King William was encamped at Gemblours when the duke's envoy notified the separate peace which his master had concluded with the king of France.

Though he was extremely chagrined at the information, he dissembled his anger and listened to the minister without the least emotion.

One of the conditions of this treaty was, that within a limited time the allies should evacuate the duke's dominions, otherwise they should be expelled by the joint forces of France and Savoy.

A neutrality was offered to the confederates; and this being rejected, the contracting powers resolved to attack the Milanese.

Accordingly when the truce expired, the duke, as generalissimo of the French king, entered that duchy and undertook the siege of Valentia; so that in one campaign he commanded two contending armies.
The garrison of Valentia, consisting of seven thousand men, Germans, Spaniards, and French protestants, made an obstinate defence; and the duke of Savoy prosecuted the siege with uncommon impetuosity.