their age.”—­ “Did you see the governess?” resumed the big boy.  “She did not seem pleased when you complimented her on the docility of her pupils, and I could see that they were teasing each other.”  The Duke of Bordeaux and his sister, who heard all this, were petrified.  “They are very wicked!” they cried.  “They are simply flatterers,” replied Madame de Gontaut.  Little Mademoiselle resumed:  “After having praised us without end, and telling us a hundred times that we were pretty,—­for I heard it all perfectly, —­to want to give me medicine because I was so homely and ill-looking!  Oh, this is too much!  I know now what flattery is,—­to say just the contrary of the truth.  But it’s a sin.  I shall always remember it!”

Madame de Gontaut succeeded beyond her hopes in the task confided to her.  Morally and physically the little Prince and Princess were accomplished children.

The moment was approaching when the Duke of Bordeaux, born September 20, 1820, was about to begin his seventh year.  That was the period fixed by the ancient code of the House of France for the young Prince to pass from the hands of women to those of men, who were thereafter to direct his education.  On the 15th of October, 1826, the transfer was made of the Duke of Bordeaux to his governor, the Duke de Riviere, at the Chateau of Saint Cloud, in the Hall of the Throne, in the presence of all the members of the family, the first officers of the crown, etc.  The child, brought by his governess before the King, was stripped of his clothing and examined by the physicians, who attested his perfect health.  When he was clad again, the King called the new governor and said to him:  “Duke de Riviere, I give you a great proof of my esteem and confidence in remitting to you the care of the child given us by Providence—­the Child of France also.  You will bring to these important functions, I am sure, a zeal and a prudence that will give you the right to my gratitude, to that of the family, and to that of France.”

Charles X. then turned to Madame de Gontaut, whom he had just named Duchess in witness of his gratitude and satisfaction.  “Duchess of Gontaut,” he said, “I thank you for the care you have given to the education of this dear child.”  Then, pointing to Mademoiselle, “Continue and complete that of this child, who is just as dear to me, and you will acquire new claims on my gratitude.”  The little Princess then seized the hands of her governess with such effusion that the latter could hardly restrain her tears.

That evening the Duchess of Gontaut addressed to the Duke de Riviere a letter in which she depicted the character of the child she had brought up with such care:—­