I left the house and went first to the Tuileries. Although the hour was still early Madame du Maine was already at work, as I had no doubt she would be, and I was shown into her presence. As usual, Mlle. de Launay was with her.
“Have you heard of the arrest of M. de Richelieu, madame?” I inquired, as soon as we had exchanged greetings.
“Is the duke, then, arrested again, and for what?” she asked, quickly and with visible uneasiness.
“For nothing connected with your plan, madame, but merely for being in Paris against the orders of the regent.”
I saw that she breathed again.
“And when was he in Paris?” she asked. “I thought him at Bayonne.”
“He was in Paris last night, madame.”
“And what was he doing in Paris?” she questioned, sharply.
“He came upon some private business, madame. He was surprised by a company of guards and taken to the Bastille.”
“Some love-affair, I do not doubt,” she said, bitterly. “Richelieu should learn to allow his private affairs to wait when they interfere with matters of greater moment, as he must have known they would do in this case.”