“Among my friends of other times?” said the queen.
“Yes, among your friends of other times; among those who aided you to contend against the Duc de Richelieu and even to conquer him.”
“What is he aiming at?” murmured the queen, looking uneasily at the cardinal.
“Yes,” continued his eminence; “under certain circumstances, with that strong and shrewd mind your majesty possesses, aided by your friends, you were able to repel the attacks of that adversary.”
“I!” said the queen. “I suffered, that is all.”
“Yes,” said Mazarin, “as women suffer in avenging themselves. Come, let us come to the point. Do you know Monsieur de Rochefort?”
“One of my bitterest enemies—the faithful friend of Cardinal Richelieu.”
“I know that, and we sent him to the Bastile,” said Mazarin.
“Is he at liberty?” asked the queen.
“No; still there, but I only speak of him in order that I may introduce the name of another man. Do you know Monsieur d’Artagnan?” he added, looking steadfastly at the queen.