The door had scarcely closed before the cardinal, who had no mask for Bernouin, took off that which had so recently covered his face, and with a most dismal expression,--"Call M.
de Brienne," said he.

Five minutes afterward the secretary entered.
"Monsieur," said Mazarin, "I have just rendered a great service to the monarchy, the greatest I have ever rendered it.

You will carry this letter, which proves it, to her majesty the queen-mother, and when she shall have returned it to you, you will lodge it in portfolio B., which is filled with documents and papers relative to my ministry." Brienne went as desired, and, as the letter was unsealed, did not fail to read it on his way.

There is likewise no doubt that Bernouin, who was on good terms with everybody, approached so near to the secretary as to be able to read the letter over his shoulder; so that the news spread with such activity through the castle, that Mazarin might have feared it would reach the ears of the queen-mother before M.de Brienne could convey Louis XIV.'s letter to her.

A moment after orders were given for departure, and M.de Conde having been to pay his respects to the king on his pretended rising, inscribed the city of Poitiers upon his tablets, as the place of sojourn and rest for their majesties.
Thus in a few instants was unraveled an intrigue which had covertly occupied all the diplomacies of Europe.