Subsequently the procrastinating intentions of Estrades were more easily put into execution than he expected; for Matthioli, of his own accord, deferred his journey from spring to autumn on various pleas, of which the principal one was, his unwillingness to leave his master, exposed to the insinuations, and perhaps menaces, of the Spanish partizans, by whom he was surrounded.[34] Finally, after many delays, Matthioli, accompanied by Giuliani, set off for Paris in the beginning of November, 1678, and arrived there towards the end of the same month.[35] He found the Abbé d’Estrades, who had quitted his Venetian Embassy, arrived there before him, and had several interviews with him and M. de Pomponne; during which a treaty was agreed on to the following effect:-- 1. That the Duke of Mantua should receive the French troops into Casale. 2. That if Lewis sent an army into Italy, the Duke of Mantua should have the command of it. 3. That immediately after the execution of the treaty, the sum of 100,000 crowns should be paid to the Duke of Mantua.[36] The treaty contained also some other articles of minor importance. Matthioli himself had the honour of being received in a secret audience by Lewis,[37] who made him a present of a valuable ring.[37] He also received a sum of money for himself,[37] and a promise of a much larger gratification[38] after the ratification of the treaty. He was also promised that his son should be made one of the King’s Pages; and that his brother, who was in the Church, should receive a good benefice.[39] He was then sent back to Italy, with a detailed instruction from Louvois,[40] upon the manner of executing the articles of the treaty. The French Government was thus far so entirely satisfied of the sincerity and good faith of Matthioli, and so convinced of the speedy admission of the French troops into Casale, that they immediately upon his departure took decided measures in furtherance of their plan.[41] Thus the Marquis de Boufflers,[42] Colonel-General of the Dragoons, was sent to take the command of the forces, which were assembling near the frontier of Italy, at Briançon, in Dauphiny. Catinat,[43] Brigadier of Infantry, afterwards the celebrated Marshal of that name, who was to serve under the command of Boufflers, had orders to conceal himself in the fortress of Pignerol,[44] and to adopt a feigned name, that of Richemont;[45] while the Baron d’Asfeld,[46] Colonel of Dragoons, was despatched to Venice, upon a mission for exchanging the ratifications of the treaty; for which purpose he was to unite with M. de Pinchesne, the Chargé d’Affaires there, during the absence of an ambassador.[47]