The King did not yet declare himself.  He said that the affair might well be allowed to sleep for four-and-twenty hours, in order that they might ascertain if the Spaniards approved the choice of their King.  He dismissed the council, but ordered it to meet again the next evening at the same hour and place.  Next day, several couriers arrived from Spain, and the news they brought left no doubt upon the King’s mind as to the wishes of the Spanish nobles and people upon the subject of the will.  When therefore the council reassembled in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, the King, after fully discussing the matter, resolved to accept the will.

At the first receipt of the news the King and his ministers had been overwhelmed with a surprise that they could not recover from for several days.  When the news was spread abroad, the Court was equally surprised.  The foreign ministers passed whole nights deliberating upon the course the King would adopt.  Nothing else was spoken of but this matter.  The King one evening, to divert himself, asked the princesses their opinion.  They replied that he should send M. le Duc d’Anjou (the second son of Monseigneur), into Spain, and that this was the general sentiment.  “I am sure,” replied the King, “that whatever course I adopt many people will condemn me.”

At last, on Tuesday, the 16th of November, the King publicly declared himself.  The Spanish ambassador had received intelligence which proved the eagerness of Spain to welcome the Duc d’Anjou as its King.  There seemed to be no doubt of the matter.  The King, immediately after getting up, called the ambassador into his cabinet, where M. le Duc d’Anjou had already arrived.  Then, pointing to the Duke, he told the ambassador he might salute him as King of Spain.  The ambassador threw himself upon his knees after the fashion of his country, and addressed to the Duke a tolerably long compliment in the Spanish language.  Immediately afterwards, the King, contrary to all custom, opened the two folding doors of his cabinet, and commanded everybody to enter.  It was a very full Court that day.  The King, majestically turning his eyes towards the numerous company, and showing them M. le Duc d’Anjou said—­“Gentlemen, behold the King of Spain.  His birth called him to that crown:  the late King also has called him to it by his will; the whole nation wished for him, and has asked me for him eagerly; it is the will of heaven:  I have obeyed it with pleasure.”  And then, turning towards his grandson, he said, “Be a good Spaniard, that is your first duty; but remember that you are a Frenchman born, in order that the union between the two nations may be preserved; it will be the means of rendering both happy, and of preserving the peace of Europe.”  Pointing afterwards with his finger to the Duc d’Anjou, to indicate him to the ambassador, the King added, “If he follows my counsels you will be a grandee, and soon; he cannot do better than follow your advice.”