"I have seen in my days," says D'Argenson, "a decrease in the respect and love of the people for the kingship." Decadence went on swiftly, and no wonder.

At forty years of age Louis XV., finding every pleasure pall, indifferent to or forgetful of business from indolence and disgust, bored by everything and on every occasion, had come to depend solely on those who could still manage to amuse him.
[Illustration: Madame de Pompadour----215] Madame de Pompadour had accepted this ungrateful and sometimes shameful task.

Born in the ranks of the middle class, married young to a rich financier, M.Lenormant d'Etioles, Mdlle.

Poisson, created Marchioness of Pompadour, was careful to mix up more serious matters with the royal pleasures.

The precarious lot of a favorite was not sufficient for her ambition.