ching round through Holland and joining Wrangel.
There is, of course, risk in such an expedition, and the cardinal may
object very strongly to my undertaking such a movement, especially as
it will leave the frontier of France virtually unguarded, but I have no
fear that evil consequences will arise. The enemy will not hear of
my march until ten days after I have started, and even then they will
probably suppose that we have gone to Flanders. By the time they
find out what my intentions are, it will be too late for them to take
advantage of my absence.

"Even then they would have to storm Philippsburg or some other strong
place before they could cross the Rhine, and before they could do that
Wrangel and I would be at their heels. Moreover, as they would know
that, instead of pursuing them, we might, after effecting a junction,
make straight for Vienna, and that no army could be got together to
oppose us, I consider that the movement is a perfectly safe one. Now,
I am going to send you to Mazarin with my despatch telling him of my
intention. I am choosing you for the purpose, because you will be able
to explain and enforce the reasons that I have given him. He has a high
opinion of you, and will listen to you when perhaps he would not pay
any regard to Rosen or any other of these Weimar officers I might send.
Remember that there is no occasion for extreme hurry," and he smiled.
"Of course it is necessary that you should travel with a certain amount
of speed, but do not founder your horse. Every day is of value to me,
and if I am once well on my way north Mazarin could hardly recall me.

"Say that you take five days to get to Paris, by that time I should
be north of Cologne, and a courier from Mazarin can hardly overtake me
until I am in Holland, I should then feel justified in disregarding the
order, seeing that I should by pushing on effect a junction with the
Swedes quite as quickly as I could return here. Of course it would be
too late for you to overtake me, and I shall give you a written order
to remain in Paris until I am again so near the Rhine that you can join
your regiment. I consider that it will be an advantage to have you near
the cardinal, as, knowing my intentions and methods as you do, you would
be able to so explain matters to him that he will understand the reasons
for my various movements."

"Very well marshal, I am ready to start as soon as you hand me the
despatch."

"I will do that tomorrow morni