The king astonished his new ministers by his assiduity and his aptitude for business.

He conversed with everyone on the subject that most interested him.

He questioned Roland on his works, Dumouriez on his adventures, and Claviere on the finances, whilst he avoided the irritating topics of general policy.

Madame Roland reproached her husband with these conversations, and besought him to make use of his time, to take abstracts of these conversations, and to keep an authentic register, which would one day cover his responsibility.

The ministers appeared to dine four times a week together, in order to concert their acts and language in the king's presence.