"It is very unfortunate," I stammered, "but I imagined I was acting for the best by helping Mazarin." "You are a silly boy! When we have overthrown Mazarin we shall have to put you in the Bastille!" "And in the lowest dungeon," added Raoul. "You will find me more generous," I laughed. "The Cardinal is sure to win, and then I shall request him to forgive you two. Perhaps he will pardon you if I beg very hard." "You heap coals of fire on our heads! After all, it may be a good thing to number one friend among our enemies." "I am sure it will." "Here is Marie's aunt," said Raoul. "I do not know what she will say at finding us on friendly terms with a _Mazarin_." Madame Coutance was a widow, though hardly older than her niece. She was tall and graceful, with coils of dark hair covering her shapely head. Her eyes were large, black, bright and flashing; she had a straight nose, small mouth, with white even teeth, and tiny hands. I had not met her before, but since the death of Marie's parents she had taken the girl under her charge. She entered heartily into Raoul's joke, pretending to regard me as a terrible enemy, and declaring the Duke ought not to permit me to leave the salon except as a prisoner. Jest and laughter made the time fly swiftly, and I was sorry when at last Raoul and I attended the ladies to their carriage. "Do not forget the Rue Crillon, Monsieur de Lalande," exclaimed Marie's aunt as we stood a moment at the foot of the staircase, "unless you fear to trust yourself in our company. I must win you over to our side; your talents will be thrown away on Mazarin. But the horses are impatient, and we block the way; so adieu, messieurs," and she waved a small, delicately-gloved hand in farewell. It was one o'clock, but the Luxembourg blazed with lights; the number of guests had scarcely diminished, though numerous carriages were drawn up in readiness to start, and groups of people still lingered outside to watch the termination of the brilliant fete. "What do you think of Madame Coutance?" asked my comrade, as her carriage rolled away. "She is very beautiful, and, if possible, more reckless even than Madame de Chevreuse. I hope she will not cause Marie to suffer through her folly." Raoul's face clouded, but he affected to laugh at the idea of danger. "The Duke will protect them," he remarked grandly, but on this point I had my doubts. However, since no good ever comes through disputing over a matter of opinion, I allowed the subject to drop, and prepared to take my leave. "Are you going?" he asked. "I would have liked to introduce you to D'Arcy. He has been on duty all night, but will be free shortly." "I should have been delighted, but I have to visit the Cardinal at seven this morning." "And after?" "If he doesn't need me, I shall go to bed. I am fatigued by these late hours." "That is right," said he laughing. "I shall make the most of the truce, by calling for you this evening. Rue des Catonnes?"