“If there be indeed any hostile intention on the part of the Crown,” he said disdainfully, “it probably regards M. de Bouillon, whose restless spirit excites the alarm of the Queen-mother.  Let him look to himself, if he see fit to do so.  Should he be committed to the Bastille my interests will not suffer.”

Angered by his presumption, the two friends made no further protest, but contented themselves with redoubling their own precautions.  Bouillon retired to Charenton with a strong escort, while the Duc de Mayenne remained quietly in his hotel, having made the necessary preparations for instant flight should such a step become essential to his safety.[249]

Meanwhile at the Louvre nothing remained to be done but to communicate to the young King the project which was about to be realized, and to induce him to sanction it by his countenance; an attempt which offered little difficulty, the jealousy of Louis having been excited by the assumed authority of the Prince, and his dissimulating nature being gratified by this first participation in a state intrigue.

At ten o’clock a great clamour upon the quay near the gate of the palace attracted the attention of the Queen-mother, who commanded silence, and in another moment distinct cries of “Long live the Prince!” “Long live M. de Conde!” were heard in the apartment.  Marie de Medicis rose from her seat and approached an open window, followed by the Marechale d’Ancre.

“The Prince is about to open the Council,” said Leonora with a bitter smile.

“Rather say the King of France,” replied Marie with a flushed cheek, as she saw Conde graciously receiving the petitions which were tendered to him on all sides.  “But his royalty shall be like that of the bean;[250] it shall not last long.” [251]

When he alighted at the palace Conde proceeded to the hall of the Council, which was on the ground-floor; and at the termination of the sitting ascended, as was his custom, to the apartments of the Queen-mother, where Louis, who had entered eagerly into the part that had been assigned to him, and who had just distributed with his own hands the arms which had been prepared for the followers of M. de Themines, met him in the gallery, entered into a cheerful conversation, and, finally, invited him to join a hawking-party which was to take place within an hour.  Conde, however, whose thoughts were otherwise engaged, declined to participate in the offered pastime, and the young King, having accomplished all that had been required of him, accepted his excuses, and returned to the apartment of his mother.  At the same moment Themines and his two sons issued from a small passage, and, approaching the Prince, announced that they had received an order to arrest him.

“Arrest me!” exclaimed Conde in astonishment.  “It is impossible!”

“Such are my instructions,” said the Marquis, as he extended his hand to receive the forfeited sword, while his two sons placed themselves on each side of the prisoner.