he said that, though his present situation and office near the heir to the throne was the pride and desire of his life, he would have thrown it up the instant that he had the least ground to suppose that this Prince ceased to be a dutiful son and subject; but so far from this being the case, he had observed him in his most unguarded moments—­in moments of conviviality had heard him speak of his royal parents with as much submission and respect as if he had been in their presence.  “If,” continued he, “the Prince of Peace has said otherwise, he has misled his King and his Queen, being, no doubt, deceived himself.  To overthrow a throne and to seize it cannot be done without accomplices, without arms, without money.  Who are the conspirators hailing the Prince as their chief?  I have heard no name but that of the lovely Princess, his consort, the partaker of his sentiments as well as of his heart.  And his arms?  They are in the hands of those guards his royal parent has given to augment the necessary splendour of his rank.  And as to his money?  He has none but what is received from royal and paternal munificence and bounty.  You, my Prince,” said he to the favourite (who seemed much offended at the impression the speech made on Their Majesties), “will one day thank me, if I am happy enough to dissuade dishonourable, impolitic, or unjust sentiments.  Of the approbation of posterity I am certain—­”

“If,” interrupted the favourite, “the Prince of Asturias and his consort will give up their bad counsellors, I hope Their Majesties will forget and forgive everything with myself.”

“Whether Their Royal Highnesses,” replied the Duke of Montemar, “have done anything that deserves forgiveness, or whether they have any counsellors, I do not know, and am incompetent to judge; but I am much mistaken in the character of Their Royal Highnesses if they wish to purchase favour at the expense of confidence and honour.  An order from His Majesty may immediately clear up this doubt.”

The Prince of Peace was then ordered to write, in the name of the King, to his children in the manner he proposed, and to command an answer by the messenger.  In half an hour the messenger returned with a letter addressed to the favourite, containing only these lines: 

“A King of Spain is well aware that a Prince and Princess of Asturias can have no answer to give to such proposals or to such questions.”

After six days’ arrest, and after the Prince of Peace had in vain endeavoured to discover something to inculpate Their Royal Highnesses, they were invited to Court, and reconciled both to him and their royal parents.

LETTER VIII.

Paris, September, 1805.

My lord:—­I will add in this letter, to the communication of the gentlemen mentioned in my last, what I remember myself of the letter which was circulated among our diplomatists, concerning the intrigues at Madrid.