Part 49 (1/2)
The coadjutor bowed and left the palace, casting upon the cardinal such a glance as is best understood by lance was so sharp that it penetrated the heart of Mazarin, who, reading in it a declaration of war, seized D'Artagnan by the arm and said: ”If occasion requires, one out, will you not?”
”Yes,toward Porthos, ”The devil!” said he, ”this has a bad look I dislike these quarrels a benedictions on his way, and finding athe adherents of his foes to prostrate themselves at his feet
”Oh!” he rateful court! faithless court! cowardly court! I will teach you how to laugh to-morrow--but in another ant joy at the Palais Royal, to increase the hilarity of the queen, Mazarin, a ht, lost no tierous jokes; he went out after the coadjutor, settled his account, locked up his gold, and had confidential work places in his walls
On his return hofor hi the na man, he learned that it was Louvieres He hastened to his cabinet Broussel's son was there, still furious, and still bearing bloody 's officers The only precaution he had taken in co to the archbishopric was to leave his arquebuse in the hands of a friend
The coadjutor went to hiazed at him as if he would have read the secret of his heart
”My dear Monsieur Louvieres,” said the coadjutor, ”believe me, I am truly concerned for the misfortune which has happened to you”
”Is that true, and do you speak seriously?” asked Louvieres
”From the depth of my heart,” said Gondy
”In that case, my lord, the time for words has passed and the hour for action is at hand; my lord, in three days, if you wish it, my father will be out of prison and in six months you may be cardinal”
The coadjutor started
”Oh! let us speak frankly,” continued Louvieres, ”and act in a straightforward iven, as you have done for the last six rand You are aenius and you know your worth As for me, I hate the court and have but one desire at this y and the people, of who you the citizens and the parliament; with these four elements Paris is ours in a week; and believe ive froood-will”
It was now the coadjutor's turn to fix his piercing eyes on Louvieres
”But, Monsieur Louvieres, are you aware that it is si to h, 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 ht I will be at your house”
”If I should not be in, wait for ht, my dear Monsieur Louvieres”
When once more alone Gondy sent to summon all the curates hom 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 as to be done
”Simply this,” said the coadjutor ”You are the directors of all consciences Well, undermine in thes; 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 hireatest 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 reatest use to you”
”Who and what is this reat influence upon the commerce of his quarter”
”What is his name?”
”He is na about six weeks ago; but as he was searched for after this emeute he disappeared”
”And can you find him?”
”I hope so I think he has not been arrested, and as I am his wife's confessor, if she knohere he is I shall know it too”
”Very well, sir, find thishim to me”
”We will be with you at six o'clock, my lord”
”Go, my dear curate, and may God assist you!”
”And you, sir?” continued Gondy, turning to the curate of St Sulpice
”I, reat services to a very popular prince and ould make an excellent leader of revolt Him I can place at your disposal; it is Count de Rochefort”
”I know him also, but unfortunately he is not in Paris”
”My lord, he has been for three days at the Rue Cassette”
”And wherefore has he not been to see me?”
”He was told--my lord will pardon me----”
”Certainly, speak”
”That your lordshi+p was about to treat with the court”
Gondy bit his lips