“Can you think that Bohmer, that any man, would dare to lie upon such a matter?”
“But consider, madame, the Cardinal's rank and family,” calmly interposed the prudent Miromesnil; “consider the stir, the scandal that must ensue if this matter is made public.”
But the obedient daughter of Marie Therese, hating Rohan at her mother's bidding and for her mother's sake, was impatient of any such wise considerations.
“What shall the scandal signify to us?” she demanded. The King looked at Breteuil.
“And you, Baron? What is your view?”
Breteuil, Rohan's mortal enemy, raised his shoulders and flipped the document.
“In the face of this, Sire, it seems to me that the only course is to arrest the Cardinal.”
“You believe, then—” began the King, and checked, leaving the sentence unfinished.
But Breteuil had understood.
“I know that the Cardinal must be pressed for money,” he said. “Ever prodigal in his expenditure, he is further saddled with the debts of the Prince de Guimenee.”