n striking
a decisive blow. I sent for Chamilly, and treating him with all the
contempt he deserved, I told him, that if the king did not immediately
give up this woman he might prepare for his own immediate dismissal.
At first Chamilly sought to appease my anger by eager protestations of
innocence, but when he found I already knew the whole affair, and was
firmly fixed in my determination, he became alarmed, threw himself at my
knees, and promised to do all I would have him. We then agreed to tell
Louis XV some tale of madame de Rumas that should effectually deter him
from thinking further of her.

In pursuance with this resolution, Chamilly informed the king, that he
had just been informed that madame de Rumas had a lover, who boasted
of being able to turn his majesty which way he pleased, through the
intervention of his mistress. Louis XV wrote off instantly to M. de
Sartines, to have a watchful eye over the proceedings of the Rumas
family. The lieutenant of police, who had some regard for me, and
a still greater portion of fear, was faithful to my interests, and
rendered to Louis XV the most horrible particulars of the profligate
mode of life pursued by madame de Rumas; assuring him, that from
every consideration of personal safety, his majesty should shun the
acquaintance. 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 trifle