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Vainly did MM. de Praslin and de Créquy, who were sent to summon him to the presence of the young King, endeavour to induce him to lose no time in presenting himself at the Louvre; the only concession which he could be prevailed upon to make, was to desire the Duchess, his wife, to hasten to the palace, and to offer to the Regent and her son his sincere condolence upon their irreparable misfortune.

There were several deplorable incidents the shocking murder of the Duchess of Praslin, some scandalous trials and violent deaths following hard one upon another, and aggravating the momentary depression and the excited state of the popular imagination.

In the evening M. le Prince de Conti told me that the King had decorated Revel, and made Praslin Lieutenant-General. As the latter was one of my particular friends, this intelligence gave me much joy. I asked again to be more sure of the news. The other principal officers were advanced in proportion to their grades, and many received pensions.

Praslin did not contrive to intercept the fugitives, but the States-General, under the advice of Barneveld, absolutely forbade their coming to Breda or entering any part of their jurisdiction.

De Praslin, captain of the body-guards and lieutenant of Champagne, it was further mentioned, was to be sent immediately on secret mission concerning this affair to the States and to the Archdukes. The King suspected Conde of crime, so the Advocate was to be informed.

He was at odds with the future ambassador, de Guerchy, and with the minister, de Praslin; and would not have been promoted at all, had it been known to the minister that he was in correspondence with, and was taking orders from, the disgraced Comte de Broglie. But, by the fatuous system of the King, d'Éon, in fact, was doing nothing else.

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.

The Duc de Praslin has wished to retire for some time; and for this last fortnight there has been much talk of his being replaced by the Duc d'Aiguillon, the Duc de Nivernois, &c.; but it is plain, though not believed till now, that the Duc de Choiseul is all-powerful.

The Duchesse de Praslin, through a criminal caprice, carried her enmity to her husband so far as to disinherit her children in favour of the family of M. de Guemenee.

Louis de l'Hôpital de Vitry, knight of all the Royal Orders, and Captain of the King's bodyguard, was descended from the illustrious and ancient family of the Marquis de Sainte-Même and de Montpellier, Comtes d'Entremons. Charles de Choiseul, Marquis de Praslin, the representative of one of the most illustrious families of France, was a descendant of the ancient Comtes de Langres.