‘I knew the man, and was not deceived in attributing this affected reserve to approbation that was not to be denied to me, but which was not either to be accorded to me. Louis XV. liked that his thoughts should be guessed. His silence was speech, it was necessary to know how to take it, and I was not long in finding out that I had conjectured rightly. On June 25, 1765, that is to say, some weeks after I had covered his ambassador in London with shame and infamy, his Majesty abruptly broke the silence he had been pleased to maintain for a time, and wrote to tell me that “he approved of my resuming and continuing with him my secret correspondence.” On November 9 he sent word that he was “well pleased with me,” and on December 4 that I was “an instrument useful to my country.” These expressions of manifest satisfaction drew on one side, at last, the curtain that had so long concealed the royal thought. His Majesty crowned them with the greatest and most genuine testimony of his approbation, by sending to me soon afterwards the subjoined certificate, written entirely and signed with his own hand, and which will be for me and my family the most eloquent and precious memorial of my innocence and loyalty.’ * * * * * ‘As a reward for the services rendered to me by M. D’Eon in Russia, in my army, and in the execution of other trusts, I am pleased to bestow upon him a yearly allowance of twelve thousand livres, which I shall cause to be paid to him punctually at the expiration of every six months, wherever he may be, except in a country with which I am at war; and this until such time as I may think proper to nominate him to some post, the emoluments of which will greatly exceed the present allowance. ‘LOUIS.’ ‘Versailles, April 1, 1766.’ ‘I, the undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of the King at this Court, hereby certify upon my honour and upon oath, that the above promise is really written and signed with the own hand of the King my master, whose orders I have received to deliver it to M. D’Eon. ‘DURAND.’ ‘London, July 11, 1766.’ * * * * *