Memoirs of a Physician by Alexandre Dumas Page B

countess. There will fall so many beautiful things from the tree along with the portfolio when I shake it, that you will not know how to choose.”
    ” Then, marshal, it is a settled affair ?”
    ” I am to have Monsieur de Choiseul’s place ?”
    “If the king consents.”
    ” Does not the king do all you wish ? “
    ” You see plainly he does not, since he will not send this Choiseul away.”
    ” Oh ! I trust the king will gladly recall his old companion.”
    ” And you ask nothing for the Duke d’Aiguillon ? “
    “No, faith. The rascal can ask for himself.”
    ” Besides, you will be there. And now it is my turn to ask.”
    ” That is but just.”
    ” What will you give me ?”
    “Whatever you wish.”
    ” I want everything.”
    ” That is reasonable.”
    ” And shall I have it ? “
    ” What a question ! But will you be satisfied, at least, and ask me for nothing further ?”
    ” Except the merest trifle. You know Monsieur de Taverney ? “
    ” He is a friend of forty years’ standing.”
    ” He has a son ? “
    ” And a daughter. Well ?”
    “That is all.”
    ” How, all ? “
     
    78 MEMOIRS OF A PHYSICIAN.
    ” Yes ; the other demand I have to make shall be made in proper time and place. In the meantime, we understand each other, duke ? “
    ” Yes, countess.”
    ” Our compact is signed.”
    “Nay, more it is sworn.”
    ” Then shake the tree for me.”
    ” Oh, rest satisfied ; I have the means.”
    ” What are they ? “
    ” My nephew.”
    ” What else ? “
    ” The Jesuits ‘
    “Oh, ho!”
    ” I have a very nice little plan cut and dry.”
    ” May I know it ? “
    “Alas! countess “
    ” Well, you are right. “
    “You know, secrecy “
    ” Is half the battle. I complete your thought for you.”
    “You are charming.”
    “But I wish to shake the tree also.”
    ” Oh, very well, shake away, countess ; it can do no harm.”
    ” But when will you begin to undermine, duke ?” asked the countess.
    ” To-morrow. And when do you commence to shake ? “
    A loud noise of carriages was heard in the courtyard, and almost immediately cries of ” Long live the king ! ” rose on the air.
    “I ?” said the countess, glancing at the window, “I shall commence directly.”
    “Bravo!”
    ” Retire by the little staircase, duke, and wait in the courtyard. You shall have my answer in an hour.’ 3
     
    MEMOIRS OF A PHYSICIAN. 79

CHAPTER XL
    THE MAKESHIFT OF HIS MAJESTY LOUIS XV.
    Louis XV. was not so easy-tempered that one could talk politics with him every day ; for in truth politics were his aversion, and when he was in a bad temper he always escaped from them with this argument, which admitted of no reply :
    ” Bah ! the machine will last out my time.”
    When circumstances were favorable it was necessary to take advantage of them ; but it rarely happened that the king did not retain the advantage which a moment of good humor had caused him to lose.
    Mme. Dubarry knew her king so well that, like fisher-men well skilled in the dangers of the sea, she never attempted to start in bad weather.
    Now, the present visit of his majesty to Luciennes was one of the best opportunities possible. The king had done wrong the previous day, and knew beforehand that he should receive a scolding ; he would therefore be an easy prey.
    But however confiding the game which the hunter lies in wait for in his lurking-place, it has always a certain instinct which must be guarded against. But this instinct is set at naught if the sportsman knows how to manage it.
    The countess managed the royal game she had in view, and which she wished to capture, in the following manner.
    “We have said that she was in a most becoming morning-dress, like those in which Boucher represents his shepherdesses. Only she had no rouge on, for Louis XV. had a perfect antipathy to rouge.
    The moment his majesty was announced, the countess seized her pot of rouge and began to rub er cheeks with it vigorously.
    The king saw