‘I am not aware that Morande is at work on the scandalous account of the Dubarry family; but I have very strong suspicions that such is the case. If it should be so, there is nobody in a better position than I am to negotiate for its being relinquished; he is very fond of his wife, and I undertake to get her to do anything I wish.... I believe that if he were offered 800 guineas he would be quite satisfied. I know that he is in want of money just now, and I will do my best to arrange for a smaller sum. But, sir, to tell you the truth, I should be delighted if the money were given to him by some other person, so that nobody will suppose that I have made a single guinea by such a business.’ * * * * * ‘3. M. D’Eon is on the point of concluding the bargain in consideration of the sum of 800_l._ sterling, M. Morande giving his bond that he will pay 1,000_l._ sterling to the poor of the parish, should he hereafter be convicted before a tribunal, of having caused to be printed any work to the prejudice of the late King, of his mistresses or ministers.’ ‘4. M. D’Eon receives another letter from the Count de Broglio, dated August 26, 1773, approved by the King, in which he is instructed to suspend his negotiations with Morande, seeing that the celebrated Count Dubarry had taken other measures; but he is to watch Morande and his publications.’ ‘5. Secret emissaries of police arrive in London for the purpose of kidnapping Morande. The scheme fails, and the frightened emissaries promptly make their escape to Paris.’ ‘6. Under censure of the Parliament of Paris, Beaumarchais is on the point of being arrested, when he takes refuge in the King’s wardrobe, an asylum worthy of such a personage.’ ‘7. M. de la Borde, the late King’s valet-de-chambre,[288] confides to Beaumarchais, in the gloom of the wardrobe, that the King’s heart is saddened by a rascally libel on the amours of the charming Dubarry, in the course of being written in London by the scoundrel Morande.’ ‘8. ... The Sieur Caron entertains hope of success in fawning to his master’s love affairs, humbling his enemies and increasing his own fortune. He communicates to la Borde his design of going to London, and secretly bribing with gold the already corrupted Morande. This project is communicated by la Borde to Louis XV., who deigns to give his approval.’ ‘9. Accordingly, Beaumarchais arrives in London _incognito_, escorted by the Count de Lauraguais _in publico_.’