, capable of conceiving and executing
the most daring schemes. Whilst the order remained in possession of
power he had no opportunity of displaying his extraordinary talents,
and consequently he obtained but a trifling reputation; but since its
banishment he has become its firmest support and principal hope. All the
treasures of the brotherhood are at his disposal, and I learn, that the
day before yesterday he received a considerable sum from Lyons.

"This intrepid and daring spirit is the very soul of the conspiracy;
he it is who conceived the plan and set the whole machine in action. It
would be effectually extinguished could we but once secure him, but this
is by no means an easy task; he has no fixed abode; never sleeps two
nights following in the same home; one day he may be found in one part
of Paris and the next at the very opposite corner; he changes his manner
of dress as frequently as he does his abode.

"I shall have the honour of seeing you to-morrow or the day after at
furthest. Meanwhile lay aside all uneasiness for his majesty's safety:
I pledge you my word he is for the present in perfect security. The
execution of the plot is still deferred for the want of a Damiens
sufficiently sanguinary to undertake the task.

"Deign, madam, to accept the assurance of my sincere devotion, and
believe that I will neglect no opportunity of affording you proofs of
it.

"Yours, madam, etc., etc."

I immediately communicated this letter to the duc d'Aiguillon, who
convoked a fresh meeting of the persons who had been present on the
preceding day. It was at first deliberated whether or not to arrest the
whole body of Jesuits then in Paris, but this, although the advice of
M. d'Aiguillon, was by no means approved of by the chancellor. M.
de Sartines and M. de la Vrilliere were for carrying the idea into
execution, but the objections of M. de Maupeou were too powerful to be
overruled, and the scheme was for the present abandoned. The chancellor
maintained that the other conspirators, warned of their own, danger by
the seizure of their friends, would either escape the vengeance of
the laws by flight or by close confinement in their houses; he greatly
dreaded as it was, that his foes, the parliamentarians, would avoid the
punishment he longed to inflict on them. Indeed, in his estimation,
it seemed as though every measure would be anticipated so long as the
female, who seemed so intimately acquainted with their design, was