I should tell you, however, that I never had occasion but to speak well of him, and that I have the utmost gratitude for all he did for me. The attachment he testified on our first meeting has never been altered. He gave me his protection as far as it was necessary for me, and when the favor of the king had accorded to me a station, whence all the court sought to hurl me, Lebel seconded me with all his power in my efforts to preserve it. I will say, that it is to his vigilance that I owe the overthrow of more than one conspiracy against me. He was a warm and sincere friend, and not at all interested in the services he rendered. He did a great deal of good, as well as harm, in private. I know poor families whom he has assisted with his own purse, when he could obtain nothing for them from the king, for Louis was only prodigal in his pleasures. However, we dined, and Lebel praised me incessantly to the very skies, and that with so much warmth, that I was fearful at one time he would fall in love with me himself, and would not resign me to another. Thank heaven, Lebel was a faithful servant. After dinner, when we left the table, Lebel paid me some compliments; then pulling out his watch, he spoke of an appointment at the Marais, and left without saying a word of seeing us again. At this abrupt departure, comte Jean and I looked at each other with astonishment. As for Morand, he was overjoyed. "Well, comtesse," said he, "behold the number of your slaves increased by an illustrious adorer. You have made a conquest of M. Lebel, and I am certain he has gone away deeply smitten." "I hope we shall see him again," said comte Jean. "Do you doubt it?" "Assure him," said I, "of the pleasure it will afford us to receive him as he merits." Several persons entered, and M. Morand, profiting by the bustle which their entrance occasioned, approached me, and said, in a low tone, "You are in possession of his heart, will you charge me with any message to him?" "M. Morand," was my reply, "what are you thinking of? A woman of my rank throw herself at any person's head?" "No, certainly not; but you can send him a kind word, or some affectionate token." "I could not think of it; M. Lebel appeared to me a most agreeable man, and I shall be at all times delighted to see him." Morand asked nothing more than this, and there our conversation ended. Two days elapsed without being marked by any event. Comte Jean had spent them with much anxiety. He was absent, when, on the third morning, Henriette came hastily into my room. "Madame," she said, "the _valet de chambre_ of the king is in the drawing-room, and inquires if you will receive him." At this news I was surprised and vexed. M. Lebel took me unawares; my toilette was not begun. I gave a hasty glance at my mirror, "Let M. Lebel come in"; and M. Lebel, who was on the heels of my maid, entered instantly. After having saluted me, he said,