This distrust, which is natural to him, was at first strengthened by his govern--or before my marriage.

M.de Vauguyon had alarmed him about the authority which his wife would desire to assume over him, and the duke's black disposition delighted in terrifying his pupil with all the phantom stories invented against the house of Austria.

M.de Maurepas, though less obstinate and less malicious, still thought it advantageous to his own credit to keep up the same notions in the king's mind.

M.de Vergennes follows the same plan, and perhaps avails himself of his correspondence on foreign affairs to propagate falsehoods.

I have spoken plainly about this to the king more than once.