In a few days Pomponne and Torcy were authorised to propose a plan.

They fully admitted that all neighbouring states were entitled to demand the strongest security against the union of the French and Spanish crowns.

Such security should be given.

The Spanish government might be requested to choose between the Duke of Anjou and the Duke of Berry.

The youth who was selected would, at the utmost, be only fifteen years old, and could not be supposed to have any very deeply rooted national prejudices.