The Queen did not limit her kindness to friendly words.  There was frequently seen in the apartments of Versailles a veteran captain of the grenadiers of France, called the Chevalier d’Orville, who for four years had been soliciting from the Minister of War the post of major, or of King’s lieutenant.  He was known to be very poor; but he supported his lot without complaining of this vexatious delay in rewarding his honourable services.  He regularly attended the Marechal de Segur, at the hour appointed for receiving the numerous solicitations in his department.  One day the Marshal said to him:  “You are still at Versailles, M. d’Orville?”—­“Monsieur,” he replied, “you may observe that by this board of the flooring where I regularly place myself; it is already worn down several lines by the weight of my body.”  The Queen frequently stood at the window of her bedchamber to observe with her glass the people walking in the park.  Sometimes she inquired the names of those who were unknown to her.  One day she saw the Chevalier d’Orville passing, and asked me the name of that knight of Saint Louis, whom she had seen everywhere for a long time past.  I knew who he was, and related his history.  “That must be put an end to,” said the Queen, with some vivacity.  “Such an example of indifference is calculated to discourage our soldiers.”  Next day, in crossing the gallery to go to mass, the Queen perceived the Chevalier d’Orville; she went directly towards him.  The poor man fell back in the recess of a window, looking to the right and left to discover the person whom the Queen was seeking, when she thus addressed him:  “M. d’Orville, you have been several years at Versailles, soliciting a majority or a King’s lieutenancy.  You must have very powerless patrons.”—­“I have none, Madame,” replied the Chevalier, in great confusion.  “Well!  I will take you under my protection.  To-morrow at the same hour be here with a petition, and a memorial of your services.”  A fortnight after, M. d’Orville was appointed King’s lieutenant, either at La Rochelle or at Rochefort.

[Louis XVI. vied with his Queen in benevolent actions of this kind.  An old officer had in vain solicited a pension during the administration of the Duc de Choiseul.  He returned to the charge in the times of the Marquis de Montesnard and the Duc d’Aiguillon.  He urged his claims, to Comte du Muy, who made a note of them.  Tired of so many fruitless efforts, he at last appeared at the King’s supper, and, having placed himself so as to be seen and heard, cried out at a moment when silence prevailed, “Sire.”  The people near him said, “What are you about?  This is not the way to speak to the King.”—­“I fear nothing,” said he, and raising his voice, repeated, “Sire.”  The King, much surprised, looked at him and said, “What do you want, monsieur.”—­“Sire,” answered he, “I am seventy years of age; I have served your Majesty more than fifty years, and I am dying for want.”—­“Have you