CHAPTER II.

Sir Hanbury Williams and Count Woronzoff—The Empress Elizabeth’s message to France—Chevalier Douglas, French Chargé d’Affaires in Russia, with D’Eon as Secretary—Commencement of the Seven Years’ War—Count Apraxin’s defection—D’Eon leaves for Versailles—Trait of character—Reception by Louis XV. and Ministers—Proceeds to Russia—The will of Peter the Great—Bestoujeff’s opinion of D’Eon—Poniatovsky and his diamond—D’Eon as a fencer—Bestoujeff’s arrest—D’Eon again invited to take service in Russia 18