"But yet, sire, when you ask it ---- "

"I have already told you that I never asked," replied Louis
with a haughtiness that made the king of England turn pale.

And as the latter, like a wounded man, made a retreating
movement -- "Pardon me, my brother," replied he. "I have
neither a mother nor a sister who are suffering. My throne
is hard and naked, but I am firmly seated on my throne.
Pardon me that expression, my brother; it was that of an
egotist. I will retract it, therefore, by a sacrifice, -- I
will go to monsieur le cardinal. Wait for me, if you please
-- I will return."




CHAPTER 10

The Arithmetic of M. de Mazarin



Whilst the king was directing his course rapidly towards the
wing of the castle occupied by the cardinal, taking nobody
with him but his valet de chambre, the officer of musketeers
came out, breathing like a man who has for a long time been
forced to hold his breath, from the little cabinet of which
we have already spoken, and which the king believed to be
quite solitary. This little cabinet had formerly been part