SECTION III.

“On the marriage night, Louis XV. said gaily to the Dauphin, who was supping with his usual heartiness, ’Don’t overcharge your stomach to-night’

“‘Why, I always sleep best after a hearty supper,’ replied the Dauphin, with the greatest coolness.

“The supper being ended, he accompanied his Dauphine to her chamber, and at the door, with the greatest politeness, wished her a good night.  Next morning, upon his saying, when he met her at breakfast, that he hoped she had slept well, Marie Antoinette replied, ’Excellently well, for I had no one to disturb me!’

“The Princesse de Guemenee, who was then at the head of the household, on hearing the Dauphine moving very early in her apartment, ventured to enter it, and, not seeing the Dauphin, exclaimed, ’Bless me! he is risen as usual!’—­’Whom do you mean?’ asked Marie Antoinette.  The Princess misconstruing the interrogation, was going to retire, when the Dauphine said, ’I have heard a great deal of French politeness, but I think I am married to the most polite of the nation!’—­’What, then, he is risen?’—­’No, no, no!’ exclaimed the Dauphine, ’there has been no rising; he has never lain down here.  He left me at the door of my apartment with his hat in his hand, and hastened from me as if embarrassed with my person!’

“After Marie Antoinette became a mother she would often laugh and tell Louis XVI. of his bridal politeness, and ask him if in the interim between that and the consummation he had studied his maiden aunts or his tutor on the subject.  On this he would laugh most excessively.

“Scarcely was Marie Antoinette seated in her new country before the virulence of Court intrigue against her became active.  She was beset on all sides by enemies open and concealed, who never slackened their persecutions.  All the family of Louis XV., consisting of those maiden aunts of the Dauphin just adverted to (among whom Madame Adelaide was specially implacable), were incensed at the marriage, not only from their hatred to Austria, but because it had accomplished the ambition of an obnoxious favourite to give a wife to the Dauphin of their kingdom.  On the credulous and timid mind of the Prince, then in the leading strings of this pious sisterhood, they impressed the misfortunes to his country and to the interest of the Bourbon family, which must spring from the Austrian influence through the medium of his bride.  No means were left unessayed to steel him against her sway.  I remember once to have heard Her Majesty remark to Louis XVI., in answer to some particular observations he made, ’These, Sire, are the sentiments of our aunts, I am sure.’  And, indeed, great must have been their ascendency over him in youth, for up to a late date he entertained a very high respect for their capacity and judgment.  Great indeed must it have been to have prevailed against all the seducing allurements of a beautiful