[164] Le Vassor, vol. vii. pp. 17-22.

[165] Capefigue, vol. v. pp. 121-129.

[166] Gaston d’Orleans, Mem. p. 123.

[167] Le Vassor, vol. vii. p. 25.

[168] Siri, Mem.  Rec. vol. vii. p. 447.  Sismondi, vol. xxiii. pp. 182, 183.

CHAPTER IX

1632

Gaston d’Orleans proceeds to Brussels—­His reception—­Vanity of Monsieur—­Exultation of the Spanish Cabinet—­Montmorency abandons the interests of Richelieu—­Marie de Medicis solicits his support—­He consents to second the projects of Monsieur—­The Queen-mother and the Duc d’Orleans sell their jewels in order to raise troops for the invasion of France—­Trial of the Marechal de Marillac—­Marie and Gaston exert themselves to save his life—­He is executed—­The adherents of the two royal exiles create dissensions between the mother and son—­Gaston joins the Spanish army—­Munificence of Isabella—­Gaston marches upon Burgundy—­Remonstrance of Montmorency—­An ill-planned campaign—­Battle of Castelnaudary—­Slaughter of the rebel leaders—­Cowardice of Monsieur—­Montmorency is made prisoner—­Gaston endeavours to make terms with the King—­He abandons the cause of his mother, and that of his allies—­He stipulates for the pardon of Montmorency—­Richelieu refuses the condition—­The treaty is signed by Monsieur—­Jealousy of Louis XIII—­The miniature—­Montmorency is conveyed to Toulouse, and put upon his trial—­Double-dealing of the Cardinal—­Obduracy of the King—­Execution of Montmorency—­Despair of the Queen-mother—­Death of the Comtesse du Fargis—­The Jesuit Chanteloupe and Madame de Comballet—­A new conspiracy—­The Archduchess Isabella refuses to deliver up the servants of Marie de Medicis—­Gaston retires to Burgundy.

By the Treaty of Vic, Charles de Lorraine was, as we have shown, compelled to refuse all further hospitality to his royal brother-in-law; while Gaston found himself necessitated to submit to a separation from his young wife, and to proceed to the Spanish Low Countries, where Isabella had offered him an asylum.  The amiable Archduchess nobly redeemed her pledge; and the reception which she accorded to the errant Duke was as honourable as that already bestowed upon his mother.

The Marquis de Santa-Cruz, who had recently arrived from Italy to command the Spanish forces in Flanders, was instructed to place himself at the head of all the nobility of the Court, and to advance a league beyond the city to meet the French Prince; while the municipal bodies of Brussels awaited him at the gates.  He was lodged in the State apartments of the Palace, and all the expenses of his somewhat elaborate household were defrayed by his magnificent hostess.

“I am sorry, Sir,” said Isabella gracefully, as Gaston hastened to offer his acknowledgments on his arrival, “that I am compelled to quarrel with you on our first interview.  You should have deferred your visit to me until you had seen the Queen your mother.”