Cinq Mars — Volume 2 by Alfred de Vigny
page 32 of 68 (47%)
page 32 of 68 (47%)
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what are they?"
"He talks of recalling the Queen-mother," said the Capuchin, in a low voice; "of recalling her from Cologne." "Marie de Medicis!" cried the Cardinal, striking the arms of his chair with his hands. "No, by Heaven, she shall not again set her foot upon the soil of France, whence I drove her, step by step! England has not dared to receive her, exiled by me; Holland fears to be crushed by her; and my kingdom to receive her! No, no, such an idea could not have originated with himself! To recall my enemy! to recall his mother! What perfidy! He would not have dared to think of it." Then, having mused for a moment, he added, fixing a penetrating look still full of burning anger upon Father Joseph: "But in what terms did he express this desire? Tell me his precise words." "He said publicly; and in the presence of Monsieur: 'I feel that one of the first duties of a Christian is to be a good son, and I will resist no longer the murmurs of my conscience.'" "Christian! conscience! these are not his expressions. It is Father Caussin--it is his confessor who is betraying me," cried the Cardinal. "Perfidious Jesuit! I pardoned thee thy intrigue with La Fayette; but I will not pass over thy secret counsels. I will have this confessor dismissed, Joseph; he is an enemy to the State, I see it clearly. But I myself have acted with negligence for some days past; I have not sufficiently hastened the arrival of the young d'Effiat, who will |
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