Then you suggested Avignon; and I assented.

Certainly my regard for you makes me very unwilling to do anything that would give you pain.

But my master's interests are dearer to me than all the friends that I have in the world put together.

I must tell His Most Christian Majesty all that passed between us; and I hope that, when I tell him, you will be present, and that you will be able to bear witness that I have not put a single word of mine into your mouth." When Boufflers had argued and expostulated in vain, Villeroy was sent on the same errand, but had no better success.

A few days later Portland had a long private audience of Lewis.