“What, that which brings you home to me? Is it not the desire of seeing a husband again from whom you have been separated for a week?” asked the mercer, piqued to the quick. “Yes, that first, and other things afterward.” “Speak.” “It is a thing of the highest interest, and upon which our future fortune perhaps depends.” “The complexion of our fortune has changed very much since I saw you, Madame Bonacieux, and I should not be astonished if in the course of a few months it were to excite the envy of many folks.” “Yes, particularly if you follow the instructions I am about to give you.” “Me?” “Yes, you. There is good and holy action to be performed, monsieur, and much money to be gained at the same time.” Mme. Bonacieux knew that in talking of money to her husband, she took him on his weak side. But a man, were he even a mercer, when he had talked for ten minutes with Cardinal Richelieu, is no longer the same man. “Much money to be gained?” said Bonacieux, protruding his lip. “Yes, much.” “About how much?” “A thousand pistoles, perhaps.” “What you demand of me is serious, then?” “It is indeed.” “What must be done?” “You must go away immediately. I will give you a paper which you must not part with on any account, and which you will deliver into the proper hands.” “And whither am I to go?” “To London.” “I go to London? Go to! You jest! I have no business in London.” “But others wish that you should go there.” “But who are those others? I warn you that I will never again work in the dark, and that I will know not only to what I expose myself, but for whom I expose myself.” “An illustrious person sends you; an illustrious person awaits you. The recompense will exceed your expectations; that is all I promise you.” “More intrigues! Nothing but intrigues! Thank you, madame, I am aware of them now; Monsieur Cardinal has enlightened me on that head.” “The cardinal?” cried Mme. Bonacieux. “Have you seen the cardinal?” “He sent for me,” answered the mercer, proudly. “And you responded to his bidding, you imprudent man?” “Well, I can’t say I had much choice of going or not going, for I was taken to him between two guards. It is true also, that as I did not then know his Eminence, if I had been able to dispense with the visit, I should have been enchanted.” “He ill-treated you, then; he threatened you?” “He gave me his hand, and called me his friend. His friend! Do you hear that, madame? I am the friend of the great cardinal!” “Of the great cardinal!” “Perhaps you would contest his right to that title, madame?” “I would contest nothing; but I tell you that the favor of a minister is ephemeral, and that a man must be mad to attach himself to a minister. There are powers above his which do not depend upon a man or the issue of an event; it is to these powers we should rally.” “I am sorry for it, madame, but I acknowledge no other power but that of the great man whom I have the honor to serve.” “You serve the cardinal?”