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The influence of the clergy of Paris obliged the Court to explain itself concerning the causes of my imprisonment； by the mouth of the Chancellor； who； in the presence of the King and Queen； acquainted them that his Majesty had caused me to be arrested for my own good； and to prevent me from putting something that I designed into execution。 The chapter of Notre…Dame had an anthem sung every day for my deliverance。 The Sorbonne and many of the a religious orders distinguished themselves by declaring for me。 This general stir obliged the Court to treat me somewhat better than at first。 They let me have a limited number of books； but no ink and paper； and they allowed me a 'valet de chambre' and a physician。
During my confinement at Vincennes； which lasted fifteen months； I studied both day and night； especially the Latin tongue； on which I perceive one cannot bestow too much pains； since it takes in all other studies。 I dived into the Greek also； and read again the ninth decade of Livy； which I had formerly delighted in； and found as pleasant as ever。 I composed； in imitation of Boetius； a treatise； which I entitled 〃Consolation de la Theologie；〃 in which I proved that every prisoner ought to endeavour to be 'vinctus in Christo' （in the bonds of Christ）； mentioned by Saint Paul。 I also compiled 〃Partus Vincennarum；〃 which was a collection of the Acts of the Church of Milan for the use of the Church of Paris。
My guard omitted nothing he could invent to make my life uneasy and disturb my studies。 One day he came and told me that he had received orders from the King to give me an airing on the top of the donjon； and when he perceived that I took a pleasure in walking there； he informed me； with joy in his looks； that he had orders to the contrary。 I told him that they were come in good time； for the air； which was too sharp there； had made my head ache。 Afterwards he offered to take me down into the tennis…court to see my guards at play。 I desired him to excuse me； because I thought the air would be too piercing for me； but he made me go； telling me that the King； who took more care of my health than I fancied； had ordered that he should give me some exercise。 Soon after he desired me to excuse him for not bringing me down again； 〃for reasons；〃 said he； 〃which I must not tell。〃 The truth was； I was so much above these chicaneries that I despised them； but I must own that I used to think within myself that； in the main； to be a prisoner of State was of all others the most afflicting。 All the relaxation I had from my studies was to divert myself with some rabbits on the top of the donjon； and some pigeons in the turrets； for which I was indebted to the continual solicitations of the Church of Paris。 I had not been a prisoner above nine days when one of my guards； while his comrade who watched me was asleep； came and slipped a note into my hand from Madame de Pommereux； in which were only these words： 〃Let me have your answer； you may safely trust the bearer。〃 The bearer gave me a pencil and a piece of paper； on which I wrote that I had received her letter。
Notwithstanding that three sergeants and twenty…four Life…guards relieved one another every day； our correspondence was not interrupted。 Madame de Pommereux； M。 de Caumartin； and M。 de Raqueville wrote me letters twice a week constantly about the means to effect my escape； which I attempted twice； but in vain。
The Abbe Charier； who set out for Rome the day after I was arrested； found Pope Innocent incensed to the highest degree； and ready to throw his thunder upon the heads of the authors of it。 He spoke of it to the French Ambassador with great resentment； and sent the Archbishop of Avignon； with the title of Nuncio Extraordinary； on purpose to solicit my release。 The King was in a fury； and forebade the Nuncio to pass Lyons。 The Pope told the Abbe Charier that he was afraid to expose his and the Church's authority to the fury of a madman； and said； 〃Give me but an army； and I will furnish you with a legate。〃 It was a difficult matter indeed to get him that army； but not impossible； if those that should have stood my friends had not left me in the lurch。
In the meantime Noirmoutier and Bussi Lamet wrote a letter to Mazarin； declaring they could not help proceeding to extremities if I were detained any longer in prison。 The Prince de Conde declared he would do anything； without exception； which my friends desired； for my liberty； and offered to march all the Spanish forces to their assistance； but the misfortune was that there was nobody to form the proper schemes； and Noirmoutier； who was the most enterprising man of them all； was hindered from action by Madame de Chevreuse and De Laigues； who； the Cardinal said； would be accountable for the actions of their friends； and that if they fired one pistol…shot they must expect what would follow。 Therefore Noirmoutier was glad to elude all the propositions of the Prince de Conde； and to be content with only writing and speaking in my favour； and firing the cannon at the drinking of my health。
M。 de Pradello； who commanded the French and Swiss Guards in the castle； came one day to tell me of the happy return of Cardinal Mazarin to Paris； and of his magnificent reception at the Hotel de Ville； and he informed me that the Cardinal had sent him to assure me of his most humble services； and to beg of me to be persuaded that he would forget nothing that might be for my service。 I made as if I did not heed the compliment； and was for talking of something else； but as he pressed me for a direct answer； I told him that I should have been ready at the first word to show him my acknowledgments were I not persuaded that the duty of a prisoner to the King did not permit him to explain himself in anything relating to his release； till his Majesty had been graciously pleased to grant it him。 He understood my meaning； and endeavoured to persuade me to return a more civil answer to the Cardinal； which I declined to do。
The Cardinal was so pestered with complaints from Rome； and so disturbed with the discontent which prevailed in Poitou and Paris； on account of my imprisonment； that he sent me an offer of my liberty and great advantages； on condition that I would resign the coadjutorship of Paris。
The solicitations of the chapter of Notre…Dame prevailed on the Court to consent that one of their body might be always with me； who； though he came gladly for my sake； fell into a deep melancholy。 He could not； however； be prevailed upon to go out； and being soon after seized with a fever； he cut his own throat。 My uncle dying soon after； possession was taken of the archbishopric in my name by my proxy； and Tellier； who was sent to Notre…Dame Church to oppose it on the part of the King； was mortified with the thunder of my bulls from Rome。 The people were surprised to see all the formalities observed to a nicety； at a juncture when they thought there was no possibility of observing one。 The cures waxed warmer than ever； and my friends fanned the flame。 The Nuncio； thinking himself slighted by the Court； spoke in dignified terms； and threatened his censures。 A little book was published； showing the necessity of