The king must feel his throne already tottering, and be eager to grasp at any means of supporting it.

Under such circumstances it seemed to be my paramount duty to reach him; to gain his ear if possible, and at all risks; that I and not Bruhl, Navarre not Turenne, might profit by the first impulse of self-preservation.
Bidding the porter shut his door and keep close, I hurried to the Castle, and was presently more than confirmed in my resolution.

For to my surprise I found the Court in much the same state as M.de Rambouillet's house.

There were double guards indeed at the gates, who let me pass after scrutinising me narrowly; but the courtyard, which should have been at this hour ablaze with torches and crowded with lackeys and grooms, was a dark wilderness, in which half a dozen links trembled mournfully.

Passing through the doors I found things within in the same state: the hall ill lit and desolate; the staircase manned only by a few whispering groups, who scanned me as I passed; the ante-chambers almost empty, or occupied by the grey uniforms of the Switzer guards.