was as good as annulled; it was opened, it was read, and so were the two codicils.

All the authority was intrusted to a council of regency of which the Duke of Orleans was to be the head, but without preponderating voice and without power to supersede any of the members, all designated in advance by Louis XIV.

The person and the education of the young king, as well as the command of the household troops, were intrusted to the Duke of Maine.
"It was listened to in dead silence, and with a sort of indignation, which expressed itself in all countenances," says St.Simon.

"The king, no doubt, did not comprehend the force of what he had been made to do," said the Duke of Orleans; "he assured me in the last days of his life that I should find in his dispositions nothing that I was not sure to be pleased with, and he himself referred the ministers to me on business, with all the orders to be given." He asked, therefore, to have his regency declared such as it ought to be, "full and independent, with free formation of the council of regency." The Duke of Maine wished to say a word.

"You shall speak in your turn, Sir," said the Duke of Orleans in a dry tone.