“The minister did not know from me that in carrying furs to the queen I was also to ask on my father’s behalf for the money the queen-mother owes him; and I did not have time to ask the minister who had told him of it.”
“But these papers, which were given to you without being sealed or enveloped, contained a treaty between the rebels and Queen Catherine. You must have seen that they exposed you to the punishment of all those who assist in a rebellion.”
“Yes.”
“The persons who persuaded you to this act of high treason must have promised you rewards and the protection of the queen-mother.”
“I did it out of attachment to Chaudieu, the only person whom I saw in the matter.”
“Do you persist in saying you did not see the Prince de Conde?”
“Yes.”
“The Prince de Conde did not tell you that the queen-mother was inclined to enter into his views against the Messieurs de Guise?”
“I did not see him.”
“Take care! one of your accomplices, La Renaudie, has been arrested. Strong as he is, he was not able to bear the ‘question,’ which will now be put to you; he confessed at last that both he and the Prince de Conde had an interview with you. If you wish to escape the torture of the question, I exhort you to tell me the simple truth. Perhaps you will thus obtain your full pardon.”