“The King does not disapprove,” says the despatch which we are discussing, “of your going from time to time to see the last prisoner whom you have in charge, when he is settled in his new prison and has left that in which you are keeping him.” At first I thought it very strange that one of Saint-Mars’ prisoners should “settle” in his prison without his gaoler, and connecting this fact with the numerous despatches which show that at this period, or at least at one not very remote from it, Saint-Mars still had two prisoners, I have ended by concluding that the word “prisoner” is not used here by Louvois in its ordinary sense, but figuratively. I then recollected that in 1681, as in 1679, Catinat was at Pignerol, and treated in appearance at least as a prisoner. The following despatch from Catinat to Louvois, September 6, 1681, leaves no doubt on the subject: “I have called myself Guibert, (we have seen that in 1679, he had taken the name of Richemont), and I am supposed to be an engineer _who has been arrested_ by the King’s orders for having deserted with a number of plans of places on the frontiers of Flanders. M. de Saint-Mars _keeps me here with every appearance of my being a prisoner_,” &c. On the other hand, during Catinat’s two stays at Pignerol, with two years’ interval between them, a profound friendship had sprung up between him and Saint-Mars. The despatch which we are discussing was dated September 20, 1681. Now, on the 28th, Catinat was to leave, and indeed did leave Pignerol, and on October 1, he was installed at Casale as governor. In an unpublished letter from Saint-Mars to the Abbé d’Estrades, September 27, 1681, is an expression which explains everything: “I have given your letter to M. de Catinat, and he will have the honour to communicate with you when he is _settled_. He leaves to-morrow, Sunday, with the infantry, and no one is more your servant than he is. The first of next month he will be received as governor of the citadel which you have brought into the King’s possession (Casale).”--Imperial Library, Manuscripts, _Papiers d’Estrades_. Now this very expression, “when he is settled,” occurs in Louvois’ despatch, September 20, which Saint-Mars had just received when he was writing to d’Estrades. But, it will be said, why does Louvois make use of the words “in his new prison” to describe Casale? Because, no doubt, Catinat had not left Louvois ignorant that a monotonous residence at Casale was disagreeable to him, and that he would very much prefer to return to the army of Flanders. Lastly, December 14, 1681, Louvois writes to Saint-Mars, who, from his excessive scruples, had probably renewed his request for an authorisation: “Nothing need prevent your going to Casale from time to time, in order to visit M. Catinat.”