"
"Monseigneur, that is severe punishment for a man whose only crime is
the possession of a grey cloak."
"Death of my life! I am not punishing you; I am punishing the man who
killed De Brissac. Come, come, Monsieur le Comte," in a kindly tone;
"do not be a fool, do not throw away a brilliant career for the sake of
a friendship. I who know tell you that it is not worth while.
Friendship, I have learned, is but a guise for self-interest."
The Chevalier, having nothing to say, bowed.
"Go, then, to your estates." Mazarin was angry. "Mark me, I shall
find this friend of yours, but I shall not remit one hour of your
punishment. Messieurs," turning to the musketeers, "conduct Monsieur
le Chevalier to his lodgings and remain with him till dawn, when you
will show him the road to Orleans. And remember, he must see no one."
Then Mazarin went back to the gallery and resumed his game. "What! De
Meilleraye, you have won only three louis? Give me the cards; and tell
his Grace of Gramont that I am weary of his discords."
"Monsieur le Chevalier," said one of the musketeers, waking the
Chevalier from his stupor, "pardon us a disagreeable duty.
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