88 MEMOIES OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

Bang or to give up his appointments, as his Majesty might

desire. 4|f

M. de Beauvilliers took pleasure in listening to me. He em-
braced me closely, and promised to follow the course I had
marked out.

The next morning I went straight to him, and learned that
he had perfectly succeeded. He had spoken exactly as I had !

suggested. The King appeared astonished and piqued that the ;

secret of Harcourt's entry into the Council was discovered. He *A

would not hear a word as to resignation of office on the part of
11". de Beauvilliers, and appeared more satisfied with him than
ever. Whether, without this interview, he would have been
lost, I know not, but by the coldness and embarrassment of the
King before that interview, and during the first part of it, I am
nearly persuaded that he would. ML de Beauvilliers embraced
me again very tenderly—more than once.

As for Harcourt, sure of his good fortune, and scarcely able
to contain his joy, he arrived at the meeting place. Time ran -

on. During the Council there are only the most subaltern '

people in the ante-chambers and a few courtiers who pass that f

way to go from one wing to another. Each of these subalterns ]

eagerly asked M. d'Harcourt what he wanted, if he wished for
anything, and importuned him strongly. He was obliged to \

remain there, although he had no pretext. He went and came, j

limping with his stick, not knowing what to reply to the I

passers-by, or the attendants by whom he was remarked. At I

last, after waiting long, he returned as he came, much disturbed
at not having been called. He sent word so to Madame de
Maintenon, who, in her turn, was as much disturbed, the King
not having said a word to her, and she not having dared to say
a word to him. She consoled Harcourt, hoping that at the
next Council he would be called. At her wish he waited again,
as before, during another Council, but with as little success.
He was very much annoyed, comprehending that the affair had *

fallen through.

Madame de Maintenon did not, however, ]ike to be defeated
in this way. After waiting some time she spoke to the King,