"
"What! monsieur le duc," cried I, "will
the clergy
of France, and and their suite be favorable to
me, if I use my influence with the king in espousing the cause of
the society of Jesus?"
"Certainly, madame, and I am authorized to promise you. I give
you my word for this. Endeavor to re-establish the order, and
there will not be one of us but will be zealous in supporting you."
"I certainly am desirous of pleasing your friends; but I can see
that, from the first moment of my appearance at court, I shall
be at open war with the Choiseuls and the parliaments."
"What matters it? I confess that the victory will not be easy at
first, but there is no need to exaggerate the difficulties. It is
true that the king has esteem for the duc de Choiseul, but he has
much affection for you, which avails much more.
"As for the parliaments, he hates them, and for many years has
been desirous of ridding himself of them entirely, and he will
effect this by the help of God and your interference."
"This will be hard work for one so weak as I am."
"Oh, you are sufficiently powerful, I assure you. Only confide
in me, the intermediary between you and my friends, let me guide
you, and I will steer to the right port. What do you think of
this, madame?"
"Oh! monsieur le duc, it is not at a moment that we can give a
positive reply to such grave matters.
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