"Madame, you are angry with me causelessly; I am more negligent
than culpable. It is useless to say this to the king."

"I will not conceal from you, sir, that he knows it all, and is
greatly discontented with you. "

"I am lost then," said M. de Sartines.

"Lost! not precisely," replied comte Jean; "but you must decide
at once and for ever what party you will join. If you are with us
they will use you harshly; if you take the opposite party look to
yourself. Choose."

After some turnings and twistings, accompanied with compliments,
M. de Sartines declared that he would range himself under our
banner. Then I extended to him my hand in token of reconciliation;
he took it with respect, and kissed it with gallantry. Up to this
time we had conversed with feelings of restraint and standing; but
now we seated ourselves, and begun a conference in form, as to the
manner of preventing a recurrence of the offensive outrages against
me. As a proof of good intention M. de Sartines told me the author
of the two articles of which I complained. He was a wretch, named
Ledoux, who for twelve hundred livres per annum wrote down all
those who displeased the duchesse de Grammont. This lady had no
fear of doing all that was necessary to remove every obstacle to the
publication of such infamies.

After M. de Sartines had given us all the details which we desired,
and after I had promised to reconcile him to his master, he went
away delighted with having seen me. Believe me, my friend, it is