CHAPTER I

1618

De Luynes resolves to compel the Queen-mother to remain at Blois—­Treachery of Richelieu—­The suspicions of Marie are aroused—­Her apprehensions—­She demands permission to remove to Monceaux, and is refused—­She affects to resign herself to her fate—­A royal correspondence—­Vanity of the Due d’Epernon—­A Court broil—­The Abbe Rucellai offers his services to Marie de Medicis—­He attempts to win over the great nobles to her cause—­He is compelled to quit the Court, and retires to Sedan—­The Due de Bouillon refuses to join the cabal—­The Duc d’Epernon consents to aid the escape of the Queen-mother—­The ministers become suspicious of the designs of Richelieu—­He is ordered to retire to Coussay, and subsequently to Avignon—­Tyranny of M. de Roissy—­The Queen-mother resolves to demand a public trial—­De Luynes affects to seek a reconciliation with the Prince de Conde—­Firmness of the Queen-mother—­The three Jesuits—­Marie pledges herself not to leave Blois without the sanction of the King—­False confidence of De Luynes—­The malcontents are brought to trial—­Weakness of the ministers—­Political executions—­Indignation of the people—­The Princes resolve to liberate the Queen-mother.

CHAPTER II

1619

The Due d’Epernon leaves Metz—­A traitor—­A minister at fault—­The Duc de Bellegarde offers an asylum to the Queen-mother—­Marie de Medicis escapes from Blois—­She is conducted by M. d’Epernon to Angouleme—­Gaieties of the capital—­Marriages of the Princesse Christine and Mademoiselle de Vendome—­Louis XIII is apprised of the escape of the Queen—­Alarm of the King—­Advice of De Luynes—­The Council resolve to despatch a body of troops under M. de Mayenne to remove Marie de Medicis from the keeping of the Duc d’Epernon-Discontent of the citizens—­Louis XIII enters into a negotiation with his mother—­She rejects his conditions—­Richelieu offers himself as a mediator, and is accepted—­The royal forces march on Angouleme—­Marie prepares for resistance—­The Princes withdraw from her cause—­Schomberg proposes to blow up the powder-magazine at Angouleme—­Critical position of the Queen-mother—­She appeals to the Protestants, but is repulsed—­Schomberg takes up arms against the Duc d’Epernon—­Alarm of Marie de Medicis—­Richelieu proceeds to Angouleme—­He regains the confidence of the Queen—­Successful intrigue of Richelieu—­Marie is deserted by several of her friends—­A treaty of peace is concluded between the King and his mother—­The envoy of Marie incurs the displeasure of Louis XIII—­The malcontents rally round the Queen-mother—­The Princes of Piedmont visit Marie at Angouleme—­Their reception—­Magnificence of the Duc d’Epernon—­The Queen-mother refuses to quit Angouleme—­Ambition of Richelieu—­Weakness of Marie de Medicis—­Father Joseph endeavours to induce the Queen-mother to return to the Court—­She