I was still triumphing at the skill which I had displayed
in my conference with the prince de Soubise when the
duc d'Aiguillon entered.

"Good heaven," said he, kissing my hand very tenderly, "into
what inquietude did you throw me by your dear and cruel letter.
The ambiguity of your style has caused me inexpressible sorrow;
and you have added to it by not allowing me to come to you at
the first moment."

"I could not: I thought it would be dangerous for you to appear
before the king previously to having seen me."

"Would the king have thought my visit strange?" asked the duke,
not without some emotion.

"That is not the point. The black spite of my enemies has not
yet deprived me of the counsels of a friend. But as it is necessary
to speak to the king in my favor, I wish that he should not know
that you do so at my request."

After this I related to the duke my conversation with the king.

"Your situation is delicate," said he to me, "but it should not
trouble you. The king is weak, we must give him courage. It is
his pliancy of disposition rather than his resistance that we must
contend with, and I go to act upon it. "

I then instructed the duke with what had passed between me and
the prince de Soubise. When I had done, the duke replied :