Memoirs of the Courts of Louis XV and XVI. — Volume 2 Being secret memoirs of Madame Du Hausset, lady's maid to Madame de Pompadour, and of the Princess Lamballe

"Memoirs of the Courts of Louis XV and XVI. — Volume 2" by Mme. Du Hausset is a recollection of life in the French courts during the reigns of Louis XV and XVI, told through the eyes of Madame du Hausset, a lady's maid, and Princess Lamballe. This volume paints a picture of the French court's lavish lifestyle, political schemes, and tangled relationships of the era. The narrative starts with Madame du Hausset's firsthand experiences, remembering a night filled with tension when Madame de Pompadour hears worrying news from her brother about a planned marriage, which stirs up family problems. The story discusses powerful people, the social structure of the time, and the presence of intriguing characters like the Abbe de Bernis and the Comte de St. Germain. Readers discover their political enemies and are captivated by the Comte's boasts of unusual abilities and hidden knowledge. This beginning sets the stage for a journey through the lives of French royalty, full of personal struggles, social games, and insights into the anxieties and ambitions of those in charge.