“I see,” said Mazarin, “that everybody kneels before him, although he be but coadjutor, whilst I, were I in his place, though I am cardinal, should be torn to pieces. I persist, then, madame, in my wish” (he laid an emphasis on the word), “that your majesty should receive the coadjutor.” “And wherefore do you not say, like the rest, your _will?_” replied the queen, in a low voice. Mazarin bowed. “Monsieur le maréchal,” said the queen, after a moment’s reflection, “go and find the coadjutor and bring him to me.” “And what shall I say to the people?” “That they must have patience,” said Anne, “as I have.” The fiery Spanish woman spoke in a tone so imperative that the maréchal made no reply; he bowed and went out. (D’Artagnan turned to Porthos. “How will this end?” he said. “We shall soon see,” said Porthos, in his tranquil way.) In the meantime Anne of Austria approached Comminges and conversed with him in a subdued tone, whilst Mazarin glanced uneasily at the corner occupied by D’Artagnan and Porthos. Ere long the door opened and the maréchal entered, followed by the coadjutor. “There, madame,” he said, “is Monsieur Gondy, who hastens to obey your majesty’s summons.” The queen advanced a few steps to meet him, and then stopped, cold, severe, unmoved, with her lower lip scornfully protruded. Gondy bowed respectfully. “Well, sir,” said the queen, “what is your opinion of this riot?” “That it is no longer a riot, madame,” he replied, “but a revolt.” “The revolt is at the door of those who think my people can rebel,” cried Anne, unable to dissimulate before the coadjutor, whom she looked upon, and probably with reason, as the promoter of the tumult. “Revolt! thus it is called by those who have wished for this demonstration and who are, perhaps, the cause of it; but, wait, wait! the king’s authority will put all this to rights.” “Was it to tell me that, madame,” coldly replied Gondy, “that your majesty admitted me to the honor of entering your presence?” “No, my dear coadjutor,” said Mazarin; “it was to ask your advice in the unhappy dilemma in which we find ourselves.” “Is it true,” asked Gondy, feigning astonishment, “that her majesty summoned me to ask for my opinion?” “Yes,” said the queen, “it is requested.” The coadjutor bowed. “Your majesty wishes, then——” “You to say what you would do in her place,” Mazarin hastened to reply. The coadjutor looked at the queen, who replied by a sign in the affirmative. “Were I in her majesty’s place,” said Gondy, coldly, “I should not hesitate; I should release Broussel.” “And if I do not give him up, what think you will be the result?” exclaimed the queen. “I believe that not a stone in Paris will remain unturned,” put in the maréchal. “It was not your opinion that I asked,” said the queen, sharply, without even turning around.