But the bulletin which followed entirely changed the face of things.

Mazarin could no longer breathe at all, and could scarcely follow the prayers which the cure of Saint-Nicholas-des-Champs recited near him.

The king resumed his agitated walk about his chamber, and consulted, as he walked, several papers drawn from a casket of which he alone had the key.

A third time the nurse returned.

M.de Mazarin had just uttered a joke, and had ordered his "Flora," by Titian, to be revarnished.