ed on M. de la Ville the title of _director of
foreign affairs_, an office created for him, and the bishopric _in
partibus_ of Tricomie. The good abbe did not, however, long enjoy his
honours, but ended his career in 1774.

This conversation had been repeated to me; and, on my side, I left no
means untried of preventing Louis XV from placing further confidence in
his minister; but, feeble and timid, he knew not on what to determine,
contenting himself with treating the duke coolly; he sought, by
continual rebuffs and denials to his slightest request, to compel him to
demand that dismissal he had not the courage to give.

Whilst these things were in agitation, madame de Mirepoix, who had been
for some days absent from Versailles, came to call upon me. This
lady possessed a considerable share of wit; and, although on the most
intimate terms with me, had not altogether broken off with the des
Choiseuls, to whom she was further bound on account of the prince de
Beauvau, her brother. It therefore excited in me no surprise, when I
heard that the des Choiseuls had called on her to ascertain, whether it
would not be possible, through her mediation, to come to some terms with
me.

"And you must not be angry with me," continued she, "for undertaking the
_negotiation_; I well foresaw all the difficulties, and entertained no
hopes of its success, but upon second thoughts, I considered it better I
should accept the mission; for, in case of a negative being returned,
it will be safe in my keeping, and I will not add to the chagrin of a
failure the shame of a defeat."

"It is my opinion," replied I, "that all propositions coming from these
people should be rejected; they have compelled me to raise between them
and myself an immense wall of hatred, not less difficult to surmount
than the grand wall of China."

"Yet," replied the marechale, smiling, "they are disposed to pay any
price for so doing."

"I have friends," said I, "from whom I can never separate myself."

"They are willing that your friends shall be theirs likewise," cried
she, "for they see that M. de Maupeou, the duc de la Vrilliere, and
the abbe Terray, are provided for, and that the duc d'Aiguillon alone
remains to be suitably established; M. de Choiseul would be happy to aid
him in obtaining the post of minister of naval affairs."

"Well, and the duchesse de Grammont," inquired I, "would she visit me?"

"Oh, as to that, I know nothing about it, and can venture