"Not in the least," replied Edward.
"The Cardinal de Richelieu?" continued Soubise.
"I have seen his Eminence frequently," said the young gentleman, "and have had audiences of him; but, as to knowing the cardinal, that can be said but by few, I imagine."
Soubise smiled. "The duchess is more easily known," he answered; "but the death of her lover Chalais must have affected her much,—poor thing! Did you ever meet with him?"
"Not exactly," replied Edward, with a slight shudder at the memory. "I saw his head cut off, but did not know him personally."
The reference caused a momentary pause in the conversation; and then Soubise said, in an indifferent tone, "As you have been much in that part of the country, you must have probably seen a Duc de Rohan."
"I had the honor of meeting him once," replied Edward, fully on his guard.
"He is a relation of mine," said Soubise.
Edward merely bowed his head, and the prince proceeded to ask if there had been any news of him current when the young gentleman was in France.