164 CHAPTER VI

amusement at Court, donned hunting dress and
went riding, delighting Versailles with their
liveliness and enthusiasm.

On Thursday 9th October Mme de Vintimille
was presented to the queen by Mme de Mailly,
Mademoiselle, Mme de Mazarin, Mme de Flaven-
court and Mme de la Tournelle. At first Marie
Leczinska received them kindly enough, but in the
end a slight coldness was felt — quite easily under-
stood and needing no comment. Two months later
Maurice Quentin La Tour began Mme de Mailly's
portrait; it was the favorite's sixteenth picture.
On 4th January 1740 the king's friends noticed a
significant fact; Mme de Vintimille was the only
person to whom he gave magnificent New Year's
gifts, and who occupied his attention. This lively
well-informed woman, whose ugliness and lack of
physical attractions is attested by contemporaries,
established her kingdom at Court and stole the
heart of Louis XV. She was widely read and
observant and her conversation was interesting,
her knowledge was all-inclusive and her curiosity
unlimited; one could not be bored in her company,
for her humorous stories and originality adorned
the simplest conversations. She amused all who
met her, and brightened the places where she was;
her ready mind left no room for idleness or
weariness.

Devoured by growing ambition, and proud, she
was out to play an important role; and she neglected
nothing in her efforts; she ousted Mme de Mailly,
robbed her of Louis XV's favours, and cast her