Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

222 The Earls of Middleton.
St. Germains. At the same time, Mons. de Barbe-
sieux * wrote to the officers to go to take care of their
own affairs. Thus, you see, we are in a frightful
solitude. Although I was sensibly affected with this
resolution, as you may very well believe, I was
not at all surprised at it. In my answer to Mons.
de Pontchartrain, which I send you, I avoided
to plead a cause which was already finally deter-
mined."
Louis having expressed a wish to the queen, at
Marli, that James should return to St. Germains, he
prepares to do so. 2
To the Marquis de PontcJiartrain.
" Boulogne, 30th April, 1696.
" Having wrote to you in the letter which I had
the honour to send you the 28th, the King of England
could not come to any resolution about his stay in
this place without being made acquainted with the
king's sentiments ; and the queen, having written
since that the king told her at Marli that the King of
England should not stay here, since all the officers
were gone, I consider myself bound to acquaint you
that his Britannic Majesty has resolved to set out
soon, on his return to St. Germains."
1 Son of Louvois, Secretary of State in France. (Smollett.)
2 Journal of James.