"Ma foi! a conspiracy is not one of the gayest thing's in the world, therefore I forget it whenever I can; but that is nothing—whenever it is necessary I can come back to it. Now let us see: how does the conspiracy go on?"
"Here, duke, look at these letters, and you will know as much as we do."
"Oh! your highness must excuse me," said Richelieu; "but really I do not read those which are addressed to me, and I have seven or eight hundred, in the most charming writings, which I am keeping to amuse my old days. Here, Malezieux, you, who are clearness itself, give me a report."
"Well, these letters are the engagements of the Breton nobles to sustain the rights of her highness."
"Very good."
"This paper is the protestation of the nobility."
"Oh! give it me. I protest."
"But you do not know against what."
"Never mind, I protest all the same."
And, taking the paper, he wrote his name after that of Guillaume Antoine de Chastellux, which was the last signature.