He grew livid, and for a moment methought he would have struck me: had he done so, then, indeed, the history of Europe would have been other than it is to-day! He restrained himself, however, and drawing himself to the full height of his majestic figure he extended his arm towards the door.
"Go," he said, in a voice that passion rendered hoarse.

"Go, Monsieur.
Go quickly, while my clemency endures.

Go before I summon the guard and deal with you as your temerity deserves." I bowed--not without a taint of mockery, for I cared little what might follow; then, with head erect and the firm tread of defiance, I stalked out of his apartment, along the corridor, down the great staircase, across the courtyard, past the guard,--which, ignorant of my disgrace, saluted me,--and out into the street.
Then at last my head sank forward on my breast, and deep in thought I wended my way home, oblivious of all around me, even the chill bite of the February wind.
In my mind I reviewed my wasted life, with the fleeting pleasures and the enduring sorrows that it had brought me--or that I had drawn from it.

The Cardinal said no more than truth when he spoke of having saved me from starvation.

A week ago that was indeed what he had done.