CHAPTER XX

The grandees, irritated by the increasing power and favour of Luynes, decide to make common cause with the Queen-Mother against him--Departure of Mayenne from the Court--He is followed by Longueville, Nemours, Mayenne and Retz--Formidable character of the insurrection--Bassompierre receives orders to mobilise a Royal army in Champagne--He informs the King that the Comte de Soissons, his mother, the Grand Prieur de Vendôme and the Comte de Saint-Aignan intend to leave Paris to join the rebels--Alarm and indecision of Luynes--Advice of Bassompierre--It is finally decided to allow them to go--Success of Bassompierre in mobilising troops in Champagne, despite great difficulties--The Duc de Bouillon sends a gentleman to him to endeavour to corrupt his loyalty--Reply of Bassompierre--The town and château of Dreux surrender to him--He joins the King near La Flèche with an army of 8,600 men--Combat of the Ponts-des-Cé--Peace of Angers.....pp. 235-254