Adrien was admirable to see in my livery, and when my carriage went out, he attracted alone all the public attention.  His figure was still not all that it might be; it developed suddenly, and then one was not wrong in comparing him with a perfect model for the Academy.  He took small time in losing the manners which he had brought with him from his original calling.  I discovered the best ‘ton’ in him; he would have been far better seated in the interior than outside my equipage.  Unfortunately, this young impertinent gave himself airs of finding my person agreeable, and of cherishing a passion for me; my first valet de chambre told me of it at once.  I gave him to the King, who had sometimes noticed him in passing.

Adrien was inconsolable at first at this change, for which he was not prepared, but his vanity soon came uppermost; he understood that it was an advancement, and took himself for a great personage, since he had the honour of approaching and serving the King.

The little Olivier—­the first assistant in the shop of Madame Camille, my dressmaker—­saw Adrien, inspired him with love, and herself with much, and they had to be married.  I was good-natured enough to be interested in this union, and as I had never any fault to find with the intelligent services and attentions of the little modiste, I gave her two hundred louis, that she might establish herself well and without any waiting.

She had a daughter whom she was anxious to call Athenais.  I thought this request excessive; I granted my name of Francoise only.

The young couple would have succeeded amply with their business, since my confidence and favour were sufficient to give them vogue; but I was not slow in learning that cruel discord had already penetrated to their household, and that Adrien, in spite of his adopted country, had remained at heart Italian.  Jealous without motive, and almost without love, he tormented with his suspicions, his reproaches, and his harshness, an attentive and industrious young wife, who loved him with intense love, and was unable to succeed in persuading him of it.  From her condition, a modiste cannot dispense with being amiable, gracious, engaging.  The little Olivier, as pretty as one can be, easily secured the homage of the cavaliers.  For all thanks she smiled at the gentlemen, as a well brought up woman should do.  Adrien disapproved these manners,—­too French, in his opinion.  One day he dared to say to his wife, and that before witnesses:  “Because you have belonged to Madame de Montespan, do you think you have the same rights that she has?” And with that he administered a blow to her.

This indecency was reported to me.  I did not take long in discovering what it was right to do with Adrien.  I had him sent to Clagny, where I happened to be at the time.