THE MAERIAGE AGREED UPON. 129

But I had felt that it was necessary to act vigorously, and
pressed the Due d'Orleans to speak to the King. To my sur-
prise he suddenly heaped up objections, derived from the public
disasters, with which a princely marriage would contrast dis-
agreeably. The Duchesse d'Orleans was strangely staggered
by this admission; it only angered me. I answered by repeat-
ing all my arguments. At last he gave way, and agreed to
•write to the King. Here, again, I had many difficulties to
over com e, and was obliged, in fact, to write the letter myself,
and dictate it to him. He made one or two changes; and at.last
signed and sealed it. But I had the greatest difficulty yet in
inciting him to give it to the King. I had to follow him, to
urge him, to pique hirn, almost to push him into the presence.
The King received the letter very graciously; it had its effect •
and the marriage was resolved on.

When the preliminaries were settled, the Due and Duchesse
d'Orleans began to show their desire that Madame de Saint-
Simon should be lady of honour to their daughter when she had
become the Duchesse de Berry. I was far from flattered by
this distinction, and refused as best I might. Madame de Saint-
Simon went to have an audience of the Duchesse deBourgogne^
and asked not to be appointed; but her objections were not-
listened to, or listened to with astonishment. Meanwhile-
I endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation of the Due
d'Orleans with La Choin; but utterly failed. La Choin posi-
tively refused to have anything to do with the Due and
Duchesse. I was much embarrassed to communicate this news,
to them, to whom I was attached. It was necessary, however,,
to do so. I hastened to Saint Cloud, and found the Due and
Duchesse d'Orleans at table with Mademoiselle and some ladies
in a most delightful menagerie, adjoining the railing of the
avenue near the village, with a charming pleasure-garden
attached to it. All this belonged, under the name of Mademoi-
selle, to Madame de Mare", her governess. I sat down and
chatted with them; but the impatience of the Due d'Orleans
to learn the news could not be checked. He asked me if I was
very satisfied. " Middling," I replied, not to spoil his dinner;

VOL. IT. 9