However, nothing comes of this negotiation, partly because Gustav is too much of a snob, but mostly because Vergennes doesn't know his boss (one of his bosses) would want him to provide Gustav with money for this endeavor.

The correct response to reading about French diplomacy in this period is: *facepalm*.

LOL forever. Like luzula, this was also my reaction, although I didn't go so far as to write it before reading on :D

That is a gripping description of the coup!

For the first and last time in his life he had shown that he was everything that his most devoted admirers believed him to be.

Again like luzula, I find this ominous...