who was himself in weak health.  Thus one cripple replaced another.  One began, the other ended, at Bourbonne.  Douai, Saint-Venant, and Aire fell into the hands of the enemy during this ’campaign, who thus gained upon us more and more, while we did little or nothing.  This was the last campaign in Flanders of the Duke of Marlborough.  On the Rhine our troops observed and subsisted:  nothing more; but in Spain there was more movement, and I will therefore turn my glances towards that country, and relate what took place there.

CHAPTER LIV

Before I commence speaking of the affairs of Spain, let me pass lightly over an event which, engrafted upon some others, made much noise, notwithstanding the care taken to stifle it.

Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne supped at Saint-Cloud one evening with Madame la Duchesse de Berry and others—­Madame de Saint-Simon absenting herself from the party.  Madame la Duchesse de Berry and M. d’Orleans—­ but she more than he—­got so drunk, that Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans, Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, and the rest of the numerous company there assembled, knew not what to do.  M. le Duc de Berry was there, and him they talked over as well as they could; and the numerous company was amused by the Grand Duchess as well as she was able.  The effect of the wine, in more ways than one, was such, that people were troubled.  In spite of all, the Duchesse de Berry could not be sobered, so that it became necessary to carry her, drunk as she was; to Versailles.  All the servants saw her state, and did not keep it to themselves; nevertheless, it was hidden from the King, from Monseigneur, and from Madame de Maintenon.

And now, having related this incident, let me turn to Spain.

The events which took place in that country were so important, that I have thought it best to relate them in a continuous narrative without interruption.  We must go back to the commencement of the year, and remember the dangerous state which Spain was thrown into, delivered up to her own weakness, France being too feeble to defend her; finding it difficult enough, in fact, to defend herself, and willing to abandon her ally entirely in the hope by this means to obtain peace.

Towards the end of March the King of Spain set out from Madrid to put himself at the head of his army in Aragon.  Villadatias, one of his best and oldest general officers, was chosen to command under him.  The King of Spain went from Saragossa to Lerida, where he was received with acclamations by the people and his army.  He crossed the Segre on the 14th of May, and advanced towards Balaguier; designing to lay siege to it.  But heavy rains falling and causing the waters to rise, he was obliged to abandon his project.  Joined a month afterwards by troops arrived from Flanders, he sought to attack the enemy, but was obliged to content himself for the moment by scouring the country, and taking some