“How kind my dear mamma is, to express her approval of the way in which I have conducted myself in these affairs up to the present time!  Alas! there is no need for you to feel obliged to me; it was my heart that acted in the whole matter.  I am only vexed at not being able to enter myself into the feelings of all these ministers, so as to be able to make them comprehend how every thing which has been done and demanded by the authorities at Vienna is just and reasonable.  But unluckily none are more deaf than those who will not hear; and, besides, they have such a number of terms and phrases which mean nothing, that they bewilder themselves before they come to say a single reasonable thing.  I will try one plan, and that is to speak to them both in the king’s presence, to induce them, at least, to hold language suitable to the occasion to the King of Prussia; and in good truth it is for the interest and glory of the king[11] himself that I am anxious to see this done; for he can not but gain by supporting allies who on every account ought to be so dear to him.

“In other respects, and especially in my present conditions, he behaves most admirably, and is most attentive to me.  I protest to you, my dear mamma, that my heart would be torn by the idea that you could for a moment suspect his good-will in what has been done.  No; it is the terrible weakness of his ministers, and tis own great want of self-reliance, which does all the mischief; and I am sure that if he would never act but on his own judgment, every one would see his honesty, his correctness of feeling, and his tact, which at present they are far from appreciating.[12]”

And at the end of the month she writes again: 

“I saw Mercy a day or two ago:  he showed me the articles which the King of Prussia sent to my brother.  I think it is impossible to see any thing more absurd than his proposals.  In fact, they are so ridiculous that they must strike every one here; I can answer for their appearing so to the king.  I have not been able to see the ministers.  M. de Vergennes has not been here [she is writing from Marly]; he is not well, so that I must wait till we return to Versailles.

“I had seen before the correspondence of the King of Prussia with my brother.  It is most abominable of the former to have sent it here, and the more so since, in truth, he has not much to boast of.  His imprudence, his bad faith, and his malignant temper are visible in every line.  I have been enchanted with my brother’s answers.  It is impossible to put into letters more grace, more moderation, and at the same time more force.  I am going to say something which is very vain; but I do believe that there is not in the whole world any one but the emperor, the son of my dearest mother, who has the happiness of seeing her every day, who could write in such a manner.”