“The fact is,” said the Theatin, “that the generals we have had have not been remarkable.”
“Oh!” cried Mazarin, “there was Monsieur le Prince. I have tormented him thoroughly.”
“He is not much to be pitied: he has acquired sufficient glory, and sufficient wealth.”
“That may be, for Monsieur le Prince; but M. Beaufort, for example—whom I held suffering so long in the dungeon of Vincennes?”
“Ah! but he was a rebel, and the safety of the state required that you should make a sacrifice. Pass on!”
“I believe I have exhausted pride. There is another sin which I am afraid to qualify.”
“I can qualify it myself. Tell it.”
“A great sin, reverend father!”
“We shall judge, monseigneur.”
“You cannot fail to have heard of certain relations which I have had—with her majesty the queen-mother;—the malevolent——”