After many amours she had become smitten with Rion, a younger son of the house of Aydic.  He was a fat, chubby, pale little fellow, who had so many pimples that he did not ill resemble an abscess.  He had good teeth, but had no idea he should cause a passion which in less than no time became ungovernable, and which lasted a long while without however interfering with temporary and passing amours.  He was not worth a penny, but had many brothers and sisters who had no more than he.  He was a lieutenant of dragoons, relative of Madame Pons, dame d’atours of Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who sent for him to try and do something for him.  Scarcely had he arrived than the passion of the Duchess declared itself, and he became the master of the Luxembourg where she dwelt.  M. de Lauzun, who was a distant relative, was delighted, and chuckled inwardly.  He thought he saw a repetition of the old times, when Mademoiselle was in her glory; he vouchsafed his advice to Rion.

Rion was gentle and naturally polished and respectful, a good and honest fellow.  He soon felt the power of his charms, which could only have captivated the incomprehensible and depraved fantasy of such a princess.  He did not abuse this power; made himself liked by everybody; but he treated Madame la Duchesse de Berry as M. de Lauzun had treated Mademoiselle.  He was soon decorated with the most beautiful lace and the richest clothes covered with silver, loaded with snuffboxes, jewels, and precious stones.  He took pleasure in making the Princess long after him, and be jealous; affecting to be still more jealous of her.  He often made her cry.  Little by little, he obtained such authority over her that she did not dare to do anything without his permission, not even the most indifferent things.  If she were ready to go to the opera, he made her stay away; at other times he made her go thither in spite of herself.  He made her treat well many ladies she did not like, or of whom she was jealous, and treat ill persons who pleased her, but of whom he pretended to be jealous.  Even in her finery she had not the slightest liberty.  He amused himself by making her disarrange her head-dress, or change her clothes, when she was quite dressed; and that so often and so publicly, that he accustomed her at last to take over night his orders for her morning’s dress and occupation, and on the morrow he would change everything, and the Princess wept as much as she could, and more.  At last she actually sent messages to him by trusty valets,—­for he lived close to the Luxembourg,—­several times during her toilet, to know what ribbons she should wear; the same with her gown and other things; and nearly always he made her wear what she did not wish for.  If ever she dared to do the least thing without his permission, he treated her like a serving-wench, and her tears lasted sometimes several days.  This princess, so haughty, and so fond of showing and exercising the most unmeasured pride, disgraced herself by joining in repasts with him and obscure people; she, with whom no man could lawfully eat if he were not a prince of the blood!