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Twenty Years Later
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Twenty Years Later 129 at Prostate Health
My
lord," added Henrietta, with a melancholy smile, "it is sad
and almost shameful to be obliged to say that we have passed
the winter in the Louvre without money, without linen,
almost without bread, and often not rising from bed because
we wanted fire."
"Horrible!" cried De Winter; "the daughter of Henry IV., and
the wife of King Charles! Wherefore did you not apply, then,
madame, to the first person you saw from us?"
"Such is the hospitality shown to a queen by the minister
from whom a king demands it."
"But I heard that a marriage between the Prince of Wales and
Mademoiselle dOrleans was spoken of," said De Winter.
"Yes, for an instant I hoped it was so. The young people
felt a mutual esteem; but the queen, who at first sanctioned
their affection, changed her mind, and Monsieur, the Duc
dOrleans, who had encouraged the familiarity between them,
has forbidden his daughter to think any more about the
union. Oh, my lord!" continued the queen, without
restraining her tears, "it is better to fight as the king
has done, and to die, as perhaps he will, than live in
beggary like me."
"Courage, madame! courage! Do not despair! The interests of
the French crown, endangered at this moment, are to
discountenance rebellion in a neighboring nation. Mazarin,
as a statesman, will understand the politic necessity."
"Are you sure," said the queen doubtfully, "that you have
not been forestalled?"
"By whom?"
"By the Joices, the Prinns, the Cromwells?"
"By a tailor, a coachmaker, a brewer! Ah! I hope, madame,
that the cardinal will not enter into negotiations with such
men!"
"Ah! what is he himself?" asked Madame Henrietta.
"But for the honor of the king -- of the queen."
"Well, let us hope he will do something for the sake of
their honor," said the queen. "A true friends eloquence is
so powerful, my lord, that you have reassured me. Give me
your hand and let us go to the minister; and yet," she
added, "suppose he should refuse and that the king loses the
battle?"
"His majesty will then take refuge in Holland, where I hear
his highness the Prince of Wales now is."
"And can his majesty count upon many such subjects as
yourself for his flight?"
"Alas! no, madame," answered De Winter; "but the case is
provided for and I am come to France to seek allies."
"Allies!" said the queen, shaking her head.
"Madame," replied De Winter, "provided I can find some of my
good old friends of former times I will answer for
anything."
"Come then, my lord," said the queen, with the painful doubt
that is felt by those who have suffered much; "come, and may
Heaven hear you."
37
Cromwells Letter.
At the very moment when the queen quitted the convent to go
to the Palais Royal, a young man dismounted at the gate of
this royal abode and announced to the guards that he had
something of importance to communicate to Cardinal Mazarin.
Although the cardinal was often tormented by fear, he was
more often in need of counsel and information, and he was
therefore sufficiently accessible. The true difficulty of
being admitted was not to be found at the first door, and
even the second was passed easily enough; but at the third
watched, besides the guard and the doorkeepers, the faithful
Bernouin, a Cerberus whom no speech could soften, no wand,
even of gold, could charm.
It was therefore at the third door that those who solicited
or were bidden to an audience underwent their formal
interrogatory.
The young man having left his horse tied to the gate in the
court, mounted the great staircase and addressed the guard
in the first chamber.
"Cardinal Mazarin?" said he.
"Pass on," replied the guard.
The cavalier entered the second hall, which was guarded by
the musketeers and doorkeepers.
"Have you a letter of audience?" asked a porter, advancing
to the new arrival.
"I have one, but not one from Cardinal Mazarin."
"Enter, and ask for Monsieur Bernouin," said the porter,
opening the door of the third room. Whether he only held his
usual post or whether it was by accident, Monsieur Bernouin
was found standing behind the door and must have heard all
that had passed.
"You seek me, sir," said he. "From whom may the letter be
you bear to his eminence?"
"From General Oliver Cromwell," said the new comer. "Be so
good as to mention this name to his eminence and to bring me
word whether he will receive me -- yes or no."
Saying which, he resumed the proud and sombre bearing
peculiar at that time to Puritans. Bernouin cast an
inquisitorial glance at the person of the young
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