Knowing that men who live by
the sword, as you have lived, are often wont to die by the sword,--and that
suddenly at times,--he has made provision that in the event of your being
dead his estates shall come to me, who have been the most indulgent of his
relatives. This, my dear Gaston, has already taken place, for we believed
you dead; and therein fortune has been kind to you, for now, while
receiving the revenues of your lands--which the world will look upon as
mine--I shall contrive that they reach you wherever you may be, until such
a time as you may elect to come to life again."
Now but for the respect in which I held her, I could have taken the pretty
Duchesse in my arms and kissed her.
Restraining myself, however, I contented myself by kissing her hand, and
told her of the journey I was going, then craved another boon of her. No
matter what the issue of that journey, and whether I went alone or
accompanied, I was determined to quit France and repair to Spain. There I
would abide until the Parliament, the Court, or the knife of some chance
assassin, or even Nature herself should strip Mazarin of his power.
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