he saw at last a house which was as like to his as are two drops of water to each other.  Curiosity tempted him to go and examine it.  He did so, and became convinced it was his own.  He entered, found everything inside as he had left it, and then became quite persuaded he had been tricked by a sorcerer.  The day was not, however, very far advanced before he learned the truth through the banter of his neighbours.  In fury he talked of going to law, or demanding justice, but was laughed at everywhere.  The King when he heard of it laughed also; and Charnace had his avenue free.  If he had never done anything worse than this, he would have preserved his reputation and his liberty.

A strange scene happened at Meudon after supper one evening, towards the end of July.  The Prince de Conti and the Grand Prieur were playing, and a dispute arose respecting the game.  The Grand Prieur, inflated by pride on account of the favours the King had showered upon him, and rendered audacious by being placed almost on a level with the Princes of the blood, used words which would have been too strong even towards an equal.  The Prince de Conti answered by a repartee, in which the other’s honesty at play and his courage in war—­both, in truth, little to boast about—­ were attacked.  Upon this the Grand Prieur flew into a passion, flung away the cards, and demanded satisfaction, sword in hand.  The Prince de Conti, with a smile of contempt, reminded him that he was wanting in respect, and at the same time said he could have the satisfaction he asked for whenever he pleased.  The arrival of Monseigneur, in his dressing-gown, put an end to the fray.  He ordered the Marquis de Gesvres, who was one of the courtiers present, to report the whole affair to the King, and that every one should go to bed.  On the morrow the King was informed of what had taken place, and immediately ordered the Grand Prieur to go to the Bastille.  He was obliged to obey, and remained in confinement several days.  The affair made a great stir at Court.  The Princes of the blood took a very high tone, and the illegitimates were much embarrassed.  At last, on the 7th of August, the affair was finally accommodated through the intercession of Monseigneur.  The Grand Prieur demanded pardon of the Prince de Conti in the presence of his brother, M. de Vendome, who was obliged to swallow this bitter draught, although against his will, in order to appease the Princes of the blood, who were extremely excited.

Nearly at the same time, that is to say, on the 29th of May, in the morning Madame de Saint-Simon was happily delivered of a child.  God did us the grace to give us a son.  He bore, as I had, the name of Vidame of Chartres.  I do not know why people have the fancy for these odd names, but they seduce in all nations, and they who feel the triviality of them, imitate them.  It is true that the titles of Count and Marquis have fallen into the dust because of the quantity of people without wealth, and even