Amidst the amusement supplied to us by the poor Cardinal, I remarked extreme satisfaction in the King and Queen at seeing this grand marriage accomplished.  The ceremony finished, as it was not long, only the King, the Queen, and, when necessary, the Prince and Princess kneeling, their Catholic Majesties rose and withdrew towards the left corner of their footcloth, talked together for a short time, after which the Queen remained where she was, and the King advanced to me, I being where I had been during all the ceremony.

The King did me the honour to say to me, “Monsieur, in every respect I am so pleased with you, and particularly for the manner in which you have acquitted yourself of your embassy, that I wish to give you some marks of my esteem, of my satisfaction; of my friendship.  I make you Grandee of Spain of the first class; you, and, at the same time, whichever of your sons you may wish to have the same distinction; and your eldest son I will make chevalier of the Toison d’Or.”

I immediately embraced his knees, and I tried to testify to him my gratitude and my extreme desire to render myself worthy of the favour he deigned to spread upon me, by my attachment, my very humble services, and my most profound respect.  Then I kissed his hand, turned and sent for my, children, employing the moments which had elapsed before they came in uttering fresh thanks.  As soon as my sons appeared, I called the younger and told him, to embrace the knees of the King who overwhelmed us with favours, and made him grandee of Spain with me.  He kissed the King’s hand in rising, the King saying he was very glad of what he had just done.  I presented the elder to him afterwards, to thank him for the Toison.  He simply bent very low and kissed the King’s hand.  As soon as this was at an end, the King went towards the Queen, and I followed him with my children.  I bent very low before the Queen, thanked her, then presented to her my children, the younger first, the elder afterwards.  The Queen received us with much goodness, said a thousand civil things, then walked away with the King, followed by the Prince, having upon his arm the Princess, whom we saluted in passing; and they returned to their apartments.  I wished to follow them, but was carried away, as it were, by the crowd which pressed eagerly around me to compliment me.  I was very careful to reply in a fitting manner to each, and with the utmost politeness, and though I but little expected these favours at this moment, I found afterwards that all this numerous court was pleased with me.

A short time after the celebration of the marriage between the Regent’s daughter and the Prince of the Asturias, the day came on which my eldest son was to receive the Toison d’Or.  The Duc de Liria was to be his, godfather, and it was he who conducted us to the place of ceremony.  His carriage was drawn by four perfectly beautiful Neapolitan horses; but these animals, which are often extremely fantastical,