"Well, well," replied Cinq Mars, "there is no need of so many professions, good Sir. To-morrow morning then, at day-break, you set out. That is the horse--mind you use him well, but spare not his speed. Salute the noble Duke on my part with all kindness and love. At nine you come for the treaty: but mark that you keep your time, for at ten I must be with the King." "But Monseigneur, Monseigneur!" cried Villa Grande, as Cinq Mars turned to leave him; "perhaps your lackeys will not let me have the horse." "Well then, when you come to-night," replied the Grand Ecuyer, "you shall have an order for him." "Now then, your secret is in my power," thought Chavigni, as Cinq Mars and his companion left the spot. "Monsieur de Villa Grande, I will instantly make out an order for your arrest to-morrow morning, and save you the trouble of your journey.--Salute the noble Duke!" he continued, meditating on the words of Cinq Mars--"What Duke?--It must be Gaston of Orleans--But he is a royal Duke--But we shall see." And as he walked on towards the Chateau he bent his eyes upon the ground, revolving in his mind the various plans which suggested themselves for withdrawing his patron and himself from the brink of that political precipice on which they stood. His thoughts, however, which for a moment wandered to every different circumstance of his situation, seeking amongst the many dangers that surrounded, some favourable point on which to found a hope, were all suddenly recalled to one object, by the approach of Cardinal Mazarin, who by his hurried step and anxious countenance appeared to be troubled by some unforeseen event. Notwithstanding their being linked in one cause, notwithstanding their present interests drawing together, notwithstanding all the apparent friendship that existed between them, Chavigni looked upon the Cardinal as one who with less zeal had rivalled him in the favour of Richelieu, and who with less talent had insinuated himself as much into the affairs of Government; and Mazarin, although obliged to coalesce with Richelieu's favourite, looked forward to the day when the struggle for pre-eminence between them would come to a climax, and one would rise upon the ruin of the other: and he saw clearly that when that day did arrive, all his own subtlety would hardly qualify him to compete with the bold mind and vigorous talents of Chavigni, unless he could in the first instance gradually acquire for himself such a superiority of interest, as to enable him to command rather than contend for the highest station.