Memoirs of a Physician by Alexandre Dumas

power, countess ; but
    “But what ?”
    “I cannot conceal from you that the task is difficult.”
    ” Are these Choiseuls positively not to be rooted out, then?”
    ‘ They are firmly planted at least.”
     
    MEMOIRS OF A PHYSICIAN. 73
    ” Then, whatever our friend La Fontaine may say, neither wind nor storm can prevail against this oak ? “
    ” The minister is a lofty genius.”
    ” Bah ! you speak like an encyclopedist ! “
    ” Am I not a member of the academy ? “
    ” Oh, you are so slightly so.”
    ” True, you are right ; my secretary is the member, not I. But, nevertheless, I maintain my opinion.”
    ” But may I ask in what does this mighty genius shine ? “
    “In this, madame, that he has made such a piece of work with the parliament and the English, that the king cannot do without him.”
    ” The parliament ! Why, he excites it against his majesty.”
    ” Of course ; therein lies his cleverness.”
    ” He provokes the English^ to war.”
    ” Of course. Peace would ruin him.”
    ” That is not genius, duke.”
    ” What is it then, countess ?”
    ” It is high treason.”
    ” When high treason is successful, countess, it is genius, and a lofty description of genius, too.”
    ” Then, by that mode of reasoning, I know some one who is as great a genius as Monsieur de Choiseul.”
    “Bah!”
    ” Why, he has at least caused the parliament to revolt.”
    ” You puzzle me exceedingly, countess.”
    ” Do you not know him, duke ? He belongs to your own family.”
    ” Can I have a man of genius in my family ? Do yon speak of my uncle, the cardinal duke, madame ? “
    “No, I mean the Duke d’Aiguillon, your nephew.’”
    ” Ah, Monsieur d’Aignillon. Yes, true, it was he who set that affair of La Chalotais moving. Ton honor, he is a brave youth. Yes, true ; that was a tough piece of work. Countess, there is a man whom a t woman of spirit should gain over to her cause.”
    ” Are you aware, duke,” said the countess,” that I do not know your nephew ? “
    4 DUMAS VOL. Vli.
     
    74 MEMOIRS OF A PHYSICIAN.
    ” Indeed, madame ? You don’t know him ?”
    ” No, I have never seen him.”
    ” Poor fellow ! In fact ; I now remember that since you came to court he has always been at Brittany. Let him look to himself when he first sees you ; he has not latterly been accustomed to the sun.”
    ” What does he do-among all those black gowns a nobleman of spirit like him ? “
    ” He revolutionizes them, not being able to do better. Yon understand, countess, every one takes pleasure where they can find it, and there is not much to be had in Brittany. Ah ! he is an active man. Peste ! what a servant the king might have in him, if he wished. Parliament would not be insolent to him. Oh ! he is a true Richelieu. Permit me, therefore, countess “
    “What?”
    ” To present him to you on his first appearance.”
    ” Does he intend to visit Paris soon? “
    ” Oh ! madame, who knows ? Perhaps he will have to remain another luster in Brittany, as that scoundrel, Voltaire, says ; perhaps he is on his way hither ; perhaps two hundred leagues off ; or perhaps at the barrier.”
    And while he spoke, the marshal studied the lady’s features to see what effect his words produced. But after having reflected for a moment, she said :
    ” Let us return to the point where we left off.”
    ” Wherever you please, countess.”
    ” Where were we ? “
    ” At the moment when his majesty was enjoying himself so much at Trianon in the company of Monsieur de Choiseul.”
    ” And when we were speaking of getting rid of this Choiseul, duke.”
    ” That is to say, when you were speaking of getting rid of him, countess.”
    ” Oh ! I am so anxious that he should go,” said the favorite, ” that I think I shall die if he remains. Will you not assist me a little, my dear duke ? “
     
    MEMOIRS OF A PHYSICIAN. 75
    “Oh! “said Bichelieu, bridling, “in politics, that is called an overture.”
    ” Take it as