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sudden； and spoke to me very civilly； to which I answered with profound respect and so innocent a countenance that La Riviere said； whispering to Beautru； 〃See what it is not to be always at Court！ The Coadjutor knows the world and is a man of sense； yet takes all the Queen has said to be in earnest。〃
The truth is； the Cabinet seemed to consist of persons acting the several parts of a comedy。 I played the innocent； but was not so； at least in that affair。 The Cardinal acted the part of one who thought himself secure； but was much less confident than he appeared。 The Queen affected to be good…humoured； and yet was never more ill…tempered。 M。 de Longueville put on the marks of sorrow and sadness while his heart leaped for joy； for no man living took a greater pleasure than he to promote all broils。 The Duc d'Orleans personated hurry and； passion in speaking to the Queen； yet would whistle half an hour together with the utmost indolence。 The Marechal de Villeroy put on gaiety； the better to make his court to the Prime Minister； though he privately owned to me； with tears in his eyes； that he saw the State was upon the brink of ruin。 Beautru and Nogent acted the part of buffoons； and to please the Queen； personated old Broussel's nurse （for he was eighty years of age）； stirring up the people to sedition； though both of them knew well enough that their farce might perhaps soon end in a real tragedy。
The Abby de la Riviere was the only man who pretended to be fully persuaded that the insurrection of the people was but vapour； and he maintained it to the Queen； who was willing to believe him； though she had been satisfied to the contrary； and the conduct of the Queen； who had the courage of a heroine； and the temper of La Riviere； who was the most notorious poltroon of his time； furnished me with this remark： That a blind rashness and an extravagant fear produce the same effects while the danger is unknown。
The Marechal de La Meilleraye assumed the style and bravado of a captain when a lieutenant…colonel of the Guards suddenly came to tell the Queen that the citizens threatened to force the Guards； and； being naturally hasty and choleric； was transported even with fury and madness。 He cried out that he would perish rather than suffer such insolence； and asked leave to take the Guards； the officers of the Household； and even all the courtiers he could find in the antechambers； with whom he would engage to rout the whole mob。 The Queen was greatly in favour of it； but nobody else； and events proved that it was well they did not come into it。 At the same time entered the Chancellor； a man who had never spoken a word of truth in his whole life； but now； his complaisance yielding to his fear； he spoke directly according to what he had seen in the streets。 I observed that the Cardinal was startled at the boldness of a man in whom he had never seen anything like it before。 But Senneterre； coming in just after him； removed all their apprehensions in a trice by assuring them that the fury of the people began to cool； that they did not take arms； and that with a little patience all would be well again。
There is nothing so dangerous as flattery at a juncture where he that is flattered is in fear； because the desire he has not to be terrified inclines him to believe anything that hinders him from applying any remedy to what he is afraid of。 The news that was brought every moment made them trifle away that time which should have been employed for the preservation of the State。 Old Guitaut； a man of no great sense； but heartily well affected； was more impatient than all the rest； and said that he did not conceive how it was possible for people to be asleep in the present state of affairs； he muttered something more which I could not well hear； but it seemed to bear very hard upon the Cardinal； who owed him no goodwill。
The Cardinal answered； 〃Well； M。 Guitaut； what would you have us do？〃
Guitaut said； very bluntly； 〃Let the old rogue Broussel be restored to the people； either dead or alive。〃
I said that to restore him dead was inconsistent with the Queen's piety and prudence； but to restore him alive would probably put a stop to the tumult。
At these words the Queen reddened； and cried aloud； 〃I understand you； M。 le Coadjutor。 You would have me set Broussel at liberty； but I will strangle him sooner with these hands；〃throwing her head as it were into my face at the last word； 〃and those who〃
The Cardinal； believing that she was going to say all to me that rage could inspire； advanced and whispered in her ear； upon which she became composed to such a degree that； had I not known her too well； I should have thought her at her ease。 The lieutenant de police came that instant into the Cabinet with a deadly pale aspect。 I never saw fear so well and ridiculously represented in any Italian comedy as the fright which he appeared in before the Queen。 How admirable is the sympathy of fearful souls！ Neither the Cardinal nor the Queen were much moved at what M。 de La Meilleraye had strongly urged on them； but the fears of the lieutenant seized them like an infection； so that they were all on a sudden metamorphosed。 They ridiculed me no longer； and suffered it to be debated whether or no it was expedient to restore Broussel to the people before they took arms； as they had threatened to do。 Here I reflected that it is more natural to the passion of fear to consult than to determine。
The Cardinal proposed that I； as the fittest person； should go and assure the people that the Queen would consent to the restoration of Broussel； provided they would disperse。 I saw the snare； but could not get away from it； the rather because Meilleraye dragged me； as it were； to go along with him；telling her Majesty that he would dare to appear in the streets in my company； and that he did not question but we should do wonders。 I said that I did not doubt it either； provided the Queen would order a promise to be drawn in due form for restoring the prisoners； because I had not credit enough with the people to be believed upon my bare word。 They praised my modesty； Meilleraye was assured of success； and they said the Queen's word was better than all writings whatsoever。 In a word； I was made the catspaw； and found myself under the necessity of acting the most ridiculous part that perhaps ever fell to any man's share。 I endeavoured to reply； but the Duc d'Orleans pushed me out gently with both hands； saying； 〃Go and restore peace to the State；〃 and the Marshal hurried me away； the Life…guards carrying me along in their arms； and telling me that none but myself could remedy this evil。 I went out in my rochet and camail； dealing out benedictions to the people on my right and left； preaching obedience； exerting all my endeavours to appease the tumult； and telling them the Queen had assured me that； provided they would disperse； she would restore Broussel。
The violence of the Marshal hardly gave me time to express myself； for he instantly put himself at the head of the Horse…guards； and； advancing sword in hand； cried aloud； 〃God bless the King； and liberty to Broussel！〃 but being seen more than he was heard； his drawn sword did more