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Updated: June 27, 2025
There is likewise no doubt that Bernouin, who was on good terms with everybody, approached so near to the secretary as to be able to read the letter over his shoulder; so that the news spread with such activity through the castle, that Mazarin might have feared it would reach the ears of the queen-mother before M. de Brienne could convey Louis XIV.'s letter to her.
Though all bowed before her, as etiquette required, she had now but a single arm on which she could lean. "It signifies little," said Mazarin, when he was alone. "It gave me pain and it was an ungracious part to play, but I have said nothing either to the one or to the other. Bernouin!" Bernouin entered.
At the same time he turned round in his ruelle, the curtains of which, in falling, concealed the bed. The cardinal, nevertheless, did not lose sight of the conspirators. "M. le Comte de Guiche," said he, in a fretful voice, whilst putting on, behind the curtain, his dressing-gown, with the assistance of Bernouin. "I am here, my lord," said the young man, as he approached.
Now this letter is a beginning of the execution." "And what does his eminence think of this love, which is, by the bye, no secret to anybody?" Bernouin took the gentleman by the arm, and whilst ascending the staircase, "In confidence," said he, in a low voice, "his eminence looks for success in the affair. I know very well we shall have war with Spain; but, bah! war will please the nobles.
"I do not know," sad the valet de chambre, "but I don't like the countenance of your young man who goes on so well." "Well, well, Bernouin! We don't stand in need of your advice. Place yourself there: take the pen and write." "I am ready, monseigneur; what am I to write?" "There, that's the place: after the two lines already traced." "I am there." "Write seven hundred and sixty thousand livres."
Bernouin smiled after his own fashion that is, like a man who believes no more than he is willing to believe whilst preparing the cardinal's night draught, and putting his pillow to rights. "Oh!" said Mazarin, when the valet had gone out; "not yet forty millions! I must, however, attain that sum, which I had set down for myself. But who knows whether I shall have time?
"My lord, have you any commands?" asked Bernouin. "Yes, yes," replied Mazarin. "Light me; I am going to the queen." Bernouin took up a candlestick and led the way. There was a secret communication between the cardinal's apartments and those of the queen; and through this corridor* Mazarin passed whenever he wished to visit Anne of Austria.
Bernouin conducted D'Artagnan to the oratory, where he sat down pensively. Everything had gone on as usual at the Palais Royal. As we said before, by ten o'clock almost all the guests had dispersed; those who were to fly with the court had the word of command and they were each severally desired to be from twelve o'clock to one at Cours la Reine.
"Very well! if your eminence attempts calculations, I will promise you a pretty headache to-morrow! And with that please to remember M. Guenaud is not here." "You are right, Bernouin. You must take Brienne's place, my friend. Indeed, I ought to have brought M. Colbert with me. That young man goes on very well, Bernouin, very well; a very orderly youth."
I give you to understand plainly to whom this money belongs, Bernouin, seeing that everybody has the stupidity to believe me rich in millions. I repel the silly idea. A minister, besides, has nothing of his own. Come, go on. Rentrees generales, seven millions; properties, nine millions. Have you written that, Bernouin?" "Yes, monseigneur."
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