forest, each tree of which inclosed a demon. It is more than setting out
to conquer a world."

"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 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 X:
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 of the
chamber, from which it was only separated by a thin partition. It
resulted that this partition, which was only for the eye, permitted the
ear the least indiscreet to hear every word spoken in the chamber.

There was no doubt, then, that this lieutenant of musketeers had heard