so far as regards the King's service, that he is appointed, for I think
the selection a very good one; but I almost regret the part I have taken
in it. I take a responsibility upon myself. I was fortunate in being
free from any; and in order to relieve myself from this as much as
possible I have just promised M. de Segur, and that upon my word of
honour, not to back any petition, nor to hinder any of his operations by
solicitations on behalf of my proteges."

During the first administration of M. Necker, whose ambition had not then
drawn him into schemes repugnant to his better judgment, and whose views
appeared to the Queen to be very judicious, she indulged in hopes of the
restoration of the finances. Knowing that M. de Maurepas wished to drive
M. Necker to resign, she urged him to have patience until the death of an
old man whom the King kept about him from a fondness for his first choice,
and out of respect for his advanced age. She even went so far as to tell
him that M. de Maurepas was always ill, and that his end could not be very
distant. M. Necker would not wait for that event. The Queen's prediction
was fulfilled. M. de Maurepas ended his days immediately after a journey
to Fontainebleau in 1781.

M. Necker had retired. He had been exasperated by a piece of treachery in
the old minister, for which he could not forgive him. I knew something of
this intrigue at the time; it has since been fully explained to me by
Madame la Marechale de Beauvau. M. Necker saw that his credit at Court
was declining, and fearing lest that circumstance should injure his
financial operations, he requested the King to grant him some favour which
might show the public that he had not lost the confidence of his
sovereign. He concluded his letter by pointing out five requests--such an
office, or such a mark of distinction, or such a badge of honour, and so
on, and handed it to M. de Maurepas. The or's were changed into and's;