“He [Bassompierre] knew the world well, and he had that power of seizing upon the strong point of his opponent’s case which goes far to the making of a successful diplomatist. To the young Queen he gave the best possible advice; told her to make the best of her situation and warned her against the folly of setting herself against the current ideas of the country in which she lived and of the man to whom she was married. In the question of her household he was at the same time firm and conciliatory. He acknowledged that Charles had a genuine grievance and that the Queen would never be a real wife to him as long as she was taught by a circle of foreigners to regard herself primarily as a foreigner; while, at the same time, he spoke boldly of the breach of contract which had been committed. In the end, he gained the confidence both of the King and of Buckingham, and, with the consent of the King of France, a new arrangement was agreed to, by which a certain number of French persons would be admitted to attend upon the Queen, whilst a great part of her household was to be formed of natives of England.” The historian also praises the conduct of Bassompierre in the discussions on the maritime question. CHAPTER XXXV The Assembly of the Notables--Bassompierre nominated one of the four presidents--The “sorry Château of Versailles”--The ballet of _le Sérieux et le Grotesque_--Execution of Montmorency-Boutteville and Des Chapelles for duelling--Death of _Madame_--Preparations for war with England--Louis XIII resolves to take command of the army assembled in Poitou--The King falls ill at the Château of Villeroy--Bassompierre is prevented by Richelieu from visiting him--Intrigue by which the Duc d’Angoulême is appointed to the command of the army which ought to have devolved upon Bassompierre--Descent of Buckingham upon the Île de Ré--Blockade of the fortress of Saint-Martin--Investment of La Rochelle by the Royal army--Bassompierre, the King, and Richelieu at the Château of Saumery--The Cardinal assumes the practical direction of the military operations--Provisions and reinforcements are thrown into Saint-Martin--Refusal of the Maréchaux de Bassompierre and Schomberg to allow Angoulême to be associated with them in the command of the Royal army--Schomberg is persuaded to accept the duke as a colleague--Bassompierre persists in his refusal and requests permission of the King to leave the army--He is offered and accepts the command of a separate army, which is to blockade La Rochelle from the north-western side--He declines the government of Brittany--Dangerous situation of Buckingham’s army in the Île de Ré--Unsuccessful attempt to take Saint-Martin by assault--Disastrous retreat of the English.