To the Reader
As the early part of Madame du Barry’s career had little to differentiate it from the life of an ordinary courtezan, the editor has deemed it best to confine the memoirs to the years in her life which helped to make history.
—Editor*
* “Editor here means the author, who is assuming
the persona of the editor of the Comtesse’s memoirs.
CHAPTER I
Letter from Lebel—Visit from Lebel—Nothing conclusive—
Another visit from Lebel—Invitation to sup with the king—
Instructions of the comte Jean to the comtesse
One morning comte Jean entered my apartment, his face beaming with delight.
“Read,” said he, giving me a letter, “read, Jeannette: victory is ours. News from Morand. Lebel is coming to Paris, and will dine with us. Are we alone?”