did its work.  The friends of Vendome declared that such an enterprise was the best, thing that could happen to France, as the besiegers, inferior in numbers to our army, were sure to be miserably beaten.  M. de Vendome, in the mean time, did not budge from the post he had taken up near Ghent.  The King wrote to him to go with his army to the relief of Lille.  M. de Vendome still delayed; another courier was sent, with the same result.  At this, the King, losing temper, despatched another courier, with orders to Monseigneur de Bourgogne, to lead the army to Lille, if M. de Vendome refused to do so.  At this, M. de Vendome awoke from his lethargy.  He set out for Lille, but took the longest road, and dawdled as long as he could on the way, stopping five days at Mons Puenelle, amongst other places.

The agitation, meanwhile, in Paris, was extreme.  The King demanded news of the siege from his courtiers, and could not understand why no couriers arrived.  It was generally expected that some decisive battle had been fought.  Each day increased the uneasiness.  The Princes and the principal noblemen of the Court were at the army.  Every one at Versailles feared for the safety of a relative or friend.  Prayers were offered everywhere.  Madame de Bourgogne passed whole nights in the chapel, when people thought her in bed, and drove her women to despair.  Following her example, ladies who had husbands at the army stirred not from the churches.  Gaming, conversation ceased.  Fear was painted upon every face, and seen in every speech, without shame.  If a horse passed a little quickly, everybody ran without knowing where.  The apartments of Chamillart were crowded with lackeys, even into the street, sent by people desiring to be informed of the moment that a courier arrived; and this terror and uncertainty lasted nearly a month.  The provinces were even more troubled than Paris.  The King wrote to the Bishop, in order that they should offer up prayers in terms which suited with the danger of the time.  It may be judged what was the general impression and alarm.

It is true, that in the midst of this trepidation, the partisans of M. de Vendome affected to pity that poor Prince Eugene, and to declare that he must inevitably fail in his undertaking; but these discourses did not impose upon me.  I knew what kind of enemies we had to deal with, and I foresaw the worst results from the idleness and inattention of M. de Vendome.  One evening, in the presence of Chamillart and five or six others, annoyed by the conversation which passed, I offered to bet four pistoles that there would be no general battle, and that Lille would be taken without being relieved.  This strange proposition excited much surprise, and caused many questions to be addressed to me.  I would explain nothing at all; but sustained my proposal in the English manner, and my bet was taken; Cani, who accepted it, thanking me for the present of four pistoles I was making him, as he said.  The stakes were placed in the hand of Chamillart.