Mazarin looked at Colbert, who rose and took his hat saying: "I shall come again, my lord."
Mazarin hesitated. "No, no," said he; "I have as much business to transact with you as with him. Besides, you are my other confessor -- and what I have to say to one the other may hear. Remain where you are, Colbert."
"But, my lord, if there be no secret of penitence, will the director consent to my being here?"
"Do not trouble yourself about that; come into the ruelle."
"I can wait outside, monseigneur."
"No, no, it will do you good to hear the confession of a rich man."
Colbert bowed and went into the ruelle.
"Introduce the Theatin father," said Mazarin, closing the curtains.
CHAPTER 45. Confession of a Man of Wealth
The Theatin entered deliberately, without being too much astonished at the noise and agitation which anxiety for the cardinal's health had raised in his household. "Come in, my reverend father," said Mazarin, after a last look at the ruelle, "come in and console me."
"That is my duty, my lord," replied the Theatin.
"Begin by sitting down, and making yourself comfortable, for I am going to begin with a general confession, you will afterwards give me a good absolution, and I shall believe myself more tranquil."
"My lord," said the father, "you are not so ill as to make a general confession urgent -- and it will be very fatiguing -- take care."
"You suspect then, that it may be long, father"
"How can I think it otherwise, when a man has lived so completely as your eminence has done?"