service, as I am to that of your majesty."

"I ask your pardon for him, cardinal," said the queen; "he
is a child, not yet able to understand his obligations to
you."

The cardinal smiled.

"But," continued the queen, "you have doubtless come for
some important purpose. What is it, then?"

Mazarin sank into a chair with the deepest melancholy
painted on his countenance.

"It is likely," he replied, "that we shall soon be obliged
to separate, unless you love me well enough to follow me to
Italy."

"Why," cried the queen; "how is that?"

"Because, as they say in the opera of `Thisbe,' `The whole
world conspires to break our bonds.'"

"You jest, sir!" answered the queen, endeavoring to assume
something of her former dignity.

"Alas! I do not, madame," rejoined Mazarin. "Mark well what
I say. The whole world conspires to break our bonds. Now as
you are one of the whole world, I mean to say that you also
are deserting me."