The king
laughed till he cried; as for me, altho' I could not help finding
the tale sufficiently comic to induce risibility, I listened with
more coolness; and when it was completed, I exclaimed,
"Can it be, sire, that you will permit this unfortunate young man
to be the eternal victim of so unprincipled a woman?"
"What would you have me do?" said Louis; "how can I interfere
without compromising the reputation of madame d'Egmont?"
"Allow me to say," replied I, "that this fear ought not to prevent
your majesty's interference. You are father of your subjects;
and the respect you entertain for madame d'Egmont should not
outweigh your duty, which imperatively calls upon you to command
the release of this wretched young man."
"But," argued the king, "by such a step I shall for ever disoblige
the duc de Richelieu and his family."
"Fear it not," cried I, "if your majesty will trust to me, I will
undertake to bring the marechal and his nephew to approve of
your proceedings; and as for the rest of his family, let them go
where they will; for the empire of the world I should be sorry
to bear them company."
This manner of speaking pleased the king; and, turning to M. de
Sartines, "Lieutenant of police," said he, "you have heard my
fair chancellor; you will act in strict conformity with the orders
she will transmit you from me."
"Then take these orders now, sir," said I: "in the first place,
this ill-treated young Moireau must immediately be set at liberty,
and my own police (for I must tell you I had them) will give me
the faithful account of all your proceedings in this affair.
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