[23] On one side were the faith of treaties, the peace of Europe, the welfare of France, nay the selfish interest of the House of Bourbon.

On the other side were the influence of an artful woman, and the promptings of vanity which, we must in candour acknowledge, was ennobled by a mixture of compassion and chivalrous generosity.

The King determined to act in direct opposition to the advice of all his ablest servants; and the princes of the blood applauded his decision, as they would have applauded any decision which he had announced.

Nowhere was he regarded with a more timorous, a more slavish, respect than in his own family.
On the following day he went again to Saint Germains, and, attended by a splendid retinue, entered James's bedchamber.

The dying man scarcely opened his heavy eyes, and then closed them again.