"The queen! the devil!" said Cauvignac; "let's keep out of trouble in that direction."
And he stood as closely against the wall as possible, holding his horse by the bridle.
At that moment a trace broke, and the coachman, with a vigorous jerk upon the reins, brought the six horses to a stand-still.
"What has happened?" asked a voice with a noticeable Italian accent; "why do you stop?"
"A trace has broken, monsieur," replied the coachman.
"Open the door! open the door!" cried the same voice.
The footmen obeyed, but before the steps were lowered, the man with the Italian accent was already on the ground.
"Aha! Il Signor Mazarini!" said Cauvignac; "he evidently didn't wait to be asked to alight first." After him came the queen.
After the queen, Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld. Cauvignac rubbed his eyes.
After Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, Monsieur d'Épernon.