[474] Lewis admitted the force of these reasonings: but he had already resolved on a different line of action.

Perhaps he had been provoked by the discourtesy and wrongheadedness of the English government, and indulged his temper at the expense of his interest.

Perhaps he was misled by the counsels of his minister of war, Louvois, whose influence was great, and who regarded Avaux with no friendly feeling.

It was determined to strike in a quarter remote from Holland a great and unexpected blow.

Lewis suddenly withdrew his troops from Flanders, and poured them into Germany.