For years the affair had been ready to be judged at Rouen, but M. d’Aumont every year, by means of his letters of state, obtained a postponement.  At last, however, M. d’Aumont died, and I was assured that the letters of state should not be again produced, and that in consequence no further adjournment should take place.  I and Madame de Saint-Simon at once set out, therefore, for Rouen, where we were exceedingly well received, fetes and entertainments being continually given in our honour.

After we had been there but eight or ten days, I received a letter from Pontchartrain, who sent me word that the King had learnt with surprise I was at Rouen, and had charged him to ask me why I was there:  so attentive was the King as to what became of the people of mark, he was accustomed to see around him!  My reply was not difficult.

Meanwhile our cause proceeded.  The parliament, that is to say, the Grand Chamber, suspended all other business in order to finish ours.  The affair was already far advanced, when it was interrupted by an obstacle, of all obstacles the least possible to foresee.  The letters of state had again been put in, for the purpose of obtaining another adjournment.

My design is not to weary by recitals, which interest only myself; but I must explain this matter fully.  It was Monday evening.  The parliament of Rouen ended on the following Saturday.  If we waited until the opening of the next parliament, we should have to begin our cause from the beginning, and with new presidents and judges, who would know nothing of the facts.  What was to be done?  To appeal to the King seemed impossible, for he was at Marly, and, while there, never listened to such matters.  By the time he left Marly, it would be too late to apply to him.

Madame de Saint-Simon and others advised me, however, at all hazards, to go straight to the King, instead of sending a courier, as I thought of doing, and to keep my journey secret.  I followed their advice, and setting out at once, arrived at Marly on Tuesday morning, the 8th of August, at eight of the clock.  The Chancellor and Chamillart, to whom I told my errand, pitied me, but gave me no hope of success.  Nevertheless, a council of state was to be held on the following morning, presided over by the King, and my petition was laid before it.  The letters of state were thrown out by every voice.  This information was brought to me at mid-day.  I partook of a hasty dinner, and turned back to Rouen, where I arrived on Thursday, at eight o’clock in the morning, three hours after a courier, by whom I had sent this unhoped-for news.