CHAPTER XVI

Serious illness of the young King, who, however, recovers--Bassompierre and Mlle. d’Urfé--Gay winter in Paris--Richelieu enters the Ministry as Secretary of State for War--His foreign policy--His energetic measures to put down the rebellion of the Princes--Return of Concini--His arrogance and presumption--Singular conversation between Bassompierre and Concini after the death of the latter’s daughter--Policy pursued by Marie de’ Medici and Concini towards Louis XIII--Humiliating position of the young King--His favourite, Charles d’Albert, Seigneur de Luynes--Bassompierre warns the Queen-Mother that the King may be persuaded to revolt against her authority.....pp. 196-207