t is natural; you are a man
of genius and you know your worth. As for me, I hate the court and have
but one desire at this moment--vengeance. Give us the clergy and the
people, of whom you can dispose, and I will bring you the citizens and
the parliament; with these four elements Paris is ours in a week; and
believe me, monsieur coadjutor, the court will give from fear what it
will not give from good-will."

It was now the coadjutor's turn to fix his piercing eyes on Louvieres.

"But, Monsieur Louvieres, are you aware that it is simply civil war you
are proposing to me?"

"You have been preparing long enough, my lord, for it to be welcome to
you now."

"Never mind," said the coadjutor; "you must be well aware that this
requires reflection."

"And how many hours of reflection do you ask?"

"Twelve hours, sir; is it too long?"

"It is now noon; at midnight I will be at your house."

"If I should not be in, wait for me."

"Good! at midnight, my lord."

"At midnight, my dear Monsieur Louvieres."

When once more alone Gondy sent to summon all the curates with whom he
had any connection to his house. Two hours later, thirty officiating
ministers from the most populous, and consequently the most disturbed
parishes of Paris had assembled there. Gondy related to them the insults
he had received at the Palais Royal and retailed the jests of Beautin,
the Count de Villeroy and Marechal de la Meilleraie. The curates asked
him what was to be done.

"Simply this," said the coadjutor. "You are the directors of all
consciences. Well, undermine in them the miserable prejudice of respect
and fear of kings; teach your flocks that the queen is a tyrant; and
repeat often and loudly, so that all may know it, that the misfortunes
of France are caused by Mazarin, her lover and her destroyer; begin this
work to-day, this instant even, and in three days I shall expect the
result. For the rest, if any one of you have further or better counsel
to expound, I will listen to him with the greatest pleasure."

Three curates remained--those of St. Merri, St. Sulpice and St.
Eustache. The others withdrew.

"You think, then, that you can help me more efficaciously than your
brothers?" said Gondy.

"We hope so," answered the curates.

"Let us hear. Monsieur de St. Merri, you begin."

"My lord, I have in my parish a man who might be of the greatest use to
you."

"Who and what is this man?"

"A shopkeeper in the Rue des Lombards, who