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[35] A coin worth about 6d.

With a plentiful harvest, scarcity ceased to be felt; the

mortality, however, continued, in a greater or less degree, until

the middle of autumn. It was on the point of ceasing, when a new

scourge overwhelmed the city and country.

Many events of high historical importance had occurred in this

interval of time. The Cardinal Richelieu, after having taken

Rochelle, and made a treaty of peace with England, had proposed,

effected by his powerful influence in the councils of the French

king, that efficacious aid should be sent to the Duke of Nevers;

he had also persuaded the king to lead the expedition in person.

Whilst the preparations were in progress, the Count of Nassau,

imperial commissary, suggested to the new duke in Mantua the

expediency of replacing his states in the hands of Ferdinand;

intimating that, in case of refusal, an army would be immediately

sent by the emperor to occupy them. The duke, who in the most

desperate circumstances had rejected so hard a condition,

encouraged now by the promised succours from France, was

determined still longer to defend himself. The commissary

departed, declaring that force would soon decide the matter.