, in behalf of the last
descendant of the Valois family. Upon this the countess went herself
to Versailles, in order to render thanks in person for this favor.
She returned the next day to Paris, beaming with joy, and told the
cardinal that she had not only been received by the queen, but that
Marie Antoinette had been exceedingly gracious to her, and had
requested her to visit her often. From this day on, the countess had
naturally gained new favor in the eyes of the cardinal, for she
often went to Versailles; and from the accounts of her visits there,
when she returned, it was clear that she stood in high favor with
the queen. But now, unfortunately, the cardinal found himself in
precisely the opposite situation. He stood in extreme disfavor with
the queen. She never condescended to bestow a glance upon him, nor a
word. The cardinal was for a long time inconsolable on account of
this, and sought in vain to regain the favor of the queen. This he
intrusted with the deepest confidence to the Countess Lamotte-
Valois, and she, full of friendly zeal, had undertaken to speak to
the queen in his behalf. Some days later she told the cardinal that
she had fulfilled her promise; she had painted his sadness in such
moving words that the queen appeared to be very much affected, and
had told the countess that she would pardon all, if the cardinal
would send her in writing an apology for the mortifications which he
had inflicted upon herself and her mother Maria Theresa.
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