"Things could not go on worse," he said aloud, looking at the sky, "if there was a Regency up there." His conductor, introducing him to the Regent, said, repeating the remark which the irrepressible youth had then made, "I bring you a young man whom your Highness has just released from the Bastille, and whom you should send back again." The Regent laughed good-humouredly, and promised, if he behaved well, to provide for him. "I thank your Highness for taking charge of my board," returned Voltaire; "but I beseech you not to trouble yourself any more about my lodging." The prejudice against him softened before long: not only was he allowed to return to Paris, but his tragedy was acted before the Court, and the Duchess of Berry had so far forgiven "the wicked mummy" as to be present with her father at the first representation; while the Regent gave him a thousand crowns, and also a small pension.
