On leaving the convent he entered into the magistracy, became president in the place of his uncle, embraced the cardinal’s party, which did not prove want of sagacity, became chancellor, served his Eminence with zeal in his hatred against the queen mother and his vengeance against Anne of Austria, stimulated the judges in the affair of Calais, encouraged the attempts of M. de Laffemas, Chief Gamekeeper of France; then, at length, invested with the entire confidence of the cardinal—a confidence which he had so well earned—he received the singular commission for the execution of which he presented himself in the queen’s apartments.
The queen was still standing when he entered; but scarcely had she perceived him than she reseated herself in her armchair, and made a sign to her women to resume their cushions and stools, and with an air of supreme hauteur, said, “What do you desire, Monsieur, and with what object do you present yourself here?”
“To make, Madame, in the name of the king, and without prejudice to the respect which I have the honor to owe to Your Majesty, a close examination into all your papers.”
“How, Monsieur, an investigation of my papers—mine! Truly, this is an indignity!”
“Be kind enough to pardon me, Madame; but in this circumstance I am but the instrument which the king employs. Has not His Majesty just left you, and has he not himself asked you to prepare for this visit?”
“Search, then, Monsieur! I am a criminal, as it appears. Estafania, give up the keys of my drawers and my desks.”
For form’s sake the chancellor paid a visit to the pieces of furniture named; but he well knew that it was not in a piece of furniture that the queen would place the important letter she had written that day.