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Updated: May 18, 2025
Whether from gout, fever, or the pangs of disappointed love, he became seriously ill. Furious with every one, with Conde, the Constable, de Coeuvres, the Queen, Spinola, with the Prince of Orange, whose councillor Keeremans had been encouraging Conde in his rebellion and in going to Spain with Spinola, he was now resolved that the war should go on.
Otherwise he declared that at least the festival should be postponed till September. The Marquis de Coeuvres remained in disgrace after the failure of his mission, Henry believing that like all the world he had fallen in love with the Princess, and had only sought to recommend himself, not to further the suit of his sovereign.
This intelligence reached Paris on the Wednesday, and the following Saturday was the period fixed for the projected evasion, a fact which M. de Montmorency had no sooner ascertained than he hastened to communicate the success of M. de Coeuvres to the King.
Meantime Henry had despatched the Marquis de Coeuvres, brother of the beautiful Gabrielle, Duchess de Beaufort, and one of the most audacious and unscrupulous of courtiers, on a special mission to Brussels. De Coeuvres saw Conde before presenting his credentials to the Archduke, and found him quite impracticable.
Enraged at this open violation of his wishes, and still reluctant to commence a war which he was conscious would rather owe its origin to private feeling than to national expediency, Henry resolved, as a last resource, to invest M. de Coeuvres with full powers to treat with the revolted Prince; and for this purpose he furnished him with an autograph letter, in which he assured the fugitive of an unreserved pardon in the event of his immediate return to France; but threatened, should he persist in his contumacy, to declare him guilty of the crime of lèse-majesté.
Madame d'O and the Marechale de Coeuvres became his friends. He sought to be heard, and was heard. At last he faced the danger of the Swiss, and on fine nights was seen with the Duchess in the gardens. Nangis diminished in favour. Maulevrier on his return increased in fury.
He lost his head. One day the Marechale de Coeuvres came to see him, apparently on some message of reconciliation. He shut the door upon her; barricaded her within, and through the door quarrelled with her, even to abuse, for an hour, during which she had the patience to remain there without being able to see him. After this he went rarely to Court, but generally kept himself shut up at home.
The King, having thus through the mouth of his secretary of state warmly protested against his supposed implication in the attempted abduction, began as furiously to rail at de Coeuvres for its failure; telling the Duc de Vendome that his uncle was an idiot, and writing that unlucky envoy most abusive letters for blundering in the scheme which had been so well concerted between them.
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 Duc 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 evasion 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.
Off he went to Saint-Germain with a train of coaches, impatient to get the first news from de Coeuvres after the scheme should have been carried into effect, and intending to travel post towards Flanders to meet and welcome the Princess. "Pleasant farce for Shrove Tuesday," wrote the secretary of Pecquius, "is that which the Frenchmen have been arranging down there!
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