I perceive, however, that the farther we go, the more we lose sight of this idea, especially at the court.

But here is a young man who arrives very opportunely to hear me." The door indeed opened, and a young man of fine form entered.

He was pale; his hair was brown, his eyes were black, his expression was sad and reckless.

This was Henri d'Effiat, Marquis de Cinq-Mars (a name taken from an estate of his family).

His dress and his short cloak were black; a collar of lace fell from his neck halfway down his breast; his stout, small, and very wide-spurred boots made so much noise upon the flags of the salon that his approach was heard at a distance.