But as I have been mistaken, we will leave him alone; the king has said nothing about him." The duchesse bit her nails.
"Besides," continued Colbert, "what a poor capture would this bishop be! A bishop game for a king! Oh! no, no; I will not even take the slightest notice of him." The hatred of the duchesse now discovered itself.
"Game for a woman!" said she.

"Is not the queen a woman?
If she wishes M.d'Herblay arrested, she has her reasons.

Besides, is not M.d'Herblay the friend of him who is doomed to fall ?" "Oh! never mind that," said Colbert.

"This man shall be spared, if he is not the enemy of the king.

Is that displeasing to you ?" "I say nothing." "Yes--you wish to see him in prison, in the Bastile, for instance." "I believe a secret better concealed behind the walls of the Bastile than behind those of Belle-Isle." "I will speak to the king about it; he will clear up the point." "And whilst waiting for that enlightenment, Monsieur l'Eveque de Vannes will have escaped.