She was consequently all goodness, all condescension, all
confidence; she spoke to Josephine, not as a queen to her favored
subjects, but as a young woman to a young woman, as to her equal.
With sympathetic friendliness she made inquiries concerning the
welfare of the viscountess and her family; she invited her to come
often to Trianon, and, with a flattering allusion to the vast
knowledge of the viscountess in botany, she asked her if she was
satisfied with the arrangements of garden and hot-houses.
Josephine, with the sensitiveness and fine tact natural to her, felt
that the trivial flattery of a courtier would but be a wretched and
inappropriate return for so much goodness and loving-kindness; she
felt that frankness and truth were the thanks due to the queen's
large-heartedness.
She therefore answered the queen's questions with impartial
sincerity, and, encouraged by the kindness of the queen, she openly
and clearly gave her opinion concerning the arrangement of the hot-
houses, and drew the attention of the queen to some precious and
choice plants which she had noticed in the hot-houses.
Marie Antoinette listened to her with lively interest, and at
parting extended to her in a friendly manner her beautiful hand.
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