Francis was no doubt convinced of her guilt, but he could not bear the idea of openly stigmatizing a mother whom he loved. There was consequently nothing to be done but to bury, as far as was possible, the whole transaction in oblivion. Abruptly putting an end to the altercation between the duchess and the superintendant, he said, “Let us think no more on the subject! we did not deserve to conquer; it was in vain that fortune declared on our side; we threw insuperable obstacles in the way of her favour. Let us cease to be traitors to each other, and let us henceforth endeavour to act for the public good, with more wisdom and union than we have hitherto displayed.” That Semblançai continued to hold his place is a sufficient proof that his assertion was credited by the king. That the revengeful duchess was eager to ruin him, we might easily have believed, even had the result not afforded evidence of the fact. For a considerable time, however, she silently nursed her wrath. It was not till 1524, when a new expedition was in preparation against the Milanese, that she found an opportunity of striking her blow. Money was wanted; and Semblançai, who had come forward on former occasions, was desired to make an advance from his private fortune. But this he declined to do; pleading, as a reason for his refusal, that a debt of three hundred thousand crowns was already owing to him. He was punished by dismissal from his office—if that can be called a punishment for which he appears to have sought—and, after having given in his accounts, and shown that they were correct, he retired to his estate of Balan, in the neighbourhood of Tours. On the departure of Francis for Italy, he again appointed his mother to act as regent. She had now unlimited power; and, as far as concerned Semblançai, she exercised it cruelly and basely. She began by instituting against him a suit, to recover a balance which she alleged to be due to her, as part of the pretended deposit. To bolster up her cause, she is accused of having stooped to the most degrading means. Gentil, the confidential clerk of Semblançai, was enamoured of one of her attendants; and this female the regent employed to steal, or obtain by blandishments, the receipt which had been given to the superintendant.