his master to
reject the proffered assistance of France. [472]

The perverse folly of James naturally excited the indignation of his
powerful neighbour. Lewis complained that, in return for the greatest
service which he could render to the English government, that government
had given him the lie in the face of all Christendom. He justly remarked
that what Avaux had said, touching the alliance between France and Great
Britain, was true according to the spirit, though perhaps not according
to the letter. There was not indeed a treaty digested into articles,
signed, sealed, and ratified: but assurances equivalent in the
estimation of honourable men to such a treaty had, during some years,
been constantly exchanged between the two Courts. Lewis added that, high
as was his own place in Europe, he should never be so absurdly jealous
of his dignity as to see an insult in any act prompted by friendship.
But James was in a very different situation, and would soon learn the
value of that aid which he had so ungraciously rejected. [473]

Yet, notwithstanding the stupidity and ingratitude of James, it would
have been wise in Lewis to persist in the resolution which had been
notified to the States General. Avaux, whose sagacity and judgment made
him an antagonist worthy of William, was decidedly of this opinion.
The first object of the French government--so the skilful Envoy
reasoned--ought to be to prevent the intended descent on England. The
way to prevent that descent was to invade the Spanish Netherlands, and
to menace the Batavian frontier. The Prince of Orange, indeed, was so
bent on his darling enterprise that he would persist, even if the white
flag were flying on the walls of Brussels. He had actually said that, if
the Spaniards could only manage to keep Ostend, Mons, and Namur till the
next spring, he would then return from England with a force which would
soon recover all that had been lost. But, though such was the Prince's
opinion, it was not the opinion of the States. They would not readily
consent to send their Captain General and the flower of their army
across the German Ocean, while a formidable enemy threatened their own
territory. [474]

Lewis admitted the force of these reasonings: but he had already
resolved on a different line of action. Perhaps he had been provoked
by the discourtesy and wrongheadedness of the English government, and
indulged his temper at the expense of his interest. Perhaps he was
misle