the operations of Mielleraye in the field were
successful, and there was no chance of any relief being afforded to
the besieged town by a Spanish army advancing through Catalonia, it was
certain that the fortress must in time surrender by hunger. As it could
not be captured by assault unless with a very heavy loss indeed, Turenne
contented himself with keeping up so vigilant a watch round it that its
communications were altogether cut off, and the garrison knew nothing
whatever of what was passing around them.

The Duc de Bouillon had received the command of the army in Italy, and
Turenne hoped that henceforth his mind would be free from the family
trouble that had for the past four years caused him great pain and
anxiety. Unfortunately, however, Cinq-Mars, the king's master of horse
and personal favourite, had become embroiled with the cardinal. Rash,
impetuous, and haughty, the young favourite at once began to intrigue.
The Duke of Orleans, the king's only brother, one of the most
treacherous and unstable of men, joined him heart and soul, and Bouillon
was induced to ally himself with them, not from any political feeling,
but because Cinq-Mars had been mainly instrumental in obtaining terms
for him before, and appealed to his sense of gratitude to aid him now.
He insisted, however, that this time there should be no negotiating with
Spain and Austria, but that the movement should be entirely a French
one.

Unknown to him, however, the others entered into an alliance with Spain,
who engaged to find money and an army. The conspirators had gained the
ear of the king, Cinq-Mars representing to him that their hostility
was directed solely against the cardinal, and the latter was in great
disfavour until he obtained a copy of the treaty with Spain. The
disclosure opened the king's eyes. The Duke of Orleans, Cinq-Mars,
Monsieur de Thou, his intimate friend, and de Bouillon were at once
arrested. Orleans immediately turned traitor to his fellow conspirators,
revealed every incident of the plot, and was sentenced to exile.
Cinq-Mars and de Thou were tried and executed. De Bouillon saved his
life by relinquishing his principality to France, any hesitation there
may have been in sparing him on those terms being removed by the receipt
of a message from the duchess, that if her husband were put to death she
would at once deliver Sedan into the hands of the Spaniards. De Bouillon
was therefore pardoned, and in exchange for the surr