“The minister pulled a long face,” d’Eon relates, “and gave a sardonic smile, for I persisted in assuring him, as I shall do to the end of my days, that I had indeed seen and heard what I had told him.” The duke concluded by saying: “It is your attachment to the Broglies that makes you speak as you do.” “Faith, sir,” d’Eon replied, “it is my attachment to the truth. You question me, and I can only tell you what I myself know.” Upon leaving the minister, Sainte-Foy rebuked d’Eon and advised him not to remain “in a country where he would never make his fortune, but to return to England.” Another attempt to discover d’Eon’s real sentiments towards the Broglie party was made—more discreetly this time—by the Duchesse de Nivernais, who, chancing one day to be alone with him, asked if he was not in correspondence with M. de Broglie. “No, madam,” replied d’Eon, “and I am sorry for it, as I am very fond of Marshal de Broglie, but I do not wish to weary him with my letters; I am satisfied with writing to him on New Year’s Day.” “I am very glad to hear this for your sake, my dear little friend,” continued the duchess. “Let me tell you in confidence that intimacy with the House of Broglie might be of injury to you at court, and in the estimation of Guerchy, your future ambassador.” D’Eon had barely arrived in London, where the Duc de Nivernais, longing for departure, was impatiently awaiting him, when he was invested “in the prescribed forms” with the Cross of the Order of Saint Louis by his chief, at his own request. He had brought with him presents from the King to the Sardinian minister, one of the negotiators of the peace. Count Viry accepted “his Majesty’s favours with great pleasure and gratitude.” The presents consisted of the King’s portrait set in diamonds, accompanied by an autograph letter, a Gobelin tapestry, and a Savonnerie carpet. The first idea of the happy recipient of these gifts was to go to the Prime Minister, Lord Bute, and show them to him. The latter, Nivernais relates, “took them at once to the King of England, who considered they were magnificent and the letter charming.” On May 4, the Duc de Nivernais was received in a farewell audience by George III., and two weeks later he set out for France, tired of London fogs, and happy to be again at Versailles, and at the Academy, and on his beautiful estate at St. Maur.