The king, to whom he was devoted, liked him as the depositary of his troubles, the confidant of his relations with foreign powers, and the skilful mediator of his negotiation with all parties.

M.de Molleville thus kept himself in well-managed balance between his favour with the king, and his intrigues with the revolutionary party He spoke the language of the constitution well--he had the secret of many consciences bought and paid for.
It was between these two men that the king, in order to comply with popular opinion, called M.de Narbonne to the ministry of war.

Madame de Staeel and the constitutional party sought the aid of the Girondists.
Condorcet, was the mediator between the two parties.

Madame de Condorcet, an exceedingly lovely woman, united with Madame de Staeel in enthusiasm for the young minister.

The one lent him the brilliancy of her genius, the other the influence of her beauty.