In consequence of this intimation M. le Grand, instead of appearing at Court in compliance with the royal mandate, returned in all haste to Languedoc, and the Duc de Guise found himself deprived of his anticipated assistance.[157] Bellegarde himself, who attributed this attempt to deprive him of his government to the Baron de Luz—who through the influence of Bassompierre had been reinstated in the favour of the Queen, and had consequently abandoned the faction of the Guises, of whose projects and designs he was cognizant, in order to espouse the interests and to serve the ambition of the Marquis d'Ancre—vowed vengeance against the recreant baron, and complained bitterly to his friends of the insult to which he had been subjected through this unworthy agency.
The Guises, already apprehensive of the consequences which might accrue to themselves from the defection of M. de Luz, were only too ready to sympathize with the indignant Duke, and unfortunately for all parties they did not confine their sympathy to mere words. Ever prompt and reckless, they at once resolved to revenge themselves upon their common enemy; nor was it long ere they carried their fatal determination into effect.
FOOTNOTES:
[131] D'Estrées, Mém. p. 394.
[132] Bassompierre, Mém. p. 78.
[133] Rambure, MS. Mém. vol. vi. p. 81.
[134] Richelieu, Hist. de la Mère et du Fils, vol. i. pp. 175-177.
[135] Siri, Mém. Rec. vol. ii. pp. 607-612.
[136] Le Vassor, vol. i. p. 127.
[137] Henri de Lorraine, Due d'Aiguillon, who had succeeded to the title of his late father.