And he drew him toward the bust of Louis XIII.

“Swear before him (he is your friend also), swear never to sign this infamous treaty.”

Cinq-Mars lowered his eyes, but with dogged tenacity answered, although blushing as he did so: 

“I have said it; if they force me to it, I will sign.”

De Thou turned pale, and let fall his hand.  He took two turns in his room, his arms crossed, in inexpressible anguish.  At last he advanced solemnly toward the bust of his father, and opened a large book standing at its foot; he turned to a page already marked, and read aloud: 

“I think, therefore, that M. de Ligneboeuf was justly condemned to death by the Parliament of Rouen, for not having revealed the conspiracy of Catteville against the State.”

Then keeping the book respectfully opened in his hand, and contemplating the image of the President de Thou, whose Memoirs he held, he continued: 

“Yes, my father, you thought well....  I shall be a criminal, I shall merit death; but can I do otherwise?  I will not denounce this traitor, because that also would be treason; and he is my friend, and he is unhappy.”

Then, advancing toward Cinq-Mars, and again taking his hand, he said: 

“I do much for you in acting thus; but expect nothing further from me, Monsieur, if you sign this treaty.”

Cinq-Mars was moved to the heart’s core by this scene, for he felt all that his friend must suffer in casting him off.  Checking, however, the tears which were rising to his smarting lids, and embracing De Thou tenderly, he exclaimed: 

“Ah, De Thou, I find you still perfect.  Yes, you do me a service in alienating yourself from me, for if your lot had been linked to mine, I should not have dared to dispose of my life.  I should have hesitated to sacrifice it in case of need; but now I shall assuredly do so.  And I repeat to you, if they force me, I shall sign the treaty with Spain.”

CHAPTER XIX

THE HUNTING PARTY

Meanwhile the illness of Louis XIII threw France into the apprehension which unsettled States ever feel on the approach of the death of princes.  Although Richelieu was the hub of the monarchy, he reigned only in the name of Louis, though enveloped with the splendor of the name which he had assumed.  Absolute as he was over his master, Richelieu still feared him; and this fear reassured the nation against his ambitious desires, to which the King himself was the fixed barrier.  But this prince dead, what would the imperious minister do?  Where would a man stop who had already dared so much?  Accustomed to wield the sceptre, who would prevent him from still holding it, and from subscribing his name alone to laws which he alone would dictate?  These fears agitated all minds.  The people in vain looked throughout the kingdom for those pillars of the nobility, at the feet of whom