to retire to his estates, or even leave the country till the matter
blows over."



CHAPTER XXI: THE DUKE'S REVENGE

The cardinal listened gravely to Hector's account of the duel, and
of the circumstances that gave rise to it.

"I will go at once to the Louvre and appeal to her majesty," he
said; "you know how warmly she spoke to you on the day when you
saved my life. Still, I fear that the sternest reproof, or even
an order to retire to his estates, would not turn him from his
purpose."

"I am sure of it, your eminence; still, as I have proved victor in
the first battle in the campaign I will bide a second."

"Mind that you do not get stabbed in the back, colonel."

"I will beware of that, sir; whenever I walk the streets in future
Paolo shall keep a pace behind me, and I warrant that he will
protect me from any attempt of that sort."

"At any rate remain here until I return from the Louvre."

In an hour Mazarin returned. "The duke has been beforehand with
us," he said. "When I told the queen of what had happened, and
why this quarrel had been fastened upon you, she sent at once for