de Fresne Forget, being one day in company with the Queen Marguerite, told her he was astonished how men and women with such great ruffs could eat soup without spoiling them; and still more how the ladies could be gallant with their great fardingales.

The Queen made no answer at that time, but a few days after, having a very large ruff on, and some 'bouili' to eat, she ordered a very long spoon to be brought, and ate her 'bouili' with it, without soiling her ruff.

Upon which, addressing herself to M.
de Fresne, she said, laughing, "There now, you see, with a little ingenuity one may manage anything."-- "Yes, faith, madame," said the good man, "as far as regards the soup I am satisfied."-- LAPLACE's "Collection," vol.ii., p.

350.] The anti-Austrian party, discontented and vindictive, became spies upon her conduct, exaggerated her slightest errors, and calumniated her most innocent proceedings.

"What seems unaccountable at the first glance," says Montjoie, "is that the first attack on the reputation of the Queen proceeded from the bosom of the Court.