The nature of the papers they coveted was a mystery to de Pompadour, de Praslin, and de Guerchy, except that it was believed they incriminated D’Eon in a correspondence with the proscribed de Broglios. Such would certainly have been the case, but they also included the detailed plans for an invasion of England, contemplated, as we are aware, and being completed during the few months that had transpired since the treaty of peace had been signed. Finding D’Eon intractable and resolute, de Guerchy was urgent in requiring him to present his letters of recall and return to France with the least possible delay; and meaning to hasten his departure, he requested the Secretary of State to obtain an audience for the minister plenipotentiary on the earliest day possible. The following communication was the result:— ‘Lord Halifax presents his compliments to the Chevalier D’Eon, and has the honour to inform him that, in consequence of unforeseen pressure of business, it will be more convenient to the King to grant an audience to M. D’Eon to-morrow, Wednesday, than on Friday next.’ ‘St. James’, October 25, 1763.’ * * * * * ‘This note is a sufficiently genuine proof,’ wrote D’Eon a few months later, ‘that my presence at this Court was a terrible burden on the shoulders of M. de Guerchy. We are in the month of February, 1764, and I have not yet had my audience for taking leave.... Judging by appearances, M. de Guerchy will show the example.... The English minister wrote to me on October 25, and on the 24th I had received from the Duke de Choiseul a letter of the 18th of the same month, that is to say, fourteen days later than the date of the pretended letter of recall, in which I received fresh assurances of the satisfaction, at Court, with the manner in which I performed my duties, and requiring me to continue my correspondence. On that same day, the 24th, I received another letter, dated October 15, that is to say, eleven days after the doubtful letter of recall, in which the Controller-General entrusted me, in the King’s name, with fresh work.... Lord Halifax’s note might have influenced me to comply with Guerchy’s wishes, had I not believed it to be my duty to remain inflexible to his entreaties.’[133] [Sidenote: ‘AWAITING FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.’]