In 1745, the situation was grave; the marshal was attacked with dropsy; his life appeared to be in danger.

He nevertheless commanded his preparations to be made for the campaign, and, when Voltaire, who was one of his friends, was astounded at it, "It is no question of living, but of setting out," was his reply.
[Illustration: Marshal Saxe 154] The king was preparing to set out, like Marshal Saxe; he had just married the dauphin to the eldest daughter of the King of Spain; the young prince accompanied his father to the front before Tournai, which the French army was besieging.

On the 8th of May Louis XV.

visited the outskirts; an attack from the enemy was expected, the field of battle was known beforehand.

The village of Fontenoy had already been occupied by Marshal Noailles, who had asked to serve as aide-de-camp to Marshal Saxe, to whom he was attached by sincere friendship, and whom he had very much contributed to advance in the king's good graces.
"Never did Louis XV.