"My Lord Cardinal,--Thanks to your good counsels and, above all, thanksto your firmness, I have succeeded in overcoming a weakness unworthy ofa king. You have too ably arranged my destiny to allow gratitude not tostop me at the moment when I was about to destroy your work. I felt Iwas wrong to wish to make my life turn from the course you had markedout for it. Certainly it would have been a misfortune to France and myfamily if a misunderstanding had taken place between me and my minister.This, however, would certainly have happened if I had made your niece mywife. I am perfectly aware of this, and will henceforth oppose nothingto the accomplishment of my destiny. I am prepared, then, to wed theinfanta, Maria Theresa. You may at once open the conference.--Youraffectionate Louis."