wife and daughter, he was on his way to France for
that purpose, when he was attacked by fever at Nuremberg, where he
expired in March 1602, at the age of forty-three years.

[386] Don Pedro de Toledo, Constable of Castile, and general of the
galleys of Naples, was a relative of Marie de Medicis, whose
grandfather, the Comte de Medicis, had married Eleonora de Toledo, the
daughter of the Viceroy of Naples. He was, moreover, a grandee of Spain,
and one of the most confidential friends of Philip III.

[387] Bonnechose, vol. i. p. 445. Perefixe, vol. ii. p. 564.

[388] L'Etoile, vol. iii. pp. 474-477. _Mercure Francais,_ 1608, p. 232.
Daniel, vol. vii. p. 488.

[389] _Memoires,_ vol. vii. pp. 72-74.

[390] Dreux du Radier, vol. vi, p. 104.

CHAPTER VIII

1609

Death of the Grand Duke of Tuscany--The Queen's ballet--Mademoiselle de
Montmorency--Description of her person--She is betrothed to
Bassompierre--Indignation of the Duc de Bouillon--Contrast between the
rivals--The Duc de Bellegarde excites the curiosity of the King--The
nymph of Diana--The rehearsal--Passion of the King for Mademoiselle de
Montmorency--The royal gout--Interposition of the Duc de
Roquelaure--Firmness of the Connetable--The ducal gout--Postponement of
the marriage--Diplomacy of Henry--The sick-room--An obedient
daughter--Henry resolves to prevent the marriage--The King and the
courtier--Lip-deep loyalty--Henry offers the hand of Mademoiselle de
Montmorency to the Prince de Conde--The regal pledge--The Prince de
Conde consents to espouse Mademoiselle de Montmorency--Invites
Bassompierre to his betrothal--Royal tyranny--A cruel pleasantry--The
betrothal--Court festivities--Happiness of the Queen--Royal presents to
the bride--The ex-Queen's ball--Jealousy of the Prince de
Conde--Indignation of the Queen--Henry revenges himself upon M. de
Conde--Madame de Conde retires from the Court--The King insists on her
return--The Prince de Conde feigns compliance--The Prince and Princess
escape to the Low Countries--The news of their evasion reaches
Fontainebleau--Birth of a Princess--Unpleasant surprise--Henry betrays
his annoyance to the Queen--He assembles his ministers--He resolves to
compel the return of the Princess to France--Conflicting counsels--M. de
Praslin is despatched to Brussels--Embarrassment of the Archduke
Albert--He refuses an asylum to M. de Conde, who proceeds to
Milan--The Princess remains at Brussels--She is honourably
enterta