myself perceived that we should best serve my friend's
cause by refraining from pressing the matter further, and we therefore
changed the conversation. Nevertheless, as what had already passed had
taken its full effect upon the king's mind, he suggested an idea which
I should never have dreamed of recommending; and that was to consult the
abbe de la Ville on the subject.

The abbe de la Ville, head clerk of foreign affairs, was a man who, at
the advanced period of fourscore, preserved all the fire and vivacity of
youth; he was acquainted with ministerial affairs even better than M.
de Choiseul himself. Having formerly belonged to the Jesuits, to whom he
was entirely devoted, he had appeared to accelerate the period of their
destruction; never had he been able to pardon his patron the frightful
part he had compelled him to enact in the business. Years had not
weakened his ancient rancour, and it might be said, that he had clung
to life with more than natural pertinacity, as unwilling to lay it
down till he had avenged himself on de Choiseul. Louis XV wrote to him,
desiring he would avail himself of the first pretext that occurred to
request an audience. This note was forwarded by a footman, the good
abbe easily divined that this mystery concealed some great design; he
therefore hastened to solicit an audience as desired. When introduced
into the cabinet of the king, his majesty inquired at once,

"Monsieur l' abbe, can I depend upon your discretion?"

"Sire," replied the abbe, with a blunt frankness, "I am sorry your
majesty can doubt it."

"Be satisfied, sir," replied the king, "I had no intention to offend
you; but I wish to consult you upon a point, the importance of which you
will fully appreciate; answer me without disguise. Do you believe that
the services of the duc de Choiseul are useful to my kingdom, and that
my interests would suffer were I to dismiss him?"

"Sire," replied M. de la Ville, without hesitation, "I protest to you,
as a man of honour, that the presence of the duc de Choiseul is by no
means essential to the ministry, and that your majesty's interests would
sustain not the slightest injury by his absence."

After this the abbe de la Ville entered into particulars unnecessary to
repeat here; it is sufficient to say, that all he advanced materially
aided our wishes. He afterwards reaped the reward of his friendly
services, for when the duc d'Aiguillon had displaced the duc de
Choiseul, he bestow