To assist the _gouverneur_, the Marquis de Pisani, in his important duties, the King decided to appoint a _sous-gouverneur_, and selected for that post Nicolas d’Aumale, Sieur d’Harcourt. D’Harcourt was a Protestant, and his appointment was probably due to Henri IV.’s desire to conciliate the Huguenots and to prove to them that, though the heir presumptive to the throne was to be brought up as a Catholic, there was no intention of separating him entirely from those of his father’s faith. For preceptor, the prince was given Nicolas Lefebvre, Counsellor to the Departments of Waters and Forests, who was a devout, though a by no means intolerant, Catholic, and one of the most learned men of his time. The education of the boy would have progressed smoothly enough, but for the interference of the Dowager-Princesse de Condé, who aspired to direct everything herself, and continually countermanded the orders of Pisani, who was obliged to appeal to Henri IV. to uphold his authority. He complained that the princess refused to admit that anything was right that came from the King; and there can be no doubt that the lady, who was aware that none but political motives had induced Henri IV. to put an end to her imprisonment, was but little disposed to respect his Majesty’s wishes. Not content with quarrelling with Pisani, the princess endeavoured to create dissension between him and d’Harcourt, by insinuating to the latter that he was distrusted by his superior, on account of his being a Huguenot. Then she tried to persuade the King to allow Texeira to be associated with d’Harcourt and Lefebvre in the education of her son--a proposal which was greatly resented by the _sous-gouverneur_ and the preceptor. The disputes to which his mother’s meddlesome activity gave rise were very unfortunate for the young prince. And Pisani declared that it was “pitiable to see him thus guided, served, and treated,” and expressed his fear “lest he should be found wanting, and that those who had been charged with his education should be blamed and despised for it.”[142]