The Keeper of the Seals declared that he could not believe the Parliament would be guilty of this disobedience, contrary to all law and usage.  He showed at some length that nothing was so pernicious as to expose the King’s authority to a formal opposition, and decided in favour of the immediate interdiction of the Parliament if it fell into this fault.  M. le Duc d’Orleans added that there was no other course open, and took the opinion of M. le Duc, which was strongly in his favour.  M. le Prince de Conti the same, mine also, that of M. de la Force and of M. de Guiche still more so.  The Marechal de Villeroy, in a broken voice, seeking big words, which would not come in time to him, deplored this extremity, and did all he could to avoid giving a precise opinion.  Forced at last by the Regent to explain himself, he did not dare to oppose, but added that he assented with regret, and wished to explain the grievous results of the proposed measure.  But the Regent, interrupting him, said he need not take the trouble:  everything had been foreseen; that it would be much more grievous to be disobeyed by the Parliament than to force it into obedience; and immediately after asked the Duc de Noailles his opinion, who replied that it would be very sad to act thus, but that he was for it.  Villars wished to paraphrase, but contained himself, and said he hoped the Parliament would obey.  Pressed by the Regent, he proposed to wait for fresh news before deciding; but, pressed more closely, he declared for the interdiction, with an air of warmth and vexation, extremely marked.  Nobody after this dared to hesitate, and the majority voted by an inclination of the head.

A short time afterwards it was announced to M. le Duc d’Orleans that the Parliament had set out on foot, and had begun to defile through the palace.  This news much cooled the blood of the company, M. le Duc d’Orleans more than that of any one else.

After this the Regent, in a cheerful manner, called upon the Presidents of the Councils to bring forward any business they might have on hand, but not one had any.  The Marechal de Villars said, however, that he had a matter to produce, and he produced it accordingly, but with a clearness which, under the circumstances, was extraordinary.  I fancy, however, that very few knew what he was talking about.  We were all too much occupied with more interesting matters, and each voted without speaking.  Bad luck to those who had had business to bring forward this day; they who conducted it would have known but little what they said:  they who listened, still less.

The Council finished thus, from lack of matter, and a movement was made to adjourn it as usual.  I stepped in front of M. le Prince de Conti to M. le Duc d’Orleans, who understood me, and who begged the company to keep their seats.  La Vrilliere went out by order for news, but there was nothing fresh.

CHAPTER XCIII