*This secret passage is still to be seen in the Palais Royal.

In the bedroom in which this passage ended, Bernouin encountered
Madame de Beauvais, like himself intrusted with the secret of these
subterranean love affairs; and Madame de Beauvais undertook to prepare
Anne of Austria, who was in her oratory with the young king, Louis XIV.,
to receive the cardinal.

Anne, reclining in a large easy-chair, her head supported by her hand,
her elbow resting on a table, was looking at her son, who was turning
over the leaves of a large book filled with pictures. This celebrated
woman fully understood the art of being dull with dignity. It was her
practice to pass hours either in her oratory or in her room, without
either reading or praying.

When Madame de Beauvais appeared at the door and announced the cardinal,
the child, who had been absorbed in the pages of Quintus Curtius,
enlivened as they were by engravings of Alexander's feats of arms,
frowned and looked at his mother.

"Why," he said, "does he enter without first asking for an audience?"

Anne colored slightly.

"The prime minister," she said, "is obliged in these unsettled days to
inform the queen of all that is happening from time to time, without
exciting the curiosity or remarks of the court."

"But Richelieu never came in this manner," said the pertinacious boy.

"How can you remember what Monsieur de Richelieu did? You were too young
to know about such things."

"I do not remember what he did, but I have inquired and I have been told
all about it."

"And who told you about it?" asked Anne of Austria, with a movement of
impatience.

"I know that I ought never to name the persons who answer my questions,"
answered the child, "for if I do I shall learn nothing further."

At this very moment Mazarin entered. The king rose immediately, took
his book, closed it and went to lay it down on the table, near which
he continued standing, in order that Mazarin might be obliged to stand
also.

Mazarin contemplated these proceedings with a thoughtful glance. They
explained what had occurred that evening.

He bowed respectfully to the king, who gave him a somewhat cavalier
reception, but a look from his mother reproved him for the hatred which,
from his infancy, Louis XIV. had entertained toward Mazarin, and he
endeavored to receive the minister's homage with civility.

Anne of Austria sought to read in Mazarin's face the occasion of this
unexpected v