[243] An event had taken place which had changed the policy of the Court of Versailles.

Louvois was no more.

He had been at the head of the military administration of his country during a quarter of a century; he had borne a chief part in the direction of two wars which had enlarged the French territory, and had filled the world with the renown of the French arms; and he had lived to see the beginning of a third war which tasked his great powers to the utmost.

Between him and the celebrated captains who carried his plans into execution there was little harmony.

His imperious temper and his confidence in himself impelled him to interfere too much with the conduct of troops in the field, even when those troops were commanded by Conde, by Turenne or by Luxemburg.