“I hope,” he said coldly, “that some day I may be able to balance this.”
“There is nothing to balance,” returned Luc earnestly, for the whole interview was irritating him. “Let your Highness forget it all and forget me.”
“Will you go to Paris?” asked the Duke abruptly.
“Perhaps,” said Luc. His plans were all dashed to the ground, and he had not yet formed others.
“Come to me, then, if you ever need help,” said M. de Richelieu, with sudden and characteristic recklessness. “A Puritan like you is like to get into trouble some way.”
“I am no Puritan,” returned Luc, flushing slightly, “but an atheist.”
M. de Richelieu crossed himself and, at the same time, laughed.
“Some day I must introduce you to Monsieur de Voltaire. As for me, I see I can do nothing with you. I wish you success, Monsieur, but I am not very hopeful.”
He did not hold out his hand, but bowed very grandly and rang a little bell that stood near the tray of gems.
Luc returned the bow in silence, glad to take his departure; the black page appeared, and conducted him from the mansion. Luc passed through the beautiful apartments without any sense of pleasure now; he felt exhausted, and even faint. He longed to be out in the night and under the stars.