Bouteville was one of the most conspicuous of these offenders. In 1624, M. Pontgibaud, in 1626, the count de Thorigny and the Marquis Desportes, and in January, 1627, M. Lafrette, fell beneath his weapon. In consequence of the last of these encounters, he, and his second, the count des Chappelles, were compelled to take refuge at Brussels. Thither he was followed by the marquis de Beuvron, a relation of the count de Thorigny, who was eager to avenge his death. The archduchess Isabella, who then governed the Netherlands, brought about a semblance of reconciliation between them, but their rancour remained unabated; for even at the moment when, in sign of forgiveness, they embraced each other, Beuvron whispered to Bouteville, “I shall never be satisfied till I have met you sword in hand.” The archduchess also solicited Louis the thirteenth to grant the pardon of Bouteville, but the monarch refused. On hearing this, the rash and insolent culprit exclaimed, “Since a pardon is denied, I will fight in Paris, aye, and in the Place Royale too!” He was as good as his word. In May he returned to the French capital, and his first step was to offer Beuvron the satisfaction which that nobleman had expressed a wish to obtain. A combat of three against three was arranged, and the Place Royale was chosen as the spot for deciding it. Beuvron was seconded by Buquet, his equerry, and by Bussy d’Amboise, the latter of whom had been ill of fever for several days, and was weakened by repeated bleedings. Bouteville brought with him des Chappelles, his cousin, and constant auxiliary on such occasions, and another gentleman. They fought with sword and dagger. Bussy being killed by des Chappelles, the five remaining combatants, who began to dread the vengeance of the violated laws, sought for safety in flight. Beuvron and Buquet succeeded in escaping to England. Bouteville and his cousin fled towards Lorraine. Unfortunately for them, Louis the thirteenth was then at the Louvre, and, as soon as he heard of the duel, he ordered a vigorous pursuit of the offenders. At Vitry, in Champagne, the officers of justice overtook Bouteville and his associate; the latter wished to resist, but the former prevailed on him to surrender. On their arrival at Paris, they were committed to the Bastile, and no time was lost in bringing them to trial.