e from which it had been deposed by the great cardinal. A
conflict arose between the members and the court which soon led to acts
of open hostility.

An edict laying a tax upon all provisions which entered Paris irritated
the citizens, and the Parliament refused to register it. Other steps
towards independence were taken by the members. Gradually they resumed
their old rights, and the court party was forced to yield. But courage
returned to the queen-regent with the news that the army of France had
gained a great victory. No sooner had the tidings reached Paris than the
city was electrified by hearing that President Brancmesnil and
Councillor Broussel had been arrested.

It was the arrest of Broussel that stirred the popular heart. Mazarin
and the queen had made the dangerous mistake of not taking into account
the state of the public mind. "There was a blaze at once, a sensation, a
rush, an outcry, and a shutting up of shops." The excitement of the
people was intense. Moment by moment the tumult grew greater. "Broussel!
Broussel!" they shouted. That perilous populace had arisen which was
afterwards to show what frightful deeds it could do under the impulse of
oppression and misgovernment.

Paul de Gondi, afterwards known as Cardinal de Retz, then coadjutor of
the Archbishop of Paris, and the leading spirit with the populace,
hurried to the palace, accompanied by Marshal de la Meilleraie.

"The city is in a frightful state," they told the queen. "The people are
furious and may soon grow unmanageable. The air is full of revolt."

Anne of Austria listened to them with set lips and angry eyes.

"There is revolt in imagining there can be revolt," she sternly replied.
"These are the ridiculous stories of those who favor trouble; the king's
authority will soon restore order."

M. de Guitant, an old courtier, who entered as she was speaking,
declared that the coadjutor had barely represented the facts, and said
that he did not see how anybody could sleep with things in such a state.

"Well, M. de Guitant, and what is your advice?" asked De Retz.

"My advice is to give up that old rascal of a Broussel, dead or alive."

"To give him up dead," said the coadjutor, "would not accord with either
the piety or the prudence of the queen; to yield him alive might quiet
the people."

The queen turned to him a face hot with anger, and exclaimed,--

"I understand you, Mr. Coadjutor; you would have me set Broussel at
liberty. I