The Duke of Epernon protested that he had no idea of disobeying the king's commands, but that he thought his presence was more necessary for the king's service in Angoumois than at Metz.

He complained at the same time that for two years past he had received from the court only the simple pay of a colonel at ten months for the year, which took it out of his power to live suitably to his rank.

He set out for Metz at the end of January, 1619, saying, ii I am going to take the boldest step I ever took in my life." The queen-mother made her exit from Blois on the night between the 21st and 22d of February, 1619, by her closet window, against which a ladder had been placed for the desecnt to the terrace, whence a second ladder was to enable her to descend right down.

On arriving at the terrace she found herself so fatigued and so agitated, that she declared it would be impossible to avail herself of the second ladder; she preferred to have herself let down upon a cloak to the bottom of the terrace, which had a slight slant.

Her two equerries escorted her along the faubourg to the end of the bridge.