The Sieur de Chalais is Imprisoned.

I Shall not put an end to this discourse in onely acquainting you with the Mar∣shal de Ornano's imprisonment, or the arresting of the two Brothers, with their confidents Modene and Deagan; for that suddenly after Tronson and Sauveterre were removed from the Court, for having contrived many devices for hindring Monsieurs marriage; as also Marsillac Governour of Sommieres, was sent Pri∣soner to the Castle of Ancennis, for having talked too boldly concerning the same subject: But as the greatest part of all these designs were discovered in the pro∣cesse against Chalais, presently after the finishing of the marriage; so I think it proper to treat more particularly of it. Chalais had the honour to be the Master of the Kings Wardrobe, and to be brought up from his Infancy near his Majesty; but his Soul being over-mastred by ambition, he every where discovered a great dis∣content against fortune, openly saying, that it would be needfull for him to seek out a more liberal Master then the King, if he did intend to better his own condi∣tion; it was thought that this Passion was that which ingaged him in the Faction then at Court, but it is true, that the love which he bore to Madam Cheureuse, did no lesse ingage him in it. The King was informed of his Intreagues from Pa∣ris, and though his Majesty had pardoned him upon the assurances which he had gi∣ven him, and Monsieur the Cardinal; of his future living in loyalty, yet he did not cease to re-embroyl himself, so potent are those two troublesome and giddy Passi∣ons, and so great a power have they over the Souls of those, whom experience hath not well instructed in the affairs of the world.

It was known, that upon the first imprisonment of Monsieur de Vendosm, hee had dispatched a Messenger from Blois to Monsieur and the Count de Soissons, by which he gave them intelligence quite contrary to his Majesties interest and service. The King had good reason to be offended at it, yet his Clemency carried him on to command the Cardinal onely to tell him, that he did run counter to those protesta∣tions of Fidelity which he had formerly made, that his Contrivances were better known then he was aware off, and that he should be carefull of his Actions. Cha∣lais was informed at the same time by others, that the King was angry with him, and finding himself guilty, he desired to discourse with Monsieur the Cardinal to disguise his faults. The Commander de Valenhay, was the person who accompa∣nied him to Beau-regard, where the Cardinal then lay, and being come thither he attempted to surprise the Prudence of that incomparable Minister, by divers de∣vices; but Monsieur the Cardinal well informed of his ill deportment, advised him to beware of himself and become more faithfull to the King his Master, giving him to understand, that he was the more obliged to do so, in regard the King being well informed of his actions, gave him so much time to look back into himself, that he might not destroy him. He seemed to be very ready to withdraw himself from those imbroyls, and also took occasions to speak unto the King, whiles he was ma∣king of him ready, to assure him that he would never be defective in his duty; yet notwithstanding all this, his turbulent Soul was not able to contain it self in this re∣solution; for it was known, that a certain messenger sent by some one from the Cabal, was kept private in his lodging at Tours, while the King stayed there, and that Louviece who belonged to him, being one in whom he much confided, was gone upon a private message for him, these things gave reason to beleeve. That he still persisted in his first designs, and being a person of a bold nature, and ready to run into all sorts of extremities, the King was councelled to secure him at Nants.