The Daughter of an Empress

The duke abruptly left the room, slamming the door after him.

Cardinal Bernis saw his departure with an expression of sadness.

"And such are the friendships of man," he murmured to himself; "the

slightest offence is sufficient to destroy a friendship of many years.

Well, we must reconcile ourselves to it," he continued after a pause,

"and, at all events, it has its very diverting side. For many months I

have taken pains to support Grimaldi with the pope in his defence of

the Jesuits, and now that celebrated order will be abolished because a

French cook has bought a fish that was too dear for the Spanish cook! By

what small influences are the destinies of mankind decided!

"But now I have not a moment to lose," continued the cardinal, rousing

himself from his troubled thoughts. "Grimaldi has rendered it impossible

for me longer to oppose the views of the Marquise de Pompadour; I must

now give effect to the commands of my feminine sovereign, and announce

to the pope the assent of France to his policy. To the pope, then, the

letter of the marquise may make known the will of Louis."

The cardinal hastily donned his official costume, and ordered his

carriage for a visit to the Vatican.