Note: This is Volume 3 of a three-volume set. Project Gutenberg's library also contains Volumes 1 and 2. Volume 1: E-book #11531; see directory http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/5/3/11531/ Volume 2: E-book #11600; see directory http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/6/0/11600/ Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 11601-h.htm or 11601-h.zip: (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/6/0/11601/11601-h/11601-h.htm) or (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/6/0/11601/11601-h.zip) THE LIFE OF MARIE DE MEDICIS, VOL. III Queen of France CONSORT OF HENRI IV, AND REGENT OF THE KINGDOM UNDER LOUIS XIII BY JULIA PARDOE AUTHOR OF 'LOUIS XIV AND THE COURT OF FRANCE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY,' 'THE COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS THE FIRST,' ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES 1890 [Illustration: Louis XIII] CONTENTS BOOK III MARIE DE MEDICIS AS EXILE CHAPTER I 1618 De Luynes resolves to compel the Queen-mother to remain at Blois--Treachery of Richelieu--The suspicions of Marie are aroused--Her apprehensions--She demands permission to remove to Monceaux, and is refused--She affects to resign herself to her fate--A royal correspondence--Vanity of the Duc d'Epernon--A Court broil--The Abbé Rucellaï offers his services to Marie de Medicis--He attempts to win over the great nobles to her cause--He is compelled to quit the Court, and retires to Sedan--The Duc de Bouillon refuses to join the cabal--The Duc d'Epernon consents to aid the escape of the Queen-mother--The ministers become suspicious of the designs of Richelieu--He is ordered to retire to Coussay, and subsequently to Avignon--Tyranny of M. de Roissy--The Queen-mother resolves to demand a public trial--De Luynes affects to seek a reconciliation with the Prince de Condé--Firmness of the Queen-mother--The three Jesuits--Marie pledges herself not to leave Blois without the sanction of the King--False confidence of De Luynes--The malcontents are brought to trial--Weakness of the ministers--Political executions--Indignation of the people--The Princes resolve to liberate the Queen-mother. CHAPTER II 1619