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eyes of the people and gain their consent to oppressing the Parliament。
All the humours of the State were so disturbed by the great troubles at Paris； the fountainhead； that I foresaw a fever would be the certain consequence； because the physician had not the skill to prevent it。 As I owed the coadjutorship of the archbishopric to the Queen； I thought it my duty in every circumstance to sacrifice my resentment； and even the probability of glory； to gratitude； and notwithstanding all the solicitations of Montresor and Laigues； I made a firm resolution to stick close to my own business and not to engage in anything that was either said or done against the Court at that time。 Montresor had been brought up from his youth in the faction of the Duc d'Orleans； and； having more wit than courage； was so much the more dangerous an adviser in great affairs； men of this cast only suggest measures and leave them to be executed by others。 Laigues； on the other hand； who was entirely governed by Montresor； had not much brains； but was all bravery and feared nothing； men of this character dare do anything they are set upon by those who confide in them。
Finding that my innocence and integrity gained me no friends at Court； and that I had nothing to expect from the Minister； who mortally hated me； I resolved to be upon my guard； by acting in respect to the Court with as much freedom as zeal and sincerity； and in respect to the city； by carefully preserving my friends； and doing everything necessary to get； or； rather； to keep； the love of the people。 To maintain my interest in the city； I laid out 36；000 crowns in alms and other bounties； from the 26th of March to the 25th of August； 1648； and to please the Court I told the Queen and Cardinal how the Parisians then stood affected； which they never knew before； through flattery and prejudice。 I also complained to the Queen of the Cardinal's cunning and dissimulation； and made use of the same intimations which I had given to the Court to show the Parliament that I had done all in my power to clearly inform the Ministry of everything and to disperse the clouds always cast over their understandings by the interest of inferior officers and the flattery of courtiers。 This made the Cardinal break with me and thwart me openly at every opportunity； insomuch that when I was telling the Queen in his presence that the people in general were so soured that nothing but lenitives could abate their rancour； he answered me with the Italian fable of the wolf who swore to a flock of sheep that he would protect them against all his comrades provided one of them would come every morning and lick a wound he had received from a dog。 He entertained me with the like witticisms three or four months together； of which this was one of the most favourable； whereupon I made these reflections that it was more unbecoming a Minister of State to say silly things than to do them； and that any advice given him was criminal。
The Cardinal pretended that the success of the King's arms at Lens had so mortified the Court that the Parliament and the other bodies； who expected they would take a sharp revenge on them for their late conduct； would have the great satisfaction of being disappointed。 I own I was fool enough to believe him； and was perfectly transported at the thought； but with what sincerity the Cardinal spoke will appear by and by。
On the 26th of August； 1648； the worthy Broussel； councillor of the Grand Chamber； and Rene Potier； Sieur de Blancmenil； President of the Inquests； were both arrested by the Queen's officers。 It is impossible to express the sudden consternation of all men； women； and children in Paris at this proceeding。 The people stared at one another for awhile without saying a word。 But this profound silence was suddenly attended with a confused noise of running； crying； and shutting up of shops； upon which I thought it my duty to go and wait upon the Queen； though I was sorely vexed to see how my credulity had been abused but the night before at Court； when I was desired to tell all my friends in Parliament that the victory of Lens had only disposed the Court more and more to leniency and moderation。 When I came to the New Market； on my way to Court； I was surrounded with swarms of people making a frightful outcry； and had great difficulty in getting through the crowd till I had told them the Queen would certainly do them justice。 The very boys hissed the soldiers of the Guard and pelted them with stones。 Their commander； the Marechal de La Meilleraye； perceiving the clouds began to thicken on all sides； was overjoyed to see me； and would go with me to Court and tell the whole truth of the matter to the Queen。 The people followed us in vast numbers； calling out； 〃Broussel； Broussel！〃
The Queen； whom we found in her Cabinet Council with Mazarin and others； received me neither well nor ill； was too proud and too much out of temper to confess any shame for what she had told me the night before； and the Cardinal had not modesty enough to blush。 Nevertheless he seemed very much confused； and gave some obscure hints by which I could perceive he would have me to believe that there were very sudden and extraordinary reasons which had obliged the Queen to take such measures。 I simulated approval of what he said； but all the answer I returned was that I had come thither； as in duty bound； to receive the Queen's orders and to contribute all in my power to restore the public peace and tranquillity。 The Queen gave a gracious nod； but I understood afterwards that she put a sinister interpretation upon my last speech； which was nevertheless very inoffensive and perfectly consonant to my character as Coadjutor of Paris； but it is a true saying that in the Courts of princes a capacity of doing good is as dangerous and almost as criminal as a will to do mischief。
The Marechal de La Meilleraye； finding that the Abbe de la Riviere and others made mere jest and banter of the insurrection； fell into a great passion； spoke very sharply； and appealed to me。 I freely gave my testimony； confirmed his account of the insurrection； and seconded him in his reflections upon the future consequences。 We had no other return from the Cardinal than a malicious sneer； but the Queen lifted up her shrill voice to the highest note of indignation； and expressed herself to this effect： 〃It is a sign of disaffection to imagine that the people are capable of revolting。 These are ridiculous stories that come from persons who talk as they would have it； the King's authority will set matters right。〃
The Cardinal； perceiving that I was a little nettled； endeavoured to soothe me by this address to the Queen： 〃Would to God； madame； that all men did but talk with the same sincerity as the Coadjutor of Paris。 He is greatly concerned for his flock； for the city； and for your Majesty's authority； and though I am persuaded that the danger is not so great as he imagines； yet his scruples in this case are to be commended in him as laudable and religious。〃 The Queen understood the meaning of this cant； recovered herself all of a sudden； and spoke to me very civilly； to which I answered with profound respect and so innocent a c