“The copy I allude to was brought to Paris and shown to the Queen.  She instantly flew with it in her hands to the King’s cabinet.

“‘Now, Sire,’ exclaimed she, ’I hope you will be convinced that my enemies are those whom I have long considered as the most pernicious of Your Majesty’s Councillors—­your own Cabinet Ministers—­your M. de Calonne!—­respecting whom I have often given you my opinion, which, unfortunately, has always been attributed to mere female caprice, or as having been biassed by the intrigues of Court favourites!  This, I hope, Your Majesty will now be able to contradict!’

“The King all this time was looking over the different pages containing M. de Calonne’s additions on their margins.  On recognising the hand-writing, His Majesty was so affected by this discovered treachery of his Minister and the agitation of his calumniated Queen that he could scarcely articulate.

“‘Where,’ said he, I did you procure this?’

“’Through the means, Sire, of some of the worthy members of that nation your treacherous Ministers made our enemy—­from England! where your unfortunate Queen, your injured wife, is compassionated!’

“‘Who got it for you?’

“’My dearest, my real, and my only sincere friend, the Princesse de Lamballe!’

“The King requested I should be sent for.  I came.  As may be imagined, I was received with the warmest sentiments of affection by both Their Majesties.  I then laid before the King the letter of Mr. Sheridan, which was, in substance, as follows: 

“’Madame,

“’A work of mine, which I did not choose should be printed, was published in Dublin and transmitted to be sold in London.  As soon as I was informed of it, and had procured a spurious copy, I went to the bookseller to put a stop to its circulation.  I there met with a copy of the work of Madame de Lamotte, which has been corrected by some one at Paris and sent back to the bookseller for a second edition.  Though not in time to suppress the first edition, owing to its rapid circulation, I have had interest enough, through the means of the bookseller of whom I speak, to remit you the copy which has been sent as the basis of a new one.  The corrections, I am told, are by one of the King’s Ministers.  If true, I should imagine the writer will be easily traced.

“’I am happy that it has been in my power to make this discovery, and I hope it will be the means of putting a stop to this most scandalous publication.  I feel myself honoured in having contributed thus far to the wishes of Her Majesty, which I hope I have fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of Your Highness.

“’Should anything further transpire on this subject, I will give you the earliest information.

“‘I remain, madame, with profound respect, Your Highness’ most devoted,

“’very humble servant,

“‘Richard BRINSLEY Sheridan.’