Chapter XXI

Origin of the _liaison_ between _Monsieur le Duc_ and
Madame de Prie considered--Extraordinary ascendency which
the latter acquires over her lover--For a while, the
favourite leads a life of pleasure, but is soon obliged
to give her attention to politics--Exasperation of Madame
de Pléneuf’s coterie against her--Insecurity of _Monsieur
le Duc’s_ position--The Orléans faction--Intrigues of
the War Minister Le Blanc and the Belle-Isles--Hatred
of Madame de Prie for Le Blanc--She resolves to crush
the common enemies of herself and _Monsieur le Duc_--Her
skilful conduct--Murder of Sandrier de Mitry, chief
cashier of La Jonchère, treasurer of the Emergency War
Fund--Sinister suspicions concerning La Jonchère and Le
Blanc--Madame de Prie determines to get to the bottom
of the mystery--Her alliance with the Pâris brothers
against the War Minister--Dubois persuades the Regent
to withdraw his protection from Le Blanc--Arrest of La
Jonchère and examination of his accounts--Disgrace and
exile of Le Blanc--The death of Dubois puts a stop to the
proceedings--Death of Philippe d’Orléans--_Monsieur le Duc_
becomes Prime Minister 296–313