“M. de Montigny shall be a marshal,” said Louis XIII, delighted with his new and unchecked exhibition of power.

“It would appear that to ask a baton is to have one on this occasion,” said M. de Saint-Geran[254] in a low voice to the Marquis de Crequy; “let us therefore put in our claim.”

“With all my heart,” replied the Marquis gaily.  “The ladies do not refuse us their smiles, nor the Queen-mother the festivities in her honour by which we impoverish our estates; why, therefore, should the King deprive us of our share of the easily-won distinctions of the day?”

So saying, the two courtiers moved a pace nearer to Marie de Medicis, who did not fail to observe and to comprehend the action.

“Happy is the monarch who sees himself surrounded by loyal subjects and by faithful friends,” pursued the exulting Princess; “your Majesty has not yet completed the good work so royally commenced?”

“M. de Crequy has already a baton,” said Louis, somewhat bewildered by the new part he was called upon to enact on so large a scale.

“But you have forgotten, Sire, that he is neither duke nor peer.”

“I salute you, M. le Duc et Pair,” said the young King.

The Marquis acknowledged his new honours, and made way for his companion.

“Our list of marshals is full, M. de Saint-Geran,” said Louis coldly.

The disappointed courtier bowed, and was about to retire, when Marie de Medicis met his eye, and its expression was far from satisfactory.

“MM. de Praslin and de Saint-Geran have both, nevertheless, merited high distinction, Sire,” she said anxiously.  “Your pledge for the future will suffice, however, as they are both young enough to wait.”

“Be it so, Madame,” rejoined her son, who was becoming weary of the rapacity of his loyal subjects and faithful friends.  “Gentlemen, your services shall not be forgotten on the next vacancy.”

And thus, as Bassompierre has recorded, did M. de Saint-Geran “extort the promise” of a baton.

“And you, M. de Bassompierre,” exclaimed the Queen-mother, as in advancing up the hall their Majesties found themselves beside him, “unlike the others, you have put in no claim.”

“Madame,” was the dignified reply, “it is not at such a moment as this, when we have merely done our duty, that we should seek for reward; but I trust that when by some important service I may deserve to be remembered, the King will grant me both wealth and honours without any claim upon my own part.”

Louis hesitated for a moment, and then, with a slight bow, passed on; and he had no sooner entered his private closet, still accompanied by his mother, than a herald announced in a loud voice that a great public council would be held on the following day at the meeting of the Parliament.

It might well be imagined that when she retired Marie de Medicis left grateful hearts behind her, but such was not the case; lavish as she had proved upon this occasion, she was far from having satisfied those who had assisted in the arrest of the Prince, and who did not fail openly to express their discontent.[255]