After I had taken a cup of coffee, I felt myself calmed but yet dizzy in the head, so I bade them good morning and went out.  I was astonished but delighted that I had not carried my detestable scheme into effect.  I was humbled by being forced to confess to myself that chance and chance alone had saved me from becoming a villain.  As I was reflecting on what had happened I met my brother, and he completed my cure.  I took him to dine at Silvia’s and stayed there till midnight.  I saw that Mdlle.  Baletti would make me forget the fair inconstant, whom I wisely determined not to see again before the wedding.  To make sure I set out the next day for Versailles, to look after my interests with the Government.

CHAPTER II

The Abby de la Ville—­The Abby Galiani—­The Neapolitan Dialect—­I Set Out for Dunkirk on a Secret Mission I Succeed—­I Return to Paris by Amiens—­My Adventure by the Way—­M. de la Bretonniere—­My Report Gives Satisfaction—­I Am Paid Five Hundred Louis—­Reflections.

A new career was opening before me.  Fortune was still my friend, and I had all the necessary qualities to second the efforts of the blind goddess on my behalf save one—­perseverance.  My immoderate life of pleasure annulled the effect of all my other qualities.

M. de Bernis received me in his usual manner, that is more like a friend than a minister.  He asked me if I had any inclination for a secret mission.

“Have I the necessary talents?”

“I think so.”

“I have an inclination for all honest means of earning a livelihood, and as for my talents I will take your excellency’s opinion for granted.”

This last observation made him smile, as I had intended.

After a few words spoken at random on the memories of bygone years which time had not entirely defaced, the minister told me to go to the Abbe de la Ville and use his name.

This abbe, the chief permanent official of the foreign office, was a man of cold temperament, a profound diplomatist, and the soul of the department, and high in favour with his excellency the minister.  He had served the state well as an agent at The Hague, and his grateful king rewarded him by giving him a bishopric on the day of his death.  It was a little late, but kings have not always sufficient leisure to remember things.  His heir was a wealthy man named Gamier, who had formerly been chief cook at M. d’Argenson’s, and had become rich by profiting by the friendship the Abbe de la Ville had always had for him.  These two friends, who were nearly of the same age, had deposited their wills in the hands of the same attorney, and each had made the other his residuary legatee.

After the abbe had delivered a brief discourse on the nature of secret missions and the discretion necessary to those charged with them, he told me that he would let me know when anything suitable for me presented itself.