Still could not the King’s favour draw observance towards his mistress. Not above six women of rank would accept her protection or acquaintance. Almost all the Foreign Ministers shunned her, nor bad attended her levee--but this cloud was easily removed: Madame de Valentinois invited them to supper, where they found Madame du Barry. As they were not shy to her, she in her turn gave them a like invitation;[203] they hurried to it and to her levee, the Nuncio at their head. The Spanish Ambassador[204] alone was absent, and it passed for an accident, as he was not at Compiègne; but on his arrival there with the new Neapolitan Minister,[205] the Chancellor made a supper for the same company, and invited the two strangers. The Spaniard sent back the card, saying, he had not the honour of visiting the Chancellor;[206] the latter with great presence of mind said, “It is very true, and I ordered my servant to take care not to go to the Spanish Ambassador.” But this _finesse_ palliated nothing, for neither the Spaniard nor Neapolitan would visit the mistress. I will conclude this long episode with a ridiculous fact. Mademoiselle L’Ange, the mistress, had been married to the Comte du Barry, because, by a most absurd ceremonial, it was necessary that the King’s mistress should be a married woman. CHAPTER IX. Election of the Lord Mayor.--Movements of the Pretender.--Conduct of Lord Townshend in Ireland.--Pensions.--Money Bills.--Lord Rockingham ceases Parliamentary Opposition.--The Army is composed of Scotchmen.--Sir James Lowther loses his Cause.--Court Party Predominant.--Private Distresses of the King.--Illness of the Princess Dowager and the Duke of Gloucester.--The Duke of Cumberland marries Colonel Lutterell’s Sister.--Her Character and Family.--Public Opinion on the Marriage.--Anecdote of Sir Robert Walpole.--The King’s Treatment of the Duke.--The Duke of Gloucester’s Health Improves.--Death of the Princess Dowager. 1771. On the 12th of September died, after a very short indisposition, Mr. Robert Wood, a man whose character was much brighter in the literary than in the political world.