This extraordinary favour excited universal comment when the assembled courtiers perceived that it was not even extended to the Duc de Mayenne, who was also present at the performance; and Concini, in particular, was so struck by the sudden change of affairs that he exclaimed energetically to Bassompierre, beside whom he stood:  “Per Dio! Monsieur, I can but laugh over the mutations of this strange world; the Queen has found a seat for Zamet, and there is none for the Duc de Mayenne.  Place your faith in princes after this!”

Great was the exultation of the courtiers when the disgrace of Concini became known; but that of the ministers, as they learnt its cause, was even more profound.  One web of the complicated mesh which had been woven about the spirit of the Queen had at length given way, while her refusal to accede to the request of the Prince de Conde convinced them that he was no longer likely to prove so formidable an enemy to themselves as he had recently been.  Acting upon this impression they hastened to solicit a private audience of the Regent, declaring that they had matters of great importance to treat with her, which they would only communicate to herself; and their satisfaction was complete when an answer was returned appointing an hour for their appearance at the Louvre, and naming as the place of their reception the private closet of the Queen.

“Messieurs,” said Marie graciously, as they paused upon the threshold of the apartment to make the accustomed obeisance, “your request shall be strictly complied with.”  And then turning to the captain of her guard she added:  “M. de Senneterre, you will suffer no one to enter here, be he whom he may.”

Delighted by the manner of their reception, the ministers at once entered upon the subject which had induced them to solicit the interview, and respectfully represented to the Regent the alarm which they had felt at the dangerous demand advanced by the Prince de Conde, and the exertions which they had ascertained were to be made by the Marquis d’Ancre to induce her Majesty’s compliance; assuring her that the surrender of a royal fortress of such importance as the Chateau Trompette to the control of the first Prince of the Blood could not fail to prove prejudicial to the interests of the King and the tranquillity of the nation.

“I am fully aware of the importance of such a concession, Messieurs,” replied Marie with dignity; “and my resolution is already formed.  I have not yet forgotten that my late lord your sovereign more than once assured me that had he, while at war with Henri III, gained possession of the Chateau Trompette, he could have made himself Duc de Guienne.  A fact like this is well calculated to rivet itself upon the memory.”

At this moment the usher scratched upon the door, and entered to announce that the Marquis d’Ancre desired admission to the presence of the Queen; but the ministers had scarcely had time to exchange one glance of alarm and annoyance before Marie, with considerable vehemence, repeated her former order, and the mortified Marquis was compelled to retire.