At length a despatch from Albeville removed all doubts.

It is said that, when the King had read it, the blood left his cheeks, and he remained some time speechless.

[480] He might, indeed, well be appalled.

The first easterly wind would bring a hostile armament to the shores of his realm.

All Europe, one single power alone excepted, was impatiently waiting for the news of his downfall.