When left alone with his young favorite, and suddenly overwhelmed, amidst his army, with cares and business of which his minister usually relieved him, the king had too much wit not to perceive the frivolous insignificance of Cinq-Mars compared with the mighty capability of the cardinal.

"I love you more than ever," he wrote to Richelieu: "we have been too long together to be ever separated, as I wish everybody to understand.

In reply, the cardinal had sent him a copy of the treaty between Cinq-Mars and Spain.
The king could not believe his eyes; and his wrath equalled his astonishment.

Together with that of the grand equerry he ordered the immediate arrest of M.de Thou, his intimate friend; and the order went out to secure the Duke of Bouillon, then at the head of the army of Italy.

He, caught, like Marshal Marillac, in the midst of his troops, had vainly attempted to conceal himself; but he was taken and conducted to the castle of Pignerol.