The dispute grew warm, broken phrases were thrown from one to the other, when, troubled about the end of an altercation which became indecent and yielding to the proposal that the Duc de la Force had just made me in front of the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, who sat between us, I made a sign with my hand to M. le Duc d’Orleans to go out and finish this discussion in another room leading out of the grand chamber and where there was nobody.  What led me to this action was that I perceived M. du Maine grew stronger, that confused murmurs for a division were heard, and that M. le Duc d’Orleans did not shine to the best advantage since he descended to plead his cause, so to speak, against that of the Duc du Maine.

M. le Duc d’Orleans was short-sighted.  He was entirely absorbed in attacking and repelling; so that he did not see the sign I made.  Some moments after I increased it, and meeting with no more success, rose, advanced some steps, and said to him, though rather distant, “Monsieur, if you passed into the fourth chamber with M. du Maine you could speak there more easily,” and advancing nearer at the same time I pressed him by a sign of the head and the eyes that he could distinguish.  He replied to me with another sign, and scarcely was I reseated than I saw him advance in front of M. le Duc to the Duc du Maine, and immediately after both rose and went into the chamber I had indicated.  I could not see who of the scattered group around followed them, for all present rose at their departure, and seated themselves again directly in complete silence.  Some time after, M. le Comte de Toulouse left his place and went into the Chamber.  M. le Duc followed him in a little while soon again the Duc de la Force did the same.

He did not stay long.  Returning to the assembly; he passed the Duc de la Rochefoucauld and me, put his head between that of the Duc de Sully and mine, because he did not wish to be heard by La Rochefoucauld, and said to me, “In the name of God go there; things are getting on badly.  M. le Duc d’Orleans gives way; stop the dispute; make M. le Duc d’Orleans come back; and, as soon as he is in his place, let him say that it is too late to finish, that the company had better go to dinner, and return to finish afterwards, and during this interval,” added La Force, “send the King’s people to the Palais Royal, and let doubtful peers be spoken to, and the chiefs among other magistrates.”

The advice appeared to me good and important.  I left the assembly and went to the chamber.  I found a large circle of spectators.  M. le Duc d’Orleans and the Duc du Maine stood before the fireplace, looking both very excited.  I looked at this spectacle some moments; then approached the mantelpiece like a man who wishes to speak.  “What is this, Monsieur?” said M. le Duc d’Orleans to me, with an impatient manner.  “A pressing word, Monsieur, that I have to say to you,” said I. He continued speaking to the Duc du Maine, I being close by.  I redoubled my instances; he lent me his ear.  “No, no,” said I, “not like that, come here,” and I took him into a, corner by the chimney.  The Comte de Toulouse, who was there, drew completely back, and all the circle on that side.  The Duc du Maine drew back also from where he was.