Société de l’Histoire de France. H. NOEL WILLIAMS. LONDON, _May_, 1921. CONTENTS VOL. I CHAPTER I Birth of François de Bassompierre--Origin of the Bassompierre family--A romantic legend--His grandfather--His father--His early years--He and his younger brother Jean are sent to the University of Pont-à-Mousson, and afterwards to that of Ingoldstadt--Their studies at Ingoldstadt--Death of their father, Christophe de Bassompierre--Journey of the two brothers through Italy--Their return to Lorraine.....pp. 1-14 CHAPTER II Visit of the Bassompierre family to Paris--François dances in a ballet before Henri IV at Monceaux--He is presented to the King, who receives him very graciously--He decides to enter the service of Henri IV--He escorts his Majesty’s mistress, Gabrielle d’Estrées, Duchesse de Beaufort, to Paris--Sudden illness and death of the duchess--Extravagant grief of Henri IV, who, however, soon finds consolation in the society of Henriette d’Entragues--Affray between the Prince de Joinville and the Grand Equerry Bellegarde at Zamet’s house, where the King is staying--Visit of Bassompierre to Lorraine--He returns to Paris.....pp. 15-29 CHAPTER III Bassompierre accompanies Henri IV in his campaign against Charles Emmanuel of Savoy--His narrow escape at the taking of Montmélian--He goes with the King to visit Henriette d’Entragues, Madame de Verneuil, at La Côte-Saint-André, and reconciles Henri IV with his mistress--Marriage of the King to Marie de’ Medici--Presentation of Madame de Verneuil to the Queen--Visit of Bassompierre to Lorraine--He returns to find the royal _ménage_ in a very troubled state, owing to the jealousy of the wife and the mistress--He assists at a conference, in which the Chancellor recommends the King to get rid of Madame de Verneuil at any cost--He accompanies the Maréchal de Biron on a visit to England--He is present at the arrest of Biron at Fontainebleau, in June, 1602--Condemnation and execution of the marshal.....pp. 30-37 CHAPTER IV