"Patience, messieurs," said the little hunchback; "I have been assured that the Cardinal de Richelieu said lately that he proposed to turn his attention to that villain! And if his eminence takes a hand in it, Giovanni will be caught." "But what is this commotion in the gallery?--Ah! messieurs, this time it is really the cardinal; he is going to pass through here." "I don't care about seeing him," said the hunchback, darting toward the crowd, "but he may have something to say to me; that is why I think it better to be where he can see me." "For my part, I should not be sorry to have him notice me!" said Passedix. "Oh! parbleu, chevalier!" said Montrevert; "he cannot help it! You have a costume that attracts every eye." "So much the better! Sandis! you make me swim in joy! Bigre! here he is! we must stand erect!" Richelieu came forward slowly, surrounded by a throng of courtiers, all of whom strove to obtain a favorable glance or a mere word from his eminence; and those who were vilifying the prime minister most savagely a few moments before were not the least eager to bend their backs double to obtain a smile. As it was absolutely necessary for the guests to stand aside and make room for the cardinal to pass, he stopped a moment in front of the pillar against which Léodgard was leaning, and glanced at the persons nearest him. "His eminence paused to look at me," said Passedix, leaning toward La Valteline. "Look--see----" "He turns and speaks in an undertone to the Prince de Valdimer, who is at his side." "I should not be surprised if he were to call me! He wishes to know the address of my tailor!" But the Gascon's expectations were not fulfilled; it was not upon him that Richelieu had cast his eagle eye; it was Léodgard whom he had noticed; it was the name of the Comte de Marvejols that had come from his mouth. After gracefully saluting the ladies who stood along his path, Richelieu walked through the gallery; but before he took his leave he cast at Léodgard another glance, of which all the courtiers then present sought in vain to divine the meaning. XLII THE PLOT THICKENS During the first few weeks after the ball given by the foreign prince, Léodgard tried to forget Valentine's image, to banish her from his mind; he said to himself that it would be madness on his part to fall in love with a woman whose husband he had refused to be. But the young marchioness's tender and expressive eyes were not the kind that one easily forgets, especially when they have seemed to say to one: "Love me, I insist upon it!" Tired of fighting against a sentiment which gave him no rest, Léodgard said to himself at last: