His toilet was not long, and without waiting for the boy's return, he set out on foot, hoping to join the Queen's circle before it separated for the evening. In this he was disappointed. Anne of Austria was alone; and though her eyes sparkled with gladness for his unexpected return, and her reception was as kind as his good services required, De Blenau would have been better pleased to have been welcomed by other lips. "I could scarce credit the news till I saw you, _mon Chambellan_," said the Queen, extending her hand for him to kiss; "nor can I truly believe it is you that I behold even now. How have you escaped from that dreadful man?" "I will tell your Majesty all that has happened," replied the Count; "and as I have a boon to ask, I think I must represent my sufferings in your Majesty's cause in the most tremendous colours. But without a jest, I have had little to undergo beyond a forced attendance at the Cardinal's fête, where the only hard word I received was from L'Angeli, the Duke of Enghien's fool, who, seeing my riding-dress, asked if I were Puss in Boots." De Blenau then shortly related all that had occurred during his stay in Paris. "And thus, Madam," he added, "you see that Chavigni has kept his word; for had it not been for that promise, I doubt not I should have been even now comfortably lodged in the Bastille, with a table at his Majesty's expense." The Queen mused for a moment without making any reply; but from her countenance it seemed that she was not a little troubled by what she had heard. "De Blenau," said she at length, in a calm but melancholy voice, "there is something concealed here. The Cardinal has deeper plans in view. As Marie de Bourbon told you, they are plotting my ruin. When first I entered France, that man of blood and treachery resolved to make me his slave. He flattered my tastes, he prevented my wishes, like an insidious serpent he wound himself into my confidence; and I was weak enough to dream that my husband's minister was my best friend. With as much vanity as insolence, he mistook condescension for love. He sought his opportunity, and dared to insult my ears with his wishes. I need not tell you, De Blenau, what was my reply; but it was such as stung him to the soul. He rose from where he had been kneeling at my feet, and threatened such vengeance, that, as he said, my whole life should be one long succession of miseries. Too truly has he kept his word."--The Queen paused, and as was often her custom when any circumstance called her memory back to the bitter events of her past life, fell into a deep reverie, from which it was not easy to rouse her. "Too much of this," said she at length; "we must look to the present, De Blenau. As the mother of two princes, Richelieu both hates and fears me; and I see that they are plotting my ruin. But yours shall not be involved therein.--De Blenau, you must fly till this storm has passed by."