In these circumstances, James bethought him of a French nobleman who then resided in London, Antonine, Count of Lauzun.

Of this man it has been said that his life was stranger than the dreams of other people.

At an early age he had been the intimate associate of Lewis, and had been encouraged to expect the highest employments under the French crown.

Then his fortunes had undergone an eclipse.

Lewis had driven from him the friend of his youth with bitter reproaches, and had, it was said, scarcely refrained from adding blows.