"Only some old noblemen, probably retired, who would blush to see their old friend so poor. I have my right of entry to the palace, but what is the good? Better to have the right to enter into enjoyment of my two hundred thousand livres. Work that miracle, my lord."
"Judges cannot be led astray by private influence," he said, forgetting that he was contradicting himself. "Why not, however, apply to the new powers, eager to make recruits? You must have known the royal princesses?"
"They have grown out of remembrance."
"The prince royal?"
"I never knew him."
"Besides, he is dwelling too much on his bride, who is on the road hither, to do any one a good turn. Oh! why not address the favorites?"
"The Duke of Choiseul?"
"No, the other, the Countess——"
"Dubarry?" said the prude, opening her fan.
"Yes, she is goodhearted and she likes to do kindnesses to her friends."