130 MEMOIES OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

"but he rose at once and took me into the garden. He was
much affected to hear of the ill-success of my negotiation; and
returned downcast to table. I took the first opportunity to
blame his impatience, and the facility with which he allowed
the impressions he received to appear. Always in extreme, he
said he cared not; and talked wildly of planting cabbages—
talk in which he indulged often without meaning anything.

Soon after, M. le Due d'OrMans went aside with Mademoiselle,
and I found myself placed accidentally near Madame de Fon-
taine-Martel. She was a great friend of mine, and much at-
tached to M. d'Orldans; and it was by her means that I had
become friendly with the Due. She felt at once that some-
thing was going on; and did not doubt that the marriage of
Mademoiselle was on the carpet. She said so, but I did not
answer, yet without assuming an air of reserve that would
have convinced her. Taking her text from the presence of M.
le Due d'Orleans with Mademoiselle, she said to me confiden-
tially, that it would be well to hasten this marriage if it was
possible, because all sorts of horrible things were invented to
prevent it; and without waiting to be too much pressed, she
told me that the most abominable stories were in circulation as
to the friendship of father and daughter. The hair of my
head stood on-end. I now felt more heavily than ever with
what demons we had to do; and how necessary it was to
hurry on matters. For this reason, after we had walked about
a good deal after dark, I again spoke with M. d'Orleans, and
told him that if, before the end of this voyage to Marly, he did
not carry the declaration of his daughter's marriage, it would
never take place.

I persuaded him; and left him more animated and encou-
raged than I had seen him. He amused himself I know not in
what other part of the house. I then talked a little with
Madame de Mar^, my relation and friend, until I was told that
Madame de Fontaine-Martel wished to speak to me in the
chateau. When I went there I was taken to the cabinet of
the Duchesse d'Orleans, when I learnt that she had just been,
made acquainted with the abominable reports spread against