made to be broken on the morrow.  They were all, nevertheless, mistaken; and those who were imprudent enough to return to their homes were only just in time to receive the dragoons there.”  A letter from Louvois to the Duke of Noailles put a stop to all illusion.  “I have no doubt,” he wrote, “that some rather heavy billets upon the few amongst the nobility and third estate still remaining of the religionists will undeceive them as to the mistake they are under about the edict M. de Chateauneuf drew up for us.  His Majesty desires that you should explain yourself very sternly, and that extreme severity should be employed against those who are not willing to become of his religion; those who have the silly vanity to glory in holding out to the last must be driven to extremity.”  The pride of Louis XIV. was engaged in the struggle; those of his subjects who refused to sacrifice their religion to him were disobedient, rebellious, and besotted with silly vanity.  “It will be quite ridiculous before long to be of that religion,” wrote Madame de Maintenon.

Even in his court and amongst his most useful servants the king encountered unexpected opposition.  Marshal Schomberg with great difficulty obtained authority to leave the kingdom; Duquesne was refused.  The illustrious old man, whom the Algerian corsairs called “the old French capitan, whose bride is the sea, and whom the angel of death has forgotten,” received permission to reside in France without being troubled about his religion.  “For sixty years I have rendered to Caesar that which was Caesar’s,” said the sailor proudly; “it is time to render unto God that which is God’s.”  And, when the king regretted that his religion prevented him from properly recognizing his glorious career, “Sir,” said Duquesne, “I am a Protestant, but I always thought that my services were Catholic.”  Duquesne’s children went abroad.  When he died, 1688, his body was refused to them.  His sons raised a monument to him at Aubonne, in the canton of Berne, with this inscription:  “This tomb awaits the remains of Duquesne.  Passer, should you ask why the Hollanders have raised a superb monument to Ruyter vanquished, and why the French have refused a tomb to Ruyter’s vanquisher, the fear and respect inspired by a monarch whose power extends afar do not allow me to answer.”

Of the rest, only the Marquis of Ruvigny and the Princess of Tarento, daughter-in-law of the Duke of La Tremoille and issue of the house of Hesse, obtained authority to leave France.  All ports were closed, all frontiers watched.  The great lords gave way, one after another.  Accustomed to enjoy royal favors, attaching to them excessive value, living at court, close to Paris, which was spared a great deal during the persecution, they, without much effort, renounced a faith which closed to them henceforth the door to all offices and all honors.  The gentlemen of the provinces were more resolute; many realized as much as they could of their property, and went