Italian, hastened to communicate this valuable confidence to Italy’s most redoubtable and menacing enemy? The regent’s letter reached Louis XIV. in the middle of the month of February, 1679. The King’s disappointment and wrath were so much the more lively since his plans were already in course of execution. All those who were to play a part in the _dénoûment_ of this business were not only appointed, but were actually at their posts. The far-sighted Louvois, who, previous to Napoleon, was, perhaps, the man who possessed in the highest degree the genius of organization and the spirit of detail, had drawn up--a quality in which he excelled--the whole plan of the operation. His orders, clear, precise, and minute, had been punctually followed. Numerous troops, under the command of the Marquis de Boufflers, Colonel-General of Dragoons, were assembled at Briançon ready to cross the frontier.[501] The Baron d’Asfeld,[502] Colonel of Dragoons, left for Venice, on the mission of exchanging in that city the ratification of the treaty.[503] Catinat,[504] then Brigadier of Infantry, arrived from Flanders, where he had already served with distinction, and proceeded with the greatest secrecy to Pignerol. Saint-Mars had been enjoined[505] to leave the postern of the citadel open, to meet himself the mysterious traveller, and to conduct him into the donjon in such a manner that nobody might be able to suspect his presence there. This sham prisoner was even obliged to change his name, and the despatches addressed to him bore that of Richemont instead of Catinat.[506] Everything had been marvellously well conceived, everything was prepared, everything foreseen, save what the Government of Versailles termed the treason of Matthioly.