“The autograph,” said Loménie, “is interesting. The body of the piece is written in the hand of Beaumarchais and signed by him; the replies to each question are traced in the margin, in a handwriting fine, but uneven, weak, undecided, where the v’s and t’s are scarcely indicated. It is the hand of the good, though weak and unhappy sovereign whom the revolution was to devour seventeen years later.... Below is written and signed in the hand of Vergennes, ‘All the additions are in the handwriting of the King.’” “Essential points which I implore M. de Vergennes to present for the decision of the King to be replied to on the margin: [Sidenote: In the provinces only.] “Does the King accord the demoiselle d’Eon permission to wear her cross of St. Louis on her woman’s attire? [Sidenote: Yes.] “Does His Majesty approve the gratification of 2000 pounds which I allowed that demoiselle for her Trousseau? [Sidenote: She must sell it.] “Does His Majesty allow her the entire disposition of her man’s attire? * * * * * * * * * * [Sidenote: Good.] “The King not being able to refuse a recognition in good form of the papers which I have brought back from England, I have begged M. de Vergennes, to implore His Majesty to add with his own hand, several words showing his approval of the way in which I have filled my mission. That recompense, the dearest to my heart, may one day be of great utility to me.... [Sidenote: That you received none.] “As the first person whom I will see in England is milord Rochford, and as he is likely to ask me in secret the reply of the King of France to the prayer which the King of England made through me, what shall I reply? [Sidenote: Perhaps.] “If that lord wishes secretly to engage me to see the monarch shall I accept or not? [Sidenote: It is useless.] “If that minister ... wishes to bring me into connection with other ministers, or if the occasion in any way arises shall I accept or not?” * * * * * * * * * * Finally Beaumarchais brought forward the demand for which the rest of the letter is but a cloak, the one burning question for the answer of which he had waited so long and in vain and to which Louis XVI still made no reply: “And now I ask before starting, the positive response to my last memoir; but if ever question was important, it must be admitted that it is this one. I answer on my head, after having well reflected, for the most glorious success of this operation for the entire reign of my master, without his person, or of that of his ministers, or his interests being in the least compromised. Can anyone of those who influence His Majesty against this measure answer on his head to the King for the evil which will infallibly come to France if it is rejected?