AFFAIES. 97

express orders of the Pope, who had forbidden all kinds of
amusement in this period of calamity. When remonstrated
with by the Pope, this minister said that he had promised a
fete to the ladies, and could not break his word. The strangest
thing is, that after this public instance of contempt the
nephews of the Pope went to the fete, and the Pope had the
weakness to suffer it.

In Spain, everything went wrong, and people began to think
it would be best to give up that country to the house of
Austria, under the hope that by this means the war would be
terminated. It was therefore seriously resolved to recall all our
troops from Spain, and to give orders to Madame des Ursins to
quit the country. Instructions were accordingly sent to this
effect. The King and Queen of Spain, in the greatest alarm at
such a violent determination, cried aloud against it, and begged
that the execution of it might at least be suspended for a while.

At this, our King paused and called a Council to discuss the
subject. It was ultimately agreed to leave sixty-six battalions
of our troops to the Bang of Spain, but to withdraw all the
rest. This compromise satisfied nobody. Those who wished
to support Spain said this assistance was not enough. The
other party said it was too much.

This determination being arrived at, it seemed as though
the only thing to be done was to send M. d'Orldans to Spain to
take command there. But now will be seen the effect of that
mischievous pleasantry of his upon Madame de Maintenon and
Madame des "Drains, thecc she-captain/' and the " she-lieutenant"
—as he called them, in the gross language to which I have
before alluded. Those two ladies had not forgiven him his
witticism, and had determined to accomplish his disgrace. His
own thoughtless conduct assisted them in bringing about this
result.

The King one day asked him if he had much desire to return
into Spain. He replied in a manner evidencing his willingness
to serve, marking DO eagerness. He did not notice that there
mioht be a secret meaning hidden under this question. When
he related to me what had passed between him and the King,

VOL. n. * 7