Bassompierre goes on a mission to Charles IV of Lorraine--He returns to France--The Venetian Ambassador Contarini informs the marshal that it is rumoured that a secret treaty has been signed between France and Spain--Richelieu authorises Bassompierre to deny that such a treaty exists, but the same day the marshal learns from the King that the French Ambassador at Madrid has signed a treaty, though unauthorised to do so--Indignation of Bassompierre, who, however, refrains from denouncing the treaty, which it is decided not to disavow--Explanation of this diplomatic imbroglio--Growing strength of the aristocratic opposition to Richelieu--The marriage of _Monsieur_--The “_Conspiration des Dames_”--Intrigues of the Duchesse de Chevreuse--Madame de Chevreuse and Chalais--Objects of the conspirators--Arrest of the Maréchal d’Ornano--Indignation of _Monsieur_--Conversation of Bassompierre with the prince--Plot against the life or liberty of Richelieu--Chalais is forced by the Commandeur de Valençay to reveal it to the Cardinal--“The quarry is no longer at home!”--Alarm of _Monsieur_--His abject submission to the King and Richelieu--He resumes his intrigues--Chalais is again involved in the conspiracy by Madame de Chevreuse--Arrest of the Duc de Vendôme and his half-brother the Grand Prior. Before proceeding to Nancy, Bassompierre paid a visit to his younger brother, now Marquis de Removille, and his family at Mirecourt, and spent a day at his own château of Harouel. On March 3 he made his entry into Nancy, escorted by a great number of the nobility of Lorraine, who were assembled there for the meeting of the Estates, and was lodged in the Palace, where he was very hospitably entertained. Amongst those whom he met was the Prince de Phalsbourg, a natural son of the late Cardinal Louis de Guise, who gave a banquet in his honour, and Marguerite de Lorraine, youngest daughter of Duke François, who in 1632 became the second wife of _Monsieur_. His mission, which related to the candidature of Charles IV’s younger brother for the bishopric of Strasbourg, was soon discharged, and on March 16 he reached Paris, after an absence of four months. Louis XIII received him very graciously, and took him to visit the Queen-Mother, and afterwards to the apartments of Anne of Austria, whose position since her little escapade with Buckingham had been far from a pleasant one, her royal husband treating her with the most marked coldness.