He had one of those superb establishments pertaining to great fortunes, the like of which certain old men remembered to have seen in all their glory in the times of wasteful liberality of Henry III.'s reign.

Then, really, several great nobles were richer than the king.

They knew it, used it, and never deprived themselves of the pleasure of humiliating his royal majesty when they had an opportunity.

It was this egotistical aristocracy Richelieu had constrained to contribute, with its blood, its purse, and its duties, to what was from his time styled the king's service.

From Louis XI .-- that terrible mower-down of the great--to Richelieu, how many families had raised their heads! How many, from Richelieu to Louis XIV., had bowed their heads, never to raise them again! But M.de Beaufort was born a prince, and of a blood which is not shed upon scaffolds, unless by the decree of peoples,--a prince who had kept up a grand style of living.
How did he maintain his horses, his people, and his table?
Nobody knew; himself less than others.