I was talking about this one day in the King's chamber stainless steel cross rings, when my sister De Thianges had the hardihood to say:.
"I hear that the Messieurs de Lorraine are about to take their departure, and that, having lost all hope of making themselves beloved, they have resolved to make themselves feared".
The King looked impassively at my sister, showing not a sign of emotion, and he said to her:.
"Do you visit there".
"Sire," replied Madame de Thianges, unabashed, "augment the number, not of your enemies, but of your friends; of all policies that is the best" The King never said a word.
Soon afterwards, the Lorraines appealed secretly to the Empire and the Emperor The King was only waiting for such an opportunity; he forthwith sent Marshal de Crequi at the head of twenty thousand men, who invaded Lorraine, which had already been ravaged, and the Duchy of Bar, which had not.
The manifesto stated the motives for such complaint, alleging that the Duke had not been at the pains to observe the Treaty of Metz with regard to the surrender of Harsal, and, as a punishment, his entire sovereignty would be confiscated.
A large army then marched upon Peronne; it had been formed at Saint Germain, and was divided into two columns The first went to join the Duc de Crequi, who occupied Lorraine; the other took up its position near Sedan, to keep the Flemish and Dutch in check in case of any attempted rebellion.
The Lorraines, in despair, gave themselves up to the Emperor, who, aware of their fine soldierly qualities, bestowed upon both high posts of command They caused great losses to France and keen anxiety to her King.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Embassy of the King of Arda--Political Influence Exercised by the Good Looks of Madame de Montespan--Gifts of the Envoys--What the Comte de Vegin Takes for a Horse--Madame de Montespan Entertains Them in Her Own House--Three Missionaries Recommend Her to Them.
From the wilds of Africa, the King x of Arda sent an embassy no less brilliant and far more singular than that of the Turks.