266 
COCHINCHIN A. 
hinted to him that he ought to make a visit to this lady. 
This piece of civility he not only refused to perform, but was 
exceedingly indignant on the intimation being made to him, 
using many gross epithets on the occasion, and reprobating, 
in the severest terms, the scandalous conduct both of the 
General and his mistress ; all of Avhich was faithfully com- 
municated to the latter by some of her confidential friends. 
Enraged on hearing the impertinent observations, as she con- 
sidered them, on the part of the priest, she was determined 
to lose no time in practising her revenge. Madame de 
Vienne had obtained an absolute sway over Conway. In a 
large company she took an occasion to ridicule his red rib- 
band, which she represented as a bauble sent out rather for 
his amusement, and to keep him in good humour, than as au 
honourable testimonial of his services. She treated with great 
contempt the rank to which he had l^een promoted in what 
she called the Fopes army, under the command of a Bishop. 
In short, this enraged beauty knew so well how to work on 
the feelings of Conway, that she completely succeeded in all 
her views, and prevailed on him to create a temporary delaj'- 
to the progress of the expedition. For this purpose he dis- 
patched a fast-sailing vessel to the Mavnitius, with directions 
to suspend the armament until further orders should be re- 
ceived from the Court of Versailles ; and the revolution, in 
the mean time breaking out in France, put a final stop to 
all their proceedings. 
Had this event not taken place, it is difficult to say what 
the consequences of such a treaty might have been to our 
possessions in India, and to the trade of the East India Com- 
