Most gladly did I take my
seat by her as an old friend, and I learned from her that her mother
was not present, and she engaged me to go and see her at the Hotel de
Rambouillet the next morning, telling me that M. de Solivet had
spoken of me, and that Madame de Rambouillet much wished to see me.
Then she kindly told me the names of many of the persons present,
among whom were more gens de la robe than it was usual for us of the
old nobility to meet. They were indeed ennobled, and thus had no
imposts to pay, but that did not put them on a level with the
children of crusaders. So said my mother and her friends, but I
could not but be struck with the fine countenance and grave collected
air of the President Matthieu de Mole, who was making his how to the
hostess.
Presently, in the violet robes of a Bishop, for which he looked much
too young, there strolled up a keen-faced man with satirical eyes,
whom Madame de Montausieur presented as 'Monseigneur le Coadjuteur.'
This was the Archbishop of Corinth, Paul de Gondi, Coadjutor to his
uncle, the Archbishop of Paris. I think he was the most amusing
talker I ever heard, only there was a great spice of malice in all
that he said--or did not say; and Madame de Montausier kept him in
check, as she well knew how to do.
At last, to my great joy, I saw my brother walking with a young man
in the black dress of an advocate. He came up to me and the Duchess
bade me present him, declaring herself delighted to make the
acquaintance of a brave English cavalier, and at the same time
greeting his companion as Monsieur Darpent.
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