The chancellor brought to the king a copy of this severe letter, to which I listened with much emotion, nor did the king seem more calm than myself. “This is, indeed,” said he at length, “a very sad affair; we shall have all the quarrels of Protestantism renewed, as if I had not had already enough of those of the Jansenists and Jesuits. As far as I can judge, M. de Bombelles is entitled to the relief he seeks, and every marriage contracted with a Protestant is null and void by the laws of France.” “Oh, sire,” cried I, “would I had married a Protestant.” The king smiled for a moment at my jest, then resumed: “I blame the military school.” “Is it your majesty’s pleasure,” inquired the chancellor, “that I should signify your displeasure to them?” “No, sir,” replied Louis, “it does not come within your line of duty, and devolves rather upon the minister of war; and very possibly he would object to executing such a commission; for how could I step forward as the protector of one who would shake off the moral obligation of an oath directly it suits his inclinations to doubt its legality? This affair gives me great uneasiness, and involves the most serious consequences. You will see that I shall be overwhelmed with petitions and pamphlets, demanding of me the revocation of the edict of Nantes.” “And what, sire,” asked the chancellor gravely, “could you do, that would better consolidate the glory of your reign?” “Chancellor,” exclaimed Louis XV, stepping back with unfeigned astonishment, “have you lost your senses? What would the clergy say or do? The very thought makes me shudder. Do you then believe, M. de Maupeou, that the race of the Clements, the Ravaillacs, the Damiens, are extinct in France?” “Ah, sire, what needless fears.” “Not so needless as you may deem them,” answered the king. “I have been caught once, I am not going to expose myself to danger a second time. You know the proverb,--no, no, let us leave things as my predecessors left them; besides, I shall not be sorry to leave a little employment for my successor; he may get through it how he can, and spite of all the clamouring of the philosophers, the Protestants shall hold their present privileges so long as I live. I will have neither civil nor religious war, but live in peace and eat my supper with a good appetite with you, my fair comtesse, for my constant guest, and you, M. de Maupeou, for t his evening’s visitor.” The conversation here terminated. CHAPTER XXXI Madame du Barry purchases the services of Marin the gazetteer--Louis XV and madame de Rumas--M. de Rumas and the comtesse du Barry--An intrigue--_Denouement_--A present upon the occasion--The duc de Richelieu in disgrace--100,000 livres