To please and charm, Mme. d’Etioles had a complexion of the most striking whiteness, lips somewhat pale, and eyes of an indescribable color in which were blended and compounded the seduction of black eyes, the seduction of blue eyes.  She had magnificent chestnut hair, ravishing teeth, and the most delicious smile which “hollowed her cheeks into two dimples which the engraving of La Jardiniere shows; she had a medium-sized and round waist, perfect hands, a play of gestures lively and passionate throughout, and, above all, a physiognomy of a mobility, of a changeableness, of a marvellous animation, wherein the soul of the woman passed ceaselessly, and which, constantly in process of change, showed in turn an impassioned and imperious tenderness, a noble seriousness, or roguish graces.”

In September, 1745, she was formally presented to the queen and court as the Marquise de Pompadour, and, in October, was installed at Fontainebleau in the apartments formerly occupied by Mme. de Chateauroux, who had just died.  Her position was not an easy one, for all the superb jealousy and hateful scorn which the aristocracy cherished against the power and wealth of the bourgeoisie were turned against her; but the court scandal-mongers and intriguers found their match in Mme. de Pompadour, who showed herself so superior in every respect to the court ladies that the hostilities gradually ceased, but not until the public itself had expended all its efforts against this upstart.

Her first move was to surround herself with friends, the first of whom she wisely sought in the queen.  Paying her every possible attention, she persuaded the king to show her more consideration.  The Prince de Conti, the Paris brothers, and others of the great financiers of France were added to her circle.  After this she began her rule as first minister, in place of the dead Fleury, by giving places and pensions to her favorites.  The reign of economy and domestic morality came to an end with the accession of Mme. de Pompadour; in fact, it was soon generally considered that those upon whom she did not shower favors were her enemies.  At this time the nobility of France was too corrupt to raise any serious objections to the dispensing of favors by the maitresse-en-titre, whether she were of noble birth or not.

As mistress, her duties were many:  to manipulate and manage Versailles, please and captivate the king, make allies, win over the highest officials and keep control of them, put her own friends in office, attach to her favor every man of prominence,—­princes and ministers,—­keep in touch with the court, appease, humor, and win the honor of the courtiers, “attach consciences, recompense capitulations, organize about the mistress an emulation of devotion and servility by means of prodigality of the favors of the king and the money of the state; but what was a more burdensome task,—­she must occupy the king, aid and agitate him, fight off constantly, from day to day and hour to hour, ennui.”