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A gallery had been constructed from the port to the grand entrance of the palace in which apartments had been prepared for her; and on stepping from her galley, she was welcomed by the Chancellor, who announced to her the orders that he had received from the King relative to her reception, and presented to her Majesty the Connétable Duc de Montmorency, and the Ducs de Nemours and de Ventadour.

He represented to her the fact that all the principal nobles, with scarcely one exception, had leagued themselves with M. de Condé, while she had on her side only the Ducs de Guise and d'Epernon, who were, moreover, at variance; each coveting the dignity of Connétable, and scarcely seeking to disguise his jealousy of the other; and finally, he pointed out to her the dangerous attitude assumed by the Huguenots, who would not fail to take advantage of any civil dissension to advance their pretensions, which could only be done successfully during the minority of the sovereign.

As for being connetable, I'd rather help prisoners free than hale them before the Royal Court. For somehow when you get at the bottom of most crimes the small ones leastways you find they weren't quite meant. I expect I expect," he added gravely, "that half the crimes oughtn't to be punished at all; for it's queer that things which hurt most can't be punished by law."

It is very singular that throughout all the details given of this affair by contemporary writers, no mention is made of the measures adopted by the King to induce or to enforce the violation of the plighted word of the Connétable to Bassompierre.

You know the saying: 'Cadet Roussel has two sons; one's a thief, t'other's a rogue. There's two Rullecours Rullecour before the catch and Rullecour after!" "He'll be honest to us, man, or he'll be dead inside a week, that's all." "I'm to be Connetable of St. Heliers, and you're to be harbour-master eh?" "Naught else: you don't catch flies with vinegar.

Four years subsequently he embraced the Romish faith; and died in 1626 with the title of Connétable. Richelieu, La Mère et le Fils, vol. i. pp. 27-32. Idem, pp. 24, 25. Bassompierre, Mém. p. 71.

Death of the Grand Duke of Tuscany The Queen's ballet Mademoiselle de Montmorency Description of her person She is betrothed to Bassompierre Indignation of the Due de Bouillon Contrast between the rivals The Duc de Bellegarde excites the curiosity of the King The nymph of Diana The rehearsal Passion of the King for Mademoiselle de Montmorency The royal gout Interposition of the Duc de Roquelaure Firmness of the Connétable The ducal gout Postponement of the marriage Diplomacy of Henry The sick-room An obedient daughter Henry resolves to prevent the marriage The King and the courtier Lip-deep loyalty Henry offers the hand of Mademoiselle de Montmorency to the Prince de Condé The regal pledge The Prince de Condé consents to espouse Mademoiselle de Montmorency Invites Bassompierre to his betrothal Royal tyranny A cruel pleasantry The betrothal Court festivities Happiness of the Queen Royal presents to the bride The ex-Queen's ball Jealousy of the Prince de Condé Indignation of the Queen Henry revenges himself upon M. de Condé Madame de Condé retires from the Court The King insists on her return The Prince de Condé feigns compliance The Prince and Princess escape to the Low Countries The news of their flight reaches Fontainebleau Birth of a Princess Unpleasant surprise Henry betrays his annoyance to the Queen He assembles his ministers He resolves to compel the return of the Princess to France Conflicting counsels M. de Praslin is despatched to Brussels Embarrassment of the Archduke Albert He refuses an asylum to M. de Condé, who proceeds to Milan The Princess remains at Brussels She is honourably entertained Interference of the Queen Philip of Spain promises his protection to the Prince de Condé He is invited to return to Brussels The Marquis de Coeuvres endeavours to effect the return of the Prince to France His negotiation fails Madame de Condé is placed under surveillance Her weariness of the Court of Brussels The Duc de Montmorency desires her return to Paris M. de Coeuvres is authorized to effect her escape from Brussels The plot prospers Indiscretion of the King The Queen informs the Spanish minister of the conspiracy Madame de Condé is removed to the Archducal palace Mortification of the King The French envoys expostulate with the Archduke, who remains firm Henry resolves to declare war against Spain and Flanders Fresh negotiations The King determines to head the army in person Marie de Medicis becomes Regent of France She is counselled by Concini to urge her coronation Reluctance of the King to accede to her request He finally consents "The best husband in the world" Fatal prognostics Signs in the heavens The Curé of Montargis The Papal warning The Cardinal Barberino The Sultan's message Suspicious circumstances Supineness of the Austrian Cabinet Prophecy of Anne de Comans Her miserable fate The astrologer Thomassin The Béarnais noble The Queen's dream Royal presentiments The hawthorn of the Louvre Distress of Bassompierre Expostulation of the King Melancholy forebodings.

As I did so a door opened behind, and another cut-throat came at me with a pistol. He fired fired wide. I ran in on him, and before he had time to think he was out of the window too. Then the other brute below fired up at me. The bullet gashed my temple, as you see. After that, it was an affair of the connetable and his men. I had had enough fighting before breakfast.

The Connétable de Montmorency, who believed the power of the Guises to be firmly established, and who had consequently allied himself to their interests, was absent in Languedoc, of which province he was governor; while the Grand Equerry, M. de Bellegarde, who was also their friend, was sojourning in Burgundy; and thus they found themselves exposed, almost without support, to the evil offices of the rival faction.

He laid aside his tool-basket, shook hands with the sieur, and seated himself at the table. Looking at du Champsavoys, he said: "I've just met the connetable. He regrets the riot, chevalier, and says the Royal Court extends its mercy to you." "I prefer to accept no favours," answered the chevalier. "As a point of honour, I had thought that, after breakfast, I should return to prison, and "