Millionaire - Janet Gleeson [84]
Pressed by the duc, Orléans acknowledged at last that he would have to move, and quickly. Law was finally granted his audience and suggested that Councillor Le Pelletier de la Houssaye should be promoted to the position of controller general of finance, to help steer the country out of the economic doldrums. The regent was unconvinced, reportedly telling the council, “He did not see among the French anyone who had enough intelligence and insight to succeed him [Law] in the position with a better chance of success.” De la Houssaye agreed, reluctantly, to take office but not while Law remained in Paris, and recommended that he be sent to the Bastille. Orléans ignored this suggestion and instructed Law to prepare to leave. The British diplomat Sutton noted the sudden flurry of activity: “He [Law] goes to see those with whom he has business, he receives people at his home with as much if not more freedom than before. He works on settling his accounts, he gives all the explanations asked of him.”
When the new production of Lully’s opera Thésée opened on December 12, there was general astonishment as the assembled beau monde realized that the Duc de la Force’s party included John Law, Katherine, and their children (the children, one writer conceded, were “fairly handsomely made”). As far as observers were concerned, to appear so brazenly in public at such a moment of crisis exemplified “English impudence playing his game.” Law the suave, cocksure gambler had apparently returned.
In fact, this was Law’s farewell to Paris. Earlier that day he had had a final audience with the regent. The meeting had been highly charged. “I confess,” Law said, “I have committed many faults. I committed them because I am a man, and all men are liable to error; but I declare to you most solemnly that none of them proceeded from wicked or dishonest motives.” He left Paris with his son John on December 14, heading for his country estate Guermande, near Brie, one of the string of magnificent properties he had acquired but had rarely had time to visit. He planned to wait here for a few days until passports arrived allowing him to leave the country. Katherine and Kate stayed on in Paris, to settle outstanding debts, but he expected them to follow soon. Two days later the Parlement was recalled and the hounding of Law and his family began in earnest.
17
THE PRODIGAL’ SRETURN
The Regent desires that I retire to Rome, that has made up my mind. The enemies of the system take offence at seeing me prepared to return to France, and try to trouble me even outside the kingdom.
It costs me nothing to please them, I have always hated work, a well-meant intention to do good to a nation, and be useful to a prince who gave me his confidence; these ideas made me proud and supported me in a disagreeable business, I have come back to myself.
From a letter to the Duc de Bourbon from Law,
December 1720
AT GUERMANDE, LAW’S INITIAL SENSE OF RELIEF AT leaving Paris was shadowed with sorrow and disquiet. His attachment to the regent was unaltered. A letter sent shortly after he left underlines his affection: “It is difficult to decide between the desire that I have to retire from public life to avoid the jealousies of those who Your Royal Highness has charged with finances, and the desire I will always have to contribute to your glory. . . . I had lost all vanity before deciding to ask Your Royal Highness’s permission to retire but I shall always retain my affection for the state, and my attachment for Your RH. Thus when you believe that my opinions could be useful, I will give them freely.”
Law’s royal friends seemed to respond with equal sadness at his departure. Bourbon sent an emotional letter of farewell. “I cannot sufficiently express my grief on your departure. I hope that you do not doubt it and that you rest assured that I will never abandon you. I will never allow any attack on your freedom or