"Your warrant?"
"Here it is."
"But, monsieur," said Canolles, handing back the paper after he had glanced over it rapidly, "it seems to me that I know you."
"Know me! Parbleu! Wasn't it in the same village where I arrest you to-day, that I brought you an order from Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon to betake yourself to the court? Your fortune was in that commission, my young gentleman. You have missed it; so much the worse for you!"
Claire turned pale, and fell weeping upon a chair; she had recognized the impertinent questioner.
"Monsieur de Mazarin is taking his revenge," muttered Canolles.
"Come, monsieur, we must be off," said Cauvignac.
Claire did not stir. Canolles, undecided as to the course he should pursue, seemed near going mad. The catastrophe was so overpowering and unexpected that he bent beneath its weight; he bowed his head and resigned himself.
Moreover, at that period the words "In the king's name!" had not lost their magic effect, and no one dared resist them.