"But, nevertheless, you would be sorry were this great man to die," said Fontrailles, putting it half as a question, half as an undoubted proposition, and looking in the face of the Marquis, with an appearance of hesitating uncertainty. Cinq Mars could contain himself no more. "What!" cried he vehemently, "sorry for the peace of the world!--sorry for the weal of my country!--sorry for the liberty of my King! Why, I tell thee, Fontrailles, should the Cardinal de Richelieu die, the people of France would join in pulling down the scaffolds and the gibbets, to make bonfires of them!" "Who ever dreamed of hearing _you_ say so?" said his companion. "All France agrees with you, no doubt; but we all thought that the Marquis de Cinq Mars either loved the Cardinal, or feared him, too much to see his crimes." "Fear him!" exclaimed Cinq Mars, the blood mounting to his cheek, as if the very name of fear wounded his sense of honour. He then paused, looked into his real feelings, shook his head mournfully, and after a moment's interval of bitter silence added, "True! true! Who is there that does not fear him? Nevertheless, it is impossible to see one's country bleeding for the merciless cruelty of one man, the prisons filled with the best and bravest of the land to quiet his suspicions, and the King held in worse bondage than a slave to gratify the daring ambition of this insatiate churchman, and not to wish that Heaven had sent it otherwise." "It is not Heaven's fault, Sir," replied Fontrailles; "it is our own, that we do suffer it. Had we one man in France who, with sufficient courage, talent, and influence, had the true spirit of a patriot, our unhappy country might soon be freed from the bondage under which she groans." "But where shall we find such a man?" asked the Master of the Horse, either really not understanding the aim of Fontrailles, or wishing to force him to a clearer explanation of his purpose. "Such an undertaking as you hint at," he continued, "must be well considered, and well supported, to have any effect. It must be strengthened by wit--by courage--and by illustrious names.--It must have the power of wealth, and the power of reputation.--It must be the rousing of the lion with all his force, to shake off the toils by which he is encompassed."