Mistress of the sea, England intended to enjoy alone the fruits of her victories.
[Illustration: ANTWERP----233] The parleys were prolonged, and M.de Choiseul seemed to be resigned to the bitterest pill of concession, when a new actor came upon the scene of negotiation; France no longer stood isolated face to face with triumphant England.

The younger branch of the house of Bourbon cast into the scale the weight of its two crowns and the resources of its navy.
The King of Spain, Ferdinand VI., who died on the 10th of August, 1759, had not left any children.

His brother, Charles III., King of Naples, had succeeded him.

He brought to the throne of Spain a more lively intelligence than that of the deceased king, a great aversion for England, of which he had but lately had cause to complain, and the traditional attachment of his race to the interests and the glory of France.

The Duke of Choiseul managed to take skilful advantage of this disposition.