When we were out, he told me that the cabalistic answer concerning the pomatum was truly wonderful.

This was the history of it: "The duchess, pretty as you see her now, had her face so fearfully covered with pimples that the duke, thoroughly disgusted, had not the courage to come near her to enjoy his rights as a husband, and the poor princess was pining with useless longing to become a mother.

The Abbe de Brosses cured her with that pomatum, and her beautiful face having entirely recovered it original bloom she made her appearance at the Theatre Francais, in the queen's box.

The Duke de Chartres, not knowing that his wife had gone to the theatre, where she went but very seldom, was in the king's box.

He did not recognize the duchess, but thinking her very handsome he enquired who she was, and when he was told he would not believe it; he left the royal box, went to his wife, complimented her, and announced his visit for the very same night.