"Impossible!" cried the cardinal.
"It is true, nevertheless," replied the valet. "He is in the anteroom."
"The fellow is a fool! Does he think to brazen it out? I shall make
an example of him. De Meilleraye, take my cards, and if you lose more
than ten louis! . . . Ladies, an affair of state," and Mazarin rose
and limped into the adjoining cabinet. "Bring him into this room," he
said to the valet. He then stationed two gentlemen of the musketeers
behind his chair, sat down and waited, a grimace of pain twisting his
lips.
Meanwhile the Chevalier entered the gallery, following Bernouin. His
face wore a puzzled, troubled expression. All this ado somewhat
confused him.
"He is handsome," said Madame de Montbazon; "handsomer than ever his
father was."
"He is more than handsome," said Beaufort, whose astonishment was
genuine; "he is brave. What the devil brings him here into the wolf's
maw?"
"His innocence. You see I was correct;" and madame's face grew placid
again. So satisfied was she that she did not notice Beaufort's pallor
nor the fever which burned in his brilliant eyes.
When the Chevalier was ushered into Mazarin's presence he was in great
perturbation.
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