But St.Auban had a bargain to drive--a preposterous one methought.

He demanded that in return for his delivering into the hands of Mazarin the person of Armand de Canaples together with an incontestable proof that the Chevalier was in league with the frondeurs, and had offered to place a large sum of money at their disposal, he was to receive as recompense the demesne of Canaples on the outskirts of Blois, together with one third of the confiscated estates.

At first Mazarin gasped at his audacity, then laughed at him, whereupon St.Auban politely craved his Eminence's permission to withdraw.

This the Cardinal, however, refused him, and bidding him remain, he sought to bargain with him.

But the Marquis replied that he was unversed in the ways of trade and barter, and that he had no mind to enter into them.