Guise being thus reconciled with the Queen, no difficulty was experienced in persuading d’Épernon to follow his example, after which Bassompierre addressed himself to the Ministers, who, tired of being mere cyphers, were only too ready to forgive and forget; and, in an interview between Marie de’ Medici and Jeannin at the Luxembourg, an understanding was arrived at. The Princes and Concini were outwitted. In any case, the latter pretended to be. Hearing the Queen give directions that seats were to be reserved for d’Épernon, and his friend Zamet also, at a play which was to be performed in her apartments, he remarked to Bassompierre in that strange mixture of Italian and bad French which he affected in moments of excitement: “_Par Dio, Mousu, je me ride moy della chose deste monde. La roine a soin d’un siège pour Zamet, et n’en a point pour M. du Maine [Mayenne]; fiez-vous à l’amore dei principi._” He advised Condé and his friends to accept the situation and withdraw from Court, predicting that the Regent would soon grow weary of the exigencies of the Guises, and promising to watch over their common interests. And this the Princes decided to do. CHAPTER XIV The affair of Montferrato--Intrigues of Concini with Charles Emmanuel of Savoy--Arrest of Concini’s agent Maignan--Bassompierre warns the Italian favourite of his danger and advises him to throw himself on the clemency of the Queen-Mother--Concini follows his advice, and is pardoned and shielded by Marie de’ Medici, while his agent is executed--Bassompierre goes to Rouen, where the d’Entragues’ action against him is to be heard--The Regent recommends his cause to the judges--The d’Entragues object to the constitution of the court, and the case is adjourned--Duplicity of Concini--He intrigues to ruin Bassompierre with the Queen-Mother--Semi-disgrace of Bassompierre--He is reconciled with Marie de’ Medici--He is appointed Colonel-General of the Swiss--The Princes surprise Mézières--Peace of Saint-Menehould--Bassompierre accompanies Louis XIII and the Queen-Mother to the West. In the spring trouble arose with Charles Emmanuel of Savoy, who was disputing the claim of Ferdinando di Gonzaga to the throne of Mantua, and had invaded Montferrato. The French Government, judging it dangerous to allow the Duke of Savoy, an uncertain friend and a possible enemy, to get possession of Casale, one of the strongest places in Italy, announced its intention of supporting Ferdinando, and Concini, on the pretext that it was desirable that France should present a united front in the event of hostilities breaking out, persuaded Marie de’ Medici to summon the Princes to Court. Spain, however, in order to prevent French intervention in Italy, hastened to send orders to the Governor of the Milanese to compel Charles Emmanuel to abandon his prey, and that prince, recognising the impossibility of resistance, evacuated Montferrato.