The Princes of the Blood retire from the Court—­Increased influence of the Ducs de Guise and d’Epernon—­Jealousy of Concini—­The ministers desire the recall of the Princes—­The Lent ballets—­The government of Quilleboeuf is offered to the Comte de Soissons—­The Princes are invited to return to the capital—­Arrival of the Princes—­M. de Soissons abandons Concini—­An attempt is made to create dissension between M. de Soissons and the Prince de Conde—­They again withdraw from Paris—­The Regent resolves to announce publicly the approaching marriage of the King—­Disaffection of the Princes—­Frankness of the Duc de Guise—­The Duc d’Epernon is recalled—­The Duc de Bouillon is despatched to England—­The Council discuss the alliance with Spain—­The Princes return to the capital—­Undignified deportment of the Prince de Conde—­ Insolence of M. de Soissons—­Indignation of the Regent—­The young Duc de Mayenne is appointed ambassador extraordinary to Spain—­An unpleasant truth—­Arrogance of the Spanish King—­Concession of the Regent—­Death of the Duke of Mantua—­The Chancellor announces the King’s marriage—­An ambassador and a quasi-Queen—­Disappointment of the Princes—­They again withdraw—­Caution of the Duc de Montmorency to the Regent—­She disregards the warning—­Love of Marie de Medicis for magnificence and display—­Courtly entertainments—­The circle of Madame—­The Marquise d’Ancre—­A carousal—­Splendid festivities—­Arrival of the Spanish envoys—­The Chevalier de Guise—­Alarm of Concini—­The Queen and her foster-sister—­Concini resolves to espouse the party of the Princes—­The Duc de Bouillon endeavours to injure the Duc de Rohan in the estimation of James I—­Reply of the English monarch—­Bouillon returns to Paris—­The Marechal de Lesdiguieres retires from the Court—­The Duc de Vendome solicits the royal permission to preside over the States of Brittany—­Is refused by the Regent—­Challenges his substitute—­And is exiled to Anet—­Concini augments the disaffection of the Princes—­The Duke of Savoy joins the cabal—­Lesdiguieres prepares to march a body of troops against the capital—­Concini deters the Regent from giving the government of Quilleboeuf to the Comte de Soissons—­Indignation of the Duc de Guise—­He reveals the treachery of Concini to the Princes—­All the great nobles join the faction of M. de Conde with the exception of the Duc d’Epernon—­The Duc de Bellegarde is accused of sorcery—­Quarrel between the Comte de Soissons and the Marechal de Fervaques—­Marie de Medicis resolves to persecute the Protestants—­Bouillon endeavours to effect the disgrace of the Duc de Rohan—­The Regent refuses to listen to his justification—­He takes possession of St. Jean d’Angely—­Anger of the Queen—­Conflicting manifestoes—­M. de Rohan prepares to resist the royal troops—­The ministers advise a negotiation, which proves successful—­Departure of the Duc de Mayenne for Madrid—­Arrival of the Duque de Pastrano—­His brilliant reception in France—­His magnificent retinue—­His