Madame du Barry purchases the services of Marin the gazetteer--Louis
XV and madame de Rumas--M. de Rumas and the comtesse du Barry--An
intrigue--_Denouement_--A present upon the occasion--The duc de
Richelieu in disgrace--100,000 livres
This Marin, a provençal 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 St. 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 2,000 francs; but, wedded
to the delights of his snug post, Marin always contrived, after every
storm, to find his way back to its safe harbor. He had registered a
vow never to resign the office of censor, but to keep it in despite
of danger and difficulty. I soon discovered that he passed from
the patronage of Lebel to that of Chamilly, and I was not slow in
conjecturing that he joined to his avocations of censor and gazetteer
that of purveyor to his majesty's _petits amours_.
Spite of my indefatigable endeavors to render Louis XV happy and
satisfied with the pleasures of his own home, he would take occasional
wandering fits, and go upon the ramble, sometimes in pursuit of a
high-born dame, at others eager to obtain a poor and simple _grisette_;
and so long that 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 maréchale de Mirepoix frequently said to me, "Do you know, my dear
creature, that your royal admirer is but a very fickle swain, who is
playing the gay gallant when he ought to be quietly seated at his own
fireside. Have a care, he is growing old, and his intellect becomes more
feeble each day; and what he would never have granted some few years
back, may be easily wrung from him now. Chamilly aspires at governing
his master, and Marin seconds him in his project."
At length, roused to a sense of impending evil, by the constant
reminding of the maréchale, 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 withdrew, 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 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 mistress, whilst the head _valet
de chambre_ was acting the part of Mercury to the lovers. This indeed
required some speedy remedy, and I lost no time in summoning my privy
counsellor, Comte Jean, whom I acquainted with what had occurred, and
begged his advice as to the best measures to be pursued. "Indeed,"
replied my brother-in-law, "what others would do in our place would be
to throw M. Chamilly from one of the windows of the château, and treat
this his friend Marin with a lodging in the Bastille; but, as we are
persons of temper and moderation, we will go more gently to work. I
will, in the first place, gain every information relative to the affair,
that I may satisfy myself Marin is not seeking to show his honest claims
to your gold, by imposing a forged tale upon your credulity; when that
is ascertained we will decide upon our next best step."
Comte Jean departed to seek the assistance of M. de Sartines, who was at
that time entirely devoted to my interests; and, after having diligently
searched the whole rue du Temple, he succeeded in discovering madame de
Rumas. He learnt that this lady had recently married a person of her own
rank, to whom she professed to be violently attached; that they lived
together with great tranquillity, and had the reputation of conducting
themselves as persons of extreme propriety and regularity; paid their
debts, and avoided, by their air of neatness, order, and modest reserve,
the scandal of even their most ill-natured neighbors. The husband was
said to be a great religionist, which increased the suspicions of Comte
Jean. With regard to the epistolary correspondence carried on by the
lady, no information could be gleaned in in that quarter.
Marin was again sent for by my brother-in-law, who questioned and
cross-questioned with so much address, that Marin found it impossible
to conceal any longer the 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, had shown him several of her
letters; and, as he expected, the style of these epistles so pleased
the head valet, that he expressed a wish to see the fair writer. Marin
accordingly introduced him to the rue du Temple, where he was most
graciously received, and returned home enchanted with the lady: he
spoke of her to the king, strongly recommending his majesty to judge
for himself. Accordingly his majesty wrote to madame de Rumas, who
received the letter from the hands of her friend Chamilly with all pomp
and state, talked first of her own virtue and honor, and afterwards of
her dutiful respect for his majesty. She replied to the royal note in
so prudent yet obliging a manner, that the king was enchanted. This
effective billet was answered by a second letter from the king, which
obtained a reply even more tenderly charming than the one which preceded
it. An interview was next solicited and granted; for a visit was such
a trifle to refuse. The royal guest became pressing and the lady more
reserved, till the time was lost in attempts at convincing each other.
At the next interview madame de Rumas freely confessed her sincere
attachment for his majesty, but added, that such was her desire to
possess his whole and undivided regard, that she could never give
herself up to the hope of keeping him exclusively hers whilst I
interposed between her and the king's heart--in a few words then she
demanded my dismissal. This was going too far; and Louis XV, who thought
it no scandal to have a hundred mistresses, was alarmed at the thoughts
of occasioning the bustle and confusion attendant upon disgracing his
acknowledged favorite and recognised mistress; he therefore assured her,
her request was beyond his power to grant.
Madame de Rumas now sought to compromise the affair, by talking of a
share in his favor. She asked, she said, but the heart of her beloved
monarch, and would freely leave me in possession of all power and
influence. The king whose heart was regularly promised once a day,
did not hesitate to assure her of his fidelity, and his wily enslaver
flattered herself, that with time and clever management, she should
succeed in inducing him to break off those ties which he now refused to
break.
Things were in this state when Marin divulged to us the intrigue
conducted by Chamilly, and directed, though in a covert manner, by the
maréchal duc de Richelieu. This spiteful old man possessed no share of
the talent of his family; and, not contented with the favor bestowed on
his nephew, thought only of his personal credit and influence, which he
fancied he should best secure by introducing a new mistress to the
king. This well-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 maréchale de Mirepoix happened at this moment not to be at Paris at
her hotel in the rue Bergere, but at her country house, situated au Port
à l'Anglaise. I signified to the king my intention of passing a couple
of days with the maréchale, 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 maréchale, who was quite taken
by surprise at my unexpected arrival. After many mutual embraces and
exchange of civilities, I explained to her the whole affair which had
brought me from Versailles. The good-natured maréchale could not believe
her ears. She soon, however, comprehended the nature of my alarms;
and so far from seeking to dissipate them, urged me to lose no time in
crushing an affair, which grew more threatening from each day's delay. I
was fully of her opinion, and only asked her assistance and co-operation
in my plan of writing to M. de Rumas, and inviting him to come on the
following day to the house of madame de Mirepoix.
That lady would doubtless have preferred my asking her to assist me in
any other way, but still she could not refuse to serve me in the manner
described: for I either bestowed on her all she desired, or caused
others to gratify her slightest request; and how could she be sure, that
were my reign to end, she might derive the same advantages from any
new favorite? Self-interest therefore bound her to my service, and
accordingly she wrote to M. de Rumas a very pressing letter, requesting
to see him on the following day upon matters of the highest importance.
This letter sent off, I dined with the maréchale, and then returned to
sleep at Paris.
On the following day at an early hour, I repaired to the Port à
l'Anglaise; M. de Rumas arrived there a few minutes after myself. He had
the air and look of an honest man, but perhaps no species of deceit is
more easily detected than that quiet, subdued manner, compressed lips,
and uplifted eye. Now-a-days such a mode of dissembling would be too
flimsy to impose even on children; and hypocrites are ever greater
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 eye's 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, and look of the deepest
humility, "you are the comtesse du Barry."
"Well, sir," added I, "and you are equally well aware, no doubt, of the
relation in which I stand to the king?"
"But, madam--"
"Nay, sir, answer without hesitation; I wish you to be candid, otherwise
my exceeding frankness may displease you."
"I know, madam," replied the hypocrite, "that his majesty finds great
pleasure in your charming society."
"And yet, sir," answered I, "his majesty experiences equal delight in
the company of your wife. How answer you that, M. de Rumas?"
"My wife, madam!"
"Yes, sir, in the company of madame de Rumas; he pays her many private
visits, secretly corresponds with her--"
"The confidence of his majesty must ever honor his subjects."
"But," replied I, quickly, "may dishonor a husband."
"How, madam! What is it you would insinuate?"
"That your wife would fain supplant me, and that she is now the mistress
of the king, although compelled to be such in secret."
"Impossible," exclaimed M. de Rumas, "and some enemy to my wife has thus
aspersed her to you."
"And do you treat it as a mere calumny?" said I. "No, sir, nothing can
be more true; and if you would wish further confirmation, behold the
letter which madame de Rumas wrote to the king only the day before
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
committing."
"Then, sir," returned I, "I may reasonably conclude that it is with your
sanction and concurrence your wife intrigues with the king?"
"Ah, madam," answered the wily de Rumas, in a soft and expostulating
tone, "trouble not, I pray you, the repose of my family. I know too well
the virtue of madame de Rumas, her delicacy, and the severity of
her principles; I know too well likewise the sentiments in which her
excellent parents educated her, and I defy the blackest malice to injure
her in my estimation."
"Wonderfully, sir!" cried I; "so you determine to 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
seeking to supplant me at the château; you shall hear of me before long.
Adieu, sir."
So saying, I quitted the room in search of the maréchale, to whom I
related what had passed.
"And now, what think you of so base a hypocrite?" asked I, when I had
finished my account.
"He well deserves having the mask torn from his face," replied she;
"but give yourself no further concern; return home, and depend upon it,
that, one way or other, I will force him into the path of honor."
I accordingly ordered my carriage and returned to Versailles, where, on
the same evening, I received the following letter from the maréchale:--
"MY DEAR COUNTESS,--My efforts have been attended with no better success
than yours. Well may the proverb say, 'There is none so deaf as he who
will not hear,' and M. de Rumas perseveres in treating all I advanced
respecting his wife as calumnious falsehoods. According to his version
of the tale, madame de Rumas has no other motive in seeing Louis XV
so frequently, but to implore his aid in favor of the poor in her
neighborhood. I really lost all patience when I heard him attempting
to veil his infamous conduct under the mask of charity; I therefore
proceeded at once to menaces, telling him that you had so many
advantages over his wife, that you scorned to consider her your rival:
but that, nevertheless, you did not choose that any upstart pretender
should dare ask to share his majesty's heart. To all this he made no
reply; and as the sight of him only increased my indignation, I at
length desired him to quit me. I trust you will pardon me for having
spoken in as queenlike a manner as you could have done yourself.
"Adieu, my sweet friend."
This letter was far from satisfying me, and I determined 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 XV some tale of madame de Rumas that should effectually deter him
from thinking further of her.
In pursuance with this resolution, Chamilly informed the king, that he
had just been informed that madame de Rumas had a lover, who boasted
of being able to turn his majesty which way he pleased, through the
intervention of his mistress. Louis XV wrote off instantly to M. de
Sartines, to have a watchful eye over the proceedings of the Rumas
family. The lieutenant of police, who had some regard for me, and
a still greater portion of fear, was faithful to my interests, and
rendered to Louis XV the most horrible particulars of the profligate
mode of life pursued by madame de Rumas; assuring him, that from
every consideration of personal safety, his majesty should shun the
acquaintance. The king, incensed at the trick put upon him by these
seemingly virtuous people, was at first for confining both husband
and wife in prison, but this measure I opposed with all my power; for,
satisfied with the victory I had gained, I cared for no further hurt
to my adversaries. I 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 maréchale to receive
from the king a superb Turkey carpet, to which I added a complete
service of Sèvres 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 saloon. These trifles cost
me no less a sum than 2800 livres. I did not forget my good friend M.
de Sartines, who received a cane, headed with gold, around which was a
small band of diamonds. As for Chamilly, I granted him his pardon; and I
think you will admit that was being sufficiently generous.
After having thus recompensed the zeal of my friends, I had leisure to
think of taking vengeance upon the duc de Richelieu for the part he had
acted. He came of his own accord to throw himself into the very heat of
my anger. He had been calling on the maréchale de Mirepoix, where he had
seen with envious eyes the magnificent carpet I had presented her with;
the cupidity of the duke induced him, after continually recurring to
the subject, to say, that where my friends were concerned, no one could
accuse me of want of liberality. "No, sir," answered I, "I consider that
no price can sufficiently repay the kind and faithful services of a
true friend, nor can baseness and treachery be too generally exposed
and punished." From the tone in which I spoke the old maréchal easily
perceived to what I was alluding. He was wise enough to be silent,
whilst I followed up this first burst of my indignation, by adding,
"For instance, monsieur le duc, how can I sufficiently repay your
friendly zeal to supply the king with a new mistress?"
"I, madam?"
"Yes, sir, you; I am aware of all your kind offices, and only lament my
inability to reward them in a suitable manner."
"In that case I shall not attempt to deny my share in the business."
"You have then sufficient honor to avow your enmity towards me?"
"By no means enmity, madam. I merely admit my desire to contribute to
the amusement of the king, and surely, when I see all around anxious
to promote the gratification of their sovereign, I need not be withheld
from following so loyal an example. The duc de Duras was willing to
present his own relation for his majesty's acceptance, the abbé Terray
offers his own daughter, Comte Jean his sister-in-law, whilst I simply
threw a humble and modest female in his majesty's path. I cannot see in
what my fault exceeds that of the gentlemen I have just mentioned."
"You really are the most audacious of men," replied I, laughing; "I
shall be obliged to solicit a _lettre de cachet_ to hold you a prisoner
in Guienne. Upon my word, your nephew and myself have a valuable and
trustworthy friend in you."
"Hark ye, madam," rejoined the maréchal. "I know not, in the first
place, whether his majesty would very easily grant you this _lettre
de cachet_, which most certainly I do not deserve. You have served my
nephew and neglected me; I wished to try the strength of my poor wings,
and I find, like many others, that I must not hope to soar to any
height."
While we were thus talking the maréchale de Mirepoix was announced. I
was still much agitated, and she immediately turned towards the duke,
as if to inquire of him the cause of my distress: upon which, M. de
Richelieu related all that had passed with a cool exactitude that
enraged me still further. When he had finished, I said,
"Well, madame la maréchale, and what is your opinion of all this?"
"Upon my word, my dear countess," answered madame de Mirepoix, "you have
ample cause for complaint, but still this poor duke is not so culpable
as you imagine him to be. He has large expenses to provide for: and
to obtain the money requisite for them he is compelled to look to
his majesty, whose favor he desires to win by administering to his
pleasures."
"Alas!" replied the duke, "can you believe that but for the pressure of
unavoidable circumstances I would have separated myself from my nephew
and my fair friend there?"
"Come, come," cried the maréchale, "I must restore peace and harmony
between you. As for you, my lord duke, be a true and loyal subject; and
you, my sweet countess, use your best endeavors to prevail on the king
to befriend and assist his faithful servant."
I allowed myself to be managed like a child; and instead of scratching
the face of M. de Richelieu, I obtained for him a grant of 100,000
livres, which the court banker duly counted out to him.