not rest
contented beaten."

"Is she, then, preparing for a stroke?"

"I hope so."

"Come, let us see what you know."

"I know that she has written to the prince to return in haste from the
army."

"Ah! ha!" said Rochefort, "you are right. We must let Monsieur de
Beaufort come."

In fact, the evening after this conversation the report was circulated
that the Prince de Conde had arrived. It was a very simple, natural
circumstance and yet it created a profound sensation. It was said that
Madame de Longueville, for whom the prince had more than a brother's
affection and in whom he had confided, had been indiscreet. His
confidence had unveiled the sinister project of the queen.

Even on the night of the prince's return, some citizens, bolder than the
rest, such as the sheriffs, captains and the quartermaster, went from
house to house among their friends, saying:

"Why do we not take the king and place him in the Hotel de Ville? It is
a shame to leave him to be educated by our enemies, who will give him
evil counsel; whereas, brought up by the coadjutor, for instance, he
would imbibe national principles and love his people."

That night the question was secretly agitated and on the morrow the gray
and black cloaks, the patrols of armed shop-people, and the bands of
mendicants reappeared.

The queen had passed the night in lonely conference with the prince, who
had entered the oratory at midnight and did not leave till five o'clock
in the morning.

At five o'clock Anne went to the cardinal's room. If she had not yet
taken any repose, he at least was already up. Six days had already
passed out of the ten he had asked from Mordaunt; he was therefore
occupied in revising his reply to Cromwell, when some one knocked
gently at the door of communication with the queen's apartments. Anne
of Austria alone was permitted to enter by that door. The cardinal
therefore rose to open it.

The queen was in a morning gown, but it became her still; for, like
Diana of Poictiers and Ninon, Anne of Austria enjoyed the privilege
of remaining ever beautiful; nevertheless, this morning she looked
handsomer than usual, for her eyes had all the sparkle inward
satisfaction adds to expression.

"What is the matter, madame?" said Mazarin, uneasily. "You seem secretly
elated."

"Yes, Giulio," she said, "proud and happy; for I have found the means of
strangling this hydra."

"You are a great politician, my queen," said Mazarin; "let u