CHAPTER XIV

The affair of Montferrato--Intrigues of Concini with Charles Emmanuel of Savoy--Arrest of Concini’s agent Maignan--Bassompierre warns the Italian favourite of his danger and advises him to throw himself on the clemency of the Queen-Mother--Concini follows his advice and is pardoned and shielded by Marie de’ Medici, while his agent is executed--Bassompierre goes to Rouen, where the d’Entragues’s action against him is to be heard--The Regent recommends his cause to the judges--The d’Entragues object to the constitution of the court, and the case is adjourned--Duplicity of Concini--He intrigues to ruin Bassompierre with the Queen-Mother--Semi-disgrace of Bassompierre--He is reconciled with Marie de’ Medici--He is appointed Colonel-General of the Swiss--The Princes surprise Mézières--Peace of Saint-Menehould--Bassompierre accompanies Louis XIII and the Queen-Mother to the West.....pp. 165-176