There were very frequently little lotteries for trinkets:  the Chevalier de Grammont always tried his fortune, and was sometimes fortunate; and under pretence of the prizes he had won, he bought a thousand things which he indiscreetly gave to the Marchioness, and which she still more indiscreetly accepted:  the little Saint Germain very seldom received any thing.  There are meddling whisperers everywhere:  remarks were made upon these proceedings; and the same person that made them communicated them likewise to Mademoiselle de Saint Germain.  She pretended to laugh, but in reality was piqued.  It is a maxim religiously observed by the fair sex, to envy each other those indulgences which themselves refuse.  She took this very ill of the Marchioness.  On the other hand, Matta was asked if he was not old enough to make his own presents himself to the Marchioness de Senantes, without sending them by the Chevalier de Grammont.  This roused him; for of himself, he would never have perceived it:  his suspicions, however, were but slight, and he was willing to have them removed.  “I must confess,” said he to the Chevalier de Grammont, “that they make love here quite in a new style; a man serves here without reward:  he addresses himself to the husband when he is in love with the wife, and makes presents to another man’s mistress, to get into the good graces of his own.  The Marchioness is much obliged to you for-----”

“It is you who are obliged,” replied the Chevalier, “since thus was done on your account:  I was ashamed to find you had never yet thought of presenting her with any trifling token of your attention:  do you know that the people of this court have such extraordinary notions, as to think that it is rather owing to inadvertency that you never yet have had the spirit to make your mistress the smallest present?  For shame! how ridiculous it is, that you can never think for yourself?”

Matta took this rebuke, without making any answer, being persuaded that he had in some measure deserved it:  besides, he was neither sufficiently jealous, nor sufficiently amorous, to think any more of it; however, as it was necessary for the Chevalier’s affairs that Matta should be acquainted with the Marquis de Senantes, he plagued him so much about it, that at last he complied.  His friend introduced him, and his mistress seemed pleased with this proof of complaisance, though she was resolved that he should gain nothing by it; and the husband, being gratified with a piece of civility which he had long expected, determined, that very evening, to give them a supper at a little country seat of his, on the banks of the river, very near the city.