EECEPTIOK OF THE DUC DE BERRY. 47

have time enough to see each other. The Prince made a, "bow
to the King, another to Madame de Maintenon, passed before
the few ladies of the palace who had taken courage to put their
heads into the room, entered the neighbouring cabinet, where
he embraced the Duchesse, saluted the ladies who were there,
that is, kissed them, remained a few moments, and then went
into his apartment, where he shut himself up with the Duchesse
de Bourgogne.

Their tete-a-tete lasted two hours and more : just towards the
end, Madame d'O. was let in; soon after the Mar^chale d'Estrees
entered, and soon after that the Duchesse de Bourgogne came
out with them, and returned into the Great Cabinet of Madame
de Maintenon. Monseigneur came there as usual, on returning
from the comedy. Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, troubled
that the Due did not hurry himself to come and salute his
father, went to fetch him, and came back saying that he was
putting on his powder; but observing that Monseigneur was
little satisfied with this want of eagerness, sent again to hurry
him. Just then the Mar^chale d'Estrees, hair-brained and light,
and free to say just what came into her head, began to attack
Monseigneur for waiting so tranquilly for his son, instead of
going himself to embrace him. This random expression did not
succeed. Monseigneur replied stiffly that it was not for him to
seek the Due de Bourgogne ; but the duty of the Due de Bour-
gogne to seek him. He came at last. The reception was pretty
good, but did not by any means equal that of the King. Almost
immediately the King rang, and everybody went to the supper-
room.

During the supper, M. le Due de Berry arrived, and came to
salute the King at table. To greet Tvim all hearts opened.
The King embraced him very tenderly. Monseigneur only
looked at him tenderly, not daring to embrace his (youngest)
son in presence of the King. All present courted him. He
remained standing near the King all th.3 rest of the supper, and
there was no talk save of post-horses, of roads, and such like
trifles. The King spoke sufficiently at table to Monseigneur le
Due de Bourgogne; but to the Due de Berry, he assumed a