Although the answer to the petition had been a delicate refusal,
d'Aygaliers was not discouraged, but followed M. de Villars everywhere.
When the latter arrived at Alais, the new governor sent for MM. de
Lalande and de Baville, in order to consult them as to the best means of
inducing the Camisards to lay down their arms. Baron d'Aygaliers was
summoned to this consultation, and described his plan to the two
gentlemen. As he expected, both were opposed to it; however, he tried to
bring them over to his side by presenting to them what seemed to him to
be cogent reasons for its adoption. But de Lalande and de Baville made
light of all his reasons, and rejected his proposals with such vehemence,
that the marechal, however much inclined to the side of d'Aygaliers, did
not venture to act quite alone, and said he would not decide on any
course until he reached Uzes.

D'Aygaliers saw clearly that until he had obtained the approbation of
either the general or the intendant, he would get nothing from the
marechal. He therefore considered which of the two he should try to
persuade, and although de Baville was his personal enemy, having several
times shown his hatred for him and his family, he decided to address
himself to him.

In consequence, the next day, to the great astonishment of M. de Baville,
d'Aygaliers paid him a visit. The intendant received him coldly but
politely, asked him to sit down, and when he was seated begged to know
the motive which had brought him. "Sir," replied the baron, "you have
given my family and me such cause of offence that I had come to the firm
resolution never to ask a favour of you, and as perhaps you may have
remarked during the journey we have taken with M. le marechal, I would
rather have died of thirst than accept a glass of water from you. But I
have come here to-day not upon any private matter, to obtain my own ends,