While these Things pass’d in _France_, the King of _Spain_, or rather his Minister, caus’d the Duke of _St. Aignan_, the Ambassador of _France_, to be very ill treated, who having taken Leave of the King and Queen, stay’d some Days longer to settle his domestic Affairs, perhaps also to see what Turn Things would take, in case the King of _Spain_, who was then dangerously ill, should die. I am assur’d that the King having told him, that by his Will he left the Regency to the Queen and Cardinal _Alberoni_, the Ambassador made Answer, That his Testamentary Settlement might probably be of as little Effect as _Lewis_ XIV’s was. This Answer displeas’d the Cardinal, who thought of nothing but of being reveng’d; and indeed some time after, the Marquis _de Grimaldo_, Secretary of State, went to the Duke of _St. Aignan_, and signify’d an Order to him from the King, to leave _Madrid_ in Twenty-four Hours, and the Kingdom in Twelve Days. ’Twas 10 o’Clock at Night when this Order was notify’d, and next Day, _viz._ the 14th of _December_, at 7 o’Clock in the Morning, the Ambassador’s House was surrounded by a Party of Life-Guards, commanded by an Exempt, who having plac’d Centinels at all the Doors of his Lodging, enter’d the Duke’s Apartment, who was still a-bed with his Duchess, made them dress themselves with all Speed, and then conducted them out of the City. Cardinal _Alberoni_, who did not yet know, that the Plot he had laid was discover’d, wrote with Speed to the Prince of _Cellamare_, that he might guess what to expect after the Treatment that had been shewn to the Ambassador of _France_; tho’ he told him, that ought not to be a Reason for using him in the same manner, and that the Duke _de St. Aignan_’s Misbehaviour had made it necessary to take that Course with him. He exhorted him not to stir from _Paris_, till he was compell’d to it by Force, nor even then, till he had made all the convenient Protests. He said to him in the Conclusion, _Put the Case that your Excellency be oblig’d to go, you will first set Fire to all your Mines_. Little did he think how terribly they were at that Time countermin’d! This Letter, which was a farther Confirmation of the Prince _de Cellamare_’s Conspiracy, and the Affront put upon the Ambassador of the most Christian King, intirely convinc’d the Regent, that the _Spanish_ Minister was resolv’d to go all Lengths. War was declar’d on both Sides, in which _Spain_ did not come off with Honour. I shall have further Occasion to speak of it to you some Time hereafter.