ened in vain for the ribald songs, the biting jests, the terrible
threats and vows of vengeance; in their stead I heard praises of the
Queen-Mother; openly expressed admiration of the youthful monarch, who
has, since then, advanced his country to the highest pinnacle of fame;
and words of good-will towards the wily Italian, who, whatever his
defects, had toiled hard and successfully for France.

"The people are like dolls that jump when the showman pulls the
strings," remarked Pillot, as we made our way through the throng.

But if the common people bawled themselves hoarse in welcoming the man
they had more than once threatened to murder, the higher classes
tripped each other up in their eagerness to render him homage. Louis
himself rode in state six miles from the city to greet him, and the
proudest nobles in the land were glad to appear in the Cardinal's
train. The Royal Guard was mounted at the gate in his honour, and
thousands welcomed, with joyful shouts, the Italian priest who had
returned to govern their country as a master.

The _Black Mantles_ and the clergy, the cadets of illustrious houses,
the inferior nobles, and those who had raised themselves within an ace
of princely rank, nay, even princes of the blood royal, bent the knee
to this man against whom all France had pitted itself in vain! The
triumph, indeed, was such as falls to the lot of few men, and it must
be said that Mazarin bore his honours well. Many enemies who had
insulted or injured him were in his power, but he took no vengeance,
bidding them live at peace and devote their talents to the advancement
of their country.

For my own part I had no cause to complain. On the very day after his
arrival he sent for me to attend him in his apartments at the Louvre.

"Well, De Lalande," said he smiling, "so we are back in our old
quarters! Have you recovered from your accident?"

"Yes, my Lord, I thank you."

"You are not looking well; you must go away for a change! Let me see,
did we not have a talk once about a place called Vancey?"

"That was my father's estate, my Lord."

"Ah, and then it passed into the hands of Baron Maubranne? Your
father, if I remember rightly, offended Cardinal Richelieu? Strange,
that the father should anger one cardinal and the son gain the goodwill
of another! Now, listen to me, De Lalande. Go home and rest, and tell
your parents that the title-deeds of Vancey are following you."

"My Lord!" I gasped.