Page:Secret History of the French Court under Richelieu and Mazarin.djvu/138

124. To serve the Condés, therefore, was to serve the State, and also to serve himself. The choice of Mazarin could not be doubtful, and it is said that, far from soothing the queen, he incensed her the more.

In this critical position, what course was left for Madame de Chevreuse to pursue? She endeavored to restrain Madame de Montbazon, but she could neither forsake her nor surrender herself. She therefore resolved to prosecute with energy the tragical scheme which had become the last hope, the final resource of the party. She had already broached the proposition of ridding themselves of Mazarin; and, through Madame de Montbazon, she had drawn Beaufort into it. The latter had gathered around him the men of action of whom we have spoken, and who were wholly devoted to him. A conspiracy had been formed, and all the measures concerted to surprise and kill the cardinal.