The queen dowager, who, though she had no share in these broils, had no objection to them, and as usual being diverted with this circumstance, she took occasion to joke with the Chevalier de Grammont, for having thrown this bone of contention among such competitors; and did not fail to give him, in the presence of the whole court, those praises which so magnificent a present deserved:  “But how comes it,” said she, “that you have no equipage yourself, though you are at so great an expense? for I am told that you do not keep even a single footman, and that one of the common runners in the streets lights you home with a stinking link.”  “Madam,” said he, “the Chevalier de Grammont hates pomp:  my linkboy, of whom you speak, is faithful to my service; and besides, he is one of the bravest fellows in the world.  Your Majesty is unacquainted with the nation of link-boys:  it is a charming one, I can assure you:  a man cannot step out in the night without being surrounded by a dozen of them.  The first time I became acquainted with them, I retained all that offered me their services; so that when I arrived at Whitehall, I had at least two hundred about my chair:  the sight was new; for those who had seen me pass with this illumination, asked whose funeral it was.  These gentlemen, however, began fighting about some dozen shillings I had thrown among them then; and he whom your Majesty mentions having beaten three or four of his companions, I retained him for his valour.  As for the parade of coaches and footmen, I despise it:  I have sometimes had five or six valets-de-chambre at once, without having a single servant in livery, except my chaplain Poussatin.”  “How!” said the queen, bursting out laughing, “a chaplain in your livery! he surely was not a priest?” “Pardon me, madam,” said he, “and the first priest in the world for dancing the Biscayan jig.”  “Chevalier,” said the king, “pray tell us the history of your chaplain Poussatin.”

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

Ambition to pass for a wit, only established her tiresome
An affectation of purity of manners
Despising everything which was not like themselves
Duke would see things if he could
Every thing that is necessary is honourable in politics
Good attendants, but understood cheating still better
Great earnestness passed for business
Hardly possible for a woman to have less wit, or more beauty
He talked eternally, without saying anything
His mistress given him by his priests for penance
Impenetrable stupidity (passed) for secrecy
Life, in his opinion, was too short to read all sorts of books
Never felt the pressure of indigence
Not that he wanted capacity, but he was too self-sufficient
Obstinate against all other advices
One amour is creditable to a lady
Possessed but little raillery, and still less patience
Reasons of state assume great privileges
She just said what she ought, and no more
They can by no means bear the inconstancy of their mistresses
Very willing to accept, but was tardy in making returns
Wealth was necessary for the conveniencies of a long life