CHAPTER XII

Return of Bassompierre to the French Court--Frenzied passion of Henri IV for the young Princesse de Condé--His extravagant conduct--Condé flies with his wife to Flanders--Grief and indignation of the King, who summons his most trusted counsellors to deliberate upon the affair--Sage advice of Sully, which, however, is not followed--The Archduke Albert refuses to surrender the fugitives--Condé retires to Milan and places himself under the protection of Spain--Failure of an attempt to abduct the princess--Henri IV and his Ministers threaten war if the lady is not given up--The “Great Design”--Bassompierre appointed Colonel of the Light Cavalry and a Counsellor of State--His account of the last days and assassination of Henri IV.....pp. 132-145