Of his desire to do his duty to his people he had always been convinced, but, in a long conversation which he had held with him on the character of the French people,[6] and of the best mode of governing them, in which Louis entered into many details, he found his correctness of judgment and general knowledge of sound principles of policy far superior to his anticipations, though at the same time he felt convinced that his want of readiness and decision, and his timidity in action, would always render and keep him very inferior to the queen, especially whenever it should be necessary to come to a prompt decision on matters of moment.
After a visit of six weeks, he quit Paris for his dominions in the Netherlands at the end of May, and a letter of the queen to her mother is very expressive of the pleasure which she had received from his visit, and of the lasting benefits which she hoped to derive from it.
"Versailles, June 14th.
"MY DEAREST MOTHER,--It is plain truth that the departure of the emperor has left a void in my heart from which I can not recover.

I was so happy during the short time of his visit that at this moment it all seems like a dream.

But one thing will never be a dream to me, and that is, the good advice and counsel which he gave me, and which is forever engraven in my heart.
"I must tell my dear mamma that he gave me one thing which I earnestly begged of him, and which causes me the greatest pleasure: it is a packet of advice, which he has left me in writing.

At this moment it constitutes my chief reading; and, if ever I could forget what he said to me, which I do not believe I ever could, I should still have this paper always before me, which would soon recall me to my duty.

My dear mamma will have learned by the courier, who started yesterday, how well the king behaved during the last moments of my brother's visit.