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 inhabited by Monsieur) kept on interfering in the policy of the kingdom. Its intervention in home policy was frequently most ill-timed, as abroad it was sometimes the reverse of patriotic. It was from the " Pavilion Marsan," at the time of the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, that proceeded the famous Note Secrète, addressed by Baron de Vitrolles to the Foreign Powers, painting, for their benefit, the state of the kingdom in the most terrifying colours, at the risk of preventing the liberation of territory which Richelieu was about to negotiate at Aix-la-Chapelle. Happily the sovereigns considered that Richelieu's word was better than that of the exalted gentleman who addressed them. Louis XVIII, who had the very highest sense of the national dignity, deeply resented this contemptible behaviour, and withdrew Vitrolles from the honorary functions which had given him access to Monsieur.

At the same period the diplomatic body had a habit of frequent interference with public affairs. The Ambassadors of the four Powers (as England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia were still called) used to hold meetings, which constituted a sort of council of supervision, very displeasing to the King and his