Meanwhile, let me mention a circumstance which should have found a place before, and then state what occurred in the interval which followed until the trial recommenced.

It was while our proceedings were making some little stir that fresh favours were heaped upon the King’s illegitimate sons, at the instance of the King himself, and with the connivance of Harlay, who, for the part he took in the affair, was promised the chancellorship when it should become vacant.  The rank of these illegitimate sons was placed just below that of the princes, of the blood, and just above that of the peers even of the oldest creation.  This gave us all exceeding annoyance:  it was the greatest injury the peerage could have received, and became its leprosy and sore.  All the peers who could, kept themselves aloof from the parliament, when M. du Maine, M. de Vendome, and the Comte de Toulouse, for whom this arrangement was specially made, were received there.

There were several marriages at the Court this winter and many very fine balls, at which latter I danced.  By the spring, preparations were ready for fresh campaigns.  My regiment (I had bought one at the close of the last season) was ordered to join the army of M. de Luxembourg; but, as I had no desire to be under him, I wrote to the King, begging to be exchanged.  In a short time, to the great vexation, as I know, of M. de Luxembourg, my request was granted.  The Chevalier de Sully went to Flanders in my place, and I to Germany in his.  I went first to Soissons to see my regiment, and in consequence of the recommendation of the King, was more severe with it than I should otherwise have been.  I set out afterwards for Strasbourg, where I was surprised with the magnificence of the town, and with the number, beauty, and grandeur of its fortifications.  As from my youth I knew and spoke German perfectly, I sought out one of my early German acquaintances, who gave me much pleasure.  I stopped six days at Strasbourg and then went by the Rhine to Philipsburg.  On the next day after arriving there, I joined the cavalry, which was encamped at Obersheim.

After several movements—­in which we passed and repassed the Rhine—­but which led to no effective result, we encamped for forty days at Gaw-Boecklheim, one of the best and most beautiful positions in the world, and where we had charming weather, although a little disposed to cold.  It was in the leisure of that long camp that I commenced these memoirs, incited by the pleasure I took in reading those of Marshal Bassompierre, which invited me thus to write what I should see in my own time.

During this season M. de Noailles took Palamos, Girone, and the fortress of Castel-Follit in Catalonia.  This last was taken by the daring of a soldier, who led on a small number of his comrades, and carried the place by assault.  Nothing was done in Italy; and in Flanders M. de Luxembourg came to no engagement with the Prince of Orange.