In the vast meshes of the Cardinal's schemes Cocheforet could be only a small fish; and to account for the face in the coach I needed a cataclysm, a catastrophe, a misfortune as far above ordinary mishaps as this man's intellect rose above the common run of minds.
It was almost dark when I crossed the bridges, and crept despondently to the Rue Savonnerie.

After stabling my horse I took my bag and holsters, and climbing the stairs to my old landlord's--I remember that the place had grown, as it seemed to me, strangely mean and small and ill-smelling in my absence--I knocked at the door.

It was promptly opened by the little tailor himself, who threw up his arms and opened his eyes at sight of me.
'By Saint Genevieve!' he said, 'if it is not M.de Berault ?' 'It is,' I said.

It touched me a little, after my lonely journey, to find him so glad to see me; though I had never done him a greater benefit than sometimes to unbend with him and borrow his money.

'You look surprised, little man!' I continued, as he made way for me to enter.