A word concerning the duchesse de Choiseul--The apartment of the Comte de
Noailles--The Noailles--Intrigues for presentation--The comte de Bearn--M.
Morand once more--Visit of the comtesse Bearn to the comtesse du Barry--
Conversation--Interested complaisance The king and the comtesse du Barry--
Dispute and reconciliation
I showed the king this conversation, in which I had so shamefully vilified by the
duchesse de Grammont. Louis XV was very much inclined to testify his
disapprobation to this lady, but was withheld by the consideration he felt for the
duke and (particularly) the duchesse de Choiseul. This latter lady was not
beloved by her husband, but her noble qualities, her good heart, made her an
object of adoration to the whole court. You could not speak to any person of
madame de Choiseul without hearing an eulogium in reply. The king himself was
full of respect towards her; so much so, that, on the disgrace of the duke, he in
some sort asked her pardon for the chagrin which he had caused her. Good
conduct is no claim to advancement at court, but it procures the esteem of the
courtiers. Remember, my friend, this moral maxim: there is not one of greater
truth in my whole journal.
The king, unable to interpose his authority in a woman's quarrel, was yet
determined on giving a striking proof of the attachment he bore to me. I had up to
this period occupied Lebel's apartments in the chateau: it was not befitting my
station, and the king thought he would give me those of madame de Pompadour,
to which I had some claim. This apartment was now occupied by the comte de
Noailles, governor of the chateau, who, as great fool as the rest of his family,
began to exclaim most lustily when the king's will was communicated to him. He
came to his majesty complaining and lamenting. The king listened very quietly to
his list of grievances; and when he had moaned and groaned out his dolorous
tale, his majesty said to him,
"My dear count, who built the chateau of Versailles?"
"Why, sire, your illustrious grandfather."
"Well, then, as I am at home, I mean to be master. You may establish the seat of
your government where you will; but in two hours the place must be free. I am in
earnest."
The comte de Noailles departed much disconcerted, took away his furniture, and
the same evening I installed myself in the apartments. You must think that this
was a fresh cause of chagrin, and created me more enemies. There are certain
families who look upon the court as their hereditary domain: the Noailles was one
of them. However, there is no grounds of pretension to such a right. Their family
took its rise from a certain Adhemar de Noailles, capitoul of Toulouse, ennobled,
according to all appearance, by the exercise of his charge in 1459. The
grandfather of these Noailles was a domestic of M. de Turenne's, and his family
was patronized at court by madame de Maintenon. Everybody knows this. But to
return to my presentation.
