The chancellor, who each day became more attached to my interests,
opened the campaign. One day, when the king was in a rage with
the parliaments, the chancellor seized the opportunity to tell him
that the cabal, who were opposed to my presentation, testified so
much resistance, under the idea, and in the hope, that they would
be supported by the parliaments of Paris.
"If your majesty," added the chancellor, "had less condescension
towards these malcontents, they would fear your authority more."
"You will see," replied the king, "that it will be their audacity
which will urge me on to a step, which otherwise I should wish
to avoid."
Whilst the hatred which M. de Maupeou bore towards the parliaments
served me in this way, the love of M. de la Vauguyon for the
Jesuits turned to even more advantage. The good duke incessantly
talked to me of his dear Jesuits; and I as constantly replied, that
my influence would not be salutary until after my presentation, M.
de la Vauguyon had sense enough to perceive the embarrassment of my
situation, and saw that before I could think of others I must think
of myself. Having taken "sweet counsel" with the powerful heads of
his company, he freely gave me all his influence with the king.
Fortune sent me an auxiliary not less influential than these two
gentlemen; I mean the marechal duc de Richelieu. In the month of
January, 1769, he returned from his government of Guienne to enter
on service.
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