The prince said no more, while Pierrot, on the other hand, was quite unable to control his feelings, and indulged in an indescribable explosion of joy and pride; they were-both taken to a room on the ground-floor near the chapel, where the metamorphosis was to take place. "Luckily," said Lenet, "the princess dowager is here; otherwise we were surely outwitted by Mazarin." "How so?" "Because the messenger was in duty bound to begin by calling upon her, and he is in her antechamber at this moment." "This messenger is a mere spy, of course, sent here from the court to watch us?" "Your Highness has said it." "His orders, then, are not to lose sight of us." "Yes; but what care you, if you are not the person he keeps in sight?" "I fail to understand you, Lenet." Lenet smiled. "I understand myself, madame, and I will answer for everything. Dress Pierrot as a prince, and the prince as a gardener, and I will undertake to teach Pierrot his lesson." "Oh, _mon Dieu!_ let my son go away alone!" "Your son will go with his mother, madame." "Impossible!" "Why so? If they find a false Duc d'Enghien here, they may well find a false Princesse de Condé!" "Oh! splendid! Now I understand, good Lenet! dear Lenet! But who will represent me?" added the princess, anxiously. "Have no fear on that score, madame," replied the imperturbable counsellor. "The Princesse de Condé whom I propose to make use of, and who I intend shall be kept in sight by Monsieur de Mazarin's spy, has just undressed in hot haste, and is getting into your bed at this moment." Let us go back for a moment, and see what had taken place prior to Lenet's conversation with the princess. While the guests were still sitting about the festive board, toasting the princes and cursing Mazarin, while Lenet was bargaining with Cauvignac in his cabinet for the possession of Monsieur d'Épernon's signature, and while Madame la Princesse was making her preparations for departure, a horseman made his appearance at the main gate of the château, followed by his servant, and rang the bell. The concierge opened the gate, but behind the concierge the new-comer found the halberdier whom we already know. "Whence come you?" he demanded. "From Mantes," was the reply. So far all was well. "Whither go you?" the halberdier continued. "To wait upon the princess dowager of Condé, then upon Madame la Princesse, and lastly upon Monsieur le Duc d'Enghien." "You cannot enter!" said the halberdier, barring the way with his halberd. "By order of the king!" rejoined the new-comer, taking a paper from his pocket. At these awe-inspiring words the halberd was lowered, the sentinel called an usher, that official hurried to the spot, and his Majesty's messenger, having delivered his credentials, was immediately ushered into the château.