on his powder; but observing that Monseigneur was little satisfied with this want of eagerness, sent again to hurry him.  Just then the Marechale d’Estrees, hair-brained and light, and free to say just what came into her head, began to attack Monseigneur for waiting so tranquilly for his son, instead of going himself to embrace him.  This random expression did not succeed.  Monseigneur replied stiffly that it was not for him to seek the Duc de Bourgogne; but the duty of the Duc de Bourgogne to seek him.  He came at last.  The reception was pretty good, but did not by any means equal that of the King.  Almost immediately the King rang, and everybody went to the supper-room.

During the supper, M. le Duc de Berry arrived, and came to salute the King at table.  To greet him all hearts opened.  The King embraced him very tenderly.  Monseigneur only looked at him tenderly, not daring to embrace his (youngest) son in presence of the King.  All present courted him.  He remained standing near the King all the rest of the supper, and there was no talk save of post-horses, of roads, and such like trifles.  The King spoke sufficiently at table to Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne; but to the Duc de Berry, he assumed a very different air.  Afterwards, there was a supper for the Duc de Berry in the apartments of the Duchesse de Bourgogne; but the conjugal impatience of the Duc de Bourgogne cut it rather too short.

I expressed to the Duc de Beauvilliers, with my accustomed freedom, that the Duc de Bourgogne seemed to me very gay on returning from so sad a campaign.  He could not deny this, and made up his mind to give a hint on the subject.  Everybody indeed blamed so misplaced a gaiety.  Two or three days after his arrival the Duc de Bourgogne passed three hours with the King in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon.  I was afraid that, his piety would withhold him from letting out on the subject of M. de Vendome, but I heard that he spoke on that subject without restraint, impelled by the advice of the Duchesse de Bourgogne, and also by the Duc de Beauvilliers, who set his conscience at ease.  His account of the campaign, of affairs, of things, of advices, of proceedings, was complete.  Another, perhaps, less virtuous, might have used weightier terms; but at any rate everything was said with a completeness beyond all hope, if we consider who spoke and who listened.  The Duke concluded with an eager prayer to be given an army in the next campaign, and with the promise of the King to that effect.  Soon after an explanation took place with Monseigneur at Meudon, Mademoiselle Choin being present.  With the latter he spoke much more in private:  she had taken his part with Monseigneur.  The Duchesse de Bourgogne had gained her over.  The connection of this girl with Madame de Maintenon was beginning to grow very close indeed.