“I am a faithful subject of the king, Madame, and all that His Majesty commands I shall do.”

“Well, it is true!” said Anne of Austria; “and the spies of the cardinal have served him faithfully. I have written a letter today; that letter is not yet gone. The letter is here.” And the queen laid her beautiful hand on her bosom.

“Then give me that letter, Madame,” said the chancellor.

“I will give it to none but the king, Monsieur,” said Anne.

“If the king had desired that the letter should be given to him, Madame, he would have demanded it of you himself. But I repeat to you, I am charged with reclaiming it; and if you do not give it up⁠—”

“Well?”

“He has, then, charged me to take it from you.”