My next visit to Saint-Cloud was very different from that in which I reported the failure of my endeavours with Mademoiselle Choin.  I was received in triumph before a large company.  To my surprise, Mademoiselle, as soon as I appeared, ran towards me, kissed me on both cheeks, took me by the hand, and led me into the orangery.  Then she thanked me, and admitted that her father had constantly kept her acquainted with all the negotiations as they went on.  I could not help blaming his easiness and imprudence.  She mingled all with testimonies of the most lively joy; and I was surprised by her grace, her eloquence, the dignity and the propriety of the terms she used.  I learned an immense number of things in this half-hour’s conversation.  Afterwards Mademoiselle took the opportunity to say and do all manner of graceful things to Madame de Saint-Simon.

The Duchesse d’Orleans now returned once more to the charge, in order to persuade my wife to be dame d’honneur to her daughter.  I refused as firmly as I could.  But soon after the King himself named Madame de Saint-Simon; and when the Duchesse de Bourgogne suggested a doubt of her acceptance, exclaimed, almost piqued:  “Refuse!  O, no! not when she learns that it is my desire.”  In fact, I soon received so many menacing warnings that I was obliged to give in; and Madame de Saint-Simon received the appointment.  This was made publicly known by the King, who up to that very morning remained doubtful whether he would be met by a refusal or not; and who, as he was about to speak, looked at me with a smile that was meant to please and warn me to be silent.  Madame de Saint-Simon learned the news with tears.  She was excellently well received by the King, and complimented agreeably by Madame de Maintenon.

The marriage took place with the usual ceremonies.  The Duc de Beauvilliers and Madame de Saint-Simon drew the curtains of the couple when they went to bed; and laughed together at being thus employed.  The King, who had given a very mediocre present of diamonds to the new Duchesse de Berry, gave nothing to the Duc de Berry.  The latter had so little money that he could not play during the first days of the voyage to Marly.  The Duchesse de Bourgogne told this to the King, who, feeling the state in which he himself was, said that he had only five hundred pistoles to give him.  He gave them with an excuse on the misfortunes of the time, because the Duchesse de Bourgogne thought with reason that a little was better than nothing, and that it was insufferable not to be able to play.

Madame de Mare was now set at liberty.  The place of Dame d’Atours was offered to her; but she advanced many reasons for not accepting it, and on being pressed, refused with an obstinacy that surprised every one.  We were not long in finding out the cause of her obstinate unwillingness to remain with Madame la Duchesse de Berry.  The more that Princess allowed people to see what she was—­and she