CHAPTER XCI

Proposed Bed of Justice.—­My Scheme.—­Interview with the Regent.—­ The Necessary Seats for the Assembly.—­I Go in Search of Fontanieu.—­ My Interview with Hini.—­I Return to the Palace.—­Preparations.—­ Proposals of M. le Duc to Degrade M. du Maine.—­My Opposition.—­My Joy and Delight.—­The Bed of Justice Finally Determined On.—­A Charming Messenger.—­Final Preparations.—­Illness of the Regent.—­News Given to M. du Maine.—­Resolution of the Parliament.—­Military Arrangements.—­I Am Summoned to the Council.—­My Message to the Comte de Toulouse.

CHAPTER XCII

The Material Preparations for the Bed of Justice—­Arrival of the Duc d’Orleans:—­The Council Chamber.—­Attitude of the Various Actors.—­The Duc du Maine.—­Various Movements.—­Arrival of the Duc de Toulouse.—­ Anxiety of the Two Bastards.—­They Leave the Room.—­Subsequent Proceedings.—­Arrangement of the Council Chamber.—­Speech of the Regent.  —­Countenances of the Members of Council.—­The Regent Explains the Object of the Bed of Justice.—­Speech of the Keeper of the Seals.—­Taking the Votes.—­Incidents That Followed.—­New Speech of the Duc d’Orleans.—­ Against the Bastards.—­My Joy.—­I Express My Opinion Modestly.—­Exception in Favour of the Comte de Toulouse.—­New Proposal of M. le Duc.—­Its Effect.—­Threatened Disobedience of the Parliament.—­Proper Measures.—­ The Parliament Sets Out.

CHAPTER XCIII

Continuation of the Scene in the Council Chamber.—­Slowness of the Parliament.—­They Arrive at Last.—­The King Fetched.—­Commencement of the Bed of Justice.—­My Arrival.—­Its Effect.—­What I Observed.—­Absence of the Bastards Noticed.—­Appearance of the King.  The Keeper of the Seals.—­ The Proceedings Opened.—­Humiliation of the Parliament.—­Speech of the Chief-President.—­New Announcement.—­Fall of the Duc du Maine Announced.  —­Rage of the Chief-President.—­My Extreme joy.—­M. le Duc Substituted for M. du Maine.—­Indifference of the King.—­Registration of the Decrees.

CHAPTER XCIV

My Return Home.—­Wanted for a New Commission.—­Go to the Palais Royal.—­ A Cunning Page.—­My journey to Saint-Cloud.—­My Reception.—­Interview with the Duchesse d’Orleans.—­Her Grief.—­My Embarrassment.—­Interview with Madame.—­Her Triumph.—­Letter of the Duchesse d’Orleans.—­She Comes to Paris.—­Quarrels with the Regent.

CHAPTER XCV

Intrigues of M. du Maine.—­And of Cellamare, the Spanish Ambassador.—­
Monteleon and Portocarrero.—­Their Despatches.—­How Signed.—­The
Conspiracy Revealed.—­Conduct of the Regent.—­Arrest of Cellamare.—­His
House Searched.—­The Regency Council.—­Speech of the Duc d’Orleans.—­
Resolutions Come To.—­Arrests.—­Relations with Spain.—­Alberoni and
Saint-Aignan.—­Their Quarrel.—­Escape of Saint-Aignan.