"We will not allow the French Government to be çoisRenédisgraced through a failure to participate in the events which may result from the present situation of the world; others may intervene with more advantage, none with more courage or loyalty.
"People are greatly mistaken, I think, both as to the real means of our country and as to the power which the King's Government is still able to exercise within the forms which it has laid down for itself; they offer more resources than appears to be believed, and I hope that, when the time comes, we shall know how to prove it.
"You will help us, my dear friend, in these great circumstances, if they offer themselves. We know it and rely upon it; the honour will be for all, and it is not a question at present of that partition which will be made according to the services rendered; let us all vie in zeal as to who shall render the most signal services.
"I do not know, indeed, if this will turn to a congress; but, in any case, I shall not forget what you have told me.
At this first word of good understanding, I brought pressure on the Minister of Finance through Madame la Duchesse de Duras; she had already lent me the support of her friendship against the forgetfulness of the Court in 1814. She soon received this note from M. de Villèle:
"All that we were saying is said; all that lies in my heart and in my mind to do for the public good and for my friend is done and shall be done, be certain of it. I have no need to be preached to nor to be converted, as I said before; I act on conviction and sentiment.
"Receive, madame, the homage of my affectionate respect."
My last dispatch, dated 9 August, informed M. de Montmorency that Lord Londonderry would leave for Vienna between the 15th and 20th. The swift and mighty contradiction of mortal projects was given me; I thought that I had to speak to the Most Christian King's Council of human affairs only, whereas I had to report to it on the affairs of God:
"LONDON, 12 _August_ 1822, _four o'clock in the afternoon.
"Dispatch transmitted to Paris by the Calais telegraph._
"The Marquess of Londonderry died suddenly this morning, 12th, at nine o'clock in the morning, at his country-house at North Cray."