“As I am, sire, in my robes? Consider, sire, the scandal will commence, and will fall heavily on whomsoever it rests.”
“I wish it to do so, sir.”
“It is an injustice, sire.”
“It shall be so.” And the king looked round for some one to execute his orders. M. de Breteuil was near, anticipating the fall of his rival; the king spoke to him, and he cried immediately, “Guards! arrest M. le Cardinal de Rohan.”
The cardinal passed by the queen without saluting her; then, bowing to the king, went towards the lieutenant of the guards, who approached timidly, seeming to wait for a confirmation of the order he had received.
“Yes, sir,” said M. de Rohan, “it is I whom you are to arrest.”
“Conduct monsieur to his apartment until I have written the order;” said the king.
When they were alone, the king said, “Madame, you know this must lead to a public trial, and that scandal will fall heavily on the heads of the guilty.”
“I thank you, sire; you have taken the only method of justifying me.”
“You thank me.”