Cardinal Bourbon, discarding his ecclesiastical robes and scarlet stockings, paraded himself daily in public, clothed in military costume, with all the airs of royalty.

Many persons thought him mad.

On the other hand, Epergnon, the haughty minion-in-chief, who governed Henry III., and insulted all the world, was becoming almost polite.
"The progress of the League," said Busbecq, "is teaching the Duc d' Epergnon manners.

'Tis a youth of such insolence, that without uncovering he would talk with men of royal descent, while they were bareheaded.

'Tis a common jest now that he has found out where his hat is." Thus, for a long time, a network of secret political combinations had been stretching itself over Christendom.