umphreys for several months.
Things turned out as he had prophesied. Mazarin quitted the Court, and
I accompanied him on the journey to Sedan. For a beaten man he was
very cheerful, and I felt sure that, even then, he was reckoning on a
triumphant return.

"This travelling is troublesome, De Lalande," said he, pleasantly, "but
I have no doubt we shall find rest after a while."

Now, although I served him faithfully and to the best of my ability,
the Cardinal was no favourite of mine, yet I found it impossible not to
admire him. My old idea of the huge spider returned to me in stronger
force. He was always spinning, and with patience almost incredible.
Now a thread was broken, now several; sometimes it seemed as if the web
were entirely destroyed; yet still he persevered, never disheartened,
never discouraged, never once, as far as I could judge, losing hope.

Couriers from the Court followed us on every stage, bringing countless
letters and messages, and Mazarin was always ready to send back
instructions or advice. He would write a despatch at two in the
morning as cheerfully as at ten, and the worst tidings found him cool
and collected. Even Pillot began to admire the man, though the poor
fellow was in despair at being taken farther and farther away from his
beloved Paris. He did not grumble, save in a comical manner, but his
long absence from the capital was undoubtedly a sore trial to him.

One evening--we were entering Soissons, if my memory serves me--a
messenger galloped up in hot haste, and delivered a letter to the
Cardinal, who was, at the moment, on horseback. He read it through,
and turning to the courier, said calmly, "Tell the Marshal there is no
need for alarm; I will find a plan."

During the remainder of the journey he rode in deep thought, but on
reaching the house where he was to stay for the night, he said, with a
smile, "De Lalande, I have yet another piece of work for you. Come to
me in the morning as soon as you have breakfasted."

I saluted, and, turning away, ordered Pillot to see that the horses
were ready early, as we might have a long journey the next day.

"Perhaps it is to Paris, monsieur," he suggested, his eyes sparkling.
"I wonder if we could find our way to the inn in the Rue de Roi? I
fear not. It is so long since we were there. The citizens will take
me for a peasant!"

"Hardly that!" I answered laughing. "But why do you think we may go to
Paris?"

"I do not kno