No evening passed on which there was not a ball.  The chancellor’s wife gave one which was a fete the most gallant and the most magnificent possible.  There were different rooms for the fancy-dress ball, for the masqueraders, for a superb collation, for shops of all countries, Chinese, Japanese, &c., where many singular and beautiful things were sold, but no money taken; they were presents for the Duchesse de Bourgogne and the ladies.  Everybody was especially diverted at this entertainment, which did not finish until eight o’clock in the morning.  Madame de Saint-Simon and I passed the last three weeks of this time without ever seeing the day.  Certain dancers were only allowed to leave off dancing at the same time as the Duchesse de Bourgogne.  One morning, at Marty, wishing to escape too early, the Duchess caused me to be forbidden to pass the doors of the salon; several of us had the same fate.  I was delighted when Ash Wednesday arrived; and I remained a day or two dead beat, and Madame de Saint-Simon could not get over Shrove Tuesday.

La Bourlie, brother of Guiscard, after having quitted the service, had retired to his estate near Cevennes, where he led a life of much licence.  About this time a robbery was committed in his house; he suspected one of the servants, and on his own authority put the man to the torture.  This circumstance could not remain so secret but that complaints spread abroad.  The offence was a capital one.  La Bourlie fled from the realm, and did many strange things until his death, which was still more strange; but of which it is not yet time to speak.

Madame la Duchesse, whose heavy tradesmen’s debts the King had paid not long since, had not dared to speak of her gambling debts, also very heavy.  They increased, and, entirely unable to pay them, she found herself in the greatest embarrassment.  She feared, above all things, lest M. le Prince or M. le Duc should hear of this.  In this extremity she addressed herself to Madame de Maintenon, laying bare the state of her finances, without the slightest disguise.  Madame de Maintenon had pity on her situation, and arranged that the King should pay her debts, abstain from scolding her, and keep her secret.  Thus, in a few weeks, Madame la Duchesse found herself free of debts, without anybody whom she feared having known even of their existence.

Langlee was entrusted with the payment and arrangement of these debts.  He was a singular kind of man at the Court, and deserves a word.  Born of obscure parents, who had enriched themselves, he had early been introduced into the great world, and had devoted himself to play, gaining an immense fortune; but without being accused of the least unfairness.  With but little or no wit, but much knowledge of the world, he had succeeded in securing many friends, and in making his way at the Court.  He joined in all the King’s parties, at the time of his mistresses.  Similarity of tastes attached Langlee to Monsieur,