f the learned Passerat, who resided for thirty
years in his father's house. He died in 1642, senior Councillor
of State.

[17] Richelieu, _Hist. de la Mere et du Fils_, vol. i. p. 261.

[18] Brienne, _Mem_. vol. i. p. 337.

[19] Deageant, _Mem_. pp. 129-131.

[20] Siri, _Mem. Rec_. vol. iv. pp. 555, 556. Lumieres pour l'Hist. de
France dans les Defenses de la Reine-mere.

[21] Siri, _Mem. Rec_. vol. iv. pp. 557-561. Mezeray, vol. xi. pp.
168-170.

[22] Mezeray, vol. xi. p. 169.

[23] Fontenay-Mareuil, _Mem_. p. 418.

CHAPTER II

1619

The Duc d'Epernon leaves Metz--A traitor--A minister at fault--The Duc
de Bellegarde offers an asylum to the Queen-mother--Marie de Medicis
escapes from Blois--She is conducted by M. d'Epernon to
Angouleme--Gaieties of the capital--Marriages of the Princesse Christine
and Mademoiselle de Vendome--Louis XIII is apprised of the escape of the
Queen--Alarm of the King--Advice of De Luynes--The Council resolve to
despatch a body of troops under M. de Mayenne to remove Marie de Medicis
from the keeping of the Due d'Epernon--Discontent of the citizens--Louis
XIII enters into a negotiation with his mother--She rejects his
conditions--Richelieu offers himself as a mediator, and is accepted--The
royal forces march on Angouleme--Marie prepares for resistance--The
Princes withdraw from her cause--Schomberg proposes to blow up the
powder-magazine at Angouleme--Critical position of the Queen-mother--She
appeals to the Protestants, but is repulsed--Schomberg takes up arms
against the Due d'Epernon--Alarm of Marie de Medicis--Richelieu proceeds
to Angouleme--He regains the confidence of the Queen--Successful
intrigue of Richelieu--Marie is deserted by several of her friends--A
treaty of peace is concluded between the King and his mother--The envoy
of Marie incurs the displeasure of Louis XIII--The malcontents rally
round the Queen-mother--The Princes of Piedmont visit Marie at
Angouleme--Their reception--Magnificence of the Due d'Epernon--The
Queen-mother refuses to quit Angouleme--Ambition of Richelieu--Weakness
of Marie de Medicis--Father Joseph endeavours to induce the Queen-mother
to return to the Court--She is encouraged in her refusal by
Richelieu--The rival Queens--Marie leaves Angouleme--Her parting with
the Due d'Epernon--She is received at Poitiers by the Cardinal de Retz
and the Due de Luynes--The Prince de Conde offers the hand of his sister
Eleonore de Bourbon to the broth