He reported to his court that even the well intentioned--for so he always called the enemies of the House of Orange--either partook of the public feeling or were overawed by it; and he suggested the policy of making some concession to their wishes.

The answers which he received from Versailles were cold and acrimonious.

Some Dutch families, indeed, which had not been naturalised in France, were permitted to return to their country.

But to those natives of Holland who had obtained letters of naturalisation Lewis refused all indulgence.

No power on earth, he said, should interfere between him and his subjects.