CHAPTER XI

Education of Henri II. de Bourbon, Prince de Condé--Appearance and character of the young prince--He is offered and accepts the hand of Charlotte de Montmorency, unaware that Henry IV. is desperately enamoured of the lady--Conversation of the King with Bassompierre--Marriage of Condé and Mlle. de Montmorency--Infatuation of the King for the young princess--Condé refuses to accept the odious rôle assigned to him, and “plays the devil”--Violent scenes between him and the King--He removes with his wife to Picardy--Amorous escapade of Henri IV.--Condé, summoned to Court for the accouchement of the Queen, leaves the princess behind him--Indignation of Henri IV.--Condé flies with his wife to Flanders---Fury of the King, who sends troops in pursuit of the fugitives--Refusal of the Archdukes to deliver them up--Condé goes to Cologne, while the princess proceeds to Brussels 149–162

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