If they wish to make a bite at the Spanish cake, you, sire, the son-in-law of the king of Spain, could with your cavalry sweep the earth from your dominions to Brussels in a couple of days.

Their design is, therefore, only to quarrel so far with you, and only to make you suspect Spain so far, as will be sufficient to induce you not to interfere with their own affairs." "It would be far more simple, I should imagine," replied the king, "to form a solid alliance with me, by means of which I should gain something, while they would gain everything." "Not so; for if, by chance, they were to have you, or France rather, as a boundary, your majesty is not an agreeable neighbor.

Young, ardent, warlike, the king of France might inflict some serious mischief on Holland, especially if he were to get near her." "I perfectly understand, M.Colbert, and you have explained it very clearly; but be good enough to tell me the conclusion you have arrived at." "Your majesty's own decisions are never deficient in wisdom." "What will these ambassadors say to me ?" "They will tell your majesty that they are ardently desirous of forming an alliance with you, which will be a falsehood: they will tell Spain that the three powers ought to unite so as to check the prosperity of England, and that will equally be a falsehood; for at present, the natural ally of your majesty is England, who has ships while we have none; England, who can counteract Dutch influence in India; England, in fact, a monarchical country, to which your majesty is attached by ties of relationship." "Good; but how would you answer ?" "I should answer, sire, with the greatest possible moderation of tone, that the disposition of Holland does not seem friendly towards the Court of France; that the symptoms of public feeling among the Dutch are alarming as regards your majesty; that certain medals have been struck with insulting devices." "Towards me ?" exclaimed the young king, excitedly.
"Oh, no! sire, no; insulting is not the word; I was mistaken, I ought to have said immeasurably flattering to the Dutch." "Oh! if that be so, the pride of the Dutch is a matter of indifference to me," said the king, sighing.
"Your majesty is right, a thousand times right.

However, it is never a mistake in politics, your majesty knows better than myself, to exaggerate a little in order to obtain a concession in your own favor.

If your majesty were to complain as if your susceptibility were offended, you would stand in a far higher position with them." "What are these medals you speak of ?" inquired Louis; "for if I allude to them, I ought to know what to say." "Upon my word, sire, I cannot very well tell you--some overweeningly conceited device--that is the sense of it; the words have little to do with the thing itself." "Very good! I will mention the word 'medal,' and they can understand it if they like." "Oh! they will understand without any difficulty.