"The Cardinal Minister is dead, sir. I have just learned it from a sure hand."
"Oh!" said the Major, clasping his hands, for this death might cause him the loss of his place.
"And," the Count added, coldly, "His Majesty King Louis XIII. is at death's door."
"Great heaven, what a misfortune!" exclaimed the Governor.
"This misfortune may be fortunate for you, sir," the Count resumed.
"Fortunate! When I am menaced with the loss of my command! Alas, my lord, what will become of me if I am turned out of here?"
"That might easily, happen," said the Count. "You have, sir, always been a great friend of the defunct Cardinal, and known as such."
"That is, unhappily, too true," the Major muttered, quite out of countenance, and recognizing the truth of this affirmation.
"There is, I think, an advantageous mode of arranging matters."
"What is it, my lord? Speak, I implore you!"