The noise which always accompanies these entrances being appeased, M. le Duc d’Orleans said it was too late to abuse the patience of the company any longer; that dinner must be eaten, and the work finished afterwards.  He immediately added, he believed it fitting that M. le Duc should enter the council of the regency as its chief; and that since the company had rendered the justice due to his birth and his position as Regent, he would explain what he thought upon the form to be given to the government, and that meanwhile he profited by the power he had to avail himself of the knowledge and the wisdom of the company, and restored to them from that time their former liberty of remonstrance.  These words were followed by striking and general applause, and the assembly was immediately adjourned.

I was invited this day to dine with the Cardinal de Noailles, but I felt the importance of employing the time so precious and so short, of the interval of dinner, and of not quitting M. le Duc d’Orleans, according to a suggestion of M. le Duc de la Force.  I approached M. le Duc d’Orleans, and said in his ear, “The moments are precious:  I will follow you to the Palais Royal,” and went back to my place among the peers.  Jumping into my coach, I sent a gentleman with my excuses to the Cardinal de Noailles, saying, I would tell him the reason of my absence afterwards.  Then I went to the Palais Royal, where curiosity had gathered together all who were not at the palace, and even some who had been there.  All the acquaintances I met asked me the news with eagerness.  I contented myself with replying that everything went well, and according to rule, but that all was not yet finished.

M. le Duc d’Orleans had passed into a cabinet, where I found him alone with Canillac, who had waited for him.  We took our measures there, and M. le Duc d’Orleans sent for the Attorney-General, D’Aguesseau, afterwards Chancellor, and the chief Advocate-General, Joly de Fleury, since Attorney-General.  It was nearly two o’clock.  A little dinner was served, of which Canillac, Conflans, M. le Duc d’Orleans, and myself partook; and I will say this, by the way, I never dined with him but once since, namely, at Bagnolet.

We returned to the Parliament a little before four o’clock.  I arrived there alone in my carriage, a moment before M. le Duc d’Orleans, and found everybody assembled.  I was looked at with much curiosity, as it seemed to me.  I am not aware if it was known whence I came.  I took care that my bearing should say nothing.  I simply said to the Duc de la Force that his advice had been salutary, that I had reason to hope all success from it, and that I had told M. le Duc d’Orleans whence it came.  That Prince arrived, and (the hubbub inseparable from such a numerous suite being appeased) he said that matters must be recommenced from the point where they had been broken off in the morning; that it was his duty to say to the Court that in nothing had he