Every one now became silent, even those who were conversing with the King.

All the courtiers bent forward to see and to hear.
Louis XIII turned toward him in astonishment, and, all presence of mind totally failing him, remained motionless and waited with an icy glance-his sole force, but a force very effectual in a prince.
The Cardinal, on coming close to the monarch, did not bow; and, without changing his attitude, with his eyes lowered and his hands placed on the shoulders of the two boys half bending, he said: "Sire, I come to implore your Majesty at length to grant me the retirement for which I have long sighed.

My health is failing; I feel that my life will soon be ended.

Eternity approaches me, and before rendering an account to the eternal King, I would render one to my earthly sovereign.

It is eighteen years, Sire, since you placed in my hands a weak and divided kingdom; I return it to you united and powerful.