marie Antoinette pronounced these words in a tone 
 of most thrilling sensibility, her eyes glistened, and her 
 whole countenance was radiant with the delightful 
 consciousness of finding herself an object of affection to 
 one, if but the meanest of her subjects, and amid the 
 hatred and persecutions by which she was surrounded, 
 her feeling mind was soothed and comforted with the 
 humble homage of even an obscure individual. 
 
 The next day Madame de Campan came with an 
 intimation from her majesty that the Comte de Fersen, 
 a Swedish gentleman, high in the esteem and friendship 
 of the queen, had visited Versailles disguised in the royal 
 livery, in company with the Marechal de Mouchy, 
 governor of the Chateau, and, after a short search, had 
 found the golden casket, which he immediately brought 
 away, sealed with the marechaPs seal, and delivered into 
 the hands of the queen, who, much gratified at obtaining 
 possession of the important documents it contained, had 
 sent to inform me of the circumstance as a small testimony 
 of the confidence she reposed in me. Madame de Campan 
 further told me that all the papers found in the casket 
 had been consigned to the flames, with the exception of a 
 very thick manuscript written in the late king's own hand, 
 and which her majesty had reserved for her private 
 perusal. 
 
 I established myself in Paris on the 20th of December, 
 and immediately such of my friends as the political 
 288 
 
THE REVOLUTION 
 
 tempest had not dispersed, hastened to express their 
 delight at still keeping me among them. Included in the 
 number of my visitors was the Marquis de Guichard, for 
 whom I entertained the greatest regard, although I saw 
 him but seldom. Taking me one day aside, he said to me : 
 
 " What have you done to offend de Genlis, de Laclos, 
 and those who form the Orleans party ? They seem 
 much displeased with you, and I greatly fear their enmity 
 may lead to something fatal ; pray endeavour to clear 
 the matter up with them, it is really necessary for your 
 safety you should do so." 
 
 I did not entrust M. Guichard with the fact of my 
 having perceived a very striking connexion between 
 the ill-will of the persons alluded to, and my refusal to 
 grant a favourable hearing to the conversation relative 
 to the casket of the late king. On the very next evening 
 I went to the opera, and perceiving M. de Laclos I 
 beckoned to him, and he instantly obeyed my signal. 
 
 " What have I done so criminal," inquired I, ¥ that 
 you consider yourself justified in evincing so much dis- 
 pleasure and animosity towards me ? " 
 
 " Anyone in my place," replied he, " would affect 
 ignorance of your meaning, but I will act with greater 
 sincerity, and confess that I am very angry with you 
 indeed." 
 
 " I could not possibly have acted otherwise than I have 
 done," said I. " Tell me, what should you have done in 
 my place ? " 
 
 " Conducted myself like a woman of good sense. The 
 part you have chosen is perfect folly, and you will too late 
 find the absurdity of it. Your party is rapidly falling lower 
 and lower, while ours is daily rising in fresh strength." 
 
 M. de Laclos essayed all his eloquence to win me over 
 to his side, but I stopped him from annoying me with 
 any propositions, by explaining to him that the casket 
 t 289 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRl 
 
 of the late king had been withdrawn from its hiding-place, 
 by order of Louis XVI, who had, with his own hands, 
 destroyed every paper it contained. M. de Laclos bit his 
 lips. 
 
 " And, no doubt," said he, " you have been well paid 
 for your silence respecting it." 
 
 " No ! " replied I, indignantly ; " any mention of 
 recompense would have been an insult my gracious 
 sovereign would never have offered me." 
 
 " Wonderful ! you will finish, no doubt, by something 
 heroically grand." 
 
 " That is to say, I shall end where you begin." 
 
 This retort put the finishing stroke to M. de Laclos's 
 ill-humour, and, with an air of constrained gallantry, he 
 bowed and quitted me. 
 
 It was not long afterwards that a very serious calamity 
 overtook me. During the night some robbers, profiting 
 by my absence in Paris, and aided no doubt by the Swiss 
 servant to whom I had entrusted the care of Luciennes, 
 stole the whole of my diamonds and other articles of value 
 left there, as in a place of greater safety than Paris was 
 likely to prove during the present troubled state of things. 
 The amount of what I have thus been deprived of cannot 
 be less than 500,000 crowns. I can write no more, I must 
 see what can be done to recover them. 
 
 290 
 
EPILOGUE 
 
 The robbery at Luciennes was an even greater catastrophe 
 than Madame du Barri had imagined, for it drew attention 
 to her existence, which had been almost forgotten by the 
 public in the increasing excitement of political events. 
 But the sight of placards announcing a reward of 2000 
 louis for the recovery of diamonds and other jewels of 
 amazing value served to remind passers-by of this creature 
 of royal favour, whose cupidity and extravagance had 
 done so much to ruin France, and in wine-shops and cafes 
 men began to mutter that steps should be taken to deprive 
 this shameless woman of her ill-won wealth. 
 
 About a month after her loss Madame du Barri heard 
 that the thieves had been caught in London, so the next 
 morning she set off for England, accompanied by three 
 servants and two gentlemen as escort. She remained in 
 London a few days, identified her jewels, made arrange- 
 ment for their safe keeping, gave what news she had to 
 the crowd of emigres who had fled to the English capital, 
 and then hastened back to France. 
 
 Meanwhile terrible events were taking place in Paris. 
 With nerves worn to shreds by suspicion, ignorance and 
 dread of it scarce knew what, a fierce mob had stormed 
 the Tuileries, butchered many of the gentlemen who 
 rallied round the king, and taken him prisoner. 
 
 Amongst the victims of that dreadful day was Madame 
 du Barri' s old lover, the Due de Brissac-Cosse* ; and as a 
 reminder of her own precarious position, his bleeding 
 head was cast in all its grim horror upon the table of her 
 salon at Luciennes. A fortnight later she was haled before 
 the Committee of Public Safety, and put to a rigid cross- 
 T2 291 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 examination. But in those earlier days of terror a lovely- 
 woman's tears and fears were capable of touching the 
 members' hearts, and with a brief though significant 
 warning to keep out of trouble, she was dismissed. 
 
 Still distressed about her stolen diamonds, she went off 
 to England again, where various complications had 
 hindered the magistrates in dealing with the affair. It 
 was during this, Madame du Barri's last visit to London, 
 that Louis XVI went to the scaffold, and the gaunt red 
 arms of the guillotine stretched out to seize all who were 
 even suspected of tenderness for that old regime which 
 had once been the glory of France. The fact of her having 
 gone into mourning for the king during her visit abroad 
 was one of the most damning indictments to be brought 
 up at her trial. In London, she hired a house in Bolton 
 Street, Berkeley Square, which had been furnished in 
 readiness for the reception of Philippe Egalitd, the 
 renegade Duke of Orleans, who went instead to the 
 Place de la Revolution. There she lived with other dis- 
 tinguished emigres and mixed in the best English circles. 
 Old enmities were forgotten in the general disaster, and 
 Madame du Barri sat at dinner side by side with the 
 nephew of that great Choiseul whom she had driven from 
 office. She met Pitt on several occasions and talked at 
 length with him about the state of France ; he even 
 begged her to stay in England rather than return to 
 certain destruction in Paris, and when they parted gave 
 her a medal struck in his honour — a medal which was 
 produced at her trial to prove her guilty complicity with 
 the hated minister. Perhaps she would have accepted 
 his invitation to stay had it not been for her fortune and 
 estates in France ; but the memory of Luciennes, and the 
 news that the Convention had put seals upon her effects 
 there, drew her back to her own country, whither she 
 returned early in 1793. 
 
 292 
 
EPILOGUE 
 
 During her absence abroad one of those vile adventurers 
 spewed up by every revolution had cast the eyes of cupidity 
 upon the estate of Luciennes. This was George Grieve, 
 a Newcastle man, who had been to America, where he 
 claimed friendship with Washington and Franklin, and 
 had now come to France, claiming to represent un- 
 officially the American Republic in Revolutionary circles. 
 Lust of blood or money made him fasten on Madame du 
 Barri with the pertinacity of a terrier. While she was in 
 England he took lodgings in Luciennes, wormed his way 
 into the Chateau, and bribed Zamor and another servant 
 to search for the hiding-place where their mistress had 
 secured her wealth. But Madame du Barri had taken 
 the precaution to bury or otherwise conceal the most 
 valuable of her effects ; so, disappointed of his prey, 
 Grieve took advantage of the Law of Suspects to denounce 
 her as an aristocrat. At the head of the municipal 
 authorities he forced his way into her chamber, arrested 
 her, and bore her away to Versailles, where she was cast 
 into gaol. 
 
 But the inhabitants of Luciennes protested strongly. 
 Madame la Comtesse had made herself popular in the 
 neighbourhood, and even good patriots who disapproved 
 of her were nauseated at the vileness of Grieve. A petition 
 was got up and presented to the Committee of Public 
 Safety, who ordered her immediate release. 
 
 Grieve was not the man to let his victim escape so 
 easily, especially when she was a woman. Not for nothing 
 did he pride himself on being " the friend of Marat." 
 Again he laid himself out to win the confidence 
 of Zamor, that negro servant whom Madame du Barri 
 had cherished since her childhood and had loaded with 
 so many favours. The Revolution had made Zamor a 
 man, treason turned him into a citizen. He took Judas 
 Iscariot as the type of a true patriot, and in his enthusiasm 
 293 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARR1 
 
 for liberty sold his mistress to her enemy. She discovered 
 his treason and drove him from her, vowing she would 
 never set eyes on him again ; but she was to see him once 
 more, at the Revolutionary Tribunal, where his evidence, 
 more than that of any other witness, sent her to the 
 guillotine. 
 
 Insults and annoyances now became part of her daily 
 life. Threats from the Jacobin Club of Luciennes, visita- 
 tions, inquiries, perquisitions, succeeded one another, all 
 guided by the sure touch of that master-hand which 
 was building up evidence that should lead the wretched 
 woman to her doom. Yet in the midst of all these 
 troubles she could find time for love. Though she was 
 near her fiftieth birthday she still possessed alluring 
 beauty, and de Brissac's bloody head had hardly been 
 borne from her sight ere she was involved in a liaison with 
 Prince Rohan Rochefort. Cosway's miniature, painted 
 during her last visit to London, reveals something of the 
 charm that captured the hearts of so many men. 
 
 Meanwhile the indefatigable Grieve made an inventory 
 of Madame du Barri's wealth, denounced her yet again 
 to the Convention, and on 22nd September, accompanied 
 by the Mayor of Luciennes, two gendarmes and several 
 other functionaries, once more forced his way into her 
 boudoir, arrested her, and personally took her to the 
 prison of Sainte Pelagie, in Paris. 
 
 In the state the public mind had been worked up to it 
 was not difficult to make out an accusation against a 
 former royal mistress. Her associations with the Court 
 were too well known to need any confirmation of her 
 aristocratical leanings. The medal Pitt had given her 
 was clear testimony of treasonable friendship with the 
 Republic's enemies, and the revelations of Zamor added 
 to the fatal list of her iniquities. So, on the 2nd Frimaire 
 (22nd November) she was taken from Sainte Pelagie to 
 294 
 
EPILOGUE 
 
 be questioned by Dumas, the bloody vice-president of the 
 Revolutionary Tribunal, in presence of that yet more 
 sinister monster Fouquier-Tinville. 
 
 Grieve poured out his venom in lengthy evidence ; 
 Saleneve, one of her trusted servants, described her 
 friendship with numbers of aristocrats ; Zamor spoke to 
 the same effect ; others hastened to the witness-stand, 
 each eager to cast a stone at the doomed woman, and a 
 few days later she was definitely committed for trial and 
 sent to the Conciergerie, where fate ordained that she 
 should occupy the same room that Marie Antoinette had 
 vacated so shortly before, when she went to the scaffold. 
 There Madame du Barri learned that Zamor had received 
 his thirty pieces of silver, in the shape of her old seigneurie 
 of Luciennes. 
 
 At nine o'clock on the morning of 16 Frimaire, year II 
 (6 December 1793) the members of the Revolutionary 
 Tribunal took their seats. Dumas was in the president's 
 chair, and facing him sat the terrible figure of Fouquier- 
 Tinville, public prosecutor. Madame du Barri and 
 several other prisoners to be tried on the same count were 
 brought forward, accompanied by Lafleutrie, who had 
 the formal and futile task of acting as counsel for the 
 defence. 
 
 Said Dumas : " You, accused, seated in that chair, 
 what are your names, age, profession, place of birth, and 
 residence ? " 
 
 Madame du Barri answered : " Jeanne Vaubernier, 
 aged forty-two (she was really fifty), living on my income, 
 dwelling at Luciennes." 
 
 " Are you not the wife of the ci-devant Comte du 
 Barri ? " 
 
 " We were legally separated." 
 
 This formality over, Fouquier-Tinville began his speech 
 for the prosecution. Starting with the unhappy woman's 
 295 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 career during the reign of Louis XV, he then went on to 
 describe how this " Aspasia of the French Sardanapalus " 
 had given asylum to aristocrats, assisted emigres, corre- 
 sponded and spoken " avec l'infame Pitt, cet ennemi 
 implacable du genre humain," and had the temerity to 
 bring back a medal bearing the monster's effigy. In 
 conclusion he touched upon the wealth she had acquired 
 — wrung from an oppressed populace. 
 
 Grieve's evidence followed : the substance of it may well 
 be imagined. Saleneve, Zamor, femmes de cbambre, 
 servants, casual acquaintances, then came forward with 
 the eager anxiety of those who knew that the slightest 
 inflexion of a word in the woman's favour would be but 
 the prelude to sitting by her side on the benches of the 
 accused. 
 
 Laneutrie's defence was scarcely listened to. Dumas 
 summed up against " la courtisane du pr£decesseur de 
 Louis XVI," and the jury honoured her by devoting to 
 her case fifteen minutes' longer consideration than that 
 of Marie Antoinette had cost their consciences. But none 
 the less surely they returned a verdict of guilty, and she 
 was condemned to death. 
 
 And far away in Toulouse, at that very time, the guil- 
 lotine had just shorn away the life of Comte Jean, the 
 author of her splendour and her fall. 
 
 At this sudden climax to her misfortunes Madame du 
 Barri lost the dignity and calm she had maintained 
 throughout her trial. When she realized that all was 
 finished, when she saw the witnesses rubbing their hands 
 in patriotic glee, when she found that not one of the 
 thousands who had courted her and grovelled before her 
 in the days of her splendour would now say a good word 
 for her, she sank back in a dead faint and was taken so 
 ill that for a time the public were stricken for fear lest 
 she should not last long enough to mount the scaffold. 
 296 
 
EPILOGUE 
 
 She was brought round in the prison, however, and with 
 an overwhelming, passionate desire to live, no matter at 
 what cost, began a series of revelations compromising 
 every one whose life, she hoped, might be taken in exchange 
 for her own. All she said was noted down and stored in 
 the memories of the judges before whom she made her 
 depositions. More than one innocent went to the guil- 
 lotine on the strength of her words, but not one additional 
 minute of life did she purchase with this spate of denuncia- 
 tion. 
 
 In those days of the Terror sex had no longer any 
 relation to courage. Condemned like men, women died 
 like men ; they even seemed jealous of the right of dying, 
 appearing to mount the scaffold as though it were the 
 gateway to glory. All had the strength of religion, of a 
 principle, a faith, a duty, of something, in short, that 
 sustained the soul and stilled all fear in those last dread 
 moments. Madame du Barri had nothing of this to help 
 her in the hour of death ; throughout her butterfly life 
 she had banished every thought of those greater things 
 that comfort and succour in bora mortis nostra. 
 
 After a fevered night, when hopes and fears chased 
 across her mind in wild disorder, they dragged her forth 
 from the prison. White as the dress that had been forced 
 upon her, she mounted the cart, still madly hoping that 
 a reprieve would come. Her beautiful hair had been 
 shorn, those silken curls that Louis had loved to fondle 
 had been clumsily hacked away, and a deathly pallor 
 masked the face that had held in thrall so many lovers. 
 
 The streets were densely packed with men and women 
 anxious to see the end of this unhappy creature. In the 
 front row of the spectators, as the cart moved from the 
 prison, stood Grieve, who gleefully observed, " I have 
 never laughed so much in my life ; look at the grimaces 
 
 that makes at the idea of dying ! " As the cart drew 
 
 297 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 slowly out into the crowded street the people pressed 
 round it to feast their eyes on this darling of the late 
 tyrant. But the object they all stared at heard and saw 
 nothing. Her pale lips moved unintelligibly, and she 
 seemed unaware of her companions in misfortune, seated 
 by her side, who tried to inspire her with enough courage 
 to meet death with dignity. 
 
 Suddenly, as they passed the Palais Royal, Madame du 
 Barri raised her eyes and saw the dressmaker's shop where 
 she had worked so many years ago. The well-known 
 windows were crowded with working-girls, happy and 
 young as she had once been, all staring with curiosity. 
 Overcome at the sight, she uttered a piercing shriek that 
 rang through the Rue St Honore from end to end. The 
 executioner and his two assistants caught the struggling 
 woman in their arms and it took their united strength to 
 keep her in the cart, so violent were the convulsions 
 of fear that overtook her. Then, to violence and shrieks 
 succeeded tears and supplications for mercy. Leaning 
 over the edge of the cart, her shorn locks hanging forlornly 
 over her forehead, her eyes starting in crazy terror, she 
 whispered to those in the crowd who were nearest : 
 " Friends, save me ! I have never harmed a soul ! For 
 heaven's sake, save me ! " 
 
 The onlookers were amazed. Accustomed to seeing 
 aristocrats driving to the guillotine with an air of bravado, 
 or at least composure, this demonstration of weakness 
 seemed to make them realize for the first time that they 
 were about to kill a woman. 
 
 " Life ! Life ! Give me my life ! I will give all my 
 money to the nation ! " she implored. 
 
 " Your money ] You will be but giving the nation 
 what belongs to it already," jeered a bystander ; but a 
 neighbouring coal-heaver silenced him with a heavy blow 
 on the mouth. 
 
 298 
 
EPILOGUE 
 
 At last the cart clattered into the Place de la Revolution, 
 and up to the scaffold, where stood the blood-red guillotine. 
 It was half-past four in the afternoon. Madame du 
 Barri was the first to descend. She was dragged up the 
 ladder to the platform, demented with anguish and terror. 
 
 " One minute, monsieur le bourreau ! " she cried, but it 
 was to deaf or callous ears. The executioner threw her 
 roughly to her knees, forced her slender neck into the 
 fatal slot, and she was still shrieking " Help ! Help ! " 
 when the great blade fell. 
 
 299 
 
INDEX 
 
 A 
 
 Adelaide, Princess, daughter of 
 Louis XV, 36, 38, 44, 224 
 
 Aiguillon, Due d' : 
 
 protects Madame du Barri, 36 ; 
 parliaments opposed to, 39; 
 arranges Madame du Barri's 
 presentation, 43 ; plots against 
 Choiseul, 63, 67, 73 ; hatred of, 
 77 ; and Choiseul's dismissal, 96 ; 
 appointed foreign minister, 100 ; 
 advice on Court intrigues, 117 ; 
 and poison plot, 1 5 1 ; and plots 
 against himself, 183; hatred of 
 Cosse" Brissac, 193, 197 ; and 
 Chasse the singer, 207 ; opposi- 
 tion to Maupeou, 214; after 
 Louis's death, 232 ; his disgrace, 
 236 
 
 Alembert, d', 1 2 
 
 Aloigny, Comtesse d\ 43, 46 
 
 Arc, Chevalier d\ 1 5 
 
 Artois, Comte d' (Charles X), 108, 
 
 218, 260, 262, 268, 281 
 Aubuisson, Comte d', 8 
 Aumont, Due d', 1 24 
 Ayen, Due d', 46, 58 
 
 B 
 
 Bagatelle, 263 
 
 Bailly, Mayor of Paris, 282 
 
 Bastille, fall of, 280 
 
 Beam, Comtesse de, 42, 46 
 
 Beaumarchais, Caron de, 13, 124 
 
 Bellevue, 1 1 2 
 
 Bernis, Cardinal de, 182 
 
 Bertin, M., 40, 46 
 
 Besenval, Baron de, 279 
 
 Billard du Monceau, M., 1, 3, 4 
 
 Blagnac, a valet, 169 
 
 Bohemer, the Court jeweller, 45, 
 
 239, 242 
 Boisgelin, Abbe" de, 246 
 Bompart, Mere, 85 
 Breteuil, Baron de, 241 
 Brienne, Comtesse de, 261 
 Broglie, Comte de, 70, 1 20, 279 
 Brunoy, 270 
 
 C 
 
 Cabert, a Swiss conspirator, 156, 
 158 
 
 Cagliostro, Count, 239, 243 
 Campan, Madame de, 98, 283, 285 
 Carracioli, Signor, 166 
 Casket of Louis XV, 284, 288 
 Catherine, Empress of Russia, 122 
 Celine, 245, 250, 273 
 Cerneuil, Madame de, 242 
 Chamilly, groom to Louis XV, 1 27, 
 
 133, 141, 142, 188, 209 
 Chanteloup, 94, 97 
 Chantilly, 51, 52 
 
 Charles Auguste Christian, Prince, 
 66, 67 
 
 Chartres, Due de, 262 
 
 Chassd, the singer, 206 
 
 Chatelet, Comte du, 1 1 1 
 
 Chauvelin, Marquis de, 122 
 
 Choiseul, Due de : 
 
 influence, v ; opposition to Ma- 
 dame du Barri, 33, 40; re- 
 proached for this by Louis, 46 ; 
 supports Marie Antoinette, 55 ; 
 visits Madame du Barri, 61 ; 
 plots against, 67 ; recalls his 
 
 300 
 
INDEX 
 
 sister, 72 ; excuses himself from 
 Bed of Justice, 75 ; popularity 
 for this, 77 ; generosity of, 92 ; 
 dismissed from office, 94 ; exiled, 
 97 
 
 Choisy, 232 
 
 Chon (Fanchon du Barri), 35, 38, 
 
 113, 178, 186, 211, 234 
 Cleophile, 213 
 
 Conde, Prince de, 50, 52, 143, 181, 
 
 212, 216, 281 
 Conti, Prince de, 119, 281 
 Conti, Princesse de, 115 
 Conzie*, Bishop of Arras, 97 
 Cosse Brissac, Due de, 88 ; courts 
 Madame du Barri, 193 ; inter- 
 view with her, 197 ; with 
 Madame du Barri after king's 
 death, 232 ; loyalty to her, 235; 
 affair with Celine, 245 ; takes 
 Madame du Barri to Bagatelle, 
 263 ; at outbreak of Revolution, 
 279 ; death of, 235 note, 291 
 Cosse Brissac, Duchesse de, 199, 
 201 
 
 D 
 
 Dauphin, see Louis XVI 
 Defiant, Madame du, 101, 166 
 Descampathos, games, 262 
 Diderot, the writer, 12, 122 
 Dorothee, ileve at Parc-aux-Cerfs, 
 187 
 
 Du Barri, Adolphe, 138 
 
 Du Barri, Fanchon, see Chon 
 
 Du Barri, Guillaume, husband of 
 
 Madame, 34, 160, 178 
 Du Barri, Jean : 
 
 character, 17 ; ambitions, 20 ; 
 secures introduction of Madame 
 du Barri to the king, 22 « seq. ; 
 arranges her marriage, 3 5 ; and 
 her presentation, 43, 46 ; and 
 Parc-aux-Cerfs, 86 ; dispute with 
 Marin, 125; spies on king's 
 
 amours, 128; plans to supply 
 him with new lovers, 1 30 ; 
 marriage for his son, 138 ; lust 
 for money, 160 ; forestalls a plot, 
 164; at Parc-aux-Cerfs, 187; 
 seeks diversion for Louis, 206 ; 
 leaves Paris after king's death, 
 230 ; return, 248 ; visits Celine, 
 251 ; guillotined, 296 
 Du Barri, Marie- Jeanne, Comtesse : 
 beauty of, vi, 3, 294; Memoirs, 
 vii ; birth, 1 ; childhood, 3 ; 
 moves to Paris, ibid. ; appren- 
 ticed to a milliner, 5 ; first love 
 affair, 6 ; new lovers, 9 ; sent to 
 Madame Lagarde, 10 ; liaison 
 with two brothers, 1 1 ; gay life 
 in Paris, 1 5 ; amour with Comte 
 Jean du Barri, 17; schemes to 
 become king's mistress, 20 ; goes 
 to Versailles and meets king, 27 ; 
 installed as mistress, 32 ; Louis's 
 infatuation, ibid. ; married to 
 Guillaume du Barri, 36 ; ani- 
 mosity of royal family towards, 
 38 ; alliance with Maupeou and 
 d'Aiguillon, 40 ; presentation at 
 Court, 40, 45 ; enmity with 
 Choiseul, 47, 61 ; friendship 
 with Madame de Mirepoix, 48 ; 
 triumph at Chantilly, 52 ; quarrel 
 with Duchesse de Grammont, 57, 
 58 ; friendship with d'Aiguillon, 
 67 ; plots disgrace of Choiseul, 
 68 ; surprise visit to a Court 
 function, 87 ; secures fall of 
 Choiseul, 94 ; and promotion of 
 d'Aiguillon, 100 ; entertains 
 Swedish prince, 104; antagon- 
 ism towards Marie Antoinette, 
 1 10; fear of being supplanted, 
 1 27 ; interferes in king's amour, 
 131 ; schemes for her nephew's 
 marriage, 139; discovers plot 
 against the king, 147 ; fresh diffi- 
 culties with king's lovers, 162 ; 
 meets her husband, 178 ; seeks 
 
 3OI 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 divorce, 1 80 ; chooses lover for 
 Louis, 1 87 ; meets Due de Cosse 
 Brissac, 193 ; his love for her, 
 198 ; tries to amuse the king, 
 204 ; helps Hive at Parc-aux- 
 Cerfs, 211 ; discovers plots 
 against her, 213 ; at wedding of 
 Comte d'Artois, 218; domestic 
 scenes with king, 221 ; king's 
 amour with Julie, 225 ; at 
 king's death-bed, 228 ; banished 
 from Court, 230; retires to 
 convent, 234; to Pont Vrain, 
 236; to Luciennes, 237 ; and 
 diamond necklace, 239 ; jealousy 
 of Due de Cosse* Brissac, 245 ; 
 interviews Celine, 254; visits 
 Bagatelle, 263 ; discovers plot 
 to give Louis XVI a mistress, 
 270 ; sees Duchesse de Gram- 
 mont, 275 ; at outbreak of 
 Revolution, 280 ; visited by 
 Madame Campan, 283 ; sees 
 Marie Antoinette, 285; is robbed, 
 290 ; goes to London, 291 ; 
 enmity of Grieve, 293 ; arrested 
 and tried by Revolutionary Tri- 
 bunal, 294 ; her death, 296 
 
 Dubois, Cardinal, 82 
 
 Dubreuil, Madame, 1 
 
 Dudelay, M., n, 13 
 
 Dumas, president of tribunal, 295 
 
 Dumerval, Madame, 183 
 
 Durand, minister in Russia, 1 24 
 
 Duras, Due de, 46, 105, 123, 137, 
 167, 171 
 
 Durfort, M. de, 81 
 
 Falloni, an intriguer, 1 20 
 Flavacourt, Madame de, 171 
 Fleury, Cardinal de, 168 
 Fleury, Due de, 80 
 Fontainebleau, 194 
 Forcalquier, Madame de, 259 
 Fouquier-Tinville, 295 
 Frederic II, king of Prussia, 28 
 Fronsac, Due de, 80 
 Fumel, Madame de, 162 
 
 Geraud, Archbishop and nuncio, 
 100 
 
 Gomart, Pere Ange, 3, 4, 5, 10 
 Gonesse, Baron, see Louis XV 
 Grammont, Duchesse de : 
 
 hatred of Madame du Barri, 33- 
 3 5 ; influence over Choiseul, 47 ; 
 publicly insults Madame du 
 Barri, 57, 58 ; is exiled, 59 ; 
 recalled, 69, 71 ; haughty be- 
 haviour, 77 ; interferes in scheme 
 against Louis XVI, 274 
 Grieve, George, 293, 297 
 Grimm, M. de, 12 
 Guemenee, Princesse de, 50 
 Guichard, Marquis de, 289 
 Guimard, Mademoiselle, 21, 136 
 137 
 
 Gustavus III, of Sweden, 103 
 
 E 
 
 ttVeves of the Parc-aux-Cerfs, 83 
 Enghien, Due d', 281 
 Escars, Comte d', 80 
 Estissac, Due d', 81 
 
 H 
 
 Hargicourt, Comte d', 163 
 
 Harpe, M. de la, 21 
 
 Henriette, Madame du Barri's 
 
 maid, 18, 25, 31, 151, 190, 194, 
 
 253 
 
 H6pital, Madame de 1', 61 
 
INDEX 
 
 I 
 
 Iron Mask, Man with the, 53 
 
 J 
 
 Jarente, Bishop of Orleans, 98, 99, 
 124 
 
 Jesuits, 122, 149, 155, 158 
 Julie, ileve at Parc-aux-Cerfs, 225 
 Justine, 271 
 
 L 
 
 Labille, Madame, 5, 8 
 Laborde, M. de, 136 
 Laclos, M. de, 289 
 Lafleutrie, lawyer, 295, 296 
 Lagarde, M. de, 11, 13 
 Lagarde, Madame de, 10, 14 
 Lamballe, Princesse de, 1 86 
 Lambesc, Prince de, 260, 281 
 Lamothe-Langnon, viii 
 Lancon, Mile, see Du Barri, 
 
 Comtesse 
 Lebel, valet of Louis XV, v, vi, 22, 
 
 *3» *5» 27» 3i> 32» 34> 8 2 
 
 Lebon, the jeweller, 219 
 
 Linguet, an advocate, 181 
 
 Lorimer, Madame, 148, 157 
 
 Louis XIV, 5 5 note 
 
 Louis XV and Madame de Pom- 
 padour, v ; his character, 28 ; 
 meets Madame du Barri, 29 ; 
 infatuation, 31, 33, 50, 53; 
 fondness for nicknames, 36 ; fear 
 of public opinion, ibid. ; pro- 
 mises Madame du Barri's pre- 
 sentation at Court, 41 ; his 
 behaviour thereon, 46 ; dis- 
 cussion with Ghoiseul, 47 ; with 
 Madame de Mirepoix, 49 ; anger 
 with daughter, 51 ; discusses 
 Man with Iron Mask, 54 ; and 
 Marie Antoinette, 56 ; exiles 
 Duchesse de Grammont, 58 ; 
 
 recalls her, 71 ; learns of plot 
 against Choiseul, 72 ; flouts 
 parliament, 76 ; his intimate 
 suppers, 80 ; his youth, 82 ; and 
 Mme de Valentinois' fSte, 91 ; 
 examines letters in the post, 93 ; 
 dismisses Choiseul, 95 ; receives 
 Swedish prince, 103 ; on Court 
 intrigues, 117; dislike of Prince 
 de Conti, 119; dislike of contra- 
 diction, 122; seeks distraction, 
 1 26 ; intrigue with Madame de 
 Rumas, 128; pension to Mile 
 Guimard, 137; his illegitimate 
 children, 139 ; arranges marriage 
 of Adolphe du Barri, 144 ; con- 
 spiracy to poison him, 148 ; his 
 dissembling nature, 168 ; and 
 Abbe* Terray's daughter, 185; 
 rebuffed by Dorothee, 188, 189 ; 
 suffers from ennui, 204 ; hears of 
 plot against Madame du Barri, 
 215; affection for Comte 
 d'Artois, 218; likes cooking, 
 221 ; his suppers at Madame du 
 Barri's, 222 ; behaviour to his 
 daughter, 224; visits to Parc- 
 aux-Cerfs, 224 ; infatuation with 
 Julie, 225 ; his fear of death, 
 227 ; death, 229 
 
 Louis XVI (the Dauphin), 66, 108, 
 237, 244, 270, 281, 292 
 
 Louise, Madame, daughter of Louis 
 XV, 37» 38, 44 
 
 Luciennes, Chateau, 52, 65, 221, 
 237, 259, 291, 293 
 
 M 
 
 Madame (d'Orleans), 269 
 Maillebois, Comte de, 71 
 Marche, Comte de la, 53, 66, 212, 
 216 
 
 Marie Antoinette, Queen : 
 
 marriage to Dauphin, 5 5 ; arrival 
 at Versailles, 56 ; reception of 
 
MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU BARRI 
 
 Madame du Barri, 57 ; dislike 
 of Prince Max, 66 ; at a Court 
 party, 90 ; deplores fall of 
 Choiseul, 98 ; Madame du 
 Barri's jealousy of, 110 ; receives 
 a diamond aigrette, 219; the 
 diamond necklace affair, 237 ; 
 plays at Versailles, 262 ; criti- 
 cisms of, 263 ; a bad actress, 268 ; 
 dislike of Monsieur, 269 ; meets 
 Madame du Barri, 285 ; death, 
 295, 296 
 Marie Louise, of Savoy, Princess, 
 107 
 
 Marin, the gazetteer, 125, 134 
 
 Marly, 50, 193 
 
 Marmontel, the writer, 1 1 
 
 Marsan, Princesse de, 50 
 
 Martiniere, la, physician, 152, 225 
 
 Mathon, Genevieve, 5, 6 
 
 Mathon, Nicolas, 6 
 
 Maupeou, Chancellor : 
 
 courts Madame du Barri's favour, 
 39 ; arranges her presentation, 
 42, 46; claims cousinship, 52; 
 plots against Choiseul, 67, 73 ; 
 reads king's message to parlia- 
 ment, 76 ; and Choiseul's dis- 
 missal, 94 ; advice on Court 
 intrigues, 116; and poison plot, 
 153; quarrel and reconciliation 
 with Madame du Barri, 209 
 
 Maximilian Joseph, Prince, 66 
 
 Mesmer, 259 
 
 Mirepoix, Marechale de, 48, 78, 
 89, 90, 102, 126, 130, 134, 143, 
 147, 165, 175, 182, 193, 204, 
 28r 
 
 Monaco, Princesse de, 143, 146, 
 
 180, 216, 248 
 Monsieur (Due d'Orleans),269,292 
 Montesquieu, Marquis de, 113 
 Morand, M., 21, 23, 42 
 Morliere, Chevalier de la, 1 5 
 Motte Valois, Madame de la, 243, 
 
 244 
 
 Mousquetaires, the, 9 
 
 N 
 
 Necklace, the diamond, 237 
 Noblin, Ursule, 208, 211 
 Noel, a lover, 1 3 
 
 O 
 
 Oigny, Baron d', 93, 170 
 Olivia, 243 
 
 P 
 
 Pandora, an opera, 137 
 Parc-aux-Cerfs, v, 24, 82, 186, 187, 
 
 211, 224 
 Pater, Madame, 163 
 Petit Saint, Le, see Vrilliere, Due de 
 Pitt, William, 292 
 Place Royal, Paris, 3, 298 
 Planta, Baron de, 243 
 Poix, Prince de, 122 
 Polignac, Mesdames de, 268, 281 
 Pompadour, Madame de, v, 37, 
 
 48, 71, 86, 205 
 Pont aux Dames, abbey, 234 
 Praslin, M. de, 95 
 Provence, Comte de (Louis XVIII), 
 
 107, 113 
 Provence, Comtesse de, 87 
 
 e 
 
 Quesnay, Court physician, 1 52, 1 57 
 R 
 
 Radix de Samte-Foix, M., 16 
 
 Renage, Madame de, 4 
 
 Richelieu, Due de, 33, 40, 46, 64, 
 
 70, 86, 124, 130, 136, 206 
 Roche Aymon, Cardinal de la, 99, 
 
 175 
 
INDEX 
 
 Rohan, Cardinal, 238, 244 
 
 Rose et Colas t a play, 89 
 
 Rubert, Brigitte, 5 
 
 Rubi, Mademoiselle de, 78 
 
 Rue des Petits-Champs, Paris, 17 
 
 Rue du Temple, Paris, 128 
 
 Rue Saint Honord, Paris, 5, 6, 298 
 
 Rumas, Madame de, 128 
 
 S 
 
 Saint Alban, Madame, 270 
 Saint Andre, Mile, 1 39 
 Sainte-Aure Convent, 4 
 Saint-Florentin, Comte de, 82, 126, 
 152 
 
 Saint Vrain, 236 
 
 Salenave, 296 
 
 Salm, Prince de, 21 
 
 Sartines, M. de, lieutenant of police, 
 
 34, 120, 128, 134, 152, 153, 
 
 159, 170 
 Scheffer, Comte, 104, 105 
 Serre, Comte de, see Du Barri, 
 
 Comte Jean 
 Sophie, Princess, daughter of Louis 
 
 XV, 36, 44, 224 
 Soubise, Prince de, 15, 16, 46, 93, 
 
 96, 122, 136, 143, 146, 212, 216 
 Soulot, farmer-general, 246 
 Sudermania, Duke of, 104 
 Sugere, Baron de, 240, 245, 266 
 
 T 
 
 Terigny, Prince de, 80 
 Terray, Abbe, comptroller-general, 
 40, 70, 117, 182, 184, 210, 246 
 Theatricals, at Versailles, 268 
 Titles, abolition of, 282 
 Toulouse, 179, 296 
 
 Tour du Pin la Choise, Marquis 
 
 de la, 142 
 Tournon, Mademoiselle de, 143 
 Trimouille, Due de la, 46 
 
 V 
 
 Valentinois, Comtesse de, 87, 90, 
 216 
 
 Valliere, Mademoiselle de la, 55 
 note, 81 
 
 Vandemont, Princesse de, 260 
 Vaubernier family, 1 
 Vaucouleurs, 1 
 
 Vauguyon, Due de, 66, 70, 81, 108 
 Vauguyon, Madame de la, 89, 90 
 Verriere, Demoiselles, 1 5 
 Versailles, 8, 27, 32, 45, 55, 74, 
 259 
 
 Victoire, Princess, daughter of 
 
 Louis XV, 36, 44, 224 
 Villequier, Duchesse de, 262 
 Villeroi, Duchess de, 9, 82 
 Voltaire, M. de, 12, 122 
 Vrilliere, Due de la, 70, 93, 94, 
 
 97, 152, 155, 157, 232 
 
 W 
 
 Walpole, Horace, 102 
 
 Y 
 
 Yon, M., 139, 141 
 
 Z 
 
 Zamor, negro servant, 64, 220, 293, 
 294 
 
 305 
 
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