Chapter XLIII: Letter XXXII: PARIS, Friday, December 29, 1673

M. de Luxembourg is a little pressed near Maestricht, by the army of M. de Monterei[88] and the Prince of Orange; he dares not venture to remove his camp, and he must perish where he is, unless they send him speedy and effectual succor. The prince is to set out four days hence with the duke and M. de Turenne; the latter is to serve under the two princes, and there is a perfectly good understanding between the three. They have twenty thousand foot, and ten thousand horse; the volunteers and those companies which are not to march, do not go, but all the rest do. La Trousse and my son, who arrived here yesterday, are to be of the number; they have scarcely had time to pull off their boots before they are in the mud again. The rendezvous is appointed at Charleroi, on the 16th of January. D’Hacqueville has written you word of this, but you will read it more distinctly in my letter.[89] It is certainly very important news, and has occasioned a great bustle every where. We know not what to do for money. It is certain M. de Turenne is not on terms with M. de Louvois, but it is not generally known; and while he continues to keep in with M. Colbert, there will be nothing said about it. This afternoon I had some great folks with me, who desired their compliments to M. de Grignan, and to _Grignan’s wife_. They were the grand-master, and the _charmer_.[90] I had besides, Brancas, the Archbishop of Rheims, Charôt, La Trousse, etc., who all in like manner desired to be remembered to you. They talk of nothing but war. The _charmer_ knows all our affairs, and enters admirably into our little perplexities. He is governor of a province, which is sufficient to give him an idea of our feelings on those subjects. Adieu, my dearest child. I participate in all the joys of your conquests.

[88] Governor of the Spanish Low Countries.

[89] M. d’Hacqueville wrote a hand very difficult to be read.

[90] The Count de Lude and the Duke de Villeroi.