The Elector of Bavaria, during his stay at Paris, instead of visiting his nephews and nieces, passed all his time, by day and by night, with the Duchess and her daughters.  As to me, he fled me as he would fly the plague, and never spoke to me but in the company of M. de Torcy.  The Duchess had three of the handsomest daughters in the world:  the one called Mademoiselle de Clermont is extremely beautiful; but I think her sister, the Princesse de Conti, more amiable.  The Duchess can drink very copiously without being affected; her daughters would fain imitate her, but they soon get tipsy, and cannot control themselves as their mother can.

SECTION XXVII.—­LOUIS III., DUC DE BOURBON.

It is said that the Duke has solid parts; he does everything with a certain nobility; he has a good person, but the loss of that eye, which the Duc de Berri struck out, disfigures him much.  He is certainly very politic, and this quality he has from his mother.  He is polite and well-bred; his mind is not very comprehensive, and he has been badly instructed.  They say he is unfit for business for three reasons:  first, on account of his ignorance; secondly, for his want of application; and, thirdly, for his impatience.  I can see that in examining him narrowly one would find many defects in him; but he has also many praiseworthy qualities, and he possesses many friends.  He has a greatness and nobility of soul, and a good deportment.

The Prince is in love with Madame de Polignac; but she is fond of the Duke, who cannot yet forget Madame de Nesle, although she has dismissed him to make room for that great calf, the Prince of Soubise.  The latter person is reported to have said, “Why does the Duke complain?  Have I not consented to share Madame de Nesle’s favours with him whenever he chooses?”

Such is the delicacy which prevails here in affairs of love.

The Duke is very passionate.  When Madame de Nesle dismissed him he almost died of vexation; he looked as if he was about to give up the ghost, and for six months he did not know what to do.

The Marquis de Villequier, the Duc d’Aumont’s son, one day visited the Marquise de Nesle.  She took it into her head to ask him if he was very fond of his wife.  Villequier replied, “I am not in love with her; I see her very little; our humours differ greatly.  She is serious, and for my part I like pleasure and gaiety.  I feel for her a friendship founded on esteem, for she is one of the most virtuous women in France.”

Madame de Nesle, of whom no man could say so much, took this for an insult, and complained of it to the Duke, who promised to avenge her.  Some days afterwards he invited young Villequier to dine with him at the Marquis de Nesle’s; there were, besides Madame de Nesle, the Marquis de Gevres, Madame de Coligny, and others.  During dinner the Duke began thus: