"The King of Spain was beginning to see the, things of this world by the light alone of that awful torch which is lighted to lighten the dying." [_Memoires de St.
Simon,_ t.iii.

p.

16]; wavering, irresolute, distracted within himself, he asked the advice of Pope Innocent XII., who was favorable to France.
The hopes of Louis XIV.

had not soared so high; on the 9th of November, 1700, he heard at one and the same time of Charles II.'s death and the contents of his will.
It was a solemn situation.

The acceptance by France of the King of Spain's will meant war; the refusal did not make peace certain; in default of a French prince the crown was to go to Archduke Charles; neither Spain nor Austria would hear of dismemberment; could they be forced to accept the treaty of partition which they had hitherto rejected angrily?
The king's council was divided; Louis XIV.