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

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