38 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMOK.

evening, in the presence of Chamillart and five or six others,
annoyed by the conversation which passed, I offered to bet four
pistoles that there would be no general battle, and that Lille
would be taken without being relieved. This strange proposi-
tion excited much surprise, and caused many questions to be
addressed to me. I would explain nothing at all; but sus-
tained my proposal in the English manner, and my bet was
taken ; Cani, who accepted it, thanking me for the present of
four pistoles I was making him, as he said. The stakes were
placed in the hand of Chamillart.

By the next day, the news of my bet had spread abroad, and
made a frightful uproar. The partisans of M. de Vendfime,
knowing I was no friend to them, took this opportunity to
damage me in the eyes of the King. They so far succeeded
that I entirely lost favour with him, without however suspect-
ing it, for more than two months. All that I could do then,
was to let the storm pass over rny head and keep silent, so as
not to make matters worse.

Meanwhile, M. de Vendome continued the inactive policy he
had hitherto followed. In despite of reiterated advice from
the King, he took no steps to attack the enemy. Monseigneur
de Bourgogne was for doing so, but Vendome would make no
movement. As before, too, he contrived to throw all the blame
of his inactivity upon Monseigneur de Bourgogne. He suc-
ceeded so well in making this believed, that his followers in
the army cried out against the followers of Monseigneur de
Bourgogne wherever they appeared. Chamillart was sent by
the King to report upon the state and position of our troops,
and if a babtle had taken place and proved unfavourable to us,
to prevent such sad results as had taken place after Ramillies.

Chamillart came back on the 18th of September. No battle
had been fought, but M. de Vend6me felt sure, he said, of
cutting off alPsupplies from the enemy, and thus compelling
them to raise the siege.

The King had need of these intervals of consolation and
hope. Master as he might be of his words and of his features,
he profoundly felt the powerlessness to resist his enemies that