I lose my lover--Quarrels with me because I did my duty as a mother--Royalty extols me for the same reason---My pride of kingship aroused by Socialist scribblers--Change my opinion as to Duke's widow--Parents arrive--Father and his alleged astrolatry--His finances disarranged by alimony payments--My uncle, the Emperor, rebukes mother harshly for complaining of _roue_ father 193 CHAPTER XL A PLEBEIAN LOVER In need of a friend--My physician offers his friendship--I discover that he loves me, but he will never confess--I give him encouragement--We manage to persuade the King to further our intrigue--Not a bit repentant of my peccadilloes--Very submissive--Introduced to my lover's wife 199 CHAPTER XLI AN ATROCIOUS ROYAL SCANDAL A royal couple that shall be nameless--The voluptuous Duchess--Her husband the worst of degenerates--"What monsters these royalties be"--Nameless outrages--A Duchess forced to have lovers--Ferdinand and I live like married folk--Duchess feared for her life--Her husband murdered her--I scold and humiliate my overbearing Grand Mistress--The medical report too horrible to contemplate 205 CHAPTER XLII I LOSE ANOTHER OF MY LOVERS Happily no scandal--Rewarded for bearing children--$1250--for becoming a mother--Royal poverty--Bernhardt, the black sheep, in hot water again--The King rebukes me for taking his part 213 CHAPTER XLIII THE CROWN PRINCESS QUELLS A RIOT Asked to play the coward, and I refuse--A hostler who would die for a look from me--Hostler marriages in royal houses--Anecdotes and unknown facts concerning royal ladies and their offspring--Refuse police escort and rioters acclaim me--Whole royal family proud of my feat 219 CHAPTER XLIV THE NEW LOVER, AND "I PLAY THE HUSSY FOR FAIR" Who is that most exquisite _Vortaenzer?_--A lovely boy--"Blush, good white paper"--I long for Henry--My eyes reflect love--"I must see you tonight. Arrange with Lucretia"--Sorry I ever loved a man before Henry--Poetry even--I try to get him an office at court--Afraid women will steal him 227 CHAPTER XLV LOVE AND THE HAPPINESS IT CONVEYS My Grand Mistress suspects because I am so amiable--Pangs of jealousy--Every good-looking man pursued by women--A good story of my cousin, the Duchess Berri--We all go cycling together--The Vitzthums--Love making on the street--A mud bath 233 CHAPTER XLVI FEARS FOR MY LOVE