He determined, therefore, to apply (April 14) to the Minister for War for a captain’s commission. Marshal de Belle-Isle did not refuse him such rapid promotion. Less than three months afterwards d’Eon received a commission as captain on half-pay; but he had again to exercise patience and give up for the moment his warlike plans. Circumstances prevented him from leaving St. Petersburg, the King’s secret diplomacy necessitating his presence near the ambassador on whom he was constantly to keep watch, and whose actions he had often to prompt. The Duc de Choiseul, Bernis’ successor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, had just informed the Marquis de L’Hospital of the treaty, signed December 30, 1758, which drew Louis XV. and Maria Theresa more closely together in a policy directed against Prussia. The ambassador’s task was to obtain Russia’s adhesion to the agreement. He was, besides, to give the Czarina to understand that her mediation between France and England would be welcomed by the cabinet of Versailles, who in return would show less devotion to the interests of Poland. As circumstances might make the Grand Duchess’s support invaluable, they would be obliged to pay her greater deference, whereat it was hoped the Empress would not take umbrage. Such double-dealing was not calculated to attract the ambassador, who, disliking intrigues, would not have been successful and did not take part in it. He had found favour with Elizabeth, and was particularly anxious to retain her esteem. His witty conversation, his good manners, and a liberality which Louis XV. called extravagant, had won for him the sympathies of the court. If he possessed all the qualities of the man of high rank whom his government had sought as a worthy representative of France at a stately court, his age, his infirmities, and a want of natural energy prevented him from reaping the advantages of an alliance which he confined himself to maintaining and strengthening as best he could. He deemed that to be the most important part of his mission, and relied upon d’Eon, to whom he had become genuinely attached, for the management of current affairs. So highly did he value his young secretary’s attainments, and his experience of Russian people and affairs, that he made it a practice never to come to a decision without first consulting “his little d’Eon,” whose functions as secret agent were thus singularly facilitated. Consequently the ambassador did not omit to communicate to him the instructions he had just received from the Duc de Choiseul.