Memoirs of Louis XIV, vol 7 | Page 6

that at the next
Council Harcourt should be present, as though by accident, in the
King's ante-chamber; that, Spanish matters being brought up, the King
should propose to consult Harcourt, and immediately after should direct
search to be made far him, to see if, by chance, he was close at hand;
that upon finding him, he should be conducted to the Council, made to
enter and seat himself, and ever afterwards be regarded as a Minister of
State.
This arrangement was kept extremely secret, according to the express
commands of the King: I knew it, however, just before it was to be
executed, and I saw at once that the day of Harcourt's entry into the
Council would be the day of M. de Beauvilliers' disgrace. I sent,
therefore, at once for M. de Beauvilliers, begging him to come to my
house immediately, and that I would then tell him why I could not
come to him. Without great precaution everything becomes known at
Court.
In less than half an hour M. de Beauvilliers arrived, tolerably disturbed
at my message. I asked him if he knew anything, and I turned him
about, less to pump him than to make him ashamed of his ignorance,
and to persuade him the better afterwards to do what I wished. When I
had well trotted out his ignorance, I apprised him of what I had just
learnt. He was astounded; he so little expected it! I had not much

trouble to persuade him that, although his expulsion might not yet be
determined on, the intrusion of Harcourt must pave the way for it. He
admitted to me that for some days he had found, the King cold and
embarrassed with him, but that he had paid little attention to the
circumstance, the reason of which was now clear. There was no time to
lose. In twenty-four hours all would be over. I therefore took the liberty
in the first instance of scolding him for his profound ignorance of what
passed at the Court, and was bold enough to say to him that he had only
to thank himself for the situation he found himself in. He let me say to
the end without growing angry, then smiled, and said, "Well! what do
you think I ought to do?"
That was just what I wanted. I replied that there was only one course
open to him, and that was to have an interview with the King early the
next morning; to say to him, that he had been informed Harcourt was
about to enter the Council; that he thought the affairs of State would
suffer rather than otherwise if Harcourt did so; and finally, to allude to
the change that had taken place in the King's manner towards him lately,
and to say, with all respect, affection, and submission, that he was
equally ready to continue serving the King or to give up his
appointments, as his Majesty might desire.
M. de Beauvilliers took pleasure in listening to me. He embraced 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 would not hear a word as to
resignation of office on the part of M. 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. M. 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 antechambers
and a few courtiers who pass that 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,
limping with his stick, not knowing what to reply to the passers-by, or
the attendants by whom he was remarked. At 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