Page:Secret History of the French Court under Richelieu and Mazarin.djvu/143

Rh opinion is confirmed by the new and numerous accounts furnished us by the Carnets of Mazarin and his confidential letters.

Let us disprove the supposition of Retz, that Mazarin may have been somewhat afraid, or that he feigned to be terrified by the shadow of a conspiracy. As to the courage of Mazarin, we appeal to La Rochefoucauld himself: "Unlike the Cardinal de Richelieu, who had a fearless mind and a timid heart, the Cardinal Mazarin," says he, "has more fearlessness of heart than of mind." Mazarin had commenced as a soldier; he had given more than one proof of intrepidity, particularly at Casal, where he threw himself between two armies on the point of coming to blows. He doubtless studied to conjure down perils, but when he could not prevent them, he knew how to face them with firmness. Mazarin was not, therefore, a man to take alarm at false appearances; and, on the other hand, he had no need to feign imaginary fears, for the danger was certain; and, once more, in the constantly increasing progress of his credit with the queen, what resource remained to the Importants, except the enterprise which they had formerly attempted against Richelieu, and which they could easily renew against his successor? Mazarin had not as yet any guards, and he knew Madame de Chevreuse well enough to take in earnest the proposition which she had made in the cabals of the hôtel de Vendôme. Weigh well this consideration: in his Carnets, Mazarin is not on a stage; he is not writing for the public; he reveals his real feelings; and he is seen there, not intimidated, but aroused to a sense of his danger. He feels himself surrounded by assassins, and he is convinced that they are directed by Madame de Chevreuse. He follows all their movements, he gathers all their conversation, he collects the slightest proofs of their conspiracy, and he counts and names the chiefs and the soldiers.