Luynes, wife of the new favourite of Lewis since the death of Concini, in
which he had aided, now rising rapidly to consideration, and to Madame du
Agean--and asked to be supplied with funds accordingly. By these means
he thought it probable that at least the payment to the States of the
long arrears of the French subsidy might be secured.

Three weeks later, returning to the subject, the Ambassador reported
another conversation with M. du Agean. That politician assured him,
"with high protestations," as a perfectly certain fact that a Frenchman
duly qualified had arrived in Paris from Holland who had been in
communication not only with him but with several of the most confidential
members of the privy council of France. This duly qualified gentleman
had been secretly commissioned to say that in opinion of the conspirators
already indicated the occasion was exactly offered by these religious
dissensions in the Netherlands for bringing the whole country under the
obedience of the King. This would be done with perfect ease if he would
only be willing to favour a little the one party, that of the Contra-
Remonstrants, and promise his Excellency "perfect and perpetual authority
in the government with other compensations."

The proposition, said du Agean, had been rejected by the privy
councillors with a declaration that they would not mix themselves up with
any factions, nor assist any party, but that they would gladly work with
the government for the accommodation of these difficulties and
differences in the Provinces.

"I send you all this nakedly," concluded Langerac, "exactly as it has
been communicated to me, having always answered according to my duty and
with a view by negotiating with these persons to discover the intentions
as well of one side as the other."