I always took the Bishop of Soissons for an honest man.  I knew him when he was only an Abbe, and the Duchess of Burgundy’s almoner; but the desire to obtain a Cardinal’s hat drives most of the Bishops mad.  There is not one of them who does not believe that the more impertinently he behaves to my son about the Constitution, the more he will improve his credit with the Court of Rome, and the sooner become a Cardinal.

My son, although he is Regent, never comes to see me, and never quits me, without kissing my hand before he embraces me; and he will not even take a chair if I hand it to him.  He is not, however, at all timid, but chats familiarly with me, and we laugh and talk together like good friends.

[Illustration:  The Regent and His Mother—­166]

While the Dauphin was alive La Chouin behaved very ill to my son; she embroiled him with the Dauphin, and would neither speak to nor see him; in short, she was constantly opposed to him.  And yet, when he learnt that she had fallen into poverty, he sent her money, and secured her a pension sufficient to live upon.

My son gave me actions to the amount of two millions, which I distributed among my household.  The King also took several millions for his own, household; all the Royal Family have had them; all the enfans and petits enfans de France, and the Princes of the blood.

[This may be stock the M. Law floated in the Mississippi Company.  D.W.]

The old Court is doing its utmost to put people, out of conceit with Law’s bank.

I do not think that Lord Stair praises my son so much as he used to do, for they do not seem to be very good friends.  After having received all kinds of civilities from my son, who has made him richer than ever he expected to be in his life, he has turned his back upon him, caused him numerous little troubles, and annoys him so much that my son would gladly be rid of him.

My son was obliged to make a speech at the Bank, which was applauded.

1720

They have been obliged to adopt severe measures in Bretagne; four persons of quality have been beheaded.  One of them, who might have escaped by flying to Spain, would not go.  When he was asked why, he said it had been predicted that he should die by sea (de la mer).  Just before he was executed he asked the headsman what his name was.

“My name is Sea (La Mer),” replied the man.

“Then,” said the nobleman, “I am undone.”

All Paris has been mourning at the cursed decree which Law has persuaded my son to make.  I have received anonymous letters, stating that I have nothing to fear on my own account, but that my son shall be pursued with fire and sword; that the plan is laid and the affair determined on.  From another quarter I have learnt that knives are sharpening for my son’s assassination.  The most dreadful news is daily reaching me.  Nothing could appease the discontent until, the Parliament having assembled, two of its members were deputed to wait upon my son, who received them graciously, and, following their advice, annulled the decree, and so restored things to their former condition.  This proceeding has not only quieted all Paris, but has reconciled my son (thank God) to the Parliament.