The
king, incensed at the trick put upon him by these seemingly
virtuous people, was at first for confining both husband and wife
in prison, but this measure I opposed with all my power; for,
satisfied with the victory I had gained, I cared for no further
hurt to my adversaries. I contrived, to insinuate to the worthy
pair the propriety of their avoiding the impending storm by a
timely retreat into the country, a hint they were wise enough to
follow up, so that I was entirely freed from all further dread
of their machinations.
All those who had served me in this affair I liberally rewarded;
Marin received for his share 500 louis. It is true he lost the
confidence of Chamilly, but he gained mine instead, so that it
will easily be believed he was no sufferer by the exchange. I
caused the marechale to receive from the king a superb Turkey
carpet, to which I added a complete service of Sevres porcelain,
with a beautiful breakfast set, on which were landscapes most
delicately and skilfully drawn in blue and gold: I gave her also
two large blue porcelain cots, as finely executed as those you
have so frequently admired in my small saloon. These trifles
cost me no less a sum than 2800 livres. I did not forget my
good friend M. de Sartines, who received a cane, headed with gold,
around which was a small band of diamonds. As for Chamilly, I
granted him his pardon; and I think you will admit that was being
sufficiently generous.
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