"A most impertinent woman!" cried the king, walking with rapid strides up and down my room.--"She has dared not to believe me on my word! Writing!--signature! She mistrusts me as she would the lowest scribbler of France. A writing! My signature! My grandfather, Louis XIV, repented having given his to Charost. I will not commit a similar error." "But, sire, when a prince has a real desire to keep his word, it is of little import whether he gives it in writing." At these words, Louis XV frowned sternly, but as he had the best sense in the world, he saw that he was wrong; and having no reply to make, he determined to flee away. I ran after him, and taking him by the arm, he said, with assumed anger, which did not deceive me:-- "Leave me, madame, you have offended my honor." "Well, then, monsieur la France," replied I, assuming also a scolding tone, "I will give you satisfaction. Choose your time, weapons, and place; I will meet you, and we shall see whether you have courage to kill a woman who lives for you only, and whom you render the most miserable creature in existence." Louis XV gave me a kiss, and laughingly said, "I ought to make you sleep in the Bastille to-night." "I am then more merciful than you, for I think I shall make you sleep in the couch you love best." This reply amused the king excessively, and he himself proposed to send for madame de Bearn. I should speak of my presentation before him, and then without making any positive concession, he would see what could be done to satisfy her. For want of any other, I accepted this _mezzo termine_. CHAPTER XII The comtesse de Bearn--The supper--Louis XV--Intrigues against my presentation--M. de Roquelaure--The scalded foot--The comtesse d'Aloigny--The duc d'Aiguillon and madame de Bearn--Anger of the king's daughters--Madame Adélaïde and the comtesse du Barry--Dissatisfaction of the king M. Morand was again put in requisition, and went from me to ask madame de Bearn to come and sup at my apartments. We were in committee--my sisters-in-law, myself, and comte Jean. The comtesse made some difficulties at first, under pretence that she was afraid to refuse me a second time. Our messenger assured her by saying, that a supper would not bind her to any thing, and that she should still be at liberty to give any reply she pleased. Madame de Bearn allowed herself to be persuaded, and sent me word that she would accept my invitation. She would have reflected twice before she so far committed herself, had she at all suspected the turn we meant to serve her. But I saw by the wording of her note, that she still hoped that the king would be induced to grant me the written promise which I asked for her.