1610 Self-possession of Marie de Medicis--The Ducs de Guise and d'Epernon assemble the nobility--Precautions for the security of the metropolis--The first audience of the widowed Queen--Impolicy of Sully--The Duc d'Epernon announces to the Parliament the authorized regency of Marie--By whom it is ratified--Precarious position of the Queen-mother--The first night of widowhood--Injudicious apathy of Marie de Medicis on the subject of her husband's murder--Her incautious display of favour towards the Duc d'Epernon--The Duke is suspected of having been an accessory to the assassination of Henri IV--He demands the punishment of the authors of the rumour--A lawyer and a courtier--Fearless reply of the President de Harlay to the rebuke of the Regent--Suspicions against Philip of Spain--Louis XIII holds his first Bed of Justice--The Queen requests the support of the Parliament--Return of the Court to the Louvre--The Due de Sully visits the Queen--Effect of his reception--The Princess-Dowager of Conde urges the return of her son to Court--M.

de Soissons is invited by Marie de Medicis to the capital--His disappointment--His arrogance--A courtly falsehood--Reception of M.de Soissons at the gates of Paris--His numerous retinue--The recompense of obedience--Congratulatory deputations--Trial of the regicide Ravaillac--His execution--Arrival of the Duc de Bouillon in Paris--His quarrel with the Duc de Sully--They are reconciled--The Court attend a funeral service at Notre-Dame--Presumption of the Duc d'Epernon--Marie de Medicis devotes herself to state affairs--Jealousy of the Princes of the Blood and great nobles--Marie endeavours to conciliate them--The Spanish Minister endeavours to prevent the return of the Prince de Conde--Without success--The Regent forms a council--Pretensions of the nobles--The Duc d'Epernon takes possession of apartments in the Louvre--He leagues with the Comte de Soissons against the Prince de Conde--Speculations of the Ministers--Their policy--Boyhood of Louis XIII--A delicate position--A royal rebuke--Court favour--The visionary Government--Discontent of the citizens of Paris--Unpopularity of the Regent--The ex-Queen's entertainment--Imprudence of Marie de Medicis--Confirmation of the Edict of Nantes--Return of the Prince de Conde--The Regent is alarmed by his popularity--Double-dealing of the Duc d'Epernon--The Prince de Conde declares his intention to uphold the interests of the Regent--His reception at the Louvre--He rejoins his wife--The Court of the Hotel de Conde--A cabal--Marie is advised to arrest the Prince de Conde--She refuses--The secret council--Indignation of Sully--Mischievous advice of the Duc de Bouillon---Munificence of the Regent to M.de Conde--The royal treasury--Venality of the French Princes--The English Ambassador--Royal pledges--Philip of Spain proposes a double alliance with France--The Regent welcomes the offer--Policy of Philip--The secret pledge--Madame de Verneuil urges her claim to the hand of the Duc de Guise--The important document--A ducal dilemma--The Regent discountenances the claim of the Marquise--Madame de Verneuil is induced by Jeannin to withdraw her pretensions--Her subsequent obscurity..