“More intrigues! Nothing but intrigues! Thank you, Madame, I am aware of them now; Monsieur Cardinal has enlightened me on that head.”
“The cardinal?” cried Madame Bonacieux. “Have you seen the cardinal?”
“He sent for me,” answered the mercer, proudly.
“And you responded to his bidding, you imprudent man?”
“Well, I can’t say I had much choice of going or not going, for I was taken to him between two guards. It is true also, that as I did not then know his Eminence, if I had been able to dispense with the visit, I should have been enchanted.”
“He ill-treated you, then; he threatened you?”
“He gave me his hand, and called me his friend. His friend! Do you hear that, Madame? I am the friend of the great cardinal!”
“Of the great cardinal!”
“Perhaps you would contest his right to that title,