-Well? he asked.

-Well said the queen-mother, we did what we could, you have to do the rest.

Do you know where is the apartment of M. de Baradas? asked the duke.

She blushed and stammered a few words which I attributed embarrassment to his emotion.

The Cardinal smiled, and to himself: It seems to me, he said, she forgot that detail in his confession.

The Vicomte de Pontis Cardinal looked anxiously.

Your Eminence, would it have any objection to my desires? he asked.

-No, Viscount, no, do you love Mademoiselle de Lautrec, and where impediment to your happiness, this impediment will not come from me.

Serenity appeared on the face of the Viscount.

Thank you, sir, he said, bowing.

At this moment the clock struck two in the morning.

Cardinal dismissed the Viscount with some sadness, because, according to the confession made to him by Isabelle, he understood that it would be difficult, even impossible to give this good servant the reward he coveted.