On the other hand the British king was drawing closer his relations with
Spain, and his alliance was demonstrably of small account. The phantom
of the Spanish bride had become more real to his excited vision than
ever, so that early in the year, in order to please Gondemar, he had been
willing to offer an affront to the French ambassador.

The Prince of Wales had given a splendid masquerade at court, to which
the envoy of his Most Catholic Majesty was bidden. Much to his amazement
the representative of the Most Christian King received no invitation,
notwithstanding that he had taken great pains to procure one. M. de
la Boderie was very angry, and went about complaining to the States'
ambassador and his other colleagues of the slight, and darkened the
lives of the court functionaries having charge of such matters with his
vengeance and despair. It was represented to him that he had himself
been asked to a festival the year before when Count Gondemar was left
out. It was hinted to him that the King had good reasons for what he
did, as the marriage with the daughter of Spain was now in train, and it
was desirable that the Spanish ambassador should be able to observe the
Prince's disposition and make a more correct report of it to his
government. It was in vain. M. de la Boderie refused to be comforted,
and asserted that one had no right to leave the French ambassador
uninvited to any "festival or triumph" at court. There was an endless
disturbance. De la Boderie sent his secretary off to Paris to complain
to the King that his ambassador was of no account in London, while much
favour was heaped upon the Spaniard. The Secretary returned with
instructions from Lewis that the Ambassador was to come home immediately,
and he went off accordingly in dudgeon. "I could see that he was in the
highest degree indignant," said Caron, who saw him before he left, "and I
doubt not that his departure will increase and keep up the former