Meanwhile, back in France, an aged crone [well, she would be by now], named Marie Antoinettem paces up and down in the Royal palace. She is not well pleased.
"Chic alors! Do I not haff enough to contend wit, zese days? You mean ziss?!"
"Oui, Majesty! Ze Ingleesh - zey are joining in zer maritime gold rush in zer Caribbean", replies her messenger.
Marie Antoinette gets more irate, "Vell zen, launch ze fleet for ze honour of France! Ve shall blockade zem and starve zem out!"
"But Majesty! Zat is inhumane! Zey vill starve to death!", the messenger replies.
"Sapristi! Zen let zem eat cake!" the Queen says with a haughty look.