Diane had not met him in the gallery as she had fairly promised, and the young page who had played Mercury to their intrigue stared him coolly in the face when questioned, and went about his affairs cavalierly.

What did it mean?
He scarce saw Mazarin or the serious faces of the musketeers.

With no small effort he succeeded in finding his voice.
"Monseigneur, I have the honor to report to you the success of my mission.

His Holiness directed me to give you this message." He choked; he could utter no more.
Mazarin read wrongly these signs of agitation.

He took the missive and laid it aside.