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Rh. He will perceive that the innocent should not suffer for the guilty. The converted king's return will be another crowning mercy; and Frances Cromwell will bring three kingdoms for her dower. I much misdoubt me if our royal master would not take her for but the revenues of one of them."

"Well arranged," said D'Argenteuil, joining in their conversation; "but a man's circumstances must be desperate before he attempt to mend them by marriage. Why, your prince has already three alliances in agitation. There is his mother trying flattery in every shape to win for him the good graces and fair domains of our princess, Mademoiselle de Montpensier."

"If it be true what I hear," said the Chevalier de Joinville, the other remaining cavalier, "she had better take him. When she ordered the cannon of the Bastile to be turned on the royal troops, at the sound of the first gun, Cardinal Mazarin only remarked, 'Ah! Mademoiselle has killed her husband.' Gallantly as he has played it, De Retz has a losing game: the Condé is against him, and his reliance on Orleans—we all know what that is."

"Your young monarch," continued D'Argenteuil, "must then resume his devoirs to one of Mazarin's nieces."