The Cardinal de Gesvres came over to-day to complain to M. le Duc d’Orleans that the Cardinal Dubois had dismissed him in the most filthy terms.  On a former occasion, Dubois had treated the Princesse de Montauban in a similar manner, and M. le Duc d’Orleans had replied to her complaints as he now replied to those of the Cardinal de Gesvres.  He told the Cardinal, who was a man of good manners, of gravity, and of dignity (whereas the Princess deserved what she got) that he had always found the counsel of the Cardinal Dubois good, and that he thought he (Gesvres ) would do well to follow the advice just given him!  Apparently it was to free himself from similar complaints that he spoke thus; and, in fact, he had no more afterwards.

Another sample: 

Madame de Cheverny, become a widow, had retired to the Incurables.  Her place of governess of the daughters of M. le Duc d’Orleans had been given to Madame de Conflans.  A little while after Dubois was consecrated, Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans asked Madame de Conflans if she had called upon him.  Thereupon Madame de Conflans replied negatively and that she saw no reason for going, the place she held being so little mixed up in State affairs.  Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans pointed out how intimate the Cardinal was with M. le Duc d’Orleans.  Madame de Conflans still tried to back out, saying that he was a madman, who insulted everybody, and to whom she would not expose herself.  She had wit and a tongue, and was supremely vain, although very polite.  Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans burst out laughing at her fear, and said, that having nothing to ask of the Cardinal, but simply to render an account to him of the office M. le Duc d’Orleans had given her, it was an act of politeness which could only please him, and obtain for her his regard, far from having anything disagreeable, or to be feared about it; and finished by saying to her that it was proper, and that she wished her to go.

She went, therefore, for it was at Versailles, and arrived in a large cabinet, where there were eight or ten persons waiting to speak to the Cardinal, who was larking with one of his favourites, by the mantelpiece.  Fear seized upon Madame de Conflans, who was little, and who appeared less.  Nevertheless, she approached as this woman retired.  The Cardinal, seeing her advance, sharply asked her what she wanted.

“Monseigneur,” said she,—­“Oh, Monseigneur—­”

“Monseigneur,” interrupted the Cardinal, “I can’t now.”

“But, Monseigneur,” replied she—­

“Now, devil take me, I tell you again,” interrupted the Cardinal, “when I say I can’t, I can’t.”

“Monseigneur,” Madame de Conflans again said, in order to explain that she wanted nothing; but at this word the Cardinal seized her by the shoulders; and pushed her out, saying, “Go to the devil, and let me alone.”

She nearly fell over, flew away in fury, weeping hot tears, and reached, in this state, Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans, to whom, through her sobs, she related the adventure.