“Has Catalonia also revolted? The King, Philip IV, no longer has the Count-Duke for his Prime-Minister?”
“Just the contrary, Sire. It is on this very account. Here is the declaration of the States-General of Catalonia to his Catholic Majesty, signifying that the whole country will take up arms against his sacrilegious and excommunicated troops. The King of Portugal—”
“Say the Duke of Braganza!” replied Louis. “I recognize no rebels.”
“The Duke of Braganza, then,” coldly repeated the Secretary of State, “sends his nephew, Don Ignacio de Mascarenas, to the principality of Catalonia, to seize the protection (and it may be the sovereignty) of that country, which he would add to that he has just reconquered. Your Majesty’s troops are before Perpignan—”
“Well, and what of that?” said Louis.
“The Catalonians are more disposed toward France than toward Portugal, and there is still time to deprive the King of-the Duke of Portugal, I should say—of this protectorship.”
“What! I assist rebels! You dare—”
“Such was the intention of his Eminence,” continued the Secretary of State. “Spain and France are nearly at open war, and Monsieur d’Olivares has not hesitated to offer the assistance of his Catholic Majesty to the Huguenots.”
“Very good. I will consider it,” said the King. “Leave me.”
“Sire, the States-General of Catalonia are in a dilemma. The troops from Aragon march against them.”