Athos replaced his dispatch in its bag, bowed gravely, and made several steps towards the door.

This coolness exasperated Mazarin.
"What strange diplomatic proceedings are these!" cried he.

"Have we returned to the times when Cromwell sent us bullies in the guise of _charges d'affaires ?_ You want nothing, monsieur, but the steel cap on your head, and a Bible at your girdle." "Monsieur," said Athos, dryly, "I have never had, as you have, the advantage of treating with Cromwell; and I have only seen his _charges d'affaires_ sword in hand; I am therefore ignorant of how he treated with prime ministers.

As for the king of England, Charles II., I know that when he writes to his majesty King Louis XIV., he does not write to his eminence the Cardinal Mazarin.

I see no diplomacy in that distinction." "Ah!" cried Mazarin, raising his attenuated hand, and striking his head, "I remember now!" Athos looked at him in astonishment.