are as kindly
disposed towards me as Richelieu always showed himself to be; but I fear
that ere long there may be changes. The king's health is very poor.
He may not live long, and then we have a regency before us, and the
regencies of France have always been times of grievous trouble.

"Even had Richelieu lived he might not have been able to avert such
disasters. He and the queen have never been friends, and he would
not have had the support from her that he has had from the king, who,
although he no doubt fretted at times under Richelieu's dictation, yet
recognized his splendid genius, and knew that he worked heart and soul
for the good of France. However, his death is a sore misfortune. A
regency needs a strong head, but where is it to come from? The Duke of
Orleans is a schemer without principle, weak, easily led, ambitious,
and unscrupulous. The Prince of Conde is equally ambitious, even more
grasping, and much more talented. There is no one else, save men like
Chavigny, the father of our friend here, de Noyers, and some others of
good family, honest and capable business men, but who would speedily
become mere ciphers; and Cardinal Mazarin, who has just been appointed
to the council."

"Do you know him, sir?" Hector asked.

"I have seen him more than once. He is said to be very clever, and it
is no secret that he is nominated to the council on Richelieu's
recommendation, which speaks volumes in his favour, for Richelieu was
a judge of men, and must have believed, when recommending him, that
Mazarin would render good service to France. But however clever he is
he cannot replace the great cardinal. On him was stamped by nature the
making of a ruler of men. He was tall, handsome, and an accomplished
cavalier. Seeing him dressed as a noble among noblemen, one would have
picked him out as born to be the greatest of them. No doubt this noble
appearance, aided by his haughty manner and by his ruthlessness in
punishing those who conspired against him, had not a little to do with
his mastery over men.

"Mazarin is a man of very different appearance. He is dark in
complexion, handsome in a way, supple, and, I should say, crafty; an
Italian rather than a Frenchman. Such a man will meet with difficulties
far greater than those which assailed Richelieu. The latter, personally
fearless, went straight to his end, crushing his enemies if they
stood in his way, possessed of an indomitable will and unflinching
determination. Ma