You fight against the enemies of France; I am surrounded by enemies open and secret, and the war is no less earnest than that which Turenne and Enghien are waging.
"The great nobles of France are jealous that I, a foreigner, should have the ear of the queen, and be first minister of the country.

Gladly indeed would I resign my position and return to my bishopric in Italy, were it not that I promised the great man to whose place I have so unworthily succeeded, that I would do my best for the country on whose behalf he spent every hour of his life, and that I would, unless driven from it by force, hold the seals of office until the young king should be old enough to rule France unaided.

You, baron, are like myself a foreigner, and ready to risk your life in the service of France, and you will understand how I am situated and how I feel.

You, happily for yourself, are not so highly placed as to excite enmity, although doubtless not a few of those who flocked round you yesterday evening to congratulate you on your good fortune felt a sensation of envy that a young soldier of fortune should be so honoured.
"In my case envy is accompanied by the deepest animosity.

The great nobles find me an obstacle in the way of their grasping power, and they would hesitate at nothing to rid themselves of me.