Mlle. de Launay opened a third paper.
“This is a statement of de Mesmes, president of parliament,” she said. “He has gained to our interests a majority of the members, and so soon as we strike a blow the parliament will declare for us and will instruct the citizen soldiery of Paris to take up arms in our behalf.”
“Ah, ah!” and Cellamare’s eyes were sparkling. “This is best of all. We shall be able to strike the regency right at its heart.”
The girl doubtless felt the enthusiasm of the Spaniard, but she preserved an admirable composure. As for me, I judged it best to use my ears and not my tongue.
“This is a statement from Cardinal de Polignac,” she continued, opening yet another paper. “It was he, you may remember, who in 1797 caused the Prince de Conti to be chosen King of Poland, although, unfortunately, he never ascended the throne. Still, the Poles idolized him and they remember Polignac. Five thousand lances are assembling at the frontier and will be ready to follow him into France in a week’s time. They are concentrating at two points, Arlon and Landau.”
“Nothing could be better!” cried Cellamare, and as for myself, I confess that I felt slipping from me one by one the doubts I had entertained as to the success of the conspiracy.
“The other papers are of less importance,” she concluded, “though important enough in themselves. These, for instance, are pledges of support from the Marquis de Pompadour and the Marquis de Laval, who will bring us the united strength of the Montmorencies. Here are some papers from the Abbé Brigaut, who has attended to much of the correspondence for us, assisted by the Chevalier de Menil, and who assures us that half the remaining nobility of the kingdom, who have been insulted by the regent, will be with us. And here are a dozen others of the same kind.”
“All of which would have made interesting reading for the regent,” I remarked, dryly, and Cellamare nodded thoughtfully.
“And now, M. le Prince, what have you done?” demanded the girl, with blazing eyes. “Madame du Maine wishes me to urge haste above everything. To-day’s affair shows we have no time to lose.”
“I received a letter this morning from Cardinal Alberoni, prime minister of Spain,” answered Cellamare, “and he assures me that the armies of Spain will be ready to cross the frontiers of France in a week’s time.”