ed
and went to bed, to sleep as soundly as if I had still been under my
father's roof.

For three days I saw nothing more of the Cardinal. All sorts of people
came and went--powerful nobles, soldiers, a few bourgeois, and a number
of men whom I classed in my own mind as spies. They crowded the
ante-room for hours, waiting till the minister had leisure to receive
them.

On the fourth morning I was lounging in the corridor, having nothing
better to do, when a soldier passed into the ante-room. His clothes
were soiled and muddy; he was booted and spurred, and had apparently
just returned from a long journey.

"M. Belloc!" I exclaimed, but he did not hear me, and before I could
reach him he had gone into Mazarin's room, much to the disgust of those
who had been waiting since early morning for an audience.

As he remained closeted with the Cardinal for more than an hour, it was
evident he brought important news, and the people in the ante-room
wondered what it could be.

"He is a clever fellow," remarked one. "I know him well. No one has
greater influence with Mazarin."

"The Cardinal is brewing a surprise," whispered another. "Paris will
have a chance to gossip in a day or two."

"It is rumoured," continued the first, "that De Retz nearly found
himself in the Bastille only the other night."

"'Twould have served him right, too; he is a regular monkey for
mischief. I wonder the Cardinal has put up with his tricks so long."

Thus they chattered among themselves till at last the door opened, and
the secretary came out. A dozen men pressed forward eagerly, but,
making his way through them, he approached the corner where I sat.

"M. de Lalande," he said, "the Cardinal wishes to see you."

I jumped up and followed him, amidst cold looks and scarcely concealed
sneers at my shabby dress. It has often astonished me that people show
such contempt for an old coat.

Mazarin stood with his back to the fireplace talking to my father's old
friend.

"This is the youngster," said he, as I entered. "Do you know him?"

"Ay," answered Belloc, "I know him well, and I warrant he will prove as
faithful a follower as any who draws your pay. I have yet to hear of a
De Lalande deserting his flag. Even Henri, scamp though he may be, is
loyal to his party. When De Retz sinks, Henri de Lalande will sink
with him."

"_Ma foi!_" exclaimed the Cardinal, "such a fellow would be well worth
gaining over!"

"You would find h