Under Mazarin’s Rule

I returned to Paris immediately after the death of Richelieu, thinking that I might have occasion to serve the queen.  In accordance with the late cardinal’s will, Cardinal Mazarin succeeded to his powers.  The king’s state of health went from bad to worse, and the court was filled with intrigues with regard to the regency which must so soon be appointed.  His death took place on May 14, 1643.  The queen at once brought her little son, Louis XIV., to Paris; two days later she was declared regent in parliament; and the same evening, to the amazement of his enemies, she appointed Cardinal Mazarin chief of the council.

Mazarin’s mind was great, industrious, insinuating, and artful, and his character was so supple that he could become as many different men as he had occasion to personate.  But he was shortsighted even in his grandest projects; and, unlike his predecessor, whose mind was bold but his temperature timid, Mazarin was bolder in temper than in conception.  A pretended moderation veiled his ambition and his avarice; he said he wanted nothing for himself.

The court was now divided between the Duke of Beaufort and the cardinal, and it was expected that the return of Madame de Chevreuse would incline the queen to the former party.  But the queen was in no hurry for that lady’s return, knowing well what turmoils she was apt to bring in her train.  Perhaps I urged her recall more boldly than was wise; at any rate, I won my point, and her majesty sent me to form Madame de Chevreuse for her appearance at court under the new conditions.

I represented to her how indispensable Cardinal Mazarin was to the state; that he was accused of no crime, and was guiltless of Richelieu’s oppressions; and that the most fatal course she could take would be to attempt to govern the queen.  Madame de Chevreuse promised to follow my advice, and came up to court, but her old instincts of domination were too much for her, and she soon declared herself openly against the minister who enjoyed all the queen’s confidence.  She even attempted his overthrow, and for that purpose united herself to the party known as the “Importans,” which was led by the Duke of Beaufort.

After various manoeuvres on the part of the cardinal and of Madame de Chevreuse to get the upper hand, Mazarin discovered a plot against his life, in which the Duke of Beaufort was implicated, and had the duke arrested and imprisoned.  At the same time Madame de Chevreuse was sent away to Tours, and as I was unwilling to promise that I would have no more to do with her, I lost the favour of the queen, provoked the cardinal’s displeasure, and soon found that Madame de Chevreuse herself was forgetful of all I had done for her.