"The public voice accuses the
duc de Choiseul of the death of your son; they declare--"
"How! you, too, madam!" exclaimed the king looking at
me fixedly.
"And why not, sire? I am merely repeating what is in every
one's mouth."
"I have heard this horrible charge before," added the king; "the
Jesuits informed me of it, but I could not give credit to such
a monstrosity."
"So much the worse," replied I; "in the world in which we live
we should always be on our guard."
"Sire," added the chancellor, with the most diabolical address, "I
am persuaded that M. de Choiseul is the most honourable man in
the world, and that he would shudder at the bare idea of any
attempt upon the life of your majesty; but his relations, friends,
and creatures believe, that, supported by the dauphiness, he
would continue in office under your successor. Who can answer
for their honour? Who can assure you, that some one among them
may not do that for the duke which he would never venture to
attempt himself?
"This is the personal danger your majesty runs so long as M. de
Choiseul continues in office; were he dismissed, the world would
soon abandon the disgraced minister, and the dauphiness be
amongst the first to forget him."
The king was pale with agitation, and for some minutes continued
traversing the apartment with hasty strides; then he suddenly stopped.
"You are then convinced, M.
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