“Why,” cried the queen; “how is that?”
“Because, as they say in the opera of ‘Thisbe,’ ‘The whole world conspires to break our bonds.’”
“You jest, sir!” answered the queen, endeavoring to assume something of her former dignity.
“Alas! I do not, madame,” rejoined Mazarin. “Mark well what I say. The whole world conspires to break our bonds. Now as you are one of the whole world, I mean to say that you also are deserting me.”
“Cardinal!”
“Heavens! did I not see you the other day smile on the Duke of Orleans? or rather at what he said?”
“And what was he saying?”
“He said this, madame: ‘Mazarin is a stumbling-block. Send him away and all will then be well.’”
“What do you wish me to do?”
“Oh, madame! you are the queen!”