Having already wormed himself into the confidence of the Regent, he made a point of showing to the principal seigniors various letters, in which she had been warned by the Cardinal to put no trust in them.

"That devil," said Armenteros, "thought he had got into Paradise here; but he is gone, and we shall take care that he never returns." It was soon thought highly probable that the King was but temporizing, and that the voluntary departure of the minister had been a deception.

Of course nothing was accurately known upon the subject.

Philip had taken good care of that, but meantime the bets were very high that there would be no restoration, with but few takers.

Men thought if there had been any royal favor remaining for the great man, that the Duchess would not be so decided in her demeanor on the subject.