ministers pledge themselves to serve Concini--Peril of Bassompierre--He determines to leave France--Is dissuaded from his purpose by the Regent--Troubles in Mantua--Negotiation with the Duke of Savoy--James I. offers the hand of Prince Charles of England to the Princesse Christine--Satisfaction of Marie de Medicis--The Pope takes alarm--The Regent and the Papal Nuncio--Death of the Maréchal de Fervaques--Concini is made Maréchal de France--Ladies of Honour--The Queen and her foster-sister--The Princesse de Conti--A well-timed visit--The new Maréchal--A sensation at Court. CHAPTER VI 1614 New anxieties--Disaffection of the Princes--They demand a reformation in the Government--Cunning of the Duc de Bouillon--Imprisonment of M. de Vendôme--He escapes--The Regent suspects the sincerity of Bouillon--Conspiracy of the Ducs de Vendôme and de Retz--The Duc de Nevers seizes Mézières--Recall of M. d'Epernon--Marie de Medicis resolves to resign the Regency, but is dissuaded by her Council--Treasonable reports--Precarious position of the Queen--Levy of troops--Manifesto of the Prince de Condé--Reply of the Regent---Death of the Connétable-Duc de Montmorency---Bassompierre is appointed Colonel-General of the Swiss Guards--The march against M. de Condé--Marie endeavours to temporize---The price of loyalty--The Prince de Condé leaves Paris--Christening of the Duc d'Anjou and the Princesse Henriette Marie--A temporary calm--The Ducs de Vendôme and de Retz excite the Burgundians to revolt--The Protestants refuse to join their faction--They are compelled to lay down their arms--The Prince de Condé marches upon Poitiers--The Church "military"--The prelate and the populace--A governor superseded--The Prince is compelled to withdraw to Châtellerault--He burns down the episcopal palace--The Court proceed to Poitou--Their reception--The Duc de Vendôme makes his submission--The States assemble at Nantes--Enormities perpetrated by the troops of M. de Vendôme--Folly of that Prince--Death of the Prince de Conti--A bachelor-Benedict--A _nom de guerre_--Majority of Louis XIII--The Bed of Justice--The assembly of the States-General is deferred--The King solicits his mother to retain her authority in the Government--Meeting of the States--The early years of Louis XIII--Charles Albert de Luynes--His antecedents--His ambition--His favour with the young King--He is made Governor of Amboise. CHAPTER VII 1615-16