It may be well supposed that Cinq Mars lost no time in following his companion up the great staircase to the King's apartments. It was, indeed, as Fontrailles had said. Since his return, Louis had enjoyed an hour of repose, which cleared from his mind the irritability induced by fatigue, and made him reproach himself for the unkindness he had shown to one so devotedly attached to him as the Master of the Horse. The remembrance of it oppressed him, and he sent for his favourite, not indeed to apologize, but to wipe away the impression that his irritability had caused, by more than usual kindness and familiarity. The two conspirators found Louis seated in a cabinet, which, being placed in one of the towers, partook of its octangular form. The walls were wainscoted with dark carved oak, and even the _plafond_ was all of the same gloomy-coloured material, except a massy gilt cornice and projecting rose in the centre, from which hung a single silver lamp, the rays of which, falling on the figure of the King beneath, gave an additional paleness to his worn but fine countenance, and slightly touching upon his plain black velvet suit, shone full on the richly illuminated book in which he had been reading.
Louis raised his eyes as Fontrailles entered, and then turning them full on the noble countenance of Cinq Mars who followed, a pleased smile beamed for a moment on his lip, and he exclaimed, "Well, Cinq Mars, art thou Nimrod enough to hunt again to-morrow after our misfortunes of to-day? Come in, Monsieur de Fontrailles," he continued, seeing that Fontrailles remained near the door, hesitating whether he should retire or not, now that he had done the King's bidding in summoning the Grand Ecuyer. "Come in, I pray--Sit you down, Gentlemen--it is the King's request: you, Cinq Mars, here--Monsieur de Fontrailles, there is a seat. Now," he continued, glancing his eye round as the light of the lamp gleamed faintly on their several countenances--"now we look like some secret triumvirate met to decide the fate of nations."
"And that might be too," replied Cinq Mars: "your Majesty to command, and we to execute."
The King took no notice, but went on with what he had himself been saying: "There is Cinq Mars looks like a noble prince, and Fontrailles like a wily minister, and I---- I believe," he continued laughing, "I have left myself no place but that of secretary."