the drawing-room where the queen was by tapestried
curtains only, and this thin partition enabled them to hear all that
passed in the adjoining room, whilst the aperture between the two
hangings, small as it was, permitted them to see.

The queen was standing in the room, pale with anger; her self-control,
however, was so great that it might have been imagined that she was
calm. Comminges, Villequier and Guitant were behind her and the women
again were behind the men. The Chancellor Sequier, who twenty years
previously had persecuted her so ruthlessly, stood before her, relating
how his carriage had been smashed, how he had been pursued and had
rushed into the Hotel d'O----, that the hotel was immediately invaded,
pillaged and devastated; happily he had time to reach a closet hidden
behind tapestry, in which he was secreted by an old woman, together with
his brother, the Bishop of Meaux. Then the danger was so imminent, the
rioters came so near, uttering such threats, that the chancellor thought
his last hour had come and confessed himself to his brother priest,
so as to be all ready to die in case he was discovered. Fortunately,
however, he had not been taken; the people, believing that he had
escaped by some back entrance, retired and left him at liberty to
retreat. Then, disguised in he clothes of the Marquis d'O----, he had
left the hotel, stumbling over the bodies of an officer and two guards
who had been killed whilst defending the street door.

During the recital Mazarin entered and glided noiselessly up to the
queen to listen.

"Well," said the queen, when the chancellor had finished speaking; "what
do you think of it all?"

"I think that matters look very gloomy, madame."

"But what step would you propose to me?"

"I could propose one to your majesty, but I dare not."

"You may, you may, sir," said the queen with a bitter smile; "you were
not so timid once."

The chancellor reddened and stammered some words.

"It is not a question of the past, but of the present," said the queen;
"you said you could give me advice--what is it?"

"Madame," said the chancellor, hesitating, "it would be to release
Broussel."

The queen, although already pale, became visibly paler and her face was
contracted.

"Release Broussel!" she cried, "never!"

At this moment steps were heard in the ante-room and without any
announcement the Marechal de la Meilleraie appeared at the door.

"Ah, there you are, marechal," cri