“LOUIS.” [151]

* * * * *

As M. de Brienne had received orders to hold no intercourse with the royal captive save in the presence of the Marechal d’Estrees, it was to the latter noble that Marie de Medicis addressed herself when she had read the cold and heartless letter of her son.

“So, Sir,” she exclaimed vehemently, “the King commands me to remove to Moulins!  How have I been so unfortunate as to incur his displeasure without having done anything to excite it?  Why am I deprived of my physician and the gentlemen of my household?  If the King desires to shorten my days he has only to keep me in captivity.  It is strange that being the mother of the sovereign I am subjected to the will of his servants; but God will grant me justice.  These are not the wishes of my son, but I am the victim of the hatred and persecution of the Cardinal.  I know,” she pursued, weeping bitterly, “why I am sent to Moulins; it is because it would be easy from that city to compel my departure for Italy; but rest assured, Marechal d’Estrees, that I will sooner be dragged naked from my bed than give my consent to such a measure.”

“Madame,” interposed the Comte de Brienne, “had there been any intention to treat you with disrespect, it could have been done with as much facility at Compiegne as at Moulins.  I entreat of your Majesty to reflect before you give us your final answer.”

Marie profited by this advice; and the result of her deliberations was a determination to make a final effort towards a reconciliation with the King.  In the letter which she addressed to him she declared that it was her most anxious desire to merit his favour, and to conform to his wishes.  She besought him to remember that she was his mother; to recall all the exertions which she had made for the welfare and preservation of his kingdom; and finally she urged him to disregard the counsels of the Cardinal-Minister in so far as they affected herself, since she knew, from personal experience, that where he once hated he never forgave, and that his ambition and his ingratitude were alike boundless.[152]

The only effect produced by this appeal was an offer to change her place of exile to Angers, should she prefer a residence in that city to Moulins; and in either case to confer upon her the government of whichever of those two provinces she might select.  The proposal was indignantly rejected.  It was evident that the sole aim of Richelieu was to remove her to a distance from the capital which might impede her communication with the few friends who remained faithful to her; and the anxiety of the Cardinal to effect his object only rendered the Queen-mother the more resolute not to yield.[153]