"It is true, then, that there are in the world hearts that are generous for the mere pleasure of being generous! Morbleu! she shall see that I am as capable as another of being generous when the need arises."
As they were at the gates of the city, he handed the letter to Barrabas, with these instructions simply:—
"To whatever is said to you, reply: 'On the king's business!' nothing more, and deliver this letter into no hands but Madame la Princesse's own."
While Barrabas galloped away toward the princess's temporary domicile, Cauvignac rode in the direction of Château-Trompette.
Barrabas met with no obstacle; the streets were empty, the city seemed deserted, for everybody had gone to the Esplanade.
At the palace gate the sentries undertook to forbid his passage, but, as Cauvignac bade him do, he waved his letter, crying:—
"On the king's business! On the king's business!"
The sentries took him for a messenger from the court, and raised their halberds, and Barrabas entered the palace without further hindrance.
If the reader will take the trouble to remember, this was not the first time that Master Cauvignac's worthy lieutenant had had the honor of appearing in Madame de Condé's presence. He alighted, and as he knew the road, darted rapidly up the staircase, passed through the crowd of startled servants, and made his way into the princess's suite. There he halted, for he found himself face to face with a woman at whose feet another woman was kneeling.
"Oh! madame, mercy, in the name of Heaven!" the latter was saying.