"
And the good Sully writes in comment upon this: "I should have
relied absolutely upon these assurances had I not known how easy
it is for a heart tender and passionate as was his to deceive
itself"--which is the most amiable conceivable way of saying that
he attached not the slightest faith to the King's promise.
Nevertheless he went about the task of making the peace between
the royal couple with all the skill and tact that experience had
taught him; and he might have driven a good bargain on his
master's behalf but for his master's own weakness in supporting
him. Maria de' Medici would not hear of the banishment of the
Concinis, to whom she was so deeply attached. She insisted with
perfect justice that she was a bitterly injured woman, and
refused to entertain any idea of reconciliation save with the
condition that arrangements for her coronation as Queen of
France--which was no more than her due--should be made at once,
and that the King should give an undertaking not to make himself
ridiculous any longer by his pursuit of the Princess of Conde. Of
the matters contained in the letter of Vaucelas she denied all
knowledge, nor would suffer any further inquisition.
From Henry's point of view this was anything but satisfactory.
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