The queen was walking up and down the room, her face flushed with indignation.
"Her majesty would fain hear from your own lips, monsieur le baron, the statement that you have made to me." The queen sat down and listened intently while Hector repeated the story.
"There can be no doubt about it, cardinal; this keeping of a number of armed men within call for days, the summons to them to gather in the Rue St.Honore, while he himself with others took up his post at the convent of the Capuchins hard by, the moment his spies had discovered that you had left for Maisons, could but have been for one purpose.

But they shall learn that although a woman, Anne of Austria, Queen of France, is not to be deprived of her minister and faithful friend without striking back in return.

Monsieur de Villar, you have rendered me a great service.

Is there any boon that you would ask of me?
it is granted beforehand." "I thank your majesty most humbly," Hector said.

"Already I have received honours far beyond anything I deserve.