32 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

the enemy's cavalry. He then found himself in front of a line of
infantry, which fired upon him, but opened to give him pas-
sage. At the same moment, the household troops and others,
profiting by a movement so bold, followed the Vidarne and his
men, and all escaped together to Ghent, led on by the Vidame,
to whose sense and courage the safety of these troops was
owing.

M. de Vendome arrived at Ghent, between seven and eight
o'clock in the morning. Even at this moment he did not for-
get his disgusting habits, and as soon as he set foot to ground
.... in sight of all the troops as they came by,—then at once
went to bed, without giving any orders, or seeing to anything,
and remained more than thirty hours without rising, in order
to repose himself after his fatigues. He learnt that Monsei-
gneur de Bourgogne and the army had pushed on to Lawen-
deghem; but he paid no attention to it, and contiuned to sup
and to sleep at Ghent several days running, without attending
to anything.