with one another by ornaments of silver, seemed an entire glass, itself a perfection then unknown, and everywhere multiplied their glittering faces.  No sound from without could penetrate this throne of delight; but the persons assembled there seemed far remote from the thoughts which it was calculated to give rise to.  A number of men, whom he recognized as courtiers, or soldiers of rank, crowded the entrance of this chamber and an adjoining apartment of larger dimensions.  All were intent upon that which was passing in the centre of the first room.  Here, ten young men, standing, and holding in their hands their drawn swords, the points of which were lowered toward the ground, were ranged round a table.  Their faces, turned to Cinq-Mars, announced that they had just taken an oath to him.  The grand ecuyer stood by himself before the fireplace, his arms folded with an air of all-absorbing reflection.  Standing near him, Marion de Lorme, grave and collected, seemed to have presented these gentlemen to him.

When Cinq-Mars perceived his friend, he rushed toward the door, casting a terrible glance at Gondi, and seizing De Thou by both arms, stopped him on the last step.

“What do you here?” he said, in a stifled voice.

“Who brought you here?  What would you with me?  You are lost if you enter.”

“What do you yourself here?  What do I see in this house?”

“The consequences of that you wot of.  Go; this air is poisoned for all who are here.”

“It is too late; they have seen me.  What would they say if I were to withdraw?  I should discourage them; you would be lost.”

This dialogue had passed in low and hurried tones; at the last word, De Thou, pushing aside his friend, entered, and with a firm step crossed the apartment to the fireplace.

Cinq-Mars, trembling with rage, resumed his place, hung his head, collected himself, and soon raising a more calm countenance, continued a discourse which the entrance of his friend had interrupted: 

“Be then with us, gentlemen; there is no longer any need for so much mystery.  Remember that when a strong mind embraces an idea, it must follow it to all its consequences.  Your courage will have a wider field than that of a court intrigue.  Thank me; instead of a conspiracy, I give you a war.  Monsieur de Bouillon has departed to place himself at the head of his army of Italy; in two days, and before the king, I quit Paris for Perpignan.  Come all of you thither; the Royalists of the army await us.”

Here he threw around him calm and confident looks; he saw gleams of joy and enthusiasm in the eyes of all who surrounded him.  Before allowing his own heart to be possessed by the contagious emotion which precedes great enterprises, he desired still more firmly to assure himself of them, and said with a grave air: