“This is my opinion, which I am willing to sign and to offer to the Parliament if you seize this, the only opportunity.  For if M. de Turenne should alter his mind before it be done, I should then oppose this scheme with as much warmth as I now recommend it.”

The Duke said in answer:  “Nothing can have a more promising aspect than what you have now proposed; it is very practicable, but equally pernicious for all private persons.  Spain will promise all, but perform nothing after we have once promised to enter into no treaty, with the Court but for a general peace.  This being the only thing the Spaniards have in view, they will abandon us as soon as they, can obtain it, and if we urge on this great scheme at once, as you would have us, they would undoubtedly obtain it in a fortnight’s time, for France would certainly make it with precipitation, and I know the Spaniards would be glad to purchase it on any terms.  This being the case, in what a condition shall we be the next day after we have made and procured this general peace?  We should indeed have the honour of it, but would this honour screen us against the hatred and curses of the Court?  Would the house of Austria take up arms again to rescue you and me from a prison?  You will say, perhaps, we may stipulate some conditions with Spain which may secure us from all insults of this kind; but I think I shall have answered this objection when I assure you that Spain is so pressed with home troubles that she would not hesitate, for the sake of peace, to break the most solemn promises made to us; and this is an inconvenience for which I see no remedy.

“If Spain should be worse than her word with respect to the expulsion of Mazarin, what will become of us?  And will the honour of our contributing to the general peace atone for the preservation of a minister to get rid of whom they took up arms?  You know how they abhor the Cardinal; and, suppose the Cardinal be excluded from the Ministry, according to promise, shall we not still be exposed to the hatred of the Queen, to the resentment of the Prince de Conde, and to all the evil consequences that may be expected from an enraged Court for such an action?  There is no true glory but what is durable; transitory honour is mere smoke.  Of this sort is that which we shall acquire by this peace, if we do not support it by such alliances as will gain us the reputation of wisdom as well as of honesty.  I admire your disinterestedness above all, and esteem it, but I am very well assured that if mine went the length of yours you would not, approve of it.  Your family is settled; consider mine, and cast your eyes on the condition of this lady and on that of both the father and children.”