So you think that your own private affairs are of no importance to me?'
'I do not know why they should be, Sire.'
'What is the name of your great-uncle?'
'He is the Cardinal de Laval de Montmorency.'
'Precisely. And where is he?'
'He is in Germany.'
'Quite so--in Germany, and not at Notre Dame, where I should have placed
him. Who is your first cousin?'
'The Duke de Rohan.'
'And where is he?'
'In London.'
'Yes, in London, and not at the Tuileries, where he might have had what
he liked for the asking. I wonder if I were to fall whether I should
have followers as faithful as those of the Bourbons. Would the men that
I have made go into exile and refuse all offers until I should return?
Come here, Berthier!' he took his favourite by the ear with the
caressing gesture which was peculiar to him. 'Could I count upon you,
you rascal--eh?'
'I do not understand you, Sire.' Our conversation had been carried on
in a voice which had made it inaudible to the other people in the room,
but now they were all listening to what Berthier had to say.
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