"Alas! yes."

" Is it quite certain ] "

" Yes."

"Official?"

" Yes."

" Has the news of it been made public ? "

"Not yet."

" Who told you, then, that the cardinal was dead ? "

" M. Colbert."

"M. Colbert r'

" Yes."

" And was he sure of what he said ? "

" He came out of the chamber, and had held a glass
for some minutes before the cardinal's lips."

" Ah ! " said the king. " And what has become of
M. Colbert?"

" He has just left the chamber of his Eminence."

"To go whither?"

" To follow me."

" So that he is — "

" There, my dear Sire, waiting at your door till it shall
be your good pleasure to receive him."

Louis ran to the door, opened it himself, and perceived
in the passage Colbert standing waiting. The king
started at the sight of this statue, all clothed in black.
Colbert, bowing with profound respect, advanced two
steps towards his Majesty. Louis re-entered his cham-
ber, making Colbert a sign to follow him. Colbert en-



4 THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
tered. Louis dismissed the nurse, who closed the door as
she went out. Colbert remained modestly standing near
the door.
" "What do you come to announce to me, Monsieur ? "
said Louis, very much troubled at being thus surprised
in his private thoughts, which he could not completely
conceal.
" That the cardinal has just expired. Sire ; and that I
bring your Majesty his last adieu."

The king remained pensive for a minute ; and during
that minute he looked attentively at Colbert. It was
evident that the cardinal's last words were in his mind.
