Lewis domineered over them as if they had been his subjects, and troubled himself as little about their happiness as if they had been his enemies.
Since he exercised as absolute a power over them as over the Normans and Burgundians, it was desirable that he should have as great an interest in their welfare as in the welfare of the Normans and Burgundians.
On the basis proposed by France William was willing to negotiate; and, when, in June 1699, he left Kensington to pass the summer at Loo, the terms of the treaty known as the Second Treaty of Partition were very nearly adjusted.

The great object now was to obtain the consent of the Emperor.

That consent, it should seem, ought to have been readily and even eagerly given.

Had it been given, it might perhaps have saved Christendom from a war of eleven years.

But the policy of Austria was, at that time, strangely dilatory and irresolute.