The Dauphin greeted guests as they arrive; as planned, it was a small intimate occasion, each guest carefully invited based on loyalty and interest. The Madame Victoire sat in for the Madame Royale, who usually sits by her favourite nephew during meals (but who had - of late - succumbed to a mysterious illness only known to herself and God).

Although rumors swirled around the palace about the new comtesse d'Artois having already succumbed to the illness of child-bearing (an improbable feat ... but, nonetheless founded on noises heard from their apartment on the wedding night), the dauphin showed no signs of ill-will or discomfort, and was ever the host for a dinner party that not only included the royal comte and madame, but also the crown jewel of all Europe, the dauphine, Marie-Antoinette. His cousin, His Serene Highness, the comte de la Marche rounded out la section de la famille .

Other guests included the vicomtesse de Lagrasse, otherwise known as the "last Tancarville with any inkling of social acceptance," according to the Madame Royale, who thusly defended her family of matrimony when small talk went scandalous, despite rumours of further financial scandals surrounding the family at large. Seated beside the vicomtesse, and completely enamoured by her charm, was none other than the abbe', Hyacinthe d'Albert de Luynes, who extolled the virtues of service to a Greater Good.The Madamoiselles de Bidache were present as well, flanking their hopeful queen, with beauty and grace.

Once she had put in her requisite time, the Madame Victoire stood and excused herself, forcing the servants to put together a last minute plate for her dearest nephew, the comte de Provence, who was laid up in bed with gout and and ill stomach.