never subscribe to these conditions:
they are insupportable to me.

"'I do not enter into the fatal, consequences of this
alliance. I only beg your majesty to convoke the
States-General directly, to deliberate on an affair of
such great consequence.'"

"The States-General!" murmured the Cardinal de Polignac.

"Well, what does your eminence say to the States-General?" interrupted
Madame de Maine, impatiently. "Has this measure the misfortune not to
meet with your approbation?"

"I neither blame nor approve, madame," replied the cardinal; "I only
remember that this convocation was made during the league, and that
Philip came off badly."

"Men and times are changed, cardinal," replied the duchess; "we are not
in 1594, but in 1718. Philip II. was Flemish, and Philip V. is French.
The same results cannot take place, since the causes are different." And
she went on with the letter:

"'I ask this in the name of the blood which unites
us--in the name of the great king from whom we have our
origin--in the name of your people and mine. If ever
there was a necessity to listen to the voice of the
French nation, it is now. It is indispensable to learn
what they think: whether they wish to declare war on
us. As I am ready to expose my life to maintain its
glory and interests, I hope you will reply quickly to
the propositions I make to you. The Assembly will
prevent the unfortunate results which threaten us, and
the forces of Spain will only be employed to sustain
the greatness of France, and to fight her enemies, as I
shall never employ them but to show your majesty my
sincere regard and affection.'

"What do you think of that, gentlemen? Can his majesty say more?"

"He might have joined to this an epistle addressed directly to the
States-General," answered the Cardinal de Polignac. "This letter, if the
king had deigned to send it, would have had a great influence on their
deliberations."

"Here it is," said the Prince de Cellamare, taking a paper from his
pocket.

"What, prince!" cried the cardinal.

"I say that his majesty is of the same opinion as your eminence, and has
sent me this letter, which is the complement of the letter which the
Baron de Valef has."

"Then nothing is wanting," cried Madame de Maine.

"We want Bayonne," said the Prince de Cellamare;--"Bayonne, the door of
France."

At this moment D'Avranche