Guitaut started to execute the order.
[1] There is a play upon words here which cannot be reproduced in a translation,—the same French word, voler, meaning to fly, and to steal or rob.
"Pardon, madame," said Mazarin, "but I think that your Majesty is wrong to yield to an angry impulse."
"Why so?"
"But I fear that we may need this man later, and that, if your Majesty molests him in any way, you will then have to pay double for his services."
"Very well," said the queen, "we will pay him what we must; but meanwhile let him be kept in sight."
"Oh! that's another matter, and I am the first to approve that precaution."
"Guitaut, see what becomes of him," said the queen.
Guitaut went out, and returned half an hour later.
"Well! what has become of him?" the queen demanded.