[381] Perefixe, vol. ii. pp. 463, 464.

[382] Bassompierre, Mem. pp. 50, 51.

[383] Gaston Jean Baptiste de France, originally named Duc d’Anjou, and subsequently Duc d’Orleans, died in 1660.  Before his birth, Henri IV declared his intention of making him a churchman, and causing him to be entitled Cardinal de France.

[384] Mercure Francais, 1608, p. 231.  Sully, Mem. vol. vii. p. 37.  L’Etoile, vol. iii. p. 471.

[385] Mademoiselle de Mercocur was the only daughter and heiress of Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine, Duc de Mercocur, the brother of Louise de Lorraine, Queen of Henri III.  By that monarch he was appointed Governor of Brittany, but in 1589 he revolted against him, and persisted in his rebellion until 1598, when he entered into a treaty with Henri IV, by which he bound himself to bestow the hand of his daughter, and the reversion of his government, upon Cesar de Vendome, a condescension by which he subsequently felt himself so much disgraced that he withdrew from the Court and engaged in the war of Hungary.  Pining, however, to see once more his wife and daughter, he was on his way to France for that purpose, when he was attacked by fever at Nuremberg, where he expired in March 1602, at the age of forty-three years.

[386] Don Pedro de Toledo, Constable of Castile, and general of the galleys of Naples, was a relative of Marie de Medicis, whose grandfather, the Comte de Medicis, had married Eleonora de Toledo, the daughter of the Viceroy of Naples.  He was, moreover, a grandee of Spain, and one of the most confidential friends of Philip III.

[387] Bonnechose, vol. i. p. 445.  Perefixe, vol. ii. p. 564.

[388] L’Etoile, vol. iii. pp. 474-477. Mercure Francais, 1608, p. 232.  Daniel, vol. vii. p. 488.

[389] Memoires, vol. vii. pp. 72-74.

[390] Dreux du Radier, vol. vi, p. 104.

CHAPTER VIII

1609

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 Connetable—­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 Conde—­The regal pledge—­The Prince de Conde 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