'
'Pray how long have they taken little imps like thee into their
counsels?' demanded Eustace, as we all sat petrified at this
announcement.
'It was the Duke of Anjou who told me,' said Gaspard. 'He was
sitting at the foot of the Queen's bed when she settled it all with
M. le Cardinal. They will send to have coup de main made of all
those rogues as soon as the Te Deum is over tomorrow at Notre Dame,
and then there will be no more refusing of money for M. le Prince to
beat the Spaniards with.'
'The Duke should choose his confidants better,' said Eustace. 'Look
here, my nephew. Remember from henceforth that whatever passes in
secret council is sacred, and even if told to thee inadvertently
should never be repeated. Now leave us; your mother needs you no
longer.'
My little boy made his graceful bow at the door, looking much
perplexed, and departed. I rose likewise, saying I would forbid him
to repeat his dangerous communication, and I trusted that it would do
him no harm.
'Madame,' said M. Darpent, 'I will not conceal from you that I shall
take advantage of what I have heard to warn these friends of my
father.'
'You cannot be expected to do otherwise,' said Eustace; 'and truly
the design is so arbitrary and unjust that, Cavalier as I am, I
cannot but rejoice that it should be baffled.'
'And,' added Darpent, before I could speak, 'Madame may be secure
that no word shall pass my lips respecting the manner in which I
received the warning.
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