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 _lese-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 Queen-mother--Barbin is sent to the Bastille--The seals are restored to Du Vair--A royal reception--Anguish of Marie de Medicis--She demands to see the King, and is refused--Her isolation--A Queen and her favourite--A mother and her son--Arrest of Madame d'Ancre--The Crown jewels--Political pillage--The Marechale in the Bastille..