By this means, without putting his feet to the ground, his Majesty, who was active, jumped from one horse to another.

He was so pleased that whenever he changed horses he asked for this same page.
From that time my father grew day by day in favour.

The King made him Chief Ecuyer, and in course of years bestowed other rewards upon him, created him Duke and peer of France, and gave him the Government of Blaye.

My father, much attached to the King, followed him in all his expeditions, several times commanded the cavalry of the army, was commander-in-chief of all the arrierebans of the kingdom, and acquired great reputation in the field for his valour and skill.

With Cardinal Richelieu he was intimate without sympathy, and more than once, but notably on the famous Day of the Dupes, rendered signal service to that minister.