Louis turned from him with an uneasy shrug, expressive of fully as much distaste for Richelieu's employments as the statesman experienced for his; and once more addressing De Blenau, he plunged deep into the science of hunting, hawking, and fowling; giving the young Count a thousand receipts, instructions, and anecdotes, which he listened to with the most reverential deference, not only in as much as they proceeded from his Sovereign, but also as coming from the most experienced sportsman of the age. In the mean while, Richelieu was fain to employ himself in writing notes and memoranda, to allay the spleen and irritation that he felt at what he internally termed the King's weak trifling; till at length he was relieved by the return of Chavigni, bringing with him the Queen's Usher, La Rivière. De Blenau well knew that this person, who was by birth just within the rank of a _gentleman_ (which word was then in France one of great significance), had been placed in the service of Anne of Austria for the purpose of acting as a spy upon her, from Richelieu's fear of her correspondence with Spain; but informed, as the Count now was, of the Queen's wishes, it was perfectly indifferent to him who appeared on her behalf; his only object being, that his mistress's commands, publicly expressed, should, in the minds of all, free him from the imputation of having betrayed her. La Rivière looked round him, as he entered, with a glance not altogether free from apprehension; for though Chavigni had given him full instructions and information concerning the services he was sent for to perform, yet there was something so terrible in the idea of the Bastille, that he could hardly keep his limbs from trembling as he passed the gates of the prison. "Come hither, Monsieur de La Rivière," exclaimed the Cardinal, as soon as he appeared: "We are wasting too much time here." La Rivière approached, and placed himself in the spot to which Richelieu pointed, almost exactly opposite to De Blenau. The Cardinal then proceeded. "Have you seen her Majesty the Queen since Monsieur de Chavigni informed you of the wishes of the Council?" "I have, may it please your Eminence," replied La Rivière, in a tremulous voice. "And what was her Majesty's reply to our request?" asked Richelieu. "Speak boldly!" he added, in a tone only calculated to reach the ear of the Usher, who stood close beside him, and showed plainly, by his hesitating manner, that he was under the influence of alarm. The Cardinal, however, attributed this to a wrong cause, thinking that La Rivière had not really seen the Queen, and was about to play his part, as prompted by Chavigni, but that in all probability he would spoil it by his hesitation.