The duc d'Ayen was right: M. de la Vrilliere was a brazen-faced
rogue; a complete thief, without dignity, character, or heart. His
cupidity was boundless: the emanated from his
office, and he carried on an execrable trade in them. If any person
wished to get rid of a father, brother, or husband, they only had
to apply to M. de la Vrilliere. He sold the king's signature to
all who paid ready money for it. This man inspired me with an
invincible horror and repugnance. For his part, as I was not
disgusting, he contented himself with hating me; he was animated
against me by his old and avaricious mistress, madame de Langeac,
alias Subutin. Langeac could not endure me. She felt that it was
better to be the mistress of Louis XV than that of the Vrilliere >, for so her lover was called at court. I knew that she
was no friend of mine, and that her lover sided with the Choiseuls
against me; and was consequently the more delighted to see the
little scoundrel come to receive the order for avenging me. He
entered with an air of embarrassment; and whilst he made me a
salute as low as to the king, this latter, in a brief severe tone,
ordered him to send the sieur Ledoux to Saint Lazare forthwith.
He departed without reply, and half an hour afterwards returned,
to say that it was done. The king then said to him,

"Do you know this lady?"

"No, sire."

"Well, I desire you henceforward to have the greatest consideration
for her as my best friend, and whoever wishes to prove his zeal for
me, will honor and cherish her."