THE MABQtnS DE BRANCAS. 269

io work, and it may "be believed she was not scrupulous as to
her means as soon as they were persuaded at Parma that she
was serious and not joking. Orry, always united with Madame
des Ursins, and all-powerful by her means, was her sole con-
fidant in this important affair.

At that time the Marquis de Brancas was French ambassador
at Madrid. He had flattered himself that Madame des Ursins
would make him one of the Grandees of Spain. Instead of
doing so she simply bestowed upon him the order of the Golden
Fleece. He had never pardoned her for this. Entirely devoted
to Madame de Maintenon, he became on that very account an
object of suspicion to Madame des Ursins, who did not doubt
that he cherished a grudge against her, on account of the favour
he had missed. She allowed him no access to her, and had her
eyes open upon all he did. Brancas in like manner watched
all her doings. The confessor, Robinet, confided to Mm Ms
fears respecting Madame des Ursins, and the chiefs of a court
universally discontented, went and opened their hearts to Mm,
thinking it was France alone which could set to rights the
situation of Spain.

Brancas appreciated all the importance of what was told
him, but warned by the fate of the Abbe* dTEstrfes, fearing even
for his couriers, he took the precaution of sending word to the
King that he had pressing business to acquaint him with,
which he could not trust to paper, and that he wished to be
allowed to come to Yersailles for a fortnight, Tbe reply was
the permission asked for, accompanied, however, with an order
to communicate en route with the Due de Berwick, who was
about to pass to Barcelona.

Madame des Ursins, who always found means to be informed
of everything, immediately knew of Braueas's projected journey y
and determined to get the start of Mm. At once she had
sixteen relays of mules provided upon the Bayonne road, and
suddenly sent off to France, on Holy Thursday, Cardinal del
Giudice, grand inquisitor and minister of state, who had this
mean complaisance for her. She thus struck two blows at
once; she got rid, at least for a time, of a Cardinal minister