[486] Letters from Louis XIV. and Pomponne to the Abbé d’Estrades, January 12, 1678. [487] “MONSIEUR LE COMTE MATTHIOLI,--I have perceived from the letter that you have written to me, and from what my ambassador, the Abbé d’Estrades, has informed me, the regard that you show for my interests. You cannot doubt but that I am much obliged to you for it, and that I shall have much pleasure in giving you proofs of my satisfaction upon every occasion. Referring you, therefore, to what will be said to you more particularly on my behalf by the Abbé d’Estrades, I shall not lengthen this letter more than to pray God that he will have you, Monsieur le Comte Matthioli, in his holy keeping. “LOUIS.” [488] 12,500_l._--_Trans._ [489] Despatch from D’Estrades to Louis XIV., March 19, 1678. [490] Letters from Pomponne to D’Estrades, April 13, 1678; from D’Estrades to Pomponne, April 30, May 21, and June 11, 1678; from Pomponne to D’Estrades, June 15 and 22; Letters from Pinchesne, Secretary of the French Embassy at Venice, to Pomponne, September 3 and 17, 1678. [491] Letter from Pinchesne to Pomponne, November 19, 1678. [492] Letter from Pomponne to Pinchesne, December 2, 1678. [493] Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, section Mantua. [494] 760_l._--_Trans._ [495] Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, section Mantua, Italian Manuscript of Giuliani. [496] Despatches from D’Estrades to the King, which will be referred to hereafter:--Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, section Savoy, 68. CHAPTER XX. The Regent of Savoy’s Perplexity--She discloses Matthioly’s Conduct to Louis XIV.--Arrival of Catinat at Pignerol--Arrest of the Baron d’Asfeld and his Imprisonment at Milan--The Abbé d’Estrades the First to conceive the Project of Matthioly’s Abduction--Despatches of the Abbé d’Estrades detailing the Abduction and the Incarceration of Matthioly--Means adopted in order to recover the official Documents connected with the Negotiation--Mystery surrounding Matthioly’s Disappearance--His family Dispersed and remaining silent and powerless.