In truth, there was but one living being for whom the Duke had greater reverence and affection than for the King, and that was the Duke of Sully himself.
At this moment he considered himself, as indeed he was, in full possession of his sovereign's confidence.

But he was alone in this conviction.

Those about the court, men like Epernon and his creatures, believed the great financier on the brink of perdition.

Henry, always the loosest of talkers even in regard to his best friends, had declared, on some temporary vexation in regard to the affair between Aiguillon and Balagny, that he would deal with the Duke as with the late Marshal de Biron, and make him smaller than he had ever made him great: goading him on this occasion with importunities, almost amounting to commands, that both he and his son should forthwith change their religion or expect instant ruin.

The blow was so severe that Sully shut himself up, refused to see anyone, and talked of retiring for good to his estates.