Darkness alone prevented the slaughter from
being greater than it was. The numbers of those who fell on the field
of Oudenarde, important as the battle was, were in fact far short of
those killed at Blenheim or Ramillies.
What was there now to prevent Marlborough from marching straight on
Paris itself? He was actually on the borders of France, victorious,
the French army behind him. He was eager; the home Government would
almost certainly have approved of the step. The heart of many a young
fellow under the great leader beat high, when he thought of the mighty
possibilities before him. But it was not to be. The Prince raised the
strongest objections to the Duke's bold plan, and the Dutch were
terrified at the bare thought of it. So Marlborough turned him to
another task, the siege of the great stronghold of Lille. It may be
observed in passing that Vendome wanted to fight again the next day
after Oudenarde, but Burgundy refused. Vendome in a rage declared that
they must then retreat, adding, "and I know that you have long wished
to do so," a bitter morsel for a royal duke to swallow.
Lille had been fortified by no less a person than the great master of
the art, Vauban himself. In charge of its garrison was Marshal
Boufflers, a splendid officer.
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