“M. de Mantua,” writes the Abbé d’Estrades to Pomponne, June 10, 1679, “shows uneasiness as to what can have become of Matthioly, whose conduct he blames.... I inform him concerning Matthioly that, _although I do not know where he is_, and for the last two months have had no news of him, I do not hesitate to assure him that he cannot interfere at all in our negotiation, and that he will not even have the least suspicion of it; that he may set his mind at rest concerning this, and that I pledge him my word for it.”[593] Two years afterwards the Abbé Morel, the French ambassador, when about to proceed to Mantua, to Charles IV., with the view of renewing the project of surrender, writes from Turin to Louis XIV.:-- “Turin, August 9, 1681. “I have no doubt that on my return to Mantua, the Duke will question me as to what will be done with Matioly after the execution of the treaty. Perhaps it would be as well to give me a line of information on this point.”[594] And Louis XIV. himself replies in a manner to calm Charles IV.’s uneasiness, but still without revealing the place of Matthioly’s confinement:-- “Fontainebleau, August 21, 1681. “I have already informed you that you may assure the Duke of Mantua that Mathioly will not leave the place where he is without the consent of that prince; and if there are any other measures to be taken for his satisfaction, you will inform me of them. On this, etc.”[595] Can one have any doubt of the true sentiments of the Duke of Mantua after reading the following despatch?-- “The Duke of Mantua has learnt with much joy and with sentiments of lively gratitude, what it has pleased your Majesty to order me to inform him concerning Matthioli. He had intended to thank me this evening personally in an audience which he wished to accord me; but I have found it impossible to attend, owing to a very painful rheumatism in the neck, which has forced me to keep my bed during the last three days.”[596] This joy of Charles IV. on learning that he no longer had to dread the sudden appearance of his accomplice is sadly significant. He could again treat with Louis XIV. without fearing lest his too well-informed ex-minister should proceed to impress upon the attention of the other princes the conditions to which the Duke of Mantua had agreed, by consenting to put himself under the complete control of the most dangerous of Italy’s enemies. Everything thus combined to perpetuate the confinement of the unfortunate Minister, and the interest of Charles IV. as much as the pride of Louis XIV. required that he who had deceived the one and humiliated the other should be removed from the world for ever.