Memoirs of Aramis, Book 3

Annotation

This text has not been edited after machine translation. This is an introductory event.

The third book of Aramis's memoirs continues to describe the period between the end of Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers and the beginning of Twenty Years Later. The action of the second book ends with the beginning of Saint-Mars' conspiracy against Cardinal Richelieu. Aramis and d'Artagnan unwittingly exerted their influence on the development of these events. We hope that the reader is interested in learning about the events that took place in France during this period. Alexandre Dumas left the four musketeers in 1629, after which readers meet them only twenty years later, in 1649! Read about what happened between these two dates with our musketeers.
You will find chapters 1 – 44 in the first book, and chapters 45 – 92 in the second book.

Preface by the author

When I started processing the third book, I discovered some inconsistencies in the previously translated text. Apparently, the cipher with which the Chevalier d'Herblay encrypted his notes was understood with errors in some places. So, for example, in chapter 90 it was said that Aramis, during a trip to Blois, met Athos’s pupil, who was only eight months old at that time. However, at the beginning of the third book a date is indicated from which we must conclude that this pupil, Raoul, was born in the autumn of 1634. Since Aramis visited Athos at the time of the Saint-Mars plot, this puts the year 1642, so Raoul must be seven and a half years old at this point. We assume that the codebreaker mistakenly stated Raoul's age as "almost eight months", when in reality he should have been "almost eight years old", or more precisely seven years and eight months. Accordingly, I had to return to the second book and make changes to the age of the pupil Athos, as well as to the dialogue, which I slightly embellished with my literary imagination. I’ll tell you, my dear readers, that it’s much easier to write about sylphs and kobolds, fairies and mermaids. In this case, not a single reader and not a single historian will blame the writer for inaccuracy. Perhaps I should give up this topic and start writing a collection of fairy tales, as I already did once, but I was so carried away by processing the memories of Aramis, who has become almost a relative to me, that I cannot tear myself away from this work. It was decided that I will devote no more than half of my days to this book, and I will try to use the other half of the day more productively. And yet, this morning I took a blank sheet of paper, a new pen and began writing the third book of Aramis's memories. We settled on the fact that Aramis, on the way to the Duchess de Chevreuse, visited Athos, meanwhile, d'Artagnan seriously wounded Rochefort in another duel, the King's favorite, called Mr. Chief, plotted the murder of Cardinal Richelieu and decided to enlist the support of Spain and Sedan, about which the Cardinal found out through his own channels, but he needed evidence of Saint-Mars’ treason to depose him.

Chapter 93

Meanwhile, I did not say anything about my trip to Marie de Chevreuse. I actually stopped in the small village of Roche Labelle, located between Tulle and Angoul;me. It was not difficult for me to find the local priest, Father Jerome. It was not difficult for me to find a common language with him, since I am also something of a clergyman.
After a mutually pleasant conversation on the topic of the immaculate conception and original sin, I casually inquired about the story of the baby.
“You know, padre,” I said, “it just now occurred to me that I am in those places that a parishioner from Tours told me about with tears in her eyes about eight years ago.”
- What did this parishioner tell you? - asked Father Jerome.
“Eight years ago or so she told me a story that happened to her and was still fresh in her memory. She told me that her crazy maid had stolen her infant child, a boy. This crazy woman imagined that her mistress's child was her child. Not only that, she imagined God knows what else. This unfortunate woman claimed that she, like the Virgin Mary, was awarded the miracle of the immaculate conception, but also that she gave birth in a dream. Considering herself equal to the Virgin Mary, she decided that this child should be given to some priest to raise him to be a new Messiah. No one took the poor woman seriously; everyone believed that her insanity was completely harmless. But one day she stole this baby and ran away in an unknown direction. A search was launched, and she was eventually found not far from your village, about ten kilometers away. The unfortunate woman lay unconscious on the bank of the stream and repeated “It is finished!” He is with the holy man!” Unfortunately, the baby was never found. She was placed in a hospital and a month later she admitted that she had given this baby to some village priest. I never saw this parishioner again.
- That's it! - exclaimed Father Jerome. “Now everything has become clear to me.” You see, in October 1634, I found on the threshold of my house a cradle containing a baby, a boy about three months old. In the cradle lay a purse filled with gold and a note that only read: “October 11, 1633.” I didn’t understand anything because I didn’t spend the night at home that day. However, I later remembered that a traveler, apparently a nobleman, asked to stay with me. Since I was called to the dying man, I offered him my dinner and my bed, and I myself went where my duty told me to go. I returned only early in the morning, this nobleman had already left. In gratitude for the shelter, he left me ten pistoles. This sum was too large even for an inn, where he could have found more convenience, but there is no inn in our village. I gave this child to be raised by a family that agreed to accept him. True, they already had three children of their own, but the money that was in the cradle solved this problem. On my own behalf, I added the ten pistoles that this nobleman left me, since, considering this payment unnecessary, I did not touch it. I don’t have to explain to you that clergy should not provide shelter for money, I simply did a godly deed by providing him with my home for a single night.
- This is a very interesting story, dear Father Jerome! - I said. “I will try to find this parishioner and tell her that her son has been found after so many years.”
“Unfortunately, the story with the baby does not end there,” answered Father Jerome and sighed sadly. “If I had known that the child had parents and that they were grieving over his loss, I would have launched my own search. But I thought that this child was unwanted and the parents simply decided to get rid of him.
- What happened next, Father Jerome? - I asked, although I already knew the continuation of this story.
“A week after these events, a noble nobleman came to us and began asking me about my life. - continued the priest. “I told him this very story, because for a minute it seemed to me that this was the same traveler who spent the night with me on the day indicated in this note. He asked me what happened to the child, and I took him to this family. He wanted to take the child for himself. The adoptive parents did not want to give it away at first, fearing that the nobleman would claim the gold that was left in the cradle with the baby, but the nobleman gave another wallet with gold, as he said, in gratitude for the fact that they took care of this child the entire time he was with them. He took the child, and they immediately left with his thin servant, who seemed to be deaf and dumb, since the nobleman communicated with him by gestures.
“Thank you, Father Jerome, I am beginning to understand that this was probably the father of this child, since his description matches the husband of my parishioner.” - I answered. “I’m very glad that everything ended so well.”
I said goodbye to Father Jerome and went to Tours, to see Marie de Chevreuse.

Maria greeted me kindly.
- Henri, I'm glad to see you! - she said.
“Duchess, I brought you a letter,” I answered and handed her a letter from the Queen.
- Duchess? - asked Maria. - Why is it so official? Aren't we friends anymore?
“ We are more than friends, we are conspirators bound by a common crime,” I answered. - Our connection can easily become blood, and we are crowned with the block and the ax.
— Why such gloomy forecasts, Henri? - Chevrette asked and pouted.
At such moments she was charming even at almost forty-two years old.
“This is simple realism,” I replied. - We should take into account all possible outcomes of our enterprise.
“You call it ours, I like it,” Maria answered.
“Only because I was dragged into it,” I answered. “I consider all this fuss unreasonable, since the cardinal already has one foot in the grave.”
“But the King is also halfway there,” Chevrette objected. - If the King gets ahead of him, the cardinal will crush everyone under him!
“Nonsense,” I objected. “But if the conspiracy fails, then this is exactly what will happen – the cardinal will bring everyone under his control.”
- Why would he fail? - asked Maria.
“There are too many of you, and you all don’t trust each other,” I answered. — A good conspiracy is one in which there are few main participants, but all of them are quite decisive. In your case, there are too many participants who consider themselves to be the main ones, and not one of them is decisive. By and large, one person is enough to eliminate the cardinal. Where is your new Cl;ment or Ravaillac?
“The times of the Clements and Ravaillacs are over,” Maria answered sadly.
“These times will never end,” I objected. “There will be new Feltons and other fanatics.”
“But there are no such people in our ranks,” answered Maria. “Nobody wants to lose their head.”
“That’s it,” I agreed. “No one wants to lose their head, and therefore everyone substitutes the heads of others.” I foresee betrayal. It would be better to find one fanatic than to again involve a dozen princes and dukes in the matter, each of whom is waiting for decisive action from the others. Why, for example, this preliminary agreement with Spain? Why reveal the plans of the Duke of Bouillon? Do you want to notify the whole of Europe about your plans?
“We want to enlist the support of all of Europe,” Chevrette replied.
“In vain,” I said. - If I were in charge of affairs, then I would first eliminate Richelieu, and after that I would arrest Count Rochefort, Count Jean Galard de Brasac, Jacques Martin, Sieur de Laubardemont, Francois Situa, Francois-Annibal d'Estr;e, Denis Charpentier, Gabriel de Lobespina, Marquise Fran;oise de Souvre de Lansac, Louis Felipeau de La Vri;re, Marquise de Chateauneuf, Viscount de Saint-Florentin, Bishop of Mandes Sylvester de Marcillac, Madame Combalet, Councilor of the Parisian Parliament, Rene de Voyer de Polmy, Comte d'Argenson, ...
“That’s enough, Henri,” Maria interrupted me, “I can make the same complete list myself.” What's next?
- When Richelieu was killed, the verbal consent of the King and decisive action on the part of the same Saint-Mars, reinforced by the musketeers of Monsieur de Treville, would have been sufficient to arrest all these supporters of his. Paris would be ours, France would be ours. I mean the Queen.
- Yes, Henri, this plan is good, but what next? - asked Maria.
“The King should propose a new candidate for the post of First Minister,” I said.
“This candidate already exists - this is Saint-Mars,” Maria answered.
“He might have been approved by the King, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it,” I objected.
- Then who? - asked Maria.
“De Tu,” I answered.
- But the King will not approve it! - Maria objected.
“He will approve if Saint-Mars asks,” I answered.
“What’s the point of Saint-Mars asking for de Thou?” - asked Maria.
“And the point is that then de Thou could persuade the King to make Saint-Mars constable of France and marry Maria Gonzago,” I answered.
- What's next? - asked Maria.
“Only after this the Queen should have convinced the King to reconcile with Spain, Savoy, Sedan, and cool relations with England...” I answered.
“It’s beautiful, you can’t say anything,” Maria agreed. “But our plan is also good.”
“It’s good if the cardinal doesn’t get ahead of you,” I objected. - While you are fiddling with the contracts, the cardinal can arrest you all.
- You? - asked Maria.
- You or us, what's the difference? - I asked. - This does not change the essence of the matter. Extra papers sent across half of France and half of Spain with messengers to whom anything could happen on the road! It's too much of a risk. After all, these letters are not even encrypted!
“We can’t send encrypted letters to the King of Spain!” - Chevrette objected.
- Why not? - I was surprised. - One messenger would bring him an encrypted letter, and another messenger, who would have to follow a completely different path, would bring the keys to this cipher. However, as I already said, all these preliminary agreements are premature. It would be better to first overthrow the cardinal and then start this correspondence.
“Your weapon is the sword, Mr. Aramis, and our weapon is pen and paper,” Chevrette answered. “Not everyone can be a man, and not everyone can solve their problems with the help of a sword and a musket!”
“But you, my dear, it seems to me, are also capable of wearing a man’s dress, a sword and a musket, and also riding on horseback, accompanied by the equally brave maid Katie!” - I answered.
- How do you know? - asked Maria.
“Your friend La Rochefoucauld can be so talkative sometimes...” I said. — By the way, does he know about the preliminary agreement? Do you trust him?
- You are jealous, d'Herblay! - Maria exclaimed with a happy laugh. - You are jealous, therefore you still love me!
- Does it really matter? - I smiled. - I’ll just say one thing. If it weren’t for my attitude towards you, Maria, I would hardly have allowed myself to be drawn into this conspiracy.
“But you seem to be selflessly devoted to the Queen, don’t you?” - asked Maria.
“Not as selflessly as you think,” I waved him off. “In this area, d’Artagnan is far superior to me.” I am ready to respect his loyalty and help him in protecting the Queen from the cardinal, but I consider myself more of an enemy of Richelieu than a servant of the Queen.
- Who are you truly loyal to, Henri? - asked Maria.
“Love and friendship, Maria,” I answered. - First of all - love, and this means yourself. But also friendship. I like my friends. They are ready to sacrifice their lives for each other, and for me too, so sometimes it seems to me that I would be ready for a similar self-sacrifice. However, I'm not sure. I hope that fate will not require such a sacrifice from me.
- So, then, love, but, first of all, to yourself? - Maria asked ironically. - And it seemed to me that you...
- What did you think? — I asked in a serene tone.
“The Jesuit Order,” Maria said and looked into my eyes.
- What - the Jesuit Order? — I asked again, trying to hide my embarrassment. - Do you want to join it?
- Don't pretend, d'Herblay! - Chevrette replied. “You know very well that women are not accepted into the Order.”
- Otherwise, would you have joined it? — I tried to laugh it off.
“Maybe,” Maria answered. “But you’re already a member, aren’t you?”
“And you, my dear, seem to have had some adventure in the town of Roche Labelle?”
Maria blushed deeply.
“Let’s not attach importance to empty gossip, my dear,” I said in a peaceful tone. “I would never believe everything they say about you.” And besides, we are friends. So why don't you stop believing various rumors about me?
- I don’t believe rumors, I ask you directly, are you a member of this Order? - asked Maria.
“As soon as I need to discuss this with you, I will immediately tell you everything you need to know about it,” I replied. “As you probably know, the Order makes no secret of who its members are, but it also does not approve of unnecessary speculation around this. This has nothing to do with the matter we are currently engaged in. Will there be an answer for the Queen to her letter?
- Henri! Enough about business! Don't you miss your little Chevrette? - asked Maria.
“ Of course I miss you, my dear,” I answered. “But you know that before we make love, I need to talk at least a little about politics or some secrets.” Without it I remain cold.
“Oh, Henri, I know what to tell you so that your coldness disappears, as if it never happened,” Maria answered.
I again felt that magical attractiveness of this woman.
- What is the secret, Maria? - I asked in a playful tone.
- Do you know who the Queen gave birth to on September 5, 1638? she asked.
- Of course! - I exclaimed. - All of France knows about this! She gave birth to the Dauphin, Louis the God-given, Louis-Dieudonn;.
- You are mistaken, my dear! - Maria exclaimed, unbuttoning her bodice. - Well? Does this mystery excite you?
- And how! - I exclaimed, grabbing her around the waist and pressing my lips to her chest. - Speak up!
- She gave birth to twins! - Maria said triumphantly. - Two twin brothers, indistinguishable from one another! Even their moles are in the same places! The second one was named Louis-Philippe and Richelieu ordered him to be hidden.
- Maria, if this is true... You are magnificent! - I exclaimed. - How did you know that?
- Nonsense! - Maria exclaimed, becoming infected with my excitement. - You wanted to ask something completely different!
- What did I want to ask? - I whispered in her ear.
“You wanted to ask who else, besides me, the midwife, the Queen, the King and the cardinal, is privy to this secret, isn’t it?” - she whispered passionately in response.
- Who? - I asked, hugging her to me.
“Nobody...” Maria answered. - Nobody, except you, Henri.
- Oh, Maria, you are lovely! - That’s all I could answer.
This night until the morning flew by in a blink.

Chapter 94

The Cardinal, as I have already reported, learned of the conspiracy, but wanted to obtain irrefutable evidence of the treason of M. Chief, since Richelieu could not afford to inflict blows on his enemies from which he could recover.
Fontray reached Madrid without any special incidents due to the fact that he was not pursued by Rochefort, and de Cahuzac, La Oudiniere and ten of the cardinal’s guards, equipped for this purpose, were delayed for two days. The King of Spain was not as cunning an intriguer as Richelieu or Mazarin was, he received Fontray as if he were an official envoy of France. He signed the draft treaty drawn up by Gaston d'Orl;ans, because from the phrases inserted there he understood that this treaty was also aimed at protecting the rights of his sister Anne of Austria and her children, who were nephews of the King of Spain.
The presence of an unknown Frenchman at court did not go unnoticed.
Monsieur de Pujol, who found refuge at the court of Spain from the wrath of Richelieu for failing two orders in a row, saw this as a happy chance for himself. He immediately wrote to the cardinal about the arrival of Fontray and expressed his assumptions that this nobleman was probably sent as an unofficial envoy of the small court, that is, Monsieur.
The Cardinal received this message and sent Pujol a reply that his disgrace would be lifted if he obtained copies of the signed documents. Pujol felt deceived, since it was impossible for him to obtain these copies, because he had neither soldiers to fight nor money to hire hired killers. There was no question of bribing Fontray, since this enterprise was a matter of life and death for him.
The day before receiving Pujol's letter, the cardinal received news from the papal nuncio at the Spanish court, who reported the same thing, and since Richelieu already knew that such negotiations were underway, and the draft treaty was sent to Spain, Pujol's message added nothing to the information that he already possessed, it only confirmed it, which made it undeniable.
Having no reason to doubt the fact of Monsieur’s betrayal, Richelieu would have extracted a confession from him if he had not been on a military campaign at that time. He was dissatisfied with the lack of news from Rochefort. He instructed the Duke of Enghien to select the officers most loyal to him in case of unforeseen circumstances. This did not escape the attentive de Treville, who guessed that a thunderstorm was brewing and, assuming that it could threaten the Queen, warned his friends - Dezzesar, Tiyade, Beaupuy, Lasalle, and, of course, me and d'Artagnan - to be vigilant. I even thought about calling Porthos again. I did not think about Athos’s help, since I did not dare to tear him away from his duties as a guardian.
The Cardinal did not stop his active work, using Sabl; de Nauyer as his main guarantor and executor; in addition, he called Chavigny to him for help, since he himself had become so weak that he could not even sign the documents dictated by him.
Saint-Mars also tried to recruit supporters, but sometimes his irritability harmed his cause; for example, he quarreled with Brigadier General d'Espennet for almost no reason. I even think that if La Rochefoucauld had been in d’Espenanet’s place, having refused the rank of brigadier general at the Queen’s insistence, perhaps Saint-Mars would have quarreled with him too. Indeed, La Rochefoucauld was not distinguished by his gentle character and restraint, so he could even challenge Saint-Mars to a duel.
Having learned about the critical condition of the cardinal, Saint-Mars resorted to a trick. He persuaded the King to return to Paris, being deeply convinced that the cardinal would not have the strength to return to the capital.
For the cardinal, this was indeed a serious challenge. He decided to leave Narbonne and go to Paris after the King, also sending Chavigny to him so that he would not allow Saint-Mars to completely quarrel between the King and his first minister.
Chavigny, who arrived to the King, Faber reported that the King had developed a noticeable cooling towards his favorite, Mr. Chief. The favorite is no longer allowed into the King's bedroom, but Saint-Mars, in order to prevent this news from leaking outside the Louvre, hides in the dressing room, where he spends time with a frivolous novel with even more frivolous illustrations.
The reason for this gap was the behavior of Saint-Mars. He did not respond to the King's tender caresses, because he was disgusted by the smell from the monarch's breath. This is how rotten teeth can affect the course of history. If Saint-Mars had been more responsive, he could have weaved a rope out of the King and achieved the resignation of the cardinal. The inconsistency of Saint-Mars’ action also lay in the fact that he either should have finally dealt with the cardinal, or not started anything like that and patiently waited for his death. This young man would have had plenty of time to wait, if only he had had the patience.
In addition, Saint-Mars started the game against his allies. He slandered Conde, assuring the King that the prince wanted to kill the children of Louis XIII . He hoped that the King would entrust these children to him, but the King acted differently - he handed them over to the supervision of Chancellor Seguier and Superintendent Boutillier, both of them were Richelieu’s henchmen. So Saint-Mars, without meaning to, strengthened the already strong position of the cardinal. Indeed, Cond; also thought about a sole regency, so it would probably not be very wise to trust him with the young princes.
Conde also behaved defiantly, he demanded that the meeting of the royal council take place at his home, since he himself was ill, he demanded that his future son-in-law, the Duke de Longueville, be allowed to attend the meeting, he insisted that Chancellor Seguier yield to the Duke de Longueville. Longueville finally quarreled with the first president of parliament, Mol;, challenging him for the first place in parliament. The king, who learned about these conflicts, condemned Conde, recognizing his actions as wrong.
Realizing how eager the princes of the blood were to be the guardians of his children, the King realized what an intense struggle for the regency would unfold after his death, which meant the greatest danger for the young princes. All potential heirs to the throne would benefit from their death, so Louis XIII stopped trusting all the princes, including his own brother, Gaston. He ordered that the princes be constantly guarded by de Treville's musketeers with the rank of no lower than lieutenant and in number of at least two. He trusted de Treville and d'Artagnan to the highest degree, but since de Treville was no longer young, often one of the two musketeers guarding Louis and Philippe turned out to be my friend d'Artagnan.
The clouds were gathering, everyone was expecting a thunderstorm.

Chapter 9 5

Fontray faced a difficult choice. To deliver the agreement approved by the King of Spain to Monsieur, he could choose different ways, all of them had their own disadvantages and advantages.
It was possible to move by land, for example, by leaving Zaragoza for Andorra or Pau. It was also possible to cross the border by sea, going from Barcelona to Montpellier or Marseille. It would also be possible to travel from Bilbao to Bordeaux or La Rochelle. On any of these routes he risked meeting the cardinal's spies, but what was even more dangerous was that it could be a convoy that would be impossible for him to fight. He could simply be captured and searched from head to toe.
Since Fontray could not stand sea travel, he chose the land route. He decided to move through San Sebastian, then through Bordeaux to Poitiers, from where it would be logical to move to Paris through Tours. But Fontray did not like the route through Tours.
“There will definitely be an ambush waiting for me there,” he said to himself. “They will look for me near the Duchess de Chevreuse.”
Having refused to travel through Tours, Fontray began to reason further.
“Shouldn’t I turn at Chatellerault to Loches, then to Amboise, Vend;me, Chateaudun, Bounval, Chartres and only then to Paris?” - he asked himself. - Okay, I’ll get to Bordeaux, and then we’ll see!
The same questions arose before de Cahuzac and La Oudiniere. They could not know in advance which of the possible routes of return to France Fontray would choose. The easiest way would be to catch him at the entrance to Paris. They thought that Rochefort would probably have done so out of mature reflection. But Rochefort was healing his wound, and Cahuzac and Oudiniere were eager to show zeal.
They decided that one of the most likely crossroads where they had a chance to capture Fontray was the Canton of Celle-sur-Cher. Another such point was Tours. The third such point was Le Mans. An ambush should also be prepared at Courton, at Pont-sur-Yona and at Pontevrard. The most likely point that Fontray would have to pass through was Tours, since Fontray might decide to call on the Duchess de Chevreuse in order to then use her communication channels with the Louvre. That's where Cahuzac headed. La Udinter decided to wait for Fontray in Pontevrard.
Thus, the cardinal's guards took their own initiative in the question of how to solve the problem. This maneuver was radically different from the method of carrying out the assignment that the cardinal outlined to Rochefort. Indeed, if Richelieu sent Rochefort directly to Madrid, then Cahuzac and La Oudiniere decided to set up networks directly in France at the main intersections of the main roads to Paris.
This would have been effective if they were acting against a regular courier, but Fontrai was far from stupid. He reasoned that the original treaty, signed by Philip IV, was too dangerous to have with him. But Fontray's reasoning went further. He realized that this document was actually not as important as the fact that the agreement had been signed. Indeed, until the cardinal is overthrown, this treaty still cannot be shown to anyone in France; anyone who showed it would thereby sign their own death warrant. At the same time, since Philip IV signed the treaty without making a single amendment to it, and the draft treaty itself was drawn up by Gaston d'Orl;ans, then no one prevented Gaston from acting in the spirit of the treaty until the time came to take full advantage of this document. least. This time should have come only after the physical elimination of Richelieu, and not before. After this, it would be completely safe to have this agreement with you, and, moreover, this agreement even became a very valuable document. So, the agreement should have been preserved until better times, and it would have been enough for Monsieur himself to verbally announce that it had been signed. However, Monsieur would have been content with the information that it had been read and approved by Philip IV . After thinking a little, Fontray came up with the idea that the message itself that the agreement was approved was not so important for Monsieur. Indeed, such an agreement was extremely beneficial to Spain, therefore, already at the stage of its preparation, Monsieur had no reason to doubt that Philip IV would agree to both approve it and sign it. Consequently, for Monsieur the main information was only the message that the agreement had reached Madrid and became known to the King of Spain.
— Is it worth risking your head in order to deliver a document that no one needs, when you can hide it until better times, until the time when it not only becomes necessary, but will have a very good price? - Fontray asked himself.
- My dear friend, Fontray! - he answered to himself. “I congratulate you on the fact that this happy thought came to you on the border with France!” This agreement should be hidden properly, having first made a copy of it, which is of less value, but also less danger for the one who has it with him!
- Why do you need a copy, my dear Fontray? - he suddenly asked himself. - Yes, simply because what is clear as day for me may not be clear for Gaston d'Orl;ans! If I come to him empty-handed, he may accuse me of not fulfilling an order! It's decided, I'll make a copy. The Spanish King made completely insignificant edits to the project, but the presence of these edits will confirm that I have completed the mission in full.
- But, my friend, Fontray! After all, having a copy with you is just as dangerous as having the contract itself! — he continued the dialogue with himself. - Now, if the contract were written in Spanish...
- You are stupid, my friend, Fontray! - he answered himself. - After all, if the contract is written in Spanish, it will expose you as a Spanish spy to an even greater extent! An agreement is an agreement, no matter what language it is drawn up in, even Latin, it still incriminates you!
“Then perhaps the document should be called differently?” — Mr. Fontray put forward the idea.
- This is what I like better! - he answered to himself. “We need to title this document differently, and then no one will understand that this is an agreement between Monsieur and Philip IV.
After this, Fontray took a blank sheet of paper and wrote on top: “Pedro Chalderon. “In this life everything is true and everything is a lie.” Comic vaudeville in one act."
After this, Fontray wrote five sheets of the text of the play in Spanish, where at the end of the fifth sheet he wrote the following.

“Adele. Oh my lord! Are you really suggesting that I draw up an agreement between the elves and the dwarves?
Gigolo. Yes, Adele, and the gnomes’ offers will be pleasant to you!”

Fontray began the sixth sheet with the words “We, the dwarves, propose that the elves enter into an agreement with us,” after which he rewrote the text of the agreement in Spanish.
Having finished rewriting the contract, Fontray wrote the following on the next sheet of paper:

“Adele. Are you sure, Alphonse, that such an agreement will mark the beginning of a new friendship between elves and dwarves?
Gigolo. Dear Adele, I have no doubt about it!
Adele. I will sign this agreement if you ask me to dance.
Cheerful music sounds, elves and gnomes dance holding hands. The end of vaudeville"

- Well, friend Fontray! - Fontray said to himself. “This play, of course, is very bad, the audience would fall asleep at its performance, but this document looks quite similar to a bad play, and everyone knows the name of Chalderon.” Who can blame a famous playwright for writing a bad play, or some untalented imitator for using the name of a famous playwright and putting him on his trashy vaudeville show? This is not punishable by death, and no one will even give a prison sentence for this! Although, perhaps, the authors should be punished for a bad play, but only with a ban on writing in the future. And I’m just a bad entrepreneur who doesn’t know how to distinguish a masterpiece from a trashy vaudeville, who bought a vaudeville manuscript at a Spanish fair and hopes to stage it in his provincial theater.
Fontray wrapped the original treaty in a piece of cowhide and put it in a tin can, which he hid in a hiding place near the inn in San Sebastian. He himself built this hiding place by removing two stones from the wall of the old house, throwing one of them away, and closing the hiding place with the other, covering the cracks with clay.
“Well, my friend Fontray, now you can safely return to France,” he said cheerfully to himself. “No one will cut off your head for being interested in drama.”

Chapter 9 6

Rochefort suffered greatly from the wound inflicted by d'Artagnan. But our good Gascon was a noble man. Having inflicted a painful wound on his opponent in a duel, he always offered the defeated enemy a small jar of healing balm according to the recipe of his dear mother. This was for him a ritual of a kind of cleansing from sin, since not only the murder of a compatriot, but even wounding him in a duel, after all, was condemned by the state. He did not change his rules in duels with Rochefort, so the count, who was actually convinced of the miraculousness of this balm after the first duel, accepted this traditional souvenir from d'Artagnan with pleasure and even with some gratitude. Of course, he used it immediately upon returning home, so within a week he was able to walk and decided to begin fulfilling the assignment given to him by the cardinal.
Having familiarized himself with the letters that came to him from Cahuzac and La Houdiniere, he consulted the map and decided that the measures taken by his envoys were insufficient, so he headed for Chartres, taking with him a dozen guardsmen.
With these dozen guardsmen, he tracked down Fontray and captured him, after which he ordered him to be searched. To his surprise, he did not find anything suspicious on him, but in his saddle bag he found a stack of suspicious sheets.
— Why did you need Master Chalderon’s vaudeville? - he asked Fontray.
“My niece is crazy about fairy tales, I promised her to get the text of this fabulous vaudeville from Pierre Chalderon,” answered Fontray.
“We’ll figure it out,” Rochefort replied, taking the papers for himself.
- But what will happen to me? - asked Fontray.
“You will be taken to Paris and put under house arrest,” Rochefort replied. - Until all the circumstances are clarified.
Then, taking with him six of the guards, Rochefort ordered the others to accompany Fontray to Paris, while he and his retinue went to meet the cardinal.

The Cardinal, barely raising himself on his elbows in his sedan chair, in which he was being carried back to Paris, greeted Rochefort.
- So, Rochefort, how did your expedition end? - he asked.
“Monsignor, we didn’t find the agreement, but we found this,” Rochefort replied, handing the cardinal the play in Spanish.
- What is this? - the cardinal was surprised. — Spanish vaudeville from Pierre Shelderon? And why are you offering me this?
“That’s all we found at Fontray,” Rochefort replied.
“Did you find this at Fontray?” - asked the cardinal. - Curious!
He began to carefully read the document handed to him by Rochefort.
- Very interesting! - he repeated. “But Pierre Chalderon didn’t write vaudevilles!” And besides, he actually has a play called “In this life, everything is true and everything is a lie.” But this is a completely different play!
The cardinal flipped through the play further and, having reached the sixth page, began to read more carefully.
- Here it is! - he exclaimed joyfully. - Rochefort, you are great!
Richelieu carefully read all subsequent sheets, after which he discarded the last sheet of “vaudeville”, attaching it to the first five sheets.
“This is all a cover,” he said. “And the main thing is what’s in the middle.” Tell the clerk to rewrite these sheets, making the following substitutions. Write it down! Dwarves - replace with Spaniards, Dvergland - replace with Spain, elves replace with French, Elverland - France, Adele - Gaston d'Orl;ans, Alphonse - Philip IV of Spain, Elverdronning - Queen Anne of Austria, Ungalf - Dauphin Louis, Elverconge - King Louis XIII , Gammelprest - Cardinal Richelieu, Hoverbrudgom - Mr. Chief, de Saint-Mars.
The Cardinal continued to dictate, Rochefort took his notes.
“Also do a translation into French,” he said at the end. “By the way, don’t worry about this either,” he added, returning the last sheet.
He thought how funny it would be for him to read that Gaston d'Orleans started dancing with the King of Spain. This thought made him smile.
An hour later the cardinal had the text of the treaty in Spanish as well as in English. He put the last sheet aside and thought.

The text of the agreement exposed Saint-Mars and Monsieur, but the special conditions negotiated for the Queen indirectly indicated her involvement in this agreement.
If he had given the King a copy in French, it would have been a greater blow to Saint-Mars and Monsieur. The queen could still be shielded from this whole story.
If Richelieu had given the King a copy of the treaty in Spanish, it would have been a death sentence for the Queen. After all, it would be so natural for her to write to her brother in her native language!
The Cardinal remembered his last conversation with the Queen.
He closed his eyes and leaned back against his pillows. Tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.
After that, with trembling hands, he tore the copy, written in Spanish, into small pieces, which he blew into the wind.

Chapter 97

I sat in the Mother Goose tavern and savored the liqueur, snacking on it with candied cherries while waiting for Fontray. In the same tavern, ten more musketeers were sitting at different tables, all of them were dressed like ordinary nobles, but they all had swords and muskets. Our task was simply to guard him on his way to Monsieur, unnoticed by Fontray himself. I knew that Fontrai would have to appear at this inn, since it was agreed so.
We had already been expecting him for the second day, so the innkeeper had already taken a closer look at us and, perhaps, began to suspect something, but, however, this did not bother him much, because he was paid for food and drink, and he did not need anything else from us .
Suddenly the doors of the tavern opened and six of the cardinal's guards, accompanying Fontray, entered the tavern.
I looked at Fontray and from his gaze I realized that he was a prisoner, although he was not tied up.
"God exists! - I thought. - Guardsmen cannot always be in the majority! With such an advantage as we have, we can even afford to be generous and not kill any of them.”
I thought that d'Artagnan in my place would certainly have started a quarrel and brought the matter to a furious fight. Perhaps Porthos would have done the same. Athos, on the contrary, would have previously announced all his advantages, and, perhaps, would have forbidden his five musketeers to participate in the battle, so that everyone would have equal chances. But serving the Order taught me to take advantage of all the advantages of my position and not play a game called “Nobility” with fate.
I made a sign to my people so that they would not show that they were with me, but would be ready to immediately act on my slightest sign or word.
Having determined by some signs the main one in this six, I approached him while he was thinking about what they could all eat in order to move on.
“Thank you, Lieutenant, this concludes your mission, we will continue to accompany your friend,” I told him.
“I’m not a lieutenant, but a sergeant,” the guardsman objected. - And you are not my boss to give me orders. We will complete our mission ourselves and do not need any help or advisers.
“I lead a secret convoy,” I answered. “Didn’t the Comte de Rochefort warn you?”
- And where is your convoy? - the guard asked with a grin. - I don’t see anyone but you yet! Are you this secret convoy?
“I told you the convoy is secret!” - I objected. - You can rest. You really should refresh yourself after such a long journey. Then we will handle your case ourselves.
- Sir, you are impudent! - exclaimed the guardsman. “I am in the service of the cardinal and if you do not immediately disappear from sight, no one will envy your fate.” You will join the arrested man, and then let Count Rochefort deal with you!
“Sir, if you don’t understand kind words, then perhaps I’ll add you to the arrestee, and then let Count Rochefort deal with you!” - I answered him in the same tone.
After that, I gave the conventional sign with my left hand, and all ten of my musketeers, as if on command, stood up from their tables and came up to me, surrounding the six guards.
“It’s better for you to take my word for it than to demand proof of my right from me,” I said calmly.
My interlocutor immediately assessed the situation. He had a choice - to start a dispute with me, from which he would hardly be able to come out alive, or to believe me that I had the authority to take his prisoner, or just to pretend that he believed it, but to act exactly as if Rochefort himself ordered him to give me his prisoner.
If the musketeers had been in their place, the swords would have already been drawn from their scabbards, but these were only the cardinal’s guards. They all turned their gaze to their sergeant.
“It’s okay,” he said. “We are handing over our arrested person to this convoy.”
Five of his subordinates began to calmly sit down at the tables, anticipating a hearty lunch after an honest job, while I took Fontray by the arm and sternly told him:
- Mr. Fontray, please follow with me!
Fontray nodded and followed me out of the inn, accompanied by my ten fellows.
As soon as we went outside, I ordered them to quickly mount their horses and gallop after me as far as possible from this place. I was sure that the sergeant would try to go for help, after which the force would be on his side.
After we felt safe, we walked at a walk, and I asked Fontray about everything.
“Well,” I told him after listening to his confession. “Let’s hope that the play taken from you will not arouse the cardinal’s suspicions, although, knowing his talent as a writer, I am convinced that he will not fail to read this vaudeville and reveal your cunning.”
“Of course, Monsieur d'Alameda,” replied Fontray. “My ruse was designed for a random search; a meeting with the cardinal was not part of my plans.
“Consider the conspiracy uncovered,” I answered him. - Change clothes, try to change your appearance and run. Warn everyone you meet on the way that the time has come to escape.
- I still have one thing left to do! - answered Fontray.
- Which one? - I asked.
- I will kill the cardinal! - Fontray exclaimed bravely.
“You won’t succeed,” I replied. - The cardinal has been warned, the cardinal will wait for the killer, he has three hundred personal bodyguards. If at other times he could use only part of them, releasing others to rest, then today and tomorrow all three hundred will rally around him.
“Well, perhaps you’re right,” agreed Fontray. “Besides, every dog knows me by sight.”
“ And besides, the cardinal will soon be informed that you have fled, so he will be warned about a possible assassination attempt on your part,” I added.
“So, the time has come to take care that my shoulders do not become orphans, parting forever with the head, the one they carried on themselves for so many years!”
- Undoubtedly! - I answered. - Save yourself. There is no point in going to Monsieur now. They are already looking for you, so run in the direction opposite to where they will be looking for you.
“You’re right,” Fontray replied. - Moreover, I will prepare a surprise for the cardinal. Carefully examining the things taken from me, he will certainly try to open the box. This is where the end will come for him.
“Well, if the box explodes when you try to open it, it could seriously injure the cardinal,” I answered serenely.
“It doesn’t explode, but the hidden spring will throw a deadly poison in his face,” Fontray answered with a smile.
“Consequently, you did even more than what was required of you,” I answered. “Now you can take care of saving your life with a clear conscience.”
After these words of mine, Fontrai disappeared without further ado at the nearest bend.

Late in the evening of the ninth of June, I went to Saint-Mars.
“Mr. Chief,” I told him. - Go to Sedan immediately.
- Why, Chevalier d'Alameda? - Saint-Mars was surprised.
“To save my life,” I answered. - For God's sake, drive quickly before you are arrested. If the Sedan doesn't suit you, go anywhere as long as you're away from the Cardinal's guards.
- Why do you think that my life is in danger? - asked Saint-Mars.
“Because the cardinal’s guards seized Fontray and searched him,” I answered. “I believe they found what they were looking for in him.”
- What did they find? - Saint-Mars asked in disbelief.
“That which exposes you and Monsieur to the conspiracy,” I answered. — A draft or a copy of the treaty with Spain, or something else, I don’t know the details, but I believe that Fontray went to Madrid. Therefore, I think that these are some papers from there. The rest is not so difficult to figure out.
- But why are you warning me? - asked Saint-Mars. - It seems you didn’t approve of my actions?
“I did not recommend that you start this conspiracy, but you did not listen to me, and I, as you remember, told you that if this business begins, I will not stand aside,” I answered him.
“But how did the cardinal know that Fontray had gone to Spain?” - exclaimed Saint-Mars.
“Firstly, the cardinal has a whole network of informants throughout the country, and secondly, you can think about the answer to this question at your leisure somewhere in Sedan, or in Lorraine, or in Spain,” I answered. “Now is not the time for discussion, I suggest you save yourself.”
“ You don’t understand anything,” Saint-Mars objected arrogantly. “In the end, it doesn’t matter that the cardinal has this agreement. The Cardinal is doomed. The king loves me and will do anything for me that I ask of him. Tomorrow I will talk to the King and achieve Richelieu’s resignation. You know what, D'Alameda? I'm even glad that everything turned out this way! I'm tired of waiting, I'm tired of waiting, finally! Now everything will be decided. I will go ahead, I will crush the cardinal!
—Are you going to meet the King tomorrow? - I asked in horror. - Listen to my advice, Mister Chief, save yourself. Perhaps a month or two will pass, the King will miss you and forgive you, everything will be forgotten. I'll let you know when it's safe to return.
“You didn’t listen to me, or you didn’t understand,” Saint-Mars waved him off. “I tell you that the King loves me.” I'm not in danger. This is a small misunderstanding that will be resolved tomorrow!
“It’s you who didn’t listen to me, Mr. Chief, it’s you who don’t understand me,” I objected. “I wanted to save your life, but apparently it wasn’t fate!” Farewell!
- See you soon, Mr. d'Alameda! - answered Saint-Mars. - I invite you to the celebration that I will organize on the occasion of Richelieu’s resignation. This will take place no later than three days later.
I nodded silently and took my leave. At that moment I praised myself for not telling Saint-Mars my real name, but calling myself by the name that first came to mind. Let the cardinal's bloodhounds then look for the Chevalier d'Alameda! This will be more difficult for them than to find the Chevalier d'Herblay, whom every musketeer in Paris knows, some of the cardinal's guards, whom I only wounded but did not kill, as well as almost every young and pretty parishioner!
“This can’t be saved,” I thought. “I’ll try to save the cardinal.”

I went to Madame Combala. It was not difficult to get a meeting with her, since he was a member of the Order.
“Madam, your dear uncle’s life depends on you,” I told her after very brief greetings and bows.
- Who are you, sir? she asked. - They told me your name, but I never heard it.
“My name is Chevalier d'Alameda, madam, and that is enough for our conversation.” - I answered. “If you find out who I am, you will find out, but you may not have time to save His Eminence.”
- What threatens him? she asked anxiously. - Murder? Attack? He has sufficient security.
“His life is threatened by the box he took from Fontray,” I answered. - The box has a secret and it is not easy to open it, but in the end he will guess what the secret of its lock is, however, it cannot be opened. It contains a deadly poison that will be thrown into his face by a hidden spring.
- My God! - exclaimed Madame Combalet. “I must warn him immediately, if it’s not too late.”
“If the Lord does not want him dead, you will have time,” I answered.
- May I know how you know about this box? asked Madame Combalet.
“From the one who made it,” I answered. “I cannot tell you more details, except that only the cardinal will believe you without any doubt.” If someone else told him about this, he would not believe it and would want to see for himself that the box really does contain a secret.
“You are right, Chevalier d’Alameda,” replied Madame Combalet. But my uncle still wants to make sure that the box really poses a danger.
“In that case, he will decide his own fate,” I answered.
“One more word, Chevalier,” said Madame Combalet. - Why are you saving him? After all, it seems to me that you belong to the opposite camp?
“The Cardinal is not the kind of person with whom it is permissible to fight with such vile methods,” I answered. “Besides, his murder will not change anything in the fate of the conspirators, and will greatly complicate the fate of the Queen, while I am, first of all, a servant of Her Majesty.”
“I understand everything,” answered Madame Combalet and ran out of the room to get ready for the trip as quickly as possible.
I followed her out and went as far as possible from the Palais Cardinal, where she lived, together with her uncle, as her closest relative.
There was no point in explaining to Madame Combalet that, in accordance with the plans of the Order, Cardinal Richelieu was not supposed to die from the infernal box made to order by Fontray.

Chapter 98

The cardinal was very sick and weak, but the uncovered conspiracy seemed to inject a miraculous medicine into his blood. Excited by the excitement of exposing a hidden enemy, with whom he had long been connected only by mutual irreconcilable hatred, he found the strength to meet the King, although he had to be taken to His Majesty in a stretcher, after which the servants, obeying a slight movement of the hand of the first minister, left them alone.
- Your Majesty, can you forgive me? - asked the cardinal. “I’m completely guilty of you.”
- Is that so? — the King perked up. - Tell me more about this!
“My fault is that I once recommended to you the son of the Marquis de Effia as a wardrobe master,” Richelieu replied in a voice full of despair.
-What are you saying, cardinal? - exclaimed the King. “Saint-Mars was fully worthy of your recommendations, and I cannot blame you for anything in this regard!”
- Your Majesty, how can I fulfill the duties of the First Minister of France, if I understand people so poorly that I was stupid to recommend to you a traitor, a conspirator, a traitor, a corrupt person and unworthy of the favors you showered on him, undoubtedly only because you trusted my recommendation? - the cardinal objected heatedly.
“What you are saying now looks less like repentance and more like an accusation, cardinal!” - objected the King. - And if things are as you say, then it is not you who should be blamed, but him, but what grounds do you have for such a serious accusation?
“Monsieur Saint-Mars, whom you awarded with the high title of Mister Chief, was plotting treason, the purpose of which was the overthrow of Your Majesty,” the cardinal answered sadly. “There is no forgiveness for me if I allowed the poison of betrayal to take such deep roots!”
“Cardinal, as far as I know you, you would not allow yourself such statements without having significant evidence of your words,” answered the King. - I demand this evidence.
“Read this, Your Majesty, and then all doubts will disappear from you,” answered the cardinal and handed the King several sheets of paper.
- What is this? - asked the King without reading.
“This is a copy of the treaty between Gaston of Orleans and Philip IV of Spain,” answered the cardinal.
- What kind of agreements can there be between the King of Spain and my brother? - exclaimed the King. - Does he already consider me dead, and also lists both my sons among the dead?
Instead of answering, the cardinal covered his eyes with his left palm, expressing extreme despair.
- And you say that Mr. Chief participated in this betrayal? - asked the King in anger.
“There can be no doubt about this, since some articles of this treaty specifically stipulate his role in the future administration of France,” answered the cardinal.
“Explain this term “Further management of France,” demanded the King.
“This means governing France after the First Minister and the King are removed from power,” answered the cardinal. - Everything is said about it here.
The cardinal pointed his finger at a few lines on the second sheet of the treaty.
“The king will be removed from power,” you say? - asked Louis XIII . - So he was killed?
“Not necessarily, Your Majesty,” replied the cardinal. - May be forcibly placed in a monastery or something worse.
- What could be worse than a monastery? - asked the King in bewilderment.
“A prison from which it will be impossible to rescue you,” answered the cardinal. - Either because of careful security, or because the place of your detention will not be known to anyone. But the monastery, of course, is simpler, Your Majesty. Monastery or...
- Or? - asked the King.
“Or, Your Majesty,” the cardinal answered and looked into the King’s eyes, then raised his eyes to him, after which a shiver ran down Louis’s spine.
- My brother and my... Mister Chief! We planned this! - exclaimed the King.
“People are sometimes extremely ungrateful, Your Majesty,” the cardinal answered in an extremely sad voice.
“Arrest,” the King snapped briefly.
- Of course, Your Majesty, you are talking about Mr. Chief, and not about your brother? - inquired the king.
“Place Monsieur under house arrest,” replied the King. - Saint-Mars to the Bastille. Who else? Queen?
“Her Majesty is not involved in this conspiracy, Your Majesty!” - answered the cardinal.
- Are you sure? - asked the King.
- Quite! - answered the cardinal.
“Okay,” Louis answered with relief. “However, investigate everything carefully.”
The King was relieved that the Queen was innocent this time, since for the past year and a half he had been acutely aware that he no longer trusted anyone but her with custody of his sons. No matter how cold the relationship developed between the august spouses, the Queen was the mother of his children, and Louis completely trusted her maternal feelings. He could suspect each of his relatives of wishing harm to his heirs, each nobleman for this reason, as he believed, could be bribed. He could only trust the Queen and the Cardinal completely. But the cardinal was old and frail. If the Queen were involved in a conspiracy, who could the equally frail King rely on in the event of his death? Who could protect these children who stand between his brother or between the other princes of the blood and the throne?
“I will conduct thorough investigations, Your Majesty, but I am deeply convinced in advance that Her Majesty is not involved in the conspiracy, which I can vouch for with a light heart,” replied the cardinal.
He knew that the Queen was not involved for the reason that she had been surrounded by his spies for more than two years. He had no doubt that she sympathized with the conspirators, but she sympathized with them in a very strange way. She wanted their rise and the weakening of Richelieu’s guardianship over her, but, really, she did not want the cardinal’s death, or she so skillfully played out her gratitude to him that the cardinal wanted to believe her. And he believed.
—Where did you get this agreement? - asked the King.
“It was found at Fontray, whom I was forced to suspect because he undertook a journey to Madrid,” answered the cardinal.
— Did Fontray visit Madrid without my permission? - the King asked angrily. “You are too soft-hearted, cardinal.” I hope he is arrested?
“Arrested and awaiting trial,” replied the cardinal.
“Okay,” said the King and nodded. — Did you find anything else interesting on him?
“Nothing significant, except for one box, which we have not yet opened, since the key has not been found, but we will definitely open it,” answered the cardinal.
- Why didn’t you break the lock? - Louis inquired.
“I was told that a Spanish chemist invented mixtures that ignite when exposed to fresh air,” answered the cardinal. — And one mechanic invented such locks for boxes that, when you try to break into them, they break the bottle inside the box with a similar mixture. I'm afraid that if we try to pick the lock, the contents will simply burn.
- How are you going to open this box? - Louis asked.
“I sent for a master who knows how to carefully open any lock,” Richelieu replied. “He will be here by evening, and we will open it together.”
“Okay, cardinal, go ahead,” replied the King. - My God! Saint-Mars is a conspirator!
- Who would have thought, Your Majesty? - Richelieu played along, feigning sincere surprise.
- Do you know what, cardinal? - Louis suddenly asked. “I confess to you, for the last month, no, for a month and a half now, I have become fully convinced of the ingratitude of Saint-Mars!” He became rude, capricious, unfair... In a word, he became unbearable! I even forbade him from entering my bedroom!
“I will never cease to be amazed at Your Majesty’s foresight!” - exclaimed the cardinal.
- Investigate this matter thoroughly, cardinal! - said the King with feeling. “All those responsible must receive the punishment they deserve.”
The Cardinal bowed his head and rang the bell, after which servants entered the room and carried the stretcher with Richelieu out of the King's bedroom.

Chapter 99

“Mr. Gilles Personnier,” said the cardinal to the scientist who came to him. “I know that you are extremely skilled in the field of mechanics. Could you open this box, the key to which is lost, without breaking the lock?
“To do this, I will need to make several casts of the keyhole with several turns of the quickly hardening material,” replied Personnier. “Then I will try to make a key and hope that it will fit the lock of this box.”
- How long will it take? - asked Richelieu.
“I hope to do it in two hours,” replied Personnier.
- Wonderful! - answered Richelieu.

Two and a quarter hours later, Monsieur Personnier appeared before the cardinal.
“Your Eminence, I have made a key,” he said.
-Have you tried opening the box? - asked the cardinal.
“No,” replied Personnier. “But I am sure that the key I made opens the lock of this box and also allows you to lock it.”
Personnier placed the box on the table next to the cardinal, placed the key next to it, bowed and took a step back.
At that very moment, when the cardinal's hand reached for the key, the out of breath Madame Combalet burst into the room.
- Uncle, don’t open the box! - she shouted.
-What's the matter, my dear? - asked the cardinal. -What worries you so much?
— There is a hidden spring in the box that throws poisonous powder into the face of anyone who tries to open it! - Madame Combalet answered.
- How did you know that? - the cardinal was surprised.
“From a man who called himself Chevalier d'Alameda,” she answered. - I believe that this is not his real name, but it doesn’t matter, I believe him.
— Do you think, Mr. Personnier, that such a mechanism could be built into a box? - asked the cardinal.
“It’s possible,” Personnier answered after some thought. — In this case, the lid will open itself, you just have to turn the key all the way.
- Can we find out what is contained in the box without putting ourselves in danger? - asked the Cardinal. “After all, it may turn out that this information is false, and this same Chevalier d’Alameda simply deceived my niece.”
“We can do the following,” answered the scientist. — First, we will tie the box with a wick used to detonate powder charges. After this, we will open the lock in the box with the key, place the box on a wooden block, to the top of which we will tie a long cord. We will light the fuse and retreat to a safe distance. I believe that ten steps will be enough, but just in case, let's go thirty steps away. After the wick burns down to a knot, the knot will turn to ash, so that the inner spring of the box will open its lid. If the box has a mechanism that releases poison, then this poison will be thrown out at a distance of no more than two or three steps. If this happens, then our fears will be confirmed. If the box does not open on its own, then we pull the cord tied to the wooden block on which the box lies, the block will tip over, the box will fall to the ground and, most likely, will open. If in this case we cannot understand whether it contains poison, then someone will have to approach the box with a mask on their face made of fabric folded in several layers and moistened with water. This mask will have to cover the mouth and nose of the person who approaches the box. He must have leather gloves on his hands.
“Where are you going to do all this, Master Personnier?” - Richelieu asked, overflowing with respect for the scientist.
“ In some deserted wasteland, Your Eminence,” answered the scientist.
“Excellent, Monsieur Personnier,” said Richelieu. - I trust you to do this experiment. Regardless of the result, whether you find something important in the box or not, you will receive one hundred and fifty pistoles from my treasurer. However, if any papers are found there, your reward will be doubled. My page will order that you be given everything you need - a wick, a twine, a flint and a wooden block. Let them get everything out of the ground.
Personnier bowed, took the boxes and the key and left with Madame Combalet, who conveyed the cardinal's orders to the page and the treasurer, after which she returned to her uncle.
-Who is this mysterious Chevalier d'Alameda, who knows so much and whom I have never heard of? - asked Richelieu.
- Is it so important, uncle? asked Madame Combalet. “For me, what is much more important is that if there was a danger to you, now it is no longer there.” Everything else is unimportant.
“I must find him,” replied the cardinal. “And you, my dear, will help me with this, because you saw him in person.”
- Of course, uncle, but for what? asked Madame Combalet.
“If this is a stupid joke, then I will find him to punish him, and if his warning saved my life, I will have to reward him even if he is involved in the conspiracy,” answered the cardinal.

An hour later, Master Personnier came to the cardinal.
“Your Eminence, there was a spring in the box that set the mechanism into action,” he said. “As soon as the fire in the wick reached the knot, the lid of the box was thrown back, and a cloud of white powder was thrown out of it at a distance of about two steps. Two pigeons that were nearby at that moment died immediately. With all precautions, I took part of the powder for analysis. Tomorrow I will tell you what kind of poison it was. I ordered to cover the place where the powder spilled with dry branches and set it on fire, and when everything burned out, cover it with earth.
— Did the box contain any papers? - asked the cardinal.
“I examined it carefully, there were only fifty pistoles and a diamond ring in it. I thoroughly disinfected all this. There were no papers in the box, I tore off the fabric upholstery and even took the box apart.
“Okay, Master Personnier,” replied the cardinal. “You will receive three hundred pistoles from my treasurer, and also keep everything you found in the box.”
When Personnier bowed and left the cardinal's office, Richelieu looked expressively at Madame Combalet.
“Today, my dear, you saved my life,” he said. - If you had been delayed on the road for even a minute, it would have been too late!
- Tell me, uncle, which saint should I pray for the health of Monsieur d'Alamede? asked Madame Combalet. - For your health, I will order a huge candle to the Virgin Mary.
“Light a candle for Saint Armand,” replied the cardinal. “I believe that he took this trouble away from me.” In honor of getting rid of death, I will not execute Fontray, although he deserved it. I will replace the death penalty with imprisonment for, say, twenty years. He will still have a chance to leave the Bastille and enjoy freedom, but later.
After these words, the cardinal made a gesture with his hand and lips, which Madame Combalet unmistakably understood, after which she offered her uncle his forehead for a kiss.
The Cardinal kissed Madame de Combalet and peacefully leaned back on the pillows. He did not yet know that Fontray was already outside France, so it was not in the cardinal’s power to put him in the Bastille.

Chapter 100

So, the cardinal, from the text of the treaty alone, understood that it was drawn up by Gaston of Orleans, Duke of Bouillon and Saint-Mars. According to this agreement, the King of Spain, Philip IV of Habsburg, was to field twelve thousand infantry and fifteen thousand cavalry, as well as provide the leaders of the conspiracy with money. If the conspiracy was successful, Gaston d'Orl;ans intended to take the throne, de Saint-Mars intended to become first minister instead of Cardinal de Richelieu, and the Spaniards intended to obtain a profitable peace, which they had long sought in vain while fighting the French.
The Cardinal thought about the infernal box with which Fontray was going to kill him. An episode came to his mind when he cruelly insulted Fontray.
Louis d'Astarac de Fontray, Marquis de Marestan, was a close friend of the Marquis Henri de Saint-Mars, but they were complete opposites. Saint-Mars was young, twenty-one years old, slender, handsome, while Fontray was already thirty-seven years old at that time, he was a short hunchback, and he had two humps. Fontray was sharp-tongued.
One day, Fontray, together with several young nobles, ridiculed a performance staged, as it later turned out, by order of Cardinal de Richelieu. The Cardinal, of course, was informed about this, and he was greatly offended. Having met the marquis a few days later in the reception hall of his palace at the moment when the arrival of a foreign ambassador was reported, he said loudly:
- Step aside, Monsieur de Fontray. Better yet, don't show yourself at all. The ambassador did not come to France to examine freaks.
“How little it sometimes takes to make an enemy, and how much effort one has to spend to make at least one friend! - Richelieu thought belatedly. - However, fate sometimes gives pleasant and undeserved surprises. This is the Chevalier d'Alameda, because I don't know him at all! And for some reason he saved my life!”

Saint-Mars and de Thou had already been captured and were sitting in the Bastille.
The Cardinal was sorting through the papers found at Saint-Mars. In one of the love letters written to him by Marie Louise de Gonzaga-Nevers, the cardinal found a mention of a conspiracy.
“You only promise that you will overthrow the Eminence, while almost all of Paris already knows about the impending conspiracy! Chat, empty chatter. Active people don’t blurt out their plans so that no one can interfere with their execution, so I don’t believe you.”
"Sassy Girl! - The cardinal thought. “And she also knew about the conspiracy and wanted me dead!” It’s a pity that I won’t be able to punish her with anything other than contempt!”
The Cardinal remembered how Saint-Mars asked his help in marrying her.
“Do not forget, sir, that you are only a simple nobleman, elevated solely by the mercy of the King,” Richelieu then replied. - How did you have the audacity to count on such a marriage? Of course, the princess refused you. If she didn’t laugh at the proposal of such a marriage, then I must admit that she is even crazier than you.
“That’s when Saint-Mars hatched his plot! - thought the cardinal. “He decided to take revenge on me, or, more likely, he planned to achieve what he wanted by eliminating me as the only obstacle!”
Not only all the threads of the conspiracy were now obvious to the cardinal, but also all their sources and reasons. He paid too little attention to not making personal enemies among people of weight at court, and, even more so, among people who climb up the career ladder! But where else could he think about this, when already he didn’t have enough days for all the affairs of governing the state, which is why he slept no more than four hours a day, which completely undermined his health.
The Cardinal had already been informed that Fontray had fled abroad, disguised as a Capuchin.
Saint-Mars also tried to escape, but did so as if reluctantly, without much enthusiasm and with great delay, so that he found it impossible to escape from Paris, since, by order of the cardinal, all the city gates were locked and strictly guarded.
There were plenty of grounds for accusing Saint-Mars and de Thou, since Gaston of Orleans, as soon as he realized that the conspiracy had failed, voluntarily betrayed all the accomplices, if only he would be spared interrogations, confrontations and explanations. The Duke of Bouillon did the same. Both received a pardon, and the cardinal received information about all the actions of the conspirators and all their names.
Among the names of the conspirators, Richelieu found the name of the Chevalier d'Alameda.
This did not surprise him; he had already guessed that the well-wisher unknown to him, who saved his life, apparently knew about this infernal box due to the fact that he was among the conspirators. He decided that all the conspirators were aware of this device, which added to the severity of the interrogation.
The cardinal's anger, which should have been directed at Monsieur, at Fontrail, at Chevreuse, and at the Duke of Bouillon, was directed at the rest of the conspirators who were within his reach.
Truly, they could envy the fate of the Count of Soissons, who was also always at one with the Duke of Bouillon, but died in July 1641 from an accident. He had a habit of acting with the pistol as if it were an extension of his own hand, sometimes neglecting the fact that it was loaded. They say that he just wanted to lift the visor of his helmet with the barrel of the pistol, forgetting that the pistol was loaded, the pistol accidentally shot him right in the head.
This accident also saved Richelieu a year earlier, since the Count of Soissons had enough victorious troops, and he intended to send them to Paris to overthrow Richelieu.
One person from the leadership of the Jesuit Order once hinted to me that there was someone who knew very well about this habit of the Count of Soissons, and also knew about the count’s intentions to conquer Paris. This man loaded the count's pistol and slightly sharpened one part of the pistol, so that it could fire from a small blow, such as from contact with the visor of a helmet. However, he immediately told me that this information was not reliable, from which I concluded that for some reason he wished he had told me these details. Apparently he didn’t quite trust me then. Then I decided that this information could be trusted.
I want to finish describing the Saint-Mars conspiracy, since I have already devoted too much space to its description. I will only say that Saint-Mars mentioned my name, and de Thou and Monsieur did the same, but they all called me nothing less than Chevalier d'Alameda. If Richelieu had undertaken an active search, he, of course, would have found out who was hiding under this name. It was enough to remember that Madame Combalet saw me and could identify me, and that Monsieur, Saint-Mars and de Thou would not fail to identify me. But, as I noted, the cardinal decided to abandon the pursuit of the mysterious Chevalier d'Alameda, who saved him from certain death. This saved me from the scaffold, however, I still chose to leave Paris for a while, and even if the cardinal had decided to pursue me, I probably would have managed to escape, just as Fontray escaped.
The investigation into the case dragged on for a long time, because the cardinal wanted to identify all his enemies. The cardinal learned about the conspiracy on the tenth of June, and the execution of Saint-Mars and de Thou took place only on the twelfth of September. It must be said that Saint-Mars refused to believe that the King would agree to his execution and all the time expected that Louis XIII would forgive him, perhaps after scolding him a little.
King Louis XIII personally interrogated Saint-Mars. Mr. Chief stated that he did not think about overthrowing the King, but only intended to eliminate Cardinal Richelieu. Then the King pointed to de Treville standing nearby and said angrily:
- Mister Chief! Remember. Here is a man who will deliver me from the cardinal as soon as I want it. I have enough of him, I don’t need anyone else’s help in this matter!
Of course, the cardinal was informed about this statement by the King, after which he decided to remove de Treville from the court. Due to illness, he instructed the Comte de Chavigny to obtain from the King the removal of de Treville from his post as captain of the royal musketeers. Chavigny achieved nothing.
“You know, Monsieur de Chavigny, that my name is Louis the Just,” said the King. “How can I continue to be called fair if I remove from office people who have served me faithfully for many years, and who have no guilt before me?” Monsieur de Treville bears scars on his body from wounds received in my service! His loyalty to me is beyond doubt, and, moreover, he did not join the conspiracy against the cardinal, although I know for certain that he was persuaded to do so!
- Sovereign! - Chavigny tried to object. “The Cardinal is equally devoted to Your Majesty, and he served you without sparing his life.” His contribution to government is incommensurable! Is it possible to put His Eminence and some musketeer captain on the same scale?
- The captain of the royal musketeers is the King himself, Mister Chavigny! - objected the King. - De Treville is only replacing me in this post! Therefore, if the cardinal replaces me in one post, and de Treville in another, both of them are my deputies. They can be compared in terms of importance. It’s great that you started talking about scales, Chavigny. The scales must be balanced. If you remove a weight from one of the bowls on the scale, the other bowl will go down! You propose to remove de Treville, but do not realize that in this case the scales on which the cardinal is located will move not up, but down! We cannot know to what baseness one who has power that has nothing to oppose can reach! However, after the betrayal of Mr. Chief, we already know this!

This did not happen. If Saint-Mars had not so demonstratively turned away from the King’s caresses, perhaps even in the event of such a revelation, the King would actually have forgiven him. But the disdain that Saint-Mars expressed for the King did its job, and, perhaps most importantly, Saint-Mars’s conspiracy was exposed by the cardinal after the King began to be burdened by the company of his favorite. The cardinal knocked down the colossus, whose legs had already become clay; he only had to hit him for the colossus to fall. So we can say that Saint-Mars was ruined by the bad smell from the King’s mouth, which Saint-Mars did not want to ignore.
De Thou and Saint-Mars ascended the scaffold at the same time along with the priest, Father Malavette. There the scaffold and the executioner with an ax were already waiting for them.
- Which of us will die first? - de Thou asked de Saint-Mars.
“I don’t care,” replied the defeated favorite. - What order do you want?
“I don’t know,” replied de Thou.
- Maybe we should ask the executioner? - asked Saint-Mars.
Then Father Malavallette asked, pointing to Monsieur de Thou:
- You seem older, don't you? Maybe, based on seniority, your turn is first?
“Yes, of course, I’m older,” de Thou answered and took a step towards the chopping block.
But at that moment he suddenly realized that the scaffold was now dry, and the one who would be the first to lay his head on it would be spared from witnessing the death of his comrade, as well as from the horror of realizing that the same thing would happen to him. The second of them will have to lay his head on a block soaked in the blood of his comrade. He realized that he himself, as the eldest, must take on a heavier share, that is, be second. The kindness, delicacy and wisdom of Monsieur de Thou reached their highest height in the answer that he uttered after this momentary enlightenment.
“Perhaps we should now take the last step on the path to eternal glory,” he said and turned to de Saint-Mars. “You are braver than me, so maybe you can show me this path?”
“Alas, I have opened the path to the abyss for you,” de Saint-Mars answered with a sigh. “It’s a pity that the cardinal didn’t limit himself to just my execution.” Well, I will go first with the hope that you will be pardoned. This thought will strengthen my courage.
He put his head on the block and waited. The executioner, apparently, was not skilled, although he was no longer young at all. He tried it on for a very long time, so Saint-Mars finally lost patience.
- Well, what are you waiting for? - he exclaimed and was already trying to raise his head to hurry the executioner.
And at that moment the executioner delivered his blow, which hit not the neck, but the skull.
There was a crunch, but the head did not separate from the body, and Saint-Mars, instead of instant death, received a painful wound, remaining alive.
The executioner was so old and clumsy that it took him twelve blows to cut off the head of the unfortunate de Saint-Mars.
The people watching the execution wept, even those who sympathized with the cardinal.

When Chavigny reported to the cardinal that the King had refused to dismiss de Treville, he was angry.
- Monsieur de Chavigny! I provided you with the strongest arguments, which just had to be presented to the King in the right sequence! - he exclaimed. “And all you got from the King was an indication of de Treville’s merits?” As if I didn’t know about them without you!
“The King did not want any reason to stop considering him Louis the Just,” Chavigny tried to justify himself.
- The king always cares about everyone’s opinion of him, he always brings up this argument in any conversation! - the cardinal objected. “You should have said that you are not presenting to him your request, but my urgent advice, my decision, and not because I want it, but because it is simply necessary!” Only such words have an effect on the King!
“I tried to say that,” de Chavigny lied.
“Of course you didn’t say that,” the cardinal answered in a tired voice. “Your head is spinning, Mister de Chavigny, because the height to which you have been raised with my help does not correspond to your talents, your ability to maintain balance and move in the right direction.” It's a pity! You should learn this, because I count on you so much! Especially for the time when I’m gone! And that time, believe me, is just around the corner!
At this very moment, the cardinal decided to rely on Mazarin, and recommend him to the King as his successor as first minister.
Chavigny apologized profusely and promised to try again to talk to the King.
“It’s impossible, it’s useless and it’s dangerous,” the cardinal objected. - If you have received a refusal from the King once, returning to this conversation is impossible. If you failed to convince the King the first time, you will not succeed the second time, because in this case the King would have shown you an example that his decision is not unshakable. And finally, this is dangerous, because after the second refusal, even I will not be able to return to this conversation. Therefore, now I will have to seek a solution to this issue myself, no matter how difficult it may be for me to carry out this meeting.
The Cardinal, with almost the last of his strength, got out of bed and personally came to the King for an explanation. This alone affected the King, since the cardinal almost did not get out of bed. Richelieu found words that convinced the King to agree to de Treville’s resignation.
The Cardinal managed to recommend Mazarin to the King and Queen.
“You will like him,” he told the Queen. - He looks so much like Buckingham!
Maria Gonzaga, having learned that all of Saint-Mars' papers were now in the possession of the cardinal, through Madame d'Aiguillon, begged Richelieu to return to her all her love letters to Saint-Mars and the lock of hair that she had sent him at his request.
“In the papers of Saint-Mars there are too many love letters from completely different ladies, so I don’t have time to sort out which of them are from her and which are from other ladies,” answered the cardinal. “However, if she sends a sample of her hair and her handwriting, then perhaps it will be possible to do something for her in order to find the letters and curl she requested among several dozen curls of other ladies.”
This was a small revenge of Cardinal Maria Gonzaga for the fact that she knew about Saint-Mars’ plan and did not condemn him, and did not report him to the cardinal.
The King's health was deteriorating every day, but the Cardinal's illness was even more serious. Less than three months after the execution of Saint-Mars and de Thou, Cardinal Richelieu died on December 4, 1642. The king immediately returned de Treville to the position of captain of the royal musketeers.
The news of the cardinal's death greatly delighted the King. Such is the gratitude of monarchs.

Chapter 101

After the discovery of the conspiracy, Gaston d'Orl;ans intended to flee to Franche-Comt;, but his advisers warned him that in this case, after the death of the King, Anna of Austria would remain the sovereign ruler in France.
Since Monsieur confessed everything, the Duke of Bouillon's confessions were not enough to forgive him, so he had to ransom him by giving the King Sedan. Richelieu was flexible, receiving the Sedan completely satisfied him. If Colbert had been so accommodating, Superintendent Fouquet might have been able to pay off Louis XIV by giving him Belle-Ile.
After the death of the cardinal, Louis returned to his previous positions not only de Treville, but also four guard captains - Dezzesar, Tiyadade, Lasalle and Beaupuy. To the credit of the King it should be said that although he gave in to the Cardinal's demand to dismiss all these people, he retained the salary of all five in the form of a pension and allowed them to live where they wished, so that their resignation was only on paper, since they could remain without hindrance close to the King.
After the death of the cardinal, the exiles who feared only him began to hastily return to Paris to show their respect and devotion to the Queen in the hope that she would not forget this when she gained power, remaining the Dowager Queen under the minor sovereign. Louis XIII did not like this court crowd, so he ordered all the nobles who returned without his permission to go to their estates and not be an eyesore to their monarch at court. Well, that was fine with me. I returned to Paris, but tried not to catch the eye of the King, however, I was not at all afraid of meeting the Queen. Her irritation with the Duchess de Chevreuse did not extend to me.
The cardinal's spies were left without their master, therefore without money and without anything to do. I even felt a little sorry for them, and most importantly, it was now possible to easily identify them by the sudden decrease in the income of many nobles, since they received payment for their services irregularly and illegally.
It seemed that the King was on the mend, despite the fact that in the past year he twice found himself on the brink of the grave. He did not long enjoy freedom from the cardinal, since he was faced with the task of governing the state.
Louis did not trust any of the princes, and understood that only his wife, Queen Anne, could protect his children. But in the matter of governing the state, the King could not rely on her. He recalled his dying words about her that the Queen was Spanish. Consequently, if she becomes the ruler of the state, she will make peace with Spain even contrary to the interests of France.
Richelieu left the King a huge book, The Political Testament. This would be wonderful for an active person who would take the trouble to read it, and more than once. But only a thin booklet, the most important theses, should have been left for the King, which the cardinal did not do. So his work became more of a property of history and literature, but not a political guide for the King, deprived of his first minister.
The royal council included Seigner, Boutiller, Chavigny, Noyer, and Mazarin.
The cardinal managed to procure Mazarin's cardinal's hat because he was pleased with his service.
The king recalled Richelieu’s words: “I know only one person who can take my place, but he is a foreigner. And still use it.”
Mazarin tried to correct the shortcoming that Richelieu spoke about by obtaining French citizenship.
Finally, on April 20, 1643, Louis XIII gathered the princes and ministers, the chancellor and secretaries of state, and other senior officials in the new castle of Gaston d'Orl;ans. He declared his will that he bequeathed his mother, Queen Anne, to be regent for the young Louis. He appointed his brother, Gaston d'Orl;ans, as royal governor, subordinate to the Queen. At the same time, the main state, military, civil and financial issues had to be resolved by the Permanent Council, in which, along with the Queen and Monsieur, there were Mazarin, Seguier, Boutiller and Chavigny. By this time, Noyer had already been dismissed for overzealously interceding with the King in favor of the Queen.
Everyone on this council had equal votes, and decisions had to be made by a majority vote. The King also announced that he did not forgive Chateauneuf and the Duchess de Chevreuse. The Queen had to sign the document, although she objected to many of its points, perhaps all but the first two.
The king ordered his eldest son to be baptized, since previously only the rite of minor baptism had been performed on him. The Dauphin's godmother was the Princesse de Cond;, and his godfather Cardinal Mazarin, since Louis XIII would have wanted the Pope to be his godfather, but Rome did not answer, and Mazarin was in some way the representative of the Pope.
- What are you called from now on, my son? - the King asked the Dauphin after the baptism ceremony.
“Louis XIV , my father,” answered the Dauphin.
“Not yet, my son,” the King objected. “But soon you will become one, if it is God’s will.”
From his bed, the King could see Saint-Denis, where, according to custom, the last King of France lay until his heir died.
“This is where I will soon move and stay there for a long time,” said the King, pointing to the Basilica, where the coffin of Henry IV was now located .
Indeed, since the Dauphin was still a child, he had a long time to rule.
When the King became especially ill, he fell into oblivion, and all the hidden nobility hastened to defend themselves.
It began with the fact that Lameyer and Chavigny gathered their troops, fearing that reprisals would be inflicted on them, as with Richelieu’s people. In response, Monsieur and Cond; ordered their men to arm themselves and be nearby. The Vend;mes, legitimized descendants of Henry IV from Gabriel d'Estr;es, took similar measures. The Queen could not take the side of Monsieur with his house of Orleans, nor the house of Cond;, nor the Guises, nor the Rohans, since their main forces were still far away, and the active representative of the Rohans and Guises, her former friend the Duchess de Chevreuse, was still in exile, and the Queen I didn’t try to get her back from there.
She, of course, would have trusted de Treville, Dezzesar and d'Artagnan, but these were only warriors, not politicians. So she decided to trust the Vend;mes.
The Duke de Beaufort, proud that the Queen had entrusted her safety to him and his relatives, behaved according to this new position and did not even turn his head towards his competitors, but looked only at the Queen.
Having regained consciousness, the King fully approved of the Queen's actions.
The Queen had one more reason to trust the Vend;mes, which I will keep silent about out of modesty, since this reason has already been stated in one of the chapters.
I must say that I once caught something special, subtly benevolent in the Queen’s gaze at Caesar Vend;me.
Many times the courtiers already considered the King dead, but he came to his senses again, and died only on May 14, 1643.
The queen and her sons left Saint-Germain along with a cortege, which included gray and black musketeers led by de Treville, a light cavalry regiment led by Marshal Schomberg, horsemen and all the nobility. The late King remained only surrounded by a few guards until his body was carried in a funeral procession to Saint-Denis.
But now everyone had no time for the funeral, everyone was in a hurry to pay respects to the new King, the young Louis XIV , and the Queen’s mother, and the princes and Monsieur were also trying to grab for themselves as large a piece of power as possible.
On May 18, a meeting of parliament took place, where the young King, dressed all in purple, was carried in the arms of the chief chamberlain, the Duke de Chevreuse. The Queen, Monsieur, Conde, and his son Conti also entered there.
“Gentlemen, I have come to testify to you my good will, Mister Chancellor will tell the rest,” said the new King Louis XIV , a phrase he had memorized the day before, after which he sat down on the throne and fell silent.
After this, the Queen spoke, whose face was covered with a transparent black veil.
“The death of the King, gentlemen, has caused me great grief,” she said. “My grief is so great that it has prevented me from fully concentrating on my new responsibilities until my son comes of age.” Today I want to testify to you that in any case I will have the pleasure of accepting your valuable advice to me and my son, which you consider necessary for the good of the State.
This speech meant a coup d'etat; the Queen usurped all power in France for herself and her young son. This was completely contrary to all points, except the first two, of the document that King Louis XIII drew up as a political testament , and which she signed. The Queen promised to listen to advice, therefore, she promised to make decisions on governing the state independently.
Both Gaston d'Orl;ans and the Prince de Cond; had to speak out, each of whom asked Parliament to give the Queen full power until Louis XIV came of age. Indeed, although such a turn of affairs infringed on their rights, it was still more beneficial for them than fulfilling all the instructions of Louis XIII .
After this, Chancellor Segye rose from his seat and silently knelt before the young King. After this, he made a speech praising Queen Anne.
It would be interesting to know what the Queen herself was thinking about at that time, whether she remembered how Segier carried out a search in her room and even dared to demand from her those letters that she hid on her chest. This man was an obedient executor of the will of the King and the cardinal, but now he had to obey the one whom, by their orders, he had humiliated more than once.
Chief lawyer Omer Talon summed it all up. He called on parliament to accept the power of the King, and asked the King to love his parliament and his people.
After this, Parliament unanimously rejected the declaration drawn up by Louis XIII , which twenty-five days earlier had unanimously accepted while Louis XIII was still alive.
True, there were those who dared to set their own conditions for the Queen. Some demanded the resignation of all the cardinal's creatures, however, the Bishop of Bovez convinced the parliamentarians not to insist on this, saying that the Queen should be given the opportunity to deal with these gentlemen herself later.
 
Chapter 102

Contrary to expectations, the Queen left all her husband's ministers in their places, and two days later appointed Cardinal Giulio Mazarin as the head of her many councils.
Both Monsieur and the Prince of Cond; also remained nominally heads of the political council, but even a small nominal advantage in deft hands could become decisive. Suffice it to recall the situation when the Queen Mother Marie de Medici convinced her son Louis XIII to introduce Cardinal Richelieu to the royal council. The lack of specific duties and special respect for his opinion by the King made the cardinal almost immediately the de facto head of the council, and subsequently the first minister. As a result, the opinion of all other members of the council acquired only an advisory value. This is how it happens: a person who is only allowed to summarize the results of the debate at the end of the discussions or just formulate a question before putting it to a vote becomes the de facto leader, then everyone very quickly understands who exactly makes the final decisions and no longer tries to resist it, with the exception of situations of rebellion, rebellion, conspiracies.
Mazarin was precisely the figure who was capable of continuing Richelieu’s line of strengthening royal power, but, as Richelieu rightly said, “Mazarin is a foreigner,” so the matter could not do without conspiracies, rebellions and riots, in other words, without what subsequently received name of the Fronde.
What exactly is rebellion?
A person of little importance may, under certain circumstances, begin to gradually assume weight in society. Any officer, pursuing a military career, especially in times of war, is promoted from time to time in rank if there are no obvious offenses. More and more military forces are under his command, and among his soldiers he begins to feel like an undisputed leader, a captain, a general, a monarch, a living embodiment of the Lord. And the time comes when it seems to him that he is underestimated, those limits become cramped for him, which he can no longer destroy legally and peacefully, since every career has its own natural obstacles. Power and fame sometimes take away the mind. Such a military leader may try to dictate terms to those whose place he cannot legally claim.
So, if the Duke of Soissons had not accidentally shot himself in the head, he would have marched on Paris with his troops, and the chances are very high that he would have been able to overthrow Cardinal Richelieu and force Louis XIII to reckon with his demands .
Likewise, the King’s brother, Gaston d’Orl;ans, more than once thought about deposing his sickly brother, and while Louis XIII remained childless, that is, for two decades, Gaston was listed as the first heir to the throne, the Dauphin, so that the natural or accidental death of the King would reveal to him the path to the throne. Gaston entered into conspiracies many times, but circumstances or the firm hand of Richelieu, or both, did not allow him to succeed.
In addition, there were other sources of rebellion.
For many decades, the Dukes of Lorraine, these same Guises, considering themselves noble enough for the head of their house to lay claim to the crown of France, were one of the main breeding grounds for rebellion.
The princes from the house of Rogan were the same, but they did not carry their ambitions to direct rebellion. So one of the heads of this house once said: “I don’t want to be a Prince, I don’t want to be a King, I am de Rohan!” But in the person of the Duchess de Chevreuse, the Rogan family, to which she belonged by birth, united with the de Guise family, to which her husband, the Duke de Chevreuse, belonged. History has demonstrated how explosive this mixture is.
In addition, King Henry IV, as a result of his love of love, gave birth to illegitimate sons, whom he legitimized, founding a whole branch of the princes of Vend;me, and there also remained a branch of the Bourbons along the line of his uncle.
Could a quiet regency for Queen Anne be expected under these conditions? Of course no! It took such a cunning and dexterous politician as Mazarin to retain the throne and transfer it to Louis XIV upon reaching adulthood.
Fortunately for France, or to the honor and dexterity of Giulio Mazarin himself, a very strong connection was established between the Queen and the new cardinal, namely: a secret marriage.
Only such a strong bond could overcome the rebellion that was organized by Jean-Fran;ois Paul de Gondi, Archbishop of Paris, coadjutor, later Cardinal de Retz.
The late Cardinal Richelieu once wrote on one of his drafts:

“It’s a shame to learn about the rebellion,
When the rebels are your prot;g;s.”

After he managed to bribe one of the noble rebels, he attributed the following:

"When a rebel starts bargaining,
He steps into the morgue with one foot.”

But all these rebellions that the Queen had to go through and win hand in hand with Mazarin happened later. Now everyone was only surprised by the special trust in Mazarin that the Queen showed almost immediately after the death of her husband.
True, both the King and the cardinal recommended that she use the services of this clever politician.
Mazarin succeeded in something that no one else could do. Both Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu liked him at the same time , but at the same time he did not alienate the Queen. Rare quality!
He knew how to be pleasant and knew how to please those whom he wanted to be pleasant.
In vain Grimaud in his memoirs more than once emphasizes Mazarin’s stinginess, greed, as well as his temper. He simply did not know this politician, courtier, and actual ruler of France.
The sick cardinal and the dying king cared about business, not about being pleasant. The King's bad breath, mentioned by Saint-Mars, was not the biggest problem. In recent months, it was simply impossible to enter the bedroom where the dying King lay without being attacked by a disgusting miasma from feces, sweat and heavy breathing. The Queen endured this steadfastly.
But Mazarin always smelled of exquisite aromas, the smell was unobtrusive, not suffocating, but only slightly, just a little, this smell penetrated into her consciousness, the Queen wanted to be next to him, stand closer, touch him. He was respectful exactly as much as was necessary, affectionate, kind, courteous. When the Queen was especially in need of money, he invited her to attend one game, where he won five thousand francs, which he offered her as evidence of his gratitude for the fact that it was her presence that inspired him and was the reason for his winning. By all accounts, this was audacity, but Mazarin framed his request to accept this win so skillfully that the Queen could not resist. He thanked her in such a way that it was felt that it was not he who gave her a gift, but the Queen bestowed her favor on him, agreeing to relieve him of the burdensome winnings, which seemed to burden him, was a heavy price to pay for the pleasure of taking part in the game. He knew how to make gifts that were impossible to refuse. If he gave an object or even a simple dog, he first learned the tastes and preferences of the person to whom the gift was intended, so that the gift simply perfectly matched the tastes of the recipient. The value of gifts was never so excessive that it could be considered bribery, but never so insignificant that the gift could be forgotten. After such gifts, the recipients did not have a feeling of awkwardness, there was no feeling that they should do something or give something in return, the person was only filled with a friendly disposition towards Mazarin, and nothing more. But it worked.
He was welcome. The Queen was always happy to see him. This was a new incarnation of Buckingham, but softer and kinder. If before meeting Mazarin the Queen once said: “Oh, all men are so rude!”, then after she met him she probably would not have said this anymore.
And although children, as a rule, do not love their stepfathers, Cardinal Mazarin managed to instill in the Queen’s children, the Dauphin Louis and his younger brother Philip, if not love, then at least something very close to a kinship.
Mazarin was also liked by the Queen for his attempts to achieve peace with Spain during the time of Richelieu. The first minister even once reproached Mazarin for being too committed to peace.
- This world was given to you! - Richelieu said then. - You worry about the world more than another ardent lover about the lady of his heart!
“I must admit that this is my weakness,” Mazarin agreed.

Mazarin sought to downplay the conflict between the Queen’s two homelands, which could not but arouse her sympathy. Mazarin, who entered the service of Richelieu only in 1640, sought the forgiveness of de Thou, the reconciliation of the King with Monsieur and the forgiveness of the Duke of Bouillon, advising him to yield to the King of Sedan.
If Richelieu surrounded everyone with his spies, then Mazarin tried to be everyone’s friend and surround himself with friends and supporters. Among his friends were the papal nuncio Grimaldi, the Bishop of Beauvaise, Vincent de Paul, Brienne, Henri de Bergen and Montagu. The same Montague who took Buckingham's last breath after the treacherous knife blow inflicted by Felton.
Mazarin spoke fluent Spanish, which also pleased the Queen. Wanting to remove Richelieu's henchmen from the council, that is, Boutiller, Chavigny and Seguier, she had to leave at least someone who could continue to govern the country, and this person naturally turned out to be Mazarin.
The Queen's choice noticeably upset her former comrades in the conspiracies - La Rochefoucauld, Lachatre, Bouillon, La Porte and Chateauneuf.
But the Queen expelled the Brassac couple and Madame de Lansac, returned Madame de Sanc; and Madame de Hautfort, the abbess of Val-de-Gr;ce and Father Caussin, as well as Chateauneuf’s sister Madame de Voslat. D'Argouge, who returned from exile, took a place in the treasury instead of Legre. Vautier was released from the Bastille and returned to the post of first physician of France. De Guise, d'Elbeuf and d'Epernon were allowed to return, although they were not restored to their former positions. Madame de Motteville returned, and even Fontray and d'Aubijou.
It seemed that the Queen had returned everyone who was persecuted by Cardinal Richelieu, but had completely forgotten about the Duchess de Chevreuse. La Rochefoucauld volunteered to remind her of this. He begged her to return the duchess and wondered why she did not do it. The Queen replied that she still had friendly feelings for the friend of her youth, but noted that she had completely lost her taste for the amusements of her youth, which she shared with this friend. Of course, the Queen understood that in this case Mary would strive to take the same place with her that she occupied in her youth, and even a higher one, which would burden her. It’s one thing when men are in charge of running the state, and their wives can only think about entertainment, and if they remember about power and wealth, it’s only so that there are more opportunities for entertainment, and it’s a completely different thing when it falls on women’s shoulders state management. In this situation, she will not face a struggle to acquire power, but persistent efforts to maintain it. In this situation, the experience of the Duchess de Chevreuse was useless and unnecessary, her energy was tiresome and excessive, her memories were unnecessary and dangerous.
The queen reluctantly yielded to the persuasion of La Rochefoucauld, ordering him to move towards the duchess and express to her his wishes for a new line of behavior at court. Perhaps, when the Queen told her now deceased husband that she no longer wanted to see the Duchess de Chevreuse and did not want to hear anything about her, she was not pretending so much?
The Queen failed to dismiss Chancellor Segye, because he was rich, had many intercessors, and, most importantly, was very professionally competent in his field. Even Mazarin said that there was no one to replace him, so she had to admit that the only thing S;guier was guilty of before her was that he was fulfilling his duty, which was to obey the King and the First Minister.
The Queen did not remember d'Artagnan, since at that time he was in the troops of the Duke of Enghien and participated in the famous Battle of Rocroi, which covered the Duke with glory. From then on, when his name was mentioned, everyone always added “Victor at Rocroi.” D'Artagnan's contribution to this victory was very significant, but it did not even bring him a promotion.

Chapter 103

I came to Maria Chevreuse in order to notify her that she would probably soon be able to return to court.
“I have been waiting for this good news for a long time, my dear Henri!” - Maria exclaimed. - Isn't it strange! My husband holds the young King in his arms, and I, his wife, must vegetate in the wilderness, in exile!
“Your husband did not have the misfortune to anger the cardinal and the previous King,” I answered. “Whereas they had reason to be angry with you and me.”
- The previous one! - Chevrette exclaimed. “That’s the whole point, because the current King has nothing to be offended by us for, right?”
“Of course, dear duchess,” I replied, kissing her hand.
— By the way, I received a strange letter from Caesar Vend;me! - Maria suddenly said.
-What is so strange about it? - I asked.
“It seems to me that he is hinting at some kind of intimacy between him and me, which allegedly occurred in the winter of 1637.”
- In winter? - I asked again. - In what month?
“That didn’t happen, Henri!” - Maria objected. “This simply couldn’t happen, because I was here, in exile!”
- How does he explain this discrepancy? - I asked.
“He believes that I secretly came to Paris only to secretly meet with him,” Maria exclaimed. - It seems to me that he has gone crazy!
- Secret meeting? - I asked again. — In complete darkness and wearing a mask?
- Exactly! - Maria answered joyfully. - He was simply played! I wish I could find out who dared such audacity!
- By what signs did he decide that it was you? - I clarified. - After all, in this way any lady could call herself by your name!
“Vend;me claims that he recognized my perfume, that there were other unmistakable signs that left no doubt,” Maria answered.
— The lady who was with him did not identify herself or did she call herself by your name? - I clarified.
“I don’t understand exactly, he only assures me that he was not mistaken, and on this basis he is convinced that I am in love with him, so he hopes for another meeting,” Maria answered. - You see? He went completely crazy.
“Or he was cleverly deceived,” I answered.
- But who and why? - asked Maria.
“But answer me, the meeting that Caesar Vend;me writes about took place, as it seems to him, in December 1637?” - I clarified. - I guessed?
“Yes, in December,” Maria answered. - So what?
“I think I’m beginning to understand,” I replied. - Tell me, did you write him an answer?
“Of course,” Maria answered. “And I sent him with the same messenger.”
- What is his name? - I asked.
“Philippe de Jeanluc, I think,” answered Chevrette. - What is the difference, exactly?
“Tell me exactly what exactly you answered to Caesar Vend;me?” - I insisted.
“I replied that he must have gone crazy, since I reliably remember that I did not go anywhere in the winter of 1637, I was constantly in exile,” Maria answered. “I also wrote that if everything he writes about actually happened, then someone must have played a joke on him.” Let him look in circles close to the cardinal, since very few knew the name of my perfume and where I buy it. Only Richelieu could organize such a prank, because I can’t suspect the Queen!
- You wrote that you cannot suspect the Queen? - I asked. - How long ago did the courier leave, describe to me his appearance, his horse, everything about him!
“He left yesterday, and not on horseback, but in a carriage,” answered Maria. - Why are you so worried, Henri?
“What do you think will happen after this same Philippe de Jeanluc delivers your letter to Caesar Vend;me?” - I asked.
- What do I care about all this? - Maria objected.
“It’s enough to realize that a person like Caesar Vend;me will not calm down from the thought that he was deceived in such an absurd way,” I answered. - And he knows Richelieu’s character very well to understand that such jokes are not in his character, unless one assumes...
— Guess what, Henri? - asked Maria.
“Unless we assume that such a prank corresponded to some important plans of the cardinal,” I answered. - And at this very time in this very year, in this very December 1637, if the cardinal was thinking about any adultery in which it would be necessary to keep the secret of what kind of woman is hiding under the mask, then it could only be one woman. And in this case, the man’s choice becomes clear, it is extremely logical, this choice is the only choice that Richelieu could make.
- My God! - Maria exclaimed. - Are you talking about...
- Be silent, madam! - I answered. - Forget about our conclusions. Write another letter to Caesar Vandome, in which you apologize for this sweet joke and ask him not to remember it and not to betray you to anyone, ever, because you fear your husband’s jealousy.
- Should I confess to a sin I didn’t commit? - Maria asked with offense.
- That's exactly what they should! - I confirmed. - Caesar should not have the slightest doubt that he met with you, so that he would not have suspicions about another lady, as you understand, more noble. Such a meeting under the current circumstances would be such an accusation against her that everything in France would plunge into chaos!
- You're right, Henri, I didn't think! - Maria answered. “You shouldn’t have answered Caesar Vend;me like that.” I will write another letter immediately. But how can I remove the one that I sent by Vend;me's messenger?
“It shouldn’t reach its destination,” I replied. “Otherwise, civil war will break out.”
-Will you intercept this letter, Henri? - Chevrette asked hopefully.
“Of course,” I replied. “Even if I have to kill this Philippe de Jeanlus, as well as all his servants, friends and even horses, and even if I have to do it with my bare hands!” Write quickly, damn it! I shouldn't waste time!
“But he’s riding in a carriage, you can easily overtake him on horseback!” - Maria objected. - Why such a rush?
“ I’ll catch up with him if he doesn’t decide to change horses and continue on horseback,” I answered. - And God forbid that he hasn’t done this yet!

Half an hour later I jumped on my horse and galloped after the messenger of Caesar Vend;me. In my pocket was a new letter from the Duchess de Chevreuse, written to her under my dictation. My intentions to accompany the duchess to Paris were not destined to come true; I had to entrust this mission of dubious honor to Fran;ois de La Rochefoucauld.
All the way I prayed that Philippe de Jeanluc would not decide to ride a riding horse. At the first inn where I stopped to have a bite to eat, I asked for pen and paper and wrote the following letter.

The "Goat" tavern is in the hands of Mr. d'Artagnan, the captain of the royal musketeers.

“Monsieur d'Artagnan, I inform you that I have quarreled with a nobleman who has appointed a duel this evening on the Place Royale; since I am a clergyman and this matter could harm me if I report it to someone other than such a faithful friend as you, then I ask you to be my second.
Enter the square from the new St. Catherine Street and under the second lamp you will meet your opponent. I'll be with mine under the third.
Your Aramis."

I intended to send this letter as soon as I arrived in Paris. I had no doubt that I would be able to start a quarrel with de Jeanlus and schedule a duel as quickly as possible, so that he would not have time to convey the message to Caesar Vend;me. I decided that if I managed to resolve the matter before arriving in Paris, I would simply tear up this letter.

De Jeanluce's carriage was drawn by four horses, so it took me a while to catch up with it. I felt sorry for the horse, because if it had died somewhere in the middle of the journey, I would have spent too much time getting to the nearest village to buy another horse. At the first post station I met along the way, I did not change him, since he was not yet exhausted, while the horses that I could rent were too bad in comparison with mine. But on the second set-up I still had to change him, otherwise he simply would not have survived this race.
On the approaches to Paris, I finally caught up with the carriage that I had been chasing for so long.
I noticed that the man traveling in the carriage was looking out the right window of the carriage. I tried to pass by at the very moment when a large puddle of mud met on the side of the road, and at the same time I gave the horse spurs, so that the mud from under his hooves undoubtedly splashed the traveler all over his face.
Not paying any attention to this, I drove across his horses and tried to push them out of the road so that the carriage slid to the left, got stuck with its left wheels in a puddle of mud and tilted so that it almost fell.
- What do you allow yourself, monsieur? - the traveler exclaimed from the carriage, wiping his face with a handkerchief.
“I ride as best I can, and if my horse caused you any inconvenience, address all your complaints to him,” I answered deliberately rudely.
I must admit that I had great difficulty in bringing myself to say all these rude things. Natural tact required me to apologize to the traveler, but I deliberately bit my lip until it bled to make me even more angry.
After that, I demonstratively drove around the stuck carriage and, seeing the helpless state it was in because of my fault, I laughed rudely and emphatically and, pointing at the traveler’s face, made the most disgusting grimace.
“It wouldn’t hurt you to wash yourself, sir,” I said. — There are streaks of dirt on your face.
- Such dirt is washed away with blood! - the traveler finally exclaimed.
“Well, sir, you are absolutely right,” I replied.
Now I no longer had to show indelicacy, since the right words had been said, and I could allow myself the most refined politeness.
“My name is Chevalier d'Herblay, and I am at your service,” I said. - Let's discuss this issue today on St. Catherine Street. It will be easier for my second to find us, since he lives nearby, and I hope that today he will respond to my request to appear in the right place at the right time. Do you have a second?
“We’ll pick him up on the road,” answered Monsieur de Jeanluc.
“In that case, let me ride next to you so as not to lose sight of you,” I said. “As for the letter to my second, I will give it to one clever guy who will deliver it to my friend’s home, and if he is not at home, he will find it in the barracks.”
Fortunately, everything that happened next happened as I planned.
My friend d'Artagnan came to the meeting without asking any questions.
He met my opponent's second and deftly pierced his hand with his sword. By this time I had already finished my work.
The dying Jeanluc pulled out an envelope from his chest pocket.
“I see that you are a worthy nobleman,” he said. “Give this letter to my sovereign, Caesar of Vend;me, and apologize for me for not being able to deliver it to him myself.”
“Don’t worry,” I replied, taking the envelope. “I will give Caesar Vend;me a letter from Madame de Chevreuse.”
- Did you know who this letter was from? - asked de Jeanluc with the last of his strength.
“I read the signature on the envelope,” I replied.
After this I put the letter in another pocket, so as not to confuse it with the one I was to give to Vend;me.
At that moment d'Artagnan approached me .
“It’s ready,” I told him. - It seems I killed the insolent one. Well, dear friend, if you need me, you know that I am completely devoted to you.
I shook his hand, hugged him and quickly disappeared under the arch.

After that, I conveyed a letter from Chevrette to Vandome through third parties, explaining that I met the envoy sick in an inn near Paris, that he asked me to deliver this letter, and he himself promised to drive up as soon as he recovered. After that, I hastened to hide so that I would not have to answer awkward questions.

Arriving home, I opened the envelope with Chevrette's first letter.
Here's what I read.

“Dear Duke! I don’t understand the meaning of your letter and have to suspect that either you have been very overtired in recent days, or someone has played a cruel joke on you. Assuming the second, I can only suspect someone from the entourage of Cardinal Richelieu, who at that time was, although not entirely healthy, active enough to organize such a prank. I can’t imagine why he might need this; I don’t see any other options. I really can’t suspect our august Queen of such jokes, which are completely out of her style. I must resolutely exclude all others, because if you claim to recognize the aroma of my perfume, then I must tell you that I get my favorite perfume from places that no one knows about, and from recipes that I keep secret. This mixture of Egyptian and Turkish aromas is not known to anyone except the Queen, and, of course, could also be known to our late Cardinal Richelieu, since with the help of his faithful servants he knew almost everything that was happening in France and especially in the Louvre. So, if what you are writing about did not occur to you in a dream, then you can easily find the source of the prank that was played on you.
I remain sincerely your friend
Marie de Chevreuse"

Judging by this letter, it could not be ruled out that Maria nevertheless guessed about all the circumstances of the case, but, perhaps, did not calculate the consequences of such a revelation. Well, I was once again convinced that she cannot be trusted with anything.
Well, I'll have to look after her again. After all, if Caesar Vend;me had received this letter and also read this fable, civil war could have broken out, since the Queen would not have been able to stay on the throne, and she would not have been able to maintain the throne for Louis IV .

Chapter 104

In Paris, Chevrette faced two disappointments: political and personal.
The reason for the political disappointment was that the Queen, who during the lifetime of the King and the Cardinal opposed their policy, took the reins of government into her own hands and continued it steadily and consistently.
Out of love for her children and in order to leave them a strong country, she neglected her past affection for her brother and for the entire Spanish family. She continued the war with Spain and achieved great victories, despite the fact that many expected completely opposite actions from her. Former friends and enemies of Cardinal Richelieu expected that peace would be concluded with Spain, that the Queen would abandon her former allies and enter into alliances with former enemies of France, but she, on the advice of Mazarin, continued Richelieu’s policy so successfully that he probably blessed her reign from heaven .
Chevrette's personal disappointment was that the Queen made it clear to her that she was not going to continue her dangerous games, that the time for intrigue was over forever, that from now on the Duchess, who had previously been no equal to the Queen, now must always remember her place. A friend in the past, now she has become an unpleasant memory and, what is much worse, a witness to many affairs and the bearer of many secrets. Therefore, the Queen put her demands in an extremely mild form, admitting friendship and tender feelings for her friend, and citing state necessity, the impossibility of continuing the entertainment of her youth, being busy, etiquette, the fact that the Queen does not belong to herself at all, and also God I know what the circumstances are.
Chevrette understood everything, portrayed friendship, love, humility and gratitude, but inside herself she perfectly remembered that she knew a dozen secrets of the Queen, the most dangerous of which were the secret of the Dauphin’s conception and the secret of the existence of his twin brother. The Duchess was well aware that these two secrets could form the basis for a significant increase in her fortune, ensuring her strength and power over the Queen only if they remained a secret to everyone except her and except those who were already privy to them. She understood that, probably, the secret of the Dauphin’s conception was known, besides her and the Queen, only to me, and the secret of the birth of his brother was probably known to those persons who were entrusted with guardianship over him. She also hoped that this secret would never become known to Mazarin, since in this case he might be advised to get rid of the duchess, which would be the best way to preserve both of these secrets.
I cannot say for certain whether these secrets were known to Mazarin. He was a gentle man, unlike Richelieu, he did not abuse the death penalty; in the most serious cases, he was satisfied with imprisoning his enemies in the Bastille or some other similar place. Under his rule, heads stopped falling off shoulders as often as they did under Richelieu. But Chevrette didn’t know this yet.
It is also surprising that such philanthropy, gentleness and balanced policies of the new first minister were perceived by everyone as his weakness.
Before his death, Richelieu complained to the King that the Queen was Spanish and Mazarin was a foreigner. How wrong he was about them! The Queen became one of the most French Queens in French history. It would no longer be possible to be more French. She loved her sons so much. Mazarin also tried to become French in everything. They almost succeeded, but not in the eyes of the princes, not in the eyes of the nobles, and not in the eyes of the commoners. Of course, it was not the common people themselves who came up with the idea of accusing the Queen and the First Minister of being foreigners; these ideas were planted among the people by princes and dukes. But the ideas took possession of the people, and the people gradually got used to calling Mazarin a vile Italian, and the Queen a Spaniard. However, the people still treated the Queen with all due respect, and if they wanted to overthrow someone and send them into retirement, it was, of course, only the cardinal.
But all this did not start immediately, but gradually. At first, the Queen’s reign was so cloudless that poets compared it to the Golden Age, and the Queen herself to one of the ancient goddesses.
True, the Queen, realizing how fragile her regency was, tried to enlist the support of everyone, so as far as she could she never refused any of the petitioners, which, unfortunately, also gave reason to reproach her for weakness. Generosity quickly leads to poverty, and since the Queen had not read the works of Nicola Machiavelli, she did not know that the generosity of a sovereign could be considered a vice, and stinginess a virtue. She did not take into account the example of her mother-in-law, Marie de Medici, who generously gave away money and made friends, but when the money ran out, so did the friends. For friends surround us not when we have paid them something, but when they have something to hope for in the future.
No one taught her this simple truth, since no one could even imagine that she would one day single-handedly or almost single-handedly rule a state like France.
I was worried that Chevrette might reveal one of the two secrets we both knew. I was not at all worried that she might be plotting to get rid of me. Maria was not one of those people who would plot and carry out a banal murder, especially the murder of one of her lovers. She remained faithful to all her lovers, continued to love them all throughout her life, which probably proves that she simply never loved anyone, but only had possessive feelings for all of us.
The relationship between us would be much better if she allowed me to consider my children as my children. But she was so adamant about this that even now, when she is not in the world, just as her second husband, the Duke de Chevreuse, is not, and no one could forbid me to communicate with them as their true father, this does not occur to me. head, and I am not going to change the state of my easy acquaintance with them, which developed during her life. If you haven’t loved your children since their childhood, then this will not come as they grow up, when they themselves become parents. And I don’t see my grandchildren in their children. Sometimes I think that perhaps these are not my children or my grandchildren at all. But what I know with my mind, I know, although my heart does not want to listen to my head and accept them as my offspring. I love them, I love them from afar. I would let myself be killed for any of them! I ordered portraits of all of them and often look at them for a long time. But I will never admit to any of them that I am related to them. Damn this noble honor! Only the King can openly recognize his illegitimate children so that their dignity, honor, and fortune are not harmed, and even elevated. Everyone else should hold their hearts and, when meeting, bow coldly and politely to their children as if they were complete strangers, equal in position to you in society, but nothing more. How I envy Athos, who nevertheless raised Raoul himself and found the strength to admit his paternity!
 
Chapter 105

The highest nobility flowed like a river to the Queen for favors, promised or assumed. The Queen could not yet afford the luxury of offending princes, dukes, marshals and peers, all of them were vying for positions and money; there were more applicants than opportunities. Someone had to be refused, and this was fraught with the emergence of new enemies. Monsieur received the governorship of Languedoc, the Duke of Enghien - of Champagne, Cond; received Chantilly and Damartain, once confiscated by the King from Montmorency, his brother-in-law, that is, the Princess's brother. The Duke of Bouillon, brother of the Viscount de Turenne, intended to get back Sedan, which he received in exchange for forgiveness for his participation in the Saint-Mars conspiracy. He insisted that he got involved in this plot in order to protect the Queen from the oppression of the cardinal. If the Queen returned Sedan to him, she would thereby indirectly admit her complicity in the Saint-Mars conspiracy, or at least sympathy for him. She could not do this, of course, so she flatly refused the Duke of Bouillon, which turned him against her. Mazarin supported her in this perseverance and encouraged her perseverance, convincing her that her salvation lies only in firmness. Mazarin recommended openly declaring that those who rely on the Queen’s excessive kindness may pay for it, and that the heir of the absolute King should not receive, upon coming of age, a state completely different from that which his father left him due to the Queen’s mistakes.
However, the Queen herself did not intend to make endless concessions to all the nobility that Richelieu held in his fist. One of those whom the Queen denied his exorbitant ambitions was the Duke de La Rochefoucauld. For unknown reasons, he imagined that he was the Queen's best friend and benefactor, and for this reason he perceived the Queen's rise as a guarantee of his own rise. The concern about his fate when he suffered slightly and temporarily for her, that is, when he had to spend only one week in the Bastille, and the Queen's joy when she learned of his release, La Rochefoucauld mistakenly interpreted as excessive gratitude and, perhaps, attributed to her God knows what feelings towards himself. However, over time, he was forced to realize that the Queen’s refusal to entrust her with some positions and assignments, which she explained by the lack of need for them, was in fact explained by her lack of trust in him. He even went so far as to dare to reproach her for trusting him. This duke, who had lost all measure, hoped, as he himself admitted, that the Queen would entrust him with leading all the councils that were under her, determining what each of them should do and, apparently, determining the composition of each of them. This alone shows how far he was from an adequate assessment of his own importance, his own talents and statesmanship. The Queen gave him exactly the place he deserved, namely, the place of a writer and memoirist, even if he was offended by everyone and everything. This is what the inability to distinguish simple politeness from royal promises leads to. If La Rochefoucauld happened to render one or two small services to the Queen, after which he heard from the Queen words that she would forever remain grateful to him for these services, he apparently decided that he had now acquired eternal power over the Queen due to eternal and her endless gratitude to him.
Now that the Queen had gained power, she had so many “friends”, that is, those who assured her that they had been on her side even in the times of Richelieu, that she could not have even imagined such support in those times when She really needed support, but it was not provided. All these supposed friends were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Duchess de Chevreuse, because in their naivety they believed that she would occupy a dominant position under the Queen and would help all these “friends” establish themselves in power, or at least help them get money, positions or estates . Cardinal Mazarin feared that this might actually happen, so he sent Montagu to meet the Duchess, instructing him to warn the Duchess that her initiatives and activity at court were not required, and that she would be well received only if she showed sufficient deference and restraint in communication with the Queen. The Cardinal hoped that Montague, as the former lover of the Duchess, would be able to convince her of this. As I already wrote, the Queen intended to send La Rochefoucauld with similar instructions to the Duchess, but having become convinced of his exorbitant ambitions, she doubted that his mission would be successful.
But Mary did not heed these warnings. Blinded by the honors from those who hoped for her protection, as well as by the polite and respectful attitude of Mazarin towards her, she decided that she had returned to Paris as a winner, and only the Queen herself could demonstrate to her that all the ostentatious courtesy, all the shown friendliness and even tenderness to to an ex-girlfriend, this is nothing more than a gloss that hides mistrust and coldness. The Queen reminded Mary that she came from Spain, and that her presence at court would cause unnecessary alarm among France's allies. Therefore, the Queen recommended that the Duchess remain for some indefinite period in Dampierre. The next day, Mazarin visits her and presents her with fifty thousand crowns “for the first time,” notifying that the duchess will soon receive another two hundred thousand crowns, but her departure to Dampierre is a decided matter. Where, instead of allowing someone to gain political power, one could pay off, Mazarin always preferred to pay off, and where flattery could help matters, Mazarin flattered without restrictions. He told the duchess so many compliments, expressed such delight and best wishes that Maria actually thought that she had found a good friend in him, while the cardinal saw her as a dangerous enemy and all his words, like all his money, were aimed at her removal as far as possible and to neutralize it.
The Duchess accepted Mazarin's gift as a matter of course, but not worth special attention. She set other goals. She wanted to remove from power all the relatives of Richelieu, all these Brezes, Lameyeres, d'Aigions, and place her relatives and friends in warm places in power - the Guises, Luines, Rogans and those who were called Arrogant, all these La Rochefoucaulds, Hautforts, Senses , Saint-Louis and La Porte and so on. Among her supporters, Maria also included those who had once been opponents of the Cardinal, regardless of whether they were actually her supporters or not. So this list of hers included Fontray, d'Aubijou, Beaupuy, de Treville, Dezzasar. I believe that she even included D’Artagnan in this list, and I have no doubt that she included me among them.
She could not understand that by this time I already belonged to another party - the d'Herblay party. Even belonging to a much more powerful society, the Order of the Jesuits, was not a goal for me, but a means, so sympathy for Chevrette or even complicity in some of her undertakings was for me either a means to achieve my own goals, or entertainment during the absence of other things , more important.
At first, this circle of the Arrogant did not greatly upset and did not frighten Mazarin at all. The Cardinal treated them with reciprocal arrogance, since he characterized them as people whose business is to oppose everything that does not come from them, to speak evil against everything that they meet, to ridicule good people and good deeds, predicting both bad end. He noted that they rejoice at every defeat of the current government, rejoice at every misfortune and disaster, since in every mistake and in every misfortune they see the reason that they themselves were not given sufficient power in this new government. They called everything that was not done by them and apart from them useless and unpromising, or even completely disastrous.
The first step of the Arrogant was to expose Richelieu. Unable to resist him while he was alive, they attacked him after his death. The second step was attacks on Mazarin. He was accused of debauchery, but when they were convinced that this trait was not characteristic of him, since the simple gallantry that he showed not only in relation to the Duchess de Chevreuse, but also in relation to her mother-in-law, Monsieur de Guemene, never went beyond what was permitted, they decided to accuse him of the Italian sin, since he was Italian. But this was also slander, Mazarin did not have any inclination towards this sin, and who, if not Chevrette, would have easily understood this, because in her life she had seen enough of the sometimes strange preferences of her first husband, as well as of Louis XIII and Buckingham.
La Porte even dared to try to convince the Queen to distance herself from Mazarin and excommunicate him from power, citing the rumors circulating about him, to which the Queen objected that these rumors were apparently being invented and spread by the Prince of Cond;. La Porte dared to compare the Queen with her mother-in-law, Maria de' Medici, who allowed the Italian Concino Concini into her bedroom, to which the Queen objected that this comparison was baseless, since Mazarin was only a political assistant, and that she would take care of the King, her son, as and about the Prince, his brother, not at all in the same way that Marie de Medici cared for her two children, since she really loves Louis.
It must be said that La Porte hit the nail on the head with his comparison. The analogy, which never occurred to anyone, was almost complete. Marie de Medici, under the young Louis XIII , ruled France with her Italian lover. Anne of Austria, when Louis XIV was a child , also had an Italian who ruled the country, whom everyone considered her lover. I would also add that both Louis were not the sons of their nominal fathers. But it seems few people knew about this. In any case, if almost everyone suspected Maria de Medici, then no one suspected Anne of Austria. And yet, if the analogy were complete, one would expect that Louis XIV , having reached adulthood, would perhaps order the murder of Mazarin and take power completely into his own hands? We know that didn't happen. But I am convinced that many French people would like this to happen. This is the reason for the Fronde.
La Porte's words were perhaps too fair, and therefore they did not achieve their goal, since they angered the Queen. Instead of heeding his advice, she cut him off from her list of friends.
Mazarin successfully played on the contradictions between his ill-wishers. Chevreuse wanted to put Chateauneuf in his place as First Minister, all the other Arrogants opposed this, because they feared that he would take too much power into his hands.
The Duke of Vend;me tried to propose Sublet de Nauyer to replace Mazarin, and decided to influence the Bishop of Beauvaise to recommend that the Queen return de Noyer for these purposes. But Mazarin found out about these attempts and informed the Bishop of Bovez that it was not in his interests to support de Noyer, since he was also aiming for the cardinal’s hat, which the Bishop of Bovez himself also dreamed of. So is it worth helping a competitor?
The son of the Duke of Vend;me, the Duke de Beaufort, was tongue-tied and did not shine with intelligence, so he was much more suitable for the role of a commander, since he was a fearless warrior and, moreover, not lacking in the talents of a military leader. In addition, de Beaufort’s candidacy would have been opposed by the Condes, who hated him no less than Chateauneuf.
Chevrette worked for the appointment of Conde as governor-general and for the return of his governorship over Brittany, which went to Richelieu’s relatives - Breze and Lameyer. The Queen hated Cond;, but was on friendly terms with his wife, so only such a flexible mind as that of Mazarin, whose advice the Queen always accepted, could understand these vicissitudes.
The queen valued Mazarin, and it was for this reason that she showed firmness when she had to stand up for him.
It all started with a lost love note, but there was so much fuss about it that for three weeks the Queen and the First Minister dealt with this matter with such diligence, as if the fate of France depended on it. However, it must be admitted that the scandal broke out between families so noble and important that the consequences of such a scandal could be the most unforeseen. I believe that for such insignificant reasons wars could break out among such noble persons. The peculiarity of the situation also lies in the fact that all the ladies who participated in this scandal were known to me more than well.

Chapter 106

Dating too many young and beautiful ladies has never given me any trouble. But sometimes the acquaintance was too close, and the ladies were too famous. In this case, such acquaintances could become troublesome.
I hardly hid from my friends my more than close friendship with the Duchess Marie de Chevreuse. There were other ladies among my acquaintances, such as her cousin. It would seem that reason should have told me to avoid close relations with other relatives of these two ladies, and especially in the case of such a degree of relationship that puts these ladies in a position close to that of the mother. I'm talking about Maria's mother-in-law, Monsieur de Montbazon.
But what could I help myself in the case when the mother-in-law turns out to be ten years younger than her daughter-in-law? Judge for yourself!
Marie d'Avogour de Bretagne was ten years younger than Marie de Chevreuse, and also ten years younger than me, and she was very pretty - slender, sweet, smart, and not at all a prude. Having married Hercule de Rohan, 2nd Duke of Montbazon, who was forty-two years older than her, she was naturally disposed to establish tender friendships with men younger and more pleasant to her. Duke Hercule de Rohan was related to the Comte de Rochefort, as he was the son of Louis VI de Rohan, 1st Prince de Guemene, and Leonore de Rohan, hereditary Countess de Rochefort. It may seem surprising that these family ties did not prevent Marie de Chevreuse and the Comte de Rochefort from fiercely enmity, but, firstly, this enmity was no more surprising than the enmity of Monsieur and the King, who were more closely related, or, for example, the enmity of the King and the Queen Mother, secondly, it ended with the death of Richelieu. So, I could not help but notice the first beauty at court, Marie de Montbazon, duchess and beauty, young and lively.
I was not the only one among those who paid attention to her. The Duke de Montbazon himself treated the duchess's cheerful undertakings condescendingly, provided that external decency was not violated. Marie de Montbazon was, by the way, the only noble beauty at court whom I liked, and with whom my competitor Fran;ois de La Rochefoucauld failed to establish the more than friendly relationship he desired. This confirms the extremely subtle mind and taste of this lady. She was good, and if I do not expand on these pages about her merits, it is only out of respect for her and out of gratitude, which requires me to maintain modesty, which does not allow me to give her her due.
Since the duchess had enough sense not to get carried away by La Rochefoucauld, her attention was drawn to Monsieur Henry II of Orleans, Duke de Longueville, who was twenty-seven years younger than her husband. He also paid tribute to her virtues.
In the times I am describing, a new star rose on the stage of the court camarilla, not inferior to the duchess either in nobility, beauty, or intelligence, but younger, a full nine years younger than Madame de Montbazon, which ensured her complete victory. This was Genevieve de Bourbon, daughter of the Prince de Cond;, sister of the Duke of Enghien. Her brother, the Duke of Enghien, had just recently covered himself with glory with victories at Rocroi, which also elevated her. Monsieur de Longueville paid such close attention to her that he seriously intended to marry her. This upset Madame de Montbazon too much, who felt slighted and insulted.
I will say by way of self-criticism that I had already managed to make friends with Madame Genevieve de Bourbon, so I had to listen to the description of all the shortcomings of Madame de Bourbon from Madame de Montbazon in extremely exaggerated colors, without contradicting and sometimes agreeing, after which a few days later I had to to also listen to descriptions of Madame de Montbazon’s disgusting shortcomings from Madame Genevieve, who also did not skimp on negative colors and exaggerations, and again one had to agree and assent.
This tired me quite a lot, but I told myself that if I don’t learn to hide my feelings and be pleasant to those with whom I communicate even if the topic of conversation does not interest me and is even unpleasant to me, then I have no place in politics, no a place in the Order, and certainly not a place in the ranks of the clergy.
So, the ladies told me nasty things about each other, but this did not cool them down enough. Both longed for a scandal, in the center of which would be the one whose jealousy overwhelmed the soul and gave no rest.
In 1642, the wedding took place and Genevieve began to be called Madame de Longueville. Genevieve became bored with her elderly husband long before the end of the honeymoon, so she acquired a gentle friend in the person of Maurice, Comte de Coligny, who was only a year older than her, and therefore had the necessary zeal, attractiveness, and romantic dreams. The poor guy was so in love with her that he hardly hid his feelings.
Three years earlier than the time of which I am writing, I met the grown-up daughter of my cousin Marie, Madame de Bois-Tracy. I knew her as a girl and once she jokingly told me that she would like to marry me after she turned sixteen. Having met her at this age, which was two years ago, I was stunned by her beauty. Unfortunately for me, her name was also Maria, and this name had a strange power over me. Mademoiselle Marie de Bois-Tracy captured my imagination. For a week I hardly slept, dreaming about her. I convinced myself that I should not date the daughter of someone with whom I was very close. But the convictions that subdued my desires during the day had no effect on my imagination at night. I allowed myself to respond with a few compliments to Maria’s passionate confessions, and between us, I confess, three dates took place, after which I realized that I had to either marry her and give up all my ambitions in politics, or separate. I could not help but surrender to this feeling entirely, completely, without a trace. I decided to break up with her and tried to do it as gently as possible.
“I have chosen the spiritual path,” I told Maria. “I took a vow of celibacy to the Lord. At the same time, our relationship tempts me to abandon this vow. We should part ways.
“But you, Chevalier, as far as I know, easily break this vow with very many of your parishioners,” Maria objected.
“Comforting a poor married lady to whom her husband does not pay enough attention is not a sin of violating the vow of celibacy,” I answered hypocritically. “Even Cardinal Richelieu did not refuse such mercies to the suffering, and can I, a simple abbot, condemn the cardinal or not follow his example?”
“Chevalier, I don’t want to see you anymore, from now on I don’t know you, and if we meet, I won’t recognize you, so be it!” - Maria exclaimed, after which I had to leave.
So, I didn’t see her for three years, but at the celebration of the victory at Rocroi I saw one married couple. This was the one whom I knew under the name of Mary, Mademoiselle de Bois-Tracy, as well as her husband, an elderly and noble nobleman, Monsieur de Fauquerolles. Maria pretended not to recognize me, I responded in kind. However, half an hour later, while walking in the garden, I came across her alone, as her husband had left to make a match at ombre.
“Chevalier, it seems to me that we know each other,” Maria said with a certain grin, which contained pride, contempt, and regret for what had not come true, which made up a very seductive mixture of feelings.
“Madam, contrary to your promise, you recognized me and spoke first, which makes me extremely happy,” I answered. - Can I again apologize for my unworthy behavior and try to beg for forgiveness?
- For what? - she asked with a smile. - You were right. You would never have married me, and I should not have dreamed of marrying you. Now I am quite noble and even richer than I was, and completely free, since my husband does not at all value his exclusive rights, which he uses so rarely that there is nothing to remember.
“I am extremely saddened by his disregard for you and your inalienable rights,” I lied.
“Did you mean to say that this makes you extremely happy?” - asked Maria. “If you want to lie to yourself, then you shouldn’t lie to me, because I know you very well and understand your feelings.”
“I admit, you revealed me,” I agreed. “I’m glad that your husband doesn’t bother you too much.”
“ You probably thought that since I am now a married lady, meetings with me now do not conflict with your principles?” - she asked with a grin.
“I don’t dare deny what you read in my eyes,” I answered, because it was true.
-Have you thought about my feelings? - asked Maria.
“I assumed that your feelings for me remained unchanged,” I replied.
- That's it! - she exclaimed. “The only question is, what kind of feelings?” Are they the ones that I told you about during the happy hours of our meetings, or those that I showed at our parting? Think about it, Chevalier!
I bowed my head and started to leave, but Maria stopped me with a gesture.
“Tell me, Chevalier, but only frankly,” she said. — Do you hope for the resumption of our relations?
“I will always hope so,” I replied. - Why lie to myself and to you if you so easily expose my insincerity? I have always admired you and intend to continue to do so, regardless of what you think about it or what you respond to it.
This time I actually bowed out and disappeared. For three weeks we had no opportunity to meet in private or exchange any letters or signs.
After that, at one of the receptions, I saw her, but did not dare to approach her, since there were many strangers present. Maria looked at me and caught my return glance, after which she pointed with her eyes to her pocket, from which she took a handkerchief, dropping a small note on the carpet. She immediately covered it with her dress and looked at me. I indicated with my eyes that I had noticed the note and was ready to pick it up, after which Maria serenely left the place where she had previously been, giving me the opportunity to take possession of the note.
I only needed to take three steps, but as soon as I took two steps, Monsieur La Rochefoucauld stopped me.
- Tell me, Chevalier, how often did you see the Duchess de Chevreuse during her exile? - he asked.
“You know this yourself, Duke,” I replied. “If Richelieu were alive, I would answer that I have never seen her, but now it’s easier for you to ask her yourself.” I don’t deny that I saw her once or twice, it seems, conveying greetings to her from one of our mutual acquaintances, I don’t remember from whom specifically.
“Don’t take it for impertinence, Chevalier,” replied the Duke. “I would like to ask if the Duchess spoke to you about me?” It seems to me that since her return she began to treat me more than coolly, whereas before her exile we had a strong friendship.
“She didn’t remember you in front of me, Duke, but I’m sure that she didn’t forget about you, because she chose you as the keeper of her jewelry,” I answered.
- Do you know this too? - La Rochefoucauld was surprised.
“ I didn’t know this for sure, but you just confirmed my guess, Duke,” I answered with a smile and tried to continue my way to the note.
At that moment I saw that there was no longer any note on the carpet. I broke out in a cold sweat.
- Gentlemen! - said Madame de Montbazon at that very moment. - Just a minute! I found some kind of note on the carpet! What would that mean?
- Who is its addressee? - asked one of the courtiers.
- Who signed it? - asked some lady.
- Imagine, there is no address or signature here! - exclaimed Madame de Montbazon.
- In this case, this letter does not belong to anyone, and we have every right to familiarize ourselves with its contents! - someone else exclaimed, and everyone else took up the idea.
The society had already become tired several times of various liqueurs and liqueurs, so what a more sober company probably would not have allowed itself to happen happened to my chagrin and to everyone’s joy. Fortunately, Maria was already far away at that time, since she left immediately after leaving this note for me.
- Read it! - some ladies said.
- Don't languish! - said others.
- It will be fun! - the men were anticipating.
- So, I'm reading! - said Madame de Montbazon. - That's what it says here. “What did you hope for after such a long absence and silence? Don’t you know that the pride that previously made me appreciate your feelings now protects me from the suffering that a false appearance of continuing our relationship could cause me?”
- What's going on here? - we heard the Queen’s authoritative voice. - Madame de Montbazon! Where did you get this letter and why are you organizing such public readings here?
“I found this letter on the carpet,” Monbazon replied.
- By what right do you read this letter out loud? - asked the Queen.
“I was hoping that we could find out who it was from, or to whom it was addressed,” Monbazon replied. - However, you don’t need to read further. I can guess who this letter is from and to whom it is addressed. Take it, madam, it’s apparently you who lost it.
With these words, Monbazon approached the Duchess de Longueville and handed her a note.
- How dare you suspect me of such vileness? - exclaimed de Longueville, shying away from the note as if from a poisonous snake.
“Well, in that case, I myself will deliver this letter to the addressee,” Monbazon continued her farce, after which she went up to Maurice de Coligny and handed him this note.
“ They told you that you are deeply mistaken, madam,” Maurice de Coligny answered through gritted teeth, after which he turned around without even looking at the note and walked away a few steps.
- Give me this note! - the Queen said imperiously.
Monbazon was forced to obey.
- How disgusting it is to read other people’s letters! - exclaimed the Queen, recalling the days of her humiliation, when her correspondence was read by the King and the Cardinal, as well as Chancellor Seguier. - Madame de Montbazon, I ask you to leave my house and think about your behavior.
After this, the Queen turned away from Madame de Montbazon, and after her, all the guests stopped noticing her.

Chapter 107

I wrote a letter to Maria, where I described this whole unpleasant situation. I expressed regret that I did not have time and could not quickly take possession of the note intended for me, citing the unexpectedness of this matter, my unpreparedness for it and the forced delay due to the inappropriate intervention of La Rochefoucauld.
I understood that these excuses would not alleviate the horror that the letter had become public, the full text of which I did not know, and I was afraid that some phrases in it would allow me to guess the name of the sender or the person of the addressee.
However, the situation in which Madame de Montbazon accused Madame de Longueville of authorship was also very undesirable. I felt some sympathy for both, while their enmity seemed to reach its climax, and became public, since the clash took place in the eyes of the whole society and, what is worse, in the eyes of the Queen.
The Queen certainly took the side of Madame de Longueville. Her authorship was not proven, so the accusations were unfounded, but even if the Queen herself was convinced of Madame de Longueville’s authorship, she would still have taken her side.
Conde, knowing about the Queen's support, demanded an apology; some noble nobles, on the contrary, supported Madame de Montbazon. The court split into two warring camps. Cond; united with the Longueville party, Montbazon united with Beaufort and other Vend;mes. Chevrette came to the defense of Montbazon, which further alienated her from the Queen. But she could not help but stand up for her young mother-in-law.
I persuaded M. de Malevrier to admit that this letter was written to him by his niece, and that it was not about gallant love, but about kindred love, which cracked due to some quarrel. Monsieur de Malevrier agreed to take on this matter, demanding twenty thousand pistoles for it. Chevrette had to pay these expenses, after which Malevrier expressed the version that suited both sides. At the same time, Malevrie asked to keep his confession secret, since the matter was still very delicate, a family matter.
The Queen insisted that Madame de Montbazon apologize; the text of the apology was compiled with the help of Cardinal Mazarin, which took two hours. The reading was supposed to take place in the house of the Duchess de Chevreuse. Under pressure from the authorities, Madame de Montbazon read the text of the apology to the Duchess de Longueville in a tone that expressed protest against every word read to her. The Queen ordered Madame de Montbazon to leave the reception at which this was happening, but Monbazon did not bat an eye, since she was visiting her daughter-in-law. Then the Queen herself left the duchess's castle.
The case could have died out, but Monbazon did not believe Malevrier’s confession. Then La Rochefoucauld is the same Duke Francois de La Rochefoucauld, because of whom the fuss flared up, because if he had not detained me, the letter would have reached its intended destination and there would have been no scandal! - intervened where he was not asked. He suggested comparing the handwritings so that the lie would become obvious. The letter was handed over to La Rochefoucauld, and Madame de Rambouillet and de Sable were chosen as handwriting experts, who, in the presence of the Queen, examined the letter and a sample of Madame de Longueville's handwriting. They announced that the handwriting of the letter had nothing in common with the handwriting of Madame de Longueville, after which they threw the letter, which had caused so much squabbling, into the fireplace. This should not have been done, since Madame de Montbazon exposed these arbitrators as close friends of Madame de Longueville, and on the basis that the letter was destroyed, began to declare that this once again proved that the handwriting in the letter coincided with the handwriting of the duchess, otherwise why would it be possible to destroy it?
This behavior finally quarreled Madame de Montbazon with the Queen, who ordered her to go to her place in Rochefort.
The exile of de Montbazon was a blow to the pride of the Duke de Beaufort. He began to deliberately express disobedience and even ignore the Queen, daring to turn his back to her, as if not noticing her presence.
Finally, Maurice de Coligny, who also felt insulted because de Montbazon correctly pointed out to everyone that he was the lover of the Duchess de Longueville, challenged the Duke of Guise to a duel. The long-standing enmity between the Coligny family and the de Guise family did not subside even for a minute. Both duelists remembered both the murdered Gaspard de Coligny and the murdered Henry of Guise.
The duel took place despite the edict prohibiting such activities that was still in force. Swords crossed, and after several minutes of fierce battle, Maurice de Coligny received a mortal through wound in his left shoulder.
The duel did not put an end to the gossip, since it was not her husband who stood up for the honor of the duchess, but a “friend.” Beaufort continued to rebel, as a result of which he even tried to organize the murder of Mazarin. This murder was prevented because Beaufort asked the Duke d'Epernon to forbid his musketeers to interfere in this matter, but d'Epernon guessed what was going on and sent his servant to warn the cardinal. The assassins waited in vain for Mazarin, the conspiracy was exposed, the Duke of Beaufort was arrested right in the Louvre, where he spent the night under the protection of Guiteau and his guards, and the next morning he was escorted to the Castle of Vincennes.
So, alas, a young and extremely charming woman, with her carelessness, caused an irreconcilable split among the highest nobility of the French kingdom, which led to the death of one of them and the arrest of the other.
After the arrest of de Beaufort, the coadjutor of the Jesuit Order summoned me.
“Chevalier,” he said, “we know the true reasons for these events, which lasted three weeks.” Tell us everything you know about them.
I told everything I knew, without adding anything of my own, keeping silent, however, about the true addressee of this letter, as well as about the true sender.
“You forgot to tell us that the letter was written by Madame de Fauquerolles and it was addressed...” the Coadjutor said in an impassive voice, waiting for me to finish this phrase.
“I was going to say this, but I kept silent only because you beat me to it,” I said with embarrassment. “The letter was written by Madame de Fauquerolles, daughter of Madame de Bois-Tracy, and it was addressed to me.
“Don’t repeat such mistakes in the future,” said the coadjutor.
“Please forgive me,” I replied. - This will not happen again. I must also add that I only heard the beginning of this letter, the first couple of lines, after which the reading was stopped, the letter was burned, so we will never know its full contents.
- Nonsense! - exclaimed the coadjutor. — Here is a complete copy of this letter. If you wish, you can take a look.
He casually threw a piece of paper onto the table.
I looked at him and was stunned. It was not a copy, it was an original letter from Marie de Fauquerolles. I will give only the most important lines for me. “I suffer because I love you as before, and if you suffer, it is only because you do not love me as before.”
- What was burned in the fireplace then? - I asked.
“An exact copy of this letter, written in the handwriting of the Duchess de Longueville,” answered the coadjutor. “I didn’t have to answer your question, but I’m not forbidden to satisfy your curiosity.” I say this only so that you understand that not everything that seems to you to be a game of chance is such. And by no means always those consequences that seem random and fatal to you are random and fatal. Sometimes events are directed by a hand more powerful than fate or, as you may call it, “evil fate.” However, I used the word “sometimes” in vain. If all the events that you told me about were accidental, you might have received a demotion from your position in the Order, and not a promotion, as it will actually happen. You will learn about your promotion tomorrow in a place about which you will be notified additionally. The time, as usual, is one in the morning.
I kissed the coadjutor's hand, bowed and left.
 
Chapter 108

The Queen was severely worried that Beaufort, whom she trusted so much that she trusted her children, turned out to be a conspirator who prepared the murder of the cardinal, which would have happened if not for d'Epernon, and her bosom friend the Duchess de Chevreuse pushed him to commit this crime. She wondered why it happened that when she was under the yoke of the cardinal and the King, she seemed to have many friends, but now that she became regent, her friends became fewer and fewer every day. Monsieur Andre d'Ormesson explained to her that people love future rulers more than present ones. But that was not the reason. She forgot that in the days when she had just acquired this power as the sole regent, she had hundreds of friends, whom she had not even known about during the days of the Queen's vegetation without power. All these people flocked to Paris in the hope of positions, titles, awards for exploits that they did not perform and payment in advance for services that they did not intend to provide. When they saw that the Queen, on the advice of Mazarin, stopped distributing unreasonable advances and undeserved awards, they considered themselves offended. The example of Beaufort's punishment frightened them even more, since each of them in the depths of their souls hoped that they could get away with a certain disobedience, for the Queen was after all a woman, and she was in some way the antithesis of Cardinal Richelieu. But it is extremely dangerous for the reigning Queen to remain a woman in the full sense of the word, and as soon as Anna realized this, all her one-day friends fled away, realizing that there was no easy money in sight, and the danger for crimes remained. Mazarin convinced the Queen that it was better to have no friends at all than to have such friends, whose friendship must be purchased every day with more and more significant gifts. He reminded her of what an unreliable friend de Saint-Mars had turned out to be in his time, and the Queen was forced to agree with him. The Queen's trust in Mazarin at that time was not based on love. He has proven in practice that his advice is worth listening to. It was he who advised her to capture Thionville in order to demonstrate to the whole world that she intended to continue the policy of Louis XIII , that is, the policy of Richelieu. After the victory at Rocroi, the Duke of Enghien captured Thionville, which confirmed the correctness of Mazarin's advice.
The Duke of Vend;me was invited to return to his estate at Ana, from which they had all returned only four months earlier, in consequence of the death of Louis XIII . Small conspirators who joined Beaufort’s conspiracy, who did not have enough nobility to evade punishment, also went there, to Ane. All of them were captured in a brothel thanks to the assistance of its owner. Enraged, Vend;me ordered the destruction of the brothel and headed to Italy from there to await the overthrow of Mazarin, just as he once expected the overthrow of Richelieu in England.
The Queen also asked the Duchess de Chevreuse to leave Paris, in response she demanded to pay her debts, which cost the treasury a round sum of two hundred thousand livres. Some of the debt obligations, and perhaps all of them, were drawn up by her friends, so the funds did not go to pay off the debts, but in fact directly to the duchess, who did not hesitate to profit from her former soulmate. Maria reasoned that when else could she “milk” the Queen, if not at the moment when she has the opportunity to make such expenses, and the need for some kind of action from the Duchess, even if they only consist of the Duchess leaving Paris.
Chateauneuf, whose involvement in the plot to assassinate Mazarin had been proven, was also removed again. Monsieur Lachatre was deprived of the post of Colonel General of the Swiss because he was a member of Madame de Montbazon's party. This position was given to Bassompierre, old but devoted.
Meanwhile, Mazarin quietly removed three very worthy bishops - Bovez, Limoges and Lisiesses, since their influence in the council diminished his personal power.
But all these changes did not cause unrest in France.
Mazarin was smart enough not to shift responsibility for the disgrace onto the Queen, as Richelieu did, shifting responsibility to the King. Let me remind you that Richelieu's method was to first obtain the conviction of the guilty by the King, bringing evidence against the accused and arguments in favor of his conviction so strong and convincing as to drive Louis XIII to such a state of anger that the guilty could be sentenced to death , after why stand up for the accused, finding not very convincing arguments for his forgiveness. In this case, despite the fact that in fact the sentence was prepared by Richelieu, the cardinal himself acted as a peacemaker and a supporter of forgiveness, while the King, not realizing that he was a doll, which the cardinal spun as he wanted, considered himself obliged to impose punishment, remembering that his name Louis the Just. Mazarin, meanwhile, sought a decision from the Queen to condemn the perpetrators, but did not hide from anyone that this decision came directly from him. At the same time, Mazarin carefully spread the opinion that the Queen constantly feels the desire to forgive the guilty, but he, Mazarin, makes every effort to restrain the Queen and convince her not to succumb to good Christian impulses, since the Queen is first of all a sovereign, and only after that - a compassionate woman and a Catholic.
Following these actions of the Queen, Spain, Venice and other neighbors realized that they had in vain hoped for a change in French foreign policy in favor of the Habsburgs. The Chevreuse party was defeated, the foreign policy of the Queen of France of Spanish origin ignored the interests of Spain and was completely focused on the interests of France.
Mazarin also significantly reduced the personal armed guard that he inherited from Richelieu, preferring to arm personal lackeys who secretly carried weapons and discreetly guarded them not only at parades, but around the clock.
D'Artagnan, belonging to the officer corps of the King's musketeers, thus had no responsibilities to guard the cardinal, but his immediate responsibilities included ensuring the protection of the young King, and quite often he himself took up the post. Mazarin did not notice him for the time being, not distinguishing him from other musketeers in any way, which was, of course, his mistake.
A few words about my attitude towards Mazarin.
I was still a member of the Chevreuse party, but only nominally. I was already disappointed in her ideas and her entrepreneurial spirit. However, it remained a significant counterweight against absolutism. In addition, Mazarin seemed to me a pathetic intriguer. He did not hesitate to flaunt all his negative character traits, while he carefully hid his sophisticated mind, even cunning and resourcefulness.
I would say that if I would compare Richelieu to a lion, and Colbert to a fox, then I would compare Mazarin to a certain mythical creature for whom there was not enough lion skin, so the missing pieces were filled with fox fur. Where Mazarin could not act with force and determination, as Richelieu would have acted, he compensated for the lack of authority with his unsurpassed cunning. These pieces of fox fur were visible to everyone.
We all felt like young and strong wolves who simply had to take power from the fox, not wanting to see his hidden lion nature.
However, Mazarin’s cunning was not all-encompassing. If he had been more prudent, he would not have made the mistake that later cost him dearly. He convinced the Queen to move to the Palais Royal, the former palace of Cardinal Richelieu, which he gave to the King in his will. This palace was much better suited for the cheerful residence of the royal family, but it was less suitable for the task of defense from angry Parisians. Had the Queen remained with her family in the Louvre, she would have continued her life, perhaps more boring, but she would have been much better protected from the rebellious mob.
However, who expected that the mob would rebel against their beloved Queen? In addition, it should be noted that every popular rebellion is always prepared and put into action by the efforts of certain forces standing very close to the highest power in the country. The Fronde was no exception. Those who start a rebellion are deeply mistaken; pacifying it is as easy as starting it. But more on that later. In the meantime, the Queen enjoyed the amazing foresight of Richelieu, who created the Palais Royal, an ideal palace for the pleasant life of the august family.

Chapter 109

Maria de Chevreuse did not want to admit defeat. Languishing with boredom, she started a lawsuit, the purpose of which was to take away the governorship of Le Havre from Marie-Madeleine de Vignereau de Pontcourlet, Marquise de Combalais, Duchess d'Aiguillon, the one who saved her uncle Cardinal Richelieu from the death box, in favor of her friend Francois de La Rochefoucauld. At the same time, Madame d'Aiguillon was attacked by the Conde family, who intended to take away part of the Richelieu inheritance from her in favor of the Duchess of Enghien. To support the Duchess d'Aiguillon, the Queen, together with Mazarin, went to see her in Ruelle. The Duchess de Combalais had every right to her uncle's inheritance, because she was so close to him that she bore him two great-nephews, whom he loved as his own children, and he had very good reasons for this. There is no point in condemning her for this, since she was a young, beautiful and healthy lady, so I am in no way going to condemn her close relationship with her secretary after the death of Uncle Richelieu. She really should have had at least some kind of entertainment!
Society did not applaud the sympathy and support that the Queen showed for one of Richelieu’s nieces; Voiture even read a daring poem, prepared in advance, but passed off as improvisation, in which he hinted that perhaps the Queen’s sympathies had changed over time, and now she would rather deal with Richelieu than with Buckingham. Since both contenders for her increased attention had already died, and the Queen, remaining dowager regent, was not obliged to give an account of her preferences to anyone, she was not offended, but asked Voiture to give her a copy of this poem, since it reminded her of the times of her stormy youth, which we all value little while we have it, but we yearn for it above all else when it passes.
This trip showed all of France that the niece of the late Richelieu was now in much greater favor than the cardinal’s former friend and eternal opponent, the Duchess de Chevreuse. Maria herself was forced to realize this.
Mazarin used this trip to entertain the Queen to the highest degree, for which he even ordered the singer Leonora Baroni from Italy, whom he favored so much that it was rumored that there was some kind of past between her and the cardinal that was not forgotten.
During his stay in Ruel, the cardinal was offered apartments that communicated with the Queen's chambers through a small gallery, which would allow him to visit her at any time without a report without witnesses. Monsieur Olivier Lefebvre d'Ormesson hoped that Mazarin, out of delicacy, would refuse to occupy these apartments, but Mazarin occupied them without hesitation. Thus, on November 23, 1644, Mazarin made it clear that he could decide such a question himself, without consulting the Queen, since he was either convinced of her consent in advance, or did not consider it necessary to take into account her wishes. It was unthinkable to assume the latter; therefore, by this time, there had been, let’s say, complete mutual understanding established between Mazarin and the Queen.
Meanwhile, the mutual understanding between me and the Duchess de Chevreuse began to gradually fade. Probably, this was due to the attention that I involuntarily began to pay to the Duchess de Longueville, or did Maria find out about my attention to her cousin’s daughter, Madame Marie de Fauquerolles? Well, I couldn’t resist these two temptations, no matter how much I fought, so I used the only way to fight temptations: to give in to them. Should I have made amends for my unwitting guilt by reading out Maria’s letter? Even if no one thought that she was the author of this love note? It’s fortunate that her elderly husband did not see this note, because he could have recognized the handwriting. Even greater happiness was that the letter was burned in the eyes of the world, while in fact I still became the happy owner of this note addressed to me. I simply had to show it to Maria and reassure her that its authorship could never be revealed. Among other things, I learned it by heart, because I knew in advance that it would be taken away from me. For everyone’s peace, I proposed to destroy it, having previously proven that I had memorized the text and would keep it in my memory forever. All that remained was to throw the terrible evidence into the fireplace, which we did, watching with delight and sadness as the piece of paper that caused a three-week storm in the kingdom turned into nothing.
After several weeks of happiness, for which I had to remember my ability to use a rope ladder to enter and exit paradise, I finally returned to my usual activities, entering into my usual rhythm of life, in which I devoted no more than three days to love affairs. four nights a week, leaving days for service and reflection, and evenings for studying information that might be useful to me in the future. Every Saturday I devoted at least four hours to reading smart and instructive books, which fed my mind and excited my imagination.
One day Bazin brought me a letter from London, which was given to him for me by a certain messenger who wished to remain anonymous.
The letter was sealed with the personal seal of Lord Winter.
I printed it out and read the following.

“Dear Chevalier d'Herblay!
I hope that you remember the one who considers you one of his best friends after that duel in which you and your friends showed such high nobility that could not but make us, your opponents, feel the greatest respect for you and seek your friendship?
Yes, it is I, Lord Winter, who turns to you asking for advice, and, perhaps, for help.
I did not bother Mr. Comte de La F;re with my affairs, since, as it seems to me, in this matter he would not be able to maintain his usual rationality and coldness, since the matter concerns himself too much, and, in addition, it seems to me that he I repent in this way for the punishment we committed against a criminal who was responsible for many troubles here in France and here in England.
I also did not turn to M. de Valon, since in order to solve my problem I do not need strength, but a subtle mind.
I also did not contact M. d'Artagnan, believing that he was on duty, and my letter could greatly compromise him. You are a person of spiritual rank, so my appeal to you on issues of ethics is quite natural.
So, we are talking about the son of one whose name I would not want to trust even to a paper sent by a reliable messenger.
You, of course, remember that she had a rank, as she herself stated, asking for leniency due to this circumstance. I promised her that I would take care of this son, although I do not recognize him as my relative, despite the fact that he was born to her at a time when she was married to my late brother. And the point here is not that this marriage was illegal, but that the father of this child was a completely different person, Gerard Duchot, an unworthy adventurer of vile rank. I have already informed you about this. I took this child to London, established guardianship over him, hired him a nurse, a teacher and a tutor. I did everything in my power to ensure that he grew up and was brought up as a legitimate son of an English nobleman should grow up and be brought up.
But I avoided meeting him because it was unbearable for me. Each such meeting reminded me of the evil that his mother had committed. I still cannot forgive her for the murder of my dear brother, as well as for organizing the murder of my sovereign, the Duke of Buckingham. This child was surprisingly somewhat similar to her, and at the same time in his face I saw some disgusting features that made him look more like some kind of ghost from the other world, some kind of lemur with pale transparent skin, through which, it would seem, is visible through his skull, with sunken eyes, with thin lips, on which a smile invariably wandered, but not a smile of joy and happiness, but the smile of a hidden killer, awaiting the hour of vengeance. Perhaps I am not objective, perhaps it just seemed to me. I must admit that for all that, his face was quite regular and could even be called attractive, if not for those feelings that extremely influenced the way he looked. However, it seems to me that over time he began to control himself more and more, and this feeling of hidden revenge became less and less noticeable on his face, which does not at all mean that it went away. It only hid somewhere in the depths of his heart, if you can call what was beating in his chest a heart. I am writing about this for the reason that I had to get to know his character more closely, from which I was horrified and shudder even now when I write about it.
As it turned out, the father of this child, this Mordaunt, the same Gerard Duchot, somehow found out that his son was in London, and that very significant funds were being allocated for his maintenance. He reached London by hook or by crook and settled near his son. Having waited for an opportune moment, he got to know him, started a conversation on abstract topics, after which he tried to make friends with him and gain his complete trust. This man has extraordinary cunning, so he achieved what he wanted. They became friends and often walked around the garden, and also went outside the estate, to the river, into the forest, into the field. I missed the moment, and this man acquired extraordinary influence over Mordaunt. It was in vain that I trusted his former nurse, tutor and teacher.
The woman who in the days of his infancy was his nurse was not intelligent enough, she loved him as her own son, spoiled him and forgave him everything. The governor paid attention only to how he dressed, and, it must be said, he taught him to dress like a nobleman. The teacher also set the goal only to teach him to behave in society as nobles behave, and the fact that I assigned him such a narrow-minded teacher is, of course, my fault. All these people were only glad that Mordaunt had made a friend who was old enough to be his father. Duchot knew how to present himself in such a way that he looked like a person who deserved all respect and complete trust. After all, deception was his main profession! These three people assigned by me to Mordaunt decided that the friendship of their pupil with a worthy person was the best education, so they left this Gerard Duchot to influence young Mordaunt as he pleased.
I must say that Duchot appeared in London under a completely different name, so when I was informed that Mordaunt had a friend, I myself did not attach any particular importance to it.
Having completely mastered the mind and heart of his son, Duchot began the task for which he arrived in England. The point was to extract as much money as possible, first from those who were entrusted with raising Mordaunt, and then from me. I was at first quite accommodating in this matter and looked at the demand for increased maintenance as a natural consequence of the fact that Mordaunt had grown up and his needs had become more significant, and therefore more expensive.
But one day I received a letter from Simon, that was the name of Mordaunt's teacher, in which he expressed concern about how angry and vindictive Mordaunt was growing up. Simon was perplexed about the reasons for such a dramatic change in his pupil, but at that time he had not yet guessed to correlate the evidence of his pupil’s extreme cruelty with the appearance of Duchot among his friends. Mordaunt became interested in hunting, but at the same time shows such amazing cruelty towards the victims of his passion that, it would seem, the whole hunt for him was just an excuse to pour out his accumulated anger on at least some living creature in order to enjoy his torment. He sought to inflict as painful wounds as possible on the animals he hunted, after which he watched with delight their agony, instead of putting an end to the suffering of the unfortunate victim with a precise blow to the heart. This letter alarmed me, and I decided to visit Mordaunt and talk with him. Imagine my surprise when I found an embittered teenager who demanded that I hand over my entire fortune to him under the ridiculous pretext that I had robbed him and appropriated the inheritance of his father and his mother. I tried to explain to him that even the considerable money that I allocated for his maintenance, I was by no means obliged to spend on him, and that he had no right to any inheritance from my brother. From this conversation, Mordaunt became furious and began to accuse me of such crimes that I have neither the strength nor the desire to list here. I offered to return to this conversation later, after I brought him copies of those documents that proved that I was right and that his claims were unfounded. I felt that I should not show him the original documents, which he might, in desperation, try to snatch from me and destroy. Instead, I offered him the guarantee of two worthy people that the copies that I would show him were completely consistent with the originals.
He behaved like a cub, the offspring of a wild predator. Feeling confused, I left this house. The meeting took place two weeks later, but did not bring satisfaction to either me or him. We quarreled, and I threatened him that I would deprive him of even that part of the allowance that I had allocated to him if he did not calm down and accept his fate with humility.
The worst thing happened a week after I left.
I am informed that the house in which Mordaunt is kept has been destroyed by fire.
Neighbors told me horrific details about the screams of agony that were heard from the house half an hour before the fire. The charred corpses of the nurse, teacher and tutor were found in the burnt house. The safe where the gold was kept was broken into. Mordaunt and Duchot disappeared.
I do not rule out that they could even return to France. The police will search for them here in England, but you must be careful. It seems to me that Duchot is hatching  the idea of vengeance on those responsible for the death of Mordaunt’s mother, and will teach the same thing to this bastard himself. I call him that after what these two did to three sweet and innocent people who took care of this monster for so many years. From the descriptions of Mordaunt's mysterious "friend" I learned that it was none other than Duchot.
So, my dear Chevalier d'Herblay, I would like to ask you, should I make every effort to find Mordaunt and Duchot, or should I surrender to God's providence and let things go as Providence pleases?
I remain sincerely your friend, and I flatter myself with the hope that you also see me as such.
Your Lord Winter"

Chapter 110

When you are young, it is very difficult to admit your mistakes. It seems as if such recognition somewhat diminishes your value in the eyes of others, and, more importantly, in your own eyes.
When Socrates’ age comes, if at least a particle of his wisdom comes with age, you begin to understand that admitting your own mistakes does not in the least diminish your dignity, but rather implores it, on the contrary, the stubbornness with which we sometimes deny our mistakes. After all, this only means that we do not want to learn a lesson from them, and if a similar choice happens to us, we will repeat the same mistakes again.
Lord Winter in this letter gave us all a warning under the guise that he was asking for my advice, or he asked for my advice, giving us a warning in passing, or most likely, that he did both with intent. I did not appreciate his warning and did not fully think about what kind of advice should be given in this case.
This is the letter I wrote to him in response and delivered with the man who was the messenger and who warned Bazin that in two days he would come for my answer.

"Your Majesty!
I am grateful to you for remembering me and counting me among your friends, and I assure you on my own behalf, as well as on behalf of my three friends, that your friendly feelings are not unrequited. All four of us also appreciated your sublime qualities, your nobility, courage and prudence. It is a great honor for us to be among your friends.
I thank you for your warning regarding the probable arrival of this lady's son in France. However, I can’t imagine what we could do to in any way prevent this young fellow and his worthless dad from sliding down the slippery slope. If his father had been a nobleman, I would have challenged him to a duel. Had he committed a crime in the eyes of French justice, he could have hoped to be handed over to the authorities to punish him. But this is only possible if there is evidence of his crime, his guilt. If he had plotted something against the current government and this could be proven, then, probably, he could have been preemptively sent to the Bastille. However, nowadays prisons are used to house dukes and even princes, and ordinary people are beaten with sticks for minor offenses or sent to the gallows for major crimes. However, the present First Minister is so fond of money that he would prefer, as I believe, in all cases to apply fines in order to enrich the treasury, which for him is tantamount to personal enrichment, since, being Superintendent of Finance of France, he probably no longer distinguishes the personal treasury from the state treasury .
I pray to the Lord that these two will not leave England, since the crimes they committed within your state can be investigated and punished in the best possible way in your state. However, if it is discovered that this same Ducheau is in France, and meanwhile England demands the extradition of this criminal for an exemplary punishment, then I believe that the First Minister and Cardinal Mazarin will not refuse the request to King Charles I, and if he decided to refuse , then Queen Henrietta could turn to her brother's widow, Queen Anne, and the matter would be resolved. However, these people are so small that it hardly behooves the Kings to worry about their punishment, and their crime seems to consist only in the fact that Duchot may be guilty of the death of three servants and of stealing money that was intended for for the cultivation and education of his own son, and, perhaps, will use them precisely for these purposes.
You yourself can see that interference in this matter cannot have significant grounds in the eyes of French justice. I mention the Kings only because I know that you are on very close and respectful terms with King Charles I and can probably influence some of his decisions, or better yet, that he can influence your requests would be respected. As for my current position at court, at the time when we met, I was in such a relationship with one of the court ladies of France that she could freely turn to me with various requests, which, however, did not give me a response freedom to address her with your requests. That is, we were obliged to serve the Queen, but the Queen was by no means obliged to reward us for our service. Nowadays, we no longer have that little connection with the court that we had under Cardinal Richelieu. I, as you know, left the Musketeers forever, like the valiant Chevalier du Valon and like the noble Comte de La F;re. However, Chevalier d'Artagnan remained to serve in the King's musketeers and was even awarded the rank of lieutenant of the royal musketeers, but this position, very honorable in the eyes of novice warriors and in the eyes of ordinary Parisians, is in no way valued by those in power, I mean the Queen, the cardinal, the princes , dukes, peers and marquises. All these proud people are accustomed to not noticing officers and soldiers in peacetime, and in wartime they only rejoice that they shed blood for them, while they spend their time in idleness, amusement, indulging in turns in hunting, balls, masquerades and assemblies, and During the break, they strive to cuckold each other or snatch a profitable position from each other.
Therefore, I see no point in worrying Lieutenant d’Artagnan in vain, because if I tell him that Milady’s son may soon arrive in Paris, he will answer: “Damn it, so much the better! We will send him to Hell to his mother! Just let him show himself on the streets of Paris! Let’s just wait until he’s at least eighteen years old!”
And in this case, I would completely agree with him. It is not in our rules to quarrel with a child. Regarding this same Duchot, I would say that if he ever appears nearby, we, of course, will not be able to cross our swords with him, but we can order the servants to give him a good beating and throw him out, in the hope that he will die from beatings like a mad jackal.
If the scoundrel ever dares to shoot at me, he must aim as best as he can, or he will be killed by a return shot.
However, I see no reason to worry about the arrival of this couple, since just as I don’t know them by sight or name, they don’t know any of us. You did not tell me the name under which his vile father is hiding, only telling me that he changed his name. Therefore, I cannot even undertake any searches in order to protect myself from him or to protect any of my friends from him.
At the end of my letter I will answer your request for advice. Although I believe that you know much more about the circumstances of this whole matter, and therefore I should not give advice in a matter about which I know so little, still considering that the request for advice was made, and the circumstances were explained in the message, I recommend that you, firstly, convey to the detective services all the information about this scoundrel and murderer Duchot, and secondly, deprive this ill-bred Mordaunt, who is likely to follow in the footsteps of his mother, of any support and any rights to the inheritance, if any, you gave him. Put him out of your mind after that and live calmly and happily. Believe me, the Lord knows his righteous and his sinners, and will reward them all according to their deserts.
I do not address questions to the Comte de La F;re, since I can foresee his answer to this. He would say: “Do not think about how to achieve anything, but think only about the ways in which you can achieve what our duty, our honor and our title tell us to desire. If the goal is good and the ways are noble, then victory will be sweet, and loss should be accepted with humility. If, for the sake of a good goal, we use non-noble means, then victory will not bring us joy, and defeat will simply destroy us. Follow your own path, which you yourself have chosen and destined for yourself, do not look back at the past, do not be afraid of the future and do not envy those who follow other paths and achieve more than you. For who will name the price of our various achievements? The Lord alone knows her. Perhaps one sou given to a beggar means much more in heaven than hundreds of millions of livres spent on building palaces, organizing balls, or on war.”
This is what Comte de La F;re would say, and I completely agree with him.
As for the Chevalier du Valon, he would probably say: “Whatever you decide, my friends, I am with you, or better yet, I am ahead of you!”
Let us surrender to our fate, but first hand over the case to the detective police.
Your sincere friend
Abbe d'Herblay, former musketeer Aramis."

Chapter 111

I made a mistake in the text of this letter. Following Lord Winter, I called Mordaunt a child, and based my advice on this. In addition, I indicated that we should not cross swords with a person who is not a nobleman. My mistake was that at the time of our acquaintance with Milady, she already had this child, therefore, according to the most conservative estimates, he should have been more than eighteen years old, but nothing prevented me from challenging d'Artagnan to a duel from - because he tried to pick up and return to me in front of my comrades the scarf of Madame de Bois-Tracy that I had dropped. And at this time d'Artagnan was just eighteen years old. So it was wrong to call Mordaunt a child, he should have been called a youth, and his age should not be considered as a reason precluding a duel with him. Also, Lord Winter did not tell me, and I did not take into account, that this pupil received a full course of training in what a nobleman should know, which included fencing, shooting, riding, etc., which he mastered to perfection, inspired by the desire to use it for his revenge. He led an elegant and refined life, since he was financially secure, so he did not engage in hard work, he had aristocratic hands, which allowed him to easily pass himself off as a true aristocrat. Let's add to this the documents stolen by his real father and appropriated by him, giving him the right to nobility, which opened the doors to the houses of all nobles, and Lord Winter drew up a paper on his guardianship of Mordaunt, which also formally and practically introduced him into the circle of nobles. So, there was no obstacle for us to duel with him. And since I treated Mordaunt as a child, perhaps a teenager, I did not even think of holding him even partially responsible for the terrible crime of massacring three servants, theft and arson. If I had taken Mordaunt's age into account, I should have realized that he is an accomplice to these crimes, and must bear responsibility for them, and if the law is slow or does not notice such crimes, then a duel would solve this problem more quickly and effectively.
So, there were reasons and opportunities for a duel with him, and a reason could easily be found. But, I repeat, I didn’t take something into account, I didn’t know something, I didn’t make the appropriate calculations, I didn’t take into account everything that I knew, and all this together led to the mistakes that I made in my response. letter and in their responses.
Having sent my reply letter with the messenger who brought a message from Lord Winter, I nevertheless decided to reflect on this topic and remembered that Count Ronchamp informed me that this same Gerard Duchot was posing as another person, a nobleman, an officer, that he managed to become such in the eyes of the French nobility. The count told me that Duchot met him at the post station, and learned from him that he was returning from military service to his estate to accept the inheritance of his deceased parents. The vile Duchot, using all his hypocrisy, tried to gain the trust and make friends with the officer, who was an orphan. The poor officer said that he was absent from his native estate for a very long time. The criminal realized that in appearance this officer was vaguely similar to Gerard Duchot himself. The idea of taking his life, destiny, title and wealth came to his vile mind, after which he realized it in the most vile way. It is unknown how exactly he disposed of the corpse. Most likely, he threw his corpse into the nearest lake, having previously tied some kind of weight to it, after which the fish ate the corpse beyond recognition.
I remembered that the count had said something about Burgundy. Unfortunately, I had no friends in Burgundy. I had no servants, except for Bazin, who was already only half my servant, having become a clerk in a small Parisian church. I did not have the money to hire a man to go to Burgundy and try to find Duchot and Mordaunt.
In addition, in order to undertake a search, it would be advisable to know the name of the officer that Duchot assigned to himself. Due to some strange forgetfulness, Lord Winter did not tell me about it. I told Bazin to make inquiries about the Count of Ronchamp, hoping that perhaps he could tell me something. Besides, I decided to consult d'Artagnan. He always found unexpected and effective solutions to the most difficult problems. Unfortunately, he was on a new campaign, which followed almost immediately after the victory at Rocroi under the leadership of the Duke of Enghien, and had not yet returned to Paris. I did not risk writing to him, deciding that the matter was not so urgent that I could trust the mail.
Meanwhile, Gerard Duchot and Mordaunt settled on the estate, which Duchot took possession of as a result of his crime. There he continued his harmful influence on this young man and raised him to be a misanthrope, embittered by the whole world and dreaming exclusively of revenge on all those who deprived him of his mother.
After returning to France, Mordaunt and Duchot undertook some investigations, which resulted in a mysterious series of deaths. Four executioners, branded with a lily, died one after another. The investigation each time concluded that it was suicide. Since these events took place in different cities, and since suicide notes were found next to the corpses, none of the investigators had the slightest doubt that these were suicides. In addition, these cases were investigated by different investigators in different cities; they were not aware of similar events in other cities. Nobody thought of linking these four cases together. Three executioners were found hanged, the fourth was found in the river. Each of the investigators reasoned that an executioner is a person who will always have reasons for dissatisfaction with himself, doubt, repentance and even despair. And who attaches any value to the lives of these outcasts? All these cases were closed.
There was also a report of the mysterious death of two priests. This case was investigated more carefully, since suicide is not common among clergy, since everyone knows that such a thing is considered a terrible sin. I cannot say with certainty why Mordaunt and Duchot took their revenge on the priests. Perhaps they wanted to learn something from them, but without achieving their goal, they dealt with them. On the hand of each of these two priests terrible wounds were found from burns, probably made with the help of a poker heated in the fireplace. But the presence of “farewell letters” reassured the investigators. No one has compared the handwriting of these letters with samples of the handwriting of these clergy, but if this had been done, then the investigators would have been surprised to find that the handwriting was always the same, the same as on the farewell notes of the executioners. In addition, I should note that, as a rule, executioners in provincial cities were not literate. They carried out the orders of the judges, who read out to them the sentences of the criminals. In any case, a competent executioner is an extreme rarity, if there ever were such a thing. So, if a single commission of inquiry had investigated these six deaths, they would likely have discovered these strange facts that would have caused them to approach their investigations differently.
Meanwhile, events began in England that distracted Lord Winter from the Mordaunt case, so that I did not even receive an answer to my letter. In July we heard of the victory of the parliamentary army of Fairfax and Leven over Rupert's army at Marston Moor, near York. Waller's newly recruited army was defeated. Essex's army was also routed. Parliament, on the initiative of the Independents led by Cromwell, adopted a plan for a radical reorganization of the army. In fact, it should be recognized that King Charles I, gradually losing popularity and power, crossed the critical line after which he should have fought not for the preservation of his power, but for the preservation of his life. By the end of that year the situation in England had become dire. In early December, the Bill of Self-Denial was signed. At Cromwell's request, all members of Parliament refused command posts in the army. The main thing here is that Cromwell was able to demand something from members of parliament, which showed all of Europe that he had actually become the head of England.
Also, this year 1644 was marked by the departure of one pontiff and the arrival of a new one. In July, Pope Urban VIII departed to a better world, that is, he joined the host of saints surrounding the heavenly throne of our heavenly Lord, and his place was taken by Pope Innocent X, who lived in this highest position throughout the sinful earth for eleven years, until January 7 1655.

Chapter 112

Count de Ronchamp withdrew from the world and lived on his estate. One day, which I cannot call beautiful, two guests arrived to him, noblemen in appearance. They called themselves Messrs. de Remo - father and son.
“Hello, gentlemen,” said the count. — To what do I owe part of your visit?
“I am Chevalier Henri de Remo, retired lieutenant,” said the elder of the two visitors. “I am my son, John Francis de Remo.” We would like to make some inquiries about our mutual friends.
“Well, gentlemen, come in, I’m glad to meet you,” answered the count. “I assume that you know my name since you came to me, but I’ll still introduce myself, Comte de Ronchamp.”
“We are looking for relatives of the Marquise de Brenvilliers, ” said the elder de Remo. “We are her distant relatives on the side line, and she recently became the direct heir of her uncle.” The inheritance is very significant, and in the event that she dies, the next claimants are us, me and my son John Francis de Remo. But we learned that the Marquise de Brenvilliers had a son, and in this case, her entire inheritance should be transferred to him. Could you help us in our search?
“It is very noble of you, gentlemen, that instead of simply receiving this inheritance, you are looking for a person who may have great rights to it,” replied the Comte de Ronchamp. “But I must admit that I don’t know where to look for this child.” I, indeed, was friends with the Marquis de Brenvilliers, but after his tragic death I know almost nothing about the fate of his family. I only know that his widow, the Marquise de Brenvilliers, apparently was a vicious lady, and also, as far as I know, this marriage was illegal, since she had previously been married to another gentleman.
“It is unlikely that these details, interesting in themselves, can have any impact on her rights to inheritance on her father’s side, as well as on the rights of inheritance concerning her son,” answered de Remo the elder. “I know that this marriage you are talking about cannot be called happy, since her husband died, and soon the marquise herself died. We would only like to know about the fate of her son, and for this, I believe, we would like to know any information that you can tell us about her, since you, as you yourself admitted, were friends with her husband, the Marquis.
“Well, apparently you are right,” agreed the Comte de Ronchamp. “You probably know that the marquise did not die a natural death.” She was executed.
- Executed? - De Remo Sr. was surprised. “But the lawyers I hired studied all the sentences of that time against all women of a similar age throughout France. It is impossible for her to be sentenced to death for any crime. Besides, we don't know what crime she might have committed.
“You won’t find any information about her in the court archives,” agreed the Comte de Ronchamp. “She was sentenced privately, and the execution also did not take place entirely officially.
— Sentenced privately?! - exclaimed De Remo. — The execution took place unofficially? Have mercy, Count! What are you saying? Are we living in an era of barbarians? In our enlightened seventeenth century, is anything like that really possible?
“I can only say that there were very good reasons for sentencing her; the nobles who carried it out had an open document signed by Cardinal Richelieu, who approved in advance any of their actions as actions in the interests of France and with his knowledge,” the count said with some hesitation. “In addition, as far as I know, the execution was carried out by an executioner, it seems, from the city of Bethune.” Yes, exactly, Bethune's executioner!
“Bethune’s executioner...” said the younger de Remo, and the count flinched from this hoarse voice filled with burning hatred. - Bethune's executioner! How dare he obey ordinary nobles in such a matter?
“I don’t know the details,” replied de Ronchamp. “I only know that he himself had grounds for personal hatred of this lady.”
—Can an executioner act out of feelings of personal vindictiveness?! - exclaimed de Ronchamp the younger, which again made Count de Ronchamp shudder.
“Believe me, this lady fully deserved her fate,” the count tried to reassure the guests. - But it seems that we are not analyzing the reasons for these actions, but their consequences? So you're looking for her son. I will tell you what I know about this matter. Firstly, her son, although born in marriage to the marquis, was not his son. This is known from significant evidence, the Marquis himself told me about it.
- Do you know what this evidence was? - Remo Jr. wheezed.
“The words of the Marquis, my friend, would be enough for me, but, believe me, he introduced me to them, so they are without a doubt very thorough, because...
“It doesn’t matter,” Remo Sr. interrupted. “He was her son, the inheritance belongs to her, so her relationship with her husband has no bearing on our matter.”
“Perhaps so, but since the young man asked me a question...” the count objected. - However, you are right, this matter is already a thing of the past, and there is no point in stirring it up. So she was executed. I know this. Further, as far as I know, her son was taken by her relative, the brother of the marquis, who promised to take care of him. So if you manage to find the son of the marquise, then most likely in England, in London.
— Did he recognize the marquise’s son as his legal relative and heir? - Remo Jr. asked harshly.
“No, because his brother managed to familiarize him with the evidence of the marquise’s betrayal,” answered the count.
- In that case, for what reason did he take her son? - Remo Sr. asked.
“He promised this to his mother just before her death, and such promises must be kept,” answered the count.
— Was he present at her execution? - Reno Jr. exclaimed. “He knew they were going to execute her and didn’t stop it?”
- For what reason should he have prevented this execution, if he himself believed that it was deserved and necessary? - the count asked in turn.
—What could be the need for reprisals against one’s own relative? - Remo Jr. wheezed. - Is it really just to appropriate her inheritance from the Marquis?
“You judge this biasedly because you do not know all the wines of this marquise,” de Ronchamp objected. “She has a lot of murders on her conscience, even if you don’t count her unsuccessful attempts to kill some distinguished nobles.
- Why didn’t they take this case to court? - Remo Jr. continued his questions.
“I can’t explain it exactly,” the count replied. “You’d better ask her brother-in-law, who lives in London, about this.” You know his name, don't you?
- Lord Winter! - Remo Jr. growled.
“It seems to me that you are taking the matter of your distant relative too much to heart, young man,” answered the count. “If you have the means to travel to London, and you meet Lord Winter, give him my greetings, and he will tell you everything about this matter, and also explain the reasons for this act, which you condemn, without going into all the circumstances of this case.” .
“Okay,” replied Remo Jr., who seemed to have completely mastered himself. — Thank you for the details that you gave us. Is that all you know about this case, or can you remember anything else?
“I believe that I have told you everything that I know that will help you find this young man,” answered the count.
“Then just one last question,” said Remo Sr. — The Marquise had a maid named Katie. She might know something about her son. You don't know where she went?
“Oh, about this I can only tell you that she left the marquise and, on recommendation, entered the service of another noble lady,” answered the count.
—Will you tell us the name of this lady? - asked Remo Jr.
“If I’m not mistaken, this is the Duchess de Chevreuse,” answered the count. “But since she left long before the events you asked about, I believe that she is unlikely to be able to tell you anything useful for your search.”
- Let us be the judge of this! - Remo Sr. answered rudely and rose sharply from his chair, after which Remo Jr. jumped up just as sharply.
- However, gentlemen, you are not too polite! - the count exclaimed, but immediately stopped short.
He found that two swords were pointed at his chest. Father and son de Remo managed to grab their swords and put them to his chest so hard that they pierced his doublet and even the skin of his chest.

“And this is your gratitude for the information you received from me?” - asked the count, without losing his restraint.
“ Yes, our gratitude lies in the fact that we did not kill you right away,” Remo Jr. replied. “And now you will receive our gratitude for spreading vile gossip about my mother!”
- About your mother? — the count asked, peering at the features of Remo Jr.
- Yes, about my mother, the Marquise de Brenvilliers, Lady Winter, my mother! - answered the young man. - Know the name of the one who will send you to the next world! My name is John Francis Mordaunt Winter, Marquis de Brenvilliers!
With these words, Mordaunt pressed hard on the sword, and it pierced the count’s heart through and through.
- Killed? - asked Duchot, because it was he who was hiding under the name of Remo Sr.
“I believe he’s dead,” Mordaunt answered, and an ominous smile stretched his thin lips almost to half his face.
“We must be sure of this to the end,” answered Duchot and plunged his sword into the count’s chest next to Mordaunt’s sword.
After this, both assassins drew their swords and casually wiped them on the count's lace collar.
“I must go to London to take revenge on Lord Winter,” Mordaunt croaked. - And also in order to find out the names of those nobles who participated with him in this matter.
- Yes, my friend! - Duchot replied. - We're going back to London!
“But on the way we’ll stop by the Duchess de Chevreuse to see her maid Katie!” - exclaimed Mordaunt.
If poor Katie had heard these words, she would have been horrified.

Chapter 113

“I understand that you are interested in my mother’s former maid named Katie,” Mordaunt said to Gerard Duchaud on the way from the count. - What do we need it for?
“I’ll tell you only one phrase from your mother, which I knew very well, as I already told you,” answered Duchot. “She said something like this: “Damn Katie! If I could catch her, I would pull all the veins out of her! She must die! It's enough?
“Yes,” replied Mordaunt, “that is enough.” If my mother wanted to kill this woman, she must die!
“I thought so,” agreed Gerard Duchot. “We’re going to the Duchess de Chevreuse and we’ll act according to the circumstances.”

The Duchess was in a relaxed state. She regretted that her former best friend had turned her back on her and did not understand her at all.
- Oh, Annetta! - she said, addressing either the birds outside the window or the clouds in the sky. - And this is your gratitude for everything that I did for you!
It is difficult to list everything that the Duchess did, to weigh all these actions taking into account the benefit or harm that these actions caused to the Queen! Of course, the Duchess sometimes helped the Queen get out of difficult situations, but most of these situations arose because of her initiative! Perhaps the most difficult situation for the Queen arose in the story of the pendants, and then it was not the Duchess who rescued her, but her maid Constance Bonacieux! Another difficult situation arose during Buckingham's tactlessness, in which case the Duchess was an accomplice to the affair rather than a defender of the Queen's honor. And finally, if, through the fault of the Duchess, Anne had not fallen so awkwardly that she had lost the boy she was carrying, who could have become the Dauphin, then the Queen’s whole life would have been different, there would not have been this period of twenty-one years when the King neglected the Queen, considering her to be barren! If Anna of Austria began to remember all the troubles that befell her thanks to the Duchess de Chevreuse, she would hate her, and if she tried to remember all her benefits, she would hardly remember even one. Only fun games from her youth, in which Maria, together with her first husband de Luynes, shamelessly used the money and power of the august spouses for personal purposes. Perhaps all these thoughts occurred to the Queen, and in this case it is not surprising that she drew the corresponding conclusions in relation to her former friend. It can be assumed that the decision to break off relations with the Duchess forever came to the Queen’s mind, indeed, at the very time when she announced them to the King and the Cardinal, and her rare letters, which she nevertheless sent to the Duchess, were intended only to reassure the Duchess and to keep her from revealing anything that could harm the Queen. Indeed, there are such friends with whom it is very dangerous to quarrel, no matter how much you would like to part with them once and for all.

The Duchess's page reported the arrival of two nobles, De Remo, father and son.
“I don’t accept anyone,” answered the duchess. - I'm not feeling well today. Let them leave their business cards and tell them what business they came on.
The Duchess was absolutely healthy, but the unfamiliar names made her wary, so she reasoned that if the matter was important, then these uninvited guests would find a way to achieve a meeting.
Two minutes later the page returned and said that Messrs. de Remo begged for a short meeting of the utmost importance, and that they would not be able to visit the duchess another time, since they were leaving for England.
- In England? “The duchess asked again, and the wonderful days she spent there with Buckingham immediately surfaced in her memory. “Ask them to whom exactly they are going to England, and still ask on what specific business they came to me.” After all, I really am not feeling well!
“If they know the Earl of Holland or the son of the Duke of Buckingham, I will, of course, accept them! - thought the duchess. “But you have to be extremely careful!”
“ Your Grace, gentlemen de Remo announced that they are going to the King,” answered the page.
- Further? - the duchess asked impatiently.
- Sorry? - the page asked.
- Stupid boy! - exclaimed the Duchess. “I told you to ask, what business do they have with me?” This is the third time you are returning to me with a report, although the first time you should have told me why I should receive some unknown father and son of De Remo, who are going to England! Anyone can announce that they are going to the King. This is not a mission! If they were bringing Charles I a letter from his wife Henrietta, who is now in the Louvre, they would not trumpet it at every corner, but would try not to arouse unnecessary attention to themselves. Maybe they are coming to him in order to kill him? How should I know! Felton was also heading towards Buckingham! I shouldn't meet people who are heading to England for God knows what purposes!
The duchess's suspicion was explained by the fact that she always knew everything in advance, using extensive correspondence and even having a certain staff of spies. She perceived any unexpected appearance of uninvited guests as a nuisance and tried to avoid the meeting.
“Explain to them, stupid thing, that I’m not well and I’m lying in bed!” - added the duchess. “If they have a case, let them put it in a letter and I will read it.” It is not proper for me to receive unknown nobles while lying in bed, in a negligee!
When the page left again, the Duchess continued her performance in a monologue, which she uttered for herself.
- If only it were a prince, or a duke, or even a marquis! - she said. - At worst, an earl, a viscount, a baron, or at least a baronet! What pathetic chevaliers, father and son! Why on earth should I take them? I do not give receptions to strangers. If only these were neighbors! Or messengers from one of my friends! They would have reported long ago who exactly they came from.
Apparently, Remo Sr. also realized that without an explanation of the purpose of their arrival, they would not achieve a meeting with the duchess. He decided to cheat. The Duchess's friendly relations with the Duke de La Rochefoucauld were known to everyone, so he decided to refer to this friend of hers.
“Messrs. de Remo, father and son, reported that they arrived from the Duke de La Rochefoucauld,” said the page, who entered cheerfully, since he had been promised two pistoles if the duchess received the uninvited guests.
The Duchess silently extended her hand. The page blushed and looked at the duchess with an expression of bewilderment.
-Where is the letter, idiot? - asked the duchess. “If these people came from Francois, he gave them a letter, if they had a letter, they would have shown it to you the first time, and the second time, I believe, they would have decided to give it to me through you.” No letter - no trust.
The page realized that the prospect of receiving two pistoles had become practically insignificant and sadly left the duchess to inform the guests that the duchess required a letter.
“ Now this idiot will tell you that there is no letter, and that La Rochefoucauld sent me an oral message!” - exclaimed the duchess, turning to herself. - No, that won't do! These are some kind of spies.
After that, she rang the bell and Katie entered the room. This was the same Katie who at one time fell in love with d'Artagnan. She was seventeen years older now, so she was already about thirty-four, but she was still fresh and sweet.
- Listen, Katie! - said the duchess. “Some nobles unknown to me, whom I don’t trust, are asking me to come to them.” Change your clothes quickly, you will pretend to be me, and I will hide behind the screen.
Katie was a savvy girl, and having served the Duchess for seventeen years, she learned to quickly carry out Mary's orders without asking unnecessary questions.
Fifteen minutes later she was dressed like a duchess and seated in the favorite chair of the Duchess de Chevreuse, while the Duchess herself ordered the page to bring in the guests and introduce them to Katie as the Duchess de Chevreuse herself.
Katie was a magnificent actress; the guests who entered had never seen the Duchess, so she was able to easily deceive them by posing as the Duchess de Chevreuse. Maria, peeping at Katie through a small crack in the screen, almost burst out laughing, so amusingly and accurately did the cunning maid portray her patroness.
“It’s a pity that Annetta doesn’t see this! - she thought. “We would laugh a lot together at this performance, and then, lo and behold, we would become friends again!”
- Your Mightiness! - said de Remo the elder for himself and for his son. “Allow me to express my deepest respect and inform you that you are much more beautiful than all the portraits of you that we saw from the Duke de La Rochefoucauld!”
- Thank you! - Katie exclaimed and offered her hand for a kiss. “Which of the two portraits the Duke has did you like better?” Where am I depicted in a blue dress, the one on the wall on the left, or the one where I am in the costume of an oriental princess in a turban and robe with peacocks, the one on the wall on the right?
- Both portraits are magnificent! - exclaimed Gerard Duchot, for it was he. - But, believe me, seeing you live is an incomparable pleasure!
“What an idiot! - thought the duchess. - And how smart Katie is! She knows very well that La Rochefoucauld only has a medallion with my image, and he cannot have any paintings! What do these deceivers want from me?
“Gentlemen, I am glad to see the friends of my wonderful friend the Duke de La Rochefoucauld in my house,” said Katie. “You, of course, brought me a letter from him.” Oh, how grateful I am to you! Let's get it quickly!
“Madam, the letter is lost,” said Duchot. “We had almost reached the place, and I decided to re-read the address again, pulled it out of my breast pocket, in which I always had it. But suddenly a gust of wind came, tore the envelope out of my hands and carried it to the middle of the river! I already wanted to rush into the water after him, but the river was too fast, and my horse was tired, and I was afraid that I wouldn’t get the letter and I’d drown my horse.
- This is very unfortunate! - Katie replied with an expression of sympathy and grief. - But where are your horses?
“ We arrived on horseback in the interest of speeding our journey,” replied Duchot.
“Well, that’s very reasonable,” Katie agreed. “Perhaps the Duke told you in words the news that he told me in this letter?”
“Oh yes, of course, Your Grace, but not completely,” Duchot replied. — In the letter, he expressed his opinion about affairs at court, and also about what changes he expected in the near future. I, of course, am not privy to this part of the letter, and will not be able to retell it to you.
“Then tell me what you know,” Katie continued.
“The Duke added at the end of the letter that I am his closest friend, and he fully recommends me,” replied Duchot. “He also asked you about your chambermaid Katie, to whom he sends greetings and inquires about her health, since, by a lucky coincidence, one of his maids is her cousin, which he learned about completely by accident.” This cousin sends her warm regards to Katie.
“Tell me, dear Chevalier,” Katie said suddenly. “Has our dear Duke healed his eye?” After all, the wound was terrible! We were all afraid that he would lose this eye, but the wonderful doctor assured us that he would cure the Duke so wonderfully that no trace would be visible, and only a small scar would remain on his cheek.
“I’m glad to tell you that the Duke’s eye is almost completely healed,” Duchot replied. — The scar on the cheek, of course, remained, but the eye, fortunately, did not lose sight, although, of course, the Duke still does not have the former vigilance in this eye, but the doctor promises improvement over time.
- Oh, how glad I am! - Katie exclaimed. - This is such happiness! You have not come such a long way in vain! I would love to write a letter in response to the Duke, but, as I was told, you are traveling in the opposite direction, to England, so I can only complain that I do not have the opportunity to please the Duke with the return courtesy of informing him that I am extremely pleased with the improvement in his health, and also that I remain his close friend, although, as you can see, I am a little unwell.
“Perhaps on the way back we will call on you and take a letter from you to the Duke,” answered Duchot. - But will you allow us to see your maid Katie? We have a letter for her from her cousin, and we promised to deliver this letter to her personally.
“Of course, gentlemen, but perhaps we’ll have lunch first?” - asked Katie. - After all, you are off the road and probably very hungry!
“We will not refuse,” answered Duchot and looked expressively at Mordaunt. “We’re really out of the way.”
“In that case, gentlemen, wait a while in the summer garden, and in the meantime I will order dinner,” said Katie. “Besides, I need to change for dinner, so I’ll come out to you in a quarter of an hour.”
Duchot and Mordaunt walked in the indicated direction and went out into the summer garden.
As soon as the door closed behind them, the duchess came out from behind the screen.
- Katie, you did great! - she said. - These are some impostors. You brought them to clean water! Just think about it! All these stories about two portraits, in blue and in the costume of an Indian princess, went like clockwork, they confirmed everything. But the invention about the Duke’s sore eye and the terrible wound on his cheek was beyond praise! However, do you know, dear, with what eyes the young nobleman looked at you when he was sure that you could not see him?
- What kind? - Katie asked cheerfully.
- Don't joke about it! - exclaimed the Duchess. “It seems to me that he wanted to look into your soul, into its very core.” It may very well be that they did not fully believe our joke.
- What are we going to do? - asked Katie.
“It’s very simple,” the duchess waved it off. “These people pretend to be a friend of the Duke of La Rochefoucauld, and they are lying.” They also lie that they had a letter from him to me. Why did they come? For some reason they need you. Don't you know these people?
“I’m seeing them for the first time,” Katie answered.
“Remember well, perhaps once upon a time, many years ago,” the duchess insisted. - Imagine the one who is older, younger. Perhaps before you moved in with me, seventeen years ago?
- God, you're right, madam! - Katie exclaimed. - The one who is older spoke all the time while the younger one was silent! It is he! It seemed to me for a moment that I knew him, but I couldn’t remember! Now I recognize him, it’s him!
- Who is he, darling? - asked Maria.
- Milady's secret lover, Gerard Duchot! - Katie exclaimed. - Breter and robber!
- What does he want from you? - asked the duchess. - Revenge? He tried to take over you, and you refused him?
“It was like that,” Katie agreed, “but it seems to me that he quickly calmed down.” It is unlikely that he would come seventeen years later to take revenge on me for refusing. There's something different here.
“You said that you angered your former mistress, whom you called Milady,” said Maria. - There is no mistress. But resentment could be inherited.
“But I’m not guilty of the death of his mistress!” - Katie objected. “I ran away from her when she was still alive!”
“They want to know from you the names of those who executed her,” said the duchess. “And perhaps also to take revenge for what your former owner was angry with you for.” Consequently, these people take this Milady's cause too seriously. The eldest is her former lover, that’s understandable. So the youngest is her son!
- My God! - Katie exclaimed. - What do we do?
“Nothing special,” replied the Duchess. “I will tell my servants to throw them out.”
- What if they waylay us? - asked Katie.
“ They are going to England, if they haven’t lied,” answered the duchess. “We won’t leave the castle without security for a while.”
The Duchess rang the bell and a page entered the room.
“Denis, tell my guards to throw these two impostors out of my house and never let them on my doorstep again,” said the duchess.
The page bowed and left.

Meanwhile, in the summer garden, a conversation took place between Gerard Duchot and Mordaunt.
- Well, what do you say, my friend? asked Duchot.
“I think we’ve been figured out,” Mordaunt replied. — There are too many details in the questions. There was probably a catch hidden in these questions. Either the Duke's eye was not injured, or in the paintings she is dressed in dresses of different colors. I waited with horror for her to ask about which eye of the Duke of La Rochefoucauld was wounded - the right or the left?
“Such a question would betray her distrust!” - exclaimed Duchot.
“It only shows that the Duchess is too smart,” Mordaunt objected.
“She’s even smarter than you think,” Duchot replied. “It seems to me that it was not the Duchess who received us.”
- Who? - Mordaunt asked sharply.
“It was Katie, your mother’s former maid,” Duchot replied.
- Why didn’t you kill her? - Mordaunt croaked angrily.
“Because I realized it only now,” Duchot replied.
- Well, let's go and kill her! - Mordaunt roared and, without waiting for an answer, rushed towards the room in which he had left Katie.
But on the way he met three courtiers of the duchess armed with swords.
“Gentlemen, the duchess asks you to leave her house,” said one of them, who looked to be of senior rank, no less than a sergeant.
- Get out of my way! - Mordaunt exclaimed and, pushing him away, tried to move on.
- Defend yourself, sir! - exclaimed the sergeant and pointed his sword at Mordaunt.
“Well, I didn’t plan to kill you, however, I will kill you if you want it so much!” - Mordaunt croaked angrily and attacked the sergeant.
Two other guards wanted to intervene, but the sergeant shouted to them: “I myself!”
Taking advantage of the confusion of the guards, Duchot slipped between them and burst into the room where the Duchess and Katie were.
- Deceiver! - he exclaimed, pointing his sword at Katie. - Die!
Katie froze in horror, unable to run, while Duchot had only three steps left to take to pierce her chest.
- Farewell, d'Artagnan! - Katie exclaimed and fell to her knees.
The fall deflected the fatal blow from her as the sharp edge of the footsteps pierced the air above her head. Duchot turned sharply and raised his sword over Katie, who was sprawled on the floor, and at that moment a shot rang out.
Duchot fell. A bullet from the Duchess de Chevreuse's pistol pierced the adventurer's heart.
The Duchess's pistol was made according to my drawings, it had two barrels, one under the other, and was small enough to be hidden in a secret pocket. When, behind the screen, the Duchess realized that she had been visited by scammers and adventurers, she silently opened the drawer of the table near the dressing table behind the screen and took out this pistol.
Holding a deadly weapon in her hands, the Duchess opened the doors where the battle between Mordaunt and the sergeant took place. The sergeant already regretted that he had told his friends not to interfere in the battle, but his honor did not allow him to call on them for help. The guards were afraid to disobey his order, despite the fact that he had already received two serious wounds in the arm and shoulder.
- Drop your sword, or I'll shoot! - exclaimed the Duchess, pointing her pistol at Mordaunt.
Mordaunt assessed the situation, after which, pretending that he was going to throw his sword, he sharply pushed the sergeant in the wounded shoulder and ran to the exit from the castle.
Nobody thought to detain him.
“Make sure that he leaves my house and never appears in it,” said the Duchess. - And, my God, Etienne! Why this ostentatious nobility? You should not have started a one-on-one duel with him, but simply threw these scoundrels out of my house, taking advantage of your numerical superiority! Where do these empty concepts of honor come from? Look, he wounded you twice and a little more, then, what good, he could kill you! See a doctor immediately! And we will take care of our wounded.
The Duchess returned and looked at Duchot lying in a pool of his own blood.
“No, you can’t ask about anything like that anymore,” she said.
- Madam, you saved my life! - Katie exclaimed.
“I suppose so,” agreed the Duchess. “We’ll have a small ball on this occasion tomorrow.” But you know, darling, as I see, you still love this d’Artagnan of yours! But he hasn’t thought about you for fifteen years!
“It doesn’t matter,” Katie replied. - Everyone has their own shortcomings. The main thing is that I didn’t forget about him.

Chapter 114

That evening, the Duchess summoned Katie for a serious conversation.
“Katie, dear, as sorry as I am, I think it would be better for us to part at least for a while,” she said.
“Are you driving me away, Your Grace?” - Katie asked with horror. “What have I done to deserve your displeasure after so many years of faithful service?”
- Not at all, my dear! - the duchess objected. “I value you extremely, and I would be in despair if I could not save you from these murderers!”
“But it was you who already saved me from inevitable death, Your Grace!” - Katie exclaimed.
“What worked once may not work another time, and stop calling me Your Lordship!” - answered the duchess. - Aren't we friends? We agreed that you call me by name! What has changed since then?
“What has changed is that you risked your life for me, and also that you are driving me away!” - Katie answered.
- Don't talk nonsense! - the duchess waved him off. “I did what I should have done, and thank God that the corpse of this scoundrel was taken out of my room and everything was washed away from his blood!” But don’t forget that there is another one left, young and dexterous. Didn't you see how easily he defeated Etienne? But there were three of them, and they were given the order to take these robbers out of the house! But instead they started a duel with a competition of nobility! You should use all the strength you have against such scoundrels, and not arrange one-on-one fights! Etienne has positively gone crazy! Start a duel, instead of ordering your men to push out the two scoundrels by force! Wow! And where? In my house! How can I rely on such infantile guards? Never! Only one person can protect you!
- Who, madam? - asked Katie.
- You yourself know perfectly well! - answered the duchess. - Your beloved d'Artagnan! Only he can withstand such pressure from the sword!
“But he didn’t have time to save his beloved Constance!” - Katie objected! “And besides, I believe that he has already forgotten me and lost interest in me.”
“It’s up to you to remind him of yourself and awaken his former love,” answered the duchess. “And he couldn’t protect his beloved only for the reason that he wasn’t there. If he had been nearby, she would have been in no danger. That's why I want you to be near him.
“He is a military man and does not belong to himself,” Katie tried to object. “Even if we live in the same house, I will be alone all day.”
“I hope this scoundrel will not be able to trace your trip and follow you.” In addition, he is probably really going to England, so there is no reason for him to return to Paris,” the duchess continued to insist.
“I don’t dare argue with Your Grace,” Katie answered and bowed low.
- Well, here we go again! - the duchess was offended. “You and I are friends, we’ve been discussing this issue for so long precisely because I’m not going to force you or order you.” I invite you to think about this. The decision must be made by you yourself. If you decide that it is better for you to stay with me, I will accept it, but in this case you should not go anywhere without protection, at least for several days, until we are sure that the scoundrel has left these parts.
“ Okay, I’ll stay with you for five more days, and during this time we’ll decide what’s best to do next,” Katie suggested. —Will you approve of this decision?
“As I already said, the decision is yours, my dear,” replied the Duchess. “But I won’t forgive myself if I don’t save you from this vile man.”
“I cannot exclude that you are also in danger, Your Grace, because you killed his father, which, apparently, will cause even greater anger than any grievances from childhood,” said Katie. “We should both be concerned about each other’s safety.” I will protect you as long as you deign to take care of my safety.
“You’re right, my dear,” agreed the Duchess. “With this scoundrel, it’s possible that now I’m in danger too.” Where do we start with our precautions?
“First of all, let me close the curtains on this window overlooking the garden,” Katie suggested. “Of course, we won’t be admiring these magnificent flowers and trees for a while, but no one will be able to spy on us.”
With these words, Katie went to the window and pulled the left curtain to the middle of the window. She was about to close the right curtain as well, but suddenly a shot was heard outside the window, Katie screamed and sank helplessly to the floor.
- What happened to you? - the duchess exclaimed and ran up to Katie lying on the floor.
“Forgive me, Duchess, I can no longer protect you,” Katie whispered with difficulty with her last strength. - D'Artagnan, darling, goodbye forever.
A well-aimed shot hit the unfortunate chambermaid in the chest.
The Duchess looked in horror at Katie's frozen face for some time, holding her cooling hand in her hands, after which she crawled to the table in horror, took the bell and began to ring it furiously.
The page who entered found her sitting on the floor and clutching Katie's head to her chest.
- Find and catch him! - she said to the page. “Let Etienne take all the guards he has and catch the one who killed my Katie, hiding in the garden!” God, what idlers you are all! I told you to guard my house! Why didn’t you guard the garden?!
The page looked in horror at Katie lying on the floor, nodded and ran headlong out of the room.
- And call the doctor, quickly! Doctors here! - the duchess exclaimed after the page.
After that, she looked at Katie’s frozen face and whispered: “It’s no use. It seems it’s too late... Too accurate a shot.”
The Duchess still gently stroked the unfortunate Katie's head, running her fingers through her curls.

Meanwhile, Mordaunt was already far away. He quickly walked towards the tavern, where he had left the horse he had bought the day before.
- Well, mother! - he said, addressing heaven, although it would be more correct to direct his speeches to hell. - You would be pleased with me! One of your offenders paid for her deceit. I will find them all and send them after her! I swear to you! I won't stop until they are all killed. Every single one, no matter how many there are!

Chapter 115

The doctor lived next door, so he arrived quite quickly.
“She’s still alive, she just lost consciousness,” he said. - The blood loss is not severe, but perhaps blood has accumulated in the lungs. I have to operate on her right here, and I'm not responsible for the result, but I'll try to do the best I can. Young man, you will assist me. Aren't you afraid of blood?
“My page is not afraid of blood,” the duchess said for him. “And I’m not afraid either, and I can also assist you.”
“Order for a basin of warm water to be brought, as well as a kettle of boiling water,” answered the doctor.
“If you save her, I will pay you triple the rate,” said the duchess.
“If the Lord allows me to save her, that will be a sufficient reward,” answered the doctor.
He decisively cut the clothes on Katie's chest with a scalpel. The scalpel hit something hard. It was whalebone from a corset that supported the breasts. It split in two, but was able to weaken and change the flight of a bullet fired from a considerable distance. The bullet slid along the rib and went sideways. The wound was terrifying, but the bullet did not hit either the heart or the lungs. The doctor breathed a sigh of relief.
“This girl is probably a saint,” he said. - The Lord Himself protects her, no other way!
- Lord, give her back to me, and I will make her a countess! - the Duchess whispered without any pretense.

Arriving at the coast, Mordaunt began to look for a ship on which he could go to England. The money that Duchot had with him was now lost to him, but they left most of the common money in the inn room they had rented, so that he still had sufficient funds to pay for his journey. All his thoughts were focused on revenge on Lord Winter, whose hatred grew in him as he thought that he had now lost not only his mother, but also a friend who had replaced his father. This is human nature - for the troubles that we have created for ourselves, we always blame our neighbors, and often those who cared about us the most.
Mordaunt's voyage was short and unremarkable.
Upon his arrival in England, he appeared before Lord Winter and demanded from him the inheritance of his parents, the Marquis and Marquise de Brenvilliers.
This demand shocked Lord Winter.
- Young man! - exclaimed Lord Winter. “I took care of your maintenance and your upbringing not at all because I was obliged to do so, but only out of pity for your fate and as a result of a rash promise that I made to your unworthy mother. Your double crime, the murder of three people and the robbery of a safe with the subsequent arson of the house would remove from me any obligations to you even if there were any, but I repeat: I have no and cannot have any obligations to you. I am showing extreme kindness in not immediately handing you over to the police, who would undoubtedly put you in prison, but, however, not for long, since such crimes are punishable by death even in liberal England. Do a good deed towards yourself - save me from your company forever. By this, first of all, you will make your fate easier, because, I warn you, my patience is not eternal, and I may someday decide on what you deserve.
“I didn’t kill these people,” Mordaunt lied, since he was actually helping his mentor Duchot deal with the unfortunate and innocent servants and teacher.
“I am not interested in the details,” Lord Winter replied. “You and the man you called your friend committed this crime together.” If you only knew about his plans and did not stop him, you are his accomplice. You fled with him and, I believe, used the stolen money. In addition, this accomplice of yours did not know about the money, he did not know the secret of the safe in which it was kept, meanwhile, this safe was not broken into, which was established, despite the fact that the house was set on fire. If you want to make excuses and prove your innocence, I suggest you turn yourself in to the police station, and if you are released from there and acquitted, you can return to me to continue this conversation. But in this case, if they decide to punish you, I will not interfere in this matter and I am not going to pay for a lawyer for you.
“Give me what I should legally inherit from my parents, and you won’t see me again,” Mordaunt croaked angrily.
“My poor brother’s inheritance has been completely spent on your maintenance and on the purchase of that house that you deigned to burn down,” replied Lord Winter.
— How could you manage this money? - exclaimed Mordaunt. - This money is mine, and you had no right to spend it.
“A significant part of my poor brother’s funds was invested in the house that your unworthy mother burned,” Lord Winter objected. “Your mother stole the gold and jewelry and spent it on her adventures.” The funds my brother deposited in the bank were insignificant in comparison to this money. These funds were issued to me as the only legal heir of my brother, as well as your guardian. All of them, as I already said, were spent on you, and I even added about the same amount from my own funds. After you rob the safe and burn down the house, there is nothing left. Go away.
“ Tell me the name of the lawyer who formalized your rights to inheritance and your guardianship over me,” Mordaunt croaked angrily.
“The lawyer has nothing to do with it, since this decision was approved by King Charles I of England ,” replied Lord Winter. “You can only come to terms with this decision, since in England this is the highest authority, and you have nowhere to file objections to this legal act.”
“There will be justice for your King,” growled Mordaunt.
“Well, look for someone who could give instructions to the King,” Lord Winter answered indifferently.
- I will find such a person! - exclaimed Mordaunt. “And then beware, Lord Winter!” May you and your King be damned!
After these words, Mordaunt ran furiously out of the house of Lord Winter, whom he called his uncle, and whom he hated more than any other person on earth. But from now on, he included King Charles I of England in this list of people he hated .

Chapter 116

At this very time, unprecedented events began in England. The people rebelled against their rightful King. Mordaunt's participation in these events led to a tragic outcome. In January 1645, parliament decided to create the so-called parliamentary army. The twenty-two thousand army of the new model, led by Thomas Fairfax, was no longer subordinate to the King. Oliver Cromwell became the commander of the cavalry.
In order to describe the character of Cromwell, we must go back twenty years, to the time when Milady pointed Felton's knife at Buckingham's chest.
The disintegration of the English kingdom began completely with this ominous event, with the murder of the Duke of Buckingham by the officer Felton, who was persuaded to this by Milady Winter, aka Anna de Bayle, etc., Mordaunt's mother. Charles I loved Buckingham and valued him as a statesman and commander. The people of England hated him. For this very reason, Charles hated the murderer of his friend and faithful servant, while the people sympathized with him and, worst of all, admired him.
The king, feeling that he had lost his friend, favorite and right hand, decided to take revenge. He took revenge on Felton by executing him, but, seeing that the people admired him, he decided to take revenge on the people of England, his own nation. First of all, he hastened to take away from the nation those rights that had developed over a long history. He decided to neutralize the decisions of parliament, establishing his own sole power, announcing through the printing press that the royal “Be it so” is the supreme law and right of the monarch, and no parliamentary squiggles can correct or cancel the King’s decision.
Charles introduced into parliament all those whom the people of England hated, he filled parliament with persecutors of Puritanism and defenders of absolutism, tried to get as close as possible to Catholicism, moving away from the traditional English religion, which also aroused among the people hatred of his own wife, in whom ordinary citizens saw the reasons for this change that was undesirable for them, because she came from Catholic France and was the sister of the King of France, Louis XIII . The people's hatred of their own Queen, in whom they see a foreigner and, therefore, a spy, can cost the monarchy dearly. God forbid that someday in France the people will hate their Queen just because she comes from the royal family of another kingdom, Spain, England, or Austria. In this case, a storm of popular indignation can sweep away the reigning dynasty, as happened in England.
So, Charles I returned and brought into parliament his friends, hated by the common people of England. He brought back Dr. Montagu, Dr. Menoring, Archbishop William Laud, an ardent persecutor of Puritanism, Thomas Wentvogrt, whom he made a baron and accepted into the royal service, a talented but ambitious speaker, followed by Diggan, Lytloton, Noah, Wandesword and many others.
Parliament tried to resist, but Charles I did not pay any attention to it. So, for example, taxes that parliament did not approve, Charles demanded to be collected with special care, even more strictly than approved taxes. Tribunals began to function, judging criminals under martial law. He hoped that military victories would shut the throats of all dissatisfied people. In place of the murdered Buckingham, he appointed Count Robert Bertie Lindsay, but in vain. Cardinal Richelieu took La Rochelle, as we all remember. At this very time, Oliver Cromwell hated King Charles I and promised himself to fight him with all his might.
Parliament embarked on a path of struggle with its King, and the King responded to this with decrees dissolving Parliament. But parliament was in no hurry to disperse. Then the King sent the guards, led by a captain, who, apparently, was not very loyal to him, since he was in no hurry to carry out the royal order.
The parliamentarians realized that they had gone too far, but retreating was worse than stubbornly moving on. John Eliot, having retained his presence of mind, came to the podium and began to read out the theses hastily scribbled on a piece of paper.
“Gentlemen, do you acknowledge that anyone who seeks to introduce papist innovations into the Church of England must be considered the main enemy of the Kingdom?”
The moment of silence seemed like an eternity to him, while each member of parliament understood that he was taking a step against the King, after which there would be no turning back.
- Yes it is! - two or three voices shouted from the distant rows.
- We admit it! This is true! - the majority of voices echoed with some kind of exuberant joy.
— We consider this point accepted! - Eliot said. - I ask for a couple more minutes of your attention and your approval.
- Read! - someone shouted from the back rows.
- Anyone who advises the King to levy taxes and duties without the approval of Parliament is an enemy of the people! - Eliot shouted and looked defiantly at the members of parliament.
- Yes it is! - everyone present exclaimed with delight.
- Anyone who pays taxes not approved by us must be declared a traitor to England! - continued Eliot.
- Yes it is! - Parliament responded with one voice.
At that moment there was a knock on the locked doors of parliament.
“The king sent soldiers to shut our mouths!” - Eliot said.
A murmur ran through the hall, in which one could hear fear, close to panic.
“Well, we’ll discuss the rest of the issues later,” Eliot said. — I declare the parliamentary meeting closed. Let's disperse, citizens.
At that moment, the soldiers broke down the doors, but the members of parliament calmly walked past them, leaving the meeting room. Perhaps the King was lucky that the soldiers did not have to use violence against Parliament, otherwise his reign could have ended much earlier.
Soon after this, Charles I visited the House of Lords and announced that he was dissolving Parliament due to the defiant behavior of the lower house.
The people of England expected the King to convene a new Parliament. This is exactly what he should have done. But Charles I made an unforgivable mistake. He ordered advertisements to be posted stating that he was completely disillusioned with the parliamentary system and was not going to convene a new parliament. He could, with the help of people loyal to him, create a parliament that would support him, but he decided that he could handle it himself. After that, he made another mistake, he began to take revenge. Eliot, Halls and Valentine were soon arrested. They were accused of rebellion and ordered to pay a fine, but they all refused to plead guilty and, of course, they were not going to pay anyone a fine. John Eliot, preferring prison, died there three years later. The rest were finally released, but prison did not make them more loyal subjects, but, on the contrary, strengthened their spirit of protest.
of Buckingham's death, marked the beginning of the end of the reign of Charles I. If Charles had his own Richelieu, he would have strengthened power without allowing it to be overthrown. But Charles I did not have such a Richelieu. But in the ranks of his opponents there was an intelligent, talented and active man, and his name was Oliver Cromwell.
Many opponents of the King went to the colonies to establish order there. In the colonies they gained military experience, experience in civil government, and experience in leading troops. Twenty years later they all returned to continue their fight with the King and win it.
Meanwhile, the new advisers who replaced Buckingham began to rummage through the archives, extracting from them hopelessly outdated regulations, and demanding strict compliance with them from disgruntled citizens.
One of these outdated laws required that landowners whose land generated an annual income of more than forty pounds sterling were required to ask the King for knighthood, who obligated them to pay for this procedure, as well as pay a special knighthood tax to the treasury annually. Cromwell ignored this demand and his case went to court, which sentenced him to pay ten pounds sterling for refusal. Cromwell paid the fine, but in order to subsequently get rid of this duty, he sold all his lands, which gave him eighteen thousand pounds sterling. If he had taken this money and gone to America, which he was seriously considering, then this could have been the end of his enmity towards the King. But he did not dare to take his elderly mother with him, and was also afraid to leave her in England, so he stayed for several more months. At this very time, the King issued a decree to change the structure of local power. In particular, all power in Getington was given to twelve aldermen, elected for life after they paid a very impressive charter. Naturally, local rich people gained power, and had the intention of recouping their costs through proper management of lands that had previously been considered public and used by everyone without paying any additional taxes. The loss of communal lands threatened the ability of ordinary peasants to graze sheep, make hay, collect berries, mushrooms, brushwood, collect firewood, fish and hunt. The new system doomed them to poverty and starvation. Cromwell could not restrain himself and rebelled against the aldermen; he was arrested on their complaint and taken to London prison. The Earl of Manchester forced him to apologize to the aldermen, after which Cromwell was released and sent home. The citizens for whom he stood up considered him a hero, but when he returned, they began to treat him as a traitor, so Cromwell was forced to leave. He, hiding his shame, which burned him from the inside, moved to Cambridge County, where he began to lead a more modest life than he had led in Getington. He was infuriated by the knowledge of his own powerlessness to change anything.
This is the kind of man this same Oliver Cromwell was. Now I will omit the almost twenty years that have passed since this time, and will return to the time of my narrative, when Mordaunt arrived in England, where Cromwell was already chief of the cavalry.

Chapter 117

By the way, Oliver Cromwell's mother was called Elizabeth Steward as a girl. What a case! Cromwell's mortal enemy bore the same surname as his mother. I feel that something more needs to be said about the history of the tragic fall of the great and unfortunate King Charles I , whom the four of us tried so unsuccessfully to save.
In 1636, this Elizabeth's brother Steward, Oliver Cromwell's uncle, died, leaving his nephew a very decent fortune with lands in the town of Ely. But here, too, Cromwell’s interests intersected with the interests of the King. Royal emissaries began to cultivate these lands, draining the swamps, after which the lands thus improved began to go to the treasury, ruining the surrounding peasants, depriving them of grazing and hunting grounds. Cromwell decided to sue the King, representing the rights not only of his own, but also of all his fellow countrymen, for which he collected small sums from them to pay for the claim. He used all his oratorical talent and the unthinkable happened, the court agreed with his claim and awarded him victory, announcing the defeat of the King's representatives.
The expenses of Charles I grew, the treasury was not enough, his litigators were looking for more and more reasons for taxes. An outdated law on ship tax, introduced to combat pirates, was also found, which was collected only from coastal cities. The fight against pirates stopped, the tax was no longer collected, but Charles resumed this tax, and soon extended it not only to coastal cities, but throughout the whole country. Oxford, Essex and Devonshire were outraged, but the main troublemakers were identified and imprisoned. As a result, there was only one person left in all of England who continued to resent the new tax - Cromwell's cousin, John Hampden. He was taken to prison, where he remained quiet but demanded that his case be resolved through the courts. He convinced his jailers that if his accusers won, this tax would be legalized, and subsequently it could be collected without problems. This unexpected argument was reported to the King, who considered it reasonable, hoping, of course, that the court would take his side. He ordered Hampden to be tried on the basis of existing laws, and the accused was allowed to take lawyers. John Hampden's lawyers, like himself, behaved in court with the utmost correctness, gentleness and politeness. They charmed everyone present, including the jury, who hesitated for fear of being unfair. In the end, seven voted against Hampden, while five voted in his favor. Such a small advantage forced the jury to think about the rationale for their verdict, for which, if you think about it, there was no legal justification. Therefore, the jury adopted the following wording: “No laws can prevent the King from enjoying his privileges, therefore the sovereign can disregard those laws that deprive him of the opportunity to take care of the defense of the country, and if necessary, the King can repeal those laws that interfere with him, and It’s up to you to decide which law to follow and which to abolish.” In fact, this jury signed off on the complete absence of any laws in England other than the will of the monarch.
The king was pleased, but such a clear disregard for laws and legality outraged even the most loyal courtiers. The nation lost respect for the King and confidence in his court, since all laws, traditions, principles of monarchical power henceforth turned into nothing. John Gepmden became a folk hero, a martyr during his lifetime, a symbol of the fight against the lack of rights of the people and the permissiveness of the monarch. The Queen decided that the time had come for England to gradually transition to Catholicism; at her suggestion and with the consent of the King, Catholic bishops began to become increasingly important, regardless of the wishes of the nation, which categorically rejected Catholicism, calling it a papist heresy.
Numerous pamphlets began to be distributed against Catholicism; at the direction of Archbishop Laud, the authors of the pamphlets began to be caught and their ears cut off. But this did not stop the wave of pamphlets. Then Laud decided to arrange a show trial of the most famous and talented pamphleteers, sentencing them to death. William Prynne, Henry Burton, and John Bastwick were imprisoned on charges of treason. Even the seasoned lawless people sitting in the Star Chamber considered the demands for the death penalty put forward by Laud to be excessive. So, in a farce where the accused were given only lawyers who refused to sign their statements, so that in the end they were left without lawyers and forced to defend themselves, they were sentenced to pay a fine, after which they had to stand a whole day in shame pillar, and finally their ears were to be cut off.
The indignant people gathered at the place of execution not in order to enjoy the suffering of the condemned, as is usually the case in France, but in order to express their sympathy for the punished. When the guards tried to push back the sympathizers, Burton loudly asked the officer:
“Don’t drive them away, because they need to learn to suffer in order to accept their fate with dignity in a future that will not be sweet!”
The king and Archbishop Laud reveled in their omnipotence. They decided to restore order in Scotland. Charles was the hereditary King not only of England, but also of Scotland, and if in England his will was now recognized above the law, then in Scotland things were still different. In the physical absence of the King there, power was dispersed between the synods, which were constantly re-elected, the general assembly and the baronial clans. Charles forbade the convening of a general assembly, declared that Scottish liberties had come to an end, and Laud introduced uniform worship.
On the day the first Anglican service was given, Scotland exploded and marched on Edinburgh. In every Scottish city, immediately after the reading of the King's proclamation on the abolition of Scottish liberties, a prepared protest on behalf of the people was read out. A month and a half later, all of Scotland stood under the banner of resistance.
The king sent the Marquis James Hamilton to pacify the rebels in Scotland. Hamilton soon returned to inform the King that the entire Scottish people were rebels. The king decided to send an army to Scotland to pacify it, Scotland decided to recruit an army for confrontation. If in England the army was recruited using those tiny funds that they managed to scrape together after huge expenses on entertaining the King and the entire court, then in Scotland the people tore away the last from themselves in order to assemble a worthy army, merchants equipped ships for the purchase of weapons and gunpowder, nobles trained peasants in military art. The motley English army advanced towards Scotland, replenishing its budget by extortion and robbery of its compatriots, which is why their own English Puritans were imbued with sympathy for the rebellious Scotland. In part, the English soldiers themselves were inclined to go over to the side of the Scots. The English court continued to flatter its monarch, assuring him of loyalty, but none of the nobles surrounding the King was going to shed blood for his mistakes, they all only longed for continued entertainment and feasts. Instead of executing or at least imprisoning those who refused to go into battle according to the laws of war, Charles only drove the disobedient out of sight, trying to act only with exhortations. Unyielding in the implementation of his not very wise decisions, he was too soft in order to curb his own nobility, in which he was significantly inferior to Cardinal Richelieu.
Charles entrusted the leadership of the royal troops to the same Lord Henry Rich Holland, the former lover of the Duchess de Chevreuse, who was involved in many of her intrigues. This brave warrior in the bedrooms was so inexperienced in battles that, when he saw the enemy troops, he believed that there were twice as many of them as there actually were, and for this reason he courageously retreated. The English army was melting before our eyes, and it could not be otherwise under such a commander.

Chapter 118

The Scots actually won, but they did not intend to overthrow the King, they only protested against the royal decrees. Therefore, they did not storm his headquarters. They respectfully and humbly insisted on the repeal of the decrees against which they rebelled, and Charles I had to capitulate, since he had no army left, as well as commanders. He had to cancel the decrees, forgive the rebels, return their parliament and general assembly to the Scots, and even allow them to judge the Anglican bishops. Both sides pledged to disband their armies, although, strictly speaking, the King no longer had anyone to disband.
Karl had no intention of fulfilling this agreement. Having disbanded the remnants of the worthless army, he decided to recruit a new one, numbering at least thirty thousand. He recommended to his supporters in Scotland to disrupt the convening of parliament and the general assembly under any pretext, mainly focusing on the violation of order from the convocation and the rule of law.
For military expenses, Charles I ordered the confiscation of financiers' gold worth one hundred and thirty thousand pounds sterling, which undermined his credibility in London financial circles. Having lost the support of the richest citizens of England, the King no longer had to count on victory, so he should not have taken this money, but convinced them to lend it to him. The King had to capitulate to his own bankers and return what had been taken away, but it was no longer possible to return the entire amount, since part of it was spent and part was stolen, so the bankers remained dissatisfied. The king began to turn to the most inappropriate potential creditors for help, for example, to the King of Spain, to the Genoese merchants and even to the Pope. In all these places he received a humiliating refusal. The king elevated his prot;g; Wentworth to the title of Earl of Strafford and sent him to Ireland to gather troops while he began an absurd attempt at reconciliation with his own parliament.
In a chess game, there is a situation when no matter what the player does, no matter what step he takes, it will give a result worse than simple inaction. But in chess, a player cannot miss a move. In life, sometimes the same situation arises, but it would have been better for Charles I to do absolutely nothing than to do what he did. This reminds me of the behavior of Nicolas Fouquet before his arrest, each of his actions only aggravated his situation, but, however, I will talk about this later.
So, the King led weak and poorly motivated troops against the strong and well-motivated troops of Scotland, lost this war to such an extent that the Scots began to seriously threaten to take York and other English cities. The king decided to rely in his fight against the Scots on parliament, which he himself had repeatedly humiliated and eventually dissolved. The parliament that he assembled did not become an assistant to him in his affairs, but became only an additional problem. At one of the meetings, Oliver Cromwell spoke, who demanded the release of everyone who was convicted by the King or at his behest.
Without turning either the English nation, or the English rich, or the English parliament, or Scotland into friends, Charles only promised concessions to everyone, but took them away at the first opportunity, acquiring more and more enemies with such a policy. Soon there was almost no one left on whom he could completely rely, except perhaps the Queen, Stafford, Lord Winter and a small handful of people still loyal to him. But even these supporters began to doubt the firmness of the royal word.
Some time later, the King allowed the trial of Stafford, who was imprisoned in the Tower, and he did not stand up for him. Then the parliament tried Archbishop Laud, as well as all of Stafford's assistants. Finally, Parliament expelled the King's mother-in-law from England, Marie de' Medici, the Queen's mother, who had to leave for France, from which Richelieu had expelled her at one time. When Parliament condemned the Catholic priest Goodman to death, Charles I , who could have pardoned him with his power, was afraid to so openly oppose the will of Parliament. From that moment on, every citizen of England realized that the power of the King had come to an end, and that Parliament had become the true master of England. The only remaining question was who would become the absolute master of parliament. And the fact that any collegial body in the end necessarily becomes an advisory body with a single strong personality has always been proven by history, and there have never been exceptions to this rule.
A chaotic gathering of people with different opinions sooner or later realizes that every issue that is put to a vote must be assigned to someone to prepare it in advance. From this understanding to the creation of all-powerful committees and subcommittees is one step, and from their creation to the realization that the decisive opinion in them belongs to the chairman, which will subsequently influence the general opinion, then called the unanimous decision. Committees are the essence of a body of unity of command.
Oliver Cromwell was the least disgusting of the two opposing oppositions, so he was nominated to chair the committee for examining complaints against swamp drainers, because in this matter he had proven himself excellent in his time. He was also nominated to chair the committee to review the sentences passed during the troubled times of the unlimited power of King Charles I and his ideological inspirer, Archbishop Laud. These sentences were pronounced by the Star Chamber and confirmed by a high commission, so that Cromwell now stood above these two formerly all-powerful collegiate bodies, since he received the power to overturn their sentences. Cromwell also headed the subcommittee on religious affairs, so that he actually became the main clergyman in England.
Cromwell had no doubts in his judgments, he always spoke with ardent conviction, which had a very strong impact on his listeners, because most opposition figures constantly doubted that they were right. Moreover, Cromwell was more convincing against the background of the King, who was constantly wavering in all his decisions.
Parliament, which received actual power, began to strengthen its legislative basis by revising existing laws. Finally, the King made another mistake: he did not pay his army the amounts that he owed them, while the parliament paid this very army.
I am reminded of the confrontation between Mark Antony and Octavian Augustus in ancient Rome after the death of Julius Caesar. Mark Antony actually received power from the hands of the deceased Caesar, but Octavian declared himself the heir not only and not so much of Caesar’s wealth, but also of his debts. Having paid off Caesar's debts to the troops, Octavian gained the trust of the troops, after which it was no longer so difficult for him to acquire the whole of Rome.
Oliver Cromwell probably read history in a way that Charles I did not . If you do not learn from history, then the history of your own life can become a lesson for your descendants. Lady Clio, the muse of history, took cruel revenge on Charles I.
The king offered ministerial positions to his few supporters, but to do this they would have to leave parliament. They preferred to remain members of parliament, realizing that this was more reliable.
Meanwhile, Parliament did not forget about Stafford languishing in the Tower. Having accused each of his assistants in turn of treason, they scheduled a hearing for Stafford himself on the same charge. This time he was accused of treason.
The king, who still had the power to dissolve Parliament before the Stafford hearing even began, did not do so and attended the proceedings as an honored guest. Stafford, who in the days of his omnipotence did not even think of being guided by the laws, was not going to be polite and correct this time. He accused parliament of slander and treachery, so that the offended accusers did not fail to record his contempt for parliament. And yet the lords who had to formulate the charge had enough common sense to understand that if Stafford was convicted, they themselves would be next. So they returned a verdict of not guilty, as a result of which Stafford was to be released and returned to his duties as First Minister.
At this point, the opposition began to fear for their lives if Stafford was acquitted and unlimited power was returned to him.
At that moment, the young aristocrat Heinrich Wien asked to speak and read out a letter he had found in the archives of his father, also Heinrich Wien. In this letter, Stafford urged the King to act decisively and adamantly against Parliament, and, if necessary, to use the Irish army, which was completely under his command, against the recalcitrant English. The debate flared up with renewed vigor. The meeting that day ended in nothing. The scales of justice could not finally tip either way. The power of the King and lords became equal to the power of Parliament and the people. Victory could be on either side. The hearings in the Stafford case continued for several days, but there was no hope that they would move in one direction or another.
At this very time, Mordaunt arrived in London.
He immediately went to Cromwell.
“My lord, I am the one who will help you defeat Charles I ,” he said.
“Young man, I don’t know who you are or what proposal you came to me with, and, believe me, I am not in the mood to discuss political issues with a stranger,” Cromwell replied.
“England once knew nothing about you, but now you are a man whose words are listened to,” Mordaunt objected. “Why don’t you agree that a person may come to you about whom you yourself know nothing, but after a while you will begin to listen to his words?”
“Okay,” Cromwell replied. “I’m ready to listen to you, but first, be so kind as to let me in on the topic of your conversation.”
- Stafford! - Mordaunt replied. “If you destroy Stafford today, then you will just as easily destroy the King, in the same way.” But if you free Stafford today, tomorrow he will take the place of First Minister, and the day after tomorrow he will destroy you.
“You are probably right, young man, but the matter is decided in Parliament, which consists of a large number of people, and each of them has his own opinion, and also, importantly, has a basis for having this opinion, ” Cromwell objected. “There is no way to force those people who have good reason not to change their minds to change their minds.”
“You are mistaken,” Mordaunt objected. “I’m ready to agree that there is no way to quickly make a person think differently, however, if we had enough time, all of them could be convinced.” But I'm not talking about making them think differently, I'm just talking about making them vote differently.
“ All these people are completely free, and therefore they will vote exactly as they see fit,” Cromwell objected.
“What do you say if I get them to vote the way you want in less than five days?” asked Mordaunt.
- How do I need it? - Cromwell asked with a smile.
“Stafford must be executed,” Mordaunt said decisively.
“But the King can reverse the sentence of Parliament and pardon his faithful first minister,” Cromwell objected.
“If Parliament sentences Stafford to death by a convincing majority, King Charles I will confirm the sentence,” Mordaunt replied.
“King Charles I personally promised Stafford that not a single hair would fall from his head,” Cromwell said doubtfully.
“The king will forget about his promise, or rather, he will pretend that he has forgotten about it, or he will say that he is unable to fulfill it,” answered Mordaunt.
“Can you answer two questions for me, young man?” - Cromwell asked after a pause.
“That depends on the questions,” Mordaunt answered shortly.
“Okay,” Cromwell agreed. - The first question is this. What do you want from me for your service?
“Nothing,” Mordaunt replied. “It would be more accurate to say that after it you yourself will want to make me your advisor or guarantor.”
“That suits me,” Cromwell nodded. - Then the second question. Why You Need It?
- And you? - Mordaunt asked in turn.
“I hate the lawlessness and permissiveness of the King,” Cromwell replied. “And that’s why I fight him.”
“And I hate the one who creates this lawlessness, King Charles I ,” answered Mordaunt. - And I begin my fight with him. And also with one of his friends, Lord Winter.
“Well, I listen to your plan,” said Cromwell.

Chapter 119

“Members of Parliament who come every day to listen to the debate and sometimes speak, in the end they vote as they want,” Mordaunt said.
“More precisely, as their conviction or, if you like, their conscience tells them,” Cromwell clarified.
“Beliefs are what cover up personal motivation, but in fact, motivation consists of accumulated grievances and calculations for the future,” Mordaunt objected.
- Why do you talk about grievances and don’t remember gratitude? - asked Cromwell.
“ No one is guided by gratitude when they have to make decisions,” Mordaunt snapped. - This is too weak a motivation. If gratitude obliged us to do anything, then no one would ever accept benefits, and the benefit itself would cease to be such. But grievances are a different matter. You can refuse a benefit, but no one gives you the opportunity to refuse to offend you! Therefore, the offended are left with only the sweetness of anticipation of revenge. That's why I say that grievances are the cornerstone of beliefs.
- And how do you intend to change such strong beliefs that are based on the grievances suffered? - Cromwell asked with interest.
“Grievances give way to personal interests for the future,” Mordaunt snapped.
—Are you suggesting bribing members of parliament? - Cromwell asked with a grin. - Do you really think that no one thought about this? But we don’t have enough money to buy all the members of parliament, and, besides, this is a very unreliable path.
“I know that, and that’s why I don’t suggest it,” Mordaunt countered. — Do you know what affects people more powerfully than calculation? What makes you obey more than bribery?
“Judging by your question, you know that,” Cromwell replied. - What is this, in your opinion?
“Fear,” Mordaunt answered. — Members of parliament who disagree with your decision should be intimidated.
“But threatening members of parliament is a crime in itself that will have to be answered,” Cromwell objected.
“But only if these threats do not come from the people and do not reflect the opinion of the nation,” Mordaunt replied to this. “It is necessary to incite popular anger against those who do not support your legal demands.” Your demands are to punish the oppressor of the nation. Therefore, the nation must force the recalcitrant members of Parliament to vote as it demands. All Stafford supporters should be branded with disgrace and intimidated with popular hatred.
Cromwell even stood up in surprise.
—Are you proposing to raise the people to revolt against these members? - he asked with interest.
“The people will rise up on their own, they just need to indicate the target and give the command: “Take them!” Mordaunt replied. “Anyone who is loyal to Stafford should be called traitors to their country.” They need to come up with an offensive nickname. Staffordites, for example. Stafford's henchmen. Judas.
“I like that idea,” Cromwell agreed. — How many people do you need to implement this idea?
“For starters, a dozen smart people, literate, capable of writing succinct appeals, or better yet, slogans,” answered Mordaunt. “They must receive instructions from me and the money, half of which they will keep for themselves, and the other half they will spend on recruiting small performers, each with ten more people.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, they will keep the entire amount for themselves,” Cromwell objected.
“ In that case, the money should be paid to the recruited performers by someone else, some honest cashier,” Mordaunt agreed. — The costs will be small, but the effect should be significant. Ten young men will each compose ten appeals, give them to the scribes, who will paste them in the right places, in front of churches, in squares and markets, at the doors of taverns and pubs.
Cromwell went to the table, pulled out one of the drawers and took out a heavy purse of gold, which he placed in front of Mordaunt.
“I’m not interested in money,” Mordaunt objected.
“These are your expenses for those agents who will carry out your instructions,” Cromwell replied.
“I agree,” Mordaunt replied. — I will take payment for business expenses from you.
“Young man,” said Cromwell before parting with Mordaunt. - Tell me your name.
“My name is Mordaunt,” replied Cromwell’s guest. “I have another name that was taken from me, and I hope that I will get it back.” Then I will tell you that too.
“I believe that the man who inflicted a mortal insult on you will have an unenviable life,” said Cromwell. “I wouldn’t want to be in his place.”
“We have common enemies, my lord, which gives us reason to remain, if not friends, then allies,” Mordaunt replied. — I value allied relations much more than friendship. They are more reliable.
— You probably didn’t have many friends? - asked Cromwell.
“Just one, my lord, but he taught me a lot,” Mordaunt replied. - For the simple reason that he was not my friend, but an ally. I inherited his enemies from him, and some of them have already had to answer for their actions. And the rest are waiting for their fate.
“If you help me deal with my enemies, I will help you punish yours,” said Cromwell.
“For starters, we have a common enemy, King Charles I ,” Mordaunt croaked, after which he took the wallet, bowed and left.
“I don’t even know where he lives, and whether he told me his real name, or whether it’s fictitious,” thought Cromwell. “However, even if he disappears with the money, the idea he gave me is worth the money!”

The next day, London residents saw numerous leaflets on many buildings, listing the names of members of parliament who were in favor of Stafford's acquittal. They were called Staffordites, Judases, traitors, henchmen and papists. The leaflets demanded justice, which was identified with the execution of the traitor Stafford. The leaflets called on people to defend their rights, gather outside the parliament building and demand justice from their elected representatives. On the houses where supporters of the acquittal lived, incriminating leaflets appeared, which listed the guilt of these members of parliament, mostly fictitious, but supplemented by some truthful information. The people believed these leaflets unconditionally.
Rumors began to spread among the people that a group of conspirators had been created in parliament, who had allegedly been bought by the King and therefore intended to betray the interests of the state. Some of the members of parliament who had previously openly expressed a proposal to acquit Stafford, unable to withstand the pressure, hastily fled to France. The facts of their escape were used as evidence of their treason. There was also a rumor that the crowd that would gather in front of the parliament building on the day of the final discussion and vote on the case intended to demolish the entire building and deal with the “traitors” on the spot.
Mordaunt went even further. His minions created the “Union for the Defense of the Truth of Faith and Civil Freedom.” Anyone who refused to join this alliance was called a traitor. The union wrote a petition to parliament demanding that anyone who refused to join this union should not be allowed to hold ecclesiastical or civil office. Passions ran high. Parliament passed a law according to which no one could dissolve parliament without the consent of parliament itself.
In this height of passion, parliament, almost without debate, passed a resolution condemning Stafford as a traitor to his country. The act of state crime was submitted for approval to the King, who asked for one day to think about it. All these days, a crowd raged under his windows, demanding approval of the Act. The king was afraid of an assault on his residence; the small number of guards could not withstand such a crowd. The Queen begged the King to sign Stafford's sentence, threatening otherwise to leave her husband and go to France. Both ministers and bishops insisted on the same thing.
The king, who had previously made a personal promise to Stafford to protect his life in any case and under any circumstances, felt humiliated and destroyed as a monarch who was losing the remnants of power, and had already lost his authority.
One of the bishops told the King that if a person's conscience conflicted with the monarch's civic duty, then he must yield. Since the deputies and lords examined Stafford's case in detail, at length and deeply, their decision is reasonable, so the monarch must agree with it.
This phrase justified many betrayals long before Charles I , and I believe that the methods that were used to exhort parliaments and the King will continue to operate in the world for a long time.
Stafford himself, realizing the hopelessness of his situation, wrote a letter to the King in which he invited him to approve the Act and thereby absolved him of guilt, freeing him from his obligation to protect him from any charges. This letter from Stafford lies before me now. I won't rewrite it. I will only say that such a letter could only be written by a truly noble man who sacrificed himself for the peace of conscience of his monarch. Not a single priest could have absolved the King of this sin better than Stafford himself, the victim of this complaisance of the King, his powerlessness before the terrible force that he himself awakened, whose name was the wrath of the people, absolved him.
Exactly one day later, the King approved the shameful Act, condemning Stafford to death, who served the King faithfully for eleven years, taking upon himself all his mistakes and guilt, protecting his monarch from popular hatred, taking responsibility for all abuses, lawlessness, cruelty and for all the defeats in battles, and who lost his health in this service, and now voluntarily agreed to lose his life for the King, who hardly deserved such a sacrifice.
I cannot say that Mordaunt was the inventor of the method that helped Cromwell deal with Stafford. This method was probably used by those who incited the inhabitants of Jerusalem to shout “Crucify! Crucify! during the trial of our Lord Jesus Christ. And similar cries of the crowd, which frightened Pontius Pilate, again played their role, again forced justice to cave in before the terrible and cruel force that is the wrath of the people, led into deception.
If Mordaunt had not burned with such an irresistible hatred of King Charles I , perhaps history would have turned out differently.

Chapter 120

Stafford accepted his fate with extraordinary courage. Standing on the scaffold, he addressed the people with the words that a bloody massacre was not the best start for a renewed England.
His courage and terrible death shocked many. Some members of parliament began to express doubts in private conversations about the advisability of the execution, and all of them were immediately transported to the Tower.
Those who remained saw where the process was heading and became more radical supporters of a decisive struggle against the King. Cromwell began to increasingly assert himself as the informal leader of the opposition to Charles I , the de facto head of the victors. Mordaunt, by mutual agreement, took up the position of entruster for particularly important matters, carrying out the most delicate and risky missions.
Power in the country belonged entirely to the parliament, which adopted a law stating that the King could not dissolve it; he could only decide on his own dissolution. The king approved this law. Thus, while Parliament existed, the power of the King was insignificant in comparison with the decisions of Parliament, but if this Parliament ceased to exist, then the power would completely return to the King, who could cancel all the decrees of Parliament and restore all laws repealed by Parliament, as well as could take revenge for his favorite and faithful servant on each member of parliament personally. Parliament could not exist forever, so its members were looking for ways to deprive the King of the opportunity to return his absolutism and reprisal against everyone who disobeyed him.
Among the members of Parliament there was no one except Cromwell who had a clear plan for further action. Cromwell had this plan, and largely thanks to his invaluable experience in managing the opinion of the majority, in manipulating a collegial body through intimidation and by attracting excited crowds of citizens.
After some time, Ireland rebelled against the Puritan parliament. A serious civil war broke out with two hundred thousand victims. The king secretly rejoiced, but pretended that he also considered these events to be troubles that would probably end soon. In addition, Charles tried to come to terms with the leaders of parliament, offering them the highest ministerial posts, thus hoping to destroy the parliament he hated. But those with whom he tried to come to terms were only too well convinced that the King's word was worthless, and that ministerial offices could easily be abolished, or their holders removed and replaced, as soon as the King had regained full power. They preferred to remain in the ranks of parliament, where they felt more protected from the most unexpected turns of fate.
Finally, the King decided to leave London with his family. But in no city, no fortress did he feel safe. To top off his misfortunes, the commandant simply did not allow him into the fortified city of Hull, which was both an insult and a deep misfortune for Charles I , who realized that he had nowhere to hide from fellow citizens dissatisfied with his rule and headed by a parliament of which he himself to his own decrees he temporarily ceded full power in the kingdom. He could no longer predict how long this temporary situation would last. He had to be convinced from his own experience that what was temporary could turn out to be permanent and final, while his unlimited power and everything connected with it, which seemed unshakable to him, rested on God knows what weak foundation. He did not realize that he had made a huge number of mistakes, considering each of his actions to be correct, justified and the only true one. He criticized everyone and everything, reproached his few and most loyal friends, servants and supporters, taking out on them his disappointment, the cause of which was his inept management of the state, which at first aroused the whole nation against him, and then failed to take effective measures to establish peace or suppression of rebellion by force. So, where it was necessary to use force, he hesitated, and where it was necessary to show flexibility, he was adamant. If there was a way to lead a country worse than Charles I did , then I don’t know it. If there was behavior that would alienate more friends from the King, further and faster than the behavior of Charles I , then I am not aware of such behavior. He made all the mistakes that could be made, choosing both of two evils, and sometimes all three.
But despite all this, Karl was so convinced of his own rightness, of the nobility of his goals and means, that when he spoke, he still managed to impress his audience, but only as long as they saw and heard him. Reality returned everything to its place. The sheen of nobility was the thinnest screen, barely covering the mediocrity of the statesman and the indecisiveness of the monarch, which had already cost the lives of many of his former friends and most devoted servants.
I will remind you that Athos, our valiant Count de La F;re, did everything possible to save this King, and also captivated me with this idea. I admit, I still regret that we were not able to do this. But if we do not go into daydreaming and self-deception, the salvation of this monarch would only make sense as the salvation of a person - a husband and father, salvation for the sake of those who begged us to do it. We could not help but respect the request of the sister of our Louis XIII , the king under whom we began our musketeer career. Whatever our attitude to the shortcomings of this monarch, he was our King, the father of the present King Louis XIV , and we could not leave his sister without help. If necessary, we would give our lives to save her husband, the father of our King's nephews. But saving Charles I for England, saving him as its monarch was pure madness. Twice this King was escaped by his servants and friends, and twice he again found himself in the hands of his enemies. Only a man like Athos could devote himself entirely to this matter and involve all of us in it, only a man like d'Artagnan could come up with plans for his salvation one after another, the implementation of which was prevented each time by so little that I am inclined to think that Fate itself took up arms against Charles I.
But if they tell me that Fate chose such a monster as Mordaunt as its instrument, then I will answer that I am proud that I resisted this fate with all my might, and am very pleased that we were able to pull out the poisonous teeth of that snake, the bastard Milady.

Chapter 121

A description of how Charles I waged war on his own people, defending his personal power, which he lost as a result of gradual concessions to parliament made from indecision and God knows for what other reasons, would take up too much space, and I am writing my own memoirs only about the events , in which he took part, occasionally deviating from such a presentation in order to outline the general situation extremely schematically, so that it would be easier for the reader to understand and feel the time and place of action, although, as I have already noted, I do not think that these memories will see their reader . I write them for myself, in case I forget something, and also to relieve my memory.
I was already thinking about completing the description of affairs in England and returning to our affairs in France, but how then can we explain the appearance in France of the wife of King Charles I and the aunt of our King Louis XIV , if not by telling a story about the reasons that forced her to leave her husband and the King and seek refuge in their homeland?
At the time of which I am writing, Oliver Cromwell was a lieutenant general, his personal qualities raised him almost to the very pinnacle of power, since in parliament he headed the most important committees, and in the army he led the cavalry, so he behaved like a general , which he already was . His position was given to him due to the extreme trust in him of the nation that rebelled against its monarch, but there were still lords sitting in the upper house who understood that if tomorrow the King was removed, the day after tomorrow the people could remove them themselves. In him, in the King, they continued to see the source of their power and strength, and therefore their fight against Charles I took place with caution. In other words, they did not want final victory in this struggle, and Cromwell saw and realized this.
The war between the Puritans, who turned their weapons against the King, and the army of Charles I , recruited from the Irish, Scots and those who, for one reason or another, still supported him, took place with varying degrees of success.
Lord General Manchester once angrily told Cromwell that the war they were waging against the King had no prospects. He stated that even in the event of a complete victory over the King, this victory will remain only temporary, while any victory of the King will be final, since the King remains the King, the legal ruler of the state, and all others are just his subjects, while all the army opposing him can viewed only as an army of rebels, and its leaders as state criminals. In case of victory, the King can hang them all, and ruin all the others and make them slaves for the rest of their lives.
Manchester simply wanted to speak out, express their doubts and, perhaps, hear arguments that would paint the situation in a less unsightly light. He said this in a friendly manner, like a comrade to a comrade, despite the high class difference between him and Cromwell.
But Cromwell saw something else in this speech. He decided that, speaking of the immutability of royal power and superiority over all other subjects, the Lord General also hinted at the immutable superiority of the lords over all other nobles, as well as the superiority of the nobles over the burghers. He didn’t like this conversation, so he didn’t try to convince Manchester, saying only that with such a conviction it was time not to take up arms at all, and that a person with such views should not fight, much less lead an army, but it was time to go and surrender at the mercy of the enemy, without delaying it for a minute, so as not to increase your guilt before the one whom you consider in advance to be the winner in any case. Manchester shrugged and forgot about this conversation as an insignificant exchange of opinions.
But Cromwell did not forget this conversation. Based on the words spoken, he drew up an indictment against Lord General Manchester, in which he accused him of defeatism and, consequently, of all the failures that had occurred in all previous battles. He read this indictment in the House of Commons. In it, he quoted these very words of Manchester, telling the surprised listener that the troops were led by a general who did not want them to win.
The House of Commons condemned Manchester's position, but made no decision on the case, so Manchester made counter-accusations in the House of Lords. He declared Cromwell in disobedience and laid the blame for the defeats on him. He also announced that Cromwell hated the Scots, and recruited mainly independents who hated the aristocracy into his troops. He recalled that Cromwell had once suggested that he renounce the earldom, from which he concluded that the lieutenant wanted to ensure that there were no aristocrats left in England. This was followed by accusations of sympathy for sextants and mystics, and, in addition, Manchester added that Cromwell threatened to shoot the King if he stood in his way.
The army, which consisted mainly of Scottish mercenaries, fought sluggishly, since it had obvious multi-command, which prevented its effective management. Lords Manchester and Essex did not trust Cromwell, but Cromwell himself believed that he could cope with the task even without their help, but only with the help of his cavalrymen, if he acted more decisively and was not forced to coordinate his every step with the lords. Everyone was tired of the war and wanted peace, but the King did not want to give up one iota in peace agreements, he wanted to retain absolute power as if nothing had happened in England over all these years, not realizing that the past was irretrievably gone and it can no longer be returned, since the nation and both houses of parliament felt their strength and began to taste participation in the government of the country, and, in addition, an agreement on the King’s terms would mean the death of all who participated in the rebellion against him.
Cromwell spoke in the lower house, calling for speeding up and strengthening military action, pointing out that maintaining an army was costly for citizens, so it should not be delayed; the country would only be saved by a swift and complete victory over the King. The lower house supported him, while the upper house, the House of Lords, of course, supported the interests of the lords.
Presbyterian Zusch Tate proposed the adoption of an act of voluntary renunciation from service, according to which members of parliament would be prohibited from holding leadership positions in the army and in the civil government of the country. This meant that each of those who combine these posts with membership in parliament would have to either leave parliament or voluntarily renounce these posts. The point was that employees, both military and civilian, had to obey parliament, instead of, entering it, influencing the instructions that they themselves formed. The proposal was so unexpected that no one found any arguments to object to it; it was adopted in general terms and awaited approval by both chambers. Cromwell's opponents thought that in this way it would be possible to rein him in. But Cromwell was not afraid of leaving any of the posts he held, so he warmly supported this proposal. The important idea of this act was that each member of parliament was asked to decide for himself which position to retain and which to renounce.
Here Mordaunt suggested one idea to Cromwell, which was then, on his instructions, expressed by one of his supporters.
- Gentlemen! - he said. — Every case decided by parliament goes through two stages. It must first be approved by the lower house, then by the upper house. But in the upper house there sit lords defending their interests, and nothing more. Not a single decree that infringes on their rights even one iota will pass. We were convinced of this by the example of the Act on Voluntary Renunciation from Service. It turns out that here, in the lower house, we are simply wasting our time. We discuss, vote, adopt acts and laws, and the upper house reduces this activity of ours to nothing. We're wasting our time. We are wasting taxpayers' money and failing our constituents. This cannot continue. I propose to unite both chambers and pass this act in both chambers at once, considering all votes equal!
All members of the lower house immediately realized that since the lower house was more numerous, if all the votes of each member of both houses were equal according to the results of a single vote, victory would remain on the side of the lower house. This proposal was accepted. Parliament received many petitions demanding support for the decision of the lower house on joint voting. Do I need to explain that all these petitions were organized by Mordaunt, who used his mind and Cromwell’s money for this?
The Presbyterians realized that they had lost, so they decided to get at least some concessions. They proposed that an amendment be included in the act to the effect that an exception should be made for Lord Essex. This very proposal meant the adoption of the Act. After heated debates, voting began. There were ninety-three votes in favor of a separate decision on Lord Essex, and one hundred votes against. The act was approved. The approved act with the protocol from the lower house was sent to the House of Lords, who simply tried to delay the time of its signing, so that this act was stuck in it for a long time.
Taking advantage of the delay, the Presbyterians hastened to deal with Archbishop Laud and their other enemies, supporters of the King. The same William Prynne, whose ears had once been cut off for his pamphlets, was put at the head of the judicial commission. To give the appearance of greater legality and objectivity, the process also included consideration of the cases of McGuire, a participant in the Irish rebellion, the father and son of Gotham, who proposed to surrender the fortress of Hull, as well as Alexander Carew, the governor of the island of St. Nicholas. The crimes of these four against the laws of England and Parliament were obvious and proven, so their trial gave the whole process authority and weight. At the same time, Lod was also convicted, although the investigation did not have any significant evidence of his guilt.
The executions were carried out alternately over two months, for which a scaffold was built five times in the courtyard of the Tower, after which it was dismantled and taken away.
Everyone understood that although many ordinary people gathered to watch the execution, and the King remained on the sidelines, all these executions were intended, first of all, to demonstrate to the King that in this country from now on it was not he, not Charles I, who controlled life , but another force beyond his control.
The king, who had previously avoided the word “parliament”, pretending that this body did not exist at all, after the first execution began to use this name, coloring this word with a very respectful intonation. He also appointed his commissioners for peace negotiations, in the positive outcome of which he henceforth began to express an active interest.
Finally, the King's representatives met at the negotiating table with representatives of the House of Lords with the goal of working out a peace agreement no later than twenty days. It was decided to devote no more than three days to any issue, after which it is imperative to move on to the next matter, and only after all important issues have been discussed, return to those issues that were not resolved in the allotted three days in order to discuss them again and work out a mutually acceptable solution.
Unfortunately, the first issue chosen for discussion was the issue of faith. On this issue, even among the King’s representatives there was no unanimity; some preferred a single Presbyterian Church, others defended the Anglican Church, which had previously been abolished by Parliament; Cromwell and his like-minded people stood for freedom of religion. Passions flared up, goodwill gave way to hostility. Three days passed in angry bickering, but fortunately the three-day rule forced us to move on to the next issue, military, on the fourth day.

Chapter 122

Mordaunt went to see Cromwell, whom he could visit without reporting.
“My lord, it seems we will have to part,” he said.
—Are you unhappy with your position? - Cromwell was surprised. “I don’t ask if you are happy with your salary, since I barely managed to persuade you to receive it.”
“The position is not important to me at all, and I receive a salary only because I have no other sources of income, but I need to somehow support my life,” answered Mordaunt. - I came to you with a completely different purpose, and you know it. I came to deal with Charles I and one of his favorites, Lord Winter. But you sat down at the negotiating table with him. This doesn't suit me.
“My dear Mordaunt, I also don’t like to negotiate with the King, who has brought so much evil to his country, and, most importantly, will not be able to do anything good for it in the future,” Cromwell agreed. “But political processes develop according to their own laws. The people nominated me, and the people did not want victory over the King, but the fulfillment of their demands, which they considered and still consider legitimate. Since the King ignored these demands, the only way out for the people was to force the King to obey, and if he did not comply, to deprive him of power.
- Why haven’t you deprived him of this power yet? Mordaunt croaked.
“We are following this path, and, most likely, we will reach its logical end,” Cromwell objected. - As far as I know the King, he is not inclined to make any concessions, he simply does not know such a thing as compromise. So our people, with my help, will force him to submit.
“This is too little for me, and too long for me to believe in the desired result,” Mordaunt waved it off. “Didn’t you, my lord, say that the army costs the people too much, and if it is inactive, then the people will raise their voice to disband the army?”
“Yes, these are my words,” Cromwell agreed. “And I agree that a soldier who does not have a military assignment is a potential criminal: a deserter, a looter, a rapist.” Therefore, I would like our army to act quickly and decisively, or it should be disbanded.
“This “or” of yours does not suit me, my lord,” said Mordaunt. “The king must be arrested and brought to justice, after which disband your army if you wish.”
“I completely agree with you, Mr. Mordaunt,” Cromwell replied. “But circumstances force me to participate in negotiations because the nation wants peace.”
“The nation itself does not know what it wants!” - Mordaunt croaked again, who always, when excited, almost turned to a cry, which in his case resembled an animal roar. “The desires and aspirations of the nation follow the cries of the crowd on the street, and the cries of the crowd follow the cries of the heralds, who can inspire the crowd to do anything!” You just need to be convincing enough and prepare the ground in advance for the slogan thrown at the crowd to be perceived as its own aspirations. Damp straw is difficult to ignite even with a torch, but one spark is enough to ignite dry straw. The same goes for the crowd. Now the people are exhausted, and they will follow anyone as long as they promise them a quick solution to all their problems. The conflict dragged on. Promise a nation that all problems will be quickly resolved and show them the path they should take to achieve this, and they will follow it, even if it means making some sacrifices.
—What victims are you talking about? - Cromwell asked.
“Of course, every man most easily sacrifices the fortune and life of his fellow men, but in this case I am talking about some expense, some risk and participation in battles,” answered Mordaunt. “The people have already sacrificed a lot, and will sacrifice something else if only all the previous sacrifices were not in vain.
- How will this help us? - the general clarified.
“It’s very simple,” Mordaunt explained. “You just have to tell the people that the negotiations are aimed at deceiving the nation, and the people will disrupt the negotiations.” In this case, the war will enter its hottest stage, this war will not be a positional war, it will be a head-on collision! The winner must be the only and final one, the defeat of the King must be complete in all respects.
“Your ideas are good for some philosophical essay, but in practice I don’t know how to apply them,” Cromwell waved him off.
“Very well, my lord,” replied Mordaunt. - I understood you. You approve of me, but you will not help me in my business, which is to save you from negotiations with Herod!
“ I do not limit you in anything, Mr. Mordaunt, remembering that your advice has always been good, and your actions in implementing them have been even better,” Cromwell replied.
“I understand you,” said Mordaunt. - Well, I will solve your problems once again, in the hope that someday you will solve mine.

The next day, a preacher suddenly appeared in one of the churches; he looked like a furious Puritan, a young man with deeply sunken eyes and a hoarse voice. He took advantage of the fact that on the occasion of Sunday the church was full of people; the Puritans rarely preached sermons, so they reacted with interest to his speech.
After reading several relevant passages from the Bible, the preacher attacked the monarchists and all those who negotiated with the King.
— What do you expect from these negotiations? - the preacher wheezed. “These people who came from Oxford are out for blood!” Your blood, brothers! Why did they start these negotiations? Only in order to gain time, in order to better prepare for further war against you, brothers! They are preparing to commit a terrible crime! Don't be fooled! These are the messengers of Satan, people from Hell! Expecting peace from these negotiations is as useless as squeezing water out of a stone! They deceive you, they seduce you only in order to more skillfully throw a noose around your necks! All the King's negotiators should be sent back to the King, and if they leave, then they should all be hanged! Only then will we achieve peace when the King stops deceiving us, and he will not stop doing this as long as he sees how blindly we trust him with promises that are then never fulfilled!

The people were excited by the words of this preacher and agreed with him. People always easily believe that someone is much worse than themselves! Those few who retained faith in the infallibility of the King, God's anointed, believed that the King was surrounded by bad advisers, that he was misinformed and misled. This consideration also made everyone warlike towards the delegates from the King.

- Brothers, I will tell you the truth! — the preacher continued to rage. “Do you know that, under the guise of negotiations with the nation, Charles I is at the same time negotiating with the papists in Ireland and Scotland in order to enlist their support and use them against our dear parliament, the last bastion of the defense of our legitimate interests and right? It's true, I'm not lying, I have secret protocols drawn up between the King and the Irish and Scottish papists! Tomorrow at this very place I will bring them and you can read them!
The noise grew, law enforcement officers appeared and decided to understand the causes of the riots.
- Look there! - exclaimed the preacher, pointing to the guards. - Here they are! These are also the King's commissioners! They make sure that words of truth are not spoken on the streets of England and in its churches! Grab them, my brothers!
The crowd roared and rushed at the innocent guards.
Meanwhile, the preacher disappeared, taking advantage of the fact that the crowd had temporarily switched its attention from him to the guards who had appeared.

The King's representatives felt that the negotiations could break down and result in another rebellion. Karl began to get nervous and finally decided to make some concessions. He had to agree that officers appointed by parliament could command the national troops. Actually, from this agreement the troops no longer became royal, but parliamentary.
The king had to sign an act according to which Fairfax and Cromwell were to command the people's militia.
The people felt this concession as a victory over the stubbornness of the King.
Charles I was depressed, feeling that he was losing what was left of his power. When asked by one of the lords why he was so sad, Charles I replied that he was served bad wine.
“I hope that in a few days, Your Majesty, you will be drinking the best wine that can be found in the kingdom, together with your Lord Mayor in the city council chambers!” - replied the unsuspecting lord.
The king, anticipating trouble, spent a sleepless night, and the next morning received a report from Montrose about some of his victories in Scotland. But the King understood that now even Montrose’s victories in Scotland would not solve anything; he would not be able to march victoriously through his state, which he no longer ruled. Laws are governed by parliament, and the army is now controlled by people appointed by parliament. But Montrose advised Charles to hold on to the last and not enter into dubious agreements with Parliament. Charles I was easy to convince, and therefore easy to convince. Since he read Montrose's advice last, it was Montrose's opinion that he agreed with at the moment when Southampton brought him the Act appointing Fairfax and Cromwell to command positions for his signature. The king refused him and uttered harsh words, which immediately became known in parliament.
Parliament realized that it was impossible to negotiate anything with this King, since the one who agreed with the jointly reached decision yesterday decisively rejected it the next morning. This behavior put an end to efforts to reach an agreement. Negotiations stopped due to parliament's lack of faith in the possibility of agreeing on at least something. The war of the King with his people and the people with their King continued.

-What do you say now, my lord? - Mordaunt asked Cromwell after the delegates of both sides that began the negotiations left without completing their intended business. “Do you still hope to reach an agreement with the King?”
“ I never harbored the illusion that this was possible,” Cromwell replied. “But I couldn’t openly oppose the negotiations.” I, of course, did not expect that the matter would end so quickly, and this, perhaps, is to our advantage.

The next day, Cromwell demanded from Parliament the appointment of a commander-in-chief, but at the same time he named Fairfax, not his own candidacy. Young Fairfax's candidacy reassured those who feared the concentration of power in Cromwell's hands, so he easily gained the support of Parliament, after which he resigned as an MP to concentrate on army duties in accordance with the Act of Voluntary Abdication, which was never carried out. approved by the upper house.
After this, the lower house introduced a bill abolishing the duty of troops to protect the King. The lords from the upper house were afraid, to which the functionaries of the lower house objected that in fact the troops were now fighting against the King, and, therefore, for them the duty to protect the King became absurd. Nevertheless, the votes were divided approximately equally, after which the lower house placed full responsibility for the consequences on the House of Lords. The lords were afraid of responsibility and gave in. The army received the legal right to fight against its King.
Essex, who learned of Fairfax's appointment, realized that he would not become commander-in-chief and resigned all powers. Waller and Manchester did the same. The troops subordinate to him almost rebelled and went over to the side of the King, but Cromwell, on the advice of Mordaunt, proposed that Parliament pay them all the delayed salaries, as well as salaries for two months in advance. After this measure, all the troops, in which the spark of discontent was smoldering, calmed down and came into complete obedience.
The cavalrymen, previously commanded by Cromwell, also resented the fact that they must now come under the command of Fairfax. Cromwell was appointed head of the military committee, that is, he actually began to give instructions to Fairfax. He could have been the only and main military man on the military committee, but parliament could not stop the indignation of the cavalrymen with financial handouts, so Cromwell was asked to return to command of the cavalry in order to restore order and discipline. His mere appearance was enough for the cavalry to calm down and completely submit to him. They achieved what they wanted, but perhaps Cromwell regretted not receiving the post of head of the military committee. He was too good a military leader for the army to let him take a ministerial position. No one can hope to be promoted until he has trained an effective deputy.

Chapter 123

Charles I appointed his son, fifteen-year-old Charles, Prince of Wales, generalissimo and instructed him to move with his detachment to the west.
The young generalissimo was opposed by skilled commanders, Fairfax with a foot army and Cromwell with cavalry.
Cromwell was winning victories, the King expressed an unequivocal desire to see an end to him, while Parliament would like to have two Cromwells, one to lead the cavalry, the other to head the military committee and other important committees of Parliament.
After numerous battles, the King was left completely defeated and lost his army.
Mordaunt asked Cromwell when the King would be executed?
“He still remains the King of England and in this sense is not subject to parliament,” Cromwell replied.
- Why do you all worship him so much? - Mordaunt flared up. “Will you forgive him even for a crime against the nation, against each of you personally?”
“You are talking about things that have not been proven, but are only in your assumption,” Cromwell objected. “You and I both know that the King would not hesitate to send us all to the gallows, but these are just assumptions.” There is no evidence.
- But you weren’t looking for them! - Mordaunt was indignant. “You have the power to seize the entire archive of his documents and search it thoroughly!”
“If we find personal letters there, we have no moral right not only to read them in Parliament, but also to read them,” Cromwell objected. “The King’s private life is sacred.
- The private life of a traitor to the nation is not sacred, it is subject to detailed investigation! - Mordaunt objected. - What if you find in his correspondence an indication that he was going to betray the interests of the country?
“Now is not the time to sort through his copious correspondence, because it will take months!” - Cromwell tried to object.
- Entrust this matter to me, my lord! - exclaimed Mordaunt. “I’ll quickly find what we need!”
“You know that I have always supported your initiatives,” Cromwell agreed. “And so far I haven’t had to be disappointed in this.” You ask me for such a small thing that I cannot refuse you. If you find something that exposes the King as a traitor, I will have these letters read in Parliament.

A week later, letters found in the archives of Charles I were read out in the lower house . They irrefutably proved that the King did not intend to fulfill any agreements, entered into negotiations only in order to gain time, that he continuously negotiated with France, Spain, Ireland, asked for help even from the Pope, looked for opportunities to obtain loans at any interest rate to recruit a new, stronger army and defeat the troops of your own country. The handwriting of the letters revealed the hand of Charles I.
The crowd was rioting. No one asked themselves some questions that suggested themselves.
Firstly, for what reason were the letters that were supposed to be sent kept in the King's archive?
Secondly, if these were drafts, why sign them? Why were they formatted as genuine letters?
Third, if they were drafts, why did he consider letters that were free of erasures and properly signed to be drafts?
Fourthly, do Kings write letters with their own hands, much less copies? Is it not enough to dictate the text of the letter to the secretary, putting only your own signature under it? Did the King really have nothing better to do than write, much less rewrite his own letters with his own hand?
Fifthly, for what purpose did the King keep such letters incriminating him in his own archive?
Sixthly, it would not be out of place to present these letters to the King and ask him if he admits that these letters were written by him with his own hand? And if the King had rejected these letters as forged, who would have had the audacity to continue to claim their authenticity?
I believe that the reason that Parliament was embarrassed to discuss these issues with the King was because all the MPs realized that they were acting unethically. In order to discuss these letters with the King, it was first necessary to admit that not only were personal archives confiscated, but also correspondence was read, the private nature of which was beyond doubt, and, in addition, this reading took place in public!
Realizing the unethical nature of its actions, Parliament chose to aggravate this unethicality by ignoring the opportunity to discuss these documents with the King and clarify them, preferring to discuss the documents in the absence of the alleged author, to draw conclusions, without giving the King the opportunity to justify himself. After all, it cannot be ruled out that even if the King wrote and signed these letters with his own hand, he still did not intend to send them, but wrote them simply in order to reflect on such a possibility, in the form of diaries in the epistolary genre, but in finally gave up the idea of sending them! In this case, such letters did not expose him as a traitor.
However, I know that the King, indeed, sought help wherever he could, that he was indeed ready to fight with his own kingdom, and, indeed, was not going to fulfill the promises in any agreements.
But I cannot guarantee that the evidence presented to Parliament was not fabricated.
I continue to believe that King Charles I was not so crazy as to keep such dangerous letters incriminating him in his archives. I reserve the right to this belief. I know too well that any document can be forged. Every document is made by people, and what some people did can be done by other people. What one person does mechanically, without thinking, another, with a certain talent and practice, can do with great effort, but very effectively. An example of this is one person, whom I will talk about later, who studied his own brother’s handwriting with such perfection that not a single handwriting expert could distinguish the documents written by him from the original. And who, after all, is a handwriting expert? Handwriting specialist? If such a specialist undertakes to forge a signature, he will take into account all the subtleties that art teaches him. So, I do not undertake to say that the letters read out in parliament were written by Charles I.
So, reading these documents showed that the King does not value his people, his parliament, or his duty as a sovereign. Negotiating agreements that the King had no intention of implementing was an insult. Negotiations with the Kings of foreign powers for military assistance against their own army and on the territory of their own state were high treason. No one thought about making peace with the King. The rebellious people and the rebellious parliament now thought of only one thing - complete victory over Charles I. He had to be defeated, humiliated, brought to his knees and punished to the fullest extent of the law. But not the law according to which the will of the King is the law, but according to which the law is the decision of Parliament.
Now, if anyone fought on the side of the King, it was only the rabble, burning with a thirst for robbery, violence, easy enrichment, the need for thrills and, perhaps, the desire to take revenge on someone. The royal army consisted of individuals with unparalleled impudence, irresponsibility, unceremoniousness, cruelty and carelessness. They had no idea about military discipline; their goal was only to plunder and oppress those inhabitants who were not lucky enough to be in the territory they occupied, even if only temporarily.
In the army of Fairfax and Cromwell the situation was the opposite. Their soldiers were disciplined, they did not loot, did not commit violence, did not rob the citizens of their country, they were united by a single faith and in their free time they sang psalms in chorus, and also prayed for victory over the hated enemy.
Meanwhile, the King, who understood that his cause was lost, did not deny himself simple pleasures. He took advantage of the hospitality of the Marquis of Worster at Ragland Castle, where he spent his time enjoying himself, hunting, and feasting while his fifteen-year-old son fought on the battlefield.
Of course, it was difficult for the fifteen-year-old generalissimo to resist under these conditions. Soon he had to surrender Bristol, which shocked the King.
The King wrote one letter after another to Oxford, demanding that Rupert, the King's nephew, be revoked of his license to command the cavalry. On reflection, he also demanded that the Governor of Oxford be removed from office simply because he was friendly with Rupert. In the next letter, he already demanded that the governor and his nephew be arrested, and on reflection, he made a very revealing postscript: “Tell my son that his very death would not have caused me such grief as a low act like the capitulation of Bristol.”
I will just remind you that the King wrote about his fifteen-year-old son, whom he had previously made generalissimo.

Chapter 124

It's sad to recount what happened next. The royal army became weaker every day, disintegrating before our eyes, the royal commanders commanded worse and worse, while the opposition army grew stronger, its commanders took into account past experience and demonstrated more and more professionalism.
When the King was about to take Chester, Jones's regiment unexpectedly attacked him from the rear. The king had to gather all his forces together and try to break through this regiment, or die with honor. But he did not find the strength to commit such an act, so he simply abandoned his army and fled. Following him, the remnants of the shamefully abandoned army fled in disarray. Was it worth reproaching a fifteen-year-old son for passing Oxford, only to then disgrace himself like that?
The troops directly guarding the King were reduced to three hundred personally devoted bodyguards. The king managed to quarrel with all his supporters, including Rupert's nephew, Prince Moritz, Montrose.
Meanwhile, Cromwell ordered to fight more decisively and not to take prisoners. Any Irishman captured with a weapon in his hands on English territory was either shot or tied up, back to back, and thrown over a cliff into the sea.
The Prince of Wales realized that he lacked the knowledge and military talent to lead the remnants of the troops in Cornwall, he invited Hopton to lead them.
“When someone refuses to obey an order, the usual excuse is that the order is contrary to his sense of honor,” Hopton replied. - In this case, if I justified myself by this, I would have every right to do so. The army that you are offering me, in the current conditions, can only be completely defeated by the enemy, which will certainly damage the honor of its leader. So, by accepting your offer, I will be forced to sacrifice my honor. Nevertheless, if Your Highness pleases to summon me, I am ready to obey, and will do everything in my power to lose as late as possible and with as little disgrace as possible. The best outcome for me would be to fight as long as possible and die in this final battle.
After another series of defeats, it became known that local residents intended to capture the Prince of Wales and hand him over to Parliament. So Hopton put Charles of Wales on a nearby ship and sent him to France.
He fought for a while longer, as long as he could. But officers came to him and said that the soldiers were demanding surrender. They explained that the enemy was offering favorable terms of surrender, so the soldiers announced that they would negotiate with the enemy themselves if the officers did not support them. Hopton, like all officers and soldiers, already knew that Cromwell always treats very mercifully those cities, fortresses and armies that voluntarily surrender to him, but in case of refusal to surrender, he gives the order not to spare anyone, not to take prisoners, cities and fortresses taken clear away enemies completely. Therefore, Hopton replied to the officers that he was resigning command, they could capitulate, provided that his name did not appear in the agreement, since he did not agree to sign the capitulation. He himself boarded the ship and left England, following the Prince of Wales to the shores of France.
The King only had hope in Lord Westley's three-thousand-strong army stationed in Worcester. The king went to meet him with the remnants of the army, which he managed to gather in an amount of no more than one and a half thousand horsemen.
But he was not destined to join the army of Lord Westley, which was completely defeated.
The elderly Lord Westley, who could barely stand on his feet, sat down on the drum offered to him by his enemies and said with a sigh:
- Well, gentlemen, you have done your job. You can play your game, or quarrel among yourself, as you please.
After these words, Lord Westley turned his face to the sun and, closing his eyes, completely surrendered to the sensations of the warmth emanating from the heavenly body, as if he was transferring himself into the hands of the Lord.
The king hastened to return to Oxford and delivered a message to Parliament in which he promised to disband his troops, surrender all fortresses and return to Whitehall as a peaceful man. The parliament only grinned. After all, the King promised to do what has already been done. He had no troops that he could disband, and he had no fortresses that he promised to surrender. It’s so easy to promise to part with what you don’t have, and so sweetly to demand at least something for it!
Members of Parliament understood that if the King returned peacefully to Whitehall, who could guarantee that he would not immediately try to declare himself the full King? And who knows how the people, the nation, the troops will react to this? After all, not everyone knew about all the actions of Charles I during the events of recent years!
Therefore, Parliament passed a law prohibiting anyone from having contact with the King or even approaching him. He just had to be arrested. Fairfax was ordered to surround Oxford and take it by storm.
Oxford was besieged. The king said that he was ready to surrender if he was taken to parliament, but was refused. The besiegers did not want to hear about any conditions from the King, no “ifs” were taken into account, he should only be captured as a result of the assault, since the King was previously assigned the role of a prisoner of war.
The king cut off his locks, shaved his beard, disguised himself as a servant and, accompanied by only two companions, leaving Oxford at night through the fortress gates across St. Magdalene's Bridge. At the same time, to divert attention, three other groups of horsemen, each of three people, came out through three other exits and went in different directions to make it more difficult to establish which group the King was in and where he went.

Chapter 125

Mazarin entered the Queen without warning, since this had already become a habit among them.
“Did you call me, Your Majesty?” - he asked with respect.
- Oh, Jules, leave these titles of yours! - the Queen waved it off. - There’s no time for that now! A decision must be made on a rather sensitive issue.
“I am at your disposal, my Queen,” Mazarin said softly.
“The Prince of Wales has left England,” the Queen said. - Do you know where he's going?
“To my mother, Queen Henrietta Maria of England, who settled in Saint-Germain as if at home, and established here, in the Parisian palace, a second court of royalists expelled from England, led by Sir Canelm Digby,” answered Mazarin. “Your Majesty is extremely kind to your sister-in-law.” The sister of your late husband, King Louis XIII , does not refuse anything, while you, as I see, sometimes deny yourself even the most necessary things. Now her eldest son will join her. We may have serious problems as a result of your endless kindness, Your Majesty, but I undertake to settle everything, as long as you wish to provide hospitality to this family. I understand your kindred feelings and bow to them.
“Well, my family feelings are not so strong as to infringe on our state needs for the convenience of this fugitive,” the Queen objected. - But, as it seems to me, she provides for her stay with the funds that she brought with her from England? Or I'm wrong?
“Let me remind you, Your Majesty, that most of the treasury of the English crown was spent on the war of King Charles I with his own parliament, as well as with his own nation, and, in addition, with his second hereditary kingdom, with Scotland,” Mazarin softly clarified. — Of course, Queen Henrietta Maria did not arrive in Paris empty-handed, but everything she has does not ensure her stay in France.
“I heard that she brought with her quite a lot of treasures, the value of which is very high,” the Queen was surprised.
“It would be more accurate to say that at one time she took a sufficient amount of jewelry from England, but she took it not to France, but to The Hague,” Mazarin clarified. “She entertained herself at court with various productions of very frivolous plays, in which she even performed some roles, which aroused the indignation of the Puritans. One famous poet, in his pamphlets, went through the women who play some roles at farcical performances, and called all such actresses a word that I do not dare repeat in front of Your Majesty. This poet, at the insistence of the Queen, lost his ears for his prank, since she saw a hint of herself in this pamphlet. This man subsequently, although he was deaf, headed parliament and achieved the execution of two of the most devoted friends of King Charles I, the Earl of Stafford and Archbishop William Laud. After this, the said Pym turned his attention to Queen Henrietta Maria, offering to bring her to reason or even send her outside of England. The Count de La Fere, Marquis of Embault, who was then in England, our ambassador to England, persuaded Queen Henrietta Maria to reconcile with Pym so as not to inflame passions. He told her that in a foreign country one should respect the customs of that country, and above all this applies to any Queen, who, as a rule, is the crown princess of another state.
At these words, Mazarin bowed low to Queen Anne and kissed her hand.
“Your Majesty knows from your own experience what it’s like,” he said and kissed the Queen’s other hand. “You have to be a truly heroic woman to renounce your immediate family in favor of a new fatherland, and your Majesty’s example should be taken as one of the sublime role models.” But Queen Henrietta did not follow the advice of Count de La F;re; on the contrary, she insisted that King Charles I show as much firmness as possible towards Parliament and personally towards Pym, who had offended her. You know what this led to. The King tried to arrest Pym, as a result of which Parliament finally took the path of fighting the King, at least its lower house. We recalled our ambassador, Comte de La F;re, and sent him home to Blois. After this, Queen Henrietta left for The Hague. First, she went there for her own safety. Secondly, her departure was supposed to remove the tension between the King and Parliament. But her true goal was to recruit an army and purchase weapons for the King’s war with his own people and, of course, with parliament.
“You can understand her,” the Queen sighed. — Parliament can sometimes be unbearable.
“But every war must either be won or not started at all,” Mazarin objected gently. —The example of Charles I gives us a series of brilliant examples of what should not be done under any circumstances, and Queen Henrietta supplements this magnificent history book with her mistakes, which she made on her own initiative and completely without any outside help. She took out the centuries-old heritage of the English crown in order to turn it into money, and then into weapons and an army.
“This impulse of hers can also be understood,” the Queen noted.
“Your Majesty, there are such treasures that simply cannot be converted into money,” Mazarin objected. - They are the state property of the kingdom. No private person is able to pay their price for it, and no state will buy such things, since there is always a danger that the new government will demand their return to the rightful owner, that is, the state. Queen Henrietta took away what did not belong to her. If she had used the dowry given to her by your late husband for these purposes, no one would have dared to condemn her. But the treasures of the English crown must remain in England forever.
- How did it all end? - asked the Queen.
“Queen Henrietta Maria managed to implement something, she arrived in England on a ship loaded with weapons, but this did not help Charles I ,” answered Mazarin. “It’s a long story with two stages of civil war, which went from bad to worse for the royal family. As a result, as you can see, we have it. But I cannot say that she pays all the expenses of her stay in Paris. But with her there is, as I already said, a whole courtyard. These idle loafers cost you, Your Majesty, a tidy sum every year. But this is not enough. They established their own rules here in Saint-Germain. They have love affairs here, and duels, and theatrical performances, and God knows what else. An entire state within a state. And no one can put them in their place, solely out of respect for you, Your Majesty, and also out of respect for your late husband, whose sister she is.
-Who dared to fight a duel in Paris? - the Queen exclaimed angrily.
“Prince Rupert, nephew of King Charles, intended to fight George Digby,” answered Mazarin. - Henrietta Maria, fortunately, did not allow this, ordering them to be arrested. But she failed to prevent the duel between Henry Percy and the same George Digby, and then the duel between Percy and Prince Rupert.
- So she arrested them, or just ordered them to be arrested? - asked the Queen. “If this same Digby and this Rupert were arrested, how could they take turns fighting a duel with some Percy?” Besides, I don’t understand on what basis this hanger-on dares give orders for the arrest, even of his own subjects? After all, they are on my land, in my kingdom. Here only I can give such orders, or the one to whom I have entrusted this right, such as you, my dear Jules!
“You are absolutely right, Your Majesty,” Mazarin agreed.
—What are your recommendations regarding the matter of the arrival here in France of the Prince of Wales? - asked the Queen.
“As long as his father, King Charles I, lives , the Prince of Wales is only a less than desirable guest,” Mazarin answered softly. “We could agree to his stay, but it seems to me that we should not agree to an increase in the English court in Saint-Germain as a result of this.” On the contrary, we must recommend that Queen Henrietta Maria reduce the costs of maintaining this court, that is, let some of her courtiers go home. A significant part.
“It will be somehow awkward,” the Queen said doubtfully.
“I take upon myself the negotiations with Her Majesty,” answered Mazarin.
“You said: “As long as King Charles I is alive ,” the Queen clarified. - How do you want us to understand this? Do you assume that he may soon be... - The Queen hesitated, searching for the right words.
“ His situation is extremely deplorable, Your Majesty,” answered Mazarin. If the English Parliament carries out their intention to arrest their King, they will undoubtedly try him. And if they tried him, he might suffer the same fate as Maria Steward.
- God! - the Queen screamed. “Can anyone really dare to raise a hand against their King?” Mary Steward was ordered to be executed by at least the Queen of England!
“A bad example is contagious for many,” answered Mazarin. “The Romans had a proverb: “What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull.” It was believed that Jupiter, turning into a bull, kidnapped the beautiful Europa.
- I know, what’s next? - asked the Queen.
“Too many bulls imagined themselves to be new Jupiters after this,” answered Mazarin. - Every bull knows about another bull that he is just a bull, but in himself, believe me, everyone thinks that he is Jupiter.
- So you think that King Charles I is in such danger? - asked the Queen, this time not putting such horror into her question.
“I do not exclude anything, Your Majesty, and I believe that in this case the presence of his legal heir on French territory is undesirable, since Parliament, having decided to get rid of one King, may want to get rid of his heir,” Mazarin replied. “This may mean for us a choice between handing him over to the new government of England, or waiting for a declaration of war on us.”
“But there is a third way out,” suggested the Queen.
- Which one? - asked Mazarin.
“Exiling him outside of France,” answered the Queen.
“This exit is tantamount to handing him over to England,” said Mazarin. “It’s as unacceptable as it is a shameful move.” It would be better if the Prince of Wales himself wanted to leave France at least a day earlier than he became King in exile.
- Will it be possible to do this? - asked the Queen.
“Rely on me, Your Majesty, and I will rely on my weak strength, as well as on God’s will,” replied the cardinal. “To my great regret, we cannot now refuse admission to the Prince of Wales, nor recommend that Queen Henrietta leave France. But we can make sure that the stay of the Queen of England and her court in exile in Paris is not so serene as it has been so far. Let them themselves wish to find another location.
“Jules, do this as delicately and carefully as possible,” answered the Queen.
“I assure you, Your Majesty, that Queen Henrietta will have nothing to reproach you with,” Mazarin replied. “She will encounter natural difficulties, in which we will help her as best we can, after which she will decide that it is better for her to go somewhere else.”
- What would I do without you, my dear Jules? - exclaimed the Queen.
“ Your Majesty, even without me, would have remained the most beautiful Queen of Europe, moreover, the wisest and most powerful,” answered Mazarin. “It is all of us, your humble servants, who must thank fate for having the honor of serving you.”
After these words, Mazarin again fell into the hand of the Queen, who gently patted his magnificent black curls, after which she affectionately patted his palm and released him to carry out urgent matters related to the governance of France.

Chapter 126

“Monsignor, a man is asking you to confess, I think I saw him somewhere,” Bazin told me.
“For the love of God, stop calling me monsignor!” - I was indignant.
“Okay, monsignor, as you say,” replied Bazin.
- So where is this man? - I asked.
“He is waiting for you in the confessional,” replied Bazin.
I proceeded to the confessional, which was divided into two parts, so that the confessor and the confessor could not see each other. I will reveal a small secret if I say here that the confessor still had the opportunity to look at the confessor, since he was in a darkened room, separated from the visitor by a wooden lattice, as well as a dark translucent fabric. Since the similar room in which the visitor was located was illuminated, the confessor could see who he was dealing with. But the confessor believed that he was not visible, so he behaved more freely.
I recognized this man immediately. This was Monsieur Bonacieux, the husband of Constance, with whom d'Artagnan was in love. However, now he was no longer her husband, but a widower.
“I’m listening to you, my son,” I said.
“Holy Father, I was told that you forgive even the greatest sins,” Bonacieux said humbly. - May I ask you to confess me?
By reporting here the details of our dialogue, I do not violate the secrecy of confession, since Bonacieux himself has long been dead, and after him there is not a single relative or heir left, and, moreover, I do not intend to publish these notes. In this personal diary of mine, I can allow myself anything, except for one thing - lies. Why should I lie to myself?
“Every servant of God can turn to the confessor he sees fit,” I answered. “It is my duty to listen to everyone and give an answer in the name of the Lord.” Not on his behalf, but only in his name, I ask you to understand and realize this.
“I will speak to you, Holy Father, as I would speak to the Lord at the Last Judgment,” Bonacieux replied. “I don’t even know the depth of my sin, but I’m sure that I have something to repent of.”
“Speak,” I answered.
“ I had a wife, beautiful, young and flighty, but I loved her very much,” said Bonacieux. “She disappeared, and for twenty years now I don’t know what happened to her.” But lately I began to think that, perhaps, the fact that she disappeared was partly my fault.
- What led you to this conclusion? - I asked.
“We quarreled,” said Bonacieux. “I was jealous of her, she objected that my accusations had no basis. After this I was arrested and brought before the cardinal. I'm not talking about the current cardinal, but about the great cardinal, about Richelieu.
Bonacieux fell silent.
“I’m listening to you,” I said. “It behooves me to be silent and listen.” If you want to tell everything, speak up, if you prefer to remain silent, I will not detain you. You can leave at any time. But if you're here, speak up.
“I beg your pardon, Holy Father,” Bonacieux said hastily. “I’m thinking because I don’t know if I should talk about my visit to the cardinal?” I've made up my mind, I'll tell you everything. The Cardinal was very kind to me and called me his friend, so that I was completely smitten by his manners. I must say that I respected him very much before, although I allowed him to laugh several times at the story with the sarabande. Well, about how the cardinal danced in front of the Queen... I am still ashamed that I dared to laugh at such a great man. But after talking with His Eminence, I was filled with even greater respect for him. He demanded that I inform him about all my wife’s acquaintances, about all her visitors, about what letters she receives, sends or forwards, about all her movements. He said that she was involved in a circle of state criminals, and my duty was to expose them.
— Do I understand you correctly that you agreed to spy against your own wife, contrary to the commandment of the Lord that husband and wife are one and indivisible? - I asked.
- Spy on? - Bonacieux was scared. “Yes, that’s probably what it should be called.” Just spying. But I didn’t think about the fact that spouses are indivisible. The Cardinal convinced me that my duty was to help him fight against the enemies of the state. Are you condemning me, Holy Father?
“You condemn yourself, my son, otherwise you would not have come to confession,” I answered. - Let me not express my judgment until you have told everything that you need to tell if you expect an answer from a clergyman who only proclaims the will of the Lord.
“I apologize, you are right, Holy Father,” Bonacieux hastily agreed. - You are right, I agreed to spy against my own wife, believing that it was necessary to do so. But the cardinal paid me in silver for this. All these twenty years I have been thinking about whether this is what is called thirty pieces of silver, the price that Judas received for betrayal?
Silence reigned again. I coughed.
“Yes, I have to tell everything myself,” Bonacieux understood my hint. “We kept a hotel, and a certain young man, a Gascon, who dreamed of becoming a musketeer, stayed there . His name was Chevalier d' Artagnan. I noticed that he was looking towards my wife, and she, as it seemed to me then, did not object to his close attention. At first I convinced myself that it was just my imagination, that I should trust my wife. But over time, I began to think that there were tricks between them. I tried to talk to her and reason with her, but she just laughed in my face, saying that she only saw this guest as a guest and nothing more. I completely believed her. But after some time, my wife was kidnapped. At first I thought that this Gascon had done it, but then I remembered that she had been closely watched several times by a tall man in a black robe, who looked like a nobleman. It seemed to me that he was tracking her. I decided that it was he who kidnapped her. Therefore, I decided to turn to my guest with a request to find my wife and save her. As a reward, I granted him unlimited credit within reason, forgave three whole months' rent arrears, and ordered his servant to bring the best food and excellent wine to his room. But he deceived me, he deceived me vilely! He did nothing to find and save my wife. Instead, he showed complete disregard for my interests. The fact is that I was, of course, arrested by mistake by the cardinal’s guards. At the time of my arrest this Gascon was present at home with his three friends, and he received my arrest with great enthusiasm. He thanked the guards for arresting me and wished them to keep me in prison longer. Fortunately, I was soon released. The great cardinal himself freed him! It was at this time that my conversation with him took place. The cardinal told me that I was an honest and noble man, gave me compensation for the inconvenience caused and sent me home, informing me that my wife was involved in high treason, and that I must stop her activities in this direction. I, of course, agreed. After that I thought that my wife was cheating on me! But if she deceives me in political matters, then who could guarantee that she does not deceive me in marital matters? I was horrified by this thought! I remembered once again how she laughed off my suspicions about the young Gascon, and this time it seemed to me that she had lied to me after all. I decided to track them down and expose them. But I had no chance. This Chevalier went somewhere for a long time, so I almost calmed down. But I also thought that perhaps he had rented another apartment at the other end of Paris so that he could meet my wife there without witnesses? While my wife was at work, I wandered around the whole city, hoping to meet him by chance, and when she was released from service, I followed her, hoping that she would turn off the straight road home, turn somewhere, and there I I will catch them, my dears, and expose them. But there was nothing like that. I couldn't catch her red-handed. A couple of weeks later the young Gascon returned. My wife was at work at that time. Then my wife came home, and I hid to see what she would do. She sat down at the table, wrote some kind of note, then took the spare key to the room that we rented to the Gascon and entered it, after which she immediately left, locked the doors and put the key in its place. I waited until she left, went into the Gascon’s room, using the same key, and found on his desk a note with the following content: “ They want to warmly thank you on their own behalf, as well as on behalf of another person. Be at Saint-Cloud this evening at ten o'clock, opposite the pavilion adjacent to M. d'Estr;es' house. K.B.” Initials K.B. – these are her initials, Constance Bonacieux! When I saw this note, I went crazy. My wife herself makes an appointment with a young guest in a secluded place, on some estate! Could I have imagined such a thing? I wanted to kill her, him and myself. Or maybe just him? Or just yourself? I don't know! I sat and cried for half an hour, after which my thoughts cleared. I told myself that nothing is known yet, nothing has been proven. Perhaps she simply had to give him some money for the service performed? Why not? I had to know everything before doing anything. I couldn't afford to make an irreparable mistake! So I put the note where I found it, locked the doors and went back to my room. A couple of hours later I heard that the Gascon had returned to his place. I couldn't find a place for myself, so I went outside to meet him and look him in the face. I forgot to say that his room had a separate entrance from the street. Soon he also left the house and met me. He apparently intended to pass by, pretending that he had not noticed me, but I bowed to him politely.
- Mister Bonacieux, have you been released from prison yet? - inquired the Gascon, shining like a golden louis d'or.
“Thank God, innocent people are not detained in dungeons for long,” I answered.
“I hope you weren’t treated too badly?” - inquired the Gascon.
“How to say it,” I objected. “If you happen to go where I went and meet Mr. Lafema, you will no longer laugh about this sensitive topic.” If only you knew how strong the doors are in the Bastille! And what thick and strong iron bolts they have, and what huge locks there are on these bolts!
“Didn’t you really see the blue sky and sunshine while you were there, dear Monsieur Bonacieux?” - asked the Gascon, as it seemed to me, with mockery.
“If you call a piece of gray sky, crossed by thick iron bars in two directions, blue sky, then I have seen it occasionally,” I answered. “And every day I thought that perhaps I was looking at the sky for the last time.”
“And, nevertheless, you were released, to the joy of all of us,” answered the Gascon and his lips stretched into a wide smile, and ironic wrinkles gathered at the edges of his cunning eyes.
“His Eminence quickly became convinced of my innocence,” I replied.
“Not so quickly, because you spent quite a long time there,” the Gascon objected. Tell me, have you found out who kidnapped Madame Bonacieux?
“Since she is now free, you can conclude that she has also been released, and, therefore, there is no guilt on her part,” I answered. “Therefore, there is nothing more to talk about.” Justice sometimes has to make mistakes, but these mistakes are easily corrected, since, fortunately, justice does not make irreparable mistakes.
- I'm glad to hear this, good Monsieur Bonacieux! - the Gascon answered with even greater irony.
—Where have you been for the last few days? - I asked in turn. “I haven’t seen you for almost two weeks, and there was such a layer of dust on your boots that can hardly be collected on the roads of Paris!”
“We accompanied our friend Athos to the waters in Forges, where he remained,” answered the Gascon.
—And you, as I see, preferred to return to Paris? - I asked. — I assume that you have reasons to prefer the city to beautiful resort places? I suppose local beauties don’t allow such a handsome man like you, Chevalier, to leave Paris for a long time?
“You guessed it, my dear Monsieur Bonacieux,” answered the Gascon with a laugh, “I must admit, they were waiting for me, and, I can assure you, with impatience!”
“And you, apparently, are also eager to meet the one who was expecting you?” - I asked, not knowing why.
“Yes, by the way, don’t be surprised if I return home a little late today, or perhaps I don’t even come to spend the night at all,” the Gascon answered with a laugh. “However, you won’t be bored, because, I suppose, Madame Bonacieux will brighten up your leisure time?”
- Madame Bonacieux is busy tonight! - I objected. — Her duties keep her at the Louvre.
- Well, I sympathize with you, but what can you do! “You have to endure inconvenience when your wife serves at court,” the Gascon answered and, as it seemed to me, there was even more irony, disdain and a sense of superiority over me in his words and look at me.
- I wish you to have fun! - I answered him. “I hope you remember this night for a long time,” I added when he was far enough to hear my last remark.
After this story, Bonacieux fell silent again.

“You were going to tell me about your sin, my son,” I said. “Instead, you tell in excessive detail a dubious episode from your family life, in which I do not see anything that should be shared with a servant of God.” The Church does not interfere in worldly affairs and in the relations of spouses, as well as their guests.
“I told this only so that you understand my action,” Bonacieux replied. “After this conversation, I finally understood that the Gascon was going to attend this date, that he and my wife intended to spend the whole night together. And then I realized that I was unable to stop them. What could I do? Arrest him at gunpoint? Surely he would have pierced me with his sword? Shoot a gun? I would not have had the determination, and even if I had found it, I would most likely have missed. Hire some people to help you? To disgrace yourself in front of this rabble? So that all of Paris would then say about me that I am a cuckold? And then I remembered that my wife, perhaps, continues to participate in the conspiracy. Perhaps this whole meeting is just an anti-government crime, and not adultery at all! In this case, I worried in vain. The worst thing that threatened me was that she would have been arrested, perhaps tried and even executed, but I would not have been disgraced, so it was still easier than being a cuckold! I begged the Lord that my second suspicion would turn out to be true, that my wife would not cheat on me, but on the King and the cardinal! I suddenly remembered that I had promised the great cardinal to report all suspicious affairs of my wife. And this case was clearly so suspicious. Luckily, I remembered Constance's note word for word. I immediately went to the Palais Cardinal and demanded to be admitted to His Eminence. I would have been pushed away, but I saw a gentleman who already knew me, and who was in the service of the cardinal in a rather high position. I already knew that his name was Comte de Rochefort. The count saw me, asked what business I had come on, and when he heard that I had information about my wife’s secret meeting, he immediately ordered me to be let through and himself took me to the cardinal. The great cardinal greeted me kindly, listened to me, after which he gave me another wallet with silver and advised me to go home and not be afraid of anything.
Here Bonacieux fell silent again and, as I saw, covered his face with his hands. He was sobbing.
- My son, what happened next? - I asked.
- Nothing! - Bonacieux replied. - Nothing further happened. I never saw her again, my dear Constance! I tried to find out about her fate from the cardinal, but I was not allowed to see him. Five times I met M. de Rochefort on the street, but every time he pretended that he did not know me. On the sixth time, when I grabbed him by the sleeve and began to beg him to tell me about the fate of Constance, he disgustedly tore his sleeve out of my hands and said: “Listen! If you dare to speak to me again or come closer than five steps to me, I will order my servants to beat you with sticks, and if this does not help, I will pierce you with this sword!” Since then I have not known anything about the fate of my unfortunate Constance. I believe that she certainly got what she deserved, since she plotted to kill the King and the Cardinal, or assisted the conspirators in this plot. Besides, she was in a love relationship with this Gascon, this d'Artagnan! But I still regret telling the cardinal and Rochefort where they could find her. I think I bear some of the blame for putting her in the fortress. And I keep expecting that she might be forgiven and released. When Mister Cardinal died, I hoped that my wife would be released and she would return home. But this did not happen. She probably ran away with this Gascon!
- My son! - I said. - In order to forgive you your sin, I must first explain to you what it is. Do you have the courage to hear the truth about your action and its consequences? I warn you that, by the will of fate, I am aware of the fate of your wife and can tell you some of the details of these events.
-Are you telling the truth, Holy Father? - asked Bonacieux with a trembling voice.
“ In the name of the Lord, I swear to you that I will tell you the truth and only the truth about your wife,” I answered.
- Speak up! - Bonacieux exclaimed. - Anything is better than the unknown!
“It will hurt you to hear this truth, I warn you,” I said.
- So be it! - Bonacieux exclaimed. - I want to know everything. I want it. Speak.
“Know, Mr. Bonacieux, that your wife is not guilty of any crimes of which you suspected and accuse her,” I replied. “She never plotted against the King, she never plotted against the Cardinal, or even against any of the King’s servants or the Cardinal, or against even any person, French citizen, or foreigner. No evil. Never. Neither in deeds nor in thoughts. The only thing she is guilty of is loyalty to our Queen and the desire to stand up for her honor. Are you happy?
- Thank you! - Bonacieux exclaimed. - I believe you that this is true! I know she is like that, my Constance! But... After all, she cheated on me?!
“This is your second question, to which I will also answer in the negative,” I said. “If you like, she liked the Gascon you’re talking about.” I can’t even vouch for the fact that under different circumstances she probably would have broken up with you and gotten back together with him. But these are just assumptions that should not be made either by me, a servant of God, or by you, a husband who has accused his wife of infidelity that did not happen. Before his trip, there were only one remarks between them; after his trip, they only briefly saw each other in the Louvre for a few seconds, no more. After that, he saw her only once, in the presence of many witnesses, in the monastery, under extremely unfortunate circumstances. So I assure you, your wife did not cheat on you with this Gascon, there was nothing between them that you suspect.
- Did not have?! - Bonacieux screamed. - So she was clean? Where is she hiding? Where did she go if not to her lover?
“She was in captivity, in prison, thrown there innocently,” I answered, “after which the Queen herself took care to free her and hide her from her enemies in the Carmelite monastery.” She stayed there for some time.
- Go to a monastery while your husband is still alive? - Bonacieux exclaimed. - How could she decide to do this?
“She decided to go to a monastery from her husband, who betrayed her to her enemies,” I said coldly. “Instead of protecting his wife from unjustified arrest, or hiding her, this same husband told her enemies where and when they could find her, defenseless and not expecting any attack, and with no one nearby who could intercede for her. An hour or so before your guest, a young Gascon, arrived there, the Cardinal's guards, led by the Comte de Rochefort, seized her by force and again abducted her, from where only our Queen rescued her. It was she who ordered to place her in a monastery, where the cardinal’s guards could not reach her.
- So, she's in the monastery? - asked Bonacieux. - Name this monastery for me, and I will go there, if necessary, in rags, barefoot, I will beg her forgiveness, I will persuade her to return!
“ Bethune Monastery,” I said. - But don't rush. She didn't stay there long, Monsieur Bonacieux. — One of the cardinal’s henchmen killed her by forcing her to drink poisoned wine. I warned you that it would not be easy for you to find out the truth. This truth is that if you had not betrayed her to Rochefort and the cardinal, she might still be alive today.
- No! - Bonacieux cried. - It's a lie! She is alive! I don't believe.
“If you want to know where the grave of Constance Bonacieux is, I can tell you that you will find it in the cemetery of Perrois, Bethune.” - I answered. “Now that you know the whole truth, do you want me to forgive you your sin?” Repent and turn to the Lord, and he must forgive you. The Lord is kind, He forgave even other sins.
“Wait,” Bonacieux objected. “The accusation I just heard is too heavy.” I can't believe you, but I can't not believe you. I need to realize all this. I cannot so quickly ask the Lord for forgiveness of this sin. This sin is too great. After all, I haven’t forgiven myself for him yet. How can I ask the Almighty for forgiveness of a sin that I have not yet realized and forgiven myself? I need to come to my senses, think, feel...
“Well, come for absolution as soon as you are ready for it,” I replied.
“But not to you, Holy Father,” Bonacieux objected. “The sin that is on me, if you told the truth, is too great for me to ask for forgiveness from you.” We need someone taller here. Bishop... Archbishop, maybe... Cardinal... I don't know. No, not a cardinal! I hate that word! After all, he gave me silver! For my poor Constance! I sold it for silver! I built a new house with them! Damn house! Damned dwelling, built with the silver of Judah! I need to think about it, to realize... Farewell, Holy Father!
With these words, Bonacieux stood up decisively, opened the doors of his cell and left the temple.

The next day there was a fire on one of the streets of Paris. The house of the wealthy grocer Bonacieux, as I learned by chance, burned down. At the same time, someone who wished to remain anonymous brought a thousand pistoles to the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the repose of God's servant Constance.

Three days later I saw on the porch of the Church of Our Lady of Paris a holy fool with deep sunken eyes, disheveled, with sloppy stubble, dressed in rags. A sign nearby said he was raising money for a walking pilgrimage to Bethune. I recognized him. It was Bonacieux.

Chapter 127

If anyone happens to read these memoirs, he will ask, perhaps, whether I paid too much attention to the description of events in England? Yes, I have already asked myself this question. But Europe is a single organism, moreover, it was influenced by the liberating spirit of the wars in the Netherlands. The problems that King Charles of England had with his nation are comparable to the problems that arose between Mazarin and the French nation. And how absurdly Charles tried to resolve them, and with what an unhappy outcome for him, allows us to better understand how smartly Mazarin acted, and how useful and important his delicate advice was for Queen Anne.
In these memoirs I call the English King Charles I , but he became the first only posthumously, when Charles II , his son, appeared. The first Kings do not have numbers. He was simply King Charles. His power was hereditary, and for several hundred years no one had challenged hereditary power in England. He was also the King of Scotland, a crown he also received by inheritance. If he had problems with England, he could have retired to Scotland and saved not only his life, but also power, at least in this small country. But Karl did not want to make any compromises. Having started by declaring his power total, placing it above any law, he did not encounter any particular objections to such tyranny. There was a parliament under him, but it could only exist if there were both chambers, the upper of which was made up of lords almost completely devoted to him. Without the approval of the House of Lords, no decision could be made, and, furthermore, without the approval of the King, no decision of Parliament, including a decision approved by both Houses, would have any force. Meanwhile, the disagreement of parliament with the King or the disagreement of the King with parliament always meant only one thing: parliament would have to be dissolved. A king without parliament remained a king, a parliament without a king ceased to be parliament. To manage to get the miserable remnants of parliament to vote for the execution of their King, without whom they themselves would turn into nothing, was not an easy matter. To do this, it was necessary to behave the way Karl behaved. Having started a war against Scotland with the help of English troops, he then, with the help of Irish troops, began a war against England; he finally found himself surrounded by Scots troops, who no longer considered him their sovereign King. But even when the entire Empire no longer recognized his power, they still recognized him as their King. He was offered to conclude an agreement on the most favorable terms. Not only did he not make any compromises, he also deceived all the negotiators, promising one thing, another another, but not fulfilling any of his promises. Twice he simply ran. Once - from the battlefield, another time - from their castle in Richmond, using a secret passage known to him. This escape quarreled him with almost all of his supporters, and, worse, with absolutely all of his opponents. Before his escape, these opponents still respected him and tried to come to an agreement with him, just to conclude a small agreement guaranteeing a refusal to persecute those who rebelled, defending their legal rights, they offered him a refusal to lead the army for ten years. The king did not want to give up any of his rights. But after his escape, even parliament realized that any negotiations with the King made no sense. Before the King's escape, even Cromwell hoped that England's salvation lay in an agreement with the King and strict adherence to the terms of this agreement. But how can one negotiate with a King who has suddenly disappeared and, perhaps somewhere else, is secretly recruiting new troops for a new war?
With a handful of remaining followers, Charles arrived at the fortress of Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight. Commandant Hammond realized that for him such a visit was like death. He did not invite the King and did not wait for his arrival; such a guest was a burden to him, threatening death.
- You ruined me, Your Majesty! - he said. “But I won’t give you the slightest reason to complain about the reception I’ll give you, and then whatever happens.”
Why was there any need to flee if after this Charles informed parliament of his whereabouts? Did he really consider the dozen or two loyal people on the island a guarantee of his safety?
Parliament again tried to negotiate with the King and sent him its even more lenient terms. The king was asked to cede to Parliament the command of the land and naval forces for twenty years, to repeal his resolutions in which he accused Parliament of illegal actions, to cancel all letters of lordship issued after his departure from London and to give Parliament the right to meet when it deems it necessary.
The period of removal of the King from power has doubled compared to the previous proposal. The king should have thought that things would get worse, so perhaps no one would ever offer him better conditions. This treaty would not be a capitulation, it would be a temporary compromise. The king had previously repeatedly shown incomprehensible gentleness in matters in which he could have won, because he agreed to the execution of Stafford and Laud! Well, here the price was only the lives of his most devoted comrades.
Here the price was a slight infringement of his rights, and he did not make any concessions. He had the opportunity to calm the country down, end the civil war, after which, perhaps, in a few years the situation could turn in his favor. It was not for nothing that Lord Westley said: “Well, gentlemen, you have done your job. You can play your own game, or quarrel among yourself, as you please.” He understood perfectly well that among the winners there was no one who could unite all the disparate factions and maintain complete control over the state. In any case, there were still many disagreements ahead, on which such a cunning politician as Mazarin would build his game and regain full power.
But Karl was not as cunning as Mazarin, he was simply stubborn, he did not know how to grasp the whole situation with his mind, develop the best plan of action and implement it. He simply did not see anything, did not understand anything, acted as if these two wars of his against his own subjects had not happened at all, and as if these tens of thousands of dead on both sides had never existed.
If Karl had even a drop of common sense, he would have agreed to these conditions. But that was Karl, just the way he was.
I have to be completely honest. Even Oliver Cromwell in those days was still looking for an opportunity to come to an agreement with the King, even he still saw the salvation of the country in coming to an agreement with Charles, but after this flight and another refusal to reach an agreement, Cromwell realized that no compromise with this man was possible, and Even if the agreement were concluded, Karl would not even think of honoring it. This stubborn man believed that there is no and cannot be a law in England higher than his desire, there is no and cannot be any power higher than his power, no one has the right to demand anything from him, and, moreover, no one has the right to judge him .
He should have given up these illusions as soon as he saw the first troops opposing his troops, but he did not part with them even when he had to leave the battlefield between two armies, one in front, the other in the rear, and even when against throughout England he was protected only by a chair placed in the courtroom.
Discussing the King's reply to Parliament, Thomas Roth said that all His Majesty's recent actions convinced him that the only worthy place for this man was Bedlam, a place where madmen were kept and shown to visitors for money.
He was not far from the truth.
I am writing this only to remind myself and possible readers that the situation in England arose solely through the fault of the King, for he was the only legal heir to the crown of England and Scotland, no one ever objected to his candidacy, the crown went to him without any doubts. He should simply have ruled the country, as his ancestors had done before, or entrust it to a worthy first minister, as Louis XIII did .
Whereas Queen Anne created a precedent that had not existed in France for a long time. Only in England could the Queen be a sovereign ruler, but not in France and not during the time of Anne of Austria. The Queen could have power, as Catherine de Medici had it, influencing her son the King, first Francis II , then Charles IX , then Henry III , as Marie de Medici had it under the minor Louis XIII , but formally under Catherine de Medici her sons reigned, and Marie de' Medici was officially crowned by order of Henry IV . Many princes, and, above all, Gaston d'Orl;ans, brother of the late King, lay claim to snatching a fair share of power for themselves. Only the assistance of Mazarin helped Anne of Austria strengthen her power and remain the only regent, leveling all royal councils to advisory bodies under her, an almost sovereign ruler.
But the highest nobility for a long time considered themselves to have the right to give her not only advice that she did not ask for, but even urgent recommendations, to interfere in her decisions, to apply for positions that would give them high incomes and great power.
Some things had to be thrown into these mouths so that they would cover themselves for a while. Others had to be muzzled.
Mazarin was magnificent. This was a diplomat of the highest standard. He never refused anyone, the word “no” was not part of his vocabulary, but he almost never did anything that would reduce the Queen’s power and influence, he never conceded anything that could not be returned with interest a little later . When he needed to persuade the Queen to make a concession, he explained that the time had not yet come to show firmness. One of his favorite ways to make concessions was to verbally agree, but in reality to delay fulfilling the promise as long as possible. But he always knew how to clearly distinguish in which cases refusal or doubts are destructive, and when and in what cases it is possible to fool the petitioners and even those who put forward unreasonable demands. When he had to agree and fulfill what he promised immediately, or pay without delay, he did it. He also taught the Queen this flexibility.
If not for this resourcefulness, worthy of a river eel, he would not have resisted the Fronde.
However, as a former frondeur, I must be completely honest with myself. Our actions were more like the actions of a child who moves chess pieces without thinking about the rules of the game and without realizing what is behind these changes in positions, while an experienced grandmaster was playing against us. And in the hands of this grandmaster was such a strong figure as our good friend Charles-Ogier d'Artagnan.
I attracted to my plans the noble Athos, whose nobility prevented him from being useful in the matter of intrigue. If he had a chance to fight against the Gorgon Medusa, he, I believe, would shout to her: “Keep in mind, I am not afraid of your gaze, which turns everyone to stone, since I will look at you through a highly polished copper shield that acts as a mirror!” If Athos had arrived to King Minos, he would have told him: “I must warn you that your daughter Ariadne has given me a ball with which I intend to find a way out of the labyrinth!” If he had a chance to fight the Trojans, he would have warned them: “We intend to climb inside the wooden horse so that at night we can unexpectedly emerge from its belly and kill the guards guarding the gates of the city, and then unlock the gates for our troops!”
If he had been forbidden to reveal his tactics to his rivals, he would have refused such a confrontation, calling it dishonest.
At his instigation, the Duke de Beaufort, before arranging his escape, told all the tricks that he had prepared in order to escape. This was Athos’s condition; he did not agree to anything else. I had to take this risk because it was too late to retreat.
If only d'Artagnan were with us! With him, the Fronde would have won.
But I ask myself the question: “What would happen next?”
The goal of the Fronde was to put pressure on the Queen, but for what, exactly? For the sake of removing Mazarin? For the sake of transferring full power to the young Louis XIV ? By taking that power away from his mother? Would he take it? Wouldn't Gaston d'Orl;ans take advantage of this? Or maybe someone from Cond;? Was it not for the sake of the coadjutor becoming a cardinal that Beaufort received a pardon and went missing during one of his military raids? Empty! Worthless vanity. Salvation from Beaufort's imprisonment so that he would receive the “proud” nickname of “King of the Markets”?
I am convinced that if Mazarin knew that Beaufort would be called that, he would have laughed for a long time, after which he would have ordered Beaufort to be released and sent to the markets of Paris to reign there!
My dear d'Artagnan! With your help we would have won, but you would not have gone with us, because you looked much further than we did! You understood that the Queen did not want to free herself from Mazarin, just as Louis XIII in his time did not want to free himself from Richelieu! Therefore, any conspirator against Richelieu was doomed to failure, and any conspiracy against Mazarin made no sense.
Our trip to England to save King Charles was also sheer buffoonery, looking like heroism, but having no prospects.
This King pursued a suicidal policy. The king who wrote to his fifteen-year-old son that it would be better for him to die than to surrender Oxford, and who himself shamefully fled first from the battlefield, then from the residence where he was assigned! How could he be useful to his state, which he led to two civil wars? How could he help his family? The king, who consulted his wife in all matters, receiving the most unimaginable advice from her and blindly following them, and when he lost the opportunity to discuss his decisions with her, began to find even more unacceptable solutions to any issue that even his narrow-minded wife would not offer him ! A man who chose both of two evils! What is there! He chose all three!
Only the utmost respect for Athos and, for this reason, unquestioning obedience to him in small things, in such small things as our own life, forced me to participate in this adventure, which later included d'Artagnan and, of course, Porthos!
Well, Athos, who for some time was the French ambassador to England, and who gave extremely smart advice to Queen Henrietta, which she never followed, could not indifferently hear her admit that she was afraid for the life of her husband. And he unquestioningly set out to save this ridiculous monarch. The Queen did not ask us to return her youngest children. Did she understand that they were in no danger? Or did she not love them so much as to worry about their fate as well as the fate of her husband? Charles, Prince of Wales, now 19 years old, was in France with Queen Henrietta Maria. Sixteen-year-old Jacob, twelve-year-old Anna, nine-year-old Heinrich and five-year-old Henrietta remained in London.

Chapter 128

It wasn't easy for Queen Anne. Funds were running out, there was nowhere to get them, since parliament became stubborn and did not want to approve new taxes, which was probably necessary in the conditions of war. Or it was necessary to introduce a regime of severe austerity, which the nobility opposed. The Queen submitted a decree prohibiting the use of gilding in the design of carriages, to which she did not receive consent. Farmers who bought the right to collect taxes from the state also neglected their duties. They themselves, of course, squeezed every last penny out of the people, and even more than they should have, because they had to profit from something! But at the same time, they pretended that the funds were coming in slower than expected, so they delayed settlements with the treasury. They probably hoped that, perhaps, the government would soon change, and the new government would not know about the debts of the previous regent, so that on the quiet they could appropriate the collected amounts for themselves. This is what happens when subjects begin to feel that the government has become more liberal, more loyal than before.
Parliament began its struggle to gradually increase its own importance and, consequently, to infringe on the power of the Queen Regent and the First Minister. The Queen, observing what was happening in England, was mortally afraid that something similar would break out in France. Her goal was to preserve the throne for her son; in all manifestations of disobedience by parliament or princes, she saw attempts to prevent her from doing this. Receiving the presidents of Guyan and Barillon, she could not restrain herself and told them to shut up and get out. Barillon was exiled to Pignerol, where he unfortunately died, which gave reason to suspect the Queen of having ordered his poisoning. Despite the fact that the doctors performed an autopsy and their consultation concluded that he died of natural causes, the people did not believe this, since the Queen humbled her anger at mercy and ordered his release when he had already died, although she did not yet know about it . There were ill-wishers who declared that the Queen only pardoned Barillon because she knew that he was already dead. The death of Guyan, which happened almost at the same time, added fuel to the fire, and no one thought that this old man, at a very respectable age, could die simply because he had already outlived his usefulness.
Farmers, frightened by dissatisfaction with their actions on the part of parliament, preferred to perform their duties less actively and, if possible, hide, so that taxes completely stopped flowing into the treasury for some time, which is why money not only “started to run out,” but even “ finished starting." The Queen even had to sell her own jewelry, and also take help from Madame d'Aiguillon and the Cond; family, since there was not enough money even for the King to have a meat dish every day.
The Queen and Mazarin had to think about the advisability of selling new court positions. At first glance, such transactions brought direct profit, but this increased the number of courtiers who had to pay salaries, and besides, the courtiers were exempt from taxes. Therefore, everyone wanted to become courtiers, they wanted to buy these positions for themselves, since it was much easier to pay once, after which they would receive profits and benefits, than to pay regular taxes without having income from the treasury.
But many more positions were simply inherited!
Mazarin displeased the nation for being a foreigner. At the same time, he was hated both because he was trying to be like a Frenchman, and also because he was different from a Frenchman. If the Frenchman was ready to challenge him to a duel for any insult, then Mazarin preferred to pretend that he did not notice the pamphlets being distributed about him, did not guess who their authors were, did not understand the contemptuous or ironic intonation, caustic ambiguities, or even direct attacks against him. He preferred to calmly laugh it off, or pretend that nothing had happened, although in his heart, apparently, he noted all those who were dissatisfied, remembered and came up with a way to punish the impudent ones, overcome disobedience and achieve his goal. The cunning Italian more than once explained to the Queen that the most important benefactor of the monarch is equanimity and secrecy, which Anna agreed with, but which she could not develop in herself. Sometimes, however, she managed to successfully hide her feelings and intentions, but sometimes she could not restrain herself, so she scolded members of parliament and its leaders, ministers and princes. Sometimes Mazarin himself got the worst of it, who in this case humbly asked to punish him and dismiss him, which had a sobering effect on the Queen; she instantly calmed down and assured the cardinal that she was happy with him as First Minister and was not thinking about replacing him.
For all his statesmanship, Mazarin himself also had some ruinous addictions, for example, he supported Marion Delorme, which was very expensive, but not for him, of course, but for the treasury.
When the Duchess de Chevreuse told me the amount that this kept woman costs France per year, I immediately became an enemy of Mazarin and a frondeur. I think that this information had a corresponding impact on Athos, although, mainly, his views were based on extremely high and little understood higher thoughts and aspirations. Dear Athos! His romantic devotion to Kings of all kinds was so often subjected to such cruel tests that only such a strong and at the same time stubborn nature as his could pass through them, maintaining an almost divine awe of the royal title, and, it should be noted, Athos never trembled at all. before which King specifically, he could behave with any King or even emperor as an equal, without, strictly speaking, having any grounds for this.
It really wasn’t worth it to idolize the Royal honor and royal dignity so much, and you shouldn’t have communicated so arrogantly with Louis XIV and Queen Anne, as our noble Athos, Count of La F;re, allowed himself several times completely unreasonably. With this pathetic approach to the concepts of honor, duty and royal dignity, he should have been born somewhere in the time just before the Trojan War, he would have completely replaced the centaur Chiron, teaching the nobility and art of war to Achilles, Jason, Castor and Polydeuces! His ideas about the nobility of the times of Homer were very inconsistent with the age brought up on the Borgia, Medici and Machiavelli!
So, I was already a Frondeur when the Fronde itself did not yet exist.
And Athos too.
It wasn't easy for the Queen. The old people in parliament tried to keep her from innovations, the youth, as usual, hurried to introduce democratic freedoms, which they really knew nothing about, but only believed from hearsay that this was exactly what would give them everything they wanted, without any... or effort, cost and risk. All of them had heard a lot about the events in England, and judged them only by romantic fantasies born from a narrow-minded mind, and not at all by a thoughtful analysis of events that did not bring any relief to anyone, but instead carried away tens of thousands of inhabitants and brought the British Empire to the brink ruin and brought it to the point that normal government not only did not exist in the country, but was not foreseen for the next few years.
It is true what they say, no matter how bad it is where we are not, it seems to us that it is better there than where we are. They wanted British freedoms, not really understanding that this was the freedom to die for reasons they forgot to explain to you, in mortal combat with the same poor fellows who, by the will of fate, found themselves on the other side of the trenches.
Mazarin, meanwhile, understood that the experience of England should be used, first of all, to prevent it from being repeated in France. He carefully studied all the events in this island state, and I would probably not be far wrong if I say that he understood much more about them than some members of the English Parliament, including, perhaps, even Oliver Cromwell himself. However, this is true. Cromwell expected instructions from the Lord about what he should do, while our cunning Mazarin himself was ready to give instructions to the Almighty if he asked his advice.
The lack of money affected the affairs of the state more and more. One of the reasons was also the actions of parliament. Some functionaries saw the problems as being caused by erroneous tax policies and blamed it all on tax farmers.
In May 1648 there was open revolt in Parliament. Mazarin and Particelli d'Emery, the Comptroller General and Superintendent of Finance, tried to pass another financial law through parliament, which outraged the majority in parliament. It was a fee called a letta, which allowed officers to sell their positions by inheritance. It was about a tax that hit the pockets of many representatives of the three upper houses, who requested parliamentary support and found a deep response in the person of the Brussels councilor. It should be recognized that, of course, the situation is when the bulk of taxes have to be collected from those who have almost no income, except for what is given by hard work, and at the same time, those whose incomes are large and who could Filling the treasury with your taxes is not the best solution to the problem of meeting government needs. But the fact also remains that no public body will ever approve a decision that infringes on the interests of the majority in this very public body, no matter how fair this decision is in its essence. But Councilor Brussels, who was not personally affected by this bill in any way, was famous for his eccentric habit of defending everything that seemed to him just, and attacking everything that he considered unjust, despite even the fact that he did not always take the trouble to study in detail all the circumstances of the issue under consideration in order to make an objective assessment. This was a man who was ready to destroy the state for the sake of principles known to him alone, rather than renounce them. He said that there are times when the best way to serve the monarch is to disobey him. His stupidity was visible to few, his courage was noticeable to everyone, so the reputation of Brussels began to grow rapidly and spread far beyond the Palace of Justice. The Parisians saw in him their protector from the injustices committed by the first minister, Cardinal Mazarin.
To oppose the First Minister, the four Supreme Chambers met at the Palace of Justice, which outraged the Queen. Anna was outraged that out of the four supreme chambers, the deputies created a certain fifth chamber, without the permission of the King or the regent, without the legal right to create such new collegial bodies. She called it an unprecedented and groundless act, the establishment of a republic within a monarchy, warned that the consequences of this could be dangerous and reprehensible, and called for a return to the implementation of existing laws and submission to the existing government.
Chancellor Segye prepared these words for the Queen in exact accordance with her mood and her assessment of the situation.
As a result, four councilors of the Grand Council and two councilors of the High Tax Court were arrested, seven others managed to escape. Mazarin decided to take strict measures, believing that the situation had gone too far.

Chapter 129

I no longer remember when and how my formal acquaintance with the Duchess de Longueville took place. But I remember very well how that form of acquaintance took place, which is not forgotten.
“Monsieur d’Herblay,” she said, approaching me at one of the receptions. “You don’t seem to miss your good friend, the Duchesse de Chevreuse, too much?”
- Your Grace, the depth of our acquaintance with her is greatly exaggerated either by those who are angry with her or with me, or by those who envy me. I don't think there are people who envy her in this matter. In fact, we are just friends.
“And La Rochefoucauld speaks exactly the same way about exactly the same acquaintance with her,” the duchess smiled. “I believe that Maria instructs her friends, so to speak, to give just such an explanation for this matter.” Well, she's right, of course! A married woman has no need to advertise her friendship with men, because even the most innocent friendship somehow compromises her.
- You see! - I smiled. “Even if I had something to boast about, my duty is to deny everything, and since I have absolutely nothing to boast about, I can only smile modestly at all your questions on this topic.”
- That's enough, Chevalier! - Anna Genevieve objected. “You can’t hide anything from me, I know everything from reliable sources.”
“If you, madam, know something that I don’t know, then I don’t undertake to dispute it,” I answered. “My mother taught me never to argue with women in general, with noble women in particular, and even more so with young and beautiful women.” You are an example of the kind of woman with whom I should not argue for all the reasons listed above. Whatever you say, I will not dispute it. If you say that on the stone floor of this hall a rose bush will immediately grow and bloom, I will not undertake to dispute this; I would rather not believe my eyes and declare that I do not have enough visual acuity to enjoy this spectacle, rather than dare to contradict you.
“Your mother was a very smart woman,” said the duchess. “But I think you just made it all up, so you are a liar and a flatterer, in addition to all your other shortcomings.”
- What are the other shortcomings? - I inquired with a friendly and affectionate smile.
“Don’t worry, d’Herblay, all your shortcomings are among those for which women love men, especially young and handsome women, young and handsome men,” said the duchess.
“I’m far from young,” I tried to object.
“Come on, Chevalier, men of your type are akin to wine in that the years only make them stronger, more refined, better,” answered the duchess.
- After such an attack with the use of undeserved compliments, I surrender to the mercy of the beautiful winner! - I exclaimed. - Ask anything, claim whatever you want, I admit myself defeated in advance.
- That's right! - said the duchess. “A real man never allows himself to be defeated by any man, and never allows himself to be defeated by any woman, but only surrenders to her without a fight.” Only capitulation of this kind brings the fruits that those who strive to win victory at all costs hope in vain.
- So? - I asked, because I understood that the Duchess had serious questions for me, and all the previous chatter was just a lead-up to them.
“Okay, I’ll tell you,” said the Duchess. “The fact is that my husband, exactly like you, claims that he is just a friend of the Duchess de Chevreuse.” With the same words.
“I don’t think you and I should worry about this,” I waved it off. “I, as I already said, am just a friend of the duchess, your husband, as it turns out, too.” If friendship with the Duchess de Chevreuse cast a shadow, then the Queen, and the late King, and Cardinal Richelieu, and Buckingham, and Earl Holland and many others should have been condemned!
- Well, enough about friendship, Henri! - said the duchess. — I like to call things by their proper names. Your mistress took my husband away from me, and I intend to take revenge on her by taking away her lover. You. Do you understand everything?
For some time I was simply silent in bewilderment.
The Duchess de Longueville, Anne Genevieve, was seventeen years younger than me and God knows how many degrees more noble. However, this was not the first time I had to deal with noble ladies, the Duchess de Chevreuse was no less noble, but Maria was the same age as me! Anna Genevieve was at the same time much younger and much more distinguished than me, she was beautiful, smart, the entire male half of Paris dreamed about her, and half of France would have dreamed about her if they knew her even superficially! I tried to reassure myself that her husband was seven years older than me, but nothing came of it, because her husband was much more noble and richer than me, he was a duke of royal blood, a prince of the blood, a scion of the house of Valois, who could otherwise claim the French throne!
“Philosophers lie when they say that one who is silent can pass for a sage,” the duchess snorted. - The longer you are silent, the less you look like an intelligent person. Considering what I told you, I can perceive your silence as insolence!
“A person who finds himself in heaven is forgiven some confusion,” I answered. - Give me some time to come to my senses!
“I won’t give you another minute,” the duchess objected. - I give you five seconds to answer “Yes” and start the countdown. Five, four...
“Yes,” I answered and kissed the hand of the duchess extended to me.
Touching my lips to this hand with the realization that soon I would get everything else, inexplicably stirred up all of me. I thought that I was far from being the same as when I was sixteen or a little older. Nothing happened! My heart threatened to jump out of my chest, and I couldn’t hold it back. My head was spinning. The finest aroma of roses and lilacs emanated from the duchess's hand.
- When? - I could only ask.
- You will find out in due time! - the duchess answered with a smile and gently slapped my hand with her fan, after which she walked away with the greatest grace, without even turning around.
From that moment I belonged completely to her. I even forgot about my duties to the Order.
But not for long.
The Order itself reminded itself when necessary.
I was summoned by a sign on the wall to Count Etienne de Lyon.
- You are making progress, adjunct! - said the count. “As soon as the Order lost interest in one duchess and began to take an interest in another, you already switched to her!” What is this? Coincidence or deep knowledge from sources other than ours?
“Neither one nor the other, Holy Father,” I answered. “It’s Fate itself that makes its choice for me.”
“ Well, that’s even better,” the count rejoiced, although I cannot guarantee that he believed me. — Fate submits to the will of the Lord, and so do we, so we respect and accept the signs of Fate with due respect. If Fate brings you together with the Duchess de Longueville, she shows us how we should take advantage of it.
“Should this be understood to mean that I am being asked to use the Duchess?” - I asked.
“Don’t worry, the Order does not object to your acquaintance and to your feelings for her, if any,” answered the count. “You are only asked to respect the Duchess’s political beliefs and not dissuade her from her likely political ambitions.” You will serve as a catalyst for its activity. I hope you don't mind?
“I didn’t enter the Order to argue with higher mentors,” I answered. “Even if your order were contrary to my original plans, I would obey.” But he doesn't contradict them. The Duchess, as I can judge, wants to make Mazarin’s life easier by relieving him of his duties as First Minister. She probably has better candidates for this post. I am not disgusted by this plan, and I am ready to participate in its implementation if it corresponds to the plans of the Order.
“I’ll tell you frankly, we have not yet fully understood Giulio’s character,” answered the count. “We intend to test him with some internal shocks in order to make a further decision about his fate and about his influence on the fate of France.” The Order did not organize tests for King Charles, but Charles of England himself gave himself a kind of exam and failed it. We would like, if possible, to rid him of the worst thing that threatens him, and at present the Order is seeking the last means to save this man, but, however, this action has no significance for our global goals. If it is not possible to save him, then the Lord, with the help of his assistant Fate, has thus determined his fate. At present, we are still inclined to the idea of saving him. As for Mazarin, we have not yet developed an unambiguous line regarding this person. His abilities must be tested, some of his steps have been hasty, and he must learn a lesson. First, we'll scare him a little. The Duke de Beaufort should be released. You will do this with the help of the Duchess de Longueville and her friends. The Duchess has very influential friends, each of whom would gladly take the place next to her that she offered you. But don't be fooled.
“I know,” I said. - Duke de La Rochefoucauld.
- Nonsense! - objected the count. “He’s just courting her and spreading rumors about his successes.” But we do not rule out that he may succeed. In this case, you will have a rival, and, consequently, your influence on the duchess will weaken or completely turn into nothing. When I told you: “Don’t flatter yourself,” I didn’t mean that the Duchess has other lovers, I only meant that she allows rumors to be spread that she has them, and only because it’s easy can refute them, so that she will be cleared in the eyes of her spouse at any moment. But the Duke de Longueville was not jealous, he, as you know, directed his attention to the Duchess de Chevreuse. But your friend the Duke de La Rochefoucauld is very jealous. He was jealous of the Duchess de Chevreuse for you, but at least he was a success with her. If he also succeeds with the Duchess de Longueville, he may perhaps come to terms with your presence in his way. But if he doesn't achieve anything, then watch out. This person can simply kill you.
“I’m not at all against a duel with him,” I answered.
- Don't flatter yourself! - said the count. “He is a duke and a prince, he will not challenge you to a duel, he will set his numerous courtiers on you so that they will simply hunt you down like a deer or a boar in a hunt and shoot you or pierce you with a dozen swords at once.”
- But this is dishonest! - I was indignant.
“This is quite in the spirit of princes and dukes, chevalier, get used to not being surprised,” answered the count. “That’s all for today, I won’t keep you any longer.”

Chapter 130

I came to Blois to see Athos in order to propose to him.
- Glad to see you, dear friend! - Athos exclaimed after I entered his house almost immediately after Grimaud, who reported my arrival.
“And I’m no less glad than you about our meeting, dear Athos!” - I answered. - I am happy to find you in good health and in a good mood!
- Excellent, Aramis! - Athos clarified. “Your arrival is a doubly holiday for me.” However, lately every day has been a holiday for me, because you remember my pupil Raoul?
- Of course, and I believe that this slender young man is him? I think I recognized him! - I answered.
“Just don’t praise him ahead of time, you haven’t yet recognized his merits,” Athos said coquettishly. - And especially don’t praise them after you recognize them, so as not to spoil him.
“In that case, I will praise you for the fact that you raised him superbly, and probably taught him everything that you yourself knew at his age,” I answered. “I will never believe that you did not teach him to use a sword, a musket, a pistol and other types of weapons, as well as to ride a horse.”
“You won’t believe it, and you’ll do the right thing, since I taught him all this,” agreed Athos. “I replace both his father and his mother, as you can see.” But seriously, only a woman could replace his mother, so we have problems with this. It’s good that he is a man, and needs the instructions of a guardian much more than the cooing of a guardian.
“You are right, as always, dear Athos,” I answered.
“At this point, I propose to interrupt the series of mutual compliments, go to the dining room and pay tribute to the dinner, after which you tell me your business,” Athos concluded.
- My business? - I was surprised. “Isn’t seeing you a good enough reason for my trip?”
“He was insufficient for twenty years, except for one case, so he could remain insufficient further,” answered Athos. - With me, dear friend, there is no point in being cunning. I won’t treat you any worse just because you don’t look at me for no reason. And how could I blame this if I myself am exactly the same? After all, I could also visit you, but I didn’t.
“It seems that you were busy raising your ward, and, in addition, I heard that you served as the French ambassador to the English King Charles,” I clarified. “Whereas I have no such excuse.”
“I would continue to be an ambassador if there was any benefit from it,” Athos answered with a deep sigh. “King Charles only knew how to listen to his Buckingham, then to a certain Lucy Hay, which he certainly should not have done, and, finally, to his wife Henrietta Maria, which should have been done with caution. Finally, he stopped listening to her advice at the very time when it became more reasonable than his personal ideas. What could I do in such a court? I wrote to be recalled and to return here to Blois. Fortunately, my ambassadorial duties did not prevent me from performing the functions of a guardian, because they were not so long, and all this time I was replaced by Grimaud, Blaisois and some other teachers and servants. But Raoul’s joy at my return was so strong that it more than made up for the time spent on ambassadorial duties.
- Could you take Raoul with you, Athos? - I asked.
- For what? - Athos was surprised. - In England there is neither a good climate, nor good cuisine, nor good treatment, and nothing at all worthy of attention.
-What about pretty women? - I joked.
“You can find a moderately good woman almost everywhere, but a really good woman almost nowhere,” answered Athos. “Besides, I don’t need women anymore, but Raul, thank God, doesn’t need them yet.” I probably had a premonition that my mission would be short-lived. But let's go have lunch! The dishes will get cold!

The dinner was great, but I won’t describe it, and, by the way, I don’t even remember what they served at Athos’s. I can only repeat that all the dishes were of the highest quality, and the wine was beyond praise.
After dinner, Athos looked at me eloquently, as if repeating his question about the reason for my arrival.
- What can you say about Mazarin, Count? - I asked him.
“Nothing, because it’s customary to talk about people in their absence either well or nothing,” answered Athos.
“In that case, what do you say about the Duke de Beaufort?” - I asked.
“First of all, I regret that he was placed in the fortress,” answered Athos. — The grandson of Henry IV should not have been imprisoned by some Mazarin. If the Queen ordered his arrest, I regret that she did it.
“ His fault, as you know, is that he wanted to rid France of Mazarin,” I said.
“If such a desire is a crime sufficient to warrant imprisonment in a fortress, then the entire nobility of France should be imprisoned,” answered Athos, “with the exception of a dozen people, among whom, of course, firstly, Mazarin himself, secondly, the Queen, - third, probably, nobles who, upon closer examination, are not such at all.
“I completely agree with you, Athos,” I agreed. - So, are we going?
- Where? - asked Athos.
“To release the Duke de Beaufort from the fortress, where he was imprisoned without our approval, and since we do not approve of this action, it is difficult to guarantee that we will not cancel it,” I answered.
- I like it! - Athos agreed.
“You already left Raoul,” I said. - It will be possible to do the same this time.
A slight shadow ran across Athos's face.
“This is a completely different case,” he objected. “I left a young boy behind, going to carry out the mission that the King entrusted to me. I could have died, but I could not fall into disgrace, and such disgrace could not harm my pupil. On the contrary, he would become the heir to my title and my estate, everything that I have. Now we propose to go against the will of the Queen and the First Minister. If we fail, not only death can await us, but also the disgrace of our loved ones. And Raoul, meanwhile, is no longer a child. I must first arrange his future, ensure his career, after which I can confidently set out on this task. I hope that the Duke de Beaufort will forgive us a week's delay? After all, I believe he has almost become accustomed to the prison routine.
“This is something I wouldn’t want anyone to get used to,” I answered. “But the Duke de Beaufort will forgive us a week’s delay.” Meanwhile, I will try to find Porthos and entice him with this idea.
- Why don’t you talk about d’Artagnan? - Athos asked worriedly.
“Because, being in regular royal service, he naturally became subordinate to Mazarin,” I answered. “If for all of us this idea can end in prison, then for him it will end in Grevsky Square, since high treason will be mixed with his actions.” We are not in the service.
“This matter for all of us may end in the Place de Greve,” Athos calmly answered.
“But Mazarin will definitely come up with something more disgusting for him,” I said with conviction. “If they cut off our head, then they will quarter him.”
“You’re right, Aramis, let’s take care of our friend,” Athos agreed. “But what if he is ordered to prevent this matter, or, even worse, to find and punish the culprits?” Are we really going to cross swords with him?
“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” I said, although, to admit, I had not thought about such a turn of affairs before asking this question. - So how are you going to arrange Raoul’s fate? I have some chance that some of the nobles will assist in this matter.
“I have a better idea,” Athos replied. “But don’t ask me what it is.” In due time, perhaps I will tell you about it, and, I believe, will greatly surprise you.
“Well, if your idea is better than mine, which I haven’t even had time to say anything about yet, I believe that we have generally resolved all the issues and agreed on everything, except one,” I said. - Where and how will we meet?
“Exactly a week later in Paris in a tavern on the Rue Ferou, where we often celebrated our victories, all four of us,” answered Athos. - I hope this zucchini is still there?
“It’s still there, and the owner is the same, only he’s gone bald, fatter, and widowed, so they now serve a wider variety of booze and a slightly smaller variety of food.”
“It’s not important, because we only need a meeting place,” answered Athos. — As for drinking, it seems to me that I drank my quota twenty years ago, and since then I have completely lost interest in wine.
- Well, good morning! - I answered.
We hugged, I hugged Raoul, patted Grimaud on the shoulder and jumped into the saddle of my horse, sending him to Paris. I decided to implement the idea of finding and involving Porthos in the case a little later. First I should have seen the Duchesse de Longueville, who had already appointed me the day and hour when her promises were to be put into practice. It is easy to understand that I did not gallop, but almost flew on my black stallion.
 
Chapter 131

Need I say that the meeting with the Duchess de Longueville did not disappoint me? From the moment of this meeting I became her fan forever. Unlike Marie de Chevreuse, the Duchesse de Longueville never deceived me. Not with anything. We were always together, I could easily rely on her in everything, just as she could rely on me.
Could I have imagined that such a relationship was possible between a man and a woman? Of course, such an impossible dream would never have occurred to me. And it was more than friendship, and also more than mutual love. It was that unprecedented mixture of both, when one cannot be separated or distinguished from the other. Probably, children dream about such relationships when reading fairy tales, until they grow up and understand that they only exist in fairy tales.
Of course, not everything was perfect. It was not ideal for me that the Duchess is a married woman and we have to hide our relationship. But this was offset by the fact that her husband, who was significantly older than me, by seven years, was even more significantly older than the duchess herself. Her almost filial attitude towards the Duke did not in any way humiliate my feelings.
Apparently, the Duke himself understood that his heart could no longer match the ardent youth and passion of his young wife, who was quite suitable for his daughter, so if he was jealous, he never gave reason to feel it.
The Duchess probably didn't feel comfortable having to hide our relationship either, but the constant secrecy probably made our dates more attractive to both of us. We coincided so much in our political views that we understood each other not just at a glance, but even at a glance. We were alike in the ways in which similarity brings us together, and we were not alike in those qualities that must be opposite in order to become more attractive. It was love, but I am wrong in using the word “was”, because this love continues to this day, and will exist as long as I am alive, or as long as she is alive. I am convinced that if there is at least something behind the gravestone, then we will preserve our mutual love behind it.
But how the annoying Francois de La Rochefoucauld interfered with our relationship! This is unthinkable, unbearable, indescribable! He even organized a hunt for me, a real hunt, like the kind they organize for a wild boar or a wolf.
And this is despite the fact that we should be political allies!
However, perhaps my contempt for him is born of how much he resembles me, like all memoirists of our time, like Monsieur de Gondi, the Parisian coadjutor, and later the Cardinal, like his friend Taleman de R;o, like Madame de Savign; . So I joined this writing fraternity, which makes me feel like an equal to Grimaud, this graphomaniac who recorded some of our adventures just as accurately as he absurdly piled up in these records his erroneous judgments, conclusions, impressions and God knows what other trifles , fantasies and delusions! I will not tire of refuting him, but I admire his fertility. One word - graphomaniac, which from now on I must also call myself.
- Duchess! - I said. “Seeing you is the highest happiness for me, and seeing you so close and, I dare say, intimate, is the height of bliss.”
“For starters, when we’re alone, just call me Ange,” Anna Genevieve objected. “That’s what my dear father called me.” This is a name after my heart.
“Okay, dear Ange,” I immediately responded and planted a kiss on her hand.
“You can go much further,” said Ange, offering her cheek to begin with.
My modesty does not allow me to describe further.
We enjoyed intimacy for a very long time and lost track of time.
Finally, the moment came when we both wanted to talk about something abstract from our mutual feelings.
— Henri, what do you think about Mazarin’s reign? - said Ange.
“I think it’s high time to rein him in,” I replied.
- Oh, how wonderful it is! - Ange exclaimed. - After all, I think exactly the same thing!
“From now on, we can not only share our thoughts on this matter, but also join forces to realize our desire,” I answered. - We could organize a national movement, led, of course, by noble and most worthy people, like you, for example, and like members of your family. This trend could turn into a party that could eventually achieve the complete resignation of Mazarin.
“It is precisely this development of events that I wanted to consult with you about, and I am interested in knowing your opinion about what are the prospects for the organizers of this movement in the worst case?” - asked Ange.
“I understand why you are not interested in the best-case scenario, since your complete victory should be considered the best option,” I agreed. “It seems to me that the worst case scenario of this case does not pose a serious danger to you, so this case is worth taking on.”
“Yes, of course, I don’t need to explain to me the likely outcome of the best-case scenario,” Ange agreed.
“Well, I believe that Mazarin will not dare to persecute representatives of such a noble family as you, without special reasons and grounds,” I answered.
“But he decided to arrest and imprison the Duke de Beaufort, didn’t he?” - asked the duchess.
“Such a conclusion should be considered only as a temporary inconvenience,” I replied. “Besides, I have reason to believe that it will soon end, and our glorious Duke de Beaufort will regain his freedom.”
- Is that really true? - the duchess was delighted. - How can you know this?
“I know this if only because I will make every effort to do this,” I answered.
“Are you hoping to persuade Mazarin to release Beaufort?” - Ange asked doubtfully.
“I hope to resolve this issue positively, and you will find out what means I will use after the issue is finally resolved,” I answered.
I promised that everything would be arranged in the best possible way.

In the evening I received a letter from Chevrette. She reported that Katie, whom I recommended to her as a maid, and who had become close to her over these twenty years as a true friend, praise the Lord, was recovering. Only after this, there she reported that her life was almost interrupted after a cruel attempt on her life by one terrible person, who, perhaps, was dangerous for herself. I have already become accustomed to some irregularities in the sequence of presentation in Maria’s letters. Frankly, I treated this letter too dismissively, since all my thoughts were already about my dear Ange. I should write to Maria and ask about the details of the incident, and, in particular, about the person, or rather, about those two people, who dared to carry out the attack on the duchess’s house. If I had paid more attention to this matter, I am convinced that many misfortunes might not have happened later, because we could have taken proper measures to protect ourselves and those who are dear to us, or at least in whom we simply take part. New love completely distracted me from all the events around my former passion, which explains, but does not justify my neglect.
The events I describe took place at a time when love, politics, intrigue and war were intertwined in such a tight ball that it was simply impossible to separate them, to separate them from each other. I had to take this into account.
Now I know that the man who almost killed Cathy was Mordaunt's father.
The Duchess did not write a word about the fact that one of the two attackers was killed. However, her letter contained a hint of this; she said that the terrible danger had receded by half.

Chapter 132

I thought that it would be nice for me to have the support of d'Artagnan, but I decided to act from afar. Of course, some information about the actions of the lieutenant of the royal musketeers reached me, and I knew that he served diligently, that he was in good standing, and I had even heard about some of his exploits, which filled me with joy. But I needed information of a different kind, I wanted to know how much I could hope to involve him in the activities that the Order prescribed for me, which seemed necessary and fair to me, and to which my former love, Marie de Chevreuse, and my new love, or even the only love of my life, the Duchesse de Longueville, my Angers.
As I wrote earlier, I really hoped that I would receive some information about d'Artagnan from time to time from Katie, but she left Paris with Marie de Chevreuse, so this channel of information ceased to exist a long time ago.
I decided that it made sense to scout out my friend's mood from Planchet. Fortunately, I knew where he lived, and even sometimes went to the grocery store that he ran. I assumed that he had not lost contact with his former master, so that he would be able to tell me at least some information about him.

So I entered Planchet's shop.
- Good God! - exclaimed Planchet. - What a welcome guest honored my modest establishment! Jean, give His Serene Highness Monsieur d'Herblay everything we have, the best, and live!
The young boy quickly rushed to set the table.
“Planchet, buddy, I’m not hungry,” I objected. “Don’t worry, I didn’t plan to have lunch with you, but just came by to exchange a few words with you.”
“One does not interfere with the other,” replied Planchet. - Jean, bring the best wine, Turkish coffee, glazed cherries, Viennese waffles and Dutch chocolate to the office.
Having heard such a tempting list, I thought that perhaps I should pay attention to Planchet's cooking.
“You will not leave me, Your Grace, without tasting at least one raisin and without taking at least one sip of wine,” Planchet said with conviction and at the same time unobtrusively.
“You’re right, buddy, I can’t resist such an attack,” I agreed with a smile and proceeded to the office, with such beautiful and thick upholstery that no one could overhear our conversation.
“I have come to ask you about your affairs, dear Planchet, and also about the affairs of your former master, if you are knowledgeable,” I said. “I ask you, without rank, sit down at the table with me, we will do justice to your treat and have a short conversation.”
“With great pleasure, Your Grace, but I can stand,” replied Planchet.
“Don’t forget that I am a clergyman, and I am more comfortable talking with any Christian as an equal,” I objected. - Sit down and let's talk.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Planchet replied with a bow and perched himself on the edge of a chair at the corner of the table.
“That’s better,” I said, holding out a glass for myself and Planchet, into which he poured some excellent Burgundy.
“You are probably primarily interested in my former master, and you asked about me out of politeness,” answered the cunning grocer. “But you won’t be disappointed if you show interest in my humble person.” But I will begin by satisfying your primary curiosity. To be honest, I no longer serve M. d'Artagnan, but I see him often, and he honors me with his visits, I dare to hope, in memory of my faithful service.
- I do not doubt that! - I answered.
“Wait a minute, you don’t want to find out from me what kind of person he is, since you yourself know him very well,” Planchet continued. - If you were interested in whether everything was fine with him, you would ask him about it himself. Therefore, you want to find out if he is suitable for some business in which you would like to involve him, without him himself knowing about this conversation. You know his talents, which means you are interested in his current political orientation.
I involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat. More than twenty years of internship in the Order did not teach me to hide my interests; a simple shopkeeper easily saw through me.
“I’m not a simple shopkeeper,” Planchet continued as if he had overheard my thoughts. “After all, I am a service man, a military man, and besides, I served Monsieur d’Artagnan enough to know him, and, with your permission, you and his other friends.” And I doubt that you wish to invite him to share with you the field of abbots you have chosen. Rather, you want to return from the abbots back to the musketeers and would like to have him as a partner in some large and risky business. And this matter, of course, has nothing to do with supporting Mazarin. You did not submit to Richelieu, so will you submit to Mazarin, his smaller copy, his shadow? So, you are plotting against Mazarin, Your Grace.
- Planchet! - I exclaimed. “If someone else had told me that, I would have already stabbed him with this dagger!” But you are you, and I trust that your assumptions will not go further than what they should be, namely, your personal fantasies and dreams. And your fantasies will not be used to harm anyone, first of all, yourself. So I continue to listen to you, without denying or confirming your words.
“Your dagger is indeed very convincing,” Planchet replied, calmly looking at the dagger, which I took out to make my words more convincing. “I had no doubt that you had something like that, and it’s for the best, believe me.” To end everything at once, I will tell you two things that will leave no doubt between us. First, Mr. Lieutenant is too faithful to his oath to participate in any case against the First Minister. If he is given the order to arrest him, he will arrest him, but not otherwise. In this he is exactly the same as our veteran Monsieur de Treville. He was always ready to arrest Richelieu, but would never have done it otherwise than at the behest of the King, Louis XIII . Monsieur d'Artagnan will arrest or, if you like, kill anyone on the orders of the Queen or the young King. But there will never be such an order.
- Why are you so sure of this? - I asked.
“I am convinced of this for many reasons, but I cannot express them all as coherently and beautifully as you, gentlemen of the nobility, and there is no need for you to waste time listening to my insignificant arguments,” replied Planchet. “If you didn’t believe me, you wouldn’t have come to ask my opinion, but since you asked it, I answered directly and briefly.” And the second thing I wanted to tell you. You, Your Lordship, can rely entirely on me. Whatever you plan, Planchet will be with you, Monsieur d'Herblay.
“My enterprise could turn out to be extremely dangerous,” I objected.
“It can’t be otherwise,” Planchet agreed.
“If we fail, I and my comrades may face not just prison, but also the death penalty,” I added.
“Of course,” confirmed Planchet.
“They can only cut off a nobleman’s head, but they can hang a man of the common class,” I said.
- At least quarter it! - exclaimed Planchet. “I’ve lived my life, and I don’t cling to life, and my life, I must tell you, is boring and joyless, so its quick end doesn’t scare me at all.” I just don’t agree to commit suicide. The Lord does not command you to do this. But I’m ready to risk my life for a just cause even this minute.
“What brought you to this state, dear friend?” - I asked.
- Thank you for the “dear friend”, Your Grace! - replied Planchet, stood up and bowed, and then sat down at the table again. - What brought it on, you ask? The very thing that neither you, nor the lieutenant, nor the count have. Wife.
- Wife, that’s how it is?! - I exclaimed with laughter. - Has marriage really made you a rebel?
“Laugh, laugh, Your Grace,” Planchet muttered gloomily, downing a full glass. - How do young fairies turn into evil furies, and all under our close supervision? You bring a beautiful flower into your home, and unnoticed by you it turns into a disgusting, sticky, poisonous thorn. Actually, I have only one complaint about her.
- Which? - I asked.
“I cannot forgive her that in response to the offer to become my wife, she agreed,” Planchet replied. “If it weren’t for this circumstance, I would have forgiven her everything.”
— Capaciously and thoroughly! - I admired.
“I have thought about this too often at night, which allows me to easily formulate it during the day when the conversation turns to it,” Planchet replied. - Amazing thing! At the altar, these beauties promise to love their husband, obey him, support him through thick and thin, but as soon as they get married, they do exactly the opposite! It seems that they respect any beggar more than their own spouse, since they will never allow themselves to speak to him as disdainfully as to their own husband! And, I ask, why did you marry me if you despise me so much for those faults that do not exist, you hate me for those shortcomings that you yourself invented, and consider yourself superior to him in everything, which is not even close? I would have drunk myself if it weren't for the ulcer. And so I have to endure her character, from which I cannot find salvation even in alcohol.
- Why don’t you leave her? - I asked.
“I don’t have enough courage,” Planchet announced. “I would rather rebel against all the Kings of Europe than against my missus.” After all, we were married before the face of the Lord!
“Well, perhaps there is a sound philosophy in your views,” I answered thoughtfully.
- Even some! - Planchet responded enthusiastically. “Family life taught me to stoically accept any scandal, any trouble, not to plan anything good and bright, to humble myself before the inevitable and bear my cross. It seems to me that the Savior was also married, but no one knows about it.
- What convinces you of this? — I asked, hardly suppressing laughter.
“The humility with which he endured the scourging, carried his cross to Calvary, knowing that death awaited him there, and with what humility he accepted this most painful death imaginable,” answered Planchet. - Death, even the most painful one, ends all earthly torments, while marriage only begins them. A person who lives side by side with you for many years and therefore knows all your weak points can inflict such mental wounds that no executioner, capable of only tormenting our body, but not our soul, would inflict.
“I will not enter into polemics with you, my friend Planchet,” I replied. “So I learned more than I wanted to know.” I was only interested in how much I could rely on d'Artagnan, and I had already learned that, and also that I could rely on you.
“ Then find out one thing and one more thing,” said Planchet. “You, of course, remember the Comte de Rochefort.”
- How can I not remember him!? - I exclaimed. “There was a time when Porthos himself threatened to destroy him for the story with de Chalet, but he forgot his threats too soon. After this, d'Artagnan spent a lot of energy in order to meet and fight him, and, it seems, crossed swords with him a couple of times!
“Three times he had a duel with the count, and three times he inflicted an extremely painful, but not fatal wound on him,” Planchet clarified. “It seems to me that if he wanted to kill Rochefort, he would have done it the first time.” He wanted exactly what he achieved - to make Rochefort suffer from extremely painful wounds three times.
- So what? - I asked.
“It seems to me that after this my master forgave the count, and they were reconciled,” replied Planchet.
“Let’s say,” I agreed.
“You needed a man who had all the qualities of Monsieur d’Artagnan, but one who would go against Mazarin,” said Planchet. - Such a person is the Comte de Rochefort.
- Comte de Rochefort? - I asked again. - Interesting! I never thought of him as a possible ally.
“Times change, Your Grace,” Planchet replied. “Former friends become enemies no matter what, so why shouldn’t former enemies become allies?”
- A very interesting idea, Planchet! - I exclaimed. - But where can I find Rochefort?
“I don’t know that,” Planchet replied. “At one time he tried to offer his services to Cardinal Mazarin, but he rejected him. I think the Queen told him not to contact the Count. She probably has her own scores to settle with him.
- Still would! - I exclaimed.
- Well, for these very reasons, Count Rochefort, who hoped to be under Mazarin the same as he was under Richelieu, was offended by him, and, it seems, became hostile towards him. But he, apparently, spoke out too clearly against him, so that he could well have been put away in the Bastille.
— Rochefort in the Bastille? - I asked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Planchet replied. “And if he is there, then my advice to find him and involve him in your affairs is useless.” But if he is free, or if he ever becomes free, then remember my advice, Your Lordship.
“Okay, thank you, Planchet,” I replied. “I’ll go, but first I’d like to ask you one question.” Why do you call me "Your Grace"?
“Because it’s too early to call you “Your Eminence,” but it’s too late to call you “Monsieur Chevalier,” replied Planchet.
I was amazed at the intelligence of this difficult commoner and decided that I would use him if there was a suitable business for him, after which I paid him generously and left his establishment.

Chapter 133

Lord is my witness, I passionately desired to win d'Artagnan to my side, and just as strongly feared this. There is no need for me to lie to myself, especially now that I am describing all this. I wanted to be a leader in this matter. And although Athos was, of course, older than all of us and, as we unanimously recognized, more reasonable, his prudence mainly consisted of skepticism and the search for noble motives both in our past actions and in our future ones. It seemed to him that all our actions were dictated only by higher considerations, and it simply could not be otherwise. As if we were born into this world only to serve the good purpose of protecting Kings and Queens of all kinds, and also to do only what is due to the nobles. At the same time, he had such a fantastic and romantic image of an ideal nobleman in his head that, besides himself, perhaps there were no such nobles in the world, anywhere and never. However, he, of course, was not always like this. In the days of our youth, we caroused and got into fights, and God knows what else we did. He was exactly the same from the beginning of our acquaintance until Milady’s execution. I believe that, in connection with his unsuccessful marriage, he considered himself responsible for the shame that it brought to his entire family, so that he no longer seriously cared about the moral values of his behavior, as if taking the name Athos instead of the name of Comte de La F;re. Although even at this time his actions always showed a craving for nobility of actions. After Milady had received hers, he not only considered the shame sort of washed away by her blood, allowing him to return to the life of a noble earl, fully reclaiming his name, but, in addition, he probably considered himself guilty of the atrocity he had committed, as a result of which he imposed a certain additional vow on himself, that is, he wanted to be more noble than he should have been, holier than the Pope, more innocent than a newborn baby, purer than a feather from an angel’s wing. Of course, he was not always able to be like this, as a result of which he further aggravated his own demands on his behavior, trying to be guided only by truly lofty goals. For this reason, Athos could not be the leader and leader in such an enterprise as I had planned, although he was the best executor, provided that he agreed with the purpose and methods of the enterprise. With all this, he could take leadership at any time, and each of us obeyed him even if we internally did not agree with him. If the devil himself attacked me, and the only salvation I saw was a pistol with silver bullets, and if at the same time Athos said to me: “Aramis, drop the pistol,” I would throw it without hesitation. And even if there was a red-hot frying pan in front of me, and Athos told me: “Take it with your bare hands, that’s the way it should be,” I would obey. Maybe after that I would regret it, but the minute he uttered these words, I would not have the courage to disobey. And yet I knew that he would never give a bad order to harm me.
As for Porthos, I was convinced that I could easily control him, so that I could make any promise to anyone in his name, and I am sure that he would fulfill my request as his own desire. But this is only on condition that he was no longer connected by word with Athos or d' Artagnan. These two were a greater authority for him than I was, I don’t know for what reason.
If I had attracted d'Artagnan to my side, then Porthos would inevitably be with us, so the conversation should begin with him.
But I didn’t have the courage to incite d’Artagnan to betray his oath. Apparently, I intuitively understood the impossibility of this.
Frankly, I now believe that I should not have gotten involved in a matter that d’Artagnan would not have approved of. But after I received Athos's consent, I considered my undertaking almost a sacred mission. Athos knew how to infect with enthusiasm!
So, I moved to Porthos in order to involve him in our business. I told myself that if the three of us were together, d'Artagnan would definitely join us. I deceived myself and did not admit it to myself. However, who knows? After all, I failed to attract Porthos simply for the reason that I did not find him at home. I didn’t have to look for him, as d’Artagnan later did, I always knew where my friends were, because I had all the means for this. Whatever you say, the Order supports its members very well, the necessary information is transferred from those who have it to those who need it, and not even only when it is necessary for the Order, but simply for closer unity of its members . I, of course, knew where Porthos lived, but I did not know that precisely at the time that I chose to visit him, Porthos himself decided to go personally to the bull fair in order to personally select the strongest and most thoroughbred.
I saw very prosperous estates, many of the lands belonged to Porthos. When Mousqueton, who had grown fat on Porthos' bread, told me about the purpose of Porthos's trip, I was surprised at the reason for this trip and even at first did not believe the old servant. After all, I saw such herds of such large and thoroughbred animals that it seemed simply ridiculous to me to buy more bulls and cows for them. However, Mousqueton told me a philosophical phrase: “No wealth ever seems sufficient to anyone,” with which I could not but agree.
So, this is what they do for twenty years away from military campaigns. Grimaud turned into a nanny, Mousqueton into a philosopher, Bazin into a clerk, and Planchet into a bourgeois who dreams of becoming a conspirator!
—Will you order something to be conveyed to Mr. Baron? - Mousqueton asked me.
“No need,” I replied. “On the contrary, I ask you not to tell him anything about my arrival, since I will arrive in a week and want it to be a surprise for him.”
At the same time, I winked conspiratorially at Mousqueton.
- I understand you, Your Grace! - answered Mousqueton and winked at me.
I knew I was lying to him, but it was the only way to stop him from spilling the beans. I don’t know exactly for what reason, but my intuition told me that it would be better if Porthos did not know about my visit.

In my story I have reached the point where Grimaud begins the second book of his memoirs, entitled “Twenty Years Later.” Well, I don't think I should retell this book, although I feel entitled to clarify some points and correct inaccuracies made by this memoirist. I have already corrected some inaccuracies. I will do this in the future, trying to avoid repetition, since on the whole Grimaud correctly outlined the sequence of events that began with the new meeting of us all, first in turn with d'Artagnan, and then with our unification in the face of a common enemy, Mordaunt, who would act against us, having at his disposal the entire military power of Oliver Cromwell. I complained in vain about Fate, because she, after all, saved us from a terrible death on a felucca filled with gunpowder, which exploded from the fuse lit by Mordaunt's hand. However, the rest is in order.


With this, I consider it appropriate to finish the third volume of my works.

(To be continued, see Book 4)


;
Chapter 240

Yesterday, I finished my memoirs.
I wrote down the last event in my life that I thought was worth writing down.
Now they contain explanations of many events, as well as descriptions of the actions of people whom I knew, some of whom I was friends with, others I was at enmity with, others I maintained friendly relations with, and others I simply observed from the sidelines, without interfering in their lives in any way.
I described how I, a simple chevalier, abbot and musketeer d'Herblay, became first the Bishop of Van, then the actual general of the Jesuit Order, while all other members of the Order believed that this general was Father Giovanni Paolo Oliva, who was only my nominal representative and carried out my will, representing me explicitly, hiding behind his figure the one who led everything, me, the true general of the Order. I became Duke d'Alameda, Spanish Ambassador to France.
With my participation, Queen Anne of Austria of France escaped mortal danger three times, Cardinal Richelieu escaped almost inevitable death, the Duchess de Chevreuse escaped execution four times, the Count de Rochefort three times, the Count de La F;re and his son Raoul de Bragelonne once.
I am one of the survivors who knows who was the true father of King Louis XIV .
I almost saved the favorite of King Louis XIII Saint-Mars from death, together with my friends I almost saved the King of England Charles I from execution. I intervened in European affairs and corrected the course of events as I saw fit.
With my participation, the Duke de Beaufort escaped from the fortress, reconciled with Queen Anne, King Louis XIV and Cardinal Mazarin. I carried out almost single-handedly, with a little help from Baron du Valon, the replacement of King Louis XIV with his brother Louis-Philippe, and after Captain Charles d'Artagnan and Fouquet returned Louis back, I was forced to hide in Spain for some time. I guessed from some signs known to me that d'Artagnan independently carried out this replacement of the King with his brother for the second time, after which Louis Philippe was on the throne for more than three months. When fate entrusted me with influencing which of the two princes would remain on the throne of France for good, I, like my friend d'Artagnan, having weighed all the pros and cons, made a decision that was extremely unfavorable for me personally, but precisely corresponded to the interests of France, I chose Louis XIV, thereby condemning Louis Philippe to repeated exile. Finally, I connected Louis Philippe with his beloved Catherine Charlotte de Gramont, Princess of Monaco. I rescued his captives Louis-Philippe and Charlotte de Gramont from the hands of Charles of Lorraine, ensuring them a quiet happiness away from everyone who knew them and who could prevent them from enjoying love and a simple life, unencumbered by any worries. Finally, I stopped supplying Charles of Lorraine with the antidote that could have kept him alive, after he broke his promise not to rebel against Louis XIV and not to plunge France into a new series of civil wars, as a result of which Charles of Lorraine died. After this I retired from business in France and devoted all my energies to the works of God.
I finally became Cardinal Antonio Pignatelli, replacing the deceased man who bore that name before me, taking advantage of the significant similarity with him, as a result of the proposal that my agents, members of the Order, made to me. Under this name I became a cardinal, and then at the age of 89 I became Pope, taking the name Innocent XII . I liked this name because I, indeed, considered myself innocent of the troubles that were happening in Europe, and which I, to the best of my ability, sought to avert from my dear France.
I described all this in my memoirs.

I haven't written much today. Will I continue my memoirs, describing day by day the events that will happen to me tomorrow, in a week, in a month or in a year?
Will anything else happen to me?
How much longer will the Lord tolerate my mortal existence, and when will he call me to himself? After all, I am already well over ninety years old. After all, I can’t flatter myself with the hope of living to be a hundred years old or longer? This is not given to anyone in the sublunary world. The lamp of my life is inevitably going out, the count is no longer in years or months, but, most likely, in days or even hours. I no longer hope that events worth recording will happen to me.
Thank God, I took care of the successor!

I thought that perhaps I should remember some more of what happened to me earlier? Have I forgotten anything important?
Of course, I described some events chaotically, perhaps without paying due attention to the details that should have been written down.

Add them now? Meaning?

But no, that doesn't make any sense. After all, no one will read this book, I am writing it exclusively for myself. So why force yourself, why rush your pen? Should I observe the sequence of presentation, the proportionality of chapters and submit to other prejudices?
I bet myself that I could take out a dozen or two chapters and throw them in the fireplace and no one would even notice any changes. After all, I have no readers, and I hope I never will. Meanwhile, I noticed that everything that I wrote down on paper remains in my memory forever. In other words, despite the fact that I hoped to write down my memories in order to forget them and clear my mind for other thoughts, new and useful, I, as it turns out, are just having fun and unnecessarily fixing long-gone events in my memory. However, there is some benefit from this. I put all my memories in order, put them in order, and after that they leave only peace and warmth in my heart, as if the consciousness of an honestly fulfilled duty.

Curious if anyone will read my works? Once a fortuneteller taught me how to tell fortunes using Tarot cards. Should I try to make jokes for the sake of it?

I folded the Tarot cards and read some gobbledygook. I wanted to find out the names of my possible future readers, but I see some strange combinations of characters! Zhiznobud ... Tinaswift ... Sofialagerfeld ... What nonsense! Can people be called such names? It is true what they say that fortune telling is a pastime for fools. I'll throw away these Tarot cards and won't waste any more time on them.

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TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: This two hundred and fortieth chapter, perhaps not finished, ends the folder with sheets of manuscript, which, I think, should have been entitled "Memoirs of Aramis." It had a different name, which I reported in the preface to the translation I completed.


Current quotes from Cardinal de Richelieu

Reason should be the universal rule and guide: everything should be done according to reason, without being influenced by emotions.
Orders and laws <…> are completely useless if they are not accompanied by enforcement.
To govern the state, you need to talk less and listen more.
To mislead the enemy, deception is permissible; Everyone has the right to use any means against their enemies.
Disorders <…> must be reformed only gradually. We must slowly bring our minds to this and in no way move from one extreme to the other.
Give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest man, and I will find in them something for which to hang him.
Whoever avoids the game loses it.
Just as the human body, equipped with eyes on all its parts, would become ugly, so the state would become ugly if all the inhabitants became educated, for instead of obedience they would be filled with pride and vanity. Universal education would lead to the fact that the number of those who sow doubts would far exceed the number who are able to dispel them.
Those who buy justice wholesale sell it retail.
Kings are not required to explain the decisions they make; in this privilege lies their greatness.
The ability to hide is the science of kings.
If it is possible, by all honest means, to preserve modesty and sincerity among ordinary people, then how can this be done in the midst of the rampant vices, when the doors are wide open to corruption and greed, when the highest respect is held by those who sold their loyalty at the highest price?
Betrayal is just a matter of time.
Security is a category immeasurably higher than greatness.
Do you call this deceit? I would rather call it a shortcut.
If the Lord wanted to prohibit drinking wine, then why did it need to be made so tasty?
Buying loyalty by handing out positions and money left and right is a good way to ensure peace of mind.
Financial businessmen <...> represent a special class, harmful to the state, but nevertheless necessary. This type of official is an evil that cannot be avoided, but which must be brought within the boundaries of what is tolerable.
If the people were too prosperous, they could not be kept within the boundaries of their duties <…>. It should be compared to a mule, which, having become accustomed to heaviness, deteriorates more from prolonged rest than from work.
I put punishment in first place compared to reward because, if one had to lose one of them, it would be more likely to do without the latter than without the former.
People easily lose the memory of good deeds <…>. When they are showered with them, the desire to have them makes them even more ambitious and ungrateful.
The scourge, which is a symbol of justice, should never go unused.
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