"'To the king of France—' But these are only copies."
"I will tell you soon where the originals are."
"Let us see, my dear abbe, let us see. 'Since Providence has placed me on the throne of Spain,' etc., etc. 'In what light can your faithful subjects regard the treaty which is signed against me?' etc., etc. 'I beg your majesty to convoke the States-General of the kingdom.' Convoke the States-General! In whose name?"
"In the name of Philip V."
"Philip V. is king of Spain and not of France. Let him keep to his own character. I crossed the Pyrenees once to secure him on his throne; I might cross them a second time to remove him from it."
"We will think of that later—I do not say no; but for the present we have the fifth piece to read—and not the least important as you will see."
And Dubois presented another paper to the regent, which he opened with such impatience that he tore it in opening it.
"Never mind," said Dubois, "the pieces are good; put them together and read them."
The regent did so, and read—
"'Dearly and well beloved.'