France hoped to find once more in M.de Choiseul a great minister; nor were her hopes destined to be completely deceived.
A new and secret treaty had just riveted the alliance between France and Austria.

M.de Choiseul was at the same time dreaming of attacking England in her own very home, thus dealing her the most formidable of blows.

The preparations were considerable.

M.de Soubise was recalled from Germany to direct the army of invasion.

He was to be seconded in his command by the Duke of Aiguillon, to whom, rightly or wrongly, was attributed the honor of having repulsed in the preceding year an attempt of the English at a descent upon the coasts of Brittany.