And, speaking aloud to herself, the Queen continued, her eyes and head bent in the attitude of reflection: 

“Reproaches are useless and cruel if the evil is done.  The past is no longer ours; let us think of the future.  Cinq-Mars is brave, able, and even profound in his ideas.  I have observed that he has done much in two years, and I now see that it was for Marie.  He comports himself well; he is worthy of her in my eyes, but not so in the eyes of Europe.  He must rise yet higher.  The Princesse de Mantua can not, may not, marry less than a prince.  He must become one.  By myself I can do nothing; I am not the Queen, I am the neglected wife of the King.  There is only the Cardinal, the eternal Cardinal, and he is his enemy; and perhaps this disturbance—­”

“Alas! it is the beginning of war between them.  I saw it at once.”

“He is lost then!” exclaimed the Queen, embracing Marie.  “Pardon me, my child, for thus afflicting you; but in times like these we must see all and say all.  Yes, he is lost if he does not himself overthrow this wicked man—­for the King will not renounce him; force alone—­”

“He will overthrow him, Madame.  He will do it, if you will assist him.  You are the divinity of France.  Oh, I conjure you, protect the angel against the demon!  It is your cause, that of your royal family, that of all your nation.”

The Queen smiled.

“It is, above all, your cause, my child; and it is as such that I will embrace it to the utmost extent of my power.  That is not great, as I have told you; but such as it is, I lend it to you entirely, provided, however, that this angel does not stoop to commit mortal sins,” added she, with a meaning look.  “I heard his name pronounced this night by voices most unworthy of him.”

“Oh, Madame, I would swear that he knows nothing of it!”

“Ah, my child, do not speak of State affairs.  You are not yet learned enough in them.  Let me sleep, if I can, before the hour of my toilette.  My eyes are burning, and yours also, perhaps.”

Saying these words, the amiable Queen laid her head upon the pillow which covered the casket, and soon Marie saw her fall asleep through sheer fatigue.  She then rose, and, seating herself in a great, tapestried, square armchair, clasped her hands upon her knees, and began to reflect upon her painful situation.  Consoled by the aspect of her gentle protectress, she often raised her eyes to watch her slumber, and sent her in secret all the blessings which love showers upon those who protect it, sometimes kissing the curls of her blond hair, as if by this kiss she could convey to her soul all the ideas favorable to the thought ever present to her mind.