No, no, monsieur, if you would win your way by force you must count upon more than ten score men." And now a flash of inspiration helped Tressan.

It was his aim, as we know, to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.

Break with Madame de Condillac his foolish hopeful heart would not permit him.

Break with this man, who personified authority and the King, he dared not.

He had sought--and it had given him much to do--to steer a middle course, serving the Dowager and appearing not to withstand the Parisian.