But in the name of God renounce all that is unworthy of you, and which under no circumstances can ever render you happy." Adrien de Montmorency, Duke of Laval, if not so near and dear a friend, was quite as devoted an admirer of Madame Recamier as his cousin Matthieu. His son also wore her chains, and frequently marred the pleasure of his father's visits by his presence. In reference to the family's devotion, Adrien wrote to her,--"My son is fascinated by you, and you know that I am so also. It is the fate of the Montmorencys,-- "'Ils ne mouraient pas tous, mais tout etaient frappes.'" Adrien was a man of wit, and he had more ability than Matthieu. "Of all your admirers," writes Madame de Stael, in a letter given in Chateaubriand's Memoirs, "you know that I prefer Adrien de Montmorency. I have just received one of his letters, which is remarkable for wit and grace, and I believe in the durability of his affections, notwithstanding the charm of his manners. Besides, this word durability is becoming in me, who have but a secondary place in his heart. But you are the heroine of all those sentiments out of which grow tragedies and romances." Other admirers succeeded the Montmorencys. The masked balls, fashionable under the Empire, were occasions for fresh conquests. Madame Recamier attended them regularly under the protection of an elder brother of her husband, and had many piquant adventures. Prince Metternich was devoted to her one season, and when Lent put an end to festivity, he visited her privately in the morning, that he might not incur the Emperor's displeasure. Napoleon's animosity had now become marked and positive. On one occasion, when three of his ministers met accidentally at her house, he heard of it, and asked petulantly how long since had the council been held at Madame Recamier's? He was especially jealous of foreign ministers, and treated with so much haughtiness any who frequented her _salon_, that, as a matter of prudence, they saw her only in society or visited her by stealth. The Duke of Mecklenburg, whom she met at one of the masked balls, was extremely anxious to keep up her acquaintance. She declined the honor, alleging the Emperor's jealousy as reason for her refusal. He persuaded her, however, to grant him an interview, and she appointed an evening when she did not generally receive visitors. Stealing into the house in an undignified manner, the Duke was collared by the _concierge_, who mistook him for a thief. This ill-fortune did not deter him, however, from visiting her frequently. Years after, he wrote,--"Among the precious souvenirs which I owe to you is one I particularly cherish. It is the eminently noble and generous course you pursued toward me, when Napoleon had said openly, in the _salon_ of the Empress Josephine, that he 'should regard as his personal enemy any foreigner who frequented the _salon_ of Madame Recamier.'"