before the globe; and he appeared totally unconscious of the continued presence of his visitors, whose departure was retarded for a few seconds by the utter incapacity of Concini to leave the room.  With a powerful effort the Italian, however, suddenly suppressed his emotion, although he still trembled so violently that he was compelled to lean upon Bassompierre for support; nor did the attack, as had been anticipated, yield to the influence of the external air, for the Marechal continued throughout the entire space of two hours wholly unable to control its violence; while not all the eager questioning of his companions could induce him to reveal the cause of his frightful agitation; a fact by which they were firmly persuaded that the astrologer had revealed to him an intimate acquaintance with past events which justified his warning, or had foreshadowed a future well calculated to arouse alarm.[218] Be this as it might, it appears at least certain that the five nobles were each and all deeply impressed by the scene through which they had just passed, by whatever agency it might have been effected; and that the report which they made on their return to Marie de Medicis effectually indisposed her from seeking any further knowledge of Giorgio Luminelli.

CHAPTER VIII

1616

Conference of Loudun—­Venality of the Princes—­Mutual concessions—­Indisposition of M. de Conde—­He signs the treaty—­Concini is insulted by a citizen of Paris—­The Court return to the capital—­Schism in the cabal—­The seals are transferred to M. du Vair—­Disgrace of the ministers—­Triumph of Concini—­Mangot is appointed Secretary of State, and Barbin Minister of Finance—­The young sovereigns—­Court costumes—­Anne of Austria and Marie de Medicis—­Puerility of Louis XIII—­The Marechal de Bouillon and the Duc de Mayenne return to Court—­They seek to ruin Concini—­The Prince de Conde effects a reconciliation with the Queen-mother—­James I. sends an embassy to Paris to negotiate a marriage between the Prince of Wales and the Princesse Christine—­Gorgeous reception at the Louvre—­Court festivities—­Concini returns to Paris—­He is abandoned by the Prince de Conde—­He is compelled to retire—­His forebodings—­He endeavours to induce Leonora to leave France—­She refuses—­Increasing influence of De Luynes—­Death of Mademoiselle d’Ancre—­Despair of Concini—­Ambitious projects of the Prince de Conde—­Devotion of Sully—­His advice is disregarded—­Popularity of Conde—­Marie de Medicis resolves to arrest him—­He disbelieves the rumour—­The other Princes withdraw from the capital—­The King is induced to sanction the arrest—­Dissimulation of Louis XIII—­Arrest of Conde—­Fearless reply of M. du Vair—­The Prince is conveyed to the Bastille—­A batch of Marshals—­Noble disinterestedness of Bassompierre—­The Dowager Princess of Conde endeavours to excite the populace to rescue her son—­The mob pillage the hotel of the Marechal d’Ancre—­The Queen-mother negotiates with the Guises—­The council of war—­The seals are transferred from Du Vair to Mangot—­Richelieu is appointed Secretary of State—­Concini returns to Court—­The Marechale d’Ancre becomes partially insane—­Popular execration of the Italian favourites—­Subtle policy of Richelieu—­Threatening attitude assumed by the Princes.