The carriage, built according to the fashion then in vogue, with massive armorial bearings and open panels, was drawn by six horses and contained eight persons, with a whole household of lackeys and pages. Behind came guards and mounted courtiers. "Road! road!" cried the outrider, striking Cauvignac's horse, which, however, was standing with modest reserve well away from the centre of the road. The terrified beast reared and plunged madly. "Be careful what you do, my friend!" cried Cauvignac, dropping his sister's hand. "Way for the queen!" said the courier, riding on. "The queen! the devil!" said Cauvignac; "let's keep out of trouble in that direction." And he stood as closely against the wall as possible, holding his horse by the bridle. At that moment a trace broke, and the coachman, with a vigorous jerk upon the reins, brought the six horses to a stand-still. "What has happened?" asked a voice with a noticeable Italian accent; "why do you stop?" "A trace has broken, monsieur," replied the coachman. "Open the door! open the door!" cried the same voice. The footmen obeyed, but before the steps were lowered, the man with the Italian accent was already on the ground. "Aha! Il Signor Mazarini!" said Cauvignac; "he evidently didn't wait to be asked to alight first." After him came the queen. After the queen, Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld. Cauvignac rubbed his eyes. After Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, Monsieur d'Épernon. "Ah!" said the adventurer, "why wasn't that brother-in-law hanged instead of the other?" After Monsieur d'Épernon, Monsieur de La Meilleraie. After Monsieur de La Meilleraie, the Duc de Bouillon. Then, two maids of honor. "I knew that they had ceased to fight," said Cauvignac, "but I had no idea they were so thoroughly reconciled." "Messieurs," said the queen, "instead of waiting here until the trace is mended, suppose we walk on a little way; the weather is so beautiful and the air so fresh." "At your Majesty's service," said Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, bowing. "Walk beside me, duke, and repeat some of your excellent maxims! you must have devised a great number of them since we met." "Lean on my arm, duke," said Mazarin to Monsieur de Bouillon, "I know that you have the gout." Monsieur d'Épernon and Monsieur de La Meilleraie closed the procession, talking with the maids of honor. The whole party were laughing merrily together in the warm rays of the setting sun, like a party of friends out for a holiday. "Is it far from here to Bourcy?" the queen asked. "You should be able to tell me, Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, you have studied the country so thoroughly." "Three leagues, madame; we shall certainly be there before nine o'clock." "Very good; and to-morrow you will start off early in the morning, and say to our dear cousin, Madame de Condé, that we shall be happy to see her."