"According to our arrangement, my lord, we have removed Mademoiselle d'Hautefort, as we removed Mademoiselle de la Fayette before her. So far it is well; but her place is not filled, and the King—"
"Well!"
"The King has ideas which he never had before."
"Ha! and which come not from me? 'Tis well, truly," said the minister, with an ironic sneer.
"What, my lord, leave the place of the favorite vacant for six whole days? It is not prudent; pardon me for saying so."
"He has ideas—ideas!" repeated Richelieu, with a kind of terror; "and what are they?"
"He talks of recalling the Queen-mother," said the Capuchin, in a low voice; "of recalling her from Cologne."
"Marie de Medicis!" cried the Cardinal, striking the arms of his chair with his hands. "No, by Heaven, she shall not again set her foot upon the soil of France, whence I drove her, step by step! England has not dared to receive her, exiled by me; Holland fears to be crushed by her; and my kingdom to receive her! No, no, such an idea could not have originated with himself! To recall my enemy! to recall his mother! What perfidy! He would not have dared to think of it."
Then, having mused for a moment, he added, fixing a penetrating look still full of burning anger upon Father Joseph:
"But in what terms did he express this desire? Tell me his precise words."