Charles I. despatches an envoy to Louis XIII to negotiate the recall of the Queen-mother—­Richelieu aspires to the regency—­The embassy fails—­Queen Henrietta resolves to proceed in person to Paris—­Her visit is declined by the French King—­Charles I. recalls his ambassador from the Court of France—­The increasing animosity of the English people against the Queen-mother compels her to seek another retreat—­She is requested by Parliament to leave the country—­Philip of Spain refuses to afford her an asylum—­She proceeds to Holland, and thence to Antwerp—­The painter-prince—­A voluntary envoy—­The last letter—­Marie de Medicis is commanded to quit the Low Countries—­She takes refuge at Cologne—­The last home of fallen royalty—­Waning health of Richelieu—­His intellectual energy—­Trial of the Duc de la Valette—­Trial of the Duc de Vendome—­Affected magnanimity of the Cardinal—­Senatorial sycophancy—­Exile of the Duc and Duchesse de Vendome—­Execution of M. de Saint-Preuil—­Conspiracy against Richelieu—­The stolen meetings—­The titled beggar—­Secret service—­Complicity of Cinq-Mars discovered—­Execution of Cinq-Mars and De Thou—­Cowardice of the Duc d’Orleans—­Lingering hopes of Marie de Medicis—­Rubens and Richelieu—­The abortive mission—­Rubens proceeds to Madrid—­The Kings of England and Spain withhold all pecuniary aid from the Queen-mother—­Despair of Marie de Medicis—­Her utter destitution—­Death-bed of a crowned head—­Tardy honours—­Filial affection and priestly piety—­The vaults of St. Denis.

Indignant at the prolonged sufferings of her helpless mother, the gentle wife of Charles I. found little difficulty in inducing her royal husband to despatch the Earl of Jermyn to the Court of France, with instructions to use his utmost endeavours to effect a reconciliation; while, in order to render his exertions less onerous, he was enjoined to observe the greatest consideration towards the Cardinal, and to assure him that Marie de Medicis was anxious to owe her success to his good offices alone; and thus to place herself under an obligation which must tend to convince him of her sincere desire to cultivate his regard, and to withdraw herself entirely from all public affairs.  Richelieu, however, was, as we have shown, little disposed to incur so great a risk; while the birth of a Dauphin had only tended to strengthen his determination to keep her out of the country, as the declining health of the King had opened up a new channel to his ambition; and he had secretly resolved, should Louis succumb to one of the constantly recurring attacks of his besetting disease, to cause himself to be proclaimed Regent of the kingdom.  This idea, calmly considered, appears monstrous; not only because the monarch had not at this period attained his fortieth year, but also because there existed three individuals who had a more legitimate claim to the coveted dignity than the Cardinal—­Marie de Medicis, who had already been Regent of France during the minority of