“Well she has been working for you in camera—— ”
The servant entered.
“A deputation from Parliament,” he said with some trepidation.
“What did I tell you?” sneered the old noble.
“A Parliamentary deputation here?” queried the younger duke, far from encouraged by the other’s smile. “What can they want with me?”
“In the King’s name!” thundered a sonorous voice at the end of the anteroom.
“Whew!” muttered Richelieu.
Aiguillon rose, quite pale, and went to show in two members of Parliament, behind whom appeared two impassive ushers while at a distance a legion of frightened servants appeared.
Bowing to the duke, whom they officially recognized, the spokesman of the gentlemen of the Commission read a paper in a loud voice. It was the complete, particularised, circumstantial declaration that the Duke of Aiguillon was gravely inculpated and tainted with suspicions, moreover, guilty of deeds befouling his honor and that he was suspended in his functions as peer of France. The duke heard the reading like a man struck with lightning might listen to the thunder. He moved no more than a statue on its pedestal, and did not even put out his hand to take the document from the official of the Parliament. It was the marshal, standing up, alert and clear-headed, who took it, and returned the bow to the bearer. The Commission members were far while the duke remained in stupor.
“This is a heavy blow!” remarked Richelieu; “no longer a peer of the realm—it is humiliating.”