do on yours. I will go and find the king of France -- the other -- the rich, the powerful one, I mean. I will myself solicit this million, or these two hundred gentlemen; and -- we will see."
"Oh!" cried Charles, "you are a noble friend, sire -- a heart created by God! You save me, my brother; and if you should ever stand in need of the life you restore me, demand it."
"Silence, my brother, -- silence!" said Louis, in a suppressed voice. "Take care that no one hears you! We have not obtained our end yet. To ask money of Mazarin -- that is worse than traversing the enchanted forest, each tree of which inclosed a demon. It is more than setting out to conquer a world."
"But yet, sire, when you ask it ---- "
"I have already told you that I never asked," replied Louis with a haughtiness that made the king of England turn pale.
And as the latter, like a wounded man, made a retreating movement -- "Pardon me, my brother," replied he. "I have neither a mother nor a sister who are suffering. My throne is hard and naked, but I am firmly seated on my throne. Pardon me that expression, my brother; it was that of an egotist. I will retract it, therefore, by a sacrifice, -- I will go to monsieur le cardinal. Wait for me, if you please -- I will return."
CHAPTER 10. The Arithmetic of M. de Mazarin
Whilst the king was directing his course rapidly towards the wing of the castle occupied by the cardinal, taking nobody with him but his valet de chambre, the officer of musketeers came out, breathing like a man who has for a long time been forced to hold his breath, from the little cabinet of which we have already spoken, and which the king believed to be quite solitary. This little cabinet had formerly been part of the chamber, from