estrange M. d’Orleans from her, but that I should not succeed; and immediately related all that I had just said to her father.  He had had the goodness to repeat it to her an hour afterwards!  Madame de Saint-Simon, still more surprised, listened attentively to the end, and replied that this horrible report was public, that she herself could see what consequences it would have, false and abominable as it might be, and feel whether it was not important that M. le Duc d’Orleans should be informed of it.  She added, that I had shown such proofs of my attachment for them and of my desire for their happiness, that I was above all suspicion.  Then she curtsied and leaving the Princess went to bed.  This scene appeared to me enormous.

For some time after this I ceased entirely to see Duc d’Orleans and Madame la Duchesse de Berry.  They cajoled me with all sorts of excuses, apologies, and so forth, but I remained frozen.  They redoubled their excuses and their prayers.  Friendship, I dare not say compassion, seduced me, and I allowed myself to be led away.  In a word, we were reconciled.  I kept aloof, however, from Madame la Duchesse de Berry as much as possible, visiting her only for form’s sake; and as long as she lived never changed in this respect.

Being reconciled with M. d’Orleans, I again thought of my project of uniting him to the Dauphin through M. de Beauvilliers.  He had need of some support, for on all sides he was sadly out of favour.  His debauchery and his impiety, which he had quitted for a time after separating himself from Madame d’Argenton, his mistress, had now seized on him again as firmly as ever.  It seemed as though there were a wager between him and his daughter, Madame la Duchesse de Berry, which should cast most contempt on religion and good manners.

The King was nothing ignorant of the conduct of his nephew.  He had been much shocked with the return to debauchery and low company.  The enemies of M. d’Orleans, foremost among whom was M. du Maine, had therefore everything in their favour.  As I have said, without some support M. d’Orleans seemed in danger of being utterly lost.

It was no easy matter to persuade M. de Beauvilliers to, fall in with the plan I had concocted, and lend his aid to it.  But I worked him hard.  I dwelt upon the taste of the Dauphin for history, science, and the arts, and showed what a ripe knowledge of those subjects M. d’Orleans had, and what agreeable conversation thereon they both might enjoy together.  In brief I won over M. de Beauvilliers to my scheme.  M. D’Orleans, on his side, saw without difficulty the advantage to him of union with the Dauphin.  To bring it about I laid before him two conditions.  One, that when in the presence of the Prince he should suppress that detestable heroism of impiety he affected more than he felt, and allow no licentious expressions to escape him.  The second was to go less often into evil company at Paris, and if he must continue his debauchery, to do so at the least within closed doors, and avoid all public scandal.  He promised obedience, and was faithful to his promise.  The Dauphin perceived and approved the change; little by little the object of my desire was gained.