Maria Theresa was quite delighted with this arrangement, for affairs were moving much to her satisfaction at Versailles.  Her “dear friend and cousin” Jeanette Poisson, had dismissed all the ministers who were unfriendly to Austria, and had replaced them with her own creatures who were in favor of the Austrian alliance.  A double motive influenced the Marchioness of Pompadour.  Her vanity was gratified by the advances of Maria Theresa, and revenge roused her soul against Frederic of Prussia, who had indulged in a cutting witticism upon her position and character.

The marchioness, with one of her favorites, Cardinal Bernis, met the Austrian ambassador in one of the private apartments of the palace of the Luxembourg, and arranged the plan of the alliance between France and Austria.  Maria Theresa, without the knowledge of her ministers, or even of her husband the emperor, privately conducted these negotiations with the Marchioness du Pompadour.  M. Kaunitz was the agent employed by the queen in this transaction.  Louis XV., sunk in the lowest depths of debauchery, consented to any arrangements his mistress might propose.  But when the treaty was all matured it became necessary to present it to the Council of State.  The queen, knowing how astounded her husband would be to learn what she had been doing, and aware of the shock it would give the ministry to think of an alliance with France, pretended to entire ignorance of the measures she had been so energetically prosecuting.

In very guarded and apologetic phrase, Kaunitz introduced the delicate subject.  The announcement of the unexpected alliance with France struck all with astonishment and indignation.  Francis, vehemently moved, rose, and smiting the table with his hand, exclaimed, “Such an alliance is unnatural and impracticable—­it never shall take place.”  The empress, by nods and winks, encouraged her minister, and he went on detailing the great advantages to result from the French alliance.  Maria Theresa listened with great attention to his arguments, and was apparently convinced by them.  She then gave her approbation so decisively as to silence all debate.  She said that such a treaty was so manifestly for the interest of Austria, that she was fearful that France would not accede to it.  Since she knew that the matter was already arranged and settled with the French court, this was a downright lie, though the queen probably regarded it as a venial fib, or as diplomacy.

Thus curiously England and Austria had changed their allies.  George II. and Frederic II., from being rancorous foes became friends, and Maria Theresa and Louis XV. unfurled their flags together.  England was indignant with Austria for the French alliance, Austria was indignant with England for the Prussian alliance.  Each accused the other of being the first to abandon the ancient treaty.  As the British ambassador reproached the queen with this abandonment, she replied,

“I have not abandoned the old system, but Great Britain has abandoned me and that system, by concluding the Prussian treaty, the first intelligence of which struck me like a fit of apoplexy.  I and the King of Prussia are incompatible.  No consideration on earth shall induce me to enter into any engagement to which he is a party.  Why should you be surprised if, following your example in concluding a treaty with Prussia, I should enter into an engagement with France?”