DE PONTIS.
A TALE OF RICHELIEU.
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BY THE AUTHOR OF “HENRI QUATRE; OR THE DAYS OF THE LEAGUE.”
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(Continued from page 68.)
CHAPTER II.
De Pontis was now despairing—it was evident Richelieu was in the highest displeasure at the disposal of the droit d’aubaine without his knowledge—the cardinal’s seal was affixed to the ware-rooms, from which there had been removed only the royal present, and a few articles of minor value; and the king had at best but a negative power in protecting his old servant.
The minister returned to Paris, and the veteran made two ineffectual attempts to gain another audience. “Ah! my old friend the Sieur De Pontis!” or the ominous “serviteur très-humble!” was all he gained by placing himself in the path of a man before whom the bravest quailed.
An old campaigner, he would not abandon the contest; the royal word had been pledged that it would stand by the royal act; so Monsieur merely changed his tactics, acting on the defensive, and awaiting the issue with calmness; whilst Marguerite trembled and wept the day long, expecting each hour to see her father dragged to the Bastille.