zarin, if I mistake not, will try to gain his end by
other means--by intrigues, by setting those who oppose him against each
other, by yielding rather than by striking. He is said to stand high in
the queen's favour, and this will be a great aid to him; for those who
might rebel against the authority of a cardinal will hesitate to do
so when he has at his back the protection and authority of a queen.
However, we must hope for the best. It is probable that Richelieu
acquainted him with all his plans and projects, and urged him to carry
them into effect. I sincerely trust that he will do so; and in that
case, if he comes to the head of affairs, I should assuredly serve him
as willingly and faithfully as I served Richelieu, knowing that it will
be for the good of France."

It was, indeed, but a short time after the loss of his great adviser
that the king followed him to the tomb. He had for long suffered from
bad health, and now that the statesman who had borne the whole burden
of public affairs had left him, he felt the weight overpowering. He had
always been devoted to religious exercises, and saw his end approaching
without regret, and died calmly and peacefully on May 14, 1643. By his
will he left the queen regent. He had never been on good terms with her,
and now endeavoured to prevent her from having any real power. The Duke
of Orleans was appointed lieutenant general, but as the king had rightly
no confidence in him, he nominated a council which, he intended, should
override both. It was composed of the Prince of Conde, Cardinal
Mazarin, the chancellor, Seguerin, the secretary of state, Chavigny,
and superintendent Bouthillier. The king's will prohibited any change
whatever being made in the council, but this proviso was not observed.
The queen speedily made terms with the ministers; and when the little
king was conducted in great state to the parliament of Paris, the Duke
of Orleans addressed the queen, saying that he desired to take no other
part in affairs than that which it might please her to give him. The
Prince of Conde said the same; and that evening, to their astonishment,
the queen having become by their resignation the sole head of the
administration, announced that she should retain Cardinal Mazarin as her
minister, and shortly afterwards nominated Turenne to the command of
the army in Italy. Prince Thomas had now broken altogether with the
Spaniards, finding that their protection was not available, for t