He was bantered on the strictness of his principles of honour and honesty; it was thought strange that he should be offended by being thought, like so many others, exposed to hymeneal disgrace.

Louis XV., who was present, and laughed at his angry fit, said to him: 'Come, M.
de Brissac, don't be angry; 'tis but a trifling evil; take courage.'-- 'Sire,' replied M.de Brissac, 'I possess all kinds of courage, except that which can brave shame.'"-- NOTE BY THE EDITOR.] Such a mistress was judiciously selected for the diversion of the latter years of a man weary of grandeur, fatigued with pleasure, and cloyed with voluptuousness.

Neither the wit, the talents, the graces of the Marquise de Pompadour, her beauty, nor even her love for the King, would have had any further influence over that worn-out being.
He wanted a Roxalana of familiar gaiety, without any respect for the dignity of the sovereign.

Madame du Barry one day so far forgot propriety as to desire to be present at a Council of State.

The King was weak enough to consent to it.