Although the Covenant between Beaumarchais and D’Eon had been formally signed, there still remained certain conditional clauses to be ratified. Beaumarchais informed the Count de Vergennes that he had assured the lady with whom he was in treaty, that if she were wise, discreet, silent, and well conducted, he should give so good an account of her to the King’s minister, and even to his Majesty himself, as to lead to the hope that he should succeed in obtaining for her other benefits. He did not hesitate to hold out such a promise, having a balance on hand of 41,000 livres tournois, with which he purposed rewarding each submission she made, by supposed concessions on the part of the King and of his minister; only, however, as favours that were being granted, and not in satisfaction of any claim. It was by such artifice only that he could expect to prevail, and subdue the unruly and crafty creature. The triumph of Beaumarchais was complete, for D’Eon, even in spite of himself, was effectively within his grip; and he who had spent a lifetime in the direction of affairs, and whose ambition and restlessness would never brook interposition, became at length persuaded that his only chance in life—and yet at what a fearful sacrifice—lay in meekly submitting to the only man who had ever succeeded, being favoured by the most exceptional circumstances, in daunting his rebellious spirit. Beaumarchais again left London, taking with him upon this occasion his prize, the iron safe, which he delivered into the custody of de Vergennes, tendering at the same time to that minister a series of questions for the consideration of the King, who was entreated to insert replies in his own hand, that he might be armed with further incontestable authority for bringing his transactions with D’Eon to a speedy termination. The text of the original, which is preserved, was written by Beaumarchais himself and bears his signature, ‘the replies to each question, on the margin, being in a small, tremulous, and undecided hand, in which the letters _t_ and _v_ are scarcely indicated—it is the writing of the good, weak, and unhappy monarch....’ There were other questions to which Beaumarchais sought for answer, but as they are in connection with his enterprises in the American cause, and entirely irrelevant to our story, we pass them over. ‘Essential points which I entreat the Count de Vergennes to submit for the decision of the King, previous to my departure for London, this 13th day of December, 1775. The replies to be inserted in the margin:— ‘Does the King grant permission to the Demoiselle D’Eon to wear the cross of Saint Louis in female attire? _In the provinces only._ ‘Does his Majesty approve of the gift of 2,000 crowns which I have placed to the credit of that lady for her female outfit? _Yes._