“I will see that M. le Duc’s place is at the disposal of monsieur,” he answered, and withdrew.
I looked over my wardrobe with care and selected the most elaborate costume I possessed, as best suited to the fashionable world of the theatre into which I was about to venture. I heard seven o’clock striking as I finished my toilet, and knowing that I had no time to lose, I buckled on my sword and left the house, declining a carriage which Jacques offered me, since my first errand must be done on foot. It was not yet eight o’clock when I reached the Tuileries and entered the salon, but the usual crowd had already assembled, and several of the men bowed to me as I passed. One of these was the Chevalier de Rey, who stopped me for a moment.
“Has Richelieu left the city, monsieur?” he asked.
“He has joined his regiment at Bayonne,” I answered.
“Ah,” said de Rey, with a smile of intelligence, “the time, then, is not far distant,” and he turned away with his news to a neighboring group.
I continued on my way down the room, and met Mlle. de Launay as she entered.
“You are prompt, M. de Brancas,” she said. “Here are the papers,” and she handed me a packet resembling in outward appearance at least that she had given to Cellamare in the afternoon. “I fancy they will keep Hérault, Dubois, and the regent busy for a time,” she added, with a smile.
“I trust so, at all events,” I answered, as I took the papers.
“Wait a moment, monsieur,” she continued, placing her hand lightly upon my arm as I turned away. “Madame appreciates thoroughly your share in this afternoon’s adventure and charged me expressly to thank you in her name. She realizes that but for you our plans would even now be in the hands of the regent.”
“I was glad to be of service,” I said, simply, “and hope to prove this many times within the next few weeks.”