. 541, 542. _Mem. de la Regence de Marie de
Medicis_.

[250] On Twelfth-Night in France a bean is introduced into the cake, and
the person selecting the slice in which it has been concealed is elected
King for the evening.

[251] Bassompierre, _Mem_. p. 117.

[252] Rohan, _Mem_. p. 141. Fontenay-Mareuil, p. 350. D'Estrees, p. 414.
Le Vassor, vol. i. pp. 542, 543. Brienne, _Mem_. vol. i. pp. 315, 316.

[253] Manuscript Memoirs of the Cardinal de Richelieu in the archives of
the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

[254] M. de Saint-Geran was an ensign of the gendarmes of the King's
bodyguard, and one of the nobles who were known by the soubriquet of
_The Seventeen_, among whom were the Marquis de Crequy and Bassompierre.
He was a devoted ally of the Duc de Sully.

[255] Bassompierre, _Mem_. p. 118. Sismondi, vol. xxii. pp. 378, 379.
Richelieu, _Mem_. book vii. p. 335.

[256] Richelieu, _Mem_. book vii. p. 335.

[257] Unpublished _Mem_. of Richelieu in the archives of the Foreign
Office.

[258] Richelieu, _Mem_. book vii. p. 359.

[259] Unpublished _Mem_. of Richelieu.

[260] Richelieu, _Mem_. book vii. p. 368. Fontenay-Mareuil, p. 361.

[261] Fontenay-Mareuil, book iii. p. 369.

[262] Sismondi, vol. xxii. pp. 387, 388.

CHAPTER IX

1617

The royal forces march against the insurgent Princes--Indignities
offered to the young sovereign--Louis XIII and his favourite--Arrogance
of the Marechal d'Ancre--Indignation of the King--Confiscation of the
property of the rebel Princes--Household of Louis XIII--Cabal of De
Luynes--Infatuation of the Marechal d'Ancre--An evil counsellor--Marie
de Medicis resolves to withdraw from the Government, but is
dissuaded from her purpose--Popular discontent--Precautions of
Concini--Alarm of Louis XIII--The Duc de Nevers is declared guilty of
_Use-majeste_--Firmness of the Queen-mother--Insolence of Concini and
Richelieu--Conde is refused permission to justify himself--Success of
the royal forces--Louis XIII consents to the arrest of the Marechal
d'Ancre--Bassompierre warns Marie de Medicis of her danger--She
disregards the warning--Concini and Leonora prepare to leave France--Old
grievances renewed--A diplomatic Janus--Blindness of Marie and her
ministers--A new conspirator--How to be made a marshal--Incaution of De
Luynes--Treachery of Richelieu--A narrow escape--A morning
mass--Singular position of the Court--Assassination of Concini--Public
rejoicings--Imprisonment of the