Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/299

Rh THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE. 287 go Mazarin, in order that be might be acquainted with it, and consequently would be pleased with his having rendered him a service so willingly. To send the letter was an easy matter; to recover it again, after having communicated it, that was the difficulty. Letellier cast his eyes around him, and seeing the black and meager clerk scribbling away with his scrowling brow in his office, he preferred him to the best gendarme for the execution of this design. Colbert was commanded to set out for Sedan, with posi- tive orders to carry the letter to Mazarin, and bring it back to Letellier. He listened to his orders with scrupulous attention, required it to be repeated to him twice, and was particular in learning whether the bringing back was as necessary as the communicating, and Letellier replied, sternly, "More necessary." Then he set out, traveled like a courier, without any care for his body, and placed in the hands of Mazarin, first a letter from Letellier, which an- nounced to the cardinal the sending of the precious letter, .and then that letter itself. Mazarin colored greatly while reading Anne of Austria's letter, gave Colbert a gracious smile, and dismissed him. "When shall I have the answer, monseigneur?" "To-morrow." "To-morrow morning?" "Yes, monsieur." The clerk turned upon his heel after sporting his very best bow. The next day he was at his post at seven o'clock. Mazarin made him wait till ten. He remained patiently in the antechamber; his turn being come, he entered; Maz- >arin gave him a sealed packet. Upon the envelope of this i packet were these words: "A Monsieur Michel Letellier, etc." Colbert looked at the packet with much attention; the cardinal put on a pleasant countenance, and pushed him (toward the door. "And the letter of the queen-mother, monsieur?" asked (Colbert. "It is with the rest, in the packet," said Mazarin. "Oh! very well," replied Colbert; and placing his hat 'between his knees, he began to unseal the packet. Mazarin uttered a cry. "What are you doing?" said he angrily. "I am unsealing the packet, monseigneur." "You mistrust me, then, Master Cuistre, do you? Did j,ny one ever see such impertinence?" "Oh! monseigneur, do not be angry with me! it is ce~