Blecourt, on the other hand, ran home without asking other information, and at once despatched to the King a courier, who fell ill at Bayonne, and was replaced by one named by Harcourt, then at Bayonne getting ready for the occupation of Guipuscoa.  The news arrived at Court (Fontainebleau) in the month of November.  The King was going out shooting that day; but, upon learning what had taken place, at once countermanded the sport, announced the death of the King of Spain, and at three o’clock held a council of the ministers in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon.  This council lasted until past seven o’clock in the evening.  Monseigneur, who had been out wolf-hunting, returned in time to attend it.  On the next morning, Wednesday, another council was held, and in the evening a third, in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon.  However accustomed persons were at the Court to the favour Madame de Maintenon enjoyed there, they were extremely surprised to see two councils assembled in her rooms for the greatest and most important deliberation that had taken place during this long reign, or indeed during many others.

The King, Monseigneur, the Chancellor, the Duc de Brinvilliers, Torcy, and Madame de Maintenon, were the only persons who deliberated upon this affair.  Madame de Maintenon preserved at first a modest silence; but the King forced her to give her opinion after everybody had spoken except herself.  The council was divided.  Two were for keeping to the treaty that had been signed with King William, two for accepting the will.  Monseigneur, drowned as he was in fat and sloth, appeared in quite another character from his usual ones at these councils.  To the great surprise of the King and his assistants, when it was his turn to speak he expressed himself with force in favour of accepting the testament.  Then, turning towards the King in a respectful but firm manner, he said that he took the liberty of asking for his inheritance, that the monarchy of Spain belonged to the Queen his mother, and consequently to him; that he surrendered it willingly to his second son for the tranquillity of Europe; but that to none other would he yield an inch of ground.  These words, spoken with an inflamed countenance, caused excessive surprise, The King listened very attentively, and then said to Madame de Maintenon, “And you, Madame, what do you think upon all this?” She began by affecting modesty; but pressed, and even commanded to speak, she expressed herself with becoming confusion; briefly sang the praises of Monseigneur, whom she feared and liked but little—­sentiments perfectly reciprocated—­and at last was for accepting the will.

[Illustration:  Madame Maintenon In Conferance—­Painted by Sir John Gilbert—­front1]