as ambitious and to which the coadjutorship
was but a stepping-stone. Monsieur de Retz wished to become archbishop
in his uncle's place, and cardinal, like Mazarin; and the popular party
could with difficulty accord him favors so entirely royal. He therefore
hastened to the palace to congratulate the queen on the battle of
Lens, determined beforehand to act with or against the court, as his
congratulations were well or ill received.

The coadjutor possessed, perhaps, as much wit as all those put together
who were assembled at the court to laugh at him. His speech, therefore,
was so well turned, that in spite of the great wish felt by the
courtiers to laugh, they could find no point on which to vent their
ridicule. He concluded by saying that he placed his feeble influence at
her majesty's command.

During the whole time he was speaking, the queen appeared to be well
pleased with the coadjutor's harangue; but terminating as it did with
such a phrase, the only one which could be caught at by the jokers,
Anne turned around and directed a glance toward her favorites, which
announced that she delivered up the coadjutor to their tender mercies.
Immediately the wits of the court plunged into satire. Nogent-Beautin,
the fool of the court, exclaimed that "the queen was very happy to have
the succor of religion at such a moment." This caused a universal burst
of laughter. The Count de Villeroy said that "he did not know how any
fear could be entertained for a moment, when the court had, to defend
itself against the parliament and the citizens of Paris, his holiness
the coadjutor, who by a signal could raise an army of curates, church
porters and vergers."

The Marechal de la Meilleraie added that in case the coadjutor should
appear on the field of battle it would be a pity that he should not be
distinguished in the melee by wearing a red hat, as Henry IV. had been
distinguished by his white plume at the battle of Ivry.

During this storm, Gondy, who had it in his power to make it most
unpleasant for the jesters, remained calm and stern. The queen at last
asked him if he had anything to add to the fine discourse he had just
made to her.

"Yes, madame," replied the coadjutor; "I have to beg you to reflect
twice ere you cause a civil war in the kingdom."

The queen turned her back and the laughing recommenced.

The coadjutor bowed and left the palace, casting upon the cardinal such
a glance as is best understood by mortal fo