At about half-past six o’clock we set out—­M. le Duc d’Orleans, M. le Duc de Berry, myself, and M. le Duc de Saint-Aignan, in one coach, several other coaches following.  M. le Duc de Berry was very silent all the journey, appearing to be much occupied with the speech he had learned by heart.  M. d’Orleans, on the contrary, was full of gaiety, and related some of his youthful adventures, and his wild doings by night in the streets of Paris.  We arrived gently at the Porte de la Conference, that is to say—­for it is now pulled down—­at the end of the terrace, and of the Quai of the Tuileries.

We found there the trumpeters and drummers of M. le Duc de Berry’s guard, who made a great noise all the rest of our journey, which ended at the Palais de justice.  Thence we went to the Sainte-Chapelle to hear mass.  The Chapelle was filled with company, among which were many people of quality.  The crowd of people from this building to the grand chamber was so great that a pin could not have fallen to the ground.  On all sides, too, folks had climbed up to see what passed.

All the Princes of the blood, the bastards, the peers and the parliament, were assembled in the palace.  When M. le Duc de Berry entered, everything was ready.  Silence having with difficulty been obtained, the Chief-President paid his compliment to the Prince.  When he had finished, it was for M. le Duc de Berry to reply.  He half took off his hat, immediately put it back again, looked at the Chief-President, and said, “Monsieur;” after a moment’s pause he repeated “Monsieur.”  Then he looked at the assembly, and again said, “Monsieur.”  Afterwards he turned towards M. d’Orleans, who, like himself, was as red as fire, next to the Chief-President, and finally stopped short, nothing else than “Monsieur” having been able to issue from his mouth.

I saw distinctly the confusion of M. le Duc de Berry, and sweated at it; but what could be done?  The Duke turned again towards M. d’Orleans, who lowered his head.  Both were dismayed.  At last the Chief-President, seeing there was no other resource, finished this cruel scene by taking off his cap to M. le Duc de Berry, and inclining himself very low, as if the response was finished.  Immediately afterwards he told the King’s people to begin.  The embarrassment of all the courtiers and the surprise of the magistracy may be imagined.

The renunciations were then read; and by these the King of Spain and his posterity gave up all claim to the throne of France, and M. le Duc d’Orleans, and M. le Duc de Berry to succeed to that of Spain.  These and other forms occupied a long time.  The chamber was all the while crowded to excess.  There was not room for a single other person to enter.  It was very late when all was over.