If a son of France happened to be there alone, he alone held the right corner of the cloth, and nobody the other; and when M. le Duc d’Orleans was there, and no son of France was present, M. le Duc d’Orleans held the cloth in like manner.  If a Prince of the blood were alone present, however, he held the cloth, but a Duke was called forward to assist him.  He was not privileged to act without the Duke.

The Princes of the blood wanted to change this; they were envious of the distinction accorded to M. d’Orleans, and wished to put themselves on the same footing.  Accordingly, at the Assumption of this year, they managed so well that M. le Duc served alone at the altar at the King’s communion, no Duke being called upon to come and join him.  The surprise at this was very great.  The Duc de la Force and the Marechal de Boufflers, who ought to have served, were both present.  I wrote to this last to say that such a thing had never happened before, and that it was contrary to all precedent.  I wrote, too, to M. d’Orleans, who was then in Spain, informing him of the circumstance.  When he returned he complained to the King.  But the King merely said that the Dukes ought to have presented themselves and taken hold of the cloth.  But how could they have done so, without being requested, as was customary, to come forward?  What would the king have thought of them if they had?  To conclude, nothing could be made of the matter, and it remained thus.  Never then, since that time, did I go to the communions of the King.

An incident occurred at Marly about the same time, which made much stir.  The ladies who were invited to Marly had the privilege of dining with the King.  Tables were placed for them, and they took up positions according to their rank.  The non-titled ladies had also their special place.  It so happened one day; that Madame de Torcy (an untitled lady) placed herself above the Duchesse de Duras, who arrived at table a moment after her.  Madame de Torcy offered to give up her place, but it was a little late, and the offer passed away in compliments.  The King entered, and put himself at table.  As soon as he sat down, he saw the place Madame de Torcy had taken, and fixed such a serious and surprised look upon her, that she again offered to give up her place to the Duchesse de Duras; but the offer was again declined.  All through the dinner the King scarcely ever took his eyes off Madame de Torcy, said hardly a word, and bore a look of anger that rendered everybody very attentive, and even troubled the Duchesse de Duras.

Upon rising from the table, the King passed, according to custom, into the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, followed by the Princesses of the blood, who grouped themselves around him upon stools; the others who entered, kept at a distance.  Almost before he had seated himself in his chair, he said to Madame de Maintenon, that he had just been witness of an act of “incredible insolence” (that was