Lady Bearn, with her face drawn down to suit the disaster, took the armchair in front of her hostess and began:
“A great misfortune brings me, news which will much afflict his Majesty—these Parliamentarians—— ”
“This is the Duke of Aiguillon,” Lady Dubarry hastened to say as he groaned, for fear of something awkward being said.
But the old dame was not one to make blunders; she hastened to proceed:
“I know the turpitude of these crows, and their lack of respect for merit and birth.”
This blunt compliment to the duke earned his handsome bow for the litigant, who rose and returned it before she went on:
“But it is no longer his grace to whom they do harm, but to all the people. They will let no cases be tried.”
“Tush, no more law-dealing in France,” said Jeanne Dubarry; “What difference will that make?”
The duke smiled, but the old hag, instead of taking things pleasantly, looked as morose as possible.
“It is a great woe, but it is plain that your ladyship has no trials on the board.”