"Nonsense!" said the Queen; "all nonsense.--It is unfortunate," she continued, musing, "that we can get no information. But tell me, where are you ordered to conduct Monsieur de Blenau?--To the Bastille?"
At the name of a place where both De Blenau and herself had suffered so much, and which was associated in her mind with every horrible idea, Pauline clasped her hands over her eyes, as if to shut out the frightful visions it recalled.
"No, Madame," replied the Officer, "I am commanded to conduct Monsieur de Blenau, as quickly as possible, to Tarascon; and allow me to remind your Majesty that the time is passing fast."
De Blenau made a sign to the Officer, indicating that he was ready. He saw that Pauline's hands still covered her eyes, and, wishing to spare her the pain of such a parting, he bowed profoundly to the Queen, and moved in silence to the door. The Queen and Madame de Beaumont saw his intention, and remained silent; but as he reached the door, he could not resist the desire to turn and look once more upon her whom he was leaving perhaps for ever--who had so nearly been his bride--whom he had loved so long--who had undergone so much for him. It was excusable, but the delay defeated his purpose. The sudden silence alarmed Pauline--she raised her eyes--she saw De Blenau in the act of departing, and the last fixed painful glance with which he regarded her. All but her love was that moment forgotten; and starting wildly forward, she threw herself into his arms, and wept bitterly on his bosom. But Madame de Beaumont advancing, gently disengaged her from his embrace: Pauline hid her eyes upon her mother's shoulder; and De Blenau, with a heart ready to break, fled quickly from a scene that his fortitude could support no longer.
Which shows that a Man who has climbed a Mountain may stumble at a Pebble; or the Consequences of one Oversight.
We must once more go back to Narbonne, in order to explain the events which had there taken place since the day on which Chavigni possessed himself of the treaty with Spain. Cinq Mars, hearing nothing of his agent, of course concluded that he was quietly pursuing his way; and willing to take every precaution to insure the success of his plans, he spent the next day in riding over to the camp at Perpignan, and endeavouring to ingratiate himself with the officers and soldiers of that part of the army. The splendour of his train and equipages, the manly beauty of his person, his dexterity in all warlike exercises, and the courteous familiarity of his manners, attracted all eyes, and won all hearts; and Cinq Mars, well contented with the day's success, did not return to Narbonne till very late at night.