"Well, Sire," observed the Cardinal de Lorraine, triumphantly, "was I not right in predicting that it would be mere child's play, and that Monsieur my illustrious and gallant brother would soon give a good account of these singers of hymns?"
"Oh, my dear uncle," François retorted ironically, "how suddenly your courage has returned!"
As he spoke, a second explosion was heard, much louder and more awful than the first.
"What can that noise mean?" said the king.
"In truth, it is strange," the cardinal replied, beginning to tremble afresh.
Fortunately his alarm did not last long. Richelieu, the captain of arquebusiers, came in almost immediately with his face begrimed with powder, and a bloody sword in his hand.
"Sire," Richelieu thus addressed the king, "the rebels are utterly routed. They scarcely had time to explode a quantity of powder which they had deposited near one of the gates, and which inflicted no damage on us. Those who were not taken or slain recrossed the bridge and have barricaded themselves in one of the houses in the Faubourg du Vendômois, where we shall have an easy prey. Your Majesty may see from this window how we will treat them."
The king ran quickly to the window, followed by the cardinal, and more slowly by the queen.
"Yes, indeed," said he, "there they are, having their turn at being besieged. But what is this I see? What is all the smoke pouring from the house?"
"Sire, it has been set on fire," said the captain.