'
The wives had their pinks too, for the whole road to Bordeaux was
scattered with flowers, and every one trooped out to bless the
Princess and her son. As she entered the city the 400 vessels in the
port fired all their guns three times over, and 30,000 men, escorting
a splendid carriage, in which she went along at a foot's pace, came
forth to welcome her. Her son was dressed in white taffety turned up
with black and white feathers. He was held in a gentleman's arms at
the window, and continually bowed, and held out his little hands to
be kissed, saying that his father and grandfather had been quite
right to love people who had such an affection for their house as
these seemed to have. Maurice d'Aubepine, at the opposite window,
was nodding away with a good-will at the people who were obliged to
put up with him instead of the little Duke.
They came to a handsome house, which had been appointed for the
Prince's gentleman, took great care of them, though the two Dukes
remained outside with their little army. The next day the Princess,
attended of course by Madame d'Aubepine, and a whole train of
noblesse and influential people, went to the Parliament of Bordeaux
with her petition for aid. She personally addressed each counsellor
in the passage to the great hall, and represented to them the cruelty
and ingratitude of Mazarin towards her husband, while her little son
kissed and embraced and begged them for his father's liberty.
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