Chapter XII

Condé summoned by the Archdukes to Brussels--He
places himself under the protection of Philip III. of
Spain--Mission of the Marquis de Cœuvres to Brussels--His
attempted abduction of the Princesse de Condé--Condé
declared guilty of high treason--He leaves Brussels for
Milan--Henri IV. and his Ministers threaten the Archdukes
with war if the princess is not given up--Despatches
of the Spanish Ambassador to his Court--Condé at
Milan--Assassination of Henri IV.--Embarrassing position
of Condé in regard to Spain--He returns to Brussels,
but declines to see his wife--His return to France--He
contemplates the dissolution of his marriage, but
ultimately consents to a formal reconciliation with the
princess--His turbulent conduct during the regency of Marie
de’ Medici--His arrest and imprisonment--The princess
magnanimously shares her husband’s captivity--Dangerous
illness of the prince--Birth of Anne Geneviève de
Bourbon--Release of the Condés 163–178

CHAPTER XIII

Birth of Louis de Bourbon, Duc d’Enghien (the Great
Condé)--His early years at the Château of Montrond--His
education--His personal appearance and character--Wealth of
the Condés--Life at Chantilly--Isabelle de Boutteville and
Marthe du Vigean--Tender attachment of the Duc d’Enghien
and Mlle. du Vigean--Subserviency of the Prince de Condé
towards Richelieu--He solicits for Enghien the hand of the
Cardinal’s niece, Claire-Clémence de Maillé-Brézé--The
young prince protests against the sacrifice demanded of
him, but eventually consents--He is presented to Mlle. de
Maillé-Brézé--First campaign of the Great Condé--He denies
the rumour that he has “no taste for his _fiancée_”--Fête
at the Palais-Cardinal: a ludicrous incident--Marriage of
the Duc d’Enghien 179–195