Any sudden impulse of anger, the reaction of young hot blood upon the brain, would be quite sufficient to change an old form of policy and create another system altogether.

The part that diplomatists had to play in those days was that of arranging among themselves the different _coups-d'etat_ which their sovereign masters might wish to effect.

Louis was not in that calm frame of mind which was necessary to enable him to determine on a wise course of policy.

Still much agitated from the quarrel he had just had with La Valliere, he walked hastily into his cabinet, dimly desirous of finding an opportunity of producing an explosion after he had controlled himself for so long a time.

Colbert, as he saw the king enter, knew the position of affairs at a glance, understood the king's intentions, and resolved therefore to maneuver a little.