What more can they require at my hands than what I have already bestowed?  The national treasury is well-nigh exhausted in meeting their demands.  Look back an instant:  M. de Conde has, within the last two years, received more than nine hundred thousand crowns—­the Comte de Soissons six hundred thousand—­and MM. de Longueville, d’Epernon, and de Vendome, two millions among them!  Nor is this all:  in contenting them I have been compelled to lavish enormous sums upon others, who would have considered themselves aggrieved had they not also shared in my munificence.  But let these proud spirits—­who, despite their noble blood and their princely quality, do not disdain to barter their loyalty for gold—­let them beware lest they urge me beyond my patience.  Your brothers and brothers-in-law, Madame la Princesse, will do well to be warned in time.  They are playing a hazardous game.  If they believe that by exhausting the royal treasury they will succeed in rendering themselves masters of the kingdom, they are deceived; the Queen-mother watches alike over the life and the crown of her son.  Once more I say, let them be warned in time; not a plot, not a cabal shall escape my knowledge; and should they disregard the caution which I now condescend to give them through yourself, they will learn too late what it is to incur the vengeance of Marie de Medicis.”

The silence of a moment succeeded to this outbreak of impassioned eloquence; for Madame de Conti, fearful of augmenting the anger of her royal mistress, ventured no reply; and after a brief struggle with herself the Queen-mother smoothed her ruffled brow, and forcing a smile to her still quivering lips, she resumed in an altered tone:  “Enough of this, however; tell me now somewhat of your ballet of last night, Princesse:  you have as yet made no mention of its success.”

“I awaited the commands of your Majesty ere I intruded the subject,” replied Madame de Conti coldly; “its success was all that I could desire.”

“Did the Duc de Guise honour your festival with his presence?  He seldom, as I am aware, encourages our Court frivolities.”

“MM. de Conde and de Guise were both among my guests, Madame; and I could have ill brooked the absence of either.”

“Ay, ever together, in feast and feud,” murmured Marie bitterly to herself.  “And Bassompierre?” she pursued aloud—­“the gallant courtier who has as many mistresses as I have halberdiers in my bodyguard, and who creates an atmosphere of gladness about him, be he where he may; was he as gay and gorgeous as his wont?”

“Your Majesty is probably not aware,” replied Madame de Conti with increased formality, “that M. de Bassompierre has quarrelled with one of my relatives; a circumstance which deprived me of the honour of his presence.”

“And the Marquis d’Ancre?” demanded the Queen-mother abruptly; “did he at least partake of your splendid hospitality?”

The cheek of the Princess blanched, and her voice slightly trembled as she said hurriedly:  “M. d’Ancre was on duty, Madame, about the person of your Majesty, and I did not presume to ask for his absence from the palace.”