Gramont's ambition was encouraged by her brother, but reportedly, she attempted to seduce the king in such a direct manner that he became alarmed and avoided her by accepting the advances of her rival instead.

[1] According to court gossip, Madame d'Esparbes was on the point of being declared official mistress at Marly when Choiseul caused a scene to prevent it.

[1] Gramont continued her attempts to succeed as official royal mistress, and reportedly believed herself to be near success when Madame du Barry attained the position in 1768.

[3] When Madame du Barry was officially accepted at court, the conflict developed into a personal feud between the king's mistress and the Choiseul party.

The Duke de Lauzun was sent to mediate a message of peace from Madame du Barry to the Duke de Choiseul, but when he arrived, Choiseul was in the company of his sister and received the message "with all the haughtiness of a Minister who is harassed by women and believes that he has nothing to fear," and declared that there was "war to the knife" between him and Madame du Barry, while Gramont "made some outrageous remarks, in which she did not spare even the King.

"[1] The Comtesse de Gramont, lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette and the sister-in-law of the Duchess the Gramont, participated in the continuing boycott and made a rude remark to Madame du Barry, causing the king to exile the Comtesse from court, creating discord between Madame du Barry and Marie Antoinette.