They say he threw himself at his mother's feet, to beg her to allow him to marry her.

They say the queen went so far as to consult the court of Rome, whether such a marriage, contracted against her will, would be valid.

Oh, if I were but twenty-five! If I had by my side those I no longer have! If I did not despise the whole world most profoundly, I would embroil Mazarin with the queen-mother, France with Spain, and I would make a queen after my own fashion.

But let that pass." And the lieutenant snapped his fingers in disdain.
"This miserable Italian--this poor creature--this sordid wretch--who has just refused the king of England a million, would not perhaps give me a thousand pistoles for the news I could carry him.

Mordioux! I am falling into second childhood--I am becoming stupid indeed! The idea of Mazarin giving anything! ha! ha! ha!" and he laughed in a subdued voice.
"Well, let us go to sleep--let us go to sleep; and the sooner the better.