"No, it has been said to me that it was easy for the King to know them; as for myself I do not know them." Martin pretends that, at this moment, Louis XVIII lifted his eyes to heaven, saying: "Ah! it is necessary!"... and began to weep. Seeing which, he himself wept with the King to the end of the interview. But his emotion does not prevent him from continuing. "It has also been said to me that the King should send into his provinces confidential officials to examine the administrations, without their being warned, without their even knowing that any one has been sent; and you will be feared and respected by your subjects. It has been said to me that I should say to you that the King should remember his distress and his adversity in the time of his exile. The King has wept for France; there has been a time when the King no longer had any hope of returning hither, seeing France allied with all its neighbors." "Yes, there was a time when I no longer had any hope, seeing all the States which no longer had any support." "God has not wished to destroy the King; he has recalled him into his States at the moment when he least expected it. At last the King has returned to his legitimate possessions. What are the acts of grace which have been returned for such a benefit? To punish France once more, the usurper has been drawn from his exile: it was not by the will of men, nor by the effect of chance that things were permitted thus. He returned without forces, without arms, without any defense being made against him. The legitimate King was obliged to abandon his capital, and although he believed that he could still hold one city in his States, he was obliged to abandon it." "It is very true, I intended to remain at Lille." "When the usurper returned... [let us omit these historic matters]. The King again reëntered his States. Where are the acts of grace which have been rendered to God for so glorious a miracle?" And Louis XVIII still weeps.... Then Martin recalls to him private facts regarding his exile. "Keep the secret of them," returns the King; "there will only be God, you and myself who will ever know that.... Has it not been said to you how it is necessary that I should conduct myself in governing France?" "No, he has made no mention to me of all that which is in the writings; the minister has the writings, as the things have been announced." "Has he not said to you that I have already sent forth decrees for all that you have spoken of to me?" "No, no one has mentioned it to me...." "... If, however, he returns, you will ask him how it is necessary that I should conduct myself in governing." "It has been said to me that as soon as my commission to the King had been accomplished, I would never see anything more and that I would be undisturbed."