The news of the King's decease had no sooner been communicated to Marie de Medicis than, profiting by the advice of the chancellor, she made a violent attempt at composure, and although still with streaming eyes and ill-suppressed sobs, she gave her assent to the suggestions of her councillors. The Dukes de Guise and d'Epernon were instructed to mount upon the instant, and to assemble as many of the nobles as were within reach, whom they were to accompany through the streets of the city, declaring upon their way that the King was not dead although grievously wounded; the city gates were ordered to be closed; the keys delivered to the lieutenant of police; and strict commands issued to prevent all gatherings of the populace in the thoroughfares ; while the guards who were distributed through the faubourgs were hastily consolidated in the environs of the Parliament, in order, should such a measure become necessary, to enforce the recognition of the Queen as Regent of the kingdom.

These arrangements made, MM. de Guise, d'Epernon, de Villeroy, and de Lavardin, demanded an audience of the august widow, at which, kneeling before her, they kissed her hand, and assured her of their unalterable devotion. Their example was imitated by all the great nobles of the court, with the sole exception of the Duke de Sully, who was encountered by Bassompierre in the Rue St. Antoine, accompanied by about forty mounted followers, and evidently in a state of intense agitation.