"This violation of the inviolability of the representatives of the nation in the palpable exile of a prince of the blood; he was to point out La Fayette, making use of the royal hand to strike the rivals of his popularity, and to cover his own insolent dictatorship under the venerated sanction of the chief of the nation and the head of the family." Mirabeau had no doubt of the resentment of the Assembly against so odious an attempt, and promised the friends of the Duc d'Orleans one of those returns of opinion which raise a man to a higher elevation than that from which he has fallen.

This language, backed by the entreaties of Laclos, Sillery, Lauzun, a second time shook the prince's resolution.

He saw now disgrace in this voluntary exile, where at first he had only seen magnanimity.

At the break of day he wrote that he declined the mission.

La Fayette then sent for him to the minister for foreign affairs.