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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-04-24 08:21:20 -0700 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-04-24 08:21:20 -0700 |
| commit | bdd3261c99b64e6d6682c62443a7a3fad90fefaf (patch) | |
| tree | 3a2c4b89832086373edb287af00ab3633974e921 /old/luise11h.htm | |
| parent | d2c6a3c78a550476a179cbfa7367dea0b2dbf1df (diff) | |
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diff --git a/old/luise11h.htm b/old/luise11h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index ea7f77d..0000000 --- a/old/luise11h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,29560 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> -<title>New File</title> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= -"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -<!-- -body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} -blockquote {font-size:14pt} -P {font-size:14pt} ---> -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="Section1"> -<p class="MsoNormal">Project Gutenberg Etext Louise de la -Vallière, by Alexandre Dumas, Pere</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">#9 in our series by Alexandre Dumas, -Pere</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Copyright laws are changing all over the -world, be sure to check</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">the copyright laws for your country before -posting these files!!</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Please take a look at the important -information in this header.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">We encourage you to keep this file on your -own disk, keeping an</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">electronic path open for the next readers. -Do not remove this.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla -Electronic Texts**</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By -Computers, Since 1971**</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of -Volunteers and Donations*</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Information on contacting Project Gutenberg -to get Etexts, and</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">further information is included below. We -need your donations.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Title: Louise de la Vallière</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Author: Alexandre Dumas, Pere</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">July, 2001 [Etext #2710]</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Edition: 11</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Project Gutenberg Etext Louise de la -Vallière, by Alexandre Dumas, Pere</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">*******This file should be named -luise11h.htm or luise11h.zip******</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new -NUMBER, luise12h.htm</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">VERSIONS based on separate sources get new -LETTER, luise11ha.htm</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Project Gutenberg Etexts are usually created -from multiple editions,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">all of which are in the Public Domain in the -United States, unless a</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">copyright notice is included. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN -ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">As you may be aware, Project Gutenberg has -been involved with</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">the writings of both the Alexandre Dumases -for some time now,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">and since we get a few questions about the -order in which the</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">books should be read, and in which they were -published, these</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">following comments should hopefully help -most of our readers.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">***</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u> is the -final volume of D'Artagnan Romances:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">it is usually split into three or four -parts, and the final portion</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">is entitled <u>The Man in the Iron -Mask</u>. <u>The Man in the Iron Mask</u> we're</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">familiar with today is the last volume of -the four-volume edition.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">[Not all the editions split them in the same -manner, hence some of</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">the confusion. . .but wait. . .there's yet -more reason for confusion.]</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">We intend to do ALL of <u>The Vicomte de -Bragelonne</u>, split into four etexts</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">entitled <u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u>, -<u>Ten Years Later</u>, <u>Louise de la Vallière</u>,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">and <u>The Man in the Iron Mask</u>; you -WILL be getting <u>The Man in the Iron Mask</u>.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">One thing that may be causing confusion is -that the etext we have now,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">entitled <u>Ten Years Later</u>, says it's -the sequel to <u>The Three Musketeers</u>.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">While this is technically true, there's -another book, <u>Twenty Years After</u>,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">that comes between. The confusion is -generated by the two facts that we</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">published <u>Ten Years Later</u> BEFORE we -published <u>Twenty Years After</u>, and</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">that many people see those titles as meaning -Ten and Twenty Years "After"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">the original story. . .however, this is why -the different words "After" and</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">"Later". . .the Ten Years "After" is ten -years after the Twenty Years later. . .as</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">per history. Also, the third book of the -D'Artagnan Romances, while entitled</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u>, has the -subtitle <u>Ten Years Later</u>. These two</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">titles are also given to different volumes: -<u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u> can</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">refer to the whole book, or the first volume -of the three or four-volume</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">editions. <u>Ten Years Later</u> can, -similarly, refer to the whole book, or the</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">second volume of the four-volume edition. -To add to the confusion, in</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">the case of our etexts, it refers to the -first 104 chapters of the whole book,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">covering material in the first and second -etexts in the new series. Here is a</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">guide to the series which may prove -helpful:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Three Musketeers</u>: Etext 1257 - -First book of the D'Artagnan Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the years 1625-1628.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Twenty Years After</u>: Etext 1259 - -Second book of the D'Artagnan Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the years 1648-1649.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">[Third in the order that we published, but -second in time sequence!!!]</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Ten Years Later</u>: Etext 1258 - First -104 chapters of the third book of the</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">D'Artagnan Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the years 1660-1661.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u>: Etext 2609 -(first in the new series) - First 75 chapters</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">of the third book of the D'Artagnan -Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the year 1660.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Ten Years Later</u>: Etext 2681 (second -in the new series) - Chapters 76-140 of that</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">third book of the D'Artagnan Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the years 1660-1661.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">[In this particular editing of it]</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Louise de la Vallière</u>: Etext -2710 (our new text) - Chapters 141-208 of the</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">third book of the D'Artagnan Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the year 1661.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Man in the Iron Mask</u>: forthcoming -(our next text) - Chapters 209-269 of</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">the third book of the D'Artagnan -Romances.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Covers the years 1661-1673.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">If we've calculated correctly, that fourth -text SHOULD correspond to the</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">modern editions of <u>The Man in the Iron -Mask</u>, which is still widely</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">circulated, and comprises about the last 1/4 -of <u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u>.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Here is a list of the other Dumas Etexts we -have published so far:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Sep 1999 La Tulipe Noire, by Alexandre -Dumas[Pere#6/French][tlpnrxxx.xxx]1910</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">This is an abridged edition in French, also -see our full length English Etext</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Jul 1997 The Black Tulip, by Alexandre -Dumas[Pere][Dumas#1][tbtlpxxx.xxx] 965</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Jan 1998 The Count of Monte Cristo by -Alexandre Dumas[Pere][crstoxxx.xxx]1184</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">Many thanks to Dr. David Coward, whose -editions of the D'Artagnan Romances have proved an invaluable -source of information.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Introduction:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>In the months of -March-July in 1844, in the magazine <i>Le Siècle</i>, the -first portion of a story appeared, penned by the celebrated -playwright Alexandre Dumas. It was based, he claimed, on some -manuscripts he had found a year earlier in the Bibliotheque -Nationale while researching a history he planned to write on -Louis XIV. They chronicled the adventures of a young man named -D'Artagnan who, upon entering Paris, became almost immediately -embroiled in court intrigues, international politics, and -ill-fated affairs between royal lovers. Over the next six years, -readers would enjoy the adventures of this youth and his three -famous friends, Porthos, Athos, and Aramis, as their exploits -unraveled behind the scenes of some of the most momentous events -in French and even English history.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Eventually these serialized -adventures were published in novel form, and became the three -D'Artagnan Romances known today. Here is a brief summary of the -first two novels:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Three Musketeers</u> (serialized -March - July, 1844): The year is 1625. The young D'Artagnan -arrives in Paris at the tender age of 18, and almost immediately -offends three musketeers, Porthos, Aramis, and Athos. Instead of -dueling, the four are attacked by five of the Cardinal's guards, -and the courage of the youth is made apparent during the battle. -The four become fast friends, and, when asked by D'Artagnan's -landlord to find his missing wife, embark upon an adventure that -takes them across both France and England in order to thwart the -plans of the Cardinal Richelieu. Along the way, they encounter a -beautiful young spy, named simply Milady, who will stop at -nothing to disgrace Queen Anne of Austria before her husband, -Louis XIII, and take her revenge upon the four friends.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Twenty Years After</u> (serialized -January - August, 1845): The year is now 1648, twenty years since -the close of the last story. Louis XIII has died, as has -Cardinal Richelieu, and while the crown of France may sit upon -the head of Anne of Austria as Regent for the young Louis XIV, -the real power resides with the Cardinal Mazarin, her secret -husband. D'Artagnan is now a lieutenant of musketeers, and his -three friends have retired to private life. Athos turned out to -be a nobleman, the Comte de la Fère, and has retired to -his home with his son, Raoul de Bragelonne. Aramis, whose real -name is D'Herblay, has followed his intention of shedding the -musketeer's cassock for the priest's robes, and Porthos has -married a wealthy woman, who left him her fortune upon her -death. But trouble is stirring in both France and England. -Cromwell menaces the institution of royalty itself while marching -against Charles I, and at home the Fronde is threatening to tear -France apart. D'Artagnan brings his friends out of retirement to -save the threatened English monarch, but Mordaunt, the son of -Milady, who seeks to avenge his mother's death at the musketeers' -hands, thwarts their valiant efforts. Undaunted, our heroes -return to France just in time to help save the young Louis XIV, -quiet the Fronde, and tweak the nose of Cardinal Mazarin.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The third novel, <u>The -Vicomte de Bragelonne</u> (serialized October, 1847 - January, -1850), has enjoyed a strange history in its English translation. -It has been split into three, four, or five volumes at various -points in its history. The five-volume edition generally does -not give titles to the smaller portions, but the others do. In -the three-volume edition, the novels are entitled <u>The Vicomte -de Bragelonne</u>, <u>Louise de la Vallière</u>, and -<u>The Man in the Iron Mask</u>. For the purposes of this etext, -I have chosen to split the novel as the four-volume edition does, -with these titles: <u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u>, <u>Ten Years -Later</u>, <u>Louise de la Vallière</u>, and <u>The Man in -the Iron Mask</u>. In the first two etexts:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u> (Etext -2609): It is the year 1660, and D'Artagnan, after thirty-five -years of loyal service, has become disgusted with serving King -Louis XIV while the real power resides with the Cardinal Mazarin, -and has tendered his resignation. He embarks on his own project, -that of restoring Charles II to the throne of England, and, with -the help of Athos, succeeds, earning himself quite a fortune in -the process. D'Artagnan returns to Paris to live the life of a -rich citizen, and Athos, after negotiating the marriage of -Philip, the king's brother, to Princess Henrietta of England, -likewise retires to his own estate, La Fère. Meanwhile, -Mazarin has finally died, and left Louis to assume the reigns of -power, with the assistance of M. Colbert, formerly Mazarin's -trusted clerk. Colbert has an intense hatred for M. Fouquet, the -king's superintendent of finances, and has resolved to use any -means necessary to bring about his fall. With the new rank of -intendant bestowed on him by Louis, Colbert succeeds in having -two of Fouquet's loyal friends tried and executed. He then -brings to the king's attention that Fouquet is fortifying the -island of Belle-Île-en-Mer, and could possibly be planning -to use it as a base for some military operation against the -king. Louis calls D'Artagnan out of retirement and sends him to -investigate the island, promising him a tremendous salary and his -long-promised promotion to captain of the musketeers upon his -return. At Belle-Isle, D'Artagnan discovers that the engineer of -the fortifications is, in fact, Porthos, now the Baron du Vallon, -and that's not all. The blueprints for the island, although in -Porthos's handwriting, show evidence of another script that has -been erased, that of Aramis. D'Artagnan later discovers that -Aramis has become the bishop of Vannes, which is, coincidentally, -a parish belonging to M. Fouquet. Suspecting that D'Artagnan has -arrived on the king's behalf to investigate, Aramis tricks -D'Artagnan into wandering around Vannes in search of Porthos, and -sends Porthos on an heroic ride back to Paris to warn Fouquet of -the danger. Fouquet rushes to the king, and gives him Belle-Isle -as a present, thus allaying any suspicion, and at the same time -humiliating Colbert, just minutes before the usher announces -someone else seeking an audience with the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Ten Years Later</u> (Etext 2681): As 1661 -approaches, Princess Henrietta of England arrives for her -marriage, and throws the court of France into complete disorder. -The jealousy of the Duke of Buckingham, who is in love with her, -nearly occasions a war on the streets of Le Havre, thankfully -prevented by Raoul's timely and tactful intervention. After the -marriage, though, Monsieur Philip becomes horribly jealous of -Buckingham, and has him exiled. Before leaving, however, the -duke fights a duel with M. de Wardes at Calais. De Wardes is a -malicious and spiteful man, the sworn enemy of D'Artagnan, and, -by the same token, that of Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and Raoul as -well. Both men are seriously wounded, and the duke is taken back -to England to recover. Raoul's friend, the comte de Guiche, is -the next to succumb to Henrietta's charms, and Monsieur obtains -his exile as well, though De Guiche soon effects a -reconciliation. But then the king's eye falls on Madame -Henrietta during the comte's absence, and this time Monsieur's -jealousy has no recourse. Anne of Austria intervenes, and the -king and his sister-in-law decide to pick a young lady with whom -the king can pretend to be in love, the better to mask their own -affair. They unfortunately select Louise de la Vallière, -Raoul's fiancée. While the court is in residence at -Fontainebleau, the king unwitting overhears Louise confessing her -love for him while chatting with her friends beneath the royal -oak, and the king promptly forgets his affection for Madame. -That same night, Henrietta overhears, at the same oak, De Guiche -confessing his love for her to Raoul. The two embark on their -own affair. A few days later, during a rainstorm, Louis and -Louise are trapped alone together, and the whole court begins to -talk of the scandal while their love affair blossoms. Aware of -Louise's attachment, the king arranges for Raoul to be sent to -England for an indefinite period.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Meanwhile, the struggle for -power continues between Fouquet and Colbert. Although the -Belle-Isle plot backfired, Colbert prompts the king to ask -Fouquet for more and more money, and without his two friends to -raise it for him, Fouquet is sorely pressed. The situation gets -so bad that his new mistress, Madame de Bellière, must -resort to selling all her jewels and her gold and silver plate. -Aramis, while this is going on, has grown friendly with the -governor of the Bastile, M. de Baisemeaux, a fact that Baisemeaux -unwittingly reveals to D'Artagnan while inquiring of him as to -Aramis's whereabouts. This further arouses the suspicions of the -musketeer, who was made to look ridiculous by Aramis. He had -ridden overnight at an insane pace, but arrived a few minutes -after Fouquet had already presented Belle-Isle to the king. -Aramis learns from the governor the location of a mysterious -prisoner, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Louis XIV - in -fact, the two are identical. He uses the existence of this -secret to persuade a dying Franciscan monk, the general of the -society of the Jesuits, to name him, Aramis, the new general of -the order. On Aramis's advice, hoping to use Louise's influence -with the king to counteract Colbert's influence, Fouquet also -writes a love letter to La Vallière, unfortunately -undated. It never reaches its destination, however, as the -servant ordered to deliver it turns out to be an agent of -Colbert's.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos, in the meantime, -has been recovering from his midnight ride from Belle-Isle at -Fouquet's residence at Saint-Mandé. Athos has retired, -once again to La Fère. D'Artagnan, little amused by the -court's activities at Fontainebleau, and finding himself with -nothing to do, has returned to Paris, and we find him again in -Planchet's grocery shop.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">And so, the story continues in this, the -third etext of <u>The Vicomte de Bragelonne</u>. Enjoy!</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'>John -Bursey</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'> -Mordaunt@aol.com</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'>July, -2000</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<b><i><u><span style='font-size:20.0pt;'>Louise de la -Vallière</span></u></i></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;'>by Alexandre -Dumas</span></i></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;'> </span></i></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Malaga.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>uring all -these long and noisy debates between the opposite ambitions of -politics and love, one of our characters, perhaps the one least -deserving of neglect, was, however, very much neglected, very -much forgotten, and exceedingly unhappy. In fact, D'Artagnan - -D'Artagnan, we say, for we must call him by his name, to remind -our readers of his existence - D'Artagnan, we repeat, had -absolutely nothing whatever to do, amidst these brilliant -butterflies of fashion. After following the king during two -whole days at Fontainebleau, and critically observing the various -pastoral fancies and heroi-comic transformations of his -sovereign, the musketeer felt that he needed something more than -this to satisfy the cravings of his nature. At every moment -assailed by people asking him, "How do you think this costume -suits me, Monsieur d'Artagnan?" he would reply to them in quiet, -sarcastic tones, "Why, I think you are quite as well-dressed as -the best-dressed monkey to be found in the fair at -Saint-Laurent." It was just such a compliment D'Artagnan would -choose where he did not feel disposed to pay any other: and, -whether agreeable or not, the inquirer was obliged to be -satisfied with it. Whenever any one asked him, "How do you -intend to dress yourself this evening?" he replied, "I shall -undress myself;" at which the ladies all laughed, and a few of -them blushed. But after a couple of days passed in this manner, -the musketeer, perceiving that nothing serious was likely to -arise which would concern him, and that the king had completely, -or, at least, appeared to have completely forgotten Paris, -Saint-Mandé, and Belle-Isle - that M. Colbert's mind was -occupied with illuminations and fireworks - that for the next -month, at least, the ladies had plenty of glances to bestow, and -also to receive in exchange - D'Artagnan asked the king for leave -of absence for a matter of private business. At the moment -D'Artagnan made his request, his majesty was on the point of -going to bed, quite exhausted from dancing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You wish to leave me, -Monsieur d'Artagnan?" inquired the king, with an air of -astonishment; for Louis XIV. could never understand why any one -who had the distinguished honor of being near him could wish to -leave him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," said D'Artagnan, "I -leave you simply because I am not of the slightest service to you -in anything. Ah! if I could only hold the balancing-pole while -you were dancing, it would be a very different affair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, my dear Monsieur -d'Artagnan," said the king, gravely, "people dance without -balancing-poles."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! indeed," said the -musketeer, continuing his imperceptible tone of irony, "I had no -idea such a thing was possible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have not seen me dance, -then?" inquired the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but I always thought -dancers went from easy to difficult acrobatic feats. I was -mistaken; all the more greater reason, therefore, that I should -leave for a time. Sire, I repeat, you have no present occasion -for my services; besides, if your majesty should have any need of -me, you would know where to find me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well," said the king, -and he granted him leave of absence.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> We shall not look for -D'Artagnan, therefore, at Fontainebleau, for to do so would be -useless; but, with the permission of our readers, follow him to -the Rue des Lombards, where he was located at the sign of the -Pilon d'Or, in the house of our old friend Planchet. It was -about eight o'clock in the evening, and the weather was -exceedingly warm; there was only one window open, and that one -belonging to a room on the <i>entresol</i>. A perfume of spices, -mingled with another perfume less exotic, but more penetrating, -namely, that which arose from the street, ascended to salute the -nostrils of the musketeer. D'Artagnan, reclining in an immense -straight-backed chair, with his legs not stretched out, but -simply placed upon a stool, formed an angle of the most obtuse -form that could possibly be seen. Both his arms were crossed -over his head, his head reclining upon his left shoulder, like -Alexander the Great. His eyes, usually so quick and intelligent -in their expression, were now half-closed, and seemed fastened, -as it were, upon a small corner of blue sky that was visible -behind the opening of the chimneys; there was just enough blue, -and no more, to fill one of the sacks of lentils, or haricots, -which formed the principal furniture of the shop on the ground -floor. Thus extended at his ease, and sheltered in his place of -observation behind the window, D'Artagnan seemed as if he had -ceased to be a soldier, as if he were no longer an officer -belonging to the palace, but was, on the contrary, a quiet, -easy-going citizen in a state of stagnation between his dinner -and supper, or between his supper and his bed; one of those -strong, ossified brains, which have no more room for a single -idea, so fiercely does animal matter keep watch at the doors of -intelligence, narrowly inspecting the contraband trade which -might result from the introduction into the brain of a symptom of -thought. We have already said night was closing in, the shops -were being lighted, while the windows of the upper apartments -were being closed, and the rhythmic steps of a patrol of soldiers -forming the night watch could be heard retreating. D'Artagnan -continued, however, to think of nothing, except the blue corner -of the sky. A few paces from him, completely in the shade, lying -on his stomach, upon a sack of Indian corn, was Planchet, with -both his arms under his chin, and his eyes fixed on D'Artagnan, -who was either thinking, dreaming, or sleeping, with his eyes -open. Planchet had been watching him for a tolerably long time, -and, by way of interruption, he began by exclaiming, "Hum! hum!" -But D'Artagnan did not stir. Planchet then saw that it was -necessary to have recourse to more effectual means still: after a -prolonged reflection on the subject, the most ingenious means -that suggested itself to him under the present circumstances, was -to let himself roll off the sack on to the floor, murmuring, at -the same time, against himself, the word "stupid." But, -notwithstanding the noise produced by Planchet's fall, -D'Artagnan, who had in the course of his existence heard many -other, and very different falls, did not appear to pay the least -attention to the present one. Besides, an enormous cart, laden -with stones, passing from the Rue Saint-Médéric, -absorbed, in the noise of its wheels, the noise of Planchet's -tumble. And yet Planchet fancied that, in token of tacit -approval, he saw him imperceptibly smile at the word "stupid." -This emboldened him to say, "Are you asleep, Monsieur -d'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, Planchet, I am not -<i>even</i> asleep," replied the musketeer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am in despair," said -Planchet, "to hear such a word as <i>even</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and why not; is it -not a grammatical word, Monsieur Planchet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course, Monsieur -d'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, the word -distresses me beyond measure."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me why you are -distressed, Planchet," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If you say that you are not -<i>even</i> asleep, it is as much as to say that you have not -even the consolation of being able to sleep; or, better still, it -is precisely the same as telling me that you are getting bored to -death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Planchet, you know that I -am never bored."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Except to-day, and the day -before yesterday."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Bah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan, it is -a week since you returned here from Fontainebleau; in other -words, you have no longer your orders to issue, or your men to -review and maneuver. You need the sound of guns, drums, and all -that din and confusion; I, who have myself carried a musket, can -easily believe that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Planchet," replied -D'Artagnan, "I assure you I am not bored in the least in the -world."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, what are you -doing, lying there, as if you were dead?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear Planchet, there -was, once upon a time, at the siege of La Rochelle, when I was -there, when you were there, when we both were there, a certain -Arab, who was celebrated for the manner in which he adjusted -culverins. He was a clever fellow, although of a very odd -complexion, which was the same color as your olives. Well, this -Arab, whenever he had done eating or working, used to sit down to -rest himself, as I am resting myself now, and smoked I cannot -tell you what sort of magical leaves, in a large amber-mouthed -tube; and if any officers, happening to pass, reproached him for -being always asleep, he used quietly to reply: 'Better to sit -down than to stand up, to lie down than to sit down, to be dead -than to lie down.' He was an acutely melancholy Arab, and I -remember him perfectly well, form the color of his skin, and the -style of his conversation. He used to cut off the heads of -Protestants with the most singular gusto!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely; and then used to -embalm them, when they were worth the trouble; and when he was -thus engaged with his herbs and plants about him, he looked like -a basket-maker making baskets."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are quite right, -Planchet, he did."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I can remember things -very well, at times!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have no doubt of it; but -what do you think of his mode of reasoning?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I think it good in one -sense, but very stupid in another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Expound your meaning, M. -Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, monsieur, in point of -fact, then, 'better to sit down than to stand up,' is plain -enough, especially when one may be fatigued," and Planchet smiled -in a roguish way; "as for 'better to be lying down,' let that -pass, but as for the last proposition, that it is 'better to be -dead than alive,' it is, in my opinion, very absurd, my own -undoubted preference being for my bed; and if you are not of my -opinion, it is simply, as I have already had the honor of telling -you, because you are boring yourself to death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Planchet, do you know M. La -Fontaine?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The chemist at the corner -of the Rue Saint-Médéric?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, the writer of -fables."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! <i>Maître -Corbeau!</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly; well, then, I am -like his hare."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He has got a hare also, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He has all sorts of -animals."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, what does his hare -do, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. La Fontaine's hare -thinks."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, ah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Planchet, I am like that -hare - I am thinking."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are thinking, you say?" -said Planchet, uneasily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; your house is dull -enough to drive people to think; you will admit that, I -hope."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet, monsieur, you have -a look-out upon the street."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; and wonderfully -interesting that is, of course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But it is no less true, -monsieur, that, if you were living at the back of the house, you -would bore yourself - I mean, you would think - more than -ever."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my word, Planchet, I -hardly know that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Still," said the grocer, -"if your reflections are at all like those which led you to -restore King Charles II. - " and Planchet finished by a little -laugh which was not without its meaning.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! Planchet, my friend," -returned D'Artagnan, "you are getting ambitious."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is there no other king to -be restored, M. d'Artagnan - no second Monk to be packed up, like -a salted hog, in a deal box?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, my dear Planchet; all -the kings are seated on their respective thrones; less -comfortably so, perhaps, than I am upon this chair; but, at all -events, there they are." And D'Artagnan sighed deeply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan," said -Planchet, "you are making me very uneasy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are very good, -Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I begin to suspect -something."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan, you -are getting thin."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said D'Artagnan, -striking his chest which sounded like an empty cuirass, "it is -impossible, Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said Planchet, -slightly overcome; "if you were to get thin in my house - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should do something -rash."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What would you do? Tell -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should look out for the -man who was the cause of all your anxieties."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! according to your -account, I am anxious now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, you are anxious; and -you are getting thin, visibly getting thin. <i>Malaga!</i> if -you go on getting thin, in this way, I will take my sword in my -hand, and go straight to M. d'Herblay, and have it out with -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What!" said M. d'Artagnan, -starting in his chair; "what's that you say? And what has M. -d'Herblay's name to do with your groceries?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Just as you please. Get -angry if you like, or call me names, if you prefer it; but, the -deuce is in it. <i>I</i> <i>know what I know</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan had, during this -second outburst of Planchet's, so placed himself as not to lose a -single look of his face; that is, he sat with both his hands -resting on both his knees, and his head stretched out towards the -grocer. "Come, explain yourself," he said, "and tell me how you -could possibly utter such a blasphemy. M. d'Herblay, your old -master, my friend, an ecclesiastic, a musketeer turned bishop - -do you mean to say you would raise your sword against him, -Planchet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I could raise my sword -against my own father, when I see you in such a state as you are -now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. d'Herblay, a -gentleman!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It's all the same to me -whether he's a gentleman or not. He gives you the blue devils, -that is all I know. And the blue devils make people get thin. -<i>Malaga!</i> I have no notion of M. d'Artagnan leaving my -house thinner than when he entered it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How does he give me the -blue devils, as you call it? Come, explain, explain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have had the nightmare -during the last three nights."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, you; and in your -nightmare you called out, several times, 'Aramis, deceitful -Aramis!'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! I said that, did I?" -murmured D'Artagnan, uneasily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, those very words, upon -my honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, what else? You know -the saying, Planchet, 'dreams go by contraries.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not so; for every time, -during the last three days, when you went out, you have not once -failed to ask me, on your return, 'Have you seen M. d'Herblay?' -or else 'Have you received any letters for me from M. -d'Herblay?'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, it is very natural I -should take an interest in my old friend," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course; but not to such -an extent as to get thin on that account."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Planchet, I'll get fatter; -I give you my word of honor I will."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, monsieur, I -accept it; for I know that when you give your word of honor, it -is sacred."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will not dream of Aramis -any more; and I will never ask you again if there are any letters -from M. d'Herblay; but on condition that you explain one thing to -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me what it is, -monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am a great observer; and -just now you made use of a very singular oath, which is unusual -for you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You mean <i>Malaga!</i> I -suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is the oath I have used -ever since I have been a grocer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very proper, too; it is the -name of a dried grape, or raisin, I believe?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is my most ferocious -oath; when I have once said <i>Malaga!</i> I am a man no -longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Still, I never knew you use -that oath before."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very likely not, monsieur. -I had a present made me of it," said Planchet; and, as he -pronounced these words, he winked his eye with a cunning -expression, which thoroughly awakened D'Artagnan's attention.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come, come, M. -Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, I am not like you, -monsieur," said Planchet. "I don't pass my life in -thinking."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do wrong, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I mean in boring myself to -death. We have but a very short time to live - why not make the -best of it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are an Epicurean -philosopher, I begin to think, Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not? My hand is still -as steady as ever; I can write, and can weigh out my sugar and -spices; my foot is firm; I can dance and walk about; my stomach -has its teeth still, for I eat and digest very well; my heart is -not quite hardened. Well, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, what, Planchet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, you see - " said the -grocer, rubbing his hands together.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan crossed one leg -over the other, and said, "Planchet, my friend, I am unnerved -with extreme surprise; for you are revealing yourself to me under -a perfectly new light."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet, flattered in the -highest degree by this remark, continued to rub his hands very -hard together. "Ah, ah," he said, "because I happen to be only -slow, you think me, perhaps, a positive fool."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, Planchet; very -well reasoned."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Follow my idea, monsieur, -if you please. I said to myself," continued Planchet, "that, -without enjoyment, there is no happiness on this earth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite true, what you say, -Planchet," interrupted D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events, if we cannot -obtain pleasure - for pleasure is not so common a thing, after -all - let us, at least, get consolations of some kind or -another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so you console -yourself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me how you console -yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I put on a buckler for the -purpose of confronting <i>ennui</i>. I place my time at the -direction of patience; and on the very eve of feeling I am going -to get bored, I amuse myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you don't find any -difficulty in that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "None."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you found it out quite -by yourself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is miraculous."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I say, that your philosophy -is not to be matched in the Christian or pagan world, in modern -days or in antiquity!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You think so? - follow my -example, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is a very tempting -one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do as I do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I could not wish for -anything better; but all minds are not of the same stamp; and it -might possibly happen that if I were required to amuse myself in -the manner you do, I should bore myself horribly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Bah! at least try -first."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, tell me what you -do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have you observed that I -leave home occasionally?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In any particular way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Periodically."<br> - "That's the very thing. You have noticed it, -then?"<br> - "My dear Planchet, you must understand that when -people see each other every day, and one of the two absents -himself, the other misses him. Do you not feel the want of my -society when I am in the country?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Prodigiously; that is to -say, I feel like a body without a soul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That being understood then, -proceed."<br> - "What are the periods when I absent myself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On the fifteenth and -thirtieth of every month."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I remain away?"<br> - "Sometimes two, sometimes three, and sometimes -four days at a time."<br> - "Have you ever given it a thought, why I was -absent?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To look after your debts, I -suppose."<br> - "And when I returned, how did you think I looked, -as far as my face was concerned?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exceedingly -self-satisfied."<br> - "You admit, you say, that I always look -satisfied. And what have you attributed my satisfaction to?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That your business was -going on very well; that your purchases of rice, prunes, raw -sugar, dried apples, pears, and treacle were advantageous. You -were always very picturesque in your notions and ideas, Planchet; -and I was not in the slightest degree surprised to find you had -selected grocery as an occupation, which is of all trades the -most varied, and the very pleasantest, as far as the character is -concerned; inasmuch as one handles so many natural and perfumed -productions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly true, monsieur; -but you are very greatly mistaken."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In thinking that I heave -here every fortnight, to collect my money or to make purchases. -Ho, ho! how could you possibly have thought such a thing? Ho, -ho, ho!" And Planchet began to laugh in a manner that inspired -D'Artagnan with very serious misgivings as to his sanity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I confess," said the -musketeer, "that I do not precisely catch your meaning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very true, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean by 'very -true'?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It must be true, since you -say it; but pray, be assured that it in no way lessens my opinion -of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, that is lucky."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; you are a man of -genius; and whenever the question happens to be of war, tactics, -surprises, or good honest blows to be dealt with, why, kings are -marionettes, compared to you. But for the consolations of the -mind, the proper care of the body, the agreeable things of like, -if one may say so - ah! monsieur, don't talk to me about men of -genius; they are nothing short of executioners."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good," said D'Artagnan, -really fidgety with curiosity, "upon my word you interest me in -the highest degree."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You feel already less bored -than you did just now, do you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was not bored; yet since -you have been talking to me, I feel more animated."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, then; that is -not a bad beginning. I will cure you, rely upon that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is nothing I should -like better."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you let me try, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Immediately, if you -like."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well. Have you any -horses here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; ten, twenty, -thirty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, there is no occasion -for so many as that, two will be quite sufficient."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "They are quite at your -disposal, Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; then I shall -carry you off with me."<br> - "When?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To-morrow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, you are asking too -much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will admit, however, -that it is important I should know where I am going."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you like the -country?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Only moderately, -Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case you like town -better?"<br> - "That is as may be."<br> - "Very well; I am going to take you to a place, -half town and half country."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To a place where I am sure -you will amuse yourself."<br> - "Is it possible?"<br> - "Yes; and more wonderful still, to a place from -which you have just returned for the purpose only, it would seem, -of getting bored here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is to Fontainebleau you -are going, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly; to -Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And, in Heaven's name, what -are you going to do at Fontainebleau?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet answered D'Artagnan -by a wink full of sly humor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have some property -there, you rascal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, a very paltry affair; a -little bit of a house - nothing more."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I understand you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But it is tolerable enough, -after all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am going to Planchet's -country-seat!" exclaimed D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whenever you like."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did we not fix -to-morrow?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let us say to-morrow, if -you like; and then, besides, to-morrow is the 14th, that is to -say, the day before the one when I am afraid of getting bored; so -we will look upon it as an understood thing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Agreed, by all means."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will lend me one of -your horses?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The best I have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; I prefer the gentlest -of all; I never was a very good rider, as you know, and in my -grocery business I have got more awkward than ever; besides - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Besides what?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why," added Planchet, "I do -not wish to fatigue myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?" D'Artagnan -ventured to ask.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I should lose half -the pleasure I expect to enjoy," replied Planchet. And thereupon -he rose from his sack of Indian corn, stretching himself, and -making all his bones crack, one after the other, with a sort of -harmony.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Planchet! Planchet!" -exclaimed D'Artagnan, "I do declare that there is no sybarite -upon the face of the globe who can for a moment be compared to -you. Oh, Planchet, it is very clear that we have never yet eaten -a ton of salt together."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so, monsieur?"<br> - "Because, even now I can scarcely say I know -you," said D'Artagnan, "and because, in point of fact, I return -to the opinion which, for a moment, I had formed of you that day -at Boulogne, when you strangled, or did so as nearly as possible, -M. de Wardes's valet, Lubin; in plain language, Planchet, that -you are a man of great resources."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet began to laugh with -a laugh full of self-conceit; bade the musketeer good-night, and -went down to his back shop, which he used as a bedroom. -D'Artagnan resumed his original position upon his chair, and his -brow, which had been unruffled for a moment, became more pensive -than ever. He had already forgotten the whims and dreams of -Planchet. "Yes," said he, taking up again the thread of his -thoughts, which had been broken by the whimsical conversation in -which we have just permitted our readers to participate. "Yes, -yes, those three points include everything: First, to ascertain -what Baisemeaux wanted with Aramis; secondly, to learn why Aramis -does not let me hear from him; and thirdly, to ascertain where -Porthos is. The whole mystery lies in these three points. -Since, therefore," continued D'Artagnan, "our friends tell us -nothing, we must have recourse to our own poor intelligence. I -must do what I can, <i>mordioux</i>, or rather <i>Malaga</i>, as -Planchet would say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter II:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>A -Letter from M. Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>'Artagnan, -faithful to his plan, went the very next morning to pay a visit -to M. de Baisemeaux. It was cleaning up or tidying day at the -Bastile; the cannons were furbished up, the staircases scraped -and cleaned; and the jailers seemed to be carefully engaged in -polishing the very keys. As for the soldiers belonging to the -garrison, they were walking about in different courtyards, under -the pretense that they were clean enough. The governor, -Baisemeaux, received D'Artagnan with more than ordinary -politeness, but he behaved towards him with so marked a reserve -of manner, that all D'Artagnan's tact and cleverness could not -get a syllable out of him. The more he kept himself within -bounds, the more D'Artagnan's suspicion increased. The latter -even fancied he remarked that the governor was acting under the -influence of a recent recommendation. Baisemeaux had not been at -the Palais Royal with D'Artagnan the same cold and impenetrable -man which the latter now found in the Baisemeaux of the Bastile. -When D'Artagnan wished to make him talk about the urgent money -matters which had brought Baisemeaux in search of D'Artagnan, and -had rendered him expansive, notwithstanding what had passed on -that evening, Baisemeaux pretended that he had some orders to -give in the prison, and left D'Artagnan so long alone waiting for -him, that our musketeer, feeling sure that he should not get -another syllable out of him, left the Bastile without waiting -until Baisemeaux returned from his inspection. But D'Artagnan's -suspicions were aroused, and when once that was the case, -D'Artagnan could not sleep or remain quiet for a moment. He was -among men what the cat is among quadrupeds, the emblem of anxiety -and impatience, at the same moment. A restless cat can no more -remain the same place than a silk thread wafted idly to and fro -with every breath of air. A cat on the watch is as motionless as -death stationed at is place of observation, and neither hunger -nor thirst can draw it from its meditations. D'Artagnan, who was -burning with impatience, suddenly threw aside the feeling, like a -cloak which he felt too heavy on his shoulders, and said to -himself that that which they were concealing from him was the -very thing it was important he should know; and, consequently, he -reasoned that Baisemeaux would not fail to put Aramis on his -guard, if Aramis had given him any particular recommendation, and -this was, in fact, the very thing that happened.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Baisemeaux had hardly had -time to return from the donjon, than D'Artagnan placed himself in -ambuscade close to the Rue de Petit-Musc, so as to see every one -who might leave the gates of the Bastile. After he had spent an -hour on the look-out from the "Golden Portcullis," under the -pent-house of which he could keep himself a little in the shade, -D'Artagnan observed a soldier leave the Bastile. This was, -indeed, the surest indication he could possibly have wished for, -as every jailer or warder has certain days, and even certain -hours, for leaving the Bastile, since all are alike prohibited -from having either wives or lodgings in the castle, and can -accordingly leave without exciting any curiosity; but a soldier -once in barracks is kept there for four and twenty hours when on -duty, - and no one knew this better than D'Artagnan. The -guardsman in question, therefore, was not likely to leave his -regimentals, except on an express and urgent order. The soldier, -we were saying, left the Bastile at a slow and lounging pace, -like a happy mortal, in fact, who, instead of mounting sentry -before a wearisome guard-house, or upon a bastion no less -wearisome, has the good luck to get a little liberty, in addition -to a walk - both pleasures being luckily reckoned as part of his -time on duty. He bent his steps towards the Faubourg -Saint-Antoine, enjoying the fresh air and the warmth of the sun, -and looking at all the pretty faces he passed. D'Artagnan -followed him at a distance; he had not yet arranged his ideas as -what was to be done. "I must, first of all," he thought, "see -the fellow's face. A man seen is a man judged." D'Artagnan -increased his pace, and, which was not very difficult, by the by, -soon got in advance of the soldier. Not only did he observe that -his face showed a tolerable amount of intelligence and -resolution, but he noticed also that his nose was a little red. -"He has a weakness for brandy, I see," said D'Artagnan to -himself. At the same moment that he remarked his red nose, he -saw that the soldier had a white paper in his belt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good, he has a letter," -added D'Artagnan. The only difficulty was to get hold of the -letter. But a common soldier would, of course, be only too -delighted at having been selected by M. de Baisemeaux as a -special messenger, and would not be likely to sell his message. -As D'Artagnan was biting his nails, the soldier continued to -advance more and more into the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. "He is -certainly going to Saint-Mandé," he said to himself, "and -I shall not be able to learn what the letter contains." It was -enough to drive him wild. "If I were in uniform," said -D'Artagnan to himself, "I would have this fellow seized, and his -letter with him. I could easily get assistance at the very first -guard-house; but the devil take me if I mention my name in an -affair of this kind. If I were to treat him to something to -drink, his suspicions would be roused; and besides, he might -drink me drunk. <i>Mordioux!</i> my wits seem to have left me," -said D'Artagnan; "it is all over with me. Yet, supposing I were -to attack this poor devil, make him draw his sword and kill him -for the sake of his letter? No harm in that, if it were a -question of a letter from a queen to a nobleman, or a letter from -a cardinal to a queen; but what miserable intrigues are those of -Messieurs Aramis and Fouquet with M. Colbert. A man's life for -that? No, no, indeed; not even ten crowns." As he philosophized -in this manner, biting first his nails, and then his mustaches, -he perceived a group of archers and a commissary of the police -engaged in carrying away a man of very gentlemanly exterior, who -was struggling with all his might against them. The archers had -torn his clothes, and were dragging him roughly away. He begged -they would lead him along more respectfully, asserting that he -was a gentleman and a soldier. And observing our soldier walking -in the street, he called out, "Help, comrade."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The soldier walked on with -the same step towards the man who had called out to him, followed -by the crowd. An idea suddenly occurred to D'Artagnan; it was -his first one, and we shall find it was not a bad one either. -During the time the gentleman was relating to the soldier that he -had just been seized in a house as a thief, when the truth was he -was only there as a lover; and while the soldier was pitying him, -and offering him consolation and advice with that gravity which a -French soldier has always ready whenever his vanity or his -<i>esprit de corps</i> is concerned, D'Artagnan glided behind the -soldier, who was closely hemmed in by the crowd, and with a rapid -sweep, like a sabre slash, snatched the letter from his belt. As -at this moment the gentleman with the torn clothes was pulling -about the soldier, to show how the commissary of police had -pulled him about, D'Artagnan effected his pillage of the letter -without the slightest interference. He stationed himself about -ten paces distant, behind the pillar of an adjoining house, and -read on the address, "To Monsieur du Vallon, at Monsieur -Fouquet's, Saint-Mandé."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good!" he said, and then he -unsealed, without tearing the letter, drew out the paper, which -was folded in four, from the inside; which contained only these -words:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:.5in'> -"DEAR MONSIEUR DU VALLON, - Will you be good enough to tell -Monsieur d'Herblay that <i>he</i> has been to the Bastile, and -has been making inquiries.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:.5in'> - -"Your devoted</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style= -'margin-left:1.0in;text-align:right; text-indent:.5in'>"DE -BAISEMEAUX."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good! all right!" -exclaimed D'Artagnan; "it is clear enough now. Porthos is -engaged in it." Being now satisfied of what he wished to know: -"<i>Mordioux!</i>" thought the musketeer, "what is to be done -with that poor devil of a soldier? That hot-headed, cunning -fellow, De Baisemeaux, will make him pay dearly for my trick, - -if he returns without the letter, what will they do to him? -Besides, I don't want the letter; when the egg has been sucked, -what is the good of the shell?" D'Artagnan perceived that the -commissary and the archers had succeeded in convincing the -soldier, and went on their way with the prisoner, the latter -being still surrounded by the crowd, and continuing his -complaints. D'Artagnan advanced into the very middle of the -crowd, let the letter fall, without any one having observed him, -and then retreated rapidly. The soldier resumed his route -towards Saint-Mandé, his mind occupied with the gentleman -who had implored his protection. Suddenly he thought of his -letter, and, looking at his belt, saw that it was no longer -there. D'Artagnan derived no little satisfaction from his -sudden, terrified cry. The poor soldier in the greatest anguish -of mind looked round him on every side, and at last, about twenty -paces behind him, he perceived the lucky envelope. He pounced on -it like a falcon on its prey. The envelope was certainly a -little dirty, and rather crumpled, but at all events the letter -itself was found. D'Artagnan observed that the broken seal -attracted the soldier's attention a good deal, but he finished -apparently by consoling himself, and returned the letter to his -belt. "Go on," said D'Artagnan, "I have plenty of time before -me, so you may precede me. It appears that Aramis is not in -Paris, since Baisemeaux writes to Porthos. Dear Porthos, how -delighted I shall be to see him again, and to have some -conversation with him!" said the Gascon. And, regulating his -pace according to that of the soldier, he promised himself to -arrive a quarter of an hour after him at M. Fouquet's.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter III:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>In -Which the Reader will be Delighted to Find that Porthos Has Lost -Nothing of His Muscularity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>'Artagnan -had, according to his usual style, calculated that every hour is -worth sixty minutes, and every minute worth sixty seconds. -Thanks to this perfectly exact calculation of minutes and -seconds, he reached the superintendent's door at the very moment -the soldier was leaving it with his belt empty. D'Artagnan -presented himself at the door, which a porter with a profusely -embroidered livery held half opened for him. D'Artagnan would -very much have liked to enter without giving his name, but this -was impossible, and so he gave it. Notwithstanding this -concession, which ought to have removed every difficulty in the -way, at least D'Artagnan thought so, the <i>concierge</i> -hesitated; however, at the second repetition of the title, -captain of the king's guards, the <i>concierge</i>, without quite -leaving the passage clear for him, ceased to bar it completely. -D'Artagnan understood that orders of the most positive character -had been given. He decided, therefore, to tell a falsehood, - a -circumstance, moreover, which did not seriously affect his peace -of mind, when he saw that beyond the falsehood the safety of the -state itself, or even purely and simply his own individual -personal interest, might be at stake. He moreover added to the -declarations he had already made, that the soldier sent to M. du -Vallon was his own messenger, and that the only object that -letter had in view was to announce his intended arrival. From -that moment, no one opposed D'Artagnan's entrance any further, -and he entered accordingly. A valet wished to accompany him, but -he answered that it was useless to take that trouble on his -account, inasmuch as he knew perfectly well where M. du Vallon -was. There was nothing, of course, to say to a man so thoroughly -and completely informed on all points, and D'Artagnan was -permitted, therefore, to do as he liked. The terraces, the -magnificent apartments, the gardens, were all reviewed and -narrowly inspected by the musketeer. He walked for a quarter of -an hour in this more than royal residence, which included as many -wonders as articles of furniture, and as many servants as there -were columns and doors. "Decidedly," he said to himself, "this -mansion has no other limits than the pillars of the habitable -world. Is it probable Porthos has taken it into his head to go -back to Pierrefonds without even leaving M. Fouquet's house?" He -finally reached a remote part of the château inclosed by a -stone wall, which was covered with a profusion of thick plants, -luxuriant in blossoms as large and solid as fruit. At equal -distances on the top of this wall were placed various statues in -timid or mysterious attitudes. These were vestals hidden beneath -the long Greek peplum, with its thick, sinuous folds; agile -nymphs, covered with their marble veils, and guarding the palace -with their fugitive glances. A statue of Hermes, with his finger -on his lips; one of Iris, with extended wings; another of Night, -sprinkled all over with poppies, dominated the gardens and -outbuildings, which could be seen through the trees. All these -statues threw in white relief their profiles upon the dark ground -of the tall cypresses, which darted their somber summits towards -the sky. Around these cypresses were entwined climbing roses, -whose flowering rings were fastened to every fork of the -branches, and spread over the lower boughs and the various -statues, showers of flowers of the rarest fragrance. These -enchantments seemed to the musketeer the result of the greatest -efforts of the human mind. He felt in a dreamy, almost poetical, -frame of mind. The idea that Porthos was living in so perfect an -Eden gave him a higher idea of Porthos, showing how tremendously -true it is, that even the very highest orders of minds are not -quite exempt from the influence of surroundings. D'Artagnan -found the door, and on, or rather in the door, a kind of spring -which he detected; having touched it, the door flew open. -D'Artagnan entered, closed the door behind him, and advanced into -a pavilion built in a circular form, in which no other sound -could be heard but cascades and the songs of birds. At the door -of the pavilion he met a lackey.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is here, I believe," -said D'Artagnan, without hesitation, "that M. le Baron du Vallon -is staying?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, monsieur," answered -the lackey.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have the goodness to tell -him that M. le Chevalier d'Artagnan, captain of the king's -musketeers, is waiting to see him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan was introduced -into the <i>salon</i>, and had not long to remain in expectation: -a well-remembered step shook the floor of the adjoining room, a -door opened, or rather flew open, and Porthos appeared and threw -himself into his friend's arms with a sort of embarrassment which -did not ill become him. "You here?" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you?" replied -D'Artagnan. "Ah, you sly fellow!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said Porthos, with a -somewhat embarrassed smile; "yes, you see I am staying in M. -Fouquet's house, at which you are not a little surprised, I -suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not at all; why should you -not be one of M. Fouquet's friends? M. Fouquet has a very large -number, particularly among clever men."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos had the modesty not -to take the compliment to himself. "Besides," he added, "you saw -me at Belle-Isle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A greater reason for my -believing you to be one of M. Fouquet's friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fact is, I am -acquainted with him," said Porthos, with a certain embarrassment -of manner.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, friend Porthos," said -D'Artagnan, "how treacherously you have behaved towards me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what way?" exclaimed -Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! you complete so -admirable a work as the fortifications of Belle-Isle, and you did -not tell me of it!" Porthos colored. "Nay, more than that," -continued D'Artagnan, "you saw me out yonder, you know I am in -the king's service, and yet you could not guess that the king, -jealously desirous of learning the name of the man whose -abilities had wrought a work of which he heard the most wonderful -accounts, - you could not guess, I say, that the king sent me to -learn who this man was?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! the king sent you to -learn - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course; but don't let us -speak of that any more."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not speak of it!" said -Porthos; "on the contrary, we will speak of it; and so the king -knew that we were fortifying Belle-Isle?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course; does not the -king know everything?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But he did not know who was -fortifying it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, he only suspected, from -what he had been told of the nature of the works, that it was -some celebrated soldier or another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The devil!" said Porthos, -"if I had only known that!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You would not have run away -from Vannes as you did, perhaps?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; what did you say when -you couldn't find me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear fellow, I -reflected."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, indeed; you reflect, do -you? Well, and what did that reflection lead to?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It led me to guess the -whole truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come, then, tell me what -did you guess after all?" said Porthos, settling himself into an -armchair, and assuming the airs of a sphinx.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I guessed, in the first -place, that you were fortifying Belle-Isle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There was no great -difficulty in that, for you saw me at work."<br> - "Wait a minute; I also guessed something else, - -that you were fortifying Belle-Isle by M. Fouquet's orders."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That's true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But even that is not all. -Whenever I feel myself in trim for guessing, I do not stop on my -road; and so I guessed that M. Fouquet wished to preserve the -most absolute secrecy respecting these fortifications."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe that was his -intention, in fact," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, but do you know why he -wished to keep it secret?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In order it should not -become known, perhaps," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That was his principal -reason. But his wish was subservient to a bit of generosity - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In fact," said Porthos, "I -have head it said that M. Fouquet was a very generous man."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To a bit of generosity he -wished to exhibit towards the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, oh!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You seem surprised at -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you didn't guess?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, I know it, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"You are a -wizard."<br> -"Not at all, I assure you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"How do you know -it, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"By a very simple -means. I heard M. Fouquet himself say so to the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Say what to the -king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That he fortified -Belle-Isle on his majesty's account, and that he had made him a -present of Belle Isle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you heard M. -Fouquet say that to the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In those very -words. He even added: 'Belle-Isle has been fortified by an -engineer, one of my friends, a man of a great deal of merit, whom -I shall ask your majesty's permission to present to you.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'What is his -name?' said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'The Baron du -Vallon,' M. Fouquet replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Very well,' -returned his majesty, 'you will present him to me.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The king said -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Upon the word of a -D'Artagnan!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, oh!" said -Porthos. "Why have I not been presented, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have they not -spoken to you about this presentation?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, certainly; -but I am always kept waiting for it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Be easy, it will -be sure to come."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Humph! humph!" -grumbled Porthos, which D'Artagnan pretended not to hear; and, -changing the conversation, he said, "You seem to be living in a -very solitary place here, my dear fellow?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I always preferred -retirement. I am of a melancholy disposition," replied Porthos, -with a sigh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Really, that is -odd," said D'Artagnan, "I never remarked that before."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is only since I -have taken to reading, "said Porthos, with a thoughtful air.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But the labors of -the mind have not affected the health of the body, I trust?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Not in the -slightest degree."<br> -"Your strength is as great as ever?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Too great, my -friend, too great."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Ah! I had heard -that, for a short time after your arrival - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"That I could -hardly move a limb, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"How was it?" said -D'Artagnan, smiling, "and why was it you could not move?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos, perceiving -that he had made a mistake, wished to correct it. "Yes, I came -from Belle-Isle upon very hard horses," he said, "and that -fatigued me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am no longer -astonished, then, since I, who followed you, found seven or eight -lying dead on the road."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am very heavy, -you know," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So that you were -bruised all over."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My marrow melted, -and that made me very ill."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Poor Porthos! But -how did Aramis act towards you under those circumstances?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, -indeed. He had me attended to by M. Fouquet's own doctor. But -just imagine, at the end of a week I could not breathe any -longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The room was too -small; I had absorbed every atom of air."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Indeed?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I was told so, at -least; and so I was removed into another apartment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where you were -able to breathe, I hope and trust?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, more freely; -but no exercise - nothing to do. The doctor pretended that I was -not to stir; I, on the contrary, felt that I was stronger than -ever; that was the cause of a very serious accident."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What -accident?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Fancy, my dear -fellow, that I revolted against the directions of that ass of a -doctor, and I resolved to go out, whether it suited him or not: -and, consequently, I told the valet who waited on me to bring me -my clothes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You were quite -naked, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no! on the -contrary, I had a magnificent dressing-gown to wear. The lackey -obeyed; I dressed myself in my own clothes, which had become too -large for me; but a strange circumstance had happened, - my feet -had become too large."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I quite -understand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And my boots too -small."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You mean your feet -were still swollen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly; you have -hit it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"<i>Pardieu!</i> -And is that the accident you were going to tell me about?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, yes; I did not -make the same reflection you have done. I said to myself: 'Since -my feet have entered my boots ten times, there is no reason why -they should not go in the eleventh.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Allow me to tell -you, my dear Porthos, that on this occasion you failed in your -logic."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In short, then, -they placed me opposite to a part of the room which was -partitioned; I tried to get my boot on; I pulled it with my -hands, I pushed with all the strength of the muscles of my leg, -making the most unheard-of efforts, when suddenly the two tags of -my boot remained in my hands, and my foot struck out like a -ballista."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How learned you -are in fortification, dear Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My foot darted out -like a ballista, and came against the partition, which it broke -in; I really thought that, like Samson, I had demolished the -temple. And the number of pictures, the quantity of china, vases -of flowers, carpets, and window-panes that fell down were really -wonderful."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Indeed!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Without reckoning -that on the other side of the partition was a small table laden -with porcelain - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Which you knocked -over?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Which I dashed to -the other side of the room," said Porthos, laughing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Upon my word, it -is, as you say, astonishing," replied D'Artagnan, beginning to -laugh also; whereupon Porthos laughed louder than ever.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I broke," said -Porthos, in a voice half-choked from his increasing mirth, "more -than three thousand francs worth of china - ha, ha, ha!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good!" said -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I smashed more -than four thousand francs worth of glass! - ho, ho, ho!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Excellent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Without counting a -luster, which fell on my head and was broken into a thousand -pieces - ha, ha, ha!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Upon your head?" -said D'Artagnan, holding his sides.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On top."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But your head was -broken, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, since I tell -you, on the contrary, my dear fellow, that it was the luster -which was broken, like glass, which, in point of fact, it -was."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! the luster was -glass, you say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Venetian glass! a -perfect curiosity, quite matchless, indeed, and weighed two -hundred pounds."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And it fell upon -your head!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Upon my head. -Just imagine, a globe of crystal, gilded all over, the lower part -beautifully encrusted, perfumes burning at the top, with jets -from which flame issued when they were lighted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I quite -understand, but they were not lighted at the time, I -suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Happily not, or I -should have been grilled prematurely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you were only -knocked down flat, instead?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not at all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How, 'not at -all?'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, the luster -fell on my skull. It appears that we have upon the top of our -heads an exceedingly thick crust."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who told you that, -Porthos?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The doctor. A -sort of dome which would bear Notre-Dame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Bah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, it seems that -our skulls are made in that manner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Speak for -yourself, my dear fellow, it is your own skull that is made in -that manner, and not the skulls of other people."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, that may be -so," said Porthos, conceitedly, "so much, however, was that the -case, in my instance, that no sooner did the luster fall upon the -dome which we have at the top of our head, than there was a -report like a cannon, the crystal was broken to pieces, and I -fell, covered from head to foot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With blood, poor -Porthos!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not at all; with -perfumes, which smelt like rich creams; it was delicious, but the -odor was too strong, and I felt quite giddy from it; perhaps you -have experienced it sometimes yourself, D'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, in inhaling -the scent of the lily of the valley; so that, my poor friend, you -were knocked over by the shock and overpowered by the -perfumes?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; but what is -very remarkable, for the doctor told me he had never seen -anything like it - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You had a bump on -your head I suppose?" interrupted D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I had five."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why five?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will tell you; -the luster had, at its lower extremity, five gilt ornaments; -excessively sharp."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, these five -ornaments penetrated my hair, which, as you see, I wear very -thick."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Fortunately -so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And they made a -mark on my skin. But just notice the singularity of it, these -things seem really only to happen to me! Instead of making -indentations, they made bumps. The doctor could never succeed in -explaining that to me satisfactorily."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, I will -explain it to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will do me a -great service if you will," said Porthos, winking his eyes, -which, with him, was sign of the profoundest attention.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since you have -been employing your brain in studies of an exalted character, in -important calculations, and so on, the head has gained a certain -advantage, so that your head is now too full of science."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you think -so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am sure of it. -The result is, that, instead of allowing any foreign matter to -penetrate the interior of the head, your bony box or skull, which -is already too full, avails itself of the openings which are made -in allowing this excess to escape."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" said Porthos, -to whom this explanation appeared clearer than that of the -doctor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The five -protuberances, caused by the five ornaments of the luster, must -certainly have been scientific globules, brought to the surface -by the force of circumstances."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In fact," said -Porthos, "the real truth is, that I felt far worse outside my -head than inside. I will even confess, that when I put my hat -upon my head, clapping it on my head with that graceful energy -which we gentlemen of the sword possess, if my fist was not very -gently applied, I experienced the most painful sensations."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I quite believe -you, Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Therefore, my -friend," said the giant, "M. Fouquet decided, seeing how slightly -built the house was, to give me another lodging, and so they -brought me here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is the private -park, I think, is it not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where the -rendezvous are made; that park, indeed, which is so celebrated in -some of those mysterious stories about the superintendent?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I don't know; I -have had no rendezvous or heard mysterious stories myself, but -they have authorized me to exercise my muscles, and I take -advantage of the permission by rooting up some of the trees."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To keep my hand -in, and also to take some birds' nests; I find it more convenient -than climbing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are as -pastoral as Tyrcis, my dear Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I like the -small eggs; I like them very much better than larger ones. You -have no idea how delicate an <i>omelette</i> is, if made of four -or five hundred eggs of linnets, chaffinches, starlings, -blackbirds, and thrushes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But five hundred -eggs is perfectly monstrous!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A salad-bowl will -hold them easily enough," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan looked -at Porthos admiringly for full five minutes, as if he had seen -him for the first time, while Porthos spread his chest out -joyously and proudly. They remained in this state several -minutes, Porthos smiling, and D'Artagnan looking at him. -D'Artagnan was evidently trying to give the conversation a new -turn. "Do you amuse yourself much here, Porthos?" he asked at -last, very likely after he had found out what he was searching -for.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not always."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I can imagine -that; but when you get thoroughly bored, by and by, what do you -intend to do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! I shall not -be here for any length of time. Aramis is waiting until the last -bump on my head disappears, in order to present me to the king, -who I am told cannot endure the sight of a bump."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Aramis is still in -Paris, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Whereabouts is he, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At -Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Alone?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With M. -Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good. But do -you happen to know one thing?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, tell it me, -and then I shall know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, I -think Aramis is forgetting you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you really -think so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; for at -Fontainebleau yonder, you must know, they are laughing, dancing, -banqueting, and drawing the corks of M. de Mazarin's wine in fine -style. Are you aware that they have a ballet every evening -there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The deuce they -have!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I assure you that -your dear Aramis is forgetting you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, that is not -at all unlikely, and I have myself thought so sometimes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Unless he is -playing you a trick, the sly fellow!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You know that -Aramis is as sly as a fox."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, but to play -<i>me</i> a trick - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Listen: in the -first place, he puts you under a sort of sequestration."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He sequestrates -me! Do you mean to say I am sequestrated?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I think so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I wish you would -have the goodness to prove that to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nothing easier. -Do you ever go out?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Never."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you ever ride -on horseback?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Never."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are your friends -allowed to come and see you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Never."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, then; -never to go out, never to ride on horseback, never to be allowed -to see your friends, that is called being sequestrated."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But why should -Aramis sequestrate me?" inquired Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Come," said -D'Artagnan, "be frank, Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As gold."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It was Aramis who -drew the plan of the fortifications at Belle-Isle, was it -not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos colored as -he said, "Yes; but that was all he did."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly, and my -own opinion is that it was no very great affair after all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is mine, -too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good; I am -delighted we are of the same opinion."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He never even came -to Belle-Isle," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There now, you -see."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It was I who went -to Vannes, as you may have seen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Say rather, as I -did see. Well, that is precisely the state of the case, my dear -Porthos. Aramis, who only drew the plans, wishes to pass himself -off as the engineer, whilst you, who, stone by stone, built the -wall, the citadel, and the bastions, he wishes to reduce to the -rank of a mere builder."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"By builder, you -mean mason, perhaps?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Mason; the very -word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Plasterer, in -fact?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Hodman?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, oh! my dear -Aramis, you seem to think you are only five and twenty years of -age still."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, and that is -not all, for believes you are fifty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I should have -amazingly liked to have seen him at work."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A fellow who has -got the gout?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who has lost three -of his teeth?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Four."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"While I, look at -mine." And Porthos, opening his large mouth very wide, displayed -two rows of teeth not quite as white as snow, but even, hard, and -sound as ivory.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You can hardly -believe, Porthos," said D'Artagnan, "what a fancy the king has -for good teeth. Yours decide me; I will present you to the king -myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not? Do you -think I have less credit at court than Aramis?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you think I -have the slightest pretensions upon the fortifications at -Belle-Isle?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly -not."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is your own -interest alone which would induce me to do it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I don't doubt it -in the least."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, I am the -intimate friend of the king; and a proof of that is, that -whenever there is anything disagreeable to tell him, it is I who -have to do it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But, dear -D'Artagnan, if you present me - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well!"<br> - "Aramis will be angry."<br> - "With me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, with -<i>me</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Bah! whether he or -I present you, since you are to be presented, what does it -matter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"They were going to -get me some clothes made."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your own are -splendid."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! those I had -ordered were far more beautiful."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Take care: the -king likes simplicity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case, I -will be simple. But what will M. Fouquet say, when he learns -that I have left?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are you a -prisoner, then, on parole?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, not quite -that. But I promised him I would not leave without letting him -know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Wait a minute, we -shall return to that presently. Have you anything to do -here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I, nothing: -nothing of any importance, at least."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Unless, indeed, -you are Aramis's representative for something of importance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"By no means."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What I tell you - -pray, understand that - is out of interest for you. I suppose, -for instance, that you are commissioned to send messages and -letters to him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! letters -yes. -I send certain letters to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To -Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you any -letters, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, let me -speak. Have you any letters, I say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have just -received one for him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Interesting?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I suppose so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You do not read -them, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am not at all -curious," said Porthos, as he drew out of his pocket the -soldier's letter which Porthos had not read, but D'Artagnan -had.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you know what -to do with it?" said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course; do as I -always do, send it to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not? Keep it, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did they not tell -you that this letter was important?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very -important."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, you must -take it yourself to Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To Aramis?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Yes."<br> -"Very good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"And since the king -is there - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"You will profit by -that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"I shall profit by -the opportunity to present you to the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Ah! D'Artagnan, -there is no one like you for expedients."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Therefore, instead -of forwarding to our friend any messages, which may or may not be -faithfully delivered, we will ourselves be the bearers of the -letter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I had never even -thought of that, and yet it is simple enough."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And therefore, -because it is urgent, Porthos, we ought to set off at once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In fact," said -Porthos, "the sooner we set off the less chance there is of -Aramis's letter being delayed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Porthos, your -reasoning is always accurate, and, in your case, logic seems to -serve as an auxiliary to the imagination."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you think so?" -said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is the result -of your hard reading," replied D'Artagnan. "So come along, let -us be off."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But," said -Porthos, "my promise to M. Fouquet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Which?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not to leave -Saint-Mandé without telling him of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! Porthos," -said D'Artagnan, "how very young you still are."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are going to -Fontainebleau, are you not, where you will find M. Fouquet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Probably in the -king's palace?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," repeated -Porthos, with an air full of majesty.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, you will -accost him with these words: 'M. Fouquet, I have the honor to -inform you that I have just left Saint-Mandé.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And," said -Porthos, with the same majestic mien, "seeing me at Fontainebleau -at the king's, M. Fouquet will not be able to tell me I am not -speaking the truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear Porthos, I -was just on the point of opening my lips to make the same remark, -but you anticipate me in everything. Oh! Porthos, how -fortunately you are gifted! Years have made not the slightest -impression on you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not over-much, -certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Then there is -nothing more to say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I think not."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"All your scruples -are removed?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case I -shall carry you off with me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly; and I -will go and get my horse saddled."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have horses -here, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have five."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You had them sent -from Pierrefonds, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, M. Fouquet -gave them to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear Porthos, -we shall not want five horses for two persons; besides, I have -already three in Paris, which would make eight, and that will be -too many."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It would not be -too many if I had some of my servants here; but, alas! I have not -got them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you regret -them, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I regret -Mousqueton; I miss Mousqueton."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What a -good-hearted fellow you are, Porthos," said D'Artagnan; "but the -best thing you can do is to leave your horses here, as you have -left Mousqueton out yonder."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because, by and -by, it might turn out a very good thing if M. Fouquet had never -given you anything at all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I don't understand -you," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is not -necessary you should understand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But yet - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will explain to -you later, Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I'll wager it is -some piece of policy or other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And of the most -subtle character," returned D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos nodded his -head at this word policy; then, after a moment's reflection, he -added, "I confess, D'Artagnan, that I am no politician."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I know that -well."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! no one knows -what you told me yourself, you, the bravest of the brave."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What did I tell -you, Porthos?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That every man has -his day. You told me so, and I have experienced it myself. -There are certain days when one feels less pleasure than others -in exposing one's self to a bullet or a sword-thrust."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly my own -idea."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And mine, too, -although I can hardly believe in blows or thrusts that kill -outright."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The deuce! and yet -you have killed a few in your time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; but I have -never been killed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your reason is a -very good one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Therefore, I do -not believe I shall ever die from a thrust of a sword or a -gun-shot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case, -then, you are afraid of nothing. Ah! water, perhaps?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! I swim like -an otter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of a quartan -fever, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have never had -one yet, and I don't believe I ever shall; but there is one thing -I will admit," and Porthos dropped his voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is that?" -asked D'Artagnan, adopting the same tone of voice as Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I must confess," -repeated Porthos, "that I am horribly afraid of politics."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, bah!" -exclaimed D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Upon my word, it's -true," said Porthos, in a stentorian voice. "I have seen his -eminence Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu, and his eminence -Monsieur le Cardinal de Mazarin; the one was a red politician, -the other a black politician; I never felt very much more -satisfied with the one than with the other; the first struck off -the heads of M. de Marillac, M. de Thou, M. de Cinq-Mars, M. -Châlais, M. de Bouteville, and M. de Montmorency; the -second got a whole crowd of Frondeurs cut in pieces, and we -belonged to them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary, -we did not belong to them," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! indeed, yes; -for if I unsheathed my sword for the cardinal, I struck it for -the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My good -Porthos!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, I have -done. My dread of politics is such, that if there is any -question of politics in the matter, I should greatly prefer to -return to Pierrefonds."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You would be quite -right, if that were the case. But with me, my dear Porthos, no -politics at all, that is quite clear. You have labored hard in -fortifying Belle-Isle; the king wished to know the name of the -clever engineer under whose directions the works were carried -out; you are modest, as all men of true genius are; perhaps -Aramis wishes to put you under a bushel. But I happen to seize -hold of you; I make it known who you are; I produce you; the king -rewards you; and that is the only policy I have to do with."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And the only one I -will have to do with either," said Porthos, holding out his hand -to D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>But D'Artagnan knew -Porthos's grasp; he knew that, once imprisoned within the baron's -five fingers, no hand ever left it without being half-crushed. -He therefore held out, not his hand, but his fist, and Porthos -did not even perceive the difference. The servants talked a -little with each other in an undertone, and whispered a few -words, which D'Artagnan understood, but which he took very good -care not to let Porthos understand. "Our friend," he said to -himself, "was really and truly Aramis's prisoner. Let us now see -what the result will be of the liberation of the captive."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter IV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Rat and the Cheese.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>'Artagnan and -Porthos returned on foot, as D'Artagnan had set out. When -D'Artagnan, as he entered the shop of the Pilon d'Or, announced -to Planchet that M. du Vallon would be one of the privileged -travelers, and as the plume in Porthos's hat made the wooden -candles suspended over the front jingle together, a melancholy -presentiment seemed to eclipse the delight Planchet had promised -himself for the morrow. But the grocer had a heart of gold, ever -mindful of the good old times - a trait that carries youth into -old age. So Planchet, notwithstanding a sort of internal shiver, -checked as soon as experienced, received Porthos with respect, -mingled with the tenderest cordiality. Porthos, who was a little -cold and stiff in his manners at first, on account of the social -difference existing at that period between a baron and a grocer, -soon began to soften when he perceived so much good-feeling and -so many kind attentions in Planchet. He was particularly touched -by the liberty which was permitted him to plunge his great palms -into the boxes of dried fruits and preserves, into the sacks of -nuts and almonds, and into the drawers full of sweetmeats. So -that, notwithstanding Planchet's pressing invitations to go -upstairs to the <i>entresol</i>, he chose as his favorite seat, -during the evening which he had to spend at Planchet's house, the -shop itself, where his fingers could always fish up whatever his -nose detected. The delicious figs from Provence, filberts from -the forest, Tours plums, were subjects of his uninterrupted -attention for five consecutive hours. His teeth, like -millstones, cracked heaps of nuts, the shells of which were -scattered all over the floor, where they were trampled by every -one who went in and out of the shop; Porthos pulled from the -stalk with his lips, at one mouthful, bunches of the rich -Muscatel raisins with their beautiful bloom, half a pound of -which passed at one gulp from his mouth to his stomach. In one -of the corners of the shop, Planchet's assistants, huddled -together, looked at each other without venturing to open their -lips. They did not know who Porthos was, for they had never seen -him before. The race of those Titans who had worn the cuirasses -of Hugh Capet, Philip Augustus, and Francis I. had already begun -to disappear. They could hardly help thinking he might be the -ogre of the fairy tale, who was going to turn the whole contents -of Planchet's shop into his insatiable stomach, and that, too, -without in the slightest degree displacing the barrels and chests -that were in it. Cracking, munching, chewing, nibbling, sucking, -and swallowing, Porthos occasionally said to the grocer:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do a very good business -here, friend Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He will very soon have none -at all to do, if this sort of thing continues," grumbled the -foreman, who had Planchet's word that he should be his -successor. In the midst of his despair, he approached Porthos, -who blocked up the whole of the passage leading from the back -shop to the shop itself. He hoped that Porthos would rise and -that this movement would distract his devouring ideas.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you want, my man?" -asked Porthos, affably.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should like to pass you, -monsieur, if it is not troubling you too much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well," said Porthos, -"it does not trouble me in the least."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>At the same moment -he took hold of the young fellow by the waistband, lifted him off -the ground, and placed him very gently on the other side, smiling -all the while with the same affable expression. As soon as -Porthos had placed him on the ground, the lad's legs so shook -under him that he fell back upon some sacks of corks. But -noticing the giant's gentleness of manner, he ventured again, and -said:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, monsieur! pray -be careful."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What about?" -inquired Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are positively -putting a fiery furnace into your body."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How is that, my -good fellow?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"All those things -are very heating to the system!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Which?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Raisins, nuts, and -almonds."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; but if -raisins, nuts, and almonds are heating - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is no doubt -at all of it, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Honey is very -cooling," said Porthos, stretching out his hand toward a small -barrel of honey which was open, and he plunged the scoop with -which the wants of the customers were supplied into it, and -swallowed a good half-pound at one gulp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I must trouble you -for some water now, my man," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In a pail, -monsieur?" asked the lad, simply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, in a -water-bottle; that will be quite enough;" and raising the bottle -to his mouth, as a trumpeter does his trumpet, he emptied the -bottle at a single draught.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Planchet was -agitated in every fibre of propriety and self-esteem. However, a -worthy representative of the hospitality which prevailed in early -days, he feigned to be talking very earnestly with D'Artagnan, -and incessantly repeated: - "Ah! monsieur, what a happiness! what -an honor!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What time shall we -have supper, Planchet?" inquired Porthos, "I feel hungry."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The foreman clasped -his hands together. The two others got under the counters, -fearing Porthos might have a taste for human flesh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We shall only take -a sort of snack here," said D'Artagnan; "and when we get to -Planchet's country-seat, we will have supper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, ah! so we are -going to your country-house, Planchet," said Porthos; "so much -the better."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You overwhelm me, -monsieur le baron."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The "monsieur le -baron" had a great effect upon the men, who detected a personage -of the highest quality in an appetite of that kind. This title, -too, reassured them. They had never heard that an ogre was ever -called "monsieur le baron".</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will take a few -biscuits to eat on the road," said Porthos, carelessly; and he -emptied a whole jar of aniseed biscuits into the huge pocket of -his doublet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My shop is saved!" -exclaimed Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, as the cheese -was," whispered the foreman.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What cheese?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The Dutch cheese, -inside which a rat had made his way, and we found only the rind -left."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Planchet looked all -round his shop, and observing the different articles which had -escaped Porthos's teeth, he found the comparison somewhat -exaggerated. The foreman, who remarked what was passing in his -master's mind, said, "Take care; he is not gone yet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you any fruit -here?" said Porthos, as he went upstairs to the <i>entresol</i>, -where it had just been announced that some refreshment was -prepared.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Alas!" thought the -grocer, addressing a look at D'Artagnan full of entreaty, which -the latter half understood.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>As soon as they had -finished eating they set off. It was late when the three riders, -who had left Paris about six in the evening, arrived at -Fontainebleau. The journey passed very agreeably. Porthos took -a fancy to Planchet's society, because the latter was very -respectful in his manners, and seemed delighted to talk to him -about his meadows, his woods, and his rabbit-warrens. Porthos -had all the taste and pride of a landed proprietor. When -D'Artagnan saw his two companions in earnest conversation, he -took the opposite side of the road, and letting his bridle drop -upon his horse's neck, separated himself from the whole world, as -he had done from Porthos and from Planchet. The moon shone -softly through the foliage of the forest. The breezes of the -open country rose deliciously perfumed to the horse's nostrils, -and they snorted and pranced along delightedly. Porthos and -Planchet began to talk about hay-crops. Planchet admitted to -Porthos that in the advanced years of his life, he had certainly -neglected agricultural pursuits for commerce, but that his -childhood had been passed in Picardy in the beautiful meadows -where the grass grew as high as the knees, and where he had -played under the green apple-trees covered with red-cheeked -fruit; he went on to say, that he had solemnly promised himself -that as soon as he should have made his fortune, he would return -to nature, and end his days, as he had begun them, as near as he -possibly could to the earth itself, where all men must sleep at -last.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Eh, eh!" said -Porthos; "in that case, my dear Monsieur Planchet, your -retirement is not far distant."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, you seem to -be in the way of making your fortune very soon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, we are -getting on pretty well, I must admit," replied Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Come, tell me what -is the extent of your ambition, and what is the amount you intend -to retire upon?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is one -circumstance, monsieur," said Planchet, without answering the -question, "which occasions me a good deal of anxiety."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it?" -inquired Porthos, looking all round him as if in search of the -circumstance that annoyed Planchet, and desirous of freeing him -from it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, formerly," -said the grocer, "you used to call me Planchet quite short, and -you would have spoken to me then in a much more familiar manner -than you do now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly, -certainly, I should have said so formerly," replied the -good-natured Porthos, with an embarrassment full of delicacy; -"but formerly - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Formerly I was M. -d'Artagnan's lackey; is not that what you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well if I am not -quite his lackey, I am as much as ever I was his devoted servant; -and more than that, since that time - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, -Planchet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since that time, I -have had the honor of being in partnership with him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, oh!" said -Porthos. "What, has D'Artagnan gone into the grocery -business?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no," said -D'Artagnan, whom these words had drawn out of his reverie, and -who entered into the conversation with that readiness and -rapidity which distinguished every operation of his mind and -body. "It was not D'Artagnan who entered into the grocery -business, but Planchet who entered into a political affair with -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said -Planchet, with mingled pride and satisfaction, "we transacted a -little business which brought me in a hundred thousand francs and -M. d'Artagnan two hundred thousand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, oh!" said -Porthos, with admiration.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So that, monsieur -le baron," continued the grocer, "I again beg you to be kind -enough to call me Planchet, as you used to do; and to speak to me -as familiarly as in old times. You cannot possibly imagine the -pleasure it would give me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If that be the -case, my dear Planchet, I will do so, certainly," replied -Porthos. And as he was quite close to Planchet, he raised his -hand, as if to strike him on the shoulder, in token of friendly -cordiality; but a fortunate movement of the horse made him miss -his aim, so that his hand fell on the crupper of Planchet's -horse, instead; which made the animal's legs almost give way.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan burst -out laughing, as he said, "Take care, Planchet; for if Porthos -begins to like you so much, he will caress you, and if he -caresses you he will knock you as flat as a pancake. Porthos is -still as strong as every, you know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh," said -Planchet, "Mousqueton is not dead, and yet monsieur le baron is -very fond of him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly," said -Porthos, with a sigh which made all the three horses rear; "and I -was only saying, this very morning, to D'Artagnan, how much I -regretted him. But tell me, Planchet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thank you, -monsieur le baron, thank you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good lad, good -lad! How many acres of park have you got?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of park?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; we will -reckon up the meadows presently, and the woods afterwards."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Whereabouts, -monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At your -château."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, monsieur le -baron, I have neither château, nor park, nor meadows, nor -woods."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What have you got, -then?" inquired Porthos, "and why do you call it a -country-seat?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I did not call it -a country-seat, monsieur le baron," replied Planchet, somewhat -humiliated, "but a country-box."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, ah! I -understand. You are modest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, monsieur le -baron, I speak the plain truth. I have rooms for a couple of -friends, that's all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But in that case, -whereabouts do your friends walk?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In the first -place, they can walk about the king's forest, which is very -beautiful."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I know the -forest is very fine," said Porthos; "nearly as beautiful as my -forest at Berry."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Planchet opened his -eyes very wide. "Have you a forest of the same kind as the -forest at Fontainebleau, monsieur le baron?" he stammered -out.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; I have two, -indeed, but the one at Berry is my favorite."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why so?" asked -Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because I don't -know where it ends; and, also, because it is full of -poachers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How can the -poachers make the forest so agreeable to you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because they hunt -my game, and I hunt them - which, in these peaceful times, is for -me a sufficiently pleasing picture of war on a small scale."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>They had reached -this turn of conversation, when Planchet, looking up, perceived -the houses at the commencement of Fontainebleau, the lofty -outlines of which stood out strongly against the misty visage of -the heavens; whilst, rising above the compact and irregularly -formed mass of buildings, the pointed roofs of the château -were clearly visible, the slates of which glistened beneath the -light of the moon, like the scales of an immense fish. -"Gentlemen," said Planchet, "I have the honor to inform you that -we have arrived at Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter V:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Planchet's Country-House.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he cavaliers -looked up, and saw that what Planchet had announced to them was -true. Ten minutes afterwards they were in the street called the -Rue de Lyon, on the opposite side of the hostelry of the Beau -Paon. A high hedge of bushy elders, hawthorn, and wild hops -formed an impenetrable fence, behind which rose a white house, -with a high tiled roof. Two of the windows, which were quite -dark, looked upon the street. Between the two, a small door, -with a porch supported by a couple of pillars, formed the -entrance to the house. The door was gained by a step raised a -little from the ground. Planchet got off his horse, as if he -intended to knock at the door; but, on second thoughts, he took -hold of his horse by the bridle, and led it about thirty paces -further on, his two companions following him. He then advanced -about another thirty paces, until he arrived at the door of a -cart-house, lighted by an iron grating; and, lifting up a wooden -latch, pushed open one of the folding-doors. He entered first, -leading his horse after him by the bridle, into a small -courtyard, where an odor met them which revealed their close -vicinity to a stable. "That smells all right," said Porthos, -loudly, getting off his horse, "and I almost begin to think I am -near my own cows at Pierrefonds."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have only one cow," -Planchet hastened to say modestly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I have -thirty," said Porthos; "or rather, I don't exactly know how many -I have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>When the two -cavaliers had entered, Planchet fastened the door behind them. - In the meantime, D'Artagnan, who had dismounted with his usual -agility, inhaled the fresh perfumed air with the delight a -Parisian feels at the sight of green fields and fresh foliage, -plucked a piece of honeysuckle with one hand, and of sweet-briar -with the other. Porthos clawed hold of some peas which were -twined round poles stuck into the ground, and ate, or rather -browsed upon them, shells and all: and Planchet was busily -engaged trying to wake up an old and infirm peasant, who was fast -asleep in a shed, lying on a bed of moss, and dressed in an old -stable suit of clothes. The peasant, recognizing Planchet, -called him "the master," to the grocer's great satisfaction. -"Stable the horses well, old fellow, and you shall have something -good for yourself," said Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, yes; fine -animals they are too," said the peasant. "Oh! they shall have as -much as they like."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Gently, gently, my -man," said D'Artagnan, "we are getting on a little too fast. A -few oats and a good bed - nothing more."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Some bran and -water for my horse," said Porthos, "for it is very warm, I -think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Don't be afraid, -gentlemen," replied Planchet; "Daddy Celestin is an old gendarme, -who fought at Ivry. He knows all about horses; so come into the -house." And he led the way along a well-sheltered walk, which -crossed a kitchen-garden, then a small paddock, and came out into -a little garden behind the house, the principal front of which, -as we have already noticed, faced the street. As they -approached, they could see, through two open windows on the -ground floor, which led into a sitting-room, the interior of -Planchet's residence. This room, softly lighted by a lamp placed -on the table, seemed, from the end of the garden, like a smiling -image of repose, comfort, and happiness. In every direction -where the rays of light fell, whether upon a piece of old china, -or upon an article of furniture shining from excessive neatness, -or upon the weapons hanging against the wall, the soft light was -softly reflected; and its rays seemed to linger everywhere upon -something or another, agreeable to the eye. The lamp which -lighted the room, whilst the foliage of jasmine and climbing -roses hung in masses from the window-frames, splendidly -illuminated a damask table-cloth as white as snow. The table was -laid for two persons. Amber-colored wine sparkled in a long -cut-glass bottle; and a large jug of blue china, with a silver -lid, was filled with foaming cider. Near the table, in a -high-backed armchair, reclined, fast asleep, a woman of about -thirty years of age, her face the very picture of health and -freshness. Upon her knees lay a large cat, with her paws folded -under her, and her eyes half-closed, purring in that significant -manner which, according to feline habits, indicates perfect -contentment. The two friends paused before the window in -complete amazement, while Planchet, perceiving their -astonishment, was in no little degree secretly delighted at -it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! Planchet, you -rascal," said D'Artagnan, "I now understand your absences."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, oh! there is -some white linen!" said Porthos, in his turn, in a voice of -thunder. At the sound of this gigantic voice, the cat took -flight, the housekeeper woke up with a start, and Planchet, -assuming a gracious air, introduced his two companions into the -room, where the table was already laid.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Permit me, my -dear," he said, "to present to you Monsieur le Chevalier -d'Artagnan, my patron." D'Artagnan took the lady's hand in his -in the most courteous manner, and with precisely the same -chivalrous air as he would have taken Madame's.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur le Baron -du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds," added Planchet. Porthos -bowed with a reverence which Anne of Austria would have approved -of.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>It was then -Planchet's turn, and he unhesitatingly embraced the lady in -question, not, however, until he had made a sign as if requesting -D'Artagnan's and Porthos's permission, a permission as a matter -of course frankly conceded. D'Artagnan complimented Planchet, -and said, "You are indeed a man who knows how to make life -agreeable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Life, monsieur," -said Planchet, laughing, "is capital which a man ought to invest -as sensibly as he possibly can."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you get very -good interest for yours," said Porthos, with a burst of laughter -like a peal of thunder.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Planchet turned to -his housekeeper. "You have before you," he said to her, "the two -gentlemen who influenced the greatest, gayest, grandest portion -of my life. I have spoken to you about them both very -frequently."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And about two -others as well," said the lady, with a very decided Flemish -accent.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Madame is Dutch?" -inquired D'Artagnan. Porthos curled his mustache, a circumstance -which was not lost upon D'Artagnan, who noticed everything.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am from -Antwerp," said the lady.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And her name is -Madame Getcher," said Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You should not -call her madame," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not?" asked -Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because it would -make her seem older every time you call her so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, I call her -Trüchen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And a very pretty -name too," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Trüchen," -said Planchet, "came to me from Flanders with her virtue and two -thousand florins. She ran away from a brute of a husband who was -in the habit of beating her. Being myself a Picard born, I was -always very fond of the Artesian women, and it is only a step -from Artois to Flanders; she came crying bitterly to her -godfather, my predecessor in the Rue des Lombards; she placed her -two thousand florins in my establishment, which I have turned to -very good account, and which have brought her in ten -thousand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Bravo, -Planchet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"She is free and -well off; she has a cow, a maid servant and old Celestin at her -orders; she mends my linen, knits my winter stockings; she only -sees me every fortnight, and seems to make herself in all things -tolerably happy.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And indeed, -gentlemen, I <i>am</i> very happy and comfortable," said -Trüchen, with perfect ingenuousness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos began to -curl the other side of his mustache. "The deuce," thought -D'Artagnan, "can Porthos have any intentions in that -quarter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>In the meantime -Trüchen had set her cook to work, had laid the table for two -more, and covered it with every possible delicacy that could -convert a light supper into a substantial meal, a meal into a -regular feast. Fresh butter, salt beef, anchovies, tunny, a -shopful of Planchet's commodities, fowls, vegetables, salad, fish -from the pond and the river, game from the forest - all the -produce, in fact, of the province. Moreover, Planchet returned -from the cellar, laden with ten bottles of wine, the glass of -which could hardly be seen for the thick coating of dust which -covered them. Porthos's heart began to expand as he said, "I am -hungry," and he sat himself beside Madame Trüchen, whom he -looked at in the most killing manner. D'Artagnan seated himself -on the other side of her, while Planchet, discreetly and full of -delight, took his seat opposite.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not trouble -yourselves," he said, "if Trüchen should leave the table now -and then during supper; for she will have to look after your -bedrooms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>In fact, the -housekeeper made her escape quite frequently, and they could -hear, on the first floor above them, the creaking of the wooden -bedsteads and the rolling of the castors on the floor. While -this was going on, the three men, Porthos especially, ate and -drank gloriously, - it was wonderful to see them. The ten full -bottles were ten empty one by the time Trüchen returned with -the cheese. D'Artagnan still preserved his dignity and -self-possession, but Porthos had lost a portion of his; and the -mirth soon began to grow somewhat uproarious. D'Artagnan -recommended a new descent into the cellar, and, as Planchet no -longer walked with the steadiness of a well-trained foot-soldier, -the captain of the musketeers proposed to accompany him. They -set off, humming songs wild enough to frighten anybody who might -be listening. Trüchen remained behind at table with -Porthos. While the two wine-bibbers were looking behind the -firewood for what they wanted, a sharp report was heard like the -impact of a pair of lips on a lady's cheek.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Porthos fancies -himself at La Rochelle," thought D'Artagnan, as they returned -freighted with bottles. Planchet was singing so loudly that he -was incapable of noticing anything. D'Artagnan, whom nothing -ever escaped, remarked how much redder Trüchen's left cheek -was than her right. Porthos was sitting on Trüchen's left, -and was curling with both his hands both sides of his mustache at -once, and Trüchen was looking at him with a most bewitching -smile. The sparkling wine of Anjou very soon produced a -remarkable effect upon the three companions. D'Artagnan had -hardly strength enough left to take a candlestick to light -Planchet up his own staircase. Planchet was pulling Porthos -along, who was following Trüchen, who was herself jovial -enough. It was D'Artagnan who found out the rooms and the beds. -Porthos threw himself into the one destined for him, after his -friend had undressed him. D'Artagnan got into his own bed, -saying to himself, "<i>Mordioux!</i> I had made up my mind never -to touch that light-colored wine, which brings my early camp days -back again. Fie! fie! if my musketeers were only to see their -captain in such a state." And drawing the curtains of his bed, -he added, "Fortunately enough, though, they will not see me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The country is -very amusing," said Porthos, stretching out his legs, which -passed through the wooden footboard, and made a tremendous crash, -of which, however, no one in the house was capable of taking the -slightest notice. By two o'clock in the morning every one was -fast asleep.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter VI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Showing What Could Be Seen from Planchet's House.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he next -morning found the three heroes sleeping soundly. Trüchen -had closed the outside blinds to keep the first rays of the sun -from the leaden-lidded eyes of her guests, like a kind, good -housekeeper. It was still perfectly dark, then, beneath -Porthos's curtains and under Planchet's canopy, when D'Artagnan, -awakened by an indiscreet ray of light which made its way through -a peek-hole in the shutters, jumped hastily out of bed, as if he -wished to be the first at a forlorn hope. He took by assault -Porthos's room, which was next to his own. The worthy Porthos -was sleeping with a noise like distant thunder; in the dim -obscurity of the room his gigantic frame was prominently -displayed, and his swollen fist hung down outside the bed upon -the carpet. D'Artagnan awoke Porthos, who rubbed his eyes in a -tolerably good humor. In the meantime Planchet was dressing -himself, and met at their bedroom doors his two guests, who were -still somewhat unsteady from their previous evening's -entertainment. Although it was yet very early, the whole -household was already up. The cook was mercilessly slaughtering -in the poultry-yard; Celestin was gathering white cherries in the -garden. Porthos, brisk and lively as ever, held out his hand to -Planchet's, and D'Artagnan requested permission to embrace Madame -Trüchen. The latter, to show that she bore no ill-will, -approached Porthos, upon whom she conferred the same favor. -Porthos embraced Madame Trüchen, heaving an enormous sigh. -Planchet took both his friends by the hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am going to show you over -the house," he said; "when we arrived last night it was as dark -as an oven, and we were unable to see anything; but in broad -daylight, everything looks different, and you will be satisfied, -I hope."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If we begin by the view you -have here," said D'Artagnan, "that charms me beyond everything; I -have always lived in royal mansions, you know, and royal -personages have tolerably sound ideas upon the selection of -points of view."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am a great stickler for a -good view myself," said Porthos. "At my Château de -Pierrefonds, I have had four avenues laid out, and at the end of -each is a landscape of an altogether different character from the -others."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You shall see <i>my</i> -prospect," said Planchet; and he led his two guests to a -window.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said D'Artagnan, "this -is the Rue de Lyon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I have two windows on -this side, a paltry, insignificant view, for there is always that -bustling and noisy inn, which is a very disagreeable neighbor. I -had four windows here, but I bricked up two."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let us go on," said -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> They entered a corridor -leading to the bedrooms, and Planchet pushed open the outside -blinds.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Hollo! what is that out -yonder?" said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The forest," said Planchet. - "It is the horizon, - a thick line of green, which is yellow in -the spring, green in the summer, red in the autumn, and white in -the winter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All very well, but it is -like a curtain, which prevents one seeing a greater -distance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said Planchet; -"still, one can see, at all events, everything that -intervenes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, the open country," said -Porthos. "But what is that I see out there, - crosses and -stones?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, that is the cemetery," -exclaimed D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely," said Planchet; -"I assure you it is very curious. Hardly a day passes that some -one is not buried there; for Fontainebleau is by no means an -inconsiderable place. Sometimes we see young girls clothed in -white carrying banners; at others, some of the town-council, or -rich citizens, with choristers and all the parish authorities; -and then, too, we see some of the officers of the king's -household."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should not like that," -said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is not much amusement -in it, at all events," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I assure you it encourages -religious thoughts," replied Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, I don't deny that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But," continued Planchet, -"we must all die one day or another, and I once met with a maxim -somewhere which I have remembered, that the thought of death is a -thought that will do us all good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am far from saying the -contrary," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But," objected D'Artagnan, -"the thought of green fields, flowers, rivers, blue horizons, -extensive and boundless plains, is no likely to do us good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If I had any, I should be -far from rejecting them," said Planchet; "but possessing only -this little cemetery, full of flowers, so moss-grown, shady, and -quiet, I am contented with it, and I think of those who live in -town, in the Rue des Lombards, for instance, and who have to -listen to the rumbling of a couple of thousand vehicles every -day, and to the soulless tramp, tramp, tramp of a hundred and -fifty thousand foot-passengers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But living," said Porthos; -"living, remember that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is exactly the -reason," said Planchet, timidly, "why I feel it does me good to -contemplate a few dead."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my word," said -D'Artagnan, "that fellow Planchet is born a philosopher as well -as a grocer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur," said Planchet, -"I am one of those good-humored sort of men whom Heaven created -for the purpose of living a certain span of days, and of -considering all good they meet with during their transitory stay -on earth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan sat down close to -the window, and as there seemed to be something substantial in -Planchet's philosophy, he mused over it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, ah!" exclaimed -Planchet, "if I am not mistaken, we are going to have a -representation now, for I think I heard something like -chanting."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said D'Artagnan, "I -hear singing too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, it is only a burial of -a very poor description," said Planchet, disdainfully; "the -officiating priest, the beadle, and only one chorister boy, -nothing more. You observe, messieurs, that the defunct lady or -gentleman could not have been of very high rank."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; no one seems to be -following the coffin."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said Porthos; "I see -a man."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right; a man -wrapped in a cloak," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It's not worth looking at," -said Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I find it interesting," -said D'Artagnan, leaning on the window-sill.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come, come, you are -beginning to take a fancy to the place already," said Planchet, -delightedly; "it is exactly my own case. I was so melancholy at -first that I could do nothing but make the sign of the cross all -day, and the chants were like so many nails being driven into my -head; but now, they lull me to sleep, and no bird I have ever -seen or heard can sing better than those which are to be met with -in this cemetery."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," said Porthos, "this -is beginning to get a little dull for me, and I prefer going -downstairs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet with one bound was -beside his guest, whom he offered to lead into the garden.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What!" said Porthos to -D'Artagnan, as he turned round, "are you going to remain -here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I will join you -presently."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, M. D'Artagnan is -right, after all," said Planchet: "are they beginning to bury -yet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not yet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! yes, the grave-digger -is waiting until the cords are fastened round the bier. But, -see, a woman has just entered the cemetery at the other end."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes, my dear -Planchet," said D'Artagnan, quickly, "leave me, leave me; I feel -I am beginning already to be much comforted by my meditations, so -do not interrupt me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet left, and -D'Artagnan remained, devouring with his eager gaze from behind -the half-closed blinds what was taking place just before him. -The two bearers of the corpse had unfastened the straps by which -they carried the litter, and were letting their burden glide -gently into the open grave. At a few paces distant, the man with -the cloak wrapped round him, the only spectator of this -melancholy scene, was leaning with his back against a large -cypress-tree, and kept his face and person entirely concealed -from the grave-diggers and the priests; the corpse was buried in -five minutes. The grave having been filled up, the priests -turned away, and the grave-digger having addressed a few words to -them, followed them as they moved away. The man in the mantle -bowed as they passed him, and put a piece of gold into the -grave-digger's hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Mordioux!</i>" murmured -D'Artagnan; "it is Aramis himself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis, in fact, remained -alone, on that side at least; for hardly had he turned his head -when a woman's footsteps, and the rustling of her dress, were -heard in the path close to him. He immediately turned round, and -took off his hat with the most ceremonious respect; he led the -lady under the shelter of some walnut and lime trees, which -overshadowed a magnificent tomb.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! who would have thought -it," said D'Artagnan; "the bishop of Vannes at a rendezvous! He -is still the same Abbé Aramis as he was at Noisy-le-Sec. -Yes," he added, after a pause; "but as it is in a cemetery, the -rendezvous is sacred." But he almost laughed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The conversation lasted for -fully half an hour. D'Artagnan could not see the lady's face, -for she kept her back turned towards him; but he saw perfectly -well, by the erect attitude of both the speakers, by their -gestures, by the measured and careful manner with which they -glanced at each other, either by way of attack or defense, that -they must be conversing about any other subject than of love. At -the end of the conversation the lady rose, and bowed profoundly -to Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, oh," said D'Artagnan; -"this rendezvous finishes like one of a very tender nature -though. The cavalier kneels at the beginning, the young lady by -and by gets tamed down, and then it is she who has to -supplicate. Who is this lady? I would give anything to -ascertain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> This seemed impossible, -however, for Aramis was the first to leave; the lady carefully -concealed her head and face, and then immediately departed. -D'Artagnan could hold out no longer; he ran to the window which -looked out on the Rue de Lyon, and saw Aramis entering the inn. -The lady was proceeding in quite an opposite direction, and -seemed, in fact, to be about to rejoin an equipage, consisting of -two led horses and a carriage, which he could see standing close -to the borders of the forest. She was walking slowly, her head -bent down, absorbed in the deepest meditation.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Mordioux! -Mordioux!</i> I must and will learn who that woman is," said the -musketeer again; and then, without further deliberation, he set -off in pursuit of her. As he was going along, he tried to think -how he could possibly contrive to make her raise her veil. "She -is not young," he said, "and is a woman of high rank in society. -I ought to know that figure and peculiar style of walk." As he -ran, the sound of his spurs and of his boots upon the hard ground -of the street made a strange jingling noise; a fortunate -circumstance in itself, which he was far from reckoning upon. -The noise disturbed the lady; she seemed to fancy she was being -either followed or pursued, which was indeed the case, and turned -round. D'Artagnan started as if he had received a charge of -small shot in his legs, and then turning suddenly round as if he -were going back the same way he had come, he murmured, "Madame de -Chevreuse!" D'Artagnan would not go home until he had learnt -everything. He asked Celestin to inquire of the grave-digger -whose body it was they had buried that morning.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A poor Franciscan mendicant -friar," replied the latter, "who had not even a dog to love him -in this world, and to accompany him to his last -resting-place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If that were really the -case," thought D'Artagnan, "we should not have found Aramis -present at his funeral. The bishop of Vannes is not precisely a -dog as far as devotion goes: his scent, however, is quite as -keen, I admit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter VII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>How -Porthos, Trüchen, and Planchet Parted with Each Other on -Friendly Terms, Thanks to D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>here was good -living in Planchet's house. Porthos broke a ladder and two -cherry-trees, stripped the raspberry-bushes, and was only unable -to succeed in reaching the strawberry-beds on account, as he -said, of his belt. Trüchen, who had become quite sociable -with the giant, said that it was not the belt so much as his -corporation; and Porthos, in a state of the highest delight, -embraced Trüchen, who gathered him a pailful of the -strawberries, and made him eat them out of her hands. -D'Artagnan, who arrived in the midst of these little innocent -flirtations, scolded Porthos for his indolence, and silently -pitied Planchet. Porthos breakfasted with a very good appetite, -and when he had finished, he said, looking at Trüchen, "I -could make myself very happy here." Trüchen smiled at his -remark, and so did Planchet, but not without embarrassment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan then addressed -Porthos: "You must not let the delights of Capua make you forget -the real object of our journey to Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My presentation to the -king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly. I am going to -take a turn in the town to get everything ready for that. Do not -think of leaving the house, I beg."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no!" exclaimed -Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet looked at -D'Artagnan nervously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you be away long?" he -inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, my friend; and this -very evening I will release you from two troublesome guests."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! Monsieur d'Artagnan! -can you say - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no; you are a -noble-hearted fellow, but your house is very small. Such a -house, with half a dozen acres of land, would be fit for a king, -and make him very happy, too. But you were not born a great -lord."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No more was M. Porthos," -murmured Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But he has become so, my -good fellow; his income has been a hundred thousand francs a year -for the last twenty years, and for the last fifty years Porthos -has been the owner of a couple of fists and a backbone, which are -not to be matched throughout the whole realm of France. Porthos -is a man of the very greatest consequence compared to you, -and… well, I need say no more, for I know you are an -intelligent fellow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no, monsieur, explain -what you mean."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Look at your orchard, how -stripped it is, how empty your larder, your bedstead broken, your -cellar almost exhausted, look too… at Madame Trüchen -- "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! my goodness gracious!" -said Planchet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame Trüchen is an -excellent person," continued D'Artagnan, "but keep her for -yourself, do you understand?" and he slapped him on the -shoulder.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Planchet at this moment -perceived Porthos and Trüchen sitting close together in an -arbor; Trüchen, with a grace of manner peculiarly Flemish, -was making a pair of earrings for Porthos out of a double cherry, -while Porthos was laughing as amorously as Samson in the company -of Delilah. Planchet pressed D'Artagnan's hand, and ran towards -the arbor. We must do Porthos the justice to say that he did not -move as they approached, and, very likely, he did not think he -was doing any harm. Nor indeed did Trüchen move either, -which rather put Planchet out; but he, too, had been so -accustomed to see fashionable folk in his shop, that he found no -difficulty in putting a good countenance on what seemed -disagreeable or rude. Planchet seized Porthos by the arm, and -proposed to go and look at the horses, but Porthos pretended he -was tired. Planchet then suggested that the Baron du Vallon -should taste some noyeau of his own manufacture, which was not to -be equaled anywhere; an offer the baron immediately accepted; -and, in this way, Planchet managed to engage his enemy's -attention during the whole of the day, by dint of sacrificing his -cellar, in preference to his <i>amour propre.</i> Two hours -afterwards D'Artagnan returned.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Everything is arranged," he -said; "I saw his majesty at the very moment he was setting off -for the chase; the king expects us this evening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king expects -<i>me!</i>" cried Porthos, drawing himself up. It is a sad thing -to have to confess, but a man's heart is like an ocean billow; -for, from that very moment Porthos ceased to look at Madame -Trüchen in that touching manner which had so softened her -heart. Planchet encouraged these ambitious leanings as best as -he could. He talked over, or rather gave exaggerated accounts of -all the splendors of the last reign, its battles, sieges, and -grand court ceremonies. He spoke of the luxurious display which -the English made; the prizes the three brave companions carried -off; and how D'Artagnan, who at the beginning had been the -humblest of the four, finished by becoming the leader. He fired -Porthos with a generous feeling of enthusiasm by reminding him of -his early youth now passed away; he boasted as much as he could -of the moral life this great lord had led, and how religiously he -respected the ties of friendship; he was eloquent, and skillful -in his choice of subjects. He tickled Porthos, frightened -Trüchen, and made D'Artagnan think. At six o'clock, the -musketeer ordered the horses to be brought round, and told -Porthos to get ready. He thanked Planchet for his kind -hospitality, whispered a few words about a post he might succeed -in obtaining for him at court, which immediately raised Planchet -in Trüchen's estimation, where the poor grocer - so good, so -generous, so devoted - had become much lowered ever since the -appearance and comparison with him of the two great gentlemen. -Such, however, is a woman's nature; they are anxious to possess -what they have not got, and disdain it as soon as it is -acquired. After having rendered this service to his friend -Planchet, D'Artagnan said in a low tone of voice to Porthos: -"That is a very beautiful ring you have on your finger."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is worth three hundred -pistoles," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame Trüchen will -remember you better if you leave her that ring," replied -D'Artagnan, a suggestion which Porthos seemed to hesitate to -adopt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You think it is not -beautiful enough, perhaps," said the musketeer. "I understand -your feelings; a great lord such as you would not think of -accepting the hospitality of an old servant without paying him -most handsomely for it: but I am sure that Planchet is too -good-hearted a fellow to remember that you have an income of a -hundred thousand francs a year."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have more than half a -mind," said Porthos, flattered by the remark, "to make Madame -Trüchen a present of my little farm at Bracieux; it has -twelve acres."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is too much, my good -Porthos, too much just at present… Keep it for a future -occasion." He then took the ring off Porthos's finger, and -approaching Trüchen, said to her: - "Madame, monsieur le -baron hardly knows how to entreat you, out of your regard for -him, to accept this little ring. M. du Vallon is one of the most -generous and discreet men of my acquaintance. He wished to offer -you a farm that he has at Bracieux, but I dissuaded him from -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said Trüchen, -looking eagerly at the diamond.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur le baron!" -exclaimed Planchet, quite overcome.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My good friend," stammered -out Porthos, delighted at having been so well represented by -D'Artagnan. These several exclamations, uttered at the same -moment, made quite a pathetic winding-up of a day which might -have finished in a very ridiculous manner. But D'Artagnan was -there, and, on every occasion, wheresoever D'Artagnan exercised -any control, matters ended only just in the very way he wished -and willed. There were general embracings; Trüchen, whom -the baron's munificence had restored to her proper position, very -timidly, and blushing all the while, presented her forehead to -the great lord with whom she had been on such very pretty terms -the evening before. Planchet himself was overcome by a feeling -of genuine humility. Still, in the same generosity of -disposition, Porthos would have emptied his pockets into the -hands of the cook and of Celestin; but D'Artagnan stopped -him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No," he said, "it is now my -turn." And he gave one pistole to the woman and two to the man; -and the benedictions which were showered down upon them would -have rejoiced the heart of Harpagon himself, and have rendered -even him a prodigal.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan made Planchet -lead them to the château, and introduced Porthos into his -own apartment, where he arrived safely without having been -perceived by those he was afraid of meeting.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter VIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Presentation of Porthos at Court.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>t seven -o'clock the same evening, the king gave an audience to an -ambassador from the United Provinces, in the grand -reception-room. The audience lasted a quarter of an hour. His -majesty afterwards received those who had been recently -presented, together with a few ladies, who paid their respects -first. In one corner of the salon, concealed behind a column, -Porthos and D'Artagnan were conversing together, waiting until -their turn arrived.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have you heard the news?" -inquired the musketeer of his friend.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, look, then." Porthos -raised himself on tiptoe, and saw M. Fouquet in full court dress, -leading Aramis towards the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Aramis!" said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Presented to the king by M. -Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" ejaculated -Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For having fortified -Belle-Isle," continued D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You - oh, you! as I have -already had the honor of telling you, are the good-natured, -kind-hearted Porthos; and so they begged you to take care of -Saint-Mandé a little."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" repeated Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, happily, I was there," -said D'Artagnan, "and presently it will be <i>my</i> turn."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At this moment Fouquet -addressed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," he said, "I have a -favor to solicit of your majesty. M. d'Herblay is not ambitious, -but he knows when he can be of service. Your majesty needs a -representative at Rome, who would be able to exercise a powerful -influence there; may I request a cardinal's hat for M. -d'Herblay?" The king started. "I do not often solicit anything -of your majesty," said Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is a reason, -certainly," replied the king, who always expressed any hesitation -he might have in that manner, and to which remark there was -nothing to say in reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Fouquet and Aramis looked at -each other. The king resumed: "M. d'Herblay can serve us equally -well in France; an archbishopric, for instance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," objected Fouquet, -with a grace of manner peculiarly his own, "your majesty -overwhelms M. d'Herblay; the archbishopric may, in your majesty's -extreme kindness, be conferred in addition to the hat; the one -does not exclude the other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king admired the -readiness which he displayed, and smiled, saying: "D'Artagnan -himself could not have answered better." He had no sooner -pronounced the name than D'Artagnan appeared.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did your majesty call me?" -he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis and Fouquet drew back -a step, as if they were about to retire.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will your majesty allow -me," said D'Artagnan quickly, as he led forward Porthos, "to -present to your majesty M. le Baron du Vallon, one of the bravest -gentlemen of France?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> As soon as Aramis saw -Porthos, he turned as pale as death, while Fouquet clenched his -hands under his ruffles. D'Artagnan smiled blandly at both of -them, while Porthos bowed, visibly overcome before the royal -presence.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Porthos here?" murmured -Fouquet in Aramis's ear.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Hush! deep treachery at -work," hissed the latter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," said D'Artagnan, "it -is more than six years ago I ought to have presented M. du Vallon -to your majesty; but certain men resemble stars, they move not -one inch unless their satellites accompany them. The Pleiades -are never disunited, and that is the reason I have selected, for -the purpose of presenting him to you, the very moment when you -would see M. d'Herblay by his side."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis almost lost -countenance. He looked at D'Artagnan with a proud, haughty air, -as though willing to accept the defiance the latter seemed to -throw down.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! these gentlemen are -good friends, then?" said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Excellent friends, sire; -the one can answer for the other. Ask M. de Vannes now in what -manner Belle-Isle was fortified?" Fouquet moved back a step.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Belle-Isle," said Aramis, -coldly, "was fortified by that gentleman," and he indicated -Porthos with his hand, who bowed a second time. Louis could not -withhold his admiration, though at the same time his suspicions -were aroused.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said D'Artagnan, "but -ask monsieur le baron whose assistance he had in carrying the -works out?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Aramis's," said Porthos, -frankly; and he pointed to the bishop.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What the deuce does all -this mean?" thought the bishop, "and what sort of a termination -are we to expect to this comedy?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What!" exclaimed the king, -"is the cardinal's, I mean this bishop's, name -<i>Aramis?</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "His <i>nom de guerre</i>," -said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My nickname," said -Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A truce to modesty!" -exclaimed D'Artagnan; "beneath the priest's robe, sire, is -concealed the most brilliant officer, a gentleman of the most -unparalleled intrepidity, and the wisest theologian in your -kingdom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis raised his head. "And -an engineer, also, it appears," he said, admiring Aramis's calm, -imperturbable self-possession.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "An engineer for a -particular purpose, sire," said the latter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My companion in the -musketeers, sire," said D'Artagnan, with great warmth of manner, -"the man who has more than a hundred times aided your father's -ministers by his advice - M. d'Herblay, in a word, who, with M. -du Vallon, myself, and M. le Comte de la Fère, who is -known to your majesty, formed that quartette which was a good -deal talked about during the late king's reign, and during your -majesty's minority."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And who fortified -Belle-Isle?" the king repeated, in a significant tone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis advanced and bowed: -"In order to serve the son as I served the father."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan looked very -narrowly at Aramis while he uttered these words, which displayed -so much true respect, so much warm devotion, such entire -frankness and sincerity, that even he, D'Artagnan, the eternal -doubter, he, the almost infallible in judgment, was deceived by -it. "A man who lies cannot speak in such a tone as that," he -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis was overcome by it. -"In that case," he said to Fouquet, who anxiously awaited the -result of this proof, "the cardinal's hat is promised. Monsieur -d'Herblay, I pledge you my honor that the first promotion shall -be yours. Thank M. Fouquet for it." Colbert overheard these -words; they stung him to the quick, and he left the salon -abruptly. "And you, Monsieur du Vallon," said the king, "what -have you to ask? I am truly pleased to have it in my power to -acknowledge the services of those who were faithful to my -father."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire - " began Porthos, but -he was unable to proceed with what he was going to say.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," exclaimed -D'Artagnan, "this worthy gentleman is utterly overpowered by your -majesty's presence, he who so valiantly sustained the looks and -the fire of a thousand foes. But, knowing what his thoughts are, -I - who am more accustomed to gaze upon the sun - can translate -them: he needs nothing, absolutely nothing; his sole desire is to -have the happiness of gazing upon your majesty for a quarter of -an hour."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You shall sup with me this -evening," said the king, saluting Porthos with a gracious -smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos became crimson from -delight and pride. The king dismissed him, and D'Artagnan pushed -him into the adjoining apartment, after he had embraced him -warmly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sit next to me at table," -said Porthos in his ear.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, my friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Aramis is annoyed with me, -I think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Aramis has never liked you -so much as he does now. Fancy, it was I who was the means of his -getting the cardinal's hat."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course," said Porthos. -"By the by, does the king like his guests to eat much at his -table?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is a compliment to -himself if you do," said D'Artagnan, "for he himself possesses a -royal appetite."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter IX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Explanations.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>ramis -cleverly managed to effect a diversion for the purpose of finding -D'Artagnan and Porthos. He came up to the latter, behind one of -the columns, and, as he pressed his hand, said, "So you have -escaped from my prison?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not scold him," said -D'Artagnan; "it was I, dear Aramis, who set him free."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! my friend," replied -Aramis, looking at Porthos, "could you not have waited with a -little more patience?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan came to the -assistance of Porthos, who already began to breathe hard, in sore -perplexity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You see, you members of the -Church are great politicians; we mere soldiers come at once to -the point. The facts are these: I went to pay Baisemeaux a visit -- "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis pricked up his ears -at this announcement.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay!" said Porthos; "you -make me remember that I have a letter from Baisemeaux for you, -Aramis." And Porthos held out the bishop the letter we have -already seen. Aramis begged to be allowed to read it, and read -it without D'Artagnan feeling in the slightest degree embarrassed -by the circumstance that he was so well acquainted with the -contents of it. Besides, Aramis's face was so impenetrable, that -D'Artagnan could not but admire him more than ever; after he had -read it, he put the letter into his pocket with the calmest -possible air.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You were saying, captain?" -he observed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was saying," continued -the musketeer, "that I had gone to pay Baisemeaux a visit on his -majesty's service."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On his majesty's service?" -said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said D'Artagnan, -"and, naturally enough, we talked about you and our friends. I -must say that Baisemeaux received me coldly; so I soon took my -leave of him. As I was returning, a soldier accosted me, and -said (no doubt as he recognized me, notwithstanding I was in -private clothes), 'Captain, will you be good enough to read me -the name written on this envelope?' and I read, 'To Monsieur du -Vallon, at M. Fouquet's house, Saint-Mandé.' The deuce, I -said to myself, Porthos has not returned, then, as I fancied, to -Bell-Isle, or to Pierrefonds, but is at M. Fouquet's house, at -Saint-Mandé; and as M. Fouquet is not at -Saint-Mandé, Porthos must be quite alone, or, at all -events, with Aramis; I will go and see Porthos, and I accordingly -went to see Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good," said Aramis, -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You never told me that," -said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I had no time, my -friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you brought back -Porthos with you to Fontainebleau?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, to Planchet's -house."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Does Planchet live at -Fontainebleau?" inquired Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, near the cemetery," -said Porthos, thoughtlessly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean by 'near -the cemetery?'" said Aramis, suspiciously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come," thought the -musketeer, "since there is to be a squabble, let us take -advantage of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, the cemetery," said -Porthos. "Planchet is a very excellent fellow, who makes very -excellent preserves; but his house has windows which look out -upon the cemetery. And a confoundedly melancholy prospect it -is! So this morning - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This morning?" said Aramis, -more and more excited.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan turned his back -to them, and walked to the window, where he began to play a march -upon one of the panes of glass.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, this morning we saw a -man buried there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very depressing, was it -not? I should never be able to live in a house where burials can -always be seen from the window. D'Artagnan, on the contrary, -seems to like it very much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So D'Artagnan saw it as -well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not simply <i>saw</i> it; -he literally never took his eyes off the whole time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis started, and turned -to look at the musketeer, but the latter was engaged in earnest -conversation with Saint-Aignan. Aramis continued to question -Porthos, and when he had squeezed all the juice out of this -enormous lemon, he threw the peel aside. He turned towards his -friend D'Artagnan, and clapping him on the shoulder, when -Saint-Aignan had left him, the king's supper having been -announced, said, "D'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, my dear fellow," he -replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We do not sup with his -majesty, I believe?"<br> - "Well? - <i>we</i> do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Can you give me ten -minutes' conversation?"<br> - "Twenty, if you like. His majesty will take -quite that time to get properly seated at table."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where shall we talk, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Here, upon these seats if -you like; the king has left, we can sit down, and the apartment -is empty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let us sit down, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> They sat down, and Aramis -took one of D'Artagnan's hands in his.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me, candidly, my dear -friend, whether you have not counseled Porthos to distrust me a -little?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I admit, I have, but not as -you understand it. I saw that Porthos was bored to death, and I -wished, by presenting him to the king, to do for him, and for -you, what you would never do for yourselves."<br> - "What is that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Speak in your own -praise."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you have done it most -nobly; I thank you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I brought the -cardinal's hat a little nearer, just as it seemed to be -retreating from you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! I admit that," said -Aramis, with a singular smile, "you are, indeed, not to be -matched for making your friends' fortunes for them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You see, then, that I only -acted with the view of making Porthos's fortune for him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I meant to have done that -myself; but your arm reaches farther than ours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was now D'Artagnan's turn -to smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come," said Aramis, "we -ought to deal truthfully with each other. Do you still love me, -D'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The same as I used to do," -replied D'Artagnan, without compromising himself too much by this -reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, thanks; and -now, for the most perfect frankness," said Aramis; "you visited -Belle-Isle on behalf of the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Pardieu!</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You wished to deprive us of -the pleasure of offering Bell-Isle completely fortified to the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But before I could deprive -you of that pleasure, I ought to have been made acquainted with -your intention of doing so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You came to Belle-Isle -without knowing anything?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of you! yes. How the devil -could I imagine that Aramis had become so clever an engineer as -to be able to fortify like Polybius, or Archimedes?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True. And yet you smelt me -out over yonder?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! yes."<br> - "And Porthos, too?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I did not divine that -Aramis was an engineer. I was only able to guess that Porthos -might have become one. There is a saying, one becomes an orator, -one is born a poet; but it has never been said, one is born -Porthos, and one becomes an engineer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your wit is always -amusing," said Aramis, coldly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, I will go on."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do. When you found out our -secret, you made all the haste you could to communicate it to the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I certainly made as much -haste as I could, since I saw that you were making still more. -When a man weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, as Porthos -does, rides post; when a gouty prelate - I beg your pardon, but -you yourself told me you were so - when a prelate scours the -highway - I naturally suppose that my two friends, who did not -wish to be communicative with me, had certain matters of the -highest importance to conceal from me, and so I made as much -haste as my leanness and the absence of gout would allow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did it not occur to you, my -dear friend, that you might be rendering Porthos and myself a -very sad service?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I thought it not -unlikely; but you and Porthos made me play a very ridiculous part -at Belle-Isle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I beg your pardon," said -Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Excuse me," said -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So that," pursued Aramis, -"you now know everything?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, indeed."<br> - "You know I was obliged to inform M. Fouquet of -what had happened, in order that he would be able to anticipate -what you might have to tell the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is rather -obscure."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not at all: M. Fouquet has -his enemies - you will admit that, I suppose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And one in particular."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A dangerous one?"<br> - "A mortal enemy. Well, in order to counteract -that man's influence, it was necessary that M. Fouquet should -give the king a proof of his great devotion to him, and of his -readiness to make the greatest sacrifices. He surprised his -majesty by offering him Belle-Isle. If you had been the first to -reach Paris, the surprise would have been destroyed, it would -have looked as if we had yielded to fear."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I understand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the whole mystery," -said Aramis, satisfied that he had at last quite convinced the -musketeer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Only," said the latter, "it -would have been more simple to have taken me aside, and said to -me, 'My dear D'Artagnan, we are fortifying Belle-Isle, and intend -to offer it to the king. Tell us frankly, for whom you are -acting. Are you a friend of M. Colbert, or of M. Fouquet?' -Perhaps I should not have answered you, but you would have added, -- 'Are you my friend?' I should have said 'Yes.'" Aramis hung -down his head. "In this way," continued D'Artagnan, "you would -have paralyzed my movements, and I should have gone to the king, -and said, 'Sire, M. Fouquet is fortifying Belle-Isle, and -exceedingly well, too; but here is a note, which the governor of -Belle-Isle gave me for your majesty;' or, 'M. Fouquet is about to -wait upon your majesty to explain his intentions with regard to -it.' I should not have been placed in an absurd position; you -would have enjoyed the surprise so long planned, and we should -not have had any occasion to look askant at each other when we -met."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "While, on the contrary," -replied Aramis, "you have acted altogether as one friendly to M. -Colbert. And you really are a friend of his, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly not, indeed!" -exclaimed the captain. "M. Colbert is a mean fellow, and I hate -him as I used to hate Mazarin, but without fearing him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then," said Aramis, -"I love M. Fouquet, and his interests are mine. You know my -position. I have no property or means whatever. M. Fouquet gave -me several livings, a bishopric as well; M. Fouquet has served -and obliged me like the generous-hearted man he is, and I know -the world sufficiently well to appreciate a kindness when I meet -with one. M. Fouquet has won my regard, and I have devoted -myself to his service."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You could not possibly do -better. You will find him a very liberal master."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis bit his lips; and -then said, "The best a man could possibly have." He then paused -for a minute, D'Artagnan taking good care not to interrupt -him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I suppose you know how -Porthos got mixed up in all this?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No," said D'Artagnan; "I am -curious, of course, but I never question a friend when he wishes -to keep a secret from me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, I will tell -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is hardly worth the -trouble, if the confidence is to bind me in any way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! do not be afraid.; -there is no man whom I love better than Porthos, because he is so -simple-minded and good-natured. Porthos is so straightforward in -everything. Since I have become a bishop, I have looked for -these primeval natures, which make me love truth and hate -intrigue."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan stroked his -mustache, but said nothing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I saw Porthos and again -cultivated his acquaintance; his own time hanging idly on his -hands, his presence recalled my earlier and better days without -engaging me in any present evil. I sent for Porthos to come to -Vannes. M. Fouquet, whose regard for me is very great, having -learnt that Porthos and I were attached to each other by old ties -of friendship, promised him increase of rank at the earliest -promotion, and that is the whole secret."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I shall not abuse your -confidence," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am sure of that, my dear -friend; no one has a finer sense of honor than yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I flatter myself that you -are right, Aramis."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now" - and here the -prelate looked searchingly and scrutinizingly at his friend - -"now let us talk of ourselves and for ourselves; will you become -one of M. Fouquet's friends? Do not interrupt me until you know -what that means."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, I am listening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you become a -maréchal of France, peer, duke, and the possessor of a -duchy, with a million of francs?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, my friend," replied -D'Artagnan, "what must one do to get all that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Belong to M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But I already belong to the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not exclusively, I -suppose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! a D'Artagnan cannot be -divided."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have, I presume, -ambitions, as noble hearts like yours have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, certainly I have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! I wish to be a -maréchal; the king will make me maréchal, duke, -peer; the king will make me all that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis fixed a searching -look upon D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is not the king master?" -said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No one disputes it; but -Louis XIII. was master also."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! my dear friend, between -Richelieu and Louis XIII. stood no D'Artagnan," said the -musketeer, very quietly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There are many -stumbling-blocks round the king," said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not for the king's -feet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very likely not; still - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "One moment, Aramis; I -observe that every one thinks of himself, and never of his poor -prince; I will maintain myself maintaining him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And if you meet with -ingratitude?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The weak alone are afraid -of that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are quite certain of -yourself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I think so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Still, the king may some -day have no further need for you!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On the contrary, I think -his need of me will soon be greater than ever; and hearken, my -dear fellow, if it became necessary to arrest a new Condé, -who would do it? This - this alone in France!" and D'Artagnan -struck his sword, which clanked sullenly on the tesselated -floor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right," said -Aramis, turning very pale; and then he rose and pressed -D'Artagnan's hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the last summons -for supper," said the captain of the musketeers; "will you excuse -me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis threw his arm round -the musketeer's neck, and said, "A friend like you is the -brightest jewel in the royal crown." And they immediately -separated.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was right," mused -D'Artagnan; "there is, indeed, something strangely serious -stirring."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We must hasten the -explosion," breathed the coming cardinal, "for D'Artagnan has -discovered the existence of a plot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter X:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Madame and De Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>I</span>t will not be -forgotten how Comte de Guiche left the queen-mother's apartments -on the day when Louis XIV. presented La Vallière with the -beautiful bracelets he had won in the lottery. The comte walked -to and fro for some time outside the palace, in the greatest -distress, from a thousand suspicions and anxieties with which his -mind was beset. Presently he stopped and waited on the terrace -opposite the grove of trees, watching for Madame's departure. -More than half an hour passed away; and as he was at that moment -quite alone, the comte could hardly have had any very diverting -ideas at his command. He drew his tables from his pocket, and, -after hesitating over and over again, determined to write these -words: - "Madame, I implore you to grant me one moment's -conversation. Do not be alarmed at this request, which contains -nothing in any way opposed to the profound respect with which I -subscribe myself, etc., etc." He had signed and folded this -singular love-letter, when he suddenly observed several ladies -leaving the château, and afterwards several courtiers too; -in fact, almost every one that formed the queen's circle. He saw -La Vallière herself, then Montalais talking with -Malicorne; he watched the departure of the very last of the -numerous guests that had a short time before thronged the -queen-mother's cabinet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame herself had not yet -passed; she would be obliged, however, to cross the courtyard in -order to enter her own apartments; and, from the terrace where he -was standing, De Guiche could see all that was going on in the -courtyard. At last he saw Madame leave, attended by a couple of -pages, who were carrying torches before her. She was walking -very quickly; as soon as she reached the door, she said:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let some one go and look -for De Guiche: he has to render an account of a mission he had to -discharge for me; if he should be disengaged, request him to be -good enough to come to my apartment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche remained silent, -hidden in the shade; but as soon as Madame had withdrawn, he -darted from the terrace down the steps and assumed a most -indifferent air, so that the pages who were hurrying towards his -rooms might meet him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! it is Madame, then, who -is seeking me!" he said to himself, quite overcome; and he -crushed in his hand the now worse than useless letter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. le comte," said one of -the pages, approaching him, "we are indeed most fortunate in -meeting you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so, messieurs?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A command from Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "From Madame!" said De -Guiche, looking surprised.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, M. le comte, her royal -highness has been asking for you; she expects to hear, she told -us, the result of a commission you had to execute for her. Are -you at liberty?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am quite at her royal -highness's orders."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you have the goodness -to follow us, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> When De Guiche entered the -princess's apartments, he found her pale and agitated. Montalais -was standing at the door, evidently uneasy about what was passing -in her mistress's mind. De Guiche appeared.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! is that you, Monsieur -de Guiche?" said Madame; "come in, I beg. Mademoiselle de -Montalais, I do not require your attendance any longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais, more puzzled than -ever, courtesied and withdrew. De Guiche and the princess were -left alone. The come had every advantage in his favor; it was -Madame who had summoned him to a rendezvous. But how was it -possible for the comte to make use of this advantage? Madame was -so whimsical, and her disposition so changeable. She soon -allowed this to be perceived, for, suddenly, opening the -conversation, she said: "Well! have you nothing to say to -me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He imagined she must have -guessed his thoughts; he fancied (for those who are in love are -thus constituted, being as credulous and blind as poets or -prophets), he fancied she knew how ardent was his desire to see -her, and also the subject uppermost in his mind.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame," he said, "and -I think it very singular."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The affair of the -bracelets," she exclaimed, eagerly, "you mean that, I -suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you think the king is -in love; do you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Guiche looked at her for -some time; her eyes sank under his gaze, which seemed to read her -very heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I think," he said, "that -the king may possibly have had an idea of annoying some one; were -it not for that, the king would hardly show himself so earnest in -his attentions as he is; he would not run the risk of -compromising, from mere thoughtlessness of disposition, a young -girl against whom no one has been hitherto able to say a -word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Indeed! the bold, shameless -girl," said the princess, haughtily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I can positively assure -your royal highness," said De Guiche, with a firmness marked by -great respect, "that Mademoiselle de la Vallière is -beloved by a man who merits every respect, for he is a brave and -honorable gentleman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Bragelonne?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My friend; yes, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and though he is your -friend, what does that matter to the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king knows that -Bragelonne is affianced to Mademoiselle de la Vallière; -and as Raoul has served the king most valiantly, the king will -not inflict an irreparable injury upon him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame began to laugh in a -manner that produced a sinister impression upon De Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I repeat, Madame, I do not -believe the king is in love with Mademoiselle de la -Vallière; and the proof that I do not believe it is, that -I was about to ask you whose <i>amour propre</i> it is likely the -king is desirous of wounding? You, who are well acquainted with -the whole court, can perhaps assist me in ascertaining that; and -assuredly, with greater certainty, since it is everywhere said -that your royal highness is on very friendly terms with the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame bit her lips, and, -unable to assign any good and sufficient reasons, changed the -conversation. "Prove to me," she said, fixing on him one of -those looks in which the whole soul seems to pass into the eyes, -"prove to me, I say, that you intended to interrogate me at the -very moment I sent for you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche gravely drew from -his pocket the now crumpled note that he had written, and showed -it to her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sympathy," she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said the comte, with -an indescribable tenderness of tone, "sympathy. I have explained -to you how and why I sought you; you, however, have yet to tell -me, Madame, why you sent for me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True," replied the -princess. She hesitated, and then suddenly exclaimed, "Those -bracelets will drive me mad."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You expected the king would -offer them to you," replied De Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But before you, Madame, -before you, his sister-in-law, was there not the queen herself to -whom the king should have offered them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Before La Vallière," -cried the princess, wounded to the quick, "could he not have -presented them to me? Was there not the whole court, indeed, to -choose from?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I assure you, Madame," said -the comte, respectfully, "that if any one heard you speak in this -manner, if any one were to see how red your eyes are, and, Heaven -forgive me, to see, too, that tear trembling on your eyelids, it -would be said that your royal highness was jealous."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Jealous!" said the -princess, haughtily, "jealous of La Vallière!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She expected to see De -Guiche yield beneath her scornful gesture and her proud tone; but -he simply and boldly replied, "Jealous of La Vallière; -yes, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Am I to suppose, monsieur," -she stammered out, "that your object is to insult me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is not possible, -Madame," replied the comte, slightly agitated, but resolved to -master that fiery nature.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Leave the room!" said the -princess, thoroughly exasperated, De Guiche's coolness and silent -respect having made her completely lose her temper.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche fell back a step, -bowed slowly, but with great respect, drew himself up, looking as -white as his lace cuffs, and, in a voice slightly trembling, -said, "It was hardly worth while to have hurried here to be -subjected to this unmerited disgrace." And he turned away with -hasty steps.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He had scarcely gone half a -dozen paces when Madame darted like a tigress after him, seized -him by the cuff, and making him turn round again, said, trembling -with passion as she did so, "The respect you pretend to have is -more insulting than the insult itself. Insult me, if you please, -but at least speak."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame," said the comte, -gently, as he drew his sword, "thrust this blade into my heart, -rather than kill me by degrees."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At the look he fixed upon -her, - a look full of love, resolution, and despair, even, - she -knew how readily the comte, so outwardly calm in appearance, -would pass his sword through his own breast if she added another -word. She tore the blade from his hands, and, pressing his arm -with a feverish impatience, which might pass for tenderness, -said, "Do not be too hard upon me, comte. You see how I am -suffering, and yet you have no pity for me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Tears, the cries of this -strange attack, stifled her voice. As soon as De Guiche saw her -weep, he took her in his arms and carried her to an armchair; in -another moment she would have been suffocated.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, why," he murmured, as -he knelt by her side, "why do you conceal your troubles from me? -Do you love any one - tell me? It would kill me, I know, but not -until I should have comforted, consoled, and served you -even."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And do you love me to that -extent?" she replied, completely conquered.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do indeed love you to -that extent, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She placed both her hands in -his. "My heart is indeed another's," she murmured in so low a -tone that her voice could hardly be heard; but he heard it, and -said, "Is it the king you love?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She gently shook her head, -and her smile was like a clear bright streak in the clouds, -through which after the tempest has passed one almost fancies -Paradise is opening. "But," she added, "there are other passions -in a high-born heart. Love is poetry; but the real life of the -heart is pride. Comte, I was born on a throne, I am proud and -jealous of my rank. Why does the king gather such unworthy -objects round him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Once more, I repeat," said -the comte, "you are acting unjustly towards that poor girl, who -will one day be my friend's wife."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you simple enough to -believe that, comte?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If I did not believe it," -he said, turning very pale, "Bragelonne should be informed of it -to-morrow; indeed he should, if I thought that poor La -Vallière had forgotten the vows she had exchanged with -Raoul. But no, it would be cowardly to betray a woman's secret; -it would be criminal to disturb a friend's peace of mind."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You think, then," said the -princess, with a wild burst of laughter, "that ignorance is -happiness?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe it," he -replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Prove it to me, then," she -said, hurriedly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is easily done, Madame. -It is reported through the whole court that the king loves you, -and that you return his affection."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?" she said, breathing -with difficulty.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well; admit for a moment -that Raoul, my friend, had come and said to me, 'Yes, the king -loves Madame, and has made an impression upon her heart,' I -possibly should have slain Raoul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It would have been -necessary," said the princess, with the obstinacy of a woman who -feels herself not easily overcome, "for M. de Bragelonne to have -had proofs before he ventured to speak to you in that -manner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Such, however, is the -case," replied De Guiche, with a deep sigh, "that, not having -been warned, I have never examined into the matter seriously; and -I now find that my ignorance has saved my life."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So, then, you drive -selfishness and coldness to that extent," said Madame, "that you -would let this unhappy young man continue to love La -Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I would, until La -Vallière's guilt were revealed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But the bracelets?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, Madame, since you -yourself expected to receive them from the king, what can I -possibly say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The argument was a telling -one, and the princess was overwhelmed by it, and from that moment -her defeat was assured. But as her heart and mind were instinct -with noble and generous feelings, she understood De Guiche's -extreme delicacy. She saw that in his heart he really suspected -that the king was in love with La Vallière, and that he -did not wish to resort to the common expedient of ruining a rival -in the mind of a woman, by giving the latter the assurance and -certainty that this rival's affections were transferred to -another woman. She guessed that his suspicions of La -Vallière were aroused, and that, in order to leave himself -time for his convictions to undergo a change, so as not to ruin -Louise utterly, he was determined to pursue a certain -straightforward line of conduct. She could read so much real -greatness of character, and such true generosity of disposition -in her lover, that her heart really warmed with affection towards -him, whose passion for her was so pure and delicate. Despite his -fear of incurring her displeasure, De Guiche, by retaining his -position as a man of proud independence of feeling and deep -devotion, became almost a hero in her estimation, and reduced her -to the state of a jealous and little-minded woman. She loved him -for this so tenderly, that she could not refuse to give him a -proof of her affection.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "See how many words we have -wasted," she said, taking his hand, "suspicions, anxieties, -mistrust, sufferings - I think we have enumerated all those -words."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! Madame, yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Efface them from your heart -as I drive them from mine. Whether La Vallière does or -does not love the king, and whether the king does or does not -love La Vallière - from this moment you and I will draw a -distinction in the two characters I have to perform. You open -your eyes so wide that I am sure you hardly understand me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are so impetuous, -Madame, that I always tremble at the fear of displeasing -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And see how he trembles -now, poor fellow," she said, with the most charming playfulness -of manner. "Yes, monsieur, I have two characters to perform. I -am the sister of the king, the sister-in-law of the king's wife. -In this character ought I not to take an interest in these -domestic intrigues? Come, tell me what you think?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As little as possible, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Agreed, monsieur; but it is -a question of dignity; and then, you know, I am the wife of the -king's brother." De Guiche sighed. "A circumstance," she added, -with an expression of great tenderness, "which will remind you -that I am always to be treated with the profoundest respect." De -Guiche fell at her feet, which he kissed, with the religious -fervor of a worshipper. "And I begin to think that, really and -truly, I have another character to perform. I was almost -forgetting it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Name it, oh! name it," said -De Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am a woman," she said, in -a voice lower than ever, "and I love." He rose, she opened her -arms, and their lips met. A footstep was heard behind the -tapestry, and Mademoiselle de Montalais appeared.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you want?" said -Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Guiche is wanted," -replied Montalais, who was just in time to see the agitation of -the actors of these four characters; for De Guiche had -consistently carried out his part with heroism.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Montalais and Malicorne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>ontalais was -right. M. de Guiche, thus summoned in every direction, was very -much exposed, from such a multiplication of business, to the risk -of not attending to any. It so happened that, considering the -awkwardness of the interruption, Madame, notwithstanding her -wounded pride, and secret anger, could not, for the moment at -least, reproach Montalais for having violated, in so bold a -manner, the semi-royal order with which she had been dismissed on -De Guiche's entrance. De Guiche, also, lost his presence of -mind, or, it would be more correct to say, had already lost it, -before Montalais's arrival, for, scarcely had he heard the young -girl's voice, than, without taking leave of Madame, as the most -ordinary politeness required, even between persons equal in rank -and station, he fled from her presence, his heart tumultuously -throbbing, and his brain on fire, leaving the princess with one -hand raised, as though to bid him adieu. Montalais was at no -loss, therefore, to perceive the agitation of the two lovers - -the one who fled was agitated, and the one who remained was -equally so.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," murmured the young -girl, as she glanced inquisitively round her, "this time, at -least, I think I know as much as the most curious woman could -possibly wish to know." Madame felt so embarrassed by this -inquisitorial look, that, as if she heard Montalais's muttered -side remark, she did not speak a word to her maid of honor, but, -casting down her eyes, retired at once to her bedroom. -Montalais, observing this, stood listening for a moment, and then -heard Madame lock and bolt her door. By this she knew that the -rest of the evening was at her own disposal; and making, behind -the door which had just been closed, a gesture which indicated -but little real respect for the princess, she went down the -staircase in search of Malicorne, who was very busily engaged at -that moment in watching a courier, who, covered with dust, had -just left the Comte de Guiche's apartments. Montalais knew that -Malicorne was engaged in a matter of some importance; she -therefore allowed him to look and stretch out his neck as much as -he pleased; and it was only when Malicorne had resumed his -natural position, that she touched him on the shoulder. "Well," -said Montalais, "what is the latest intelligence you have?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Guiche is in love -with Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Fine news, truly! I know -something more recent than that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, what do you -know?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That Madame is in love with -M. de Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The one is the consequence -of the other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not always, my good -monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is that remark intended for -me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Present company always -excepted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank you," said -Malicorne. "Well, and in the other direction, what is -stirring?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king wished, this -evening, after the lottery, to see Mademoiselle de la -Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and he has seen -her?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, indeed!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean by -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The door was shut and -locked."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So that - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So that the king was -obliged to go back again, looking very sheepish, like a thief who -has forgotten his crowbar."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And in the third place?" -inquired Montalais.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The courier who has just -arrived for De Guiche came from M. de Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Excellent," said Montalais, -clapping her hands together.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because we have work to -do. If we get weary now, something unlucky will be sure to -happen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We must divide the work, -then," said Malicorne, "in order to avoid confusion."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing easier," replied -Montalais. "Three intrigues, carefully nursed, and carefully -encouraged, will produce, one with another, and taking a low -average, three love letters a day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" exclaimed Malicorne, -shrugging his shoulders, "you cannot mean what you say, darling; -three letters a day, that may do for sentimental common people. -A musketeer on duty, a young girl in a convent, may exchange -letters with their lovers once a day, perhaps, from the top of a -ladder, or through a hole in the wall. A letter contains all the -poetry their poor little hearts have to boast of. But the cases -we have in hand require to be dealt with very differently."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, finish," said -Montalais, out of patience with him. "Some one may come."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Finish! Why, I am only at -the beginning. I have still three points as yet untouched."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my word, he will be -the death of me, with his Flemish indifference," exclaimed -Montalais.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you will drive me mad -with your Italian vivacity. I was going to say that our lovers -here will be writing volumes to each other. But what are you -driving at?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At this. Not one of our -lady correspondents will be able to keep the letters they may -receive."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very likely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Guiche will not be -able to keep his either."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is probable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, then; I will -take care of all that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the very thing that -is impossible," said Malicorne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because you are not your -own mistress; your room is as much La Vallière's as yours; -and there are certain persons who will think nothing of visiting -and searching a maid of honor's room; so that I am terribly -afraid of the queen, who is as jealous as a Spaniard; of the -queen-mother, who is as jealous as a couple of Spaniards; and, -last of all, of Madame herself, who has jealousy enough for ten -Spaniards."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You forgot some one -else."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was only speaking of the -women. Let us add them up, then: we will call Monsieur, No. -1."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "De Guiche?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No. 2."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The Vicomte de -Bragelonne?"<br> - "No. 3."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the king, the -king?"<br> - "No. 4. Of course the king, who not only will be -more jealous, but more powerful than all the rest put together. -Ah, my dear!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Into what a wasp's nest you -have thrust yourself!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And as yet not quite far -enough, if you will follow me into it."<br> - "Most certainly I will follow you where you -like. Yet - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, yet - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "While we have time, I think -it will be prudent to turn back."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But I, on the contrary, -think the wisest course to take is to put ourselves at once at -the head of all these intrigues."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will never be able to -do it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With you, I could -superintend ten of them. I am in my element, you must know. I -was born to live at the court, as the salamander is made to live -in the fire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your comparison does not -reassure me in the slightest degree in the world, my dear -Montalais. I have heard it said, and by learned men too, that, -in the first place, there are no salamanders at all, and that, if -there had been any, they would have been infallibly baked or -roasted on leaving the fire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your learned men may be -very wise as far as salamanders are concerned, but they would -never tell you what I can tell you; namely, that Aure de -Montalais is destined, before a month is over, to become the -first diplomatist in the court of France."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Be it so, but on condition -that I shall be the second."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Agreed; an offensive and -defensive alliance, of course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Only be very careful of any -letters."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will hand them to you as -I receive them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"What shall we tell -the king about Madame?"<br> -"That Madame is still in love with his majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"What shall we tell -Madame about the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"That she would be -exceedingly wrong not to humor him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"What shall we tell -La Vallière about Madame?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Whatever we -choose, for La Vallière is in our power."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"How so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Every way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"What do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"In the first -place, through the Vicomte de Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Explain -yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You do not forget, -I hope, that Monsieur de Bragelonne has written many letters to -Mademoiselle de la Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I forget -nothing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, it was -I who received, and I who intercepted those letters."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And, consequently, -it is you who have them still?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where, - -here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no; I have -them safe at Blois, in the little room you know well enough."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That dear little -room, - that darling little room, the ante-chamber of the palace -I intend you to live in one of these days. But, I beg your -pardon, you said that all those letters are in that little -room?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did you not put -them in a box?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course; in the -same box where I put all the letters I received from you, and -where I put mine also when your business or your amusements -prevented you from coming to our rendezvous."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, very good," -said Malicorne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why are you -satisfied?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because I see -there is a possibility of not having to run to Blois after the -letters, for I have them here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have brought -the box away?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It was very dear -to me, because it belonged to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Be sure and take -care of it, for it contains original documents that will be of -priceless value by and by."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am perfectly -well aware of that indeed, and that is the very reason why I -laugh as I do, and with all my heart, too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And now, one last -word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why -<i>last?</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do we need any one -to assist us?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Valets or -maid-servants?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Bad policy. You -will give the letters, - you will receive them. Oh! we must have -no pride in this affair, otherwise M. Malicorne and Mademoiselle -Aure, not transacting their own affairs themselves, will have to -make up their minds to see them done by others."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are quite -right; but what is going on yonder in M. de Guiche's room?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nothing; he is -only opening his window."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us be gone." -And they both immediately disappeared, all the terms of the -contract being agreed on.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The window just -opened was, in fact, that of the Comte de Guiche. It was not -alone with the hope of catching a glimpse of Madame through her -curtains that he seated himself by the open window for his -preoccupation of mind had at that time a different origin. He -had just received, as we have already stated, the courier who had -been dispatched to him by Bragelonne, the latter having written -to De Guiche a letter which had made the deepest impression upon -him, and which he had read over and over again. "Strange, -strange!" he murmured. "How irresponsible are the means by which -destiny hurries men onward to their fate!" Leaving the window in -order to approach nearer to the light, he once more read the -letter he had just received: -</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style= -'text-align:right;text-indent:.5in'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style= -'text-align:right;text-indent:.5in'>"CALAIS.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"MY DEAR COUNT, - I -found M. de Wardes at Calais; he has been seriously wounded in an -affair with the Duke of Buckingham. De Wardes is, as you know, -unquestionably brave, but full of malevolent and wicked -feelings. He conversed with me about yourself, for whom, he -says, he has a warm regard, also about Madame, whom he considers -a beautiful and amiable woman. He has guessed your affection for -a certain person. He also talked to me about the lady for whom I -have so ardent a regard, and showed the greatest interest on my -behalf in expressing a deep pity for me, accompanied, however, by -dark hints which alarmed me at first, but which I at last looked -upon as the result of his usual love of mystery. These are the -facts: he had received news of the court; you will understand, -however, that it was only through M. de Lorraine. The report -goes, so says the news, that a change has taken place in the -king's affections. You know whom that concerns. Afterwards, the -news continues, people are talking about one of the maids of -honor, respecting whom various slanderous reports are being -circulated. These vague phrases have not allowed me to sleep. I -have been deploring, ever since yesterday, that my diffidence and -vacillation of purpose, notwithstanding a certain obstinacy of -character I may possess, have left me unable to reply to these -insinuations. In a word, M. de Wardes was setting off for Paris, -and I did not delay his departure with explanations; for it -seemed rather hard, I confess, to cross-examine a man whose -wounds are hardly yet closed. In short, he travelled by short -stages, as he was anxious to leave, he said, in order to be -present at a curious spectacle the court cannot fail to offer -within a short time. He added a few congratulatory words -accompanied by vague sympathizing expressions. I could not -understand the one any more than the other. I was bewildered by -my own thoughts, and tormented by a mistrust of this man, - a -mistrust which, you know better than any one else, I have never -been able to overcome. As soon as he left, my perceptions seemed -to become clearer. It is hardly possible that a man of De -Wardes's character should not have communicated something of his -own malicious nature to the statements he made to me. It is not -unlikely, therefore, that in the strange hints De Wardes threw -out in my presence, there may be a mysterious signification, -which I might have some difficulty in applying either to myself -or to some one with whom you are acquainted. Being compelled to -leave as soon as possible, in obedience to the king's commands, -the idea did not occur to me of running after De Wardes in order -to ask him to explain his reserve; but I have dispatched a -courier to you with this letter, which will explain in detail my -various doubts. I regard you as myself; you have reflected and -observed; it will be for you to act. M. de Wardes will arrive -very shortly; endeavor to learn what he meant, if you do not -already know. M. de Wardes, moreover, pretended that the Duke of -Buckingham left Paris on the very best of terms with Madame. -This was an affair which would have unhesitatingly made me draw -my sword, had I not felt that I was under the necessity of -dispatching the king's mission before undertaking any quarrel -whatsoever. Burn this letter, which Olivain will hand you. -Whatever Olivain says, you may confidently rely on. Will you -have the goodness, my dear comte, to recall me to the remembrance -of Mademoiselle de la Vallière, whose hands I kiss with -the greatest respect.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'> - -"Your devoted</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:5.5in;text-indent:.5in'> -"DE BRAGELONNE.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style= -'text-align:right;text-indent:.5in'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"P. S. - If -anything serious should happen - we should be prepared for -everything, dispatch a courier to me with this one single word, -'come,' and I will be in Paris within six and thirty hours after -the receipt of your letter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>De Guiche sighed, -folded up the letter a third time, and, instead of burning it, as -Raoul had recommended him to do, placed it in his pocket. He -felt it needed reading over and over again.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How much distress -of mind, yet what sublime confidence, he shows!" murmured the -comte; "he has poured out his whole soul in this letter. He says -nothing of the Comte de la Fère, and speaks of his respect -for Louise. He cautions me on my own account, and entreats me on -his. Ah!" continued De Guiche, with a threatening gesture, "you -interfere in my affairs, Monsieur de Wardes, do you? Very well, -then; I will shortly occupy myself with yours. As for you, poor -Raoul, - you who intrust your heart to my keeping, be assured I -will watch over it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>With this promise, -De Guiche begged Malicorne to come immediately to his apartments, -if possible. Malicorne acknowledged the invitation with an -activity which was the first result of his conversation with -Montalais. And while De Guiche, who thought that his motive was -undiscovered, cross-examined Malicorne, the latter, who appeared -to be working in the dark, soon guessed his questioner's -motives. The consequence was, that, after a quarter of an hour's -conversation, during which De Guiche thought he had ascertained -the whole truth with regard to La Vallière and the king, -he had learned absolutely nothing more than his own eyes had -already acquainted him with, while Malicorne learned, or guessed, -that Raoul, who was absent, was fast becoming suspicious, and -that De Guiche intended to watch over the treasure of the -Hesperides. Malicorne accepted the office of dragon. De Guiche -fancied he had done everything for his friend, and soon began to -think of nothing but his personal affairs. The next evening, De -Wardes's return and first appearance at the king's reception were -announced. When that visit had been paid, the convalescent -waited on Monsieur; De Guiche taking care, however, to be at -Monsieur's apartments before the visit took place.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>How -De Wardes Was Received at Court.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>onsieur had -received De Wardes with that marked favor light and frivolous -minds bestow on every novelty that comes in their way. De -Wardes, who had been absent for a month, was like fresh fruit to -him. To treat him with marked kindness was an infidelity to old -friends, and there is always something fascinating in that; -moreover, it was a sort of reparation to De Wardes himself. -Nothing, consequently, could exceed the favorable notice Monsieur -took of him. The Chevalier de Lorraine, who feared this rival -but a little, but who respected a character and disposition only -too parallel to his own in every particular, with the addition of -a bull-dog courage he did not himself possess, received De Wardes -with a greater display of regard and affection than even Monsieur -had done. De Guiche, as we have said, was there also, but kept -in the background, waiting very patiently until all these -interchanges were over. De Wardes, while talking to the others, -and even to Monsieur himself, had not for a moment lost sight of -De Guiche, who, he instinctively felt, was there on his account. -As soon as he had finished with the others, he went up to De -Guiche. They exchanged the most courteous compliments, after -which De Wardes returned to Monsieur and the other gentlemen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> In the midst of these -congratulations Madame was announced. She had been informed of -De Wardes's arrival, and knowing all the details of his voyage -and duel, she was not sorry to be present at the remarks she knew -would be made, without delay, by one who, she felt assured, was -her personal enemy. Two or three of her ladies accompanied her. -De Wardes saluted Madame in the most graceful and respectful -manner, and, as a commencement of hostilities, announced, in the -first place, that he could furnish the Duke of Buckingham's -friends with the latest news about him. This was a direct answer -to the coldness with which Madame had received him. The attack -was a vigorous one, and Madame felt the blow, but without -appearing to have even noticed it. He rapidly cast a glance at -Monsieur and at De Guiche, - the former colored, and the latter -turned very pale. Madame alone preserved an unmoved countenance; -but, as she knew how many unpleasant thoughts and feelings her -enemy could awaken in the two persons who were listening to him, -she smilingly bent forward towards the traveler, as if to listen -to the news he had brought - but he was speaking of other -matters. Madame was brave, even to imprudence; if she were to -retreat, it would be inviting an attack; so, after the first -disagreeable impression had passed away, she returned to the -charge.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have you suffered much from -your wounds, Monsieur de Wardes?" she inquired, "for we have been -told that you had the misfortune to get wounded."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was now De Wardes's turn -to wince; he bit his lips, and replied, "No, Madame, hardly at -all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Indeed! and yet in this -terribly hot weather - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The sea-breezes were very -fresh and cool, Madame, and then I had one consolation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Indeed! What was it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The knowledge that my -adversary's sufferings were still greater than my own."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! you mean he was more -seriously wounded than you were; I was not aware of that," said -the princess, with utter indifference.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, Madame, you are -mistaken, or rather you pretend to misunderstand my remark. I -did not say that he was a greater sufferer in body than myself; -but his heart was very seriously affected."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche comprehended -instinctively from what direction the struggle was approaching; -he ventured to make a sign to Madame, as if entreating her to -retire from the contest. But she, without acknowledging De -Guiche's gesture, without pretending to have noticed it even, and -still smiling, continued:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it possible," she said, -"that the Duke of Buckingham's heart was touched? I had no idea, -until now, that a heart-wound could be cured."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! Madame," replied De -Wardes, politely, "every woman believes that; and it is this -belief that gives them that superiority to man which confidence -begets."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You misunderstand -altogether, dearest," said the prince, impatiently; "M. de Wardes -means that the Duke of Buckingham's heart had been touched, not -by the sword, but by something sharper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! very good, very good!" -exclaimed Madame. "It is a jest of M. de Wardes's. Very good; -but I should like to know if the Duke of Buckingham would -appreciate the jest. It is, indeed, a very great pity he is not -here, M. de Wardes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young man's eyes seemed -to flash fire. "Oh!" he said, as he clenched his teeth, "there -is nothing I should like better."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche did not move. -Madame seemed to expect that he would come to her assistance. -Monsieur hesitated. The Chevalier de Lorraine advanced and -continued the conversation.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame," he said, "De -Wardes knows perfectly well that for a Buckingham's heart to be -touched is nothing new, and what he has said has already taken -place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Instead of an ally, I have -two enemies," murmured Madame; "two determined enemies, and in -league with each other." And she changed the conversation. To -change the conversation is, as every one knows, a right possessed -by princes which etiquette requires all to respect. The -remainder of the conversation was moderate enough in tone; the -principal actors had rehearsed their parts. Madame withdrew -easily, and Monsieur, who wished to question her on several -matters, offered her his hand on leaving. The chevalier was -seriously afraid that an understanding might be established -between the husband and wife if he were to leave them quietly -together. He therefore made his way to Monsieur's apartments, in -order to surprise him on his return, and to destroy with a few -words all the good impressions Madame might have been able to sow -in his heart. De Guiche advanced towards De Wardes, who was -surrounded by a large number of persons, and thereby indicated -his wish to converse with him; De Wardes, at the same time, -showing by his looks and by a movement of his head that he -perfectly understood him. There was nothing in these signs to -enable strangers to suppose they were otherwise than upon the -most friendly footing. De Guiche could therefore turn away from -him, and wait until he was at liberty. He had not long to wait; -for De Wardes, freed from his questioners, approached De Guiche, -and after a fresh salutation, they walked side by side -together.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have made a good -impression since your return, my dear De Wardes," said the -comte.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Excellent, as you see."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And your spirits are just -as lively as ever?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Better."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And a very great happiness, -too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not? Everything is so -ridiculous in this world, everything so absurd around us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are of my opinion, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should think so! And -what news do you bring us from yonder?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I? None at all. I have -come to look for news here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, tell me, you surely -must have seen some people at Boulogne, one of our friends, for -instance; it is no great time ago."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Some people - one of our -friends - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your memory is short."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! true; Bragelonne, you -mean."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who was on his way to -fulfil a mission, with which he was intrusted to King Charles -II."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely. Well, then, did -he not tell you, or did not you tell him - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not precisely know -what I told him, I must confess: but I do know what I did -<i>not</i> tell him." De Wardes was <i>finesse</i> itself. He -perfectly well knew from De Guiche's tone and manner, which was -cold and dignified, that the conversation was about to assume a -disagreeable turn. He resolved to let it take what course it -pleased, and to keep strictly on his guard.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "May I ask you what you did -not tell him?" inquired De Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All about La -Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "La Vallière… -What is it? and what was that strange circumstance you seem to -have known over yonder, which Bragelonne, who was here on the -spot, was not acquainted with?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you really ask me that -in a serious manner?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing more so."<br> - "What! you, a member of the court, living in -Madame's household, a friend of Monsieur's, a guest at their -table, the favorite of our lovely princess?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Guiche colored violently -from anger. "What princess are you alluding to?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am only acquainted with -one, my dear fellow. I am speaking of Madame herself. Are you -devoted to another princess, then? Come, tell me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche was on the point -of launching out, but he saw the drift of the remark. A quarrel -was imminent between the two young men. De Wardes wished the -quarrel to be only in Madame's name, while De Guiche would not -accept it except on La Vallière's account. From this -moment, it became a series of feigned attacks, which would have -continued until one of the two had been touched home. De Guiche -therefore resumed all the self-possession he could command.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is not the slightest -question in the world of Madame in this matter, my dear De -Wardes." said Guiche, "but simply of what you were talking about -just now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What was I saying?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That you had concealed -certain things from Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certain things which you -know as well as I do," replied De Wardes.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, upon my honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nonsense."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If you tell me what they -are, I shall know, but not otherwise, I swear."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! I who have just -arrived from a distance of sixty leagues, and you who have not -stirred from this place, who have witnessed with your own eyes -that which rumor informed me of at Calais! Do you now tell me -seriously that you do not know what it is about? Oh! comte, this -is hardly charitable of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As you like, De Wardes; but -I again repeat, I know nothing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are truly discreet - -well! - perhaps it is very prudent of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so you will not tell me -anything, will not tell me any more than you told -Bragelonne?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are pretending to be -deaf, I see. I am convinced that Madame could not possibly have -more command over herself than <i>you</i> have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Double hypocrite," murmured -Guiche to himself, "you are again returning to the old -subject."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, then," continued -De Wardes, "since we find it so difficult to understand each -other about La Vallière and Bragelonne let us speak about -your own affairs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay," said De Guiche, "I -have no affairs of my own to talk about. You have not said -anything about me, I suppose, to Bragelonne, which you cannot -repeat to my face?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but understand me, -Guiche, that however much I may be ignorant of certain matters, I -am quite as conversant with others. If, for instance, we were -conversing about the intimacies of the Duke of Buckingham at -Paris, as I did during my journey with the duke, I could tell you -a great many interesting circumstances. Would you like me to -mention them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche passed his hand -across his forehead, which was covered in perspiration. "No, -no," he said, "a hundred times no! I have no curiosity for -matters which do not concern me. The Duke of Buckingham is for -me nothing more than a simple acquaintance, whilst Raoul is an -intimate friend. I have not the slightest curiosity to learn -what happened to the duke, while I have, on the contrary, the -greatest interest in all that happened to Raoul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In Paris?"<br> - "Yes, in Paris, or Boulogne. You understand I am -on the spot; if anything should happen, I am here to meet it; -whilst Raoul is absent, and has only myself to represent him; so, -Raoul's affairs before my own."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But he will return?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not, however, until his -mission is completed. In the meantime, you understand, evil -reports cannot be permitted to circulate about him without my -looking into them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And for a better reason -still, that he will remain some time in London," said De Wardes, -chuckling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You think so," said De -Guiche, simply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Think so, indeed! do you -suppose he was sent to London for no other purpose than to go -there and return again immediately? No, no; he was sent to -London to remain there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! De Wardes," said De -Guiche, grasping De Wardes's hand, "that is a very serious -suspicion concerning Bragelonne, which completely confirms what -he wrote to me from Boulogne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Wardes resumed his former -coldness of manner: his love of raillery had led him too far, and -by his own imprudence, he had laid himself open to attack.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, tell me, what did he -write to you about?" he inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He told me that you had -artfully insinuated some injurious remarks against La -Vallière, and that you had seemed to laugh at his great -confidence in that young girl."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, it is perfectly true -I did so," said De Wardes, "and I was quite ready, at the time, -to hear from the Vicomte de Bragelonne that which every man -expects from another whenever anything may have been said to -displease him. In the same way, for instance, if I were seeking -a quarrel with you, I should tell you that Madame after having -shown the greatest preference for the Duke of Buckingham, is at -this moment supposed to have sent the handsome duke away for your -benefit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! that would not wound me -in the slightest degree, my dear De Wardes," said De Guiche, -smiling, notwithstanding the shiver that ran through his whole -frame. "Why, such a favor would be too great a happiness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I admit that, but if I -absolutely wished to quarrel with you, I should try and invent a -falsehood, perhaps, and speak to you about a certain arbor, where -you and that illustrious princess were together - I should speak -also of certain gratifications, of certain kissings of the hand; -and you who are so secret on all occasions, so hasty, so -punctilious - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," said De Guiche, -interrupting him, with a smile upon his lips, although he almost -felt as if he were going to die; "I swear I should not care for -that, nor should I in any way contradict you; for you must know, -my dear marquis, that for all matters which concern myself I am a -block of ice; but it is a very different thing when an absent -friend is concerned, a friend, who, on leaving, confided his -interests to my safe-keeping; for such a friend, De Wardes, -believe me, I am like fire itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I understand you, Monsieur -de Guiche. In spite of what you say, there cannot be any -question between us, just now, either of Bragelonne or of this -insignificant girl, whose name is La Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At this moment some of the -younger courtiers were crossing the apartment, and having already -heard the few words which had just been pronounced, were able -also to hear those which were about to follow. De Wardes -observed this, and continued aloud: - "Oh! if La Vallière -were a coquette like Madame, whose innocent flirtations, I am -sure, were, first of all, the cause of the Duke of Buckingham -being sent back to England, and afterwards were the reason of -your being sent into exile; for you will not deny, I suppose, -that Madame's pretty ways really had a certain influence over -you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The courtiers drew nearer to -the speakers, Saint-Aignan at their head, and then Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, my dear fellow, whose -fault was that?" said De Guiche, laughing. "I am a vain, -conceited fellow, I know, and everybody else knows it too. I -took seriously that which was only intended as a jest, and got -myself exiled for my pains. But I saw my error. I overcame my -vanity, and I obtained my recall, by making the <i>amende -honorable</i>, and by promising myself to overcome this defect; -and the consequence is, that I am so thoroughly cured, that I now -laugh at the very thing which, three or four days ago, would have -almost broken my heart. But Raoul is in love, and is loved in -return; he cannot laugh at the reports which disturb his -happiness - reports which you seem to have undertaken to -interpret, when you know, marquis, as I do, as these gentlemen -do, as every one does in fact, that all such reports are pure -calumny."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Calumny!" exclaimed De -Wardes, furious at seeing himself caught in the snare by De -Guiche's coolness of temper.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly - calumny. Look -at this letter from him, in which he tell me you have spoken ill -of Mademoiselle de la Vallière; and where he asks me, if -what you reported about this young girl is true or not. Do you -wish me to appeal to these gentlemen, De Wardes, to decide?" And -with admirable coolness, De Guiche read aloud the paragraph of -the letter which referred to La Vallière. "And now," -continued De Guiche, "there is no doubt in the world, as far as I -am concerned, that you wished to disturb Bragelonne's peace of -mind, and that your remarks were maliciously intended."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Wardes looked round him, -to see if he could find support from any one; but, at the idea -that De Wardes had insulted, either directly or indirectly, the -idol of the day, every one shook his head; and De Wardes saw that -he was in the wrong.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Messieurs," said De Guiche, -intuitively divining the general feeling, "my discussion with -Monsieur de Wardes refers to a subject so delicate in its nature, -that it is most important no one should hear more than you have -already heard. Close the doors, then, I beg you, and let us -finish our conversation in the manner which becomes two -gentlemen, one of whom has given the other the lie."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Messieurs, messieurs!" -exclaimed those who were present.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it your opinion, then, -that I was wrong in defending Mademoiselle de la -Vallière?" said De Guiche. "In that case, I pass judgment -upon myself, and am ready to withdraw the offensive words I may -have used to Monsieur de Wardes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The deuce! certainly not!" -said Saint-Aignan. "Mademoiselle de la Vallière is an -angel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Virtue and purity itself," -said Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You see, Monsieur de -Wardes," said De Guiche, "I am not the only one who undertakes -the defense of that poor girl. I entreat you, therefore, -messieurs, a second time, to leave us. You see, it is impossible -we could be more calm and composed than we are."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was the very thing the -courtiers wished; some went out at one door, and the rest at the -other, and the two young men were left alone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well played," said De -Wardes, to the comte.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Was it not?" replied the -latter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How can it be wondered at, -my dear fellow; I have got quite rusty in the country, while the -command you have acquired over yourself, comte, confounds me; a -man always gains something in women's society; so, pray accept my -congratulations."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do accept them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I will make Madame a -present of them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now, my dear Monsieur -de Wardes, let us speak as loud as you please."<br> - "Do not defy me."<br> - "I do defy you, for you are known to be an -evil-minded man; if you do that, you will be looked upon as a -coward, too; and Monsieur would have you hanged, this evening, at -his window-casement. Speak, my dear De Wardes, speak."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have fought already."<br> - "But not quite enough, yet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I see, you would not be -sorry to fight with me while my wounds are still open."<br> - "No; better still."<br> - "The deuce! you are unfortunate in the moment you -have chosen; a duel, after the one I have just fought, would -hardly suit me; I have lost too much blood at Boulogne; at the -slightest effort my wounds would open again, and you would really -have too good a bargain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True," said De Guiche; "and -yet, on your arrival here, your looks and your arms showed there -was nothing the matter with you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, my arms are all right, -but my legs are weak; and then, I have not had a foil in my hand -since that devil of a duel; and you, I am sure, have been fencing -every day, in order to carry your little conspiracy against me to -a successful issue."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my honor, monsieur," -replied De Guiche, "it is six months since I last practiced."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, comte, after due -reflection, I will not fight, at least, with you. I will await -Bragelonne's return, since you say it is Bragelonne who finds -fault with me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh no, indeed! You shall -not wait until Bragelonne's return," exclaimed the comte, losing -all command over himself, "for you have said that Bragelonne -might, possibly, be some time before he returns; and, in the -meanwhile, your wicked insinuations would have had their -effect."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yet, I shall have my -excuse. So take care."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will give you a week to -finish your recovery."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is better. We will -wait a week."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes, I understand; a -week will give time to my adversary to make his escape. No, no; -I will not give you one day, even."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are mad, monsieur," -said De Wardes, retreating a step.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you are a coward, if -you do not fight willingly. Nay, what is more, I will denounce -you to the king, as having refused to fight, after having -insulted La Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said De Wardes, "you -are dangerously treacherous, though you pass for a man of -honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is nothing more -dangerous than the treachery, as you term it, of the man whose -conduct is always loyal and upright."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Restore me the use of my -legs, then, or get yourself bled, till you are as white as I am, -so as to equalize our chances."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no; I have something -better than that to propose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We will fight on horseback, -and will exchange three pistol-shots each. You are a first rate -marksman. I have seen you bring down swallows with single balls, -and at full gallop. Do not deny it, for I have seen you -myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe you are right," -said De Wardes; "and as that is the case, it is not unlikely I -might kill you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You would be rendering me a -very great service, if you did."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will do my best."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it agreed? Give me your -hand upon it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There it is: but on one -condition, however."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Name it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That not a word shall be -said about it to the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not a word, I swear."<br> - "I will go and get my horse, then."<br> - "And I, mine."<br> - "Where shall we meet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the plain; I know an -admirable place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Shall we go together?"<br> - "Why not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And both of them, on their -way to the stables, passed beneath Madame's windows, which were -faintly lighted; a shadow could be seen behind the lace -curtains. "There is a woman," said De Wardes, smiling, "who does -not suspect that we are going to fight - to die, perhaps, on her -account."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Combat.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>e Wardes and -De Guiche selected their horses, and saddled them with their own -hands, with holster saddles. De Guiche, having two pairs of -pistols, went to his apartments to get them; and after having -loaded them, gave the choice to De Wardes, who selected the pair -he had made use of twenty times before - the same, indeed, with -which De Guiche had seen him kill swallows flying. "You will not -be surprised," he said, "if I take every precaution. You know -the weapons well, and, consequently, I am only making the chances -equal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your remark was quite -useless," replied De Guiche, "and you have done no more than you -are entitled to do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Now," said De Wardes, "I -beg you to have the goodness to help me to mount; for I still -experience a little difficulty in doing so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, we had better -settle the matter on foot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; once in the saddle, I -shall be all right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, then; we will -not speak of it again," said De Guiche, as he assisted De Wardes -to mount his horse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now," continued the -young man, "in our eagerness to murder one another, we have -neglected one circumstance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That it is quite dark, and -we shall almost be obliged to grope about, in order to kill."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said De Guiche, "you -are as anxious as I am that everything should be done in proper -order."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but I do not wish -people to say that you have assassinated me, any more than, -supposing I were to kill you, I should myself like to be accused -of such a crime."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did any one make a similar -remark about your duel with the Duke of Buckingham?" said De -Guiche; "it took place precisely under the same conditions as -ours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very true; but there was -still light enough to see by; and we were up to our middles -almost, in the water; besides, there were a good number of -spectators on shore, looking at us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> De Guiche reflected for a -moment; and the thought which had already presented itself to him -became more confirmed - that De Wardes wished to have witnesses -present, in order to bring back the conversation about Madame, -and to give a new turn to the combat. He avoided saying a word -in reply, therefore; and, as De Wardes once more looked at him -interrogatively, he replied, by a movement of the head, that it -would be best to let things remain as they were. The two -adversaries consequently set off, and left the château by -the same gate, close to which we may remember to have seen -Montalais and Malicorne together. The night, as if to counteract -the extreme heat of the day, had gathered the clouds together in -masses which were moving slowly along from the west to the east. -The vault above, without a clear spot anywhere visible, or -without the faintest indication of thunder, seemed to hang -heavily over the earth, and soon began, by the force of the wind, -to split into streamers, like a huge sheet torn to shreds. Large -and warm drops of rain began to fall heavily, and gathered the -dust into globules, which rolled along the ground. At the same -time, the hedges, which seemed conscious of the approaching -storm, the thirsty plants, the drooping branches of the trees, -exhaled a thousand aromatic odors, which revived in the mind -tender recollections, thoughts of youth, endless life, happiness, -and love. "How fresh the earth smells," said De Wardes; "it is a -piece of coquetry to draw us to her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By the by," replied De -Guiche, "several ideas have just occurred to me; and I wish to -have your opinion upon them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Relative to - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Relative to our -engagement."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"It is quite some -time, in fact, that we should begin to arrange matters."<br> -"Is it to be an ordinary combat, and conducted according to -established custom?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let me first know -what your established custom is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That we dismount -in any particular open space that may suit us, fasten our horses -to the nearest object, meet, each without our pistols in our -hands, and afterwards retire for a hundred and fifty paces, in -order to advance on each other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good; that is -precisely the way in which I killed poor Follivent, three weeks -ago, at Saint-Denis."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I beg your pardon, -but you forgot one circumstance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is that?"<br> - "That in your duel with Follivent you advanced -towards each other on foot, your swords between your teeth, and -your pistols in your hands."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"True."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"While now, on the -contrary, as you cannot walk, you yourself admit that we shall -have to mount our horses again, and charge; and the first who -wishes to fire will do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is the best -course, no doubt; but it is quite dark; we must make allowances -for more missed shots than would be the case in the daytime."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well; each -will fire three times; the pair of pistols already loaded, and -one reload."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Excellent! Where -shall our engagement take place?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you any -preference?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You see that small -wood which lies before us?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The wood which is -called Rochin?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You know it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Perfectly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You know that -there is an open glade in the center?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, this glade -is admirably adapted for such a purpose, with a variety of roads, -by-places, paths, ditches, windings, and avenues. We could not -find a better spot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am perfectly -satisfied, if you are so. We are at our destination, if I am not -mistaken."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes. Look at the -beautiful open space in the center. The faint light which the -stars afford seems concentrated in this spot; the woods which -surround it seem, with their barriers, to form its natural -limits."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good. Do as -you say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us first -settle the conditions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"These are mine; if -you have any objection to make you will state it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am -listening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If the horse be -killed, its rider will be obliged to fight on foot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is a matter -of course, since we have no change of horses here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But that does not -oblige his adversary to dismount."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"His adversary -will, in fact, be free to act as he likes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The adversaries, -having once met in close contact, cannot quit each other under -any circumstances, and may, consequently, fire muzzle to -muzzle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Agreed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Three shots and no -more will do, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite sufficient, -I think. Here are powder and balls for your pistols; measure out -three charges, take three balls, I will do the same; then we will -throw the rest of the powder and balls away."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And we will -solemnly swear," said De Wardes, "that we have neither balls nor -powder about us?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Agreed; and I -swear it," said De Guiche, holding his hand towards heaven, a -gesture which De Wardes imitated.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And now, my dear -comte," said De Wardes, "allow me to tell you that I am in no way -your dupe. You already are, or soon will be, the accepted lover -of Madame. I have detected your secret, and you are afraid I -shall tell others of it. You wish to kill me, to insure my -silence; that is very clear; and in your place, I should do the -same." De Guiche hung down his head. "Only," continued De -Wardes, triumphantly, "was it really worth while, tell me, to -throw this affair of Bragelonne's on my shoulders? But, take -care, my dear fellow; in bringing the wild boar to bay, you -enrage him to madness; in running down the fox, you endow him -with the ferocity of the jaguar. The consequence is, that -brought to bay by you, I shall defend myself to the very -last."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will be quite -right to do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; but take -care; I shall work more harm than you think. In the first place, -as a beginning, you will readily suppose that I have not been -absurd enough to lock up my secret, or your secret rather, in my -own breast. There is a friend of mine, who resembles me in every -way, a man whom you know very well, who shares my secret with me; -so, pray understand, that if you kill me, my death will not have -been of much service to you; whilst, on the contrary, if I kill -you - and everything is possible, you know - you understand?" De -Guiche shuddered. "If I kill you," continued De Wardes, "you -will have secured two mortal enemies to Madame, who will do their -very utmost to ruin her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! monsieur," -exclaimed De Guiche, furiously, "do not reckon upon my death so -easily. Of the two enemies you speak of, I trust most heartily -to dispose of one immediately, and the other at the earliest -opportunity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The only reply De -Wardes made was a burst of laughter, so diabolical in its sound, -that a superstitious man would have been terrified. But De -Guiche was not so impressionable as that. "I think," he said, -"that everything is now settled, Monsieur de Wardes; so have the -goodness to take your place first, unless you would prefer me to -do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"By no means," said -De Wardes. "I shall be delighted to save you the slightest -trouble." And spurring his horse to a gallop, he crossed the -wide open space, and took his stand at that point of the -circumference of the cross-road immediately opposite to where De -Guiche was stationed. De Guiche remained motionless. At this -distance of a hundred paces, the two adversaries were absolutely -invisible to each other, being completely concealed by the thick -shade of elms and chestnuts. A minute elapsed amidst the -profoundest silence. At the end of the minute, each of them, in -the deep shade in which he was concealed, heard the double click -of the trigger, as they put the pistols on full cock. De Guiche, -adopting the usual tactics, put his horse to a gallop, persuaded -that he should render his safety doubly sure by the movement, as -well as by the speed of the animal. He directed his course in a -straight line towards the point where, in his opinion, De Wardes -would be stationed; and he expected to meet De Wardes about -half-way; but in this he was mistaken. He continued his course, -presuming that his adversary was impatiently awaiting his -approach. When, however, he had gone about two-thirds of the -distance, he beheld the trees suddenly illuminated and a ball -flew by, cutting the plume of his hat in two. Nearly at the same -moment, and as if the flash of the first shot had served to -indicate the direction of the other, a second report was heard, -and a second ball passed through the head of De Guiche's horse, a -little below the ear. The animal fell. These two reports, -proceeding from the very opposite direction in which he expected -to find De Wardes, surprised him a great deal; but as he was a -man of amazing self-possession, he prepared himself for his horse -falling, but not so completely, however, that the toe of his boot -escaped being caught under the animal as it fell. Very -fortunately the horse in its dying agonies moved so as to enable -him to release the leg which was less entangled than the other. -De Guiche rose, felt himself all over, and found that he was not -wounded. At the very moment he had felt the horse tottering -under him, he placed his pistols in the holsters, afraid that the -force of the fall might explode one at least, if not both of -them, by which he would have been disarmed, and left utterly -without defense. Once on his feet, he took the pistols out of -the holsters, and advanced towards the spot where, by the light -of the flash, he had seen De Wardes appear. De Wardes had, at -the first shot, accounted for the maneuver, than which nothing -could have been simpler. Instead of advancing to meet De Guiche, -or remaining in his place to await his approach, De Wardes had, -for about fifteen paces, followed the circle of the shadow which -hid him from his adversary's observation, and at the very moment -when the latter presented his flank in his career, he had fired -from the place where he stood, carefully taking aim, and assisted -instead of being inconvenienced by the horse's gallop. It has -been seen that, notwithstanding the darkness, the first ball -passed hardly more than an inch above De Guiche's head. De -Wardes had so confidently relied upon his aim, that he thought he -had seen De Guiche fall; his astonishment was extreme when he saw -he still remained erect in his saddle. He hastened to fire his -second shot, but his hand trembled, and he killed the horse -instead. It would be a most fortunate chance for him if De -Guiche were to remain held fast under the animal. Before he -could have freed himself, De Wardes would have loaded his pistol -and had De Guiche at his mercy. But De Guiche, on the contrary, -was up, and had three shots to fire. De Guiche immediately -understood the position of affairs. It would be necessary to -exceed De Wardes in rapidity of execution. He advanced, -therefore, so as to reach him before he should have had time to -reload his pistol. De Wardes saw him approaching like a -tempest. The ball was rather tight, and offered some resistance -to the ramrod. To load carelessly would be simply to lose his -last chance; to take the proper care in loading meant fatal loss -of time, or rather, throwing away his life. He made his horse -bound on one side. De Guiche turned round also, and, at the -moment the horse was quiet again, fired, and the ball carried off -De Wardes's hat from his head. De Wardes now knew that he had a -moment's time at his own disposal; he availed himself of it in -order to finish loading his pistol. De Guiche, noticing that his -adversary did not fall, threw the pistol he had just discharged -aside, and walked straight towards De Wardes, elevating the -second pistol as he did so. He had hardly proceeded more than -two or three paces, when De Wardes took aim at him as he was -walking, and fired. An exclamation of anger was De Guiche's -answer; the comte's arm contracted and dropped motionless by his -side, and the pistol fell from his grasp. His anxiety was -excessive. "I am lost," murmured De Wardes, "he is not mortally -wounded." At the very moment, however, De Guiche was about to -raise his pistol against De Wardes, the head, shoulders, and -limbs of the comte seemed to collapse. He heaved a deep-drawn -sigh, tottered, and fell at the feet of De Wardes's horse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is all -right," said De Wardes, and gathering up the reins, he struck his -spurs into the horse's sides. The horse cleared the comte's -motionless body, and bore De Wardes rapidly back to the -château. When he arrived there, he remained a quarter of -an hour deliberating within himself as to the proper course to be -adopted. In his impatience to leave the field of battle, he had -omitted to ascertain whether De Guiche were dead or not. A -double hypothesis presented itself to De Wardes's agitated mind; -either De Guiche was killed, or De Guiche was wounded only. If -he were killed, why should he leave his body in that manner to -the tender mercies of the wolves; it was a perfectly useless -piece of cruelty, for if De Guiche were dead, he certainly could -not breathe a syllable of what had passed; if he were not killed, -why should he, De Wardes, in leaving him there uncared for, allow -himself to be regarded as a savage, incapable of one generous -feeling? This last consideration determined his line of -conduct.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>De Wardes -immediately instituted inquires after Manicamp. He was told that -Manicamp had been looking after De Guiche, and, not knowing where -to find him, had retired to bed. De Wardes went and awoke the -sleeper, without any delay, and related the whole affair to him, -which Manicamp listened to in perfect silence, but with an -expression of momentarily increasing energy, of which his face -could hardly have been supposed capable. It was only when De -Wardes had finished, that Manicamp uttered the words, "Let us -go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>As they proceeded, -Manicamp became more and more excited, and in proportion as De -Wardes related the details of the affair to him, his countenance -assumed every moment a darker expression. "And so," he said, -when De Wardes had finished, "you think he is dead?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Alas, I do."<br> -"And you fought in that manner, without witnesses?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"He insisted upon -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"It is very -singular."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"What do you mean -by saying it is singular?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"That it is very -unlike Monsieur de Guiche's disposition."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"You do not doubt -my word, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Hum! hum!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"You do doubt it, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"A little. But I -shall doubt it more than ever, I warn you, if I find the poor -fellow is really dead."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Monsieur -Manicamp!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Monsieur de -Wardes!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"It seems you -intend to insult me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Just as you -please. The fact is, I never did like people who come and say, -'I have killed such and such a gentleman in a corner; it is a -great pity, but I killed him in a perfectly honorable manner.' -It has an ugly appearance, M. de Wardes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Silence! we have -arrived."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>In fact, the glade -could now be seen, and in the open space lay the motionless body -of the dead horse. To the right of the horse, upon the dark -grass, with his face against the ground, the poor comte lay, -bathed in his blood. He had remained in the same spot, and did -not even seem to have made the slightest movement. Manicamp -threw himself on his knees, lifted the comte in his arms, and -found him quite cold, and steeped in blood. He let him gently -fall again. Then, stretching out his hand and feeling all over -the ground close to where the comte lay, he sought until he found -De Guiche's pistol.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"By Heaven!" he -said, rising to his feet, pale as death and with the pistol in -his hand, "you are not mistaken, he is quite dead."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Dead!" repeated De -Wardes.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; and his -pistol is still loaded," added Manicamp, looking into the -pan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But I told you -that I took aim as he was walking towards me, and fired at him at -the very moment he was going to fire at me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are you quite sure -that you fought with him, Monsieur de Wardes? I confess that I -am very much afraid it has been a foul assassination. Nay, nay, -no exclamations! You have had your three shots, and his pistol -is still loaded. You have killed his horse, and he, De Guiche, -one of the best marksmen in France, has not touched even either -your horse or yourself. Well, Monsieur de Wardes, you have been -very unlucky in bringing me here; all the blood in my body seems -to have mounted to my head; and I verily believe that since so -good an opportunity presents itself, I shall blow your brains out -on the spot. So, Monsieur de Wardes, recommend yourself to -Heaven."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur Manicamp, -you cannot think of such a thing!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary, I -am thinking of it very strongly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Would you -assassinate me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Without the -slightest remorse, at least for the present."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are you a -gentleman?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have given a -great many proofs of that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let me defend my -life, then, at least."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very likely; in -order, I suppose, that you may do to me what you have done to -poor De Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And Manicamp slowly -raised his pistol to the height of De Wardes's breast, and with -arm stretched out, and a fixed, determined look on his face, took -a careful aim.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>De Wardes did not -attempt a flight; he was completely terrified. In the midst, -however, of this horrible silence, which lasted about a second, -but which seemed an age to De Wardes, a faint sigh was heard.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh," exclaimed De -Wardes, "he still lives! Help, De Guiche, I am about to be -assassinated!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Manicamp fell back -a step or two, and the two young men saw the comte raise himself -slowly and painfully upon one hand. Manicamp threw the pistol -away a dozen paces, and ran to his friend, uttering a cry of -delight. De Wardes wiped his forehead, which was covered with a -cold perspiration.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It was just in -time," he murmured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where are you -hurt?" inquired Manicamp of De Guiche, "and whereabouts are you -wounded?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>De Guiche showed -him his mutilated hand and his chest covered with blood.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Comte," exclaimed -De Wardes, "I am accused of having assassinated you; speak, I -implore you, and say that I fought loyally."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Perfectly so," -said the wounded man; "Monsieur de Wardes fought quite loyally, -and whoever says the contrary will make an enemy of me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Then, sir," said -Manicamp, "assist me, in the first place, to carry this gentleman -home, and I will afterwards give you every satisfaction you -please; or, if you are in a hurry, we can do better still; let us -stanch the blood from the comte's wounds here, with your -pocket-handkerchief and mine, and then, as there are two shots -left, we can have them between us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thank you," said -De Wardes. "Twice already, in one hour, I have seen death too -close at hand to be agreeable; I don't like his look at all, and -I prefer your apologies."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Manicamp burst out -laughing, and Guiche, too, in spite of his sufferings. The two -young men wished to carry him, but he declared he felt quite -strong enough to walk alone. The ball had broken his ring-finger -and his little finger, and then had glanced along his side, but -without penetrating deeply into his chest. It was the pain -rather than the seriousness of the wound, therefore, which had -overcome De Guiche. Manicamp passed his arm under one of the -count's shoulders, and De Wardes did the same with the other, and -in this way they brought him back to Fontainebleau, to the house -of the same doctor who had been present at the death of the -Franciscan, Aramis's predecessor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XIV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -King's Supper.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he king, -while these matters were being arranged, was sitting at the -supper-table, and the not very large number of guests for that -day had taken their seats too, after the usual gesture intimating -the royal permission. At this period of Louis XIV.'s reign, -although etiquette was not governed by the strict regulations -subsequently adopted, the French court had entirely thrown aside -the traditions of good-fellowship and patriarchal affability -existing in the time of Henry IV., which the suspicious mind of -Louis XIII. had gradually replaced with pompous state and -ceremony, which he despaired of being able fully to realize.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king, therefore, was -seated alone at a small separate table, which, like the desk of a -president, overlooked the adjoining tables. Although we say a -small table, we must not omit to add that this small table was -the largest one there. Moreover, it was the one on which were -placed the greatest number and quantity of dishes, consisting of -fish, game, meat, fruit, vegetables, and preserves. The king was -young and full of vigor and energy, very fond of hunting, -addicted to all violent exercises of the body, possessing, -besides, like all the members of the Bourbon family, a rapid -digestion and an appetite speedily renewed. Louis XIV. was a -formidable table-companion; he delighted in criticising his -cooks; but when he honored them by praise and commendation, the -honor was overwhelming. The king began by eating several kinds -of soup, either mixed together or taken separately. He -intermixed, or rather separated, each of the soups by a glass of -old wine. He ate quickly and somewhat greedily. Porthos, who -from the beginning had, out of respect, been waiting for a jog of -D'Artagnan's arm, seeing the king make such rapid progress, -turned to the musketeer and said in a low voice:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It seems as if one might go -on now; his majesty is very encouraging, from the example he -sets. Look."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king eats," said -D'Artagnan, "but he talks at the same time; try and manage -matters in such a manner that, if he should happen to address a -remark to you, he will not find you with your mouth full - which -would be very disrespectful."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The best way, in that -case," said Porthos, "is to eat no supper at all; and yet I am -very hungry, I admit, and everything looks and smells most -invitingly, as if appealing to all my senses at once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Don't think of not eating -for a moment," said D'Artagnan; "that would put his majesty out -terribly. The king has a saying, 'that he who works well, eats -well,' and he does not like people to eat indifferently at his -table."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How can I avoid having my -mouth full if I eat?" said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All you have to do," -replied the captain of the musketeers, "is simply to swallow what -you have in it, whenever the king does you the honor to address a -remark to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good," said Porthos; -and from that moment he began to eat with a certain well-bred -enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king occasionally looked -at the different persons who were at table with him, and, <i>en -connoisseur</i>, could appreciate the different dispositions of -his guests.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur du Vallon!" he -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos was enjoying a -<i>salmi de lièvre</i>, and swallowed half of the back. -His name, pronounced in such a manner, made him start, and by a -vigorous effort of his gullet he absorbed the whole mouthful.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," replied Porthos, in -a stifled voice, but sufficiently intelligible, nevertheless.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let those <i>filets -d'agneau</i> be handed to Monsieur du Vallon," said the king; "do -you like brown meats, M. du Vallon?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I like everything," -replied Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan whispered: -"Everything your majesty sends me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos repeated: -"Everything your majesty sends me," an observation which the king -apparently received with great satisfaction.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "People eat well who work -well," replied the king, delighted to have <i>en -tête-à-tête</i> a guest who could eat as -Porthos did. Porthos received the dish of lamb, and put a -portion of it on his plate.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?" said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exquisite," said Porthos, -calmly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have you as good mutton in -your part of the country, Monsieur du Vallon?" continued the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I believe that from -my own province, as everywhere else, the best of everything is -sent to Paris for your majesty's use; but, on the other hand, I -do not eat lamb in the same way your majesty does."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, ah! and how do you eat -it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Generally, I have a lamb -dressed whole."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Whole?</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what manner, Monsieur du -Vallon?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In this, sire: my cook, who -is a German, first stuffs the lamb in question with small -sausages he procures from Strasburg, force-meat balls from -Troyes, and larks from Pithiviers; by some means or other, which -I am not acquainted with, he bones the lamb as he would do a -fowl, leaving the skin on, however, which forms a brown crust all -over the animal; when it is cut in beautiful slices, in the same -way as an enormous sausage, a rose-colored gravy pours forth, -which is as agreeable to the eye as it is exquisite to the -palate." And Porthos finished by smacking his lips.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king opened his eyes -with delight, and, while cutting some of the <i>faisan en -daube</i>, which was being handed to him, he said:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is a dish I should -very much like to taste, Monsieur du Vallon. Is it possible! a -whole lamb!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Absolutely an entire lamb, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Pass those pheasants to M. -du Vallon; I perceive he is an amateur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The order was immediately -obeyed. Then, continuing the conversation, he said: "And you do -not find the lamb too fat?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, sire, the fat falls -down at the same time as the gravy does, and swims on the -surface; then the servant who carves removes the fat with a -spoon, which I have had expressly made for that purpose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where do you reside?" -inquired the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At Pierrefonds, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At Pierrefonds; where is -that, M. du Vallon - near Belle-Isle?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no, sire! Pierrefonds -is in the Soissonnais."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I thought you alluded to -the lamb on account of the salt marshes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, sire, I have marshes -which are not salt, it is true, but which are not the less -valuable on that account."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king had now arrived at -the <i>entrements</i>, but without losing sight of Porthos, who -continued to play his part in the best manner.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have an excellent -appetite, M. du Vallon," said the king, "and you make an -admirable guest at table."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! sire, if your majesty -were ever to pay a visit to Pierrefonds, we would both of us eat -our lamb together; for your appetite is not an indifferent one by -any means."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan gave Porthos a -kick under the table, which made Porthos color up.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At your majesty's present -happy age," said Porthos, in order to repair the mistake he had -made, "I was in the musketeers, and nothing could ever satisfy me -then. Your majesty has an excellent appetite, as I have already -had the honor of mentioning, but you select what you eat with -quite too much refinement to be called for one moment a great -eater."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king seemed charmed at -his guest's politeness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you try some of these -creams?" he said to Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, you majesty treats me -with far too much kindness to prevent me speaking the whole -truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Pray do so, M. du -Vallon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will, sire, with regard to -sweet dishes I only recognize pastry, and even that should be -rather solid; all these frothy substances swell the stomach, and -occupy a space which seems to me to be too precious to be so -badly tenanted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! gentlemen," said the -king, indicating Porthos by a gesture, "here is indeed a model of -gastronomy. It was in such a manner that our fathers, who so -well knew what good living was, used to <i>eat</i>, while we," -added his majesty, "do nothing but tantalize with our stomachs." -And as he spoke, he took the breast of a chicken with ham, while -Porthos attacked a dish of partridges and quails. The cup-bearer -filled his majesty's glass. "Give M. du Vallon some of my wine," -said the king. This was one of the greatest honors of the royal -table. D'Artagnan pressed his friend's knee. "If you could -only manage to swallow the half of that boar's head I see -yonder," said he to Porthos, "I shall believe you will be a duke -and peer within the next twelvemonth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Presently," said Porthos, -phlegmatically; "I shall come to that by and by."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> In fact it was not long -before it came to the boar's turn, for the king seemed to take -pleasure in urging on his guest; he did not pass any of the -dishes to Porthos until he had tasted them himself, and he -accordingly took some of the boar's head. Porthos showed that he -could keep pace with his sovereign; and, instead of eating the -half, as D'Artagnan had told him, he ate three-fourths of it. -"It is impossible," said the king in an undertone, "that a -gentleman who eats so good a supper every day, and who has such -beautiful teeth, can be otherwise than the most straightforward, -upright man in my kingdom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you hear?" said -D'Artagnan in his friend's ear.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; I think I am rather in -favor," said Porthos, balancing himself on his chair.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! you are in luck's -way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king and Porthos -continued to eat in the same manner, to the great satisfaction of -the other guests, some of whom, from emulation, had attempted to -follow them, but were obliged to give up half-way. The king soon -began to get flushed and the reaction of the blood to his face -announced that the moment of repletion had arrived. It was then -that Louis XIV., instead of becoming gay and cheerful, as most -good livers generally do, became dull, melancholy, and taciturn. -Porthos, on the contrary, was lively and communicative. -D'Artagnan's foot had more than once to remind him of this -peculiarity of the king. The dessert now made its appearance. -The king had ceased to think anything further of Porthos; he -turned his eyes anxiously towards the entrance-door, and he was -heard occasionally to inquire how it happened that Monsieur de -Saint-Aignan was so long in arriving. At last, at the moment -when his majesty was finishing a pot of preserved plums with a -deep sigh, Saint-Aignan appeared. The king's eyes, which had -become somewhat dull, immediately began to sparkle. The comte -advanced towards the king's table, and Louis rose at his -approach. Everybody got up at the same time, including Porthos, -who was just finishing an almond-cake capable of making the jaws -of a crocodile stick together. The supper was over.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -After Supper.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he king took -Saint-Aignan by the arm, and passed into the adjoining -apartment. "What has detained you, comte?" said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was bringing the answer, -sire," replied the comte.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"She has taken a -long time to reply to what I wrote her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, your majesty -deigned to write in verse, and Mademoiselle de la Vallière -wished to repay your majesty in the same coin; that is to say, in -gold."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Verses! -Saint-Aignan," exclaimed the king in ecstasy. "Give them to me -at once." And Louis broke the seal of a little letter, inclosing -the verses which history has preserved entire for us, and which -are more meritorious in invention than in execution. Such as -they were, however, the king was enchanted with them, and -exhibited his satisfaction by unequivocal transports of delight; -but the universal silence which reigned in the rooms warned -Louis, so sensitively particular with regard to good breeding, -that his delight must give rise to various interpretations. He -turned aside and put the note in his pocket, and then advancing a -few steps, which brought him again to the threshold of the door -close to his guests, he said, "M. du Vallon, I have seen you -to-day with the greatest pleasure, and my pleasure will be -equally great to see you again." Porthos bowed as the Colossus -of Rhodes would have done, and retired from the room with his -face towards the king. "M. d'Artagnan," continued the king, "you -will await my orders in the gallery; I am obliged to you for -having made me acquainted with M. du Vallon. Gentlemen," -addressing himself to the other guests, "I return to Paris -to-morrow on account of the departure of the Spanish and Dutch -ambassadors. Until to-morrow then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The apartment was -immediately cleared of the guests. The king took Saint-Aignan by -the arm, made him read La Vallière's verses over again, -and said, "What do you think of them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Charming, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"They charm me, in -fact, and if they were known - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! the -professional poets would be jealous of them; but it is not likely -they will know anything about them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did you give her -mine?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! sire, she -positively devoured them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"They were very -weak, I am afraid."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is not what -Mademoiselle de la Vallière said of them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you think she -was pleased with them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am sure of it, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I must answer, -then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! sire, -immediately after supper? Your majesty will fatigue -yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are quite -right; study after eating is notoriously injurious."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The labor of a -poet especially so; and besides, there is great excitement -prevailing at Mademoiselle de la Vallière's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With her as with -all the ladies of the court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On account of poor -De Guiche's accident."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Has anything -serious happened to De Guiche, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire, he has -one hand nearly destroyed, a hole in his breast; in fact, he is -dying."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good heavens! who -told you that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Manicamp brought -him back just now to the house of a doctor here in Fontainebleau, -and the rumor soon reached us all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Brought back! -Poor De Guiche; and how did it happen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! that is the -very question, - how did it happen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You say that in a -very singular manner, Saint-Aignan. Give me the details. What -does he say himself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He says nothing, -sire; but others do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What others?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Those who brought -him back, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who are they?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not know, -sire; but M. de Manicamp knows. M. de Manicamp is one of his -friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As everybody is, -indeed," said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! no!" returned -Saint-Aignan, "you are mistaken sire; every one is not precisely -a friend of M. de Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How do you know -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Does your majesty -require me to explain myself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly I -do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, sire, I -believe I have heard something said about a quarrel between two -gentlemen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"When?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"This very evening, -before your majesty's supper was served."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That can hardly -be. I have issued such stringent and severe ordinances with -respect to duelling, that no one, I presume, would dare to -disobey them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case, -Heaven preserve me from excusing any one!" exclaimed -Saint-Aignan. "Your majesty commanded me to speak, and I spoke -accordingly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Tell me, then, in -what way the Comte de Guiche has been wounded?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, it is said -to have been at a boar-hunt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"This evening?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"One of his hands -shattered, and a hole in his breast. Who was at the hunt with M. -de Guiche?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not know, -sire; but M. de Manicamp knows, or ought to know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are concealing -something from me, Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nothing, sire, I -assure you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Then, explain to -me how the accident happened; was it a musket that burst?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very likely, -sire. But yet, on reflection, it could hardly have been that, -for De Guiche's pistol was found close by him still loaded."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"His pistol? But a -man does not go to a boar-hunt with a pistol, I should -think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, it is also -said that De Guiche's horse was killed and that the horse is -still to be found in the wide open glade in the forest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"His horse? - -Guiche go on horseback to a boar-hunt? - Saint-Aignan, I do not -understand a syllable of what you have been telling me. Where -did this affair happen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At the Rond-point, -in that part of the forest called the Bois-Rochin."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That will do. -Call M. d'Artagnan." Saint-Aignan obeyed, and the musketeer -entered.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur -d'Artagnan," said the king, "you will leave this place by the -little door of the private staircase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will mount -your horse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you will -proceed to the Rond-point du Bois-Rochin. Do you know the -spot?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire. I have -fought there twice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What!" exclaimed -the king, amazed at the reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Under the edicts, -sire, of Cardinal Richelieu," returned D'Artagnan, with his usual -impassability.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is very -different, monsieur. You will, therefore, go there, and will -examine the locality very carefully. A man has been wounded -there, and you will find a horse lying dead. You will tell me -what your opinion is upon the whole affair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As a matter of -course, it is your own opinion I require, and not that of any one -else."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You shall have it -in an hour's time, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I prohibit your -speaking with any one, whoever it may be."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Except with the -person who must give me a lantern," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! that is a -matter of course," said the king, laughing at the liberty, which -he tolerated in no one but his captain of the musketeers. -D'Artagnan left by the little staircase.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Now, let my -physician be sent for," said Louis. Ten minutes afterwards the -king's physician arrived, quite out of breath.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will go, -monsieur," said the king to him, "and accompany M. de -Saint-Aignan wherever he may take you; you will render me an -account of the state of the person you may see in the house you -will be taken to." The physician obeyed without a remark, as at -that time people began to obey Louis XIV., and left the room -preceding Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you, -Saint-Aignan, send Manicamp to me, before the physician can -possibly have spoken to him." And Saint-Aignan left in his -turn.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XVI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Showing in What Way D'Artagnan Discharged the Mission with Which -the King Had Intrusted Him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>W</span>hile the king -was engaged in making these last-mentioned arrangements in order -to ascertain the truth, D'Artagnan, without losing a second, ran -to the stable, took down the lantern, saddled his horse himself, -and proceeded towards the place his majesty had indicated. -According to the promise he had made, he had not accosted any -one; and, as we have observed, he had carried his scruples so far -as to do without the assistance of the stable-helpers -altogether. D'Artagnan was one of those who in moments of -difficulty pride themselves on increasing their own value. By -dint of hard galloping, he in less than five minutes reached the -wood, fastened his horse to the first tree he came to, and -penetrated to the broad open space on foot. He then began to -inspect most carefully, on foot and with his lantern in his hand, -the whole surface of the Rond-point, went forward, turned back -again, measured, examined, and after half an hour's minute -inspection, he returned silently to where he had left his horse, -and pursued his way in deep reflection and at a foot-pace to -Fontainebleau. Louis was waiting in his cabinet; he was alone, -and with a pencil was scribbling on paper certain lines which -D'Artagnan at the first glance recognized as unequal and very -much touched up. The conclusion he arrived at was, that they -must be verses. The king raised his head and perceived -D'Artagnan. "Well, monsieur," he said, "do you bring me any -news?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What have you seen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As far as probability goes, -sire - " D'Artagnan began to reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It was certainty I -requested of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will approach it as near -as I possibly can. The weather was very well adapted for -investigations of the character I have just made; it has been -raining this evening, and the roads were wet and muddy - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, the result, M. -d'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, your majesty told me -that there was a horse lying dead in the cross-road of the -Bois-Rochin, and I began, therefore, by studying the roads. I -say the roads, because the center of the cross-road is reached by -four separate roads. The one that I myself took was the only one -that presented any fresh traces. Two horses had followed it side -by side; their eight feet were marked very distinctly in the -clay. One of the riders was more impatient than the other, for -the footprints of the one were invariably in advance of the other -about half a horse's length."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you quite sure they -were traveling together?" said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes sire. The horses are -two rather large animals of equal pace, - horses well used to -maneuvers of all kinds, for they wheeled round the barrier of the -Rond-point together."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well - and after?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The two cavaliers paused -there for a minute, no doubt to arrange the conditions of the -engagement; the horses grew restless and impatient. One of the -riders spoke, while the other listened and seemed to have -contented himself by simply answering. His horse pawed the -ground, which proves that his attention was so taken up by -listening that he let the bridle fall from his hand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A hostile meeting did take -place then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Undoubtedly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Continue; you are a very -accurate observer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "One of the two cavaliers -remained where he was standing, the one, in fact, who had been -listening; the other crossed the open space, and at first placed -himself directly opposite to his adversary. The one who had -remained stationary traversed the Rond-point at a gallop, about -two-thirds of its length, thinking that by this means he would -gain upon his opponent; but the latter had followed the -circumference of the wood."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are ignorant of their -names, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Completely so, sire. Only -he who followed the circumference of the wood was mounted on a -black horse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How do you know that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I found a few hairs of his -tail among the brambles which bordered the sides of the -ditch."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go on."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As for the other horse, -there can be no trouble in describing him, since he was left dead -on the field of battle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What was the cause of his -death?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A ball which had passed -through his brain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Was the ball that of a -pistol or a gun?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It was a pistol-bullet, -sire. Besides, the manner in which the horse was wounded -explained to me the tactics of the man who had killed it. He had -followed the circumference of the wood in order to take his -adversary in flank. Moreover, I followed his foot-tracks on the -grass."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The tracks of the black -horse, do you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go on, Monsieur -d'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As your majesty now -perceives the position of the two adversaries, I will, for a -moment, leave the cavalier who had remained stationary for the -one who started off at a gallop."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The horse of the cavalier -who rode at full speed was killed on the spot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How do you know that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The cavalier had not time -even to throw himself off his horse, and so fell with it. I -observed the impression of his leg, which, with a great effort, -he was enabled to extricate from under the horse. The spur, -pressed down by the weight of the animal, had plowed up the -ground."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; and what did he -do as soon as he rose up again?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He walked straight up to -his adversary."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who still remained upon the -verge of the forest?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire. Then, having -reached a favorable distance, he stopped firmly, for the -impression of both his heels are left in the ground quite close -to each other, fired, and missed his adversary."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How do you know he did not -hit him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I found a hat with a ball -through it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, a proof, then!" -exclaimed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Insufficient, sire," -replied D'Artagnan, coldly; "it is a hat without any letters -indicating its ownership, without arms; a red feather, as all -hats have; the lace, even, had nothing particular in it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did the man with the hat -through which the bullet had passed fire a second time?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire, he had already -fired twice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How did you ascertain -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I found the waddings of the -pistol."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what became of the -bullet which did not kill the horse?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It cut in two the feather -of the hat belonging to him against whom it was directed, and -broke a small birch at the other end of the open glade."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, then, the man -on the black horse was disarmed, whilst his adversary had still -one more shot to fire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, while the dismounted -rider was extricating himself from his horse, the other was -reloading his pistol. Only, he was much agitated while he was -loading it, and his hand trembled greatly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How do you know that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Half the charge fell to the -ground, and he threw the ramrod aside, not having time to replace -it in the pistol."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan, this -is marvellous you tell me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is only close -observation, sire, and the commonest highwayman could tell as -much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The whole scene is before -me from the manner in which you relate it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have, in fact, -reconstructed it in my own mind, with merely a few -alterations."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now," said the king, -"let us return to the dismounted cavalier. You were saying that -he walked towards his adversary while the latter was loading his -pistol."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but at the very moment -he himself was taking aim, the other fired."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said the king; "and -the shot?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The shot told terribly, -sire; the dismounted cavalier fell upon his face, after having -staggered forward three or four paces."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where was he hit?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In two places; in the first -place, in his right hand, and then, by the same bullet, in his -chest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But how could you ascertain -that?" inquired the king, full of admiration.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By a very simple means; the -butt end of the pistol was covered with blood, and the trace of -the bullet could be observed, with fragments of a broken ring. -The wounded man, in all probability, had the ring-finger and the -little finger carried off."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As far as the hand goes, I -have nothing to say; but the chest?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, there were two small -pools of blood, at a distance of about two feet and a half from -each other. At one of these pools of blood the grass was torn up -by the clenched hand; at the other, the grass was simply pressed -down by the weight of the body."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Poor De Guiche!" exclaimed -the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! it was M. de Guiche, -then?" said the musketeer, quietly. "I suspected it, but did not -venture to mention it to your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what made you suspect -it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I recognized the De Gramont -arms upon the holsters of the dead horse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you think he is -seriously wounded?"<br> - "Very seriously, since he fell immediately, and -remained a long time in the same place; however, he was able to -walk, as he left the spot, supported by two friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You met him returning, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but I observed the -footprints of three men; the one on the right and the one on the -left walked freely and easily, but the one in the middle dragged -his feet as he walked; besides, he left traces of blood at every -step he took."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Now, monsieur, since you -saw the combat so distinctly that not a single detail seems to -have escaped you, tell me something about De Guiche's -adversary."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire, I do not know -him."<br> - "And yet you see everything very clearly."<br> - "Yes, sire, I see everything; but I do not tell -all I see; and, since the poor devil has escaped, your majesty -will permit me to say that I do not intend to denounce him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet he is guilty, since -he has fought a duel, monsieur."<br> - "Not guilty in my eyes, sire," said D'Artagnan, -coldly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur!" exclaimed the -king, "are you aware of what you are saying?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly, sire; but, -according to my notions, a man who fights a duel is a brave man; -such, at least, is my own opinion; but your majesty may have -another, it is but natural, for you are master here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan, I -ordered you, however - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan interrupted the -king by a respectful gesture. "You ordered me, sire, to gather -what particulars I could, respecting a hostile meeting that had -taken place; those particulars you have. If you order me to -arrest M. de Guiche's adversary, I will do so; but do not order -me to denounce him to you, for in that case I will not obey."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well! Arrest him, -then."<br> - "Give me his name, sire."<br> - The king stamped his foot angrily; but after a -moment's reflection, he said, "You are right - ten times, twenty -times, a hundred times right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is my opinion, sire: I -am happy that, this time, it accords with your majesty's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "One word more. Who -assisted Guiche?"<br> - "I do not know, sire."<br> - "But you speak of two men. There was a person -present, then, as second."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There was no second, sire. -Nay, more than that, when M. de Guiche fell, his adversary fled -without giving him any assistance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The miserable coward!" -exclaimed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The consequence of your -ordinances, sire. If a man has fought well, and fairly, and has -already escaped one chance of death, he naturally wishes to -escape a second. M. de Bouteville cannot be forgotten very -easily."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so, men turn -cowards."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, they become -prudent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And he has fled, then, you -say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; and as fast as his -horse could possibly carry him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what direction?"<br> - "In the direction of the château."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and after that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Afterwards, as I have had -the honor of telling your majesty, two men on foot arrived, who -carried M. de Guiche back with them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What proof have you that -these men arrived after the combat?"<br> - "A very evident proof, sire; at the moment the -encounter took place, the rain had just ceased, the ground had -not had time to imbibe the moisture, and was, consequently, -soaked; the footsteps sank in the ground; but while M. de Guiche -was lying there in a fainting condition, the ground became firm -again, and the footsteps made a less sensible impression."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis clapped his hands -together in sign of admiration. "Monsieur d'Artagnan," he said, -"you are positively the cleverest man in my kingdom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The identical thing M. de -Richelieu thought, and M. de Mazarin said, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now, it remains for us -to see if your sagacity is at fault."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, a man may be -mistaken; <i>humanum est errare</i>," said the musketeer, -philosophically. <b><sup>1</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, you are not -human, Monsieur d'Artagnan, for I believe you are never -mistaken."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty said that we -were going to see whether such was the case, or not."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what way, may I venture -to ask?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have sent for M. de -Manicamp, and M. de Manicamp is coming."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"And M. de Manicamp -knows the secret?"<br> -"De Guiche has no secrets from M. de Manicamp."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan shook -his head. "No one was present at the combat, I repeat; and -unless M. de Manicamp was one of the two men who brought him back -- "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Hush!" said the -king, "he is coming; remain, and listen attentively."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And, at the very -same moment, Manicamp and Saint-Aignan appeared at the threshold -of the door.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XVII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Encounter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he king -signified with an imperious gesture, first to the musketeer, then -to Saint-Aignan, "On your lives, not a word." D'Artagnan -withdrew, like a sentinel, to a corner of the room; Saint-Aignan, -in his character of a favorite, leaned over the back of the -king's chair. Manicamp, with his right foot properly advanced, a -smile upon his lips, and his white and well-formed hands -gracefully disposed, advanced to make his reverence to the king, -who returned the salutation by a bow. "Good evening, M. de -Manicamp," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty did me the -honor to send for me," said Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, in order to learn from -you all the details of the unfortunate accident which has -befallen the Comte de Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, it is grievous -indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You were there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not precisely, sire."<br> - "But you arrived on the scene of the accident, a -few minutes after it took place?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, about half an hour -afterwards."<br> - "And where did the accident happen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe, sire, the place -is called the Rond-point du Bois-Rochin."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! the rendezvous of the -hunt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The very spot, sire."<br> - "Good; give me all the details you are acquainted -with, respecting this unhappy affair, Monsieur de Manicamp."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perhaps your majesty has -already been informed of them, and I fear to fatigue you with -useless repetition."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, do not be afraid of -that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp looked round him; -he saw only D'Artagnan leaning with his back against the wainscot -- D'Artagnan, calm, kind, and good-natured as usual - and -Saint-Aignan whom he had accompanied, and who still leaned over -the king's armchair with an expression of countenance equally -full of good feeling. He determined, therefore, to speak out. -"Your majesty is perfectly aware," he said, "that accidents are -very frequent in hunting."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In hunting, do you -say?"<br> - "I mean, sire, when an animal is brought to -bay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, ah!" said the king, "it -was when the animal was brought to bay, then, that the accident -happened?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! sire, unhappily it -was."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king paused for a moment -before he said: "What animal was being hunted?"<br> - "A wild boar, sire."<br> - "And what could possibly have possessed De Guiche -to go to a wild boar-hunt by himself; that is but a clownish idea -of sport, only fit for that class of people who, unlike the -Maréchal de Gramont, have no dogs and huntsmen, to hunt as -gentlemen should do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp shrugged his -shoulders. "Youth is very rash," he said, sententiously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, go on," said the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events," continued -Manicamp, not venturing to be too precipitate and hasty, and -letting his words fall very slowly one by one, "at all events, -sire, poor De Guiche went hunting - all alone."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite alone? indeed? - What -a sportsman! And is not M. de Guiche aware that the wild boar -always stands at bay?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the very thing that -really happened, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He had some idea, then, of -the beast being there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire, some peasants -had seen it among their potatoes." <b><sup>2</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what kind of animal was -it?"<br> - "A short, thick beast."<br> - "You may as well tell me, monsieur, that De -Guiche had some idea of committing suicide; for I have seen him -hunt, and he is an active and vigorous hunter. Whenever he fires -at an animal brought to bay and held in check by the dogs, he -takes every possible precaution, and yet he fires with a carbine, -and on this occasion he seems to have faced the boar with pistols -only."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp started.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A costly pair of pistols, -excellent weapons to fight a duel with a man and not a wild -boar. What an absurdity!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There are some things, -sire, which are difficult of explanation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are quite right, and -the event which we are now discussing is certainly one of them. -Go on."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> During the recital, -Saint-Aignan, who probably would have made a sign to Manicamp to -be careful what he was about, found that the king's glance was -constantly fixed upon himself, so that it was utterly impossible -to communicate with Manicamp in any way. As for D'Artagnan, the -statue of Silence at Athens was far more noisy and far more -expressive than he. Manicamp, therefore, was obliged to continue -in the same way he had begun, and so contrived to get more and -more entangled in his explanation. "Sire," he said, "this is -probably how the affair happened. Guiche was waiting to receive -the boar as it rushed towards him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On foot or on horseback?" -inquired the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On horseback. He fired -upon the brute and missed his aim, and then it dashed upon -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the horse was -killed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! your majesty knows -that, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have been told that a -horse has been found lying dead in the cross-roads of the -Bois-Rochin, and I presume it was De Guiche's horse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly true, sire, it -was his."<br> - "Well, so much for the horse, and now for De -Guiche?"<br> - "De Guiche, once down, was attacked and worried -by the wild boar, and wounded in the hand and in the chest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is a horrible accident, -but it must be admitted it was De Guiche's own fault. How could -he possibly have gone to hunt such an animal merely armed with -pistols; he must have forgotten the fable of Adonis?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp rubbed his ear in -seeming perplexity. "Very true," he said, "it was very -imprudent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Can you explain it, -Monsieur Manicamp?"<br> - "Sire, what is written is written!"<br> - "Ah! you are a fatalist."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp looked very -uncomfortable and ill at ease.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am angry with you, -Monsieur Manicamp," continued the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With me, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes. How was it that you, -who are De Guiche's intimate friend, and who know that he is -subject to such acts of folly, did not stop him in time?"<br> - Manicamp no longer knew what to do; the tone in -which the king spoke was anything but that of a credulous man. -On the other hand, it did not indicate any particular severity, -nor did he seem to care very much about the cross-examination. -There was more of raillery in it than menace. "And you say, -then," continued the king, "that it was positively De Guiche's -horse that was found dead?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite positive, sire."<br> - "Did that astonish you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, sire; for your majesty -will remember that, at the last hunt, M. de Saint-Maure had a -horse killed under him, and in the same way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, but that one was -ripped open."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Had Guiche's horse been -ripped open like M. de Saint-Maure's horse, I should not have -been astonished."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp opened his eyes -very wide.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Am I mistaken," resumed the -king, "was it not in the frontal bone that De Guiche's horse was -struck? You must admit, Monsieur de Manicamp, that that is a -very singular place for a wild boar to attack."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are aware, sire, that -the horse is a very intelligent animal, and he doubtless -endeavoured to defend himself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But a horse defends himself -with his heels and not with his head."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, the terrified -horse may have slipped or fallen down," said Manicamp, "and the -boar, you understand sire, the boar - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I understand that -perfectly, as far as the horse is concerned; but how about his -rider?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! that, too, is simple -enough; the boar left the horse and attacked the rider; and, as I -have already had the honor of informing your majesty, shattered -De Guiche's hand at the very moment he was about to discharge his -second pistol at him, and then, with a gouge of his tusk, made -that terrible hole in his chest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing is more likely; -really, Monsieur de Manicamp, you are wrong in placing so little -confidence in your own eloquence, and you can tell a story most -admirably."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty is exceedingly -kind," said Manicamp, saluting him in the most embarrassed -manner.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "From this day henceforth, I -will prohibit any gentleman attached to my court going out to a -similar encounter. Really, one might just as well permit -duelling."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp started, and moved -as if he were about to withdraw. "Is your majesty -satisfied?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Delighted; but do not -withdraw yet, Monsieur de Manicamp," said Louis, "I have -something to say to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, well!" thought -D'Artagnan, "there is another who is not up to the mark;" and he -uttered a sigh which might signify, "Oh! the men of <i>our</i> -stamp, where are they <i>now?</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At this moment an usher -lifted up the curtain before the door, and announced the king's -physician.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" exclaimed Louis, "here -comes Monsieur Valot, who has just been to see M. de Guiche. We -shall now hear news of the man maltreated by the boar."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp felt more -uncomfortable than ever.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In this way, at least," -added the king, "our conscience will be quite clear." And he -looked at D'Artagnan, who did not seem in the slightest degree -discomposed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XVIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Physician.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>. Valot -entered. The position of the different persons present was -precisely the same: the king was seated, Saint-Aignan leaning -over the back of his armchair, D'Artagnan with his back against -the wall, and Manicamp still standing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, M. Valot," said the -king, "did you obey my directions?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With the greatest alacrity, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You went to the doctor's -house in Fontainebleau?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you found M. de Guiche -there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I did, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What state was he in? - -speak unreservedly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In a very sad state indeed, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The wild boar did not quite -devour him, however?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Devour whom?"<br> - "De Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What wild boar?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The boar that wounded -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Guiche wounded by a -boar?"<br> - "So it is said, at least."<br> - "By a poacher, rather, or by a jealous husband, -or an ill-used lover, who, in order to be revenged, fired upon -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is it that you say, -Monsieur Valot? Were not M. de Guiche's wounds produced by -defending himself against a wild boar?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Guiche's wounds are -the result of a pistol-bullet that broke his ring-finger and the -little finger of the right hand, and afterwards buried itself in -the intercostal muscles of the chest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A bullet! Are you sure -Monsieur de Guiche was wounded by a <i>bullet?</i>" exclaimed the -king, pretending to look much surprised.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Indeed, I am, sire; so -sure, in fact, that here it is." And he presented to the king a -half-flattened bullet, which the king looked at, but did not -touch.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did he have that in his -chest, poor fellow?" he asked.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not precisely. The ball -did not penetrate, but was flattened, as you see, either upon the -trigger of the pistol or upon the right side of the -breast-bone."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good heavens!" said the -king, seriously, "you said nothing to me about this, Monsieur de -Manicamp."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What does all this mean, -then, this invention about hunting a wild boar at nightfall? -Come, speak, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It seems, then, that you -are right," said the king, turning round towards his captain of -musketeers, "and that a duel actually took place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king possessed, to a -greater extent than any one else, the faculty enjoyed by the -great in power or position, of compromising and dividing those -beneath him. Manicamp darted a look full of reproaches at the -musketeer. D'Artagnan understood the look at once, and not -wishing to remain beneath the weight of such an accusation, -advanced a step forward, and said: "Sire, your majesty commanded -me to go and explore the place where the cross-roads meet in the -Bois-Rochin, and to report to you, according to my own ideas, -what had taken place there. I submitted my observations to you, -but without denouncing any one. It was your majesty yourself who -was the first to name the Comte de Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, monsieur, well," said -the king, haughtily; "you have done your duty, and I am satisfied -with you. But you, Monsieur de Manicamp, have failed in yours, -for you have told me a falsehood."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A falsehood, sire. The -expression is a hard one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Find a more accurate, -then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I will not attempt to -do so. I have already been unfortunate enough to displease your -majesty, and it will, in every respect, be far better for me to -accept most humbly any reproaches you may think proper to address -to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right, monsieur, -whoever conceals the truth from me, risks my displeasure."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sometimes, sire, one is -ignorant of the truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No further falsehood, -monsieur, or I double the punishment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp bowed and turned -pale. D'Artagnan again made another step forward, determined to -interfere, if the still increasing anger of the king attained -certain limits.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You see, monsieur," -continued the king, "that it is useless to deny the thing any -longer. M. de Guiche has fought a duel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not deny it, sire, and -it would have been truly generous on your majesty's part not to -have forced me to tell a falsehood."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Forced? Who forced -you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, M. de Guiche is my -friend. Your majesty has forbidden duels under pain of death. A -falsehood might save my friend's life, and I told it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good!" murmured D'Artagnan, -"an excellent fellow, upon my word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Instead of telling a -falsehood, monsieur, you should have prevented him from -fighting," said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, your majesty, who -is the most accomplished gentleman in France, knows quite as well -as any of us other gentlemen that we have never considered M. de -Bouteville dishonored for having suffered death on the Place de -Grève. That which does in truth dishonor a man is to -avoid meeting his enemy - not to avoid meeting his -executioner!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, monsieur, that may be -so," said Louis XIV.; "I am desirous of suggesting a means of -your repairing all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If it be a means of which a -gentleman may avail himself, I shall most eagerly seize the -opportunity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The name of M. de Guiche's -adversary?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, oh!" murmured -D'Artagnan, "are we going to take Louis XIII. as a model?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire!" said Manicamp, with -an accent of reproach.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will not name him, -then?" said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I do not know -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Bravo!" murmured -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur de Manicamp, hand -your sword to the captain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp bowed very -gracefully, unbuckled his sword, smiling as he did so, and handed -it for the musketeer to take. But Saint-Aignan advanced -hurriedly between him and D'Artagnan. "Sire," he said, "will -your majesty permit me to say a word?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do so," said the king, -delighted, perhaps, at the bottom of his heart, for some one to -step between him and the wrath he felt he had carried him too -far.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Manicamp, you are a brave -man, and the king will appreciate your conduct; but to wish to -serve your friends too well, is to destroy them. Manicamp, you -know the name the king asks you for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is perfectly true - I do -know it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will give it up -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If I felt I ought to have -mentioned it, I should have already done so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Then I will tell it, for I -am not so extremely sensitive on such points of honor as you -are."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are at liberty to do -so, but it seems to me, however - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! a truce to magnanimity; -I will not permit you to go to the Bastile in that way. Do you -speak; or I will."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp was keen-witted -enough, and perfectly understood that he had done quite -sufficient to produce a good opinion of his conduct; it was now -only a question of persevering in such a manner as to regain the -good graces of the king. "Speak, monsieur," he said to -Saint-Aignan; "I have on my own behalf done all that my -conscience told me to do; and it must have been very -importunate," he added, turning towards the king, "since its -mandates led me to disobey your majesty's commands; but your -majesty will forgive me, I hope, when you learn that I was -anxious to preserve the honor of a lady."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of a lady?" said the king, -with some uneasiness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A lady was the cause of -this duel?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp bowed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If the position of the lady -in question warrants it," he said, "I shall not complain of your -having acted with so much circumspection; on the contrary, -indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, everything which -concerns your majesty's household, or the household of your -majesty's brother, is of importance in my eyes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In my brother's household," -repeated Louis XIV., with a slight hesitation. "The cause of the -duel was a lady belonging to my brother's household, do you -say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Or to Madame's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! to Madame's?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well - and this lady?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is one of the maids of -honor of her royal highness Madame la Duchesse -d'Orléans."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For whom M. de Guiche -fought - do you say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire, and, this time, -I tell no falsehood."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis seemed restless and -anxious. "Gentlemen," he said, turning towards the spectators of -this scene, "will you have the goodness to retire for a moment. -I wish to be alone with M. de Manicamp; I know he has some -important communication to make for his own justification, and -which he will not venture before witnesses…. Put up your -sword, M. de Manicamp."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp returned his sword -to his belt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fellow decidedly has -his wits about him," murmured the musketeer, taking Saint-Aignan -by the arm, and withdrawing with him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He will get out of it," -said the latter in D'Artagnan's ear.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And with honor, too, -comte."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp cast a glance of -recognition at Saint-Aignan and the captain, which luckily passed -unnoticed by the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come, come," said -D'Artagnan, as he left the room, "I had an indifferent opinion of -the new generation. Well, I was mistaken after all. There is -some good in them, I perceive."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Valot preceded the favorite -and the captain, leaving the king and Manicamp alone in the -cabinet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XIX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Wherein D'Artagnan Perceives that It Was He Who Was Mistaken, and -Manicamp Who Was Right.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he king, -determined to be satisfied that no one was listening, went -himself to the door, and then returned precipitately and placed -himself opposite Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now we are alone, -Monsieur de Manicamp, explain yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With the greatest -frankness, sire," replied the young man.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And in the first place, -pray understand," added the king, "that there is nothing to which -I personally attach a greater importance than the honor of -<i>any</i> lady."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the very reason, -sire, why I endeavored to study your delicacy of sentiment and -feeling."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I understand it all -now. You say that it was one of the maids of honor of my -sister-in-law who was the subject of dispute, and that the person -in question, De Guiche's adversary, the man, in point of fact, -whom you will not name - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But whom M. de Saint-Aignan -will name, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, you say, however, that -this man insulted some one belonging to the household of -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire. Mademoiselle de -la Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said the king, as if -he had expected the name, and yet as if its announcement had -caused him a sudden pang; "ah! it was Mademoiselle de la -Vallière who was insulted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not say precisely that -she was insulted, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But at all events - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I merely say that she was -spoken of in terms far enough from respectful."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A man dares to speak in -disrespectful terms of Mademoiselle de la Vallière, and -yet you refuse to tell me the name of the insulter?"<br> - "Sire, I thought it was quite understood that -your majesty had abandoned the idea of making me denounce -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly true, monsieur," -returned the king, controlling his anger; "besides, I shall know -in good time the name of this man whom I shall feel it my duty to -punish."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp perceived that they -had returned to the question again. As for the king, he saw he -had allowed himself to be hurried away a little too far, and -therefore continued: - "And I will punish him - not because there -is any question of Mademoiselle de la Vallière, although I -esteem her very highly - but because a lady was the object of the -quarrel. And I intend that ladies shall be respected at my -court, and that quarrels shall be put a stop to altogether."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp bowed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now, Monsieur de -Manicamp," continued the king, "what was said about Mademoiselle -de la Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Cannot your majesty -guess?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?"<br> - "Your majesty can imagine the character of the -jest in which young men permit themselves to indulge."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "They very probably said -that she was in love with some one?" the king ventured to -remark.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Probably so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But Mademoiselle de la -Vallière has a perfect right to love any one she pleases," -said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the very point De -Guiche maintained."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And on account of which he -fought, do you mean?"<br> - "Yes, sire, the sole and only cause."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king colored. "And you -do not know anything more, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what respect, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the very interesting -respect which you are now referring to."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What does your majesty wish -to know?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, the name of the man -with whom La Vallière is in love, and whom De Guiche's -adversary disputed her right to love."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I know nothing - I -have heard nothing - and have learnt nothing, even accidentally; -but De Guiche is a noble-hearted fellow, and if, momentarily, he -substituted himself in the place or stead of La Vallière's -protector, it was because that protector was himself of too -exalted a position to undertake her defense."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> These words were more than -transparent; they made the king blush, but this time with -pleasure. He struck Manicamp gently on the shoulder. "Well, -well, Monsieur de Manicamp, you are not only a ready, witty -fellow, but a brave gentleman besides, and your friend De Guiche -is a paladin quite after my own heart; you will express that to -him from me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty forgives me, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Completely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I am free?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king smiled and held out -his hand to Manicamp, which he took and kissed respectfully. -"And then," added the king, "you relate stories so -charmingly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"I, sire!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You told me in the -most admirable manner the particulars of the accident which -happened to Guiche. I can see the wild boar rushing out of the -wood - I can see the horse fall down fighting with his head, and -the boar rush from the horse to the rider. You do not simply -relate a story well: you positively paint its incidents."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, I think your -majesty condescends to laugh at my expense," said Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary," -said Louis, seriously, "I have so little intention of laughing, -Monsieur de Manicamp, that I wish you to relate this adventure to -every one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The adventure of -the hunt?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; in the same -manner you told it to me, without changing a single word - <i>you -understand?</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Perfectly, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you will -relate it, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Without losing a -minute."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well! and now -summon M. d'Artagnan; I hope you are no longer afraid of -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, sire, from the -very moment I am sure of your majesty's kind disposition, I no -longer fear anything!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Call him, then," -said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Manicamp opened the -door, and said, "Gentlemen, the king wishes you to return."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan, -Saint-Aignan, and Valot entered.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Gentlemen," said -the king, "I summoned you for the purposes of saying that -Monsieur de Manicamp's explanation has entirely satisfied -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan glanced -at Valot and Saint-Aignan, as much as to say, "Well! did I not -tell you so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king led -Manicamp to the door, and then in a low tone of voice said: "See -that M. de Guiche takes good care of himself, and particularly -that he recovers as soon as possible; I am very desirous of -thanking him in the name of every lady, but let him take special -care that he does not begin again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Were he to die a -hundred times, sire, he would begin again if your majesty's honor -were in any way called in question."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>This remark was -direct enough. But we have already said that the incense of -flattery was very pleasing to the king, and, provided he received -it, he was not very particular as to its quality.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, very -well," he said, as he dismissed Manicamp, "I will see De Guiche -myself, and make him listen to reason." And as Manicamp left the -apartment, the king turned round towards the three spectators of -this scene, and said, "Tell me, Monsieur d'Artagnan, how does it -happen that your sight is so imperfect? - you, whose eyes are -generally so very good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My sight bad, -sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It must be the -case since your majesty says so; but in what respect, may I -ask?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, with regard -to what occurred in the Bois-Rochin."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! ah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly. You -pretended to have seen the tracks of two horses, to have detected -the footprints of two men; and have described the particulars of -an engagement, which you assert took place. Nothing of the sort -occurred; pure illusion on your part."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! ah!" said -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly the same -thing with the galloping to and fro of the horses, and the other -indications of a struggle. It was the struggle of De Guiche -against the wild boar, and absolutely nothing else; only the -struggle was a long and a terrible one, it seems."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! ah!" continued -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And when I think -that I almost believed it for a moment - but, then, you told it -with such confidence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I admit, sire, -that I must have been very short-sighted," said D'Artagnan, with -a readiness of humor which delighted the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You do admit it, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Admit it, sire, -most assuredly I do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So now that you -see the thing - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In quite a -different light from that in which I saw it half an hour -ago."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And to what, then, -do you attribute this difference in your opinion?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! a very simple -thing, sire; half an hour ago I returned from Bois-Rochin, where -I had nothing to light me but a stupid stable lantern - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"While now?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"While now I have -all the wax-lights of your cabinet, and more than that, your -majesty's own eyes, which illuminate everything, like the blazing -sun at noonday."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king began to -laugh; and Saint-Aignan broke out into convulsions of -merriment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is precisely -like M. Valot," said D'Artagnan, resuming the conversation where -the king had left off; "he has been imagining all along, that not -only was M. de Guiche wounded by a bullet, but still more, that -he extracted it, even, from his chest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Upon my word," -said Valot, "I assure you - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Now, did you not -believe that?" continued D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said Valot; -"not only did I believe it, but, at this very moment, I would -swear it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, my dear -doctor, you have dreamt it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have dreamt -it!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"M. de Guiche's -wound - a mere dream; the bullet, a dream. So, take my advice, -and prate no more about it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well said," -returned the king, "M. d'Artagnan's advice is sound. Do not -speak of your dream to any one, Monsieur Valot, and, upon the -word of a gentleman, you will have no occasion to repent it. -Good evening, gentlemen; a very sad affair, indeed, is a wild -boar-hunt!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A very serious -thing, indeed," repeated D'Artagnan, in a loud voice, "is a wild -boar-hunt!" and he repeated it in every room through which he -passed; and left the château, taking Valot with him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And now we are -alone," said the king to Saint-Aignan, "what is the name of De -Guiche's adversary?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan looked -at the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! do not -hesitate," said the king; "you know that I am bound beforehand to -forgive."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"De Wardes," said -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good," said -Louis XIV.; and then, retiring to his own room, added to himself, -"To forgive is not to forget."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Showing the Advantage of Having Two Strings to One's Bow.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>anicamp -quitted the king's apartment, delighted at having succeeded so -well, when, just as he reached the bottom of the staircase and -was passing a doorway, he felt that some one suddenly pulled him -by the sleeve. He turned round and recognized Montalais, who was -waiting for him in the passage, and who, in a very mysterious -manner, with her body bent forward, and in a low tone of voice, -said to him, "Follow me, monsieur, and without any delay, if you -please."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where to, mademoiselle?" -inquired Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the first place, a true -knight would not have asked such a question, but would have -followed me without requiring any explanation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, mademoiselle, I am -quite ready to conduct myself as a true knight."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; it is too late, and you -cannot take the credit of it. We are going to Madame's -apartment, so come at once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, ah!" said Manicamp. -"Lead on, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And he followed Montalais, -who ran before him as light as Galatea.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This time," said Manicamp, -as he followed his guide, "I do not think that stories about -hunting expeditions would be acceptable. We will try, however, -and if need be - well, if there should be any occasion for it, we -must try something else."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais still ran on.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How fatiguing it is," -thought Manicamp, "to have need of one's head and legs at the -same time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At last, however, they -arrived. Madame had just finished undressing, and was in a most -elegant <i>déshabille</i>, but it must be understood that -she had changed her dress before she had any idea of being -subjected to the emotions now agitating her. She was waiting -with the most restless impatience; and Montalais and Manicamp -found her standing near the door. At the sound of their -approaching footsteps, Madame came forward to meet them.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" she said, "at -last!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Here is M. Manicamp," -replied Montalais.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp bowed with the -greatest respect; Madame signed to Montalais to withdraw, and she -immediately obeyed. Madame followed her with her eyes, in -silence, until the door closed behind her, and then, turning -towards Manicamp, said, "What is the matter? - and is it true, as -I am told, Monsieur de Manicamp, that some one is lying wounded -in the château?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame, unfortunately -so - Monsieur de Guiche."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Monsieur de Guiche," -repeated the princess. "I had, in fact, heard it rumored, but -not confirmed. And so, in truth, it is Monsieur de Guiche who -has been thus unfortunate?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Guiche himself, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you aware, M. de -Manicamp," said the princes, hastily, "that the king has the -strongest antipathy to duels?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly so, Madame; but a -duel with a wild beast is not answerable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, you will not insult me -by supposing that I credit the absurd fable, with what object I -cannot tell, respecting M. de Guiche having been wounded by a -wild boar. No, no, monsieur; the real truth is known, and, in -addition to the inconvenience of his wound, M. de Guiche runs the -risk of losing his liberty if not his life."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! Madame, I am well -aware of that, but what is to be done?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have seen the -king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What did you say to -him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I told him how M. de Guiche -went to the chase, and how a wild boar rushed forth out of the -Bois-Rochin; how M. de Guiche fired at it, and how, in fact, the -furious brute dashed at De Guiche, killed his horse, and -grievously wounded himself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the king believed -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Implicitly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, you surprise me, -Monsieur de Manicamp; you surprise me very much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And Madame walked up and -down the room, casting a searching look from time to time at -Manicamp, who remained motionless and impassible in the same -place. At last she stopped.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet," she said, "every -one here seems unanimous in giving another cause for this -wound."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What cause, Madame?" said -Manicamp; "may I be permitted, without indiscretion, to ask your -highness?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You ask such a question! -You, M. de Guiche's intimate friend, his confidant, indeed!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, Madame! his intimate -friend - yes; confidant - no. De Guiche is a man who can keep -his own secrets, who has some of his own certainly, but who never -breathes a syllable about them. De Guiche is discretion itself, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, then; those -secrets which M. de Guiche keeps so scrupulously, I shall have -the pleasure of informing you of," said the princess, almost -spitefully; "for the king may possibly question you a second -time, and if, on the second occasion, you were to repeat the same -story to him, he possibly might not be very well satisfied with -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, Madame, I think your -highness is mistaken with regard to the king. His majesty was -perfectly satisfied with me, I assure you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, permit me to -assure you, Monsieur de Manicamp, it only proves one thing, which -is, that his majesty is very easily satisfied."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I think your highness is -mistaken in arriving at such an opinion; his majesty is well -known not to be contented except with very good reason."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And do you suppose that he -will thank you for your officious falsehood, when he will learn -to-morrow that M. de Guiche had, on behalf of his friend M. de -Bragelonne, a quarrel which ended in a hostile meeting?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A quarrel on M. de -Bragelonne's account," said Manicamp, with the most innocent -expression in the world; "what does your royal highness do me the -honor to tell me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is there astonishing -in that? M. de Guiche is susceptible, irritable, and easily -loses his temper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On the contrary, Madame, I -know M. de Guiche to be very patient, and never susceptible or -irritable except upon very good grounds."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But is not friendship a -just ground?" said the princess.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, certainly, Madame; and -particularly for a heart like his."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; you will not -deny, I suppose, that M. de Bragelonne is M. de Guiche's good -friend?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A great friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, M. de Guiche -has taken M. de Bragelonne's part; and as M. de Bragelonne was -absent and could not fight, he fought for him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp began to smile, and -moved his head and shoulders very slightly, as much as to say, -"Oh, if you will positively have it so - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But speak, at all events," -said the princess, out of patience; "speak!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course; it is quite -clear you are not of my opinion, and that you have something to -say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have only one thing to -say, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Name it!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That I do not understand a -single word of what you have just been telling me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! - you do not -understand a single word about M. de Guiche's quarrel with M. de -Wardes," exclaimed the princess, almost out of temper.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp remained -silent.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A quarrel," she continued, -"which arose out of a conversation scandalous in its tone and -purport, and more or less well founded, respecting the virtue of -a certain lady."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! of a certain lady, - -this is quite another thing," said Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You begin to understand, do -you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your highness will excuse -me, but I dare not - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You dare not," said Madame, -exasperated; "very well, then, wait one moment, I will dare."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame, Madame!" exclaimed -Manicamp, as if in great dismay, "be careful of what you are -going to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It would seem, monsieur, -that, if I happened to be a man, you would challenge me, -notwithstanding his majesty's edicts, as Monsieur de Guiche -challenged M. de Wardes; and that, too, on account of the virtue -of Mademoiselle de la Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of Mademoiselle de la -Vallière!" exclaimed Manicamp, starting backwards, as if -that was the very last name he expected to hear pronounced.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What makes you start in -that manner, Monsieur de Manicamp?" said Madame, ironically; "do -you mean to say you would be impertinent enough to suspect that -young lady's honor?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame, in the whole course -of this affair there has not been the slightest question of -Mademoiselle de la Vallière's honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! when two men have -almost blown each other's brains out on a woman's behalf, do you -mean to say she has had nothing to do with the affair, and that -her name has not been called in question at all? I did not think -you so good a courtier, Monsieur de Manicamp."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Pray forgive me, Madame," -said the young man, "but we are very far from understanding one -another. You do me the honor to speak one language while I am -speaking altogether another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I beg your pardon, but I do -not understand your meaning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Forgive me, then; but I -fancied I understood your highness to remark that De Guiche and -De Wardes had fought on Mademoiselle de la Vallière's -account?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly."<br> - "On account of Mademoiselle de la -Vallière, I think you said?" repeated Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not say that M. de -Guiche personally took an interest in Mademoiselle de la -Vallière, but I say that he did so as representing or -acting on behalf of another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On behalf of another?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come, do not always assume -such a bewildered look. Does not every one here know that M. de -Bragelonne is affianced to Mademoiselle de la Vallière, -and that before he went on the mission with which the king -intrusted him, he charged his friend M. de Guiche to watch over -that interesting young lady?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is nothing more for -me to say, then. Your highness is well-informed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of everything. I beg you -to understand that clearly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp began to laugh, -which almost exasperated the princess, who was not, as we know, -of a very patient disposition.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame," resumed the -discreet Manicamp, saluting the princess, "let us bury this -affair altogether in forgetfulness, for it will probably never be -quite cleared up."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, as far as that goes -there is nothing more to do, and the information is complete. -The king will learn that M. de Guiche has taken up the cause of -this little adventuress, who gives herself all the airs of a -grand lady; he will learn that Monsieur de Bragelonne, having -nominated his friend M. de Guiche his guardian-in-ordinary, the -latter immediately fastened, as he was required to do, upon the -Marquis de Wardes, who ventured to trench upon his privileges. -Moreover, you cannot pretend to deny, Monsieur Manicamp - you who -know everything so well - that the king on his side casts a -longing eye upon this famous treasure, and that he will bear no -slight grudge against M. de Guiche for constituting himself its -defender. Are you sufficiently well informed now, or do you -require anything further? If so, speak, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, Madame, there is -nothing more I wish to know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Learn, however - for you -ought to know it, Monsieur de Manicamp - learn that his majesty's -indignation will be followed by terrible consequences. In -princes of a similar temperament to that of his majesty, the -passion which jealousy causes sweeps down like a whirlwind."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which you will temper, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I!" exclaimed the princess, -with a gesture of indescribable irony; "I! and by what title, may -I ask?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because you detest -injustice, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And according to your -account, then, it would be an injustice to prevent the king -arranging his love affairs as he pleases."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will intercede, -however, in M. de Guiche's favor?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are mad, monsieur," -said the princess, in a haughty tone of voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On the contrary, I am in -the most perfect possession of my senses; and I repeat, you will -defend M. de Guiche before the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why should I?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because the cause of M. de -Guiche is your own, Madame," said Manicamp, with ardor kindling -in his eyes.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean by -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I mean, Madame, that, with -respect to the defense which Monsieur de Guiche undertook in M. -de Bragelonne's absence, I am surprised that your highness has -not detected a pretext in La Vallière's name having been -brought forward."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A pretext? But a pretext -for what?" repeated the princess, hesitatingly, for Manicamp's -steady look had just revealed something of the truth to her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I trust, Madame," said the -young man, "I have said sufficient to induce your highness not to -overwhelm before his majesty my poor friend, De Guiche, against -whom all the malevolence of a party bitterly opposed to your own -will now be directed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You mean, on the contrary, -I suppose, that all those who have no great affection for -Mademoiselle de la Vallière, and even, perhaps, a few of -those who have some regard for her, will be angry with the -comte?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, Madame! why will you -push your obstinacy to such an extent, and refuse to open your -ears and listen to the counsel of one whose devotion to you is -unbounded? Must I expose myself to the risk of your displeasure, -- am I really to be called upon to name, contrary to my own wish, -the person who was the real cause of this quarrel?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The person?" said Madame, -blushing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Must I," continued -Manicamp, "tell you how poor De Guiche became irritated, furious, -exasperated beyond all control, at the different rumors now being -circulated about this person? Must I, if you persist in this -willful blindness, and if respect should continue to prevent me -naming her, - must I, I repeat, recall to your recollection the -various scenes which Monsieur had with the Duke of Buckingham, -and the insinuations which were reported respecting the duke's -exile? Must I remind you of the anxious care the comte always -took in his efforts to please, to watch, to protect that person -for whom alone he lives, - for whom alone he breathes? Well! I -will do so; and when I shall have made you recall all the -particulars I refer to, you will perhaps understand how it -happened that the comte, having lost all control over himself, -and having been for some time past almost harassed to death by De -Wardes, became, at the first disrespectful expression which the -latter pronounced respecting the person in question, inflamed -with passion, and panted only for an opportunity of avenging the -affront."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The princess concealed her -face with her hands. "Monsieur, monsieur!" she exclaimed; "do -you know what you are saying, and to whom you are speaking?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so, Madame," pursued -Manicamp, as if he had not heard the exclamations of the -princess, "nothing will astonish you any longer, - neither the -comte's ardor in seeking the quarrel, nor his wonderful address -in transferring it to an quarter foreign to your own personal -interests. That latter circumstance was, indeed, a marvelous -instance of tact and perfect coolness, and if the person in whose -behalf the comte so fought and shed his blood does, in reality, -owe some gratitude to the poor wounded sufferer, it is not on -account of the blood he has shed, or the agony he has suffered, -but for the steps he has taken to preserve from comment or -reflection an honor which is more precious to him than his -own."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" cried Madame, as if -she had been alone, "is it possible the quarrel was on my -account!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp felt he could now -breathe for a moment - and gallantly had he won the right to do -so. Madame, on her side, remained for some time plunged in a -painful reverie. Her agitation could be seen by her quick -respiration, by her drooping eyelids, by the frequency with which -she pressed her hand upon her heart. But, in her, coquetry was -not so much a passive quality, as, on the contrary, a fire which -sought for fuel to maintain itself, finding anywhere and -everywhere what it required.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If it be as you assert," -she said, "the comte will have obliged two persons at the same -time; for Monsieur de Bragelonne also owes a deep debt of -gratitude to M. de Guiche - and with far greater reason, indeed, -because everywhere, and on every occasion, Mademoiselle de la -Vallière will be regarded as having been defended by this -generous champion."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp perceived that -there still remained some lingering doubt in the princess's -heart. "A truly admirable service, indeed," he said, "is the one -he has rendered to Mademoiselle de la Vallière! A truly -admirable service to M. de Bragelonne! The duel has created a -sensation which, in some respects, casts a dishonorable suspicion -upon that young girl; a sensation, indeed, which will embroil her -with the vicomte. The consequence is that De Wardes's -pistol-bullet has had three results instead of one; it destroys -at the same time the honor of a woman, the happiness of a man, -and, perhaps, it has wounded to death one of the best gentlemen -in France. Oh, Madame! your logic is cold - even calculating; it -always condemns - it never absolves."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp's concluding words -scattered to the winds the last doubt which lingered, not in -Madame's heart, but in her mind. She was no longer a princess -full of scruples, nor a woman with her ever-returning suspicions, -but one whose heart has just felt the mortal chill of a wound. -"Wounded to death!" she murmured, in a faltering voice, "oh, -Monsieur de Manicamp! did you not say, wounded to death?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp returned no other -answer than a deep sigh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so you said that the -comte is dangerously wounded?" continued the princess.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame; one of his -hands is shattered, and he has a bullet lodged in his -breast."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Gracious heavens!" resumed -the princess, with a feverish excitement, "this is horrible! -Monsieur de Manicamp! a hand shattered, do you say, and a bullet -in his breast? And that coward! that wretch! that assassin, De -Wardes, did it!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp seemed overcome by -a violent emotion. He had, in fact, displayed no little energy -in the latter part of his speech. As for Madame, she entirely -threw aside all regard for the formal observances of propriety -society imposes; for when, with her, passion spoke in accents -either of anger or sympathy, nothing could restrain her -impulses. Madame approached Manicamp, who had subsided in a -chair, as if his grief were a sufficiently powerful excuse for -his infraction of the laws of etiquette. "Monsieur," she said, -seizing him by the hand, "be frank with me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp looked up.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is M. de Guiche in danger -of death?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Doubly so, Madame," he -replied; "in the first place on account of the hemorrhage which -has taken place, an artery having been injured in the hand; and -next, in consequence of the wound in his breast, which may, the -doctor is afraid, at least, have injured some vital part."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He may die, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Die, yes, Madame; and -without even having had the consolation of knowing that you have -been told of his devotion."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will tell him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; are you not his -friend?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I? oh, no, Madame; I will -only tell M. de Guiche - if, indeed, he is still in a condition -to hear me - I will only tell him what I have seen; that is, your -cruelty to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, monsieur, you will not -be guilty of such barbarity!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Indeed, Madame, I shall -speak the truth, for nature is very energetic in a man of his -age. The physicians are clever men, and if, by chance, the poor -comte should survive his wound, I should not wish him to die of a -wound of the heart, after surviving one of the body." Manicamp -rose, and with an expression of profoundest respect, seemed to be -desirous of taking leave.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At least, monsieur," said -Madame, stopping him with almost a suppliant air, "you will be -kind enough to tell me in what state your wounded friend is, and -who is the physician who attends him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As regards the state he is -in, Madame, he is seriously ill; his physician is M. Valot, his -majesty's private medical attendant. M. Valot is moreover -assisted by a professional friend, to whose house M. de Guiche -has been carried."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! he is not in the -château?" said Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas, Madame! the poor -fellow was so ill, that he could not even be conveyed -thither."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Give me the address, -monsieur," said the princess, hurriedly; "I will send to inquire -after him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Rue du Feurre; a -brick-built house, with white outside blinds. The doctor's name -is on the door."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are returning to your -wounded friend, Monsieur de Manicamp?"<br> - "Yes, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will be able, then, to -do me a service."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am at your highness's -orders."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do what you intended to do; -return to M. de Guiche, send away all those whom you may find -there, and have the kindness yourself to go away too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let us waste no time in -useless explanations. Accept the fact as I present it to you; -see nothing in it beyond what is really there, and ask nothing -further than what I tell you. I am going to send one of my -ladies, perhaps two, because it is now getting late; I do not -wish them to see you, or rather I do not wish you to see them. -These are scruples you can understand - you particularly, -Monsieur de Manicamp, who seem capable of divining so much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, Madame, perfectly; I -can even do better still, - I will precede, or rather walk, in -advance of your attendants; it will, at the same time, be the -means of showing them the way more accurately, and of protecting -them, if occasion arises, though there is no probability of their -needing protection."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And, by this means, then, -they would be sure of entering without difficulty, would they -not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly, Madame; for as I -should be the first to pass, I thus remove any difficulties that -might chance to be in the way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well. Go, go, -Monsieur de Manicamp, and wait at the bottom of the -staircase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I go at once, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp paused.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "When you hear the footsteps -of two women descending the stairs, go out, and, without once -turning round, take the road which leads to where the poor count -is lying."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But if, by any mischance, -two other persons were to descend, and I were to be -mistaken?"<br> - "You will hear one of the two clap her hands -together softly. Go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Manicamp turned round, bowed -once more, and left the room, his heart overflowing with joy. In -fact, he knew very well that the presence of Madame herself would -be the best balm to apply to his friend's wounds. A quarter of -an hour had hardly elapsed when he heard the sound of a door -opened softly, and closed with like precaution. He listened to -the light footfalls gliding down the staircase, and then hard the -signal agreed upon. He immediately went out, and, faithful to -his promise, bent his way, without once turning his head, through -the streets of Fontainebleau, towards the doctor's dwelling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>M. -Malicorne the Keeper of the Records of France.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>wo women, -their figures completely concealed by their mantles, and whose -masks effectually hid the upper portion of their faces, timidly -followed Manicamp's steps. On the first floor, behind curtains -of red damask, the soft light of a lamp placed upon a low table -faintly illumined the room, at the other extremity of which, on a -large bedstead supported by spiral columns, around which curtains -of the same color as those which deadened the rays of the lamp -had been closely drawn, lay De Guiche, his head supported by -pillows, his eyes looking as if the mists of death were -gathering; his long black hair, scattered over the pillow, set -off the young man's hollow temples. It was easy to see that -fever was the chief tenant of the chamber. De Guiche was -dreaming. His wandering mind was pursuing, through gloom and -mystery, one of those wild creations delirium engenders. Two or -three drops of blood, still liquid, stained the floor. Manicamp -hurriedly ran up the stairs, but paused at the threshold of the -door, looked into the room, and seeing that everything was -perfectly quiet, he advanced towards the foot of the large -leathern armchair, a specimen of furniture of the reign of Henry -IV., and seeing that the nurse, as a matter of course, had -dropped off to sleep, he awoke her, and begged her to pass into -the adjoining room.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Then, standing by the side -of the bed, he remained for a moment deliberating whether it -would be better to awaken Guiche, in order to acquaint him with -the good news. But, as he began to hear behind the door the -rustling of silk dresses and the hurried breathing of his two -companions, and as he already saw that the curtain screening the -doorway seemed on the point of being impatiently drawn aside, he -passed round the bed and followed the nurse into the next room. -As soon as he had disappeared the curtain was raised, and his two -female companions entered the room he had just left. The one who -entered first made a gesture to her companion, which riveted her -to the spot where she stood, close to the door, and then -resolutely advanced towards the bed, drew back the curtains along -the iron rod, and threw them in thick folds behind the head of -the bed. She gazed upon the comte's pallid face; remarked his -right hand enveloped in linen whose dazzling whiteness was -emphasized by the counterpane patterned with dark leaves thrown -across the couch. She shuddered as she saw a stain of blood -growing larger and larger upon the bandages. The young man's -breast was uncovered, as though for the cool night air to assist -his respiration. A narrow bandage fastened the dressings of the -wound, around which a purplish circle of extravasated blood was -gradually increasing in size. A deep sigh broke from her lips. -She leaned against one of the columns of the bed, and gazed, -through the apertures in her mask, upon the harrowing spectacle -before her. A hoarse harsh groan passed like a death-rattle -through the comte's clenched teeth. The masked lady seized his -left hand, which scorched like burning coals. But at the very -moment she placed her icy hand upon it, the action of the cold -was such that De Guiche opened his eyes, and by a look in which -revived intelligence was dawning, seemed as though struggling -back again into existence. The first thing upon which he fixed -his gaze was this phantom standing erect by his bedside. At that -sight, his eyes became dilated, but without any appearance of -consciousness in them. The lady thereupon made a sign to her -companion, who had remained at the door; and in all probability -the latter had already received her lesson, for in a clear tone -of voice, and without any hesitation whatever, she pronounced -these words: - "Monsieur le comte, her royal highness Madame is -desirous of knowing how you are able to bear your wound, and to -express to you, by my lips, her great regret at seeing you -suffer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> As she pronounced the word -Madame, Guiche started; he had not as yet remarked the person to -whom the voice belonged, and he naturally turned towards the -direction whence it preceded. But, as he felt the cold hand -still resting on his own, he again turned towards the motionless -figure beside him. "Was it you who spoke, madame?" he asked, in -a weak voice, "or is there another person in beside you in the -room?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," replied the figure, -in an almost unintelligible voice, as she bent down her head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," said the wounded -man, with a great effort, "I thank you. Tell Madame that I no -longer regret to die, since she has remembered me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At the words "to die," -pronounced by one whose life seemed to hang on a thread, the -masked lady could not restrain her tears, which flowed under the -mask, and appeared upon her cheeks just where the mask left her -face bare. If De Guiche had been in fuller possession of his -senses, he would have seen her tears roll like glistening pearls, -and fall upon his bed. The lady, forgetting that she wore her -mask, raised her hand as though to wipe her eyes, and meeting the -rough velvet, she tore away her mask in anger, and threw it on -the floor. At the unexpected apparition before him, which seemed -to issue from a cloud, De Guiche uttered a cry and stretched his -arms towards her; but every word perished on his lips, and his -strength seemed utterly abandoning him. His right hand, which -had followed his first impulse, without calculating the amount of -strength he had left, fell back again upon the bed, and -immediately afterwards the white linen was stained with a larger -spot than before. In the meantime, the young man's eyes became -dim, and closed, as if he were already struggling with the -messenger of death; and then, after a few involuntary movements, -his head fell back motionless on his pillow; his face grew -livid. The lady was frightened; but on this occasion, contrary -to what is usually the case, fear attracted. She leaned over the -young man, gazed earnestly, fixedly at his pale, cold face, which -she almost touched, then imprinted a rapid kiss upon De Guiche's -left hand, who, trembling as if an electric shock had passed -through him, awoke a second time, opened his large eyes, -incapable of recognition, and again fell into a state of complete -insensibility. "Come," she said to her companion, "we must not -remain here any longer; I shall be committing some folly or -other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame, Madame, your -highness is forgetting your mask!" said her vigilant -companion.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Pick it up," replied her -mistress, as she tottered almost senseless towards the staircase, -and as the outer door had been left only half-closed, the two -women, light as birds, passed through it, and with hurried steps -returned to the palace. One of the ascended towards Madame's -apartments, where she disappeared; the other entered the rooms -belonging to the maids of honor, namely, on the <i>entresol</i>, -and having reached her own room, she sat down before a table, and -without giving herself time even to breathe, wrote the following -letter:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This evening Madame has -been to see M. de Guiche. Everything is going well on this -side. See that your news is equally exemplary, and do not forget -to burn this paper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She folded the letter, and -leaving her room with every possible precaution, crossed a -corridor which led to the apartments appropriated to the -gentlemen attached to Monsieur's service. She stopped before a -door, under which, having previously knocked twice in a short, -quick manner, she thrust the paper, and fled. Then, returning to -her own room, she removed every trace of her having gone out, and -also of having written the letter. Amid the investigations she -was so diligently pursuing she perceived on the table the mask -which belonged to Madame, and which, according to her mistress's -directions, she had brought back but had forgotten to restore to -her. "Oh, oh!" she said, "I must not forget to do to-morrow what -I have forgotten to-day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And she took hold of the -velvet mask by that part which covered the cheeks, and feeling -that her thumb was wet, looked at it. It was not only wet, but -reddened. The mask had fallen upon one of the spots of blood -which, we have already said, stained the floor, and from that -black velvet outside which had accidentally come into contact -with it, the blood had passed through to the inside, and stained -the white cambric lining. "Oh, oh!" said Montalais, for -doubtless our readers have already recognized her by these -various maneuvers, "I shall not give back this mask; it is far -too precious now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And rising from her seat, -she ran towards a box made of maple wood, which inclosed -different articles of toilette and perfumery. "No, not here," -she said, "such a treasure must not be abandoned to the slightest -chance of detection."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Then, after a moment's -silence, and with a smile that was peculiarly her own, she added: -- "Beautiful mask, stained with the blood of that brave knight, -you shall go and join that collection of wonders, La -Vallière's and Raoul's letters, that loving collection, -indeed, which will some day or other form part of the history of -France, of European royalty. You shall be placed under M. -Malicorne's care," said the laughing girl, as she began to -undress herself, "under the protection of that worthy M. -Malicorne," she said, blowing out the taper, "who thinks he was -born only to become the chief usher of Monsieur's apartments, and -whom I will make keeper of the records and historiographer of the -house of Bourbon, and of the first houses in the kingdom. Let -him grumble now, that discontented Malicorne," she added, as she -drew the curtains and fell asleep.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Journey.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he next day -being agreed upon for the departure, the king, at eleven o'clock -precisely, descended the grand staircase with the two queens and -Madame, in order to enter his carriage drawn by six horses, that -were pawing the ground in impatience at the foot of the -staircase. The whole court awaited the royal appearance in the -<i>Fer-à-cheval</i> crescent, in their travelling -costumes; the large number of saddled horses and carriages of -ladies and gentlemen of the court, surrounded by their -attendants, servants, and pages, formed a spectacle whose -brilliancy could scarcely be equalled. The king entered his -carriage with the two queens; Madame was in the same one with -Monsieur. The maids of honor followed their example, and took -their seats, two by two, in the carriages destined for them. The -weather was exceedingly warm; a light breeze, which, early in the -morning, all had thought would have proved sufficient to cool the -air, soon became fiercely heated by the rays of the sun, although -it was hidden behind the clouds, and filtered through the heated -vapor which rose from the ground like a scorching wind, bearing -particles of fine dust against the faces of the travelers. -Madame was the first to complain of the heat. Monsieur's only -reply was to throw himself back in the carriage as though about -to faint, and to inundate himself with scents and perfumes, -uttering the deepest sighs all the while; whereupon Madame said -to him, with her most amiable expression: - "Really, Monsieur, I -fancied that you would have been polite enough, on account of the -terrible heart, to have left me my carriage to myself, and to -have performed the journey yourself on horseback."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ride on horseback!" cried -the prince, with an accent of dismay which showed how little idea -he had of adopting this unnatural advice; "you cannot suppose -such a thing, Madame! My skin would peel off if I were to expose -myself to such a burning breeze as this."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame began to laugh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You can take my parasol," -she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But the trouble of holding -it!" replied Monsieur, with the greatest coolness; "besides, I -have no horse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What, no horse?" replied -the princess, who, if she did not secure the solitude she -required, at least obtained the amusement of teasing. "No -horse! You are mistaken, Monsieur; for I see your favorite bay -out yonder."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My bay horse!" exclaimed -the prince, attempting to lean forward to look out of the door; -but the movement he was obliged to make cost him so much trouble -that he soon hastened to resume his immobility.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said Madame; "your -horse, led by M. de Malicorne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Poor beast," replied the -prince; "how warm it must be!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And with these words he -closed his eyes, like a man on the point of death. Madame, on -her side, reclined indolently in the other corner of the -carriage, and closed her eyes also, not, however, to sleep, but -to think more at her ease. In the meantime the king, seated in -the front seat of his carriage, the back of which he had yielded -up to the two queens, was a prey to that feverish contrariety -experienced by anxious lovers, who, without being able to quench -their ardent thirst, are ceaselessly desirous of seeing the loved -object, and then go away partially satisfied, without perceiving -they have acquired a more insatiable thirst than ever. The king, -whose carriage headed the procession, could not from the place he -occupied perceive the carriages of the ladies and maids of honor, -which followed in a line behind it. Besides, he was obliged to -answer the eternal questions of the young queen, who, happy to -have with her "<i>her dear husband</i>," as she called him in -utter forgetfulness of royal etiquette, invested him with all her -affection, stifled him with her attentions, afraid that some one -might come to take him from her, or that he himself might -suddenly take a fancy to quit her society. Anne of Austria, whom -nothing at that moment occupied except the occasional cruel -throbbings in her bosom, looked pleased and delighted, and -although she perfectly realized the king's impatience, -tantalizingly prolonged his sufferings by unexpectedly resuming -the conversation at the very moment the king, absorbed in his own -reflections, began to muse over his secret attachment. -Everything seemed to combine - not alone the little teasing -attentions of the queen, but also the queen-mother's -interruptions - to make the king's position almost insupportable; -for he knew not how to control the restless longings of his -heart. At first, he complained of the heat - a complaint merely -preliminary to others, but with sufficient tact to prevent Maria -Theresa guessing his real object. Understanding the king's -remark literally, she began to fan him with her ostrich plumes. -But the heat passed away, and the king then complained of cramps -and stiffness in his legs, and as the carriages at that moment -stopped to change horses, the queen said: - "Shall I get out with -you? I too feel tired of sitting. We can walk on a little -distance; the carriage will overtake us, and we can resume our -places presently."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king frowned; it is a -hard trial a jealous woman makes her husband submit to whose -fidelity she suspects, when, although herself a prey to jealousy, -she watches herself so narrowly that she avoids giving any -pretext for an angry feeling. The king, therefore, in the -present case, could not refuse; he accepted the offer, alighted -from the carriage, gave his arm to the queen, and walked up and -down with her while the horses were being changed. As he walked -along, he cast an envious glance upon the courtiers, who were -fortunate enough to be on horseback. The queen soon found out -that the promenade she had suggested afforded the king as little -pleasure as he had experienced from driving. She accordingly -expressed a wish to return to her carriage, and the king -conducted her to the door, but did not get in with her. He -stepped back a few paces, and looked along the file of carriages -for the purpose of recognizing the one in which he took so strong -an interest. At the door of the sixth carriage he saw La -Vallière's fair countenance. As the king thus stood -motionless, wrapt in thought, without perceiving that everything -was ready, and that he alone was causing the delay, he heard a -voice close beside him, addressing him in the most respectful -manner. It was M. Malicorne, in a complete costume of an -equerry, holding over his left arm the bridles of a couple of -horses.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty asked for a -horse, I believe," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A horse? Have you one of -my horses here?" inquired the king, trying to remember the person -who addressed him, and whose face was not as yet familiar to -him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," replied Malicorne, -"at all events I have a horse here which is at your majesty's -service."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And Malicorne pointed at -Monsieur's bay horse, which Madame had observed. It was a -beautiful creature royally caparisoned.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This is not one of my -horses, monsieur," said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, it is a horse out of -his royal highness's stables; but he does not ride when the -weather is as hot as it is now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis did not reply, but -approached the horse, which stood pawing the ground with its -foot. Malicorne hastened to hold the stirrup for him, but the -king was already in the saddle. Restored to good-humor by this -lucky accident, the king hastened towards the queen's carriage, -where he was anxiously expected; and notwithstanding Maria -Theresa's thoughtful and preoccupied air, he said: "I have been -fortunate enough to find this horse, and I intend to avail myself -of it. I felt stifled in the carriage. Adieu, ladies."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Then bending gracefully over -the arched neck of his beautiful steed, he disappeared in a -second. Anne of Austria leaned forward, in order to look after -him as he rode away; he did not get very far, for when he reached -the sixth carriage, he reined in his horse suddenly and took off -his hat. He saluted La Vallière, who uttered a cry of -surprise as she saw him, blushing at the same time with -pleasure. Montalais, who occupied the other seat in the -carriage, made the king a most respectful bow. And then, with -all the tact of a woman, she pretended to be exceedingly -interested in the landscape, and withdrew herself into the -left-hand corner. The conversation between the king and La -Vallière began, as all lovers' conversations generally do, -namely, by eloquent looks and by a few words utterly devoid of -common sense. The king explained how warm he had felt in his -carriage, so much so indeed that he could almost regard the horse -he then rode as a blessing thrown in his way. "And," he added, -"my benefactor is an exceedingly intelligent man, for he seemed -to guess my thoughts intuitively. I have now only one wish, that -of learning the name of the gentleman who so cleverly assisted -his king out of his dilemma, and extricated him from his cruel -position."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais, during this -colloquy, the first words of which had awakened her attention, -had slightly altered her position, and contrived so as to meet -the king's look as he finished his remark. It followed very -naturally that the king looked inquiringly as much at her as at -La Vallière; she had every reason to suppose that it was -herself who was appealed to, and consequently might be permitted -to answer. She therefore said: "Sire, the horse which your -majesty is riding belongs to Monsieur, and was being led by one -of his royal highness's gentlemen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what is that -gentleman's name, may I ask, mademoiselle?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Malicorne, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The name produced its usual -effect, for the king repeated it smilingly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire," replied Aure. -"Stay, it is the gentleman who is galloping on my left hand;" and -she pointed out Malicorne, who, with a very sanctified -expression, was galloping by the side of the carriage, knowing -perfectly well that they were talking of him at that very moment, -but sitting in his saddle as if he were deaf and dumb.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said the king, "that -is the gentleman; I remember his face, and will not forget his -name;" and the king looked tenderly at La Vallière.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aure had now nothing further -to do; she had let Malicorne's name fall; the soil was good; all -that was now left to be done was to let the name take root, and -the event would bear fruit in due season. She consequently threw -herself back in her corner, feeling perfectly justified in making -as many agreeable signs of recognition as she liked to Malicorne, -since the latter had had the happiness of pleasing the king. As -will readily be believed, Montalais was not mistaken; and -Malicorne, with his quick ear and his sly look, seemed to -interpret her remark as "All goes on well," the whole being -accompanied by a pantomimic action, which he fancied conveyed -something resembling a kiss.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! mademoiselle," said -the king, after a moment's pause, "the liberty and freedom of the -country is soon about to cease; your attendance on Madame will be -more strictly enforced, and we shall see each other no more."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty is too much -attached to Madame," replied Louise, "not to come and see her -very frequently; and whenever your majesty may chance to pass -across the apartments - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said the king, in a -tender voice, which was gradually lowered in its tone, "to -perceive is not to see, and yet it seems that it would be quite -sufficient for you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louise did not answer a -syllable; a sigh filled her heart almost to bursting, but she -stifled it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You exercise a great -control over yourself," said the king to Louise, who smiled upon -him with a melancholy expression. "Exert the strength you have -in loving fondly," he continued, "and I will bless Heaven for -having bestowed it on you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière still -remained silent, but raised her eyes, brimful of affection, -toward the king. Louis, as if overcome by this burning glance, -passed his hand across his forehead, and pressing the sides of -his horse with his knees, made him bound several paces forward. -La Vallière, leaning back in her carriage, with her eyes -half closed, gazed fixedly upon the king, whose plumes were -floating in the air; she could not but admire his graceful -carriage, his delicate and nervous limbs which pressed his -horse's sides, and the regular outline of his features, which his -beautiful curling hair set off to great advantage, revealing -occasionally his small and well-formed ear. In fact the poor -girl was in love, and she reveled in her innocent affection. In -a few moments the king was again by her side.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you not perceive," he -said, "how terribly your silence affects me? Oh! mademoiselle, -how pitilessly inexorable you would become if you were ever to -resolve to break off all acquaintance with any one; and then, -too, I think you changeable; in fact - in fact, I dread this deep -affection which fills my whole being."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, you are -mistaken," said La Vallière; "if ever I love, it will be -for all my life."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If you love, you say," -exclaimed the king; "you do <i>not</i> love now, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She hid her face in her -hands.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You see," said the king, -"that I am right in accusing you; you must admit you are -changeable, capricious, a coquette, perhaps."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no! sire, be perfectly -satisfied as to that. No, I say again; no, no!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Promise me, then, that to -me you will always be the same."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! always, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That you will never show -any of that severity which would break my heart, none of that -fickleness of manner which would be worse than death to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! no, no."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, then! but -listen. I like promises, I like to place under the guarantee of -an oath, under the protection of Heaven, in fact, everything -which interests my heart and my affections. Promise me, or -rather swear to me, that if in the life we are about to commence, -a life which will be full of sacrifice, mystery, anxiety, -disappointment, and misunderstanding; swear to me that if we -should in any way deceive, or misunderstand each other, or should -judge each other unjustly, for that indeed would be criminal in -love such as ours; swear to me, Louise - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She trembled with agitation -to the very depths of her heart; it was the first time she had -heard her name pronounced in that manner by her royal lover. As -for the king, taking off his glove, and placing his hand within -the carriage, he continued: - "Swear, that never in all our -quarrels will we allow one night even to pass by, if any -misunderstanding should arise between us, without a visit, or at -least a message, from either, in order to convey consolation and -repose to the other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière took her -lover's burning hand between her own cool palms, and pressed it -softly, until a movement of the horse, frightened by the -proximity of the wheels, obliged her to abandon her happiness. -She had vowed as he desired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Return, sire," she said, -"return to the queen. I foresee a storm yonder, which threatens -my peace of mind and yours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis obeyed, saluted -Mademoiselle de Montalais, and set off at a gallop to rejoin the -queen. As he passed Monsieur's carriage, he observed that he was -fast asleep, although Madame, on her part, was wide awake. As -the king passed her she said, "What a beautiful horse, sire! Is -it not Monsieur's bay horse?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young queen kindly -asked, "Are you better now, sire?" <b><sup>3</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Triumfeminate.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>O</span>n the king's -arrival in Paris, he sat at the council which had been summoned, -and worked for a certain portion of the day. The queen remained -with the queen-mother, and burst into tears as soon as she had -taken leave of the king. "Ah, madame!" she said, "the king no -longer loves me! What will become of me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A husband always loves his -wife when she is like you," replied Anne of Austria.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A time may come when he -will love another woman instead of me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you call -loving?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Always thinking of a person -- always seeking her society."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you happen to have -remarked," said Anne of Austria, "that the king has ever done -anything of the sort?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, madame," said the young -queen, hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is there to complain -of, then, Marie?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will admit that the -king leaves me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king, my daughter, -belongs to his people."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that is the very reason -why he no longer belongs to me; and that is the reason, too, why -I shall find myself, as so many queens before me, forsaken and -forgotten, whilst glory and honors will be reserved for others. -Oh, my mother! the king is so handsome! how often will others -tell him that they love him, and how much, indeed, they must do -so!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is very seldom, indeed, -that women love the man in loving the king. But if such a thing -happened, which I doubt, you would do better to wish, Marie, that -such women should really love your husband. In the first place, -the devoted love of a mistress is a rapid element of the -dissolution of a lover's affection; and then, by dint of loving, -the mistress loses all influence over her lover, whose power of -wealth she does not covet, caring only for his affection. Wish, -therefore, that the king should love but lightly, and that his -mistress should love with all her heart."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, my mother, what power -may not a deep affection exercise over him!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet you say you are -resigned?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite true, quite true; I -speak absurdly. There is a feeling of anguish, however, which I -can never control."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that is?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king may make a happy -choice - may find a home, with all the tender influences of home, -not far from that we can offer him, - a home with children round -him, the children of another woman. Oh, madame! I should die if -I were but to see the king's children."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Marie, Marie," replied the -queen-mother with a smile, and she took the young queen's hand in -her own, "remember what I am going to say, and let it always be a -consolation to you: the king cannot have a Dauphin without -<i>you</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> With this remark the -queen-mother quitted her daughter-in-law, in order to meet -Madame, whose arrival in the grand cabinet had just been -announced by one of the pages. Madame had scarcely taken time to -change her dress. Her face revealed her agitation, which -betrayed a plan, the execution of which occupied, while the -result disturbed, her mind.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I came to ascertain," she -said, "if your majesties are suffering any fatigue from our -journey."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "None at all," said the -queen-mother.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A little," replied Maria -Theresa.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have suffered from -annoyance more than anything else," said Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How was that?" inquired -Anne of Austria.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fatigue the king -undergoes in riding about on horseback."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That does the king -good."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And it was I who advised -him," said Maria Theresa, turning pale.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame said not a word in -reply; but one of those smiles which were peculiarly her own -flitted for a moment across her lips, without passing over the -rest of her face; then, immediately changing the conversation, -she continued, "We shall find Paris precisely the Paris we -quitted; the same intrigues, plots, and flirtations going -on."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Intrigues! What intrigues -do you allude to?" inquired the queen-mother.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "People are talking a good -deal about M. Fouquet and Madame Plessis-Bellière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who makes up the number to -about ten thousand," replied the queen-mother. "But what are the -plots you speak of?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We have, it seems, certain -misunderstandings with Holland to settle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What about?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur has been telling -me the story of the medals."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" exclaimed the young -queen, "you mean those medals struck in Holland, on which a cloud -is seen passing across the sun, which is the king's device. You -are wrong in calling that a plot - it is an insult."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But so contemptible that -the king can well despise it," replied the queen-mother. "Well, -what are the flirtations which are alluded to? Do you mean that -of Madame d'Olonne?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no; nearer ourselves -than that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Casa de usted</i>," -murmured the queen-mother, and without moving her lips, in her -daughter-in-law's ear, without being overheard by Madame, who -thus continued: - "You know the terrible news?" -<b><sup>4</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, yes; M. de Guiche's -wound."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you attribute it, I -suppose, as every one else does, to an accident which happened to -him while hunting?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, of course," said both -the queens together, their interest awakened.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame drew closer to them, -as she said, in a low tone of voice, "It was a duel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said Anne of Austria, -in a severe tone; for, in her ears, the word "duel," which had -been forbidden in France all the time she reigned over it, had a -strange sound.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A most deplorable duel, -which has nearly cost Monsieur two of his best friends, and the -king two of his best servants."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What was the cause of the -duel?" inquired the young queen, animated by a secret -instinct.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Flirtation," repeated -Madame, triumphantly. "The gentlemen in question were conversing -about the virtue of a particular lady belonging to the court. -One of them thought that Pallas was a very second-rate person -compared to her; the other pretended that the lady in question -was an imitation of Venus alluring Mars; and thereupon the two -gentlemen fought as fiercely as Hector and Achilles."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Venus alluring Mars?" said -the young queen in a low tone of voice without venturing to -examine into the allegory very deeply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who is the lady?" inquired -Anne of Austria abruptly. "You said, I believe, she was one of -the ladies of honor?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did I say so?" replied -Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; at least I thought I -heard you mention it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you not aware that such -a woman is of ill-omen to a royal house?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it not Mademoiselle de -la Vallière?" said the queen-mother.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, indeed, that -plain-looking creature."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I thought she was affianced -to a gentleman who certainly is not, at least so I have heard, -either M. de Guiche or M. de Wardes?"<br> - "Very possibly, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young queen took up a -piece of tapestry, and began to broider with an affectation of -tranquillity her trembling fingers contradicted.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What were you saying about -Venus and Mars?" pursued the queen-mother. "Is there a Mars -also?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She boasts of that being -the case."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did you say she boasts of -it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That was the cause of the -duel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And M. de Guiche upheld the -cause of Mars?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, certainly; like the -devoted servant he is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The devoted servant of -whom?" exclaimed the young queen, forgetting her reserve in -allowing her jealous feeling to escape.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Mars, not to be defended -except at the expense of Venus," replied Madame. "M. de Guiche -maintained the perfect innocence of Mars, and no doubt affirmed -that it was all a mere boast."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And M. de Wardes," said -Anne of Austria, quietly, "spread the report that Venus was -within her rights, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, De Wardes," thought -Madame, "you shall pay dearly for the wound you have given that -noblest - best of men!" And she began to attack De Wardes with -the greatest bitterness; thus discharging her own and De Guiche's -debt, with the assurance that she was working the future ruin of -her enemy. She said so much, in fact, that had Manicamp been -there, he would have regretted he had shown such firm regard for -his friend, inasmuch as it resulted in the ruin of his -unfortunate foe.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I see nothing in the whole -affair but <i>one</i> cause of mischief, and that is La -Vallière herself," said the queen-mother.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young queen resumed her -work with perfect indifference of manner, while Madame listened -eagerly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not yet quite -understand what you said just now about the danger of coquetry," -resumed Anne of Austria.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is quite true," Madame -hastened to say, "that if the girl had not been a coquette, Mars -would not have thought at all about her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The repetition of this word -Mars brought a passing color to the queen's face; but she still -continued her work.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will not permit that, in -my court, gentlemen should be set against each other in this -manner," said Anne of Austria, calmly. "Such manners were useful -enough, perhaps, in days when the divided nobility had no other -rallying-point than mere gallantry. At that time women, whose -sway was absolute and undivided, were privileged to encourage -men's valor by frequent trials of their courage. But now, thank -Heaven, there is but one master in France, and to him every -instinct of the mind, every pulse of the body are due. I will -not allow my son to be deprived of any single one of his -servants." And she turned towards the young queen, saying, "What -is to be done with this La Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "La Vallière?" said -the queen, apparently surprised, "I do not even know the name;" -and she accompanied this remark by one of those cold, fixed -smiles only to be observed on royal lips.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame was herself a -princess great in every respect, great in intelligence, great by -birth, by pride; the queen's reply, however, completely -astonished her, and she was obliged to pause for a moment in -order to recover herself. "She is one of my maids of honor," she -replied, with a bow.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case," retorted -Maria Theresa, in the same tone, "it is your affair, my sister, -and not ours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I beg your pardon," resumed -Anne of Austria, "it is my affair. And I perfectly well -understand," she pursued, addressing a look full of intelligence -at Madame, "Madame's motive for saying what she has just -said."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Everything which emanates -from you, madame," said the English princess, "proceeds from the -lips of Wisdom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If we send this girl back -to her own family," said Maria Theresa, gently, "we must bestow a -pension upon her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which I will provide for -out of my income," exclaimed Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no," interrupted Anne -of Austria, "no disturbance, I beg. The king dislikes that the -slightest disrespectful remark should be made of any lady. Let -everything be done quietly. Will you have the kindness, Madame, -to send for this girl here; and you, my daughter, will have the -goodness to retire to your own room."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The dowager queen's -entreaties were commands, and as Maria Theresa rose to return to -her apartments, Madame rose in order to send a page to summon La -Vallière.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXIV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -First Quarrel.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>L</span>a -Vallière entered the queen-mother's apartments without in -the least suspecting that a serious plot was being concerted -against her. She thought it was for something connected with her -duties, and never had the queen-mother been unkind to her when -such was the case. Besides, not being immediately under the -control or direction of Anne of Austria, she could only have an -official connection with her, to which her own gentleness of -disposition, and the rank of the august princess, made her yield -on every occasion with the best possible grace. She therefore -advanced towards the queen-mother with that soft and gentle smile -which constituted her principal charm, and as she did not -approach sufficiently close, Anne of Austria signed to her to -come nearer. Madame then entered the room, and with a perfectly -calm air took her seat beside her mother-in-law, and continued -the work which Maria Theresa had begun. When La Vallière, -instead of the direction which she expected to receive -immediately on entering the room, perceived these preparations, -she looked with curiosity, if not with uneasiness, at the two -princesses. Anne seemed full of thought, while Madame maintained -an affectation of indifference that would have alarmed a less -timid person even than Louise.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Mademoiselle," said the -queen-mother suddenly, without attempting to moderate or disguise -her Spanish accent, which she never failed to do except when she -was angry, "come closer; we were talking of you, as every one -else seems to be doing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of me!" exclaimed La -Vallière, turning pale.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you pretend to be -ignorant of it; are you not aware of the duel between M. de -Guiche and M. de Wardes?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, madame! I heard of it -yesterday," said La Vallière, clasping her hands -together.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And did you not foresee -this quarrel?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why should I, madame?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because two men never fight -without a motive, and because you must be aware of the motive -which awakened the animosity of the two in question."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am perfectly ignorant of -it, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A persevering denial is a -very commonplace mode of defense, and you, who have great -pretensions to be witty and clever, ought to avoid commonplaces. -What else have you to say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! madame, your majesty -terrifies me with your cold severity of manner; but I do not -understand how I can have incurred your displeasure, or in what -respect people concern themselves about me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Then I will tell you. M. -de Guiche has been obliged to undertake your defense."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My defense?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes. He is a gallant -knight, and beautiful adventuresses like to see brave knights -couch lances in their honor. But, for my part, I hate fields of -battle, and above all I hate adventures, and - take my remark as -you please."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière sank at -the queen's feet, who turned her back upon her. She stretched -out her hands towards Madame, who laughed in her face. A feeling -of pride made her rise to her feet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have begged your majesty -to tell me what is the crime I am accused of - I can claim this -at your hands; and I see I am condemned before I am even -permitted to justify myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Eh! indeed," cried Anne of -Austria, "listen to her beautiful phrases, Madame, and to her -fine sentiments; she is an inexhaustible well of tenderness and -heroic expressions. One can easily see, young lady, that you -have cultivated your mind in the society of crowned heads."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière felt -struck to the heart; she became, not whiter, but as white as a -lily, and all her strength forsook her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I wished to inform you," -interrupted the queen, disdainfully, "that if you continue to -nourish such feelings, you will humiliate us to such a degree -that we shall be ashamed of appearing before you. Be simple in -your manners. By the by, I am informed that you are affianced; -is it the case?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière pressed -her hand over her heart, which was wrung with a fresh pang.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Answer when you are spoken -to!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, madame."<br> - "To a gentleman?"<br> - "Yes, madame."<br> - "His name?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The Vicomte de -Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you aware that it is an -exceedingly fortunate circumstance for you, mademoiselle, that -such is the case, and without fortune or position, as you are, or -without any very great personal advantages, you ought to bless -Heaven for having procured you such a future as seems to be in -store for you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière did not -reply. "Where is the Vicomte de Bragelonne?" pursued the -queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In England," said Madame, -"where the report of this young lady's success will not fail to -reach him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, Heaven!" murmured La -Vallière in despair.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, mademoiselle!" -said Anne of Austria, "we will get this young gentleman to -return, and send you away somewhere with him. If you are of a -different opinion - for girls have strange views and fancies at -times - trust to me, I will put you in a proper path again. I -have done as much for girls who are not as good as you are, -probably."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière ceased to -hear the queen, who pitilessly added: "I will send you somewhere, -by yourself, where you will be able to indulge in a little -serious reflection. Reflection calms the ardor of the blood, and -swallows up the illusions of youth. I suppose you understand -what I have been saying?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not a word?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am innocent of everything -your majesty supposes. Oh, madame! you are a witness of my -despair. I love, I respect your majesty so much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It would be far better not -to respect me at all," said the queen, with a chilling irony of -manner. "It would be far better if you were not innocent. Do -you presume to suppose that I should be satisfied simply to leave -you unpunished if you had committed the fault?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, madame! you are killing -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No acting, if you please, -or I will precipitate the <i>dénouement</i> of this -<i>play</i>; leave the room; return to your own apartment, and I -trust my lesson may be of service to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame!" said La -Vallière to the Duchess d'Orléans, whose hands she -seized in her own, "do you, who are so good, intercede for -me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I!" replied the latter, -with an insulting joy, "I - good! - Ah, mademoiselle, you think -nothing of the kind;" and with a rude, hasty gesture she repulsed -the young girl's grasp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière, instead -of giving way, as from her extreme pallor and her tears the two -princesses possibly expected, suddenly resumed her calm and -dignified air; she bowed profoundly, and left the room.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well!" said Anne of Austria -to Madame, "do you think she will begin again?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I always suspect those -gentle, patient characters," replied Madame. "Nothing is more -full of courage than a patient heart, nothing more self-reliant -than a gentle spirit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I feel I may almost venture -to assure you she will think twice before she looks at the god -Mars again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So long as she does not -obtain the protection of his buckler I do not care," retorted -Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> A proud, defiant look of the -queen-mother was the reply to this objection, which was by no -means deficient in <i>finesse</i>; and both of them, almost sure -of their victory, went to look for Maria Theresa, who had been -waiting for them with impatience.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was about half-past six -in the evening, and the king had just partaken of refreshment. -He lost no time; but the repast finished, and business matters -settled, he took Saint-Aignan by the arm, and desired him to lead -the way to La Vallière's apartments. The courtier uttered -an exclamation.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, what is that for? It -is a habit you will have to adopt, and in order to adopt a habit, -one must make a beginning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire!" said -Saint-Aignan, "it is hardly possible: for every one can be seen -entering or leaving those apartments. If, however, some pretext -or other were made use of - if your majesty, for instance, would -wait until Madame were in her own apartments - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No pretext; no delays. I -have had enough of these impediments and mysteries; I cannot -perceive in what respect the king of France dishonors himself by -conversing with an amiable and clever girl. Evil be to him who -evil thinks."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will your majesty forgive -an excess of zeal on my part?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Speak freely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How about the queen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True, true; I always wish -the most entire respect to be shown to her majesty. Well, then, -this evening only will I pay Mademoiselle de la Vallière a -visit, and after to-day I will make use of any pretext you like. -To-morrow we will devise all sorts of means; to-night I have no -time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan made no reply; -he descended the steps, preceding the king, and crossed the -different courtyards with a feeling of shame, which the -distinguished honor of accompanying the king did not remove. The -reason was that Saint-Aignan wished to stand well with Madame, as -well as with the queens, and also, that he did not, on the other -hand, want to displease Mademoiselle de la Vallière: and -in order to carry out so many promising affairs, it was difficult -to avoid jostling against some obstacle or other. Besides, the -windows of the young queen's rooms, those of the queen-mother's, -and of Madame herself, looked out upon the courtyard of the maids -of honor. To be seen, therefore, accompanying the king, would be -effectually to quarrel with three great and influential -princesses - whose authority was unbounded - for the purpose of -supporting the ephemeral credit of a mistress. The unhappy -Saint-Aignan, who had not displayed a very great amount of -courage in taking La Vallière's part in the park of -Fontainebleau, did not feel any braver in the broad day-light, -and found a thousand defects in the poor girl which he was most -eager to communicate to the king. But his trial soon finished, - -the courtyards were crossed; not a curtain was drawn aside, nor a -window opened. The king walked hastily, because of his -impatience, and the long legs of Saint-Aignan, who preceded him. -At the door, however, Saint-Aignan wished to retire, but the king -desired him to remain; a delicate consideration, on the king's -part, which the courtier could very well have dispensed with. He -had to follow Louis into La Vallière's apartment. As soon -as the king arrived the young girl dried her tears, but so -precipitately that the king perceived it. He questioned her most -anxiously and tenderly, and pressed her to tell him the cause of -her emotion.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing is the matter, -sire," she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet you were -weeping?"<br> - "Oh, no, indeed, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Look, Saint-Aignan, and -tell me if I am mistaken."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan ought to have -answered, but he was too much embarrassed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events your eyes are -red, mademoiselle," said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The dust of the road -merely, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no; you no longer -possess the air of supreme contentment which renders you so -beautiful and so attractive. You do not look at me. Why avoid -my gaze?" he said, as she turned aside her head. "In Heaven's -name, what is the matter?" he inquired, beginning to lose command -over himself.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing at all, sire; and I -am perfectly ready to assure your majesty that my mind is as free -form anxiety as you could possibly wish."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your mind at ease, when I -see you are embarrassed at the slightest thing. Has any one -annoyed you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I insist upon knowing if -such really be the case," said the prince, his eyes -sparkling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No one, sire, no one has in -any way offended me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, pray resume -your gentle air of gayety, or that sweet melancholy look which I -so loved in you this morning; for pity's sake, do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire, yes."<br> - The king tapped the floor impatiently with his -foot, saying, "Such a change is positively inexplicable." And he -looked at Saint-Aignan, who had also remarked La -Vallière's peculiar lethargy, as well as the king's -impatience.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was futile for the king -to entreat, and as useless for him to try to overcome her -depression: the poor girl was completely overwhelmed, - the -appearance of an angel would hardly have awakened her from her -torpor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king saw in her repeated -negative replies a mystery full of unkindness; he began to look -round the apartment with a suspicious air. There happened to be -in La Vallière's room a miniature of Athos. The king -remarked that this portrait bore a strong resemblance to -Bragelonne, for it had been taken when the count was quite a -young man. He looked at it with a threatening air. La -Vallière, in her misery far indeed from thinking of this -portrait, could not conjecture the cause of the king's -preoccupation. And yet the king's mind was occupied with a -terrible remembrance, which had more than once taken possession -of his mind, but which he had always driven away. He recalled -the intimacy existing between the two young people from their -birth, their engagement, and that Athos himself had come to -solicit La Vallière's hand for Raoul. He therefore could -not but suppose that on her return to Paris, La Vallière -had found news from London awaiting her, and that this news had -counterbalanced the influence he had been enabled to exert over -her. He immediately felt himself stung, as it were, by feelings -of the wildest jealousy; and again questioned her, with increased -bitterness. La Vallière could not reply, unless she were -to acknowledge everything, which would be to accuse the queen, -and Madame also; and the consequence would be, that she would -have to enter into an open warfare with these two great and -powerful princesses. She thought within herself that as she made -no attempt to conceal from the king what was passing in her own -mind, the king ought to be able to read in her heart, in spite of -her silence; and that, had he really loved her, he would have -understood and guessed everything. What was sympathy, then, if -not that divine flame which possesses the property of -enlightening the heart, and of saving lovers the necessity of an -expression of their thoughts and feelings? She maintained her -silence, therefore, sighing, and concealing her face in her -hands. These sighs and tears, which had at first distressed, -then terrified Louis XIV., now irritated him. He could not bear -opposition, - the opposition which tears and sighs exhibited, any -more than opposition of any other kind. His remarks, therefore, -became bitter, urgent, and openly aggressive in their nature. -This was a fresh cause of distress for the poor girl. From that -very circumstance, therefore, which she regarded as an injustice -on her lover's part, she drew sufficient courage to bear, not -only her other troubles, but this one also.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king next began to -accuse her in direct terms. La Vallière did not even -attempt to defend herself; she endured all his accusations -without according any other reply than that of shaking her head; -without any other remark than that which escapes the heart in -deep distress - a prayerful appeal to Heaven for help. But this -ejaculation, instead of calming the king's displeasure, rather -increased it. He, moreover, saw himself seconded by -Saint-Aignan, for Saint-Aignan, as we have observed, having seen -the storm increasing, and not knowing the extent of the regard of -which Louis XIV. was capable, felt, by anticipation, all the -collected wrath of the three princesses, and the near approach of -poor La Vallière's downfall, and he was not true knight -enough to resist the fear that he himself might be dragged down -in the impending ruin. Saint-Aignan did not reply to the king's -questions except by short, dry remarks, pronounced half-aloud; -and by abrupt gestures, whose object was to make things worse, -and bring about a misunderstanding, the result of which would be -to free him from the annoyance of having to cross the courtyards -in open day, in order to follow his illustrious companion to La -Vallière's apartments. In the meantime the king's anger -momentarily increased; he made two or three steps towards the -door as if to leave the room, but returned. The young girl did -not, however, raise her head, although the sound of his footsteps -might have warned her that her lover was leaving her. He drew -himself up, for a moment, before her, with his arms crossed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For the last time, -mademoiselle," he said, "will you speak? Will you assign a -reason for this change, this fickleness, for this caprice?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What can I say?" murmured -La Vallière. "Do you not see, sire, that I am completely -overwhelmed at this moment; that I have no power of will, or -thought, or speech?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it so difficult, then, -to speak the truth? You could have told me the whole truth in -fewer words than those in which you have expressed yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But the truth about what, -sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "About everything."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière was just -on the point of revealing the truth to the king, her arms made a -sudden movement as if they were about to open, but her lips -remained silent, and her hands again fell listlessly by her -side. The poor girl had not yet endured sufficient unhappiness -to risk the necessary revelation. "I know nothing," she -stammered out.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" exclaimed the king, -"this is no longer mere coquetry, or caprice, it is treason."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And this time nothing could -restrain him. The impulse of his heart was not sufficient to -induce him to turn back, and he darted out of the room with a -gesture full of despair. Saint-Aignan followed him, wishing for -nothing better than to quit the place.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis XIV. did not pause -until he reached the staircase, and grasping the balustrade, -said: "You see how shamefully I have been duped."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How, sire?" inquired the -favorite.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "De Guiche fought on the -Vicomte de Bragelonne's account, and this Bragelonne… oh! -Saint-Aignan, she still loves him. I vow to you, Saint-Aignan, -that if, in three days from now, there were to remain but an atom -of affection for her in my heart, I should die from very shame." -And the king resumed his way to his own apartments.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I told your majesty how it -would be," murmured Saint-Aignan, continuing to follow the king, -and timidly glancing up at the different windows.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Unfortunately their return -was not, like their arrival, unobserved. A curtain was suddenly -drawn aside; Madame was behind it. She had seen the king leave -the apartments of the maids of honor, and as soon as she observed -that his majesty had passed, she left her own apartments with -hurried steps, and ran up the staircase that led to the room the -king had just left.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Despair.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>s soon as the -king was gone La Vallière raised herself from the ground, -and stretched out her arms, as if to follow and detain him, but -when, having violently closed the door, the sound of his -retreating footsteps could be heard in the distance, she had -hardly sufficient strength left to totter towards and fall at the -foot of her crucifix. There she remained, broken-hearted, -absorbed, and overwhelmed by her grief, forgetful and indifferent -to everything but her profound sorrow; - a grief she only vaguely -realized - as though by instinct. In the midst of this wild -tumult of thoughts, La Vallière heard her door open again; -she started, and turned round, thinking it was the king who had -returned. She was deceived, however, for it was Madame who -appeared at the door. What did she now care for Madame! Again -she sank down, her head supported by her <i>prie-Dieu</i> chair. -It was Madame, agitated, angry, and threatening. But what was -that to her? "Mademoiselle," said the princess, standing before -La Vallière, "this is very fine, I admit, to kneel and -pray, and make a pretense of being religious; but however -submissive you may be in your address to Heaven, it is desirable -that you should pay some little attention to the wishes of those -who reign and rule here below."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière raised -her head painfully in token of respect.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not long since," continued -Madame, "a certain recommendation was addressed to you, I -believe."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière's fixed -and wild gaze showed how complete her forgetfulness or ignorance -was.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The queen recommended you," -continued Madame, "to conduct yourself in such a manner that no -one could be justified in spreading any reports about you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière darted an -inquiring look towards her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will not," continued -Madame, "allow my household, which is that of the first princess -of the blood, to set an evil example to the court; you would be -the cause of such an example. I beg you to understand, -therefore, in the absence of any witness of your shame - for I do -not wish to humiliate you - that you are from this moment at -perfect liberty to leave, and that you can return to your mother -at Blois."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière could not -sink lower, nor could she suffer more than she had already -suffered. Her countenance did not even change, but she remained -kneeling with her hands clasped, like the figure of the -Magdalen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did you hear me?" said -Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> A shiver, which passed -through her whole frame, was La Vallière's only reply. -And as the victim gave no other signs of life, Madame left the -room. And then, her very respiration suspended, and her blood -almost congealed, as it were, in her veins, La Vallière by -degrees felt that the pulsation of her wrists, her neck, and -temples, began to throb more and more painfully. These -pulsations, as they gradually increased, soon changed into a -species of brain fever, and in her temporary delirium she saw the -figures of her friends contending with her enemies, floating -before her vision. She heard, too, mingled together in her -deafened ears, words of menace and words of fond affection; she -seemed raised out of her existence as though it were upon the -wings of a mighty tempest, and in the dim horizon of the path -along which her delirium hurried her, she saw the stone which -covered her tomb upraised, and the grim, appalling texture of -eternal night revealed to her distracted gaze. But the horror of -the dream which possessed her senses faded away, and she was -again restored to the habitual resignation of her character. A -ray of hope penetrated her heart, as a ray of sunlight streams -into the dungeon of some unhappy captive. Her mind reverted to -the journey from Fontainebleau, she saw the king riding beside -her carriage, telling her that he loved her, asking for her love -in return, requiring her to swear, and himself to swear too, that -never should an evening pass by, if ever a misunderstanding were -to arise between them, without a visit, a letter, a sign of some -kind, being sent, to replace the troubled anxiety of the evening -with the calm repose of the night. It was the king who had -suggested that, who had imposed a promise on her, and who had -sworn to it himself. It was impossible, therefore, she reasoned, -that the king should fail in keeping the promise which he had -himself exacted from her, unless, indeed, Louis was a despot who -enforced love as he enforced obedience; unless, too, the king -were so indifferent that the first obstacle in his way was -sufficient to arrest his further progress. The king, that kind -protector, who by a word, a single word, could relieve her -distress of mind, the king even joined her persecutors. Oh! his -anger could not possibly last. Now that he was alone, he would -be suffering all that she herself was a prey to. But he was not -tied hand and foot as she was; he could act, could move about, -could come to her, while she could do nothing but wait. And the -poor girl waited and waited, with breathless anxiety - for she -could not believe it possible that the king would not come.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was now about half-past -ten. He would either come to her, or write to her, or send some -kind word by M. de Saint-Aignan. If he were to come, oh! how she -would fly to meet him; how she would thrust aside that excess of -delicacy which she now discovered was misunderstood; how eagerly -she would explain: "It is not I who do not love you - it is the -fault of others who will not allow me to love you." And then it -must be confessed that she reflected upon it, and also the more -she reflected, Louis appeared to her to be less guilty. In fact, -he was ignorant of everything. What must he have thought of the -obstinacy with which she remained silent? Impatient and -irritable as the king was known to be, it was extraordinary that -he had been able to preserve his temper so long. And yet, had it -been her own case, she undoubtedly would not have acted in such a -manner; she would have understood - have guessed everything. -Yes, but she was nothing but a poor simple-minded girl, and not a -great and powerful monarch. Oh! if he would but come, if he -would but come! - how eagerly she would forgive him for all he -had just made her suffer! how much more tenderly she would love -him because she had so cruelly suffered! And so she sat, with -her head bent forward in eager expectation towards the door, her -lips slightly parted, as if - and Heaven forgive her for the -mental exclamation! - they were awaiting the kiss which the -king's lips had in the morning so sweetly indicated, when he -pronounced the word <i>love!</i> If the king did not come, at -least he would write; it was a second chance; a chance less -delightful certainly than the other, but which would show an -affection just as strong, only more timid in its nature. Oh! how -she would devour his letter, how eager she would be to answer it! -and when the messenger who had brought it had left her, how she -would kiss it, read it over and over again, press to her heart -the lucky paper which would have brought her ease of mind, -tranquillity, and perfect happiness. At all events, if the king -did not come, if the king did not write, he could not do -otherwise than send Saint-Aignan, or Saint-Aignan could not do -otherwise than come of his own accord. Even if it were a third -person, how openly she would speak to him; the royal presence -would not be there to freeze her words upon her tongue, and then -no suspicious feeling would remain a moment longer in the king's -heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Everything with La -Vallière, heart and look, body and mind, was concentrated -in eager expectation. She said to herself that there was an hour -left in which to indulge hope; that until midnight struck, the -king might come, or write or send; that at midnight only would -every expectation vanish, every hope be lost. Whenever she heard -any stir in the palace, the poor girl fancied she was the cause -of it; whenever she heard any one pass in the courtyard below she -imagined they were messengers of the king coming to her. Eleven -o'clock struck, then a quarter-past eleven; then half-past. The -minutes dragged slowly on in this anxiety, and yet they seemed to -pass too quickly. And now, it struck a quarter to twelve. -Midnight - midnight was near, the last, the final hope that -remained. With the last stroke of the clock, the last ray of -light seemed to fade away; and with the last ray faded her final -hope. And so, the king himself had deceived her; it was he who -had been the first to fail in keeping the oath which he had sworn -that very day; twelve hours only between his oath and his -perjured vow; it as not long, alas! to have preserved the -illusion. And so, not only did the king not love her, but he -despised her whom every one ill-treated, he despised her to the -extent even of abandoning her to the shame of an expulsion which -was equivalent to having an ignominious sentence passed on her; -and yet, it was he, the king himself, who was the first cause of -this ignominy. A bitter smile, the only symptom of anger which -during this long conflict had passed across the angelic face, -appeared upon her lips. What, in fact, now remained on earth for -her, after the king was lost to her? Nothing. But Heaven still -remained, and her thoughts flew thither. She prayed that the -proper course for her to follow might be suggested. "It is from -Heaven," she thought, "that I expect everything; it is from -Heaven I ought to expect everything." And she looked at her -crucifix with a devotion full of tender love. "There," she said, -"hangs before me a Master who never forgets and never abandons -those who neither forget nor abandon Him; it is to Him alone that -we must sacrifice ourselves." And, thereupon, could any one have -gazed into the recesses of that chamber, they would have seen the -poor despairing girl adopt a final resolution, and determine upon -one last plan in her mind. Then, as her knees were no longer -able to support her, she gradually sank down upon the -<i>prie-Dieu</i>, and with her head pressed against the wooden -cross, her eyes fixed, and her respiration short and quick, she -watched for the earliest rays of approaching daylight. At two -o'clock in the morning she was still in the same bewilderment of -mind, or rather the same ecstasy of feeling. Her thoughts had -almost ceased to hold communion with things of the world. And -when she saw the pale violet tints of early dawn visible over the -roofs of the palace, and vaguely revealing the outlines of the -ivory crucifix which she held embraced, she rose from the ground -with a new-born strength, kissed the feet of the divine martyr, -descended the staircase leading from the room, and wrapped -herself from head to foot in a mantle as she went along. She -reached the wicket at the very moment the guard of the musketeers -opened the gate to admit the first relief-guard belonging to one -of the Swiss regiments. And then, gliding behind the soldiers, -she reached the street before the officer in command of the -patrol had even thought of asking who the young girl was who was -making her escape from the palace at so early an hour.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXVI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Flight.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>L</span>a -Vallière followed the patrol as it left the courtyard. -The patrol bent its steps towards the right, by the Rue St. -Honoré, and mechanically La Vallière turned to the -left. Her resolution was taken - her determination fixed; she -wished to betake herself to the convent of the Carmelites at -Chaillot, the superior of which enjoyed a reputation for severity -which made the worldly-minded people of the court tremble. La -Vallière had never seen Paris, she had never gone out on -foot, and so would have been unable to find her way even had she -been in a calmer frame of mind than was then the case; and this -may explain why she ascended, instead of descending, the Rue St. -Honoré. Her only thought was to get away from the Palais -Royal, and this she was doing; she had heard it said that -Chaillot looked out upon the Seine, and she accordingly directed -her steps towards the Seine. She took the Rue de Coq, and not -being able to cross the Louvre, bore towards the church of Saint -Germain l'Auxerrois, proceeding along the site of the colonnade -which was subsequently built there by Perrault. In a very short -time she reached the quays. Her steps were rapid and agitated; -she scarcely felt the weakness which reminded her of having -sprained her foot when very young, and which obliged her to limp -slightly. At any other hour in the day her countenance would -have awakened the suspicions of the least clear-sighted, -attracted the attention of the most indifferent. But at -half-past two in the morning, the streets of Paris are almost, if -not quite, deserted, and scarcely is any one to be seen but the -hard-working artisan on his way to earn his daily bread or the -roistering idlers of the streets, who are returning to their -homes after a night of riot and debauchery; for the former the -day was beginning, and for the latter it was just closing. La -Vallière was afraid of both faces, in which her ignorance -of Parisian types did not permit her to distinguish the type of -probity from that of dishonesty. The appearance of misery -alarmed her, and all she met seemed either vile or miserable. -Her dress, which was the same she had worn during the previous -evening, was elegant even in its careless disorder; for it was -the one in which she had presented herself to the queen-mother; -and, moreover, when she drew aside the mantle which covered her -face, in order to enable her to see the way she was going, her -pallor and her beautiful eyes spoke an unknown language to the -men she met, and, unconsciously, the poor fugitive seemed to -invite the brutal remarks of the one class, or to appeal to the -compassion of the other. La Vallière still walked on in -the same way, breathless and hurried, until she reached the top -of the Place de Grève. She stopped from time to time, -placed her hand upon her heart, leaned against a wall until she -could breathe freely again, and then continued on her course more -rapidly than before. On reaching the Place de Grève La -Vallière suddenly came upon a group of three drunken men, -reeling and staggering along, who were just leaving a boat which -they had made fast to the quay; the boat was freighted with -wines, and it was apparent that they had done ample justice to -the merchandise. They were celebrating their convivial exploits -in three different keys, when suddenly, as they reached the end -of the railing leading down to the quay, they found an obstacle -in their path, in the shape of this young girl. La -Vallière stopped; while they, on their part, at the -appearance of the young girl dressed in court costume, also -halted, and seizing each other by the hand, they surrounded La -Vallière, singing, -</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:8.0pt;'>"Oh! all ye weary wights, who mope -alone,</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= -'font-size:8.0pt;'> Come drink, and sing and -laugh, round Venus' throne."</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;'> </span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= -'font-size:8.0pt;'> </span> La Vallière at -once understood that the men were insulting her, and wished to -prevent her passing; she tried to do so several times, but her -efforts were useless. Her limbs failed her; she felt she was on -the point of falling, and uttered a cry of terror. At the same -moment the circle which surrounded her was suddenly broken -through in a most violent manner. One of her insulters was -knocked to the left, another fell rolling over and over to the -right, close to the water's edge, while the third could hardly -keep his feet. An officer of the musketeers stood face to face -with the young girl, with threatening brow and hand raised to -carry out his threat. The drunken fellows, at sight of the -uniform, made their escape with what speed their staggering limbs -could lend them, all the more eagerly for the proof of strength -which the wearer of the uniform had just afforded them.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it possible," exclaimed -the musketeer, "that it can be Mademoiselle de la -Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière, -bewildered by what had just happened, and confounded by hearing -her name pronounced, looked up and recognized D'Artagnan. "Oh, -M. d'Artagnan! it is indeed I;" and at the same moment she seized -his arm. "You will protect me, will you not?" she added, in a -tone of entreaty.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Most certainly I will -protect you; but, in Heaven's name, where are you going at this -hour?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am going to -Chaillot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are going to Chaillot -by way of La Rapée! why, mademoiselle, you are turning -your back upon it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, monsieur, be -kind enough to put me in the right way, and to go with me a short -distance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Most willingly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But how does it happen that -I have found you here? By what merciful intervention were you -sent to my assistance? I almost seem to be dreaming, or to be -losing my senses."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I happened to be here, -mademoiselle, because I have a house in the Place de -Grève, at the sign of the Notre-Dame, the rent of which I -went to receive yesterday, and where I, in fact, passed the -night. And I also wished to be at the palace early, for the -purposes of inspecting my posts."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank you," said La -Vallière.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is what <i>I</i> was -doing," said D'Artagnan to himself; "but what is <i>she</i> -doing, and why is she going to Chaillot at such an hour?" And he -offered her his arm, which she took, and began to walk with -increased precipitation, which ill-concealed, however, her -weakness. D'Artagnan perceived it, and proposed to La -Vallière that she should take a little rest, which she -refused.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are ignorant, perhaps, -where Chaillot is?" inquired D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is a great -distance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That matters very -little."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is at least a -league."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I can walk it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan did not reply; he -could tell, merely by the tone of a voice, when a resolution was -real or not. He rather bore along rather than accompanied La -Vallière, until they perceived the elevated ground of -Chaillot.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What house are you going -to, mademoiselle?" inquired D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To the Carmelites, -monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To the Carmelites?" -repeated D'Artagnan, in amazement.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; and since Heaven has -directed you towards me to give me your support on my road, -accept both my thanks and my adieux."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To the Carmelites! Your -adieux! Are you going to become a nun?" exclaimed -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What, you!!!" There was in -this "you," which we have marked by three notes of exclamation in -order to render it as expressive as possible, - there was, we -repeat, in this "you" a complete poem; it recalled to La -Vallière her old recollections of Blois, and her new -recollections of Fontainebleau; it said to her, "<i>You</i>, who -might be happy with Raoul; <i>you</i>, who might be powerful with -Louis; <i>you</i> about to become a nun!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, monsieur," she said, -"I am going to devote myself to the service of Heaven; and to -renounce the world entirely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But are you not mistaken -with regard to your vocation, - are you not mistaken in supposing -it to be the will of Heaven?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, since Heaven has been -pleased to throw you in my way. Had it not been for you, I -should certainly have sunk from fatigue on the road, and since -Heaven, I repeat, has thrown you in my way, it is because it has -willed that I should carry out my intention."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said D'Artagnan, -doubtingly, "that is a rather subtle distinction, I think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whatever it may be," -returned the young girl, "I have acquainted you with the steps I -have taken, and with my fixed resolution. And, now, I have one -last favor to ask of you, even while I return you my thanks. The -king is entirely ignorant of my flight from the Palais Royal, and -is ignorant also of what I am about to do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king ignorant, you -say!" exclaimed D'Artagnan. "Take care, mademoiselle; you are -not aware of what you are doing. No one ought to do anything -with which the king is unacquainted, especially those who belong -to the court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I no longer belong to the -court, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan looked at the -young girl with increasing astonishment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not be uneasy, -monsieur," she continued: "I have well calculated everything; and -were it not so, it would now be too late to reconsider my -resolution, - all is decided."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, mademoiselle, what do -you wish me to do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the name of that -sympathy which misfortune inspires, by your generous feeling, and -by your honor as a gentleman, I entreat you to promise me one -thing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Name it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Swear to me, Monsieur -d'Artagnan, that you will not tell the king that you have seen -me, and that I am at the Carmelites."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will not swear that," -said D'Artagnan, shaking his head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I know the king, I -know you, I know myself even, nay, the whole human race, too -well; no, no, I will not swear that!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case," cried La -Vallière, with an energy of which one would hardly have -thought her capable, "instead of the blessing which I should have -implored for you until my dying day, I will invoke a curse, for -you are rendering me the most miserable creature that ever -lived."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> We have already observed -that D'Artagnan could easily recognize the accents of truth and -sincerity, and he could not resist this last appeal. He saw by -her face how bitterly she suffered from a feeling of degradation, -he remarked her trembling limbs, how her whole slight and -delicate frame was violently agitated by some internal struggle, -and clearly perceived that resistance might be fatal. "I will do -as you wish, then," he said. "Be satisfied, mademoiselle, I will -say nothing to the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! thanks, thanks," -exclaimed La Vallière, "you are the most generous man -breathing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And in her extreme delight -she seized hold of D'Artagnan's hands and pressed them between -her own. D'Artagnan, who felt himself quite overcome, said: -"This is touching, upon my word; she begins where others leave -off."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And La Vallière, who, -in the bitterness of her distress, had sunk upon the ground, rose -and walked towards the convent of the Carmelites, which could -now, in the dawning light, be perceived just before them. -D'Artagnan followed her at a distance. The entrance-door was -half-open; she glided in like a shadow, and thanking D'Artagnan -by a parting gesture, disappeared from his sight. When -D'Artagnan found himself quite alone, he reflected very -profoundly upon what had just taken place. "Upon my word," he -said, "this looks very much like what is called a false -position. To keep such a secret as that, is to keep a burning -coal in one's breeches-pocket, and trust that it may not burn the -stuff. And yet, not to keep it when I have sworn to do so is -dishonorable. It generally happens that some bright idea or -other occurs to me as I am going along; but I am very much -mistaken if I shall not, now, have to go a long way in order to -find the solution of this affair. Yes, but which way to go? Oh! -towards Paris, of course; that is the best way, after all. Only -one must make haste, and in order to make haste four legs are -better than two, and I, unhappily, only have two. 'A horse, a -horse,' as I heard them say at the theatre in London, 'my kingdom -for a horse!' And now I think of it, it need not cost me so much -as that, for at the Barrière de la Conférence there -is a guard of musketeers, and instead of the one horse I need, I -shall find ten there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> So, in pursuance of this -resolution, which he adopted with his usual rapidity, D'Artagnan -immediately turned his back upon the heights of Chaillot, reached -the guard-house, took the fastest horse he could find there, and -was at the palace in less than ten minutes. It was striking five -as he reached the Palais Royal. The king, he was told, had gone -to bed at his usual hour, having been long engaged with M. -Colbert, and, in all probability, was still sound asleep. -"Come," said D'Artagnan, "she spoke the truth; the king is -ignorant of everything; if he only knew one-half of what has -happened, the Palais Royal by this time would be turned upside -down." <b><sup>5</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXVII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Showing How Louis, on His Part, Had Passed the Time from Ten to -Half-Past Twelve at Night.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>W</span>hen the king -left the apartments of the maids of honor, he found Colbert -awaiting him to take directions for the next day's ceremony, as -the king was then to receive the Dutch and Spanish ambassadors. -Louis XIV. had serious causes of dissatisfaction with the Dutch; -the States had already been guilty of many mean shifts and -evasions with France, and without perceiving or without caring -about the chances of a rupture, they again abandoned the alliance -with his Most Christian Majesty, for the purpose of entering into -all kinds of plots with Spain. Louis XIV. at his accession, that -is to say, at the death of Cardinal Mazarin, had found this -political question roughly sketched out; the solution was -difficult for a young man, but as, at that time, the king -represented the whole nation, anything that the head resolved -upon, the body would be found ready to carry out. Any sudden -impulse of anger, the reaction of young hot blood upon the brain, -would be quite sufficient to change an old form of policy and -create another system altogether. The part that diplomatists had -to play in those days was that of arranging among themselves the -different <i>coups-d'état</i> which their sovereign -masters might wish to effect. Louis was not in that calm frame -of mind which was necessary to enable him to determine on a wise -course of policy. Still much agitated from the quarrel he had -just had with La Vallière, he walked hastily into his -cabinet, dimly desirous of finding an opportunity of producing an -explosion after he had controlled himself for so long a time. -Colbert, as he saw the king enter, knew the position of affairs -at a glance, understood the king's intentions, and resolved -therefore to maneuver a little. When Louis requested to be -informed what it would be necessary to say on the morrow, Colbert -began by expressing his surprise that his majesty had not been -properly informed by M. Fouquet. "M. Fouquet," he said, "is -perfectly acquainted with the whole of this Dutch affair - he -received the dispatches himself direct."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king, who was accustomed -to hear M. Colbert speak in not over-scrupulous terms of M. -Fouquet, allowed this remark to pass unanswered, and merely -listened. Colbert noticed the effect it had produced, and -hastened to back out, saying that M. Fouquet was not on all -occasions as blamable as at the first glance might seem to be the -case, inasmuch as at that moment he was greatly occupied. The -king looked up. "What do you allude to?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, men are but men, and -M. Fouquet has his defects as well as his great qualities."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! defects, who is without -them, M. Colbert?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty, hardly," said -Colbert, boldly; for he knew how to convey a good deal of -flattery in a light amount of blame, like the arrow which cleaves -the air notwithstanding its weight, thanks to the light feathers -which bear it up.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king smiled. "What -defect has M. Fouquet, then?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Still the same, sire; it is -said he is in love."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In love! with whom?"<br> - "I am not quite sure, sire; I have very little to -do with matters of gallantry."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events you know, -since you speak of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have heard a name -mentioned."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot now remember -whose, but I think it is one of Madame's maids of honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king started. "You know -more than you like to say, M. Colbert," he murmured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I assure you, no, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events, Madame's -maids of honor are all known, and in mentioning their names to -you, you will perhaps recollect the one you allude to."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At least, try."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It would be useless, sire. -Whenever the name of any lady who runs the risk of being -compromised is concerned, my memory is like a coffer of bronze, -the key of which I have lost."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> A dark cloud seemed to pass -over the mind as well as across the face of the king; then, -wishing to appear as if he were perfect master of himself and his -feelings, he said, "And now for the affair concerning -Holland."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the first place, sire, -at what hour will your majesty receive the ambassadors?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Early in the morning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Eleven o'clock?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is too late - say nine -o'clock."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That will be too early, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For friends, that would be -a matter of no importance; one does what one likes with one's -friends; but for one's enemies, in that case nothing could be -better than if they <i>were</i> to feel hurt. I should not be -sorry, I confess, to have to finish altogether with these -marsh-birds, who annoy me with their cries."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It shall be precisely as -your majesty desires. At nine o'clock, therefore - I will give -the necessary orders. Is it to be a formal audience?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No. I wish to have an -explanation with them, and not to embitter matters, as is always -the case when many persons are present, but, at the same time, I -wish to clear up everything with them, in order not to have to -begin over again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty will inform me -of the persons whom you wish to be present at the reception."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will draw out a list. -Let us speak of the ambassadors; what do they want?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Allies with Spain, they -gain nothing; allies with France, they lose much."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How is that?"<br> - "Allied with Spain, they see themselves bounded -and protected by the possessions of their allies; they cannot -touch them, however anxious they may be to do so. From Antwerp -to Rotterdam is but a step, and that by the way of the Scheldt -and the Meuse. If they wish to make a bite at the Spanish cake, -you, sire, the son-in-law of the king of Spain, could with your -cavalry sweep the earth from your dominions to Brussels in a -couple of days. Their design is, therefore, only to quarrel so -far with you, and only to make you suspect Spain so far, as will -be sufficient to induce you not to interfere with their own -affairs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It would be far more -simple, I should imagine," replied the king, "to form a solid -alliance with me, by means of which I should gain something, -while they would gain everything."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not so; for if, by chance, -they were to have you, or France rather, as a boundary, your -majesty is not an agreeable neighbor. Young, ardent, warlike, -the king of France might inflict some serious mischief on -Holland, especially if he were to get near her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I perfectly understand, M. -Colbert, and you have explained it very clearly; but be good -enough to tell me the conclusion you have arrived at."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty's own -decisions are never deficient in wisdom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What will these ambassadors -say to me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "They will tell your majesty -that they are ardently desirous of forming an alliance with you, -which will be a falsehood: they will tell Spain that the three -powers ought to unite so as to check the prosperity of England, -and that will equally be a falsehood; for at present, the natural -ally of your majesty is England, who has ships while we have -none; England, who can counteract Dutch influence in India; -England, in fact, a monarchical country, to which your majesty is -attached by ties of relationship."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good; but how would you -answer?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should answer, sire, with -the greatest possible moderation of tone, that the disposition of -Holland does not seem friendly towards the Court of France; that -the symptoms of public feeling among the Dutch are alarming as -regards your majesty; that certain medals have been struck with -insulting devices."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Towards me?" exclaimed the -young king, excitedly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no! sire, no; insulting -is not the word; I was mistaken, I ought to have said -immeasurably flattering to the Dutch."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! if that be so, the -pride of the Dutch is a matter of indifference to me," said the -king, sighing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty is right, a -thousand times right. However, it is never a mistake in -politics, your majesty knows better than myself, to exaggerate a -little in order to obtain a concession in your own favor. If -your majesty were to complain as if your susceptibility were -offended, you would stand in a far higher position with -them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What are these medals you -speak of?" inquired Louis; "for if I allude to them, I ought to -know what to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my word, sire, I -cannot very well tell you - some overweeningly conceited device - -that is the sense of it; the words have little to do with the -thing itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good! I will mention -the word 'medal,' and they can understand it if they like."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! they will understand -without any difficulty. Your majesty can also slip in a few -words about certain pamphlets which are being circulated."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Never! Pamphlets befoul -those who write them much more than those against whom they are -written. M. Colbert, I thank you. You can leave now. Do not -forget the hour I have fixed, and be there yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I await your -majesty's list."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True," returned the king; -and he began to meditate; he had not thought of the list in the -least. The clock struck half-past eleven. The king's face -revealed a violent conflict between pride and love. The -political conversation had dispelled a good deal of the -irritation which Louis had felt, and La Vallière's pale, -worn features, in his imagination, spoke a very different -language from that of the Dutch medals, or the Batavian -pamphlets. He sat for ten minutes debating within himself -whether he should or should not return to La Vallière; but -Colbert having with some urgency respectfully requested that the -list might be furnished him, the king was ashamed to be thinking -of mere matters of affection where important state affairs -required his attention. He therefore dictated: the queen-mother, -the queen, Madame, Madame de Motteville, Madame de -Châtillon, Madame de Navailles; and, for the men, M. le -Prince, M. de Gramont, M. de Manicamp, M. de Saint-Aignan, and -the officers on duty.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The ministers?" asked -Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As a matter of course, and -the secretaries also."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I will leave at once -in order to get everything prepared; the orders will be at the -different residences to-morrow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Say rather to-day," replied -Louis mournfully, as the clock struck twelve. It was the very -hour when poor La Vallière was almost dying from anguish -and bitter suffering. The king's attendants entered, it being -the hour of his retirement to his chamber; the queen, indeed, had -been waiting for more than an hour. Louis accordingly retreated -to his bedroom with a sigh; but, as he sighed, he congratulated -himself on his courage, and applauded himself for having been as -firm in love as in affairs of state.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXVIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Ambassadors.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>'Artagnan -had, with very few exceptions, learned almost all of the -particulars of what we have just been relating; for among his -friends he reckoned all the useful, serviceable people in the -royal household, - officious attendants who were proud of being -recognized by the captain of the musketeers, for the captain's -influence was very great; and then, in addition to any ambitious -vies they may have imagined he could promote, they were proud of -being regarded as worth being spoken to by a man as brave as -D'Artagnan. In this manner D'Artagnan learned every morning what -he had not been able either to see or to ascertain the night -before, from the simple fact of his not being ubiquitous; so -that, with the information he had been able by his own means to -pick up during the day, and with what he had gathered from -others, he succeeded in making up a bundle of weapons, which he -was in the prudent habit of using only when occasion required. -In this way, D'Artagnan's two eyes rendered him the same service -as the hundred eyes of Argus. Political secrets, bedside -revelations, hints or scraps of conversation dropped by the -courtiers on the threshold of the royal ante-chamber, in this way -D'Artagnan managed to ascertain, and to store away everything in -the vast and impenetrable mausoleum of his memory, by the side of -those royal secrets so dearly bought and faithfully preserved. -He therefore knew of the king's interview with Colbert, and of -the appointment made for the ambassadors in the morning, and, -consequently, that the question of the medals would be brought up -for debate; and, while he was arranging and constructing the -conversation upon a few chance words which had reached his ears, -he returned to his post in the royal apartments, so as to be -there at the very moment the king awoke. It happened that the -king rose very early, - proving thereby that he, too, on his -side, had slept but indifferently. Towards seven o'clock, he -half-opened his door very gently. D'Artagnan was at his post. -His majesty was pale, and seemed wearied; he had not, moreover, -quite finished dressing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Send for M. de -Saint-Aignan," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan was probably -awaiting a summons, for the messenger, when he reached his -apartment, found him already dressed. Saint-Aignan hastened to -the king in obedience to the summons. A moment afterwards the -king and Saint-Aignan passed by together - the king walking -first. D'Artagnan went to the window which looked out upon the -courtyard; he had no need to put himself to the trouble of -watching in what direction the king went, for he had no -difficulty in guessing beforehand where his majesty was going. -The king, in fact, bent his steps towards the apartments of the -maids of honor, - a circumstance which in no way astonished -D'Artagnan, for he more than suspected, although La -Vallière had not breathed a syllable on the subject, that -the king had some kind of reparation to make. Saint-Aignan -followed him as he had done the previous evening, rather less -uneasy in his mind, though still slightly agitated, for he -fervently trusted that at seven o'clock in the morning there -might be only himself and the king awake amongst the august -guests at the palace. D'Artagnan stood at the window, careless -and perfectly calm in his manner. One could almost have sworn -that he noticed nothing, and was utterly ignorant who were these -two hunters after adventures, passing like shadows across the -courtyard, wrapped up in their cloaks. And yet, all the while -that D'Artagnan appeared not to be looking at them at all, he did -not for one moment lose sight of them, and while he whistled that -old march of the musketeers, which he rarely recalled except -under great emergencies, he conjectured and prophesied how -terrible would be the storm which would be raised on the king's -return. In fact, when the king entered La Vallière's -apartment and found the room empty and the bed untouched, he -began to be alarmed, and called out to Montalais, who immediately -answered the summons; but her astonishment was equal to the -king's. All that she could tell his majesty was, that she had -fancied she had heard La Vallière's weeping during a -portion of the night, but, knowing that his majesty had paid her -a visit, she had not dared to inquire what was the matter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But," inquired the king, -"where do you suppose she is gone?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," replied Montalais, -"Louise is of a very sentimental disposition, and as I have often -seen her rise at daybreak in order to go out into the garden, she -may, perhaps, be there now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> This appeared probable, and -the king immediately ran down the staircase in search of the -fugitive. D'Artagnan saw him grow very pale, and talking in an -excited manner with his companion, as he went towards the -gardens; Saint-Aignan following him, out of breath. D'Artagnan -did not stir from the window, but went on whistling, looking as -if he saw nothing, yet seeing everything. "Come, come," he -murmured, when the king disappeared, "his majesty's passion is -stronger than I thought; he is now doing, I think, what he never -did for Mademoiselle de Mancini." <b><sup>6</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> In a quarter of an hour the -king again appeared: he had looked everywhere, was completely out -of breath, and, as a matter of course, had not discovered -anything. Saint-Aignan, who still followed him, was fanning -himself with his hat, and in a gasping voice, asking for -information about La Vallière from such of the servants as -were about, in fact from every one he met. Among others he came -across Manicamp, who had arrived from Fontainebleau by easy -stages; for whilst others had performed the journey in six hours, -he had taken four and twenty.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have you seen Mademoiselle -de la Vallière?" Saint-Aignan asked him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Whereupon Manicamp, dreamy -and absent as usual, answered, thinking that some one was asking -him about De Guiche, "Thank you, the comte is a little -better."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And he continued on his way -until he reached the ante-chamber where D'Artagnan was, whom he -asked to explain how it was that the king looked, as he thought, -so bewildered; to which D'Artagnan replied that he was quite -mistaken, that the king, on the contrary, was as lively and merry -as he could possibly be.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> In the midst of all this, -eight o'clock struck. It was usual for the king to take his -breakfast at this hour, for the code of etiquette prescribed that -the king should always be hungry at eight o'clock. His breakfast -was laid upon a small table in his bedroom, and he ate very -fast. Saint-Aignan, of whom he would not lose sight, waited on -the king. He then disposed of several military audiences, during -which he dispatched Saint-Aignan to see what he could find out. -Then, still occupied, full of anxiety, still watching -Saint-Aignan's return, who had sent out the servants in every -direction, to make inquires, and who had also gone himself, the -hour of nine struck, and the king forthwith passed into his large -cabinet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> As the clock was striking -nine the ambassadors entered, and as it finished, the two queens -and Madame made their appearance. There were three ambassadors -from Holland, and two from Spain. The king glanced at them, and -then bowed; and, at the same moment, Saint-Aignan entered, - an -entrance which the king regarded as far more important, in a -different sense, however, than that of ambassadors, however -numerous they might be, and from whatever country they came; and -so, setting everything aside, the king made a sign of -interrogation to Saint-Aignan, which the latter answered by a -most decisive negative. The king almost entirely lost his -courage; but as the queens, the members of the nobility who were -present, and the ambassadors, had their eyes fixed upon him, he -overcame his emotion by a violent effort, and invited the latter -to speak. Whereupon one of the Spanish deputies made a long -oration, in which he boasted the advantages which the Spanish -alliance would offer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king interrupted him, -saying, "Monsieur, I trust that whatever is best for France must -be exceedingly advantageous for Spain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> This remark, and -particularly the peremptory tone in which it was pronounced, made -the ambassadors pale, and brought the color into the cheeks of -the two queens, who, being Spanish, felt wounded in their pride -of relationship and nationality by this reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The Dutch ambassador then -began to address himself to the king, and complained of the -injurious suspicions which the king exhibited against the -government of his country.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king interrupted him, -saying, "It is very singular, monsieur, that you should come with -any complaint, when it is I rather who have reason to be -dissatisfied; and yet, you see, I do not complain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Complain, sire, and in what -respect?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king smiled bitterly. -"Will you blame me, monsieur," he said, "if I should happen to -entertain suspicions against a government which authorizes and -protects international impertinence?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I tell you," resumed the -king, exciting himself by a recollection of his own personal -annoyance, rather than from political grounds, "that Holland is a -land of refuge for all who hate me, and especially for all who -malign me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You wish for proofs, -perhaps? Very good; they can be had easily enough. Whence -proceed all those vile and insolent pamphlets which represent me -as a monarch without glory and without authority? your -printing-presses groan under their number. If my secretaries -were here, I would mention the titles of the works as well as the -names of the printers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," replied the -ambassador, "a pamphlet can hardly be regarded as the work of a -whole nation. Is it just, is it reasonable, that a great and -powerful monarch like your majesty should render a whole nation -responsible for the crime of a few madmen, who are, perhaps, only -scribbling in a garret for a few sous to buy bread for their -family?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That may be the case, I -admit. But when the mint itself, at Amsterdam, strikes off -medals which reflect disgrace upon me, is that also the crime of -a few madmen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Medals!" stammered out the -ambassador.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Medals," repeated the king, -looking at Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty," the -ambassador ventured, "should be quite sure - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king still looked at -Colbert; but Colbert appeared not to understand him, and -maintained an unbroken silence, notwithstanding the king's -repeated hints. D'Artagnan then approached the king, and taking -a piece of money out of his pocket, he placed it in the king's -hands, saying, "<i>This</i> is the medal your majesty alludes -to."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king looked at it, and -with a look which, ever since he had become his own master, was -ever piercing as the eagle's, observed an insulting device -representing Holland arresting the progress of the sun, with this -inscription: "<i>In conspectu meo stetit sol</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In my presence the sun -stands still," exclaimed the king, furiously. "Ah! you will -hardly deny it now, I suppose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the sun," said -D'Artagnan, "is this," as he pointed to the panels of the -cabinet, where the sun was brilliantly represented in every -direction, with this motto, "<i>Nec pluribus impar</i>." -<b><sup>7</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis's anger, increased by -the bitterness of his own personal sufferings, hardly required -this additional circumstance to foment it. Every one saw, from -the kindling passion in the king's eyes, that an explosion was -imminent. A look from Colbert kept postponed the bursting of the -storm. The ambassador ventured to frame excuses by saying that -the vanity of nations was a matter of little consequence; that -Holland was proud that, with such limited resources, she had -maintained her rank as a great nation, even against powerful -monarchs, and that if a little smoke had intoxicated his -countrymen, the king would be kindly disposed, and would even -excuse this intoxication. The king seemed as if he would be glad -of some suggestion; he looked at Colbert, who remained -impassible; then at D'Artagnan, who simply shrugged his -shoulders, a movement which was like the opening of the -flood-gates, whereby the king's anger, which he had restrained -for so long a period, now burst forth. As no one knew what -direction his anger might take, all preserved a dead silence. -The second ambassador took advantage of it to begin his excuses -also. While he was speaking, and while the king, who had again -gradually returned to his own personal reflections, was -automatically listening to the voice, full of nervous anxiety, -with the air of an absent man listening to the murmuring of a -cascade, D'Artagnan, on whose left hand Saint-Aignan was -standing, approached the latter, and, in a voice which was loud -enough to reach the king's ears, said: "Have you heard the -news?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What news?" said -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "About La -Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king started, and -advanced his head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What has happened to La -Vallière?" inquired Saint-Aignan, in a tone which can -easily be imagined.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! poor girl! she is going -to take the veil."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The veil!" exclaimed -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The veil!" cried the king, -in the midst of the ambassador's discourse; but then, mindful of -the rules of etiquette, he mastered himself, still listening, -however, with rapt attention.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What order?" inquired -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The Carmelites of -Chaillot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who the deuce told you -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She did herself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have seen her, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, I even went with her -to the Carmelites."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king did not lose a -syllable of this conversation; and again he could hardly control -his feelings.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But what was the cause of -her flight?" inquired Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because the poor girl was -driven away from the court yesterday," replied D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He had no sooner said this, -than the king, with an authoritative gesture, said to the -ambassador, "Enough, monsieur, enough." Then, advancing towards -the captain, he exclaimed:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who says Mademoiselle de la -Vallière is going to take the religious vows?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. d'Artagnan," answered -the favorite.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it true what you say?" -said the king, turning towards the musketeer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As true as truth -itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king clenched his hands, -and turned pale.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have something further -to add, M. d'Artagnan?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know nothing more, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You added that Mademoiselle -de la Vallière had been driven away from the court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is that true, also?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ascertain for yourself, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And from whom?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" sighed D'Artagnan, -like a man who is declining to say anything further.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king almost bounded from -his seat, regardless of ambassadors, ministers, courtiers, -queens, and politics. The queen-mother rose; she had heard -everything, or, if she had not heard everything, she had guessed -it. Madame, almost fainting from anger and fear, endeavored to -rise as the queen-mother had done; but she sank down again upon -her chair, which by an instinctive movement she made roll back a -few paces.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Gentlemen," said the king, -"the audience is over; I will communicate my answer, or rather my -will, to Spain and to Holland;" and with a proud, imperious -gesture, he dismissed the ambassadors.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Take care, my son," said -the queen-mother, indignantly, "you are hardly master of -yourself, I think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! madame," returned the -young lion, with a terrible gesture, "if I am not mater of -myself, I will be, I promise you, of those who do me a deadly -injury; come with me, M. d'Artagnan, come." And he quitted the -room in the midst of general stupefaction and dismay. The king -hastily descended the staircase, and was about to cross the -courtyard.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," said D'Artagnan, -"your majesty mistakes the way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; I am going to the -stables."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is useless, sire, for -I have horses ready for your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king's only answer was a -look, but this look promised more than the ambition of three -D'Artagnans could have dared to hope.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXIX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Chaillot.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>lthough they -had not been summoned, Manicamp and Malicorne had followed the -king and D'Artagnan. They were both exceedingly intelligent men; -except that Malicorne was too precipitate, owing to ambition, -while Manicamp was frequently too tardy, owing to indolence. On -this occasion, however, they arrived at precisely the proper -moment. Five horses were in readiness. Two were seized upon by -the king and D'Artagnan, two others by Manicamp and Malicorne, -while a groom belonging to the stables mounted the fifth. The -cavalcade set off at a gallop. D'Artagnan had been very careful -in his selection of the horses; they were the very animals for -distressed lovers - horses which did not simply run, but flew. -Within ten minutes after their departure, the cavalcade, amidst a -cloud of dust, arrived at Chaillot. The king literally threw -himself off his horse; but notwithstanding the rapidity with -which he accomplished this maneuver, he found D'Artagnan already -holding his stirrup. With a sign of acknowledgement to the -musketeer, he threw the bridle to the groom, and darted into the -vestibule, violently pushed open the door, and entered the -reception-room. Manicamp, Malicorne, and the groom remained -outside, D'Artagnan alone following him. When he entered the -reception-room, the first object which met his gaze was Louise -herself, not simply on her knees, but lying at the foot of a -large stone crucifix. The young girl was stretched upon the damp -flag-stones, scarcely visible in the gloom of the apartment, -which was lighted only by means of a narrow window, protected by -bars and completely shaded by creeping plants. When the king saw -her in this state, he thought she was dead, and uttered a loud -cry, which made D'Artagnan hurry into the room. The king had -already passed one of his arms round her body, and D'Artagnan -assisted him in raising the poor girl, whom the torpor of death -seemed already to have taken possession of. D'Artagnan seized -hold of the alarm-bell and rang with all his might. The -Carmelite sisters immediately hastened at the summons, and -uttered loud exclamations of alarm and indignation at the sight -of the two men holding a woman in their arms. The superior also -hurried to the scene of action, but far more a creature of the -world than any of the female members of the court, -notwithstanding her austerity of manners, she recognized the king -at the first glance, by the respect which those present exhibited -for him, as well as by the imperious and authoritative way in -which he had thrown the whole establishment into confusion. As -soon as she saw the king, she retired to her own apartments, in -order to avoid compromising her dignity. But by one of the nuns -she sent various cordials, Hungary water, etc., etc., and ordered -that all the doors should immediately be closed, a command which -was just in time, for the king's distress was fast becoming of a -most clamorous and despairing character. He had almost decided -to send for his own physician, when La Vallière exhibited -signs of returning animation. The first object which met her -gaze, as she opened her eyes, was the king at her feet; in all -probability she did not recognize him, for she uttered a deep -sigh full of anguish and distress. Louis fixed his eyes -devouringly upon her face; and when, in the course of a few -moments, she recognized Louis, she endeavored to tear herself -from his embrace.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, heavens!" she murmured, -"is not the sacrifice yet made?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no!" exclaimed the -king, "and it shall <i>not</i> be made, I swear."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Notwithstanding her weakness -and utter despair, she rose from the ground, saying, "It must be -made, however; it must be; so do not stay me in my purpose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I leave you to sacrifice -yourself! I! never, never!" exclaimed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," murmured D'Artagnan, -"I may as well go now. As soon as they begin to speak, we may as -well prevent there being any listeners." And he quitted the -room, leaving the lovers alone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," continued La -Vallière, "not another word, I implore you. Do not -destroy the only future I can hope for - my salvation; do not -destroy the glory and brightness of your own future for a mere -caprice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A caprice?" cried the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire! it is now, only, -that I can see clearly into your heart."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You, Louise, what mean -you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "An inexplicable impulse, -foolish and unreasonable in its nature, may ephemerally appear to -offer a sufficient excuse for your conduct; but there are duties -imposed upon you which are incompatible with your regard for a -poor girl such as I am. So, forget me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I forget you!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have already done so, -once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Rather would I die."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You cannot love one whose -peace of mind you hold so lightly, and whom you so cruelly -abandoned, last night, to the bitterness of death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What can you mean? Explain -yourself, Louise."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What did you ask me -yesterday morning? To love you. What did you promise me in -return? Never to let midnight pass without offering me an -opportunity of reconciliation, if, by any chance, your anger -should be roused against me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! forgive me, Louise, -forgive me! I was mad from jealousy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Jealousy is a sentiment -unworthy of a king - a man. You may become jealous again, and -will end by killing me. Be merciful, then, and leave me now to -die."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Another word, mademoiselle, -in that strain, and you will see me expire at your feet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no, sire, I am better -acquainted with my own demerits; and believe me, that to -sacrifice yourself for one whom all despise, would be -needless."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Give me the names of those -you have cause to complain of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have no complaints, sire, -to prefer against any one; no one but myself to accuse. -Farewell, sire; you are compromising yourself in speaking to me -in such a manner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! be careful, Louise, in -what you say; for you are reducing me to the darkness of -despair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, sire, leave me at -least the protection of Heaven, I implore you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no; Heaven itself shall -not tear you from me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Save me, then," cried the -poor girl, "from those determined and pitiless enemies who are -thirsting to annihilate my life and honor too. If you have -courage enough to love me, show at least that you have power -enough to defend me. But no; she whom you say you love, others -insult and mock, and drive shamelessly away." And the -gentle-hearted girl, forced, by her own bitter distress to accuse -others, wrung her hands in an uncontrollable agony of tears.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have been driven away!" -exclaimed the king. "This is the second time I have heard that -said."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have been driven away -with shame and ignominy, sire. You see, then, that I have no -other protector but Heaven, no consolation but prayer, and this -cloister is my only refuge."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My palace, my whole court, -shall be your park of peace. Oh! fear nothing further now, -Louise; those - be they men or women - who yesterday drove you -away, shall to-morrow tremble before you - to-morrow, do I say? -nay, this very day I have already shown my displeasure - have -already threatened. It is in my power, even now, to hurl the -thunderbolt I have hitherto withheld. Louise, Louise, you shall -be bitterly revenged; tears of blood shall repay you for the -tears you have shed. Give me only the names of your -enemies."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Never, never."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How can I show any anger, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, those upon whom your -anger would be prepared to fall, would force you to draw back -your hand upraised to punish."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! you do not know me," -cried the king, exasperated. "Rather than draw back, I would -sacrifice my kingdom, and would abjure my family. Yes, I would -strike until this arm had utterly destroyed all those who had -ventured to make themselves the enemies of the gentlest and best -of creatures." And, as he said these words, Louis struck his -fist violently against the oaken wainscoting with a force which -alarmed La Vallière; for his anger, owing to his unbounded -power, had something imposing and threatening in it, like the -lightning, which may at any time prove deadly. She, who thought -that her own sufferings could not be surpassed, was overwhelmed -by a suffering which revealed itself by menace and by -violence.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," she said, "for the -last time I implore you to leave me; already do I feel -strengthened by the calm seclusion of this asylum; and the -protection of Heaven has reassured me; for all the pretty human -meanness of this world are forgotten beneath the Divine -protection. Once more, then, sire, and for the last time, I -again implore you to leave me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Confess, rather," cried -Louis, "that you have never loved me; admit that my humility and -my repentance are flattering to your pride, but that my distress -affects you not; that the king of this wide realm is no longer -regarded as a lover whose tenderness of devotion is capable of -working out your happiness, but as a despot whose caprice has -crushed your very heart beneath his iron heel. Do not say you -are seeking Heaven, say rather you are fleeing from the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louise's heart was wrung -within her, as she listened to his passionate utterance, which -made the fever of hope course once more through her every -vein.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But did you not hear me say -that I have been driven away, scorned, despised?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will make you the most -respected, and most adored, and the most envied of my whole -court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Prove to me that you have -not ceased to love me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By leaving me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will prove it to you by -never leaving you again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But do you imagine, sire, -that I shall allow that; do you imagine that I will let you come -to an open rupture with every member of your family; do you -imagine that, for my sake, you could abandon mother, wife and -sister?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! you have named them, -then, at last; it is they, then, who have wrought this grievous -injury? By the heaven above us, then, upon them shall my anger -fall."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the reason why the -future terrifies me, why I refuse everything, why I do not wish -you to revenge me. Tears enough have already been shed, -sufficient sorrow and affliction have already been occasioned. -I, at least, will never be the cause of sorrow, or affliction, or -distress to whomsoever it may be, for I have mourned and -suffered, and wept too much myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And do you count <i>my</i> -sufferings, <i>my</i> tears, as nothing?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In Heaven's name, sire, do -not speak to me in that manner. I need all my courage to enable -me to accomplish the sacrifice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Louise, Louise, I implore -you! whatever you desire, whatever you command, whether vengeance -or forgiveness, your slightest wish shall be obeyed, but do not -abandon me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! sire, we must -part."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do not love me, -then!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Heaven knows I do!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is false, Louise; it is -false."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, if I did not love -you, I should let you do what you please; I should let you -revenge me, in return for the insult which has been inflicted on -me; I should accept the brilliant triumph to my pride which you -propose; and yet, you cannot deny that I reject even the sweet -compensation which your affection affords, that affection which -for me is life itself, for I wished to die when I thought that -you loved me no longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes; I now know, I now -perceive it; you are the sweetest, best, and purest of women. -There is no one so worthy as yourself, not alone of my respect -and devotion, but also of the respect and devotion of all who -surround me; and therefore no one shall be loved like yourself; -no one shall ever possess the influence over me that you wield. -You wish me to be calm, to forgive? - be it so, you shall find me -perfectly unmoved. You wish to reign by gentleness and clemency? -- I will be clement and gentle. Dictate for me the conduct you -wish me to adopt, and I will obey blindly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In Heaven's name, no, sire; -what am I, a poor girl, to dictate to so great a monarch as -yourself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are my life, the very -spirit and principle of my being. Is it not the spirit that -rules the body?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You love me, then, -sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On my knees, yes; with my -hands upraised to you, yes; with all the strength and power of my -being, yes; I love you so deeply, that I would lay down my life -for you, gladly, at your merest wish."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, now I know you -love me, I have nothing to wish for in the world. Give me your -hand, sire; and then, farewell! I have enjoyed in this life all -the happiness I was ever meant for."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! no, no! your happiness -is not a happiness of yesterday, it is of to-day, of to-morrow, -ever enduring. The future is yours, everything which is mine is -yours, too. Away with these ideas of separation, away with these -gloomy, despairing thoughts. You will live for me, as I will -live for you, Louise." And he threw himself at her feet, -embracing her knees with the wildest transports of joy and -gratitude.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, sire! all that is -but a wild dream."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, a wild dream?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I cannot return to -the court. Exiled, how can I see you again? Would it not be far -better to bury myself in a cloister for the rest of my life, with -the rich consolation that your affection gives me, with the -pulses of your heart beating for me, and your latest confession -of attachment still ringing in my ears?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exiled, you!" exclaimed -Louis XIV., "and who dares to exile, let me ask, when I -recall?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, something which -is greater than and superior to the kings even - the world and -public opinion. Reflect for a moment; you cannot love a woman -who has been ignominiously driven away - love one whom your -mother has stained with suspicions; one whom your sister has -threatened with disgrace; such a woman, indeed, would be unworthy -of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Unworthy! one who belongs -to me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire, precisely on -that account; from the very moment she belongs to you, the -character of your mistress renders her unworthy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right, Louise; -every shade of delicacy of feeling is yours. Very well, you -shall not be exiled."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! from the tone in which -you speak, you have not heard Madame, that is very clear."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will appeal from her to -my mother."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Again, sire, you have not -seen your mother."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She, too! - my poor Louise! -every one's hand, then, is against you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes, poor Louise, who -was already bending beneath the fury of the storm, when you -arrived and crushed her beneath the weight of your -displeasure."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! forgive me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will not, I know, be -able to make either of them yield; believe me, the evil cannot be -repaired, for I will not allow you to use violence, or to -exercise your authority."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, Louise, to prove -to you how fondly I love you, I will do one thing, I will see -Madame; I will make her revoke her sentence, I will compel her to -do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Compel? Oh! no, no!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True; you are right. I -will bend her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louise shook her head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will entreat her, if it -be necessary," said Louis. "Will you believe in my affection -after that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louise drew herself up. -"Oh, never, never shall you humiliate yourself on my account; -sooner, a thousand times, would I die."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis reflected; his -features assumed a dark expression. "I will love you as much as -you have loved; I will suffer as keenly as you have suffered; -this shall be my expiation in your eyes. Come, mademoiselle, put -aside these paltry considerations; let us show ourselves as great -as our sufferings, as strong as our affection for each other." -And, as he said this, he took her in his arms, and encircled her -waist with both his hands, saying, "My own love! my own dearest -and best beloved, follow me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She made a final effort, in -which she concentrated, no longer all of her firmness of will, -for that had long since been overcome, but all her physical -strength. "No!" she replied, weakly, "no! no! I should die from -shame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No! you shall return like a -queen. No one knows of your having left - except, indeed, -D'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He has betrayed me, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He promised faithfully - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I promised not to say -anything to the king," said D'Artagnan, putting his head through -the half-opened door, "and I kept my word; I was speaking to M. -de Saint-Aignan, and it was not my fault if the king overheard -me; was it, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is quite true," said the -king; "forgive him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière smiled, -and held out her small white hand to the musketeer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan," said -the king, "be good enough to see if you can find a carriage for -Mademoiselle de la Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," said the captain, -"the carriage is waiting at the gate."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are a magic mould of -forethought," exclaimed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have taken a long time -to find it out," muttered D'Artagnan, notwithstanding he was -flattered by the praise bestowed upon him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière was -overcome: after a little further hesitation, she allowed herself -to be led away, half fainting, by her royal lover. But, as she -was on the point of leaving the room, she tore herself from the -king's grasp, and returned to the stone crucifix, which she -kissed, saying, "Oh, Heaven! it was thou who drewest me hither! -thou, who has rejected me; but thy grace is infinite. Whenever I -shall again return, forget that I have ever separated myself from -thee, for, when I return it will be - never to leave thee -again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king could not restrain -his emotion, and D'Artagnan, even, was overcome. Louis led the -young girl away, lifted her into the carriage, and directed -D'Artagnan to seat himself beside her, while he, mounting his -horse, spurred violently towards the Palais Royal, where, -immediately on his arrival, he sent to request an audience of -Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>F</span>rom the -manner in which the king had dismissed the ambassadors, even the -least clear-sighted persons belonging to the court imagined war -would ensue. The ambassadors themselves, but slightly acquainted -with the king's domestic disturbances, had interpreted as -directed against themselves the celebrated sentence: “If I -be not master of myself, I, at least, will be so of those who -insult me.” Happily for the destinies of France and -Holland, Colbert had followed them out of the king's presence for -the purpose of explaining matters to them; but the two queens and -Madame, who were perfectly aware of every particular that had -taken place in their several households, having heard the king's -remark, so full of dark meaning, retired to their own apartments -in no little fear and chagrin. Madame, especially, felt that the -royal anger might fall upon her, and, as she was brave and -exceedingly proud, instead of seeking support and encouragement -from the queen-mother, she had returned to her own apartments, if -not without some uneasiness, at least without any intention of -avoiding an encounter. Anne of Austria, from time to time at -frequent intervals, sent messages to learn if the king had -returned. The silence which the whole palace preserved upon the -matter, and upon Louise's disappearance, was indicative of a long -train of misfortunes to all those who knew the haughty and -irritable humor of the king. But Madame, unmoved in spite of all -the flying rumors, shut herself up in her apartments, sent for -Montalais, and, with a voice as calm as she could possibly -command, desired her to relate all she knew about the event -itself. At the moment that the eloquent Montalais was -concluding, with all kinds of oratorical precautions, and was -recommending, if not in actual language, at least in spirit, that -she should show forbearance towards La Vallière, M. -Malicorne made his appearance to beg an audience of Madame, on -behalf of the king. Montalais's worthy friend bore upon his -countenance all the signs of the very liveliest emotion. It was -impossible to be mistaken; the interview which the king requested -would be one of the most interesting chapters in the history of -the hearts of kings and of men. Madame was disturbed by her -brother-in-law's arrival; she did not expect it so soon, nor had -she, indeed, expected any direct step on Louis's part. Besides, -all women who wage war successfully by indirect means, are -invariably neither very skillful nor very strong when it becomes -a question of accepting a pitched battle. Madame, however, was -not one who ever drew back; she had the very opposite defect or -qualification, in whichever light it may be considered; she took -an exaggerated view of what constituted real courage; and -therefore the king's message, of which Malicorne had been the -bearer, was regarded by her as the bugle-note proclaiming the -commencement of hostilities. She, therefore, boldly accepted the -gage of battle. Five minutes afterwards the king ascended the -staircase. His color was heightened from having ridden hard. -His dusty and disordered clothes formed a singular contrast with -the fresh and perfectly arranged toilette of Madame, who, -notwithstanding the rouge on her cheeks, turned pale as Louis -entered the room. Louis lost no time in approaching the object -of his visit; he sat down, and Montalais disappeared.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear sister," said the -king, "you are aware that Mademoiselle de la Vallière fled -from her own room this morning, and that she has retired to a -cloister, overwhelmed by grief and despair." As he pronounced -these words, the king's voice was singularly moved.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty is the first -to inform me of it," replied Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should have thought that -you might have learned it this morning, during the reception of -the ambassadors," said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "From your emotion, sire, I -imagined that something extraordinary had happened, but without -knowing what."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king, with his usual -frankness, went straight to the point. "Why did you send -Mademoiselle de la Vallière away?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I had reason to be -dissatisfied with her conduct," she replied, dryly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king became crimson, and -his eyes kindled with a fire which it required all Madame's -courage to support. He mastered his anger, however, and -continued: "A stronger reason than that is surely requisite, for -one so good and kind as you are, to turn away and dishonor, not -only the young girl herself, but every member of her family as -well. You know that the whole city has its eyes fixed upon the -conduct of the female portion of the court. To dismiss a maid of -honor is to attribute a crime to her - at the very least a -fault. What crime, what fault has Mademoiselle de la -Vallière been guilty of?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Since you constitute -yourself the protector of Mademoiselle de la Vallière," -replied Madame, coldly, "I will give you those explanations which -I should have a perfect right to withhold from every one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Even from the king!" -exclaimed Louis, as, with a sudden gesture, he covered his head -with his hat.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have called me your -sister," said Madame, "and I am in my own apartments."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It matters not," said the -youthful monarch, ashamed at having been hurried away by his -anger; "neither you, nor any one else in this kingdom, can assert -a right to withhold an explanation in my presence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Since that is the way you -regard it," said Madame, in a hoarse, angry tone of voice, "all -that remains for me to do is bow submission to your majesty, and -to be silent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not so. Let there be no -equivocation between us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The protection with which -you surround Mademoiselle de la Vallière does not impose -any respect."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No equivocation, I repeat; -you are perfectly aware that, as the head of the nobility in -France, I am accountable to all for the honor of every family. -You dismiss Mademoiselle de la Vallière, or whoever else -it may be - " Madame shrugged her shoulders. "Or whoever else -it may be, I repeat," continued the king; "and as, acting in that -manner, you cast a dishonorable reflection upon that person, I -ask you for an explanation, in order that I may confirm or annul -the sentence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Annul my sentence!" -exclaimed Madame, haughtily. "What! when I have discharged one -of my attendants, do you order me to take her back again?" The -king remained silent.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This would be a sheer abuse -of power, sire; it would be indecorous and unseemly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As a woman, I should revolt -against an abuse so insulting to me; I should no longer be able -to regard myself as a princess of your blood, a daughter of a -monarch; I should be the meanest of creatures, more humbled and -disgraced than the servant I had sent away."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king rose from his seat -with anger. "It cannot be a heart," he cried, "you have beating -in your bosom; if you act in such a way with me, I may have -reason to act with corresponding severity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It sometimes happens that in -a battle a chance ball may reach its mark. The observation which -the king had made without any particular intention, struck Madame -home, and staggered her for a moment; some day or other she might -indeed have reason to dread reprisals. "At all events, sire," -she said, "explain what you require."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I ask, madame, what has -Mademoiselle de la Vallière done to warrant your conduct -toward her?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She is the most cunning -fomenter of intrigues I know; she was the occasion of two -personal friends engaging in mortal combat; and has made people -talk of her in such shameless terms that the whole court is -indignant at the mere sound of her name."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She! she!" cried the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Under her soft and -hypocritical manner," continued Madame, "she hides a disposition -full of foul and dark conceit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You may possibly be -deceived, sire, but I know her right well; she is capable of -creating dispute and misunderstanding between the most -affectionate relatives and the most intimate friends. You see -that she has already sown discord betwixt us two."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do assure you - " said -the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, look well into the -case as it stands; we were living on the most friendly -understanding, and by the artfulness of her tales and complaints, -she has set your majesty against me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I swear to you," said the -king, "that on no occasion has a bitter word ever passed her -lips; I swear that, even in my wildest bursts of passion, she -would not allow me to menace any one; and I swear, too, that you -do not possess a more devoted and respectful friend than she -is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Friend!" said Madame, with -an expression of supreme disdain.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Take care, Madame!" said -the king; "you forget that you now understand me, and that from -this moment everything is equalized. Mademoiselle de la -Vallière will be whatever I may choose her to become; and -to-morrow, if I were determined to do so, I could seat her on a -throne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She was not born to a -throne, at least, and whatever you may do can affect the future -alone, but cannot affect the past."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame, towards you I have -shown every kind consideration, and every eager desire to please -you; do not remind me that I am master."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is the second time, -sire, that you have made that remark, and I have already informed -you I am ready to submit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, then, you -will confer upon me the favor of receiving Mademoiselle de la -Vallière back again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For what purpose, sire, -since you have a throne to bestow upon her? I am too -insignificant to protect so exalted a personage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, a truce to this bitter -and disdainful spirit. Grant me her forgiveness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Never!</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You drive me, then, to open -warfare in my own family."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I, too, have a family with -whom I can find refuge."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you mean that as a -threat, and could you forget yourself so far? Do you believe -that, if you push the affront to that extent, your family would -encourage you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I hope, sire, that you will -not force me to take any step which would be unworthy of my -rank."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I hoped that you would -remember our recent friendship, and that you would treat me as a -brother."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame paused for a moment. -"I do not disown you for a brother," she said, "in refusing you -majesty an injustice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "An injustice!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire! if I informed -others of La Vallière's conduct; if the queen knew - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come, come, Henrietta, let -your heart speak; remember that, for however brief a time, you -once loved me; remember, too, that human hearts should be as -merciful as the heart of a sovereign Master. Do not be -inflexible with others; forgive La Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot; she has offended -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But for my sake."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, it is for your sake I -would do anything in the world, except that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will drive me to -despair - you compel me to turn to the last resource of weak -people, and seek counsel of my angry and wrathful -disposition."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I advise you to be -reasonable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Reasonable! - I can be so -no longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, sire! I pray you - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For pity's sake, Henrietta; -it is the first time I entreated any one, and I have no hope in -any one but in you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire! you are -weeping."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "From rage, from -humiliation. That I, the king, should have been obliged to -descend to entreaty. I shall hate this moment during my whole -life. You have made me suffer in one moment more distress and -more degradation than I could have anticipated in the greatest -extremity in life." And the king rose and gave free vent to his -tears, which, in fact, were tears of anger and shame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame was not touched -exactly - for the best women, when their pride is hurt, are -without pity; but she was afraid that the tears the king was -shedding might possibly carry away every soft and tender feeling -in his heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Give what commands you -please, sire," she said; "and since you prefer my humiliation to -your own - although mine is public and yours has been witnessed -but by myself alone - speak, I will obey your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no, Henrietta!" -exclaimed Louis, transported with gratitude, "you will have -yielded to a brother's wishes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I no longer have any -brother, since I obey."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All that I have would be -too little in return."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How passionately you love, -sire, when you do love!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis did not answer. He -had seized upon Madame's hand and covered it with kisses. "And -so you will receive this poor girl back again, and will forgive -her; you will find how gentle and pure-hearted she is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will maintain her in my -household."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, you will give her your -friendship, my sister."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I never liked her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, for my sake, you will -treat her kindly, will you not, Henrietta?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will treat her as your - -<i>mistress</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king rose suddenly to -his feet. By this word, which had so infelicitously escaped her, -Madame had destroyed the whole merit of her sacrifice. The king -felt freed from all obligations. Exasperated beyond measure, and -bitterly offended, he replied:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I thank you, Madame; I -shall never forget the service you have rendered me." And, -saluting her with an affectation of ceremony, he took his leave -of her. As he passed before a glass, he saw that his eyes were -red, and angrily stamped his foot on the ground. But it was too -late, for Malicorne and D'Artagnan, who were standing at the -door, had seen his eyes.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king has been crying," -thought Malicorne. D'Artagnan approached the king with a -respectful air, and said in a low tone of voice:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, it would be better to -return to your own apartments by the small staircase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because the dust of the -road has left its traces on your face," said D'Artagnan. "By -heavens!" he thought, "when the king has given way like a child, -let those look to it who may make the lady weep for whom the king -sheds tears."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Mademoiselle de la Vallière's Pocket-Handkerchief.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>adame was not -bad-hearted - she was only hasty and impetuous. The king was not -imprudent - he was simply in love. Hardly had they entered into -this compact, which terminated in La Vallière's recall, -when they both sought to make as much as they could by their -bargain. The king wished to see La Vallière every moment -of the day, while Madame, who was sensible of the king's -annoyance ever since he had so entreated her, would not -relinquish her revenge on La Vallière without a contest. -She planted every conceivable difficulty in the king's path; he -was, in fact, obliged, in order to get a glimpse of La -Vallière, to be exceedingly devoted in his attentions to -his sister-in-law, and this, indeed, was Madame's plan of -policy. As she had chosen some one to second her efforts, and as -this person was our old friend Montalais, the king found himself -completely hemmed in every time he paid Madame a visit; he was -surrounded, and was never left a moment alone. Madame displayed -in her conversation a charm of manner and brilliancy of wit which -dazzled everybody. Montalais followed her, and soon rendered -herself perfectly insupportable to the king, which was, in fact, -the very thing she expected would happen. She then set Malicorne -at the king, who found means of informing his majesty that there -was a young person belonging to the court who was exceedingly -miserable; and on the king inquiring who this person was, -Malicorne replied that it was Mademoiselle de Montalais. To this -the king answered that it was perfectly just that a person should -be unhappy when she rendered others so. Whereupon Malicorne -explained how matters stood; for he had received his directions -from Montalais. The king began to open his eyes; he remarked -that, as soon as he made his appearance, Madame made hers too; -that she remained in the corridors until after he had left; that -she accompanied him back to his own apartments, fearing that he -might speak in the ante-chambers to one of her maids of honor. -One evening she went further still. The king was seated, -surrounded by the ladies who were present, and holding in his -hand, concealed by his lace ruffle, a small note which he wished -to slip into La Vallière's hand. Madame guessed both his -intention and the letter too. It was difficult to prevent the -king going wherever he pleased, and yet it was necessary to -prevent his going near La Vallière, or speaking to her, as -by so doing he could let the note fall into her lap behind her -fan, or into her pocket-handkerchief. The king, who was also on -the watch, suspected that a snare was being laid for him. He -rose and pushed his chair, without affectation, near Mademoiselle -de Châtillon, with whom he began to talk in a light tone. -They were amusing themselves making rhymes; from Mademoiselle de -Châtillon he went to Montalais, and then to Mademoiselle de -Tonnay-Charente. And thus, by this skillful maneuver, he found -himself seated opposite to La Vallière, whom he completely -concealed. Madame pretended to be greatly occupied, altering a -group of flowers that she was working in tapestry. The king -showed the corner of his letter to La Vallière, and the -latter held out her handkerchief with a look that signified, "Put -the letter inside." Then, as the king had placed his own -handkerchief upon his chair, he was adroit enough to let it fall -on the ground, so that La Vallière slipped her -handkerchief on the chair. The king took it up quietly, without -any one observing what he did, placed the letter within it, and -returned the handkerchief to the place he had taken it from. -There was only just time for La Vallière to stretch out -her hand to take hold of the handkerchief with its valuable -contents.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> But Madame, who had observed -everything that had passed, said to Mademoiselle de -Châtillon, "Châtillon, be good enough to pick up the -king's handkerchief, if you please; it has fallen on the -carpet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young girl obeyed with -the utmost precipitation, the king having moved from his seat, -and La Vallière being in no little degree nervous and -confused.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! I beg your majesty's -pardon," said Mademoiselle de Châtillon; "you have two -handkerchiefs, I perceive."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And the king was accordingly -obliged to put into his pocket La Vallière's handkerchief -as well as his own. He certainly gained that souvenir of Louise, -who lost, however, a copy of verses which had cost the king ten -hours' hard labor, and which, as far as he was concerned, was -perhaps as good as a long poem. It would be impossible to -describe the king's anger and La Vallière's despair; but -shortly afterwards a circumstance occurred which was more than -remarkable. When the king left, in order to retire to his own -apartments, Malicorne, informed of what had passed, one can -hardly tell how, was waiting in the ante-chamber. The -ante-chambers of the Palais Royal are naturally very dark, and, -in the evening, they were but indifferently lighted. Nothing -pleased the king more than this dim light. As a general rule, -love, whose mind and heart are constantly in a blaze, contemns -all light, except the sunshine of the soul. And so the -ante-chamber was dark; a page carried a torch before the king, -who walked on slowly, greatly annoyed at what had recently -occurred. Malicorne passed close to the king, almost stumbled -against him in fact, and begged his forgiveness with the -profoundest humility; but the king, who was in an exceedingly -ill-temper, was very sharp in his reproof to Malicorne, who -disappeared as soon and as quietly as he possibly could. Louis -retired to rest, having had a misunderstanding with the queen; -and the next day, as soon as he entered the cabinet, he wished to -have La Vallière's handkerchief in order to press his lips -to it. He called his valet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Fetch me," he said, "the -coat I wore yesterday evening, but be very sure you do not touch -anything it may contain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The order being obeyed, the -king himself searched the pocket of the coat; he found only one -handkerchief, and that his own; La Vallière's had -disappeared. Whilst busied with all kinds of conjectures and -suspicions, a letter was brought to him from La Vallière; -it ran thus:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How good and kind of you to -have sent me those beautiful verses; how full of ingenuity and -perseverance your affection is; how is it possible to help loving -you so dearly!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What does this mean?" -thought the king; "there must be some mistake. Look well about," -said he to the valet, "for a pocket-handkerchief must be in one -of my pockets; and if you do not find it, or if you have touched -it - " He reflected for a moment. To make a state matter of the -loss of the handkerchief would be to act absurdly, and he -therefore added, "There was a letter of some importance inside -the handkerchief, which had somehow got among the folds of -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," said the valet, -"your majesty had only one handkerchief, and that is it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True, true," replied the -king, setting his teeth hard together. "Oh, poverty, how I envy -you! Happy is the man who can empty his own pockets of letters -and handkerchiefs!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He read La Vallière's -letter over again, endeavoring to imagine in what conceivable way -his verses could have reached their destination. There was a -postscript to the letter:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I send you back by your -messenger this reply, so unworthy of what you sent me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So far so good; I shall -find out something now," he said delightedly. "Who is waiting, -and who brought me this letter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. Malicorne," replied the -<i>valet de chambre</i>, timidly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Desire him to come in."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Malicorne entered.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You come from Mademoiselle -de la Vallière?" said the king, with a sigh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you took Mademoiselle -de la Vallière something from me?"<br> - "I, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, you."<br> - "Oh, no, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Mademoiselle de la -Vallière says so, distinctly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire, Mademoiselle de -la Vallière is mistaken."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king frowned. "What -jest is this?" he said; "explain yourself. Why does Mademoiselle -de la Vallière call you my messenger? What did you take -to that lady? Speak, monsieur, and quickly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I merely took -Mademoiselle de la Vallière a pocket-handkerchief, that -was all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A handkerchief, - what -handkerchief?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, at the very moment -when I had the misfortune to stumble against your majesty -yesterday - a misfortune which I shall deplore to the last day of -my life, especially after the dissatisfaction which you exhibited -- I remained, sire, motionless with despair, your majesty being -at too great a distance to hear my excuses, when I saw something -white lying on the ground."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I stooped down, - it was a -pocket-handkerchief. For a moment I had an idea that when I -stumbled against your majesty I must have been the cause of the -handkerchief falling from your pocket; but as I felt it all over -very respectfully, I perceived a cipher at one of the corners, -and, on looking at it closely, I found that it was Mademoiselle -de la Vallière's cipher. I presumed that on her way to -Madame's apartment in the earlier part of the evening she had let -her handkerchief fall, and I accordingly hastened to restore it -to her as she was leaving; and that is all I gave to Mademoiselle -de la Vallière, I entreat your majesty to believe." -Malicorne's manner was so simple, so full of contrition, and -marked with such extreme humility, that the king was greatly -amused in listening to him. He was as pleased with him for what -he had done as if he had rendered him the greatest service.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This is the second -fortunate meeting I have had with you, monsieur," he said; "you -may count upon my good intentions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The plain and sober truth -was, that Malicorne had picked the king's pocket of the -handkerchief as dexterously as any of the pickpockets of the good -city of Paris could have done. Madame never knew of this little -incident, but Montalais gave La Vallière some idea of the -manner in which it had really happened, and La Vallière -afterwards told the king, who laughed exceedingly at it and -pronounced Malicorne to be a first rate politician. Louis XIV. -was right, and it is well known that he was tolerably well -acquainted with human nature.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Which Treats of Gardeners, of Ladders, and Maids of Honor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'><span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>iracles, -unfortunately, could not be always happening, whilst Madame's -ill-humor still continued. In a week's time, matters had reached -such a point, that the king could no longer look at La -Vallière without a look full of suspicion crossing his -own. Whenever a promenade was proposed, Madame, in order to -avoid the recurrence of similar scenes to that of the -thunder-storm, or the royal oak, had a variety of indispositions -ready prepared; and, thanks to them, she was unable to go out, -and her maids of honor were obliged to remain indoors also. -There was not the slightest chance of means of paying a nocturnal -visit; for in this respect the king had, on the very first -occasion, experienced a severe check, which happened in the -following manner. As at Fontainebleau, he had taken Saint-Aignan -with him one evening when he wished to pay La Vallière a -visit; but he had found no one but Mademoiselle de -Tonnay-Charente, who had begun to call out "Fire!" and "Thieves!" -in such a manner that a perfect legion of chamber-maids, -attendants, and pages, ran to her assistance; so that -Saint-Aignan, who had remained behind in order to save the honor -of his royal master, who had fled precipitately, was obliged to -submit to a severe scolding from the queen-mother, as well as -from Madame herself. In addition, he had, the next morning, -received two challenges from the De Mortemart family, and the -king had been obliged to interfere. This mistake had been owing -to the circumstance of Madame having suddenly ordered a change in -the apartments of her maids of honor, and directed La -Vallière and Montalais to sleep in her own cabinet. No -gateway, therefore, was any longer open - not even communication -by letter; to write under the eyes of so ferocious an Argus as -Madame, whose temper and disposition were so uncertain, was to -run the risk of exposure to the greatest danger; and it can well -be conceived into what a state of continuous irritation, and ever -increasing anger, all these petty annoyances threw the young -lion. The king almost tormented himself to death endeavoring to -discover a means of communication; and, as he did not think -proper to call in the aid of Malicorne or D'Artagnan, the means -were not discovered at all. Malicorne had, indeed, occasional -brilliant flashes of imagination, with which he tried to inspire -the king with confidence; but, whether from shame or suspicion, -the king, who had at first begun to nibble at the bait, soon -abandoned the hook. In this way, for instance, one evening, -while the king was crossing the garden, and looking up at -Madame's windows, Malicorne stumbled over a ladder lying beside a -border of box, and said to Manicamp, then walking with him behind -the king, "Did you not see that I just now stumbled against a -ladder, and was nearly thrown down?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No," said Manicamp, as -usual very absent-minded, "but it appears you did not fall."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That doesn't matter; but it -is not on that account the less dangerous to leave ladders lying -about in that manner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True, one might hurt one's -self, especially when troubled with fits of absence of mind."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I don't mean that; what I -did mean, was that it is dangerous to allow ladders to lie about -so near the windows of the maids of honor." Louis started -imperceptibly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?" inquired -Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Speak louder," whispered -Malicorne, as he touched him with his arm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?" said Manicamp, -louder. The king listened.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because, for instance," -said Malicorne, "a ladder nineteen feet high is just the height -of the cornice of those windows." Manicamp, instead of -answering, was dreaming of something else.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ask me, can't you, what -windows I mean," whispered Malicorne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But what windows are you -referring to?" said Manicamp, aloud.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The windows of Madame's -apartments."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Eh!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I don't say that any -one would ever venture to go up a ladder into Madame's room; but -in Madame's cabinet, merely separated by a partition, sleep two -exceedingly pretty girls, Mesdemoiselles de la Vallière -and de Montalais."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By a partition?" said -Manicamp.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Look; you see how -brilliantly lighted Madame's apartments are - well, do you see -those two windows?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that window close to -the others, but more dimly lighted?"<br> - "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, that is the room of -the maids of honor. Look, there is Mademoiselle de la -Vallière opening the window. Ah! how many soft things -could an enterprising lover say to her, if he only suspected that -there was lying here a ladder nineteen feet long, which would -just reach the cornice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But she is not alone; you -said Mademoiselle de Montalais is with her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Mademoiselle de Montalais -counts for nothing; she is her oldest friend, and exceedingly -devoted to her - a positive well, into which can be thrown all -sorts of secrets one might wish to get rid of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king did not lose a -single syllable of this conversation. Malicorne even remarked -that his majesty slackened his pace, in order to give him time to -finish. So, when they arrived at the door, Louis dismissed every -one, with the exception of Malicorne - a circumstance which -excited no surprise, for it was known that the king was in love; -and they suspected he was going to compose some verses by -moonlight; and, although there was no moon that evening, the king -might, nevertheless, have some verses to compose. Every one, -therefore, took his leave; and, immediately afterwards, the king -turned towards Malicorne, who respectfully waited until his -majesty should address him. "What were you saying, just now, -about a ladder, Monsieur Malicorne?" he asked.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did I say anything about -ladders, sire?" said Malicorne, looking up, as if in search of -words which had flown away.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, of a ladder nineteen -feet long."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, yes, sire, I remember; -but I spoke to M. Manicamp, and I should not have said a word had -I known your majesty was near enough to hear us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And why would you not have -said a word?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I should not have -liked to get the gardener into a scrape who left it there - poor -fellow!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Don't make yourself uneasy -on that account. What is this ladder like?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If your majesty wishes to -see it, nothing is easier, for there it is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that box hedge?"<br> - "Exactly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Show it to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Malicorne turned back, and -led the king up to the ladder, saying, "This is it, sire."<br> - "Pull it this way a little."<br> - When Malicorne had brought the ladder on to the -gravel walk, the king began to step its whole length. "Hum!" he -said; "you say it is nineteen feet long?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nineteen feet - that is -rather long; I hardly believe it can be so long as that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You cannot judge very -correctly with the ladder in that position, sire. If it were -upright, against a tree or a wall, for instance, you would be -better able to judge, because the comparison would assist you a -good deal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! it does not matter, M. -Malicorne; but I can hardly believe that the ladder is nineteen -feet high."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know how accurate your -majesty's glance is, and yet I would wager."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king shook his head. -"There is one unanswerable means of verifying it," said -Malicorne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Every one knows, sire, that -the ground-floor of the palace is eighteen feet high."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True, that is very well -known."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, sire, if I place the -ladder against the wall, we shall be able to ascertain."<br> - "True."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Malicorne took up the -ladder, like a feather, and placed it upright against the wall. -And, in order to try the experiment, he chose, or chance, -perhaps, directed him to choose, the very window of the cabinet -where La Vallière was. The ladder just reached the edge -of the cornice, that is to say, the sill of the window; so that, -by standing upon the last round but one of the ladder, a man of -about the middle height, as the king was, for instance, could -easily talk with those who might be in the room. Hardly had the -ladder been properly placed, when the king, dropping the assumed -part he had been playing in the comedy, began to ascend the -rounds of the ladder, which Malicorne held at the bottom. But -hardly had he completed half the distance when a patrol of Swiss -guards appeared in the garden, and advanced straight towards -them. The king descended with the utmost precipitation, and -concealed himself among the trees. Malicorne at once perceived -that he must offer himself as a sacrifice; for if he, too, were -to conceal himself, the guard would search everywhere until they -had found either himself or the king, perhaps both. It would be -far better, therefore, that he alone should be discovered. And, -consequently, Malicorne hid himself so clumsily that he was the -only one arrested. As soon as he was arrested, Malicorne was -taken to the guard-house, and there he declared who he was, and -was immediately recognized. In the meantime, by concealing -himself first behind one clump of trees and then behind another, -the king reached the side door of his apartment, very much -humiliated, and still more disappointed. More than that, the -noise made in arresting Malicorne had drawn La Vallière -and Montalais to their window; and even Madame herself had -appeared at her own, with a pair of wax candles, one in each -hand, clamorously asking what was the matter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> In the meantime, Malicorne -sent for D'Artagnan, who did not lose a moment in hurrying to -him. But it was in vain he attempted to make him understand his -reasons, and in vain also that D'Artagnan did understand them; -and, further, it was equally in vain that both their sharp and -intuitive minds endeavored to give another turn to the adventure; -there was no other resource left for Malicorne but to let it be -supposed that he had wished to enter Mademoiselle de Montalais's -apartment, as Saint-Aignan had passed for having wished to force -Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente's door. Madame was inflexible; -in the first place, because, if Malicorne had, in fact, wished to -enter her apartment at night through the window, and by means of -the ladder, in order to see Montalais, it was a punishable -offense on Malicorne's part, and he must be punished accordingly; -and, in the second place, if Malicorne, instead of acting in his -own name, had acted as an intermediary between La Vallière -and a person whose name it was superfluous to mention, his crime -was in that case even greater, since love, which is an excuse for -everything, did not exist in the case as an excuse. Madame -therefore made the greatest possible disturbance about the -matter, and obtained his dismissal from Monsieur's household, -without reflecting, poor blind creature, that both Malicorne and -Montalais held her fast in their clutches in consequence of her -visit to De Guiche, and in a variety of other ways equally -delicate. Montalais, who was perfectly furious, wished to -revenge herself immediately, but Malicorne pointed out to her -that the king's countenance would repay them for all the -disgraces in the world, and that it was a great thing to have to -suffer on his majesty's account.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Malicorne was perfectly -right, and, therefore, although Montalais had the spirit of ten -women in her, he succeeded in bringing her round to his own -opinion. And we must not omit to state that the king helped them -to console themselves, for, in the first place, he presented -Malicorne with fifty thousand francs as a compensation for the -post he had lost, and, in the next place, he gave him an -appointment in his own household, delighted to have an -opportunity of revenging himself in such a manner upon Madame for -all she had made him and La Vallière suffer. But as -Malicorne could no longer carry significant handkerchiefs for him -or plant convenient ladders, the royal lover was in a terrible -state. There seemed to be no hope, therefore, of ever getting -near La Vallière again, so long as she should remain at -the Palais Royal. All the dignities and all the money in the -world could not remedy that. Fortunately, however, Malicorne was -on the lookout, and this so successfully that he met Montalais, -who, to do her justice, it must be admitted, was doing her best -to meet Malicorne. "What do you do during the night in Madame's -apartment?" he asked the young girl.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, I go to sleep, of -course," she replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But it is very wrong to -sleep; it can hardly be possible that, with the pain you are -suffering, you can manage to do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what am I suffering -from, may I ask?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you not in despair at -my absence?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course not, since you -have received fifty thousand francs and an appointment in the -king's household."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is a matter of no -moment; you are exceedingly afflicted at not seeing me as you -used to see me formerly, and more than all, you are in despair at -my having lost Madame's confidence; come now, is not that -true?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; your distress of -mind prevents you sleeping at night, and so you sob, and sigh, -and blow your nose ten times every minute as loud as -possible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, my dear Malicorne, -Madame cannot endure the slightest noise near her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know that perfectly well; -of course she can't endure anything; and so, I tell you, when she -hears your deep distress, she will turn you out of her rooms -without a moment's delay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I understand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very fortunate you -<i>do</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and what will happen -next?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The next thing that will -happen will be, that La Vallière, finding herself alone -without you, will groan and utter such loud lamentations, that -she will exhibit despair enough for two."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case she will be -put into <i>another</i> room, don't you see?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, but which?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, that will puzzle you -to say, Mr. Inventor-General."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not at all; whenever and -whatever the room may be, it will always be preferable to -Madame's own room."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, so begin your -lamentations to-night."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I certainly will not fail -to do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And give La Vallière -a hint also."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! don't fear her, she -cries quite enough already to herself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well! all she has to -do is cry out loudly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And they separated.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Which Treats of Carpentry Operations, and Furnishes Details upon -the Mode of Constructing Staircases.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he advice -which had been given to Montalais was communicated by her to La -Vallière, who could not but acknowledge that it was by no -means deficient in judgment, and who, after a certain amount of -resistance, rising rather from timidity than indifference to the -project, resolved to put it into execution. This story of the -two girls weeping, and filling Madame's bedroom with the noisiest -lamentations, was Malicorne's <i>chef-d'œuvre</i>. As -nothing is so probable as improbability, so natural as romance, -this kind of Arabian Nights story succeeded perfectly with -Madame. The first thing she did was to send Montalais away, and -then, three days, or rather three nights afterwards, she had La -Vallière removed. She gave the latter one of the small -rooms on the top story, situated immediately over the apartments -allotted to the gentlemen of Monsieur's suite. One story only, -that is to say, a mere flooring separated the maids of honor from -the officers and gentlemen of her husband's household. A private -staircase, which was placed under Madame de Navailles's -surveillance, was the only means of communication. For greater -safety, Madame de Navailles, who had heard of his majesty's -previous attempts, had the windows of the rooms and the openings -of the chimneys carefully barred. There was, therefore, every -possible security provided for Mademoiselle de la -Vallière, whose room now bore more resemblance to a cage -than to anything else. When Mademoiselle de la Vallière -was in her own room, and she was there very frequently, for -Madame scarcely ever had any occasion for her services, since she -once knew she was safe under Madame de Navailles's inspection, -Mademoiselle de la Vallière had no better means of amusing -herself than looking through the bars of her windows. It -happened, therefore, that one morning, as she was looking out as -usual, she perceived Malicorne at one of the windows exactly -opposite to her own. He held a carpenter's rule in his hand, was -surveying the buildings, and seemed to be adding up some figures -on paper. La Vallière recognized Malicorne and nodded to -him; Malicorne, in his turn, replied by a formal bow, and -disappeared from the window. She was surprised at this marked -coolness, so different from his usual unfailing good-humor, but -she remembered that he had lost his appointment on her account, -and that he could hardly be very amiably disposed towards her, -since, in all probability, she would never be in a position to -make him any recompense for what he had lost. She knew how to -forgive offenses, and with still more readiness could she -sympathize with misfortune. La Vallière would have asked -Montalais her opinion, if she had been within hearing, but she -was absent, it being the hour she commonly devoted to her own -correspondence. Suddenly La Vallière observed something -thrown from the window where Malicorne had been standing, pass -across the open space which separated the iron bars, and roll -upon the floor. She advanced with no little curiosity towards -this object, and picked it up; it was a wooden reel for silk, -only, in this instance, instead of silk, a piece of paper was -rolled round it. La Vallière unrolled it and read as -follows:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "MADEMOISELLE, - I am -exceedingly anxious to learn two things: the first is, to know if -the flooring of your apartment is wood or brick; the second, to -ascertain at what distance your bed is placed from the window. -Forgive my importunity, and will you be good enough to send me an -answer by the same way you receive this letter - that is to say, -by means of the silk winder; only, instead of throwing into my -room, as I have thrown it into yours, which will be too difficult -for you to attempt, have the goodness merely to let it fall. -Believe me, mademoiselle, your most humble, most respectful -servant,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'> -"MALICORNE.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Write the reply, if you -please, upon the letter itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! poor fellow," exclaimed -La Vallière, "he must have gone out of his mind;" and she -directed towards her correspondent - of whom she caught but a -faint glimpse, in consequence of the darkness of the room - a -look full of compassionate consideration. Malicorne understood -her, and shook his head, as if he meant to say, "No, no, I am not -out of my mind; be quite satisfied."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She smiled, as if still in -doubt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no," he signified by a -gesture, "my head is right," and pointed to his head, then, after -moving his hand like a man who writes very rapidly, he put his -hands together as if entreating her to write.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière, even if -he were mad, saw no impropriety in doing what Malicorne requested -her; she took a pencil and wrote "Wood," and then walked slowly -from her window to her bed, and wrote, "Six paces," and having -done this, she looked out again at Malicorne, who bowed to her, -signifying that he was about to descend. La Vallière -understood that it was to pick up the silk winder. She -approached the window, and, in accordance with Malicorne's -instructions, let it fall. The winder was still rolling along -the flag-stones as Malicorne started after it, overtook and -picked it up, and beginning to peel it as a monkey would do with -a nut, he ran straight towards M. de Saint-Aignan's apartment. -Saint-Aignan had chosen, or rather solicited, that his rooms -might be as near the king as possible, as certain plants seek the -sun's rays in order to develop themselves more luxuriantly. His -apartment consisted of two rooms, in that portion of the palace -occupied by Louis XIV. himself. M. de Saint-Aignan was very -proud of this proximity, which afforded easy access to his -majesty, and, more than that, the favor of occasional unexpected -meetings. At the moment we are now referring to, he was engaged -in having both his rooms magnificently carpeted, with expectation -of receiving the honor of frequent visits from the king; for his -majesty, since his passion for La Vallière, had chosen -Saint-Aignan as his confidant, and could not, in fact, do without -him, either night or day. Malicorne introduced himself to the -comte, and met with no difficulties, because he had been -favorably noticed by the king; and also, because the credit which -one man may happen to enjoy is always a bait for others. -Saint-Aignan asked his visitor if he brought any news with -him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; great news," replied -the latter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! ah!" said Saint-Aignan, -"what is it?"<br> - "Mademoiselle de la Vallière has changed -her quarters."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean?" said -Saint-Aignan, opening his eyes very wide. "She was living in the -same apartments as Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely so; but Madame -got tired of her proximity, and has installed her in a room which -is situated exactly above your future apartment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! up there," exclaimed -Saint-Aignan, with surprise, and pointing at the floor above him -with his finger.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No," said Malicorne, -"yonder," indicating the building opposite.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean, then, by -saying that her room is above my apartment?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I am sure that your -apartment <i>ought</i>, providentially, to be under Mademoiselle -de la Vallière's room."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan, at this -remark, gave poor Malicorne a look, similar to one of those La -Vallière had already given a quarter of an hour before, -that is to say, he thought he had lost his senses.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur," said Malicorne -to him, "I wish to answer what you are thinking about."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean by 'what I -am thinking about'?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My reason is, that you have -not clearly understood what I want to convey."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I admit it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, you are aware -that underneath the apartments set for Madame's maids of honor, -the gentlemen in attendance on the king and on Monsieur are -lodged."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I know that, since -Manicamp, De Wardes, and others are living there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely. Well, monsieur, -admire the singularity of the circumstance; the two rooms -destined for M. de Guiche are exactly the very two rooms situated -underneath those which Mademoiselle de Montalais and Mademoiselle -de la Vallière occupy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well; what then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "'What then,' do you say? -Why, these two rooms are empty, since M. de Guiche is now lying -wounded at Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I assure you, my dear -fellow, I cannot grasp your meaning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! if I had the -happiness to call myself Saint-Aignan, I should guess -immediately."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what would you do -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should at once change the -rooms I am occupying here, for those which M. de Guiche is not -using yonder."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Can you suppose such a -thing?" said Saint-Aignan, disdainfully. "What! abandon the -chief post of honor, the proximity to the king, a privilege -conceded only to princes of the blood, to dukes, and peers! -Permit me to tell you, my dear Monsieur de Malicorne, that you -must be out of your senses."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur," replied the -young man, seriously, "you commit two mistakes. My name is -Malicorne, simply; and I am in perfect possession of all my -senses." Then, drawing a paper from his pocket, he said, "Listen -to what I am going to say; and afterwards, I will show you this -paper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am listening," said -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You know that Madame looks -after La Vallière as carefully as Argus did after the -nymph Io."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You know that the king has -sought for an opportunity, but uselessly, of speaking to the -prisoner, and that neither you nor myself have yet succeeded in -procuring him this piece of good fortune."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You certainly ought to know -something about the subject, my poor Malicorne," said -Saint-Aignan, smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; what do you -suppose would happen to the man whose imagination devised some -means of bringing the lovers together?"<br> - "Oh! the king would set no bounds to his -gratitude."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let me ask you, then, M. de -Saint-Aignan, whether you would not be curious to taste a little -of this royal gratitude?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly," replied -Saint-Aignan, "any favor of my master, as a recognition of the -proper discharge of my duty, would assuredly be most -precious."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, look at this -paper, monsieur le comte."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is it - a plan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; a plan of M. de -Guiche's two rooms, which, in all probability, will soon be your -two rooms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! no, whatever may -happen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because my rooms are the -envy of too many gentlemen, to whom I certainly shall not give -them up; M. de Roquelaure, for instance, M. de la Ferté, -and M. de Dangeau, would all be anxious to get them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case I shall leave -you, monsieur le comte, and I shall go and offer to one of those -gentlemen the plan I have just shown you, together with the -advantages annexed to it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But why do you not keep -them for yourself?" inquired Saint-Aignan, suspiciously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= -'font-size:12.0pt;'> </span> "Because the king would -never do me the honor of paying me a visit openly, whilst he -would readily go and see any one of those gentlemen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! the king would go and -see any one of those gentlemen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go! most certainly he would -ten times instead of once. Is it possible you can ask me if the -king would go to an apartment which would bring him nearer to -Mademoiselle de la Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, indeed, delightfully -near her, with a floor between them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Malicorne unfolded the piece -of paper which had been wrapped round the bobbin. "Monsieur le -comte," he said, "have the goodness to observe that the flooring -of Mademoiselle de la Vallière's room is merely a wooden -flooring."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! all you would have to -do would be to get hold of a journeyman carpenter, lock him up in -your apartments, without letting him know where you have taken -him to, and let him make a hole in your ceiling, and consequently -in the flooring of Mademoiselle de la Vallière's -room."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good heavens!" exclaimed -Saint-Aignan, as if dazzled.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is the matter?" said -Malicorne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing, except that you -have hit upon a singular, bold idea, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It will seem a very -trifling one to the king, I assure you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Lovers never think of the -risk they run."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What danger do you -apprehend, monsieur le comte?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, effecting such an -opening as that will make a terrible noise: it could be heard all -over the palace."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! monsieur le comte, I am -quite sure that the carpenter I shall select will not make the -slightest noise in the world. He will saw an opening three feet -square, with a saw covered with tow, and no one, not even those -adjoining, will know that he is at work."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear Monsieur Malicorne, -you astound, you positively bewilder me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To continue," replied -Malicorne, quietly, "in the room, the ceiling of which you will -have cut through, you will put up a staircase, which will either -allow Mademoiselle de la Vallière to descend into your -room, or the king to ascend into Mademoiselle de la -Vallière's room."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But the staircase will be -seen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; for in your room it -will be hidden by a partition, over which you will throw a -tapestry similar to that which covers the rest of the apartment; -and in Mademoiselle de la Vallière's room it will not be -seen, for the trapdoor, which will be a part of the flooring -itself, will be made to open under the bed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course," said -Saint-Aignan, whose eyes began to sparkle with delight.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And now, monsieur le comte, -there is no occasion to make you admit that the king will -frequently come to the room where such a staircase is -constructed. I think that M. Dangeau, particularly, will be -struck by my idea, and I shall now go and explain to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, my dear Monsieur -Malicorne, you forget that you spoke to me about it the first, -and that I have consequently the right of priority."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you wish for the -preference?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do I wish it? Of course I -do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fact is, Monsieur de -Saint-Aignan, I am presenting you with a Jacob's ladder, which is -better than the promise of an additional step in the peerage - -perhaps, even with a good estate to accompany your dukedom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At least," replied -Saint-Aignan, "it will give me an opportunity of showing the king -that he is not mistaken in occasionally calling me his friend; an -opportunity, dear M. Malicorne, for which I am indebted to -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And which you will not -forget to remember?" inquired Malicorne, smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing will delight me -more, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But I am not the king's -friend; I am simply his attendant."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; and if you imagine -that that staircase is as good as a dukedom for myself, I think -there will certainly be letters of nobility at the top of it for -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Malicorne bowed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All I have to do now," said -Saint-Aignan, "is to move as soon as possible."<br> - "I do not think the king will object to it. Ask -his permission, however."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will go and see him this -very moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I will run and get the -carpenter I was speaking of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "When will he be here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This very evening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not forget your -precautions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He shall be brought with -his eyes bandaged."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I will send you one of -my carriages."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Without arms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And one of my servants -without livery. But stay, what will La Vallière say if -she sees what is going on?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I can assure you she -will be very much interested in the operation, and I am equally -sure that if the king has not courage enough to ascend to her -room, she will have sufficient curiosity to come down to -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We will live in hope," said -Saint-Aignan; "and now I am off to his majesty. At what time -will the carpenter be here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At eight o'clock."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How long do you suppose he -will take to make this opening?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "About a couple of hours; -only afterwards he must have sufficient time to construct what -may be called the hyphen between the two rooms. One night and a -portion of the following day will do; we must not reckon upon -less than two days, including putting up the staircase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Two days, that is a very -long time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay; when one undertakes to -open up communications with paradise itself, we must at least -take care that the approaches are respectable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite right; so farewell -for a short time, dear M. Malicorne. I shall begin to remove the -day after to-morrow, in the evening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXIV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Promenade by Torchlight.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>S</span>aint-Aignan, -delighted with what he had just heard, and rejoiced at what the -future foreshadowed for him, bent his steps towards De Guiche's -two rooms. He who, a quarter of an hour previously, would hardly -yield up his own rooms for a million francs, was now ready to -expend a million, if it were necessary, upon the acquisition of -the two happy rooms he coveted so eagerly. But he did not meet -with so many obstacles. M. de Guiche did not yet know where he -was to lodge, and, besides, was still too far ill to trouble -himself about his lodgings; and so Saint-Aignan obtained De -Guiche's two rooms without difficulty. As for M. Dangeau, he was -so immeasurably delighted, that he did not even give himself the -trouble to think whether Saint-Aignan had any particular reason -for removing. Within an hour after Saint-Aignan's new -resolution, he was in possession of the two rooms; and ten -minutes later Malicorne entered, followed by the upholsterers. -During this time, the king asked for Saint-Aignan; the valet ran -to his late apartments and found M. Dangeau there; Dangeau sent -him on to De Guiche's, and Saint-Aignan was found there; but a -little delay had of course taken place, and the king had already -exhibited once or twice evident signs of impatience, when -Saint-Aignan entered his royal master's presence, quite out of -breath.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You, too, abandon me, -then," said Louis XIV., in a similar tone of lamentation to that -with which Cæsar, eighteen hundred years previously, had -pronounced the <i>Et tu quoque.</i></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I am far from -abandoning you, for, on the contrary, I am busily occupied in -changing my lodgings."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean? I -thought you had finished moving three days ago."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire. But I don't -find myself comfortable where I am, so I am going to change to -the opposite side of the building."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Was I not right when I said -you were abandoning me?" exclaimed the king. "Oh! this exceeds -all endurance. But so it is: there was only one woman for whom -my heart cared at all, and all my family is leagued together to -tear her from me; and my friend, to whom I confided my distress, -and who helped me to bear up under it, has become wearied of my -complaints and is going to leave me without even asking my -permission."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan began to -laugh. The king at once guessed there must be some mystery in -this want of respect. "What is it?" cried the king, full of -hope.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This, sire, that the friend -whom the king calumniates is going to try if he cannot restore to -his sovereign the happiness he has lost."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you going to let me see -La Vallière?" said Louis XIV.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot say so, -positively, but I hope so."<br> - "How - how? - tell me that, Saint-Aignan. I wish -to know what your project is, and to help you with all my -power."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," replied -Saint-Aignan, "I cannot, even myself, tell very well how I must -set about attaining success; but I have every reason to believe -that from to-morrow - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To-morrow, do you say! -What happiness! But why are you changing your rooms?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In order to serve your -majesty to better advantage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How can your moving serve -me?"<br> - "Do you happen to know where the two rooms -destined for De Guiche are situated?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, your majesty now -knows where I am going."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very likely; but that does -not help me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! is it possible that -you do not understand, sire, that above De Guiche's lodgings are -two rooms, one of which is Mademoiselle Montalais's, and the -other - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "La Vallière's, is it -not so, Saint-Aignan? Oh! yes, yes. It is a brilliant idea, -Saint-Aignan, a true friend's idea, a poet's idea. By bringing -me nearer her from whom the world seems to unite to separate me - -you are far more than Pylades was for Orestes, or Patroclus for -Achilles."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire," said Aignan, with a -smile, "I question whether, if your majesty were to know my -projects in their full extent, you would continue to pronounce -such a pompous eulogium upon me. Ah! sire, I know how very -different are the epithets which certain Puritans of the court -will not fail to apply to me when they learn of what I intend to -do for your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Saint-Aignan, I am dying -with impatience; I am in a perfect fever; I shall never be able -to wait until to-morrow - to-morrow! why, to-morrow is an -eternity!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet, sire, I shall -require you, if you please, to go out presently and divert your -impatience by a good walk."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With you - agreed; we will -talk about your projects, we will talk of her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, sire; I remain -here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whom shall I go out with, -then?"<br> - "With the queen and all the ladies of the -court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing shall induce me to -do that, Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet, sire, you -must."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Must?</i> - no, no - a -thousand times no! I will never again expose myself to the -horrible torture of being close to her, of seeing her, of -touching her dress as I pass by her, and yet not be able to say a -word to her. No, I renounce a torture which you suppose will -bring me happiness, but which consumes and eats away my very -life; to see her in the presence of strangers, and not to tell -her that I love her, when my whole being reveals my affection and -betrays me to every one; no! I have sworn never to do it again, -and I will keep my oath."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yet, sire, pray listen to -me for a moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will listen to nothing, -Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, I will -continue; it is most urgent, sire - pray understand me, it is of -the greatest importance - that Madame and her maids of honor -should be absent for two hours from the palace."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot understand your -meaning at all, Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is hard for me to give -my sovereign directions what to do; but under the circumstances I -do give you directions, sire; and either a hunting or a promenade -party must be got up."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But if I were to do what -you wish, it would be a caprice, a mere whim. In displaying such -an impatient humor I show my whole court that I have no control -over my own feelings. Do not people already say that I am -dreaming of the conquest of the world, but that I ought -previously to begin by achieving a conquest over myself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Those who say so, sire, are -as insolent as they would like to be thought facetious; but -whomever they may be, if your majesty prefers to listen to them, -I have nothing further to say. In such a case, that which we -have fixed to take place to-morrow must be postponed -indefinitely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, Saint-Aignan, I will -go out this evening - I will go by torchlight to Saint-Germain: I -will breakfast there to-morrow, and will return to Paris by three -o'clock. Will that do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Admirably."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case I will set out -this evening at eight o'clock."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty has fixed upon -the exact minute."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you positively will -tell me nothing more?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is because I have -nothing more to tell you. Industry counts for something in this -world, sire; but still, chance plays so important a part in it -that I have been accustomed to leave her the sidewalk, confident -that she will manage so as to always take the street."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, I abandon myself -entirely to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you are quite -right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Comforted in this manner, -the king went immediately to Madame, to whom he announced the -intended expedition. Madame fancied at the first moment that she -saw in this unexpectedly arranged party a plot of the king's to -converse with La Vallière, either on the road under cover -of the darkness, or in some other way, but she took especial care -not to show any of her fancies to her brother-in-law, and -accepted the invitation with a smile upon her lips. She gave -directions aloud that her maids of honor should accompany her, -secretly intending in the evening to take the most effectual -steps to interfere with his majesty's attachment. Then, when she -was alone, and at the very moment the poor lover, who had issued -orders for the departure, was reveling in the idea that -Mademoiselle de la Vallière would form one of the party, - -luxuriating in the sad happiness persecuted lovers enjoy of -realizing through the sense of sight alone all the transports of -possession, - Madame, who was surrounded by her maids of honor, -was saying: - "Two ladies will be enough for me this evening, -Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente and Mademoiselle de -Montalais."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière had -anticipated her own omission, and was prepared for it: but -persecution had rendered her courageous, and she did not give -Madame the pleasure of seeing on her face the impression of the -shock her heart received. On the contrary, smiling with that -ineffable gentleness which gave an angelic expression to her -features - "In that case, Madame, I shall be at liberty this -evening, I suppose?" she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I shall be able to employ -it, then, in progressing with that piece of tapestry which your -highness has been good enough to notice, and which I have already -had the honor of offering to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And having made a respectful -obeisance she withdrew to her own apartment; Mesdemoiselles de -Tonnay-Charente and de Montalais did the same. The rumor of the -intended promenade soon spread all over the palace; ten minutes -afterwards Malicorne learned Madame's resolution, and slipped -under Montalais's door a note, in the following terms:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "L. V. must positively pass -the night the night with Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais, in pursuance of -the compact she had entered into, began by burning the letter, -and then sat down to reflect. Montalais was a girl full of -expedients, and so she very soon arranged her plan. Towards five -o'clock, which was the hour for her to repair to Madame's -apartment, she was running across the courtyard, and had reached -within a dozen paces of a group of officers, when she uttered a -cry, fell gracefully on one knee, rose again, with difficulty, -and walked on limpingly. The gentlemen ran forward to her -assistance; Montalais had sprained her foot. Faithful to the -discharge of her duty, she insisted, however, notwithstanding her -accident, upon going to Madame's apartments.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is the matter, and why -do you limp so?" she inquired; "I mistook you for La -Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais related how it had -happened, that in hurrying on, in order to arrive as quickly as -possible, she had sprained her foot. Madame seemed to pity her, -and wished to have a surgeon sent for immediately, but she, -assuring her that there was nothing really serious in the -accident, said: "My only regret, Madame, is, that it will -preclude my attendance on you, and I should have begged -Mademoiselle de la Vallière to take my place with your -royal highness, but - " seeing that Madame frowned, she added - -"I have not done so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why did you not do so?" -inquired Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because poor La -Vallière seemed so happy to have her liberty for a whole -evening and night too, that I did not feel courageous enough to -ask her to take my place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What, is she so delighted -as that?" inquired madame, struck by these words.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She is wild with delight; -she, who is always so melancholy, was singing like a bird. -Besides, you highness knows how much she detests going out, and -also that her character has a spice of wildness in it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So!" thought Madame, "this -extreme delight hardly seems natural to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She has already made all -her preparations for dining in her own room -<i>tête-à-tête</i> with one of her favorite -books. And then, as your highness has six other young ladies who -would be delighted to accompany you, I did not make my proposal -to La Vallière." Madame did not say a word in reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have I acted properly?" -continued Montalais, with a slight fluttering of the heart, -seeing the little success that seemed to attend the <i>ruse de -guerre</i> which she had relied upon with so much confidence that -she had not thought it even necessary to try and find another. -"Does Madame approve of what I have done?" she continued.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame was reflecting that -the king could very easily leave Saint-Germain during the night, -and that, as it was only four leagues and a half from Paris to -Saint-Germain, he might readily be in Paris in an hour's time. -"Tell me," she said, "whether La Vallière, when she heard -of your accident, offered at least to bear you company?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! she does not yet know -of my accident; but even did she know of it, I most certainly -should not ask her to do anything that might interfere with her -own plans. I think she wishes this evening to realize quietly by -herself that amusement of the late king, when he said to M. de -Cinq-Mars, 'Let us amuse ourselves by doing nothing, and making -ourselves miserable.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame felt convinced that -some mysterious love adventure lurked behind this strong desire -for solitude. The secret <i>might</i> be Louis's return during -the night; it could not be doubted any longer La Vallière -had been informed of his intended return, and that was the reason -for her delight at having to remain behind at the Palais Royal. -It was a plan settled and arranged beforehand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will not be their dupe -though," said Madame, and she took a decisive step. -"Mademoiselle de Montalais," she said, "will you have the -goodness to inform your friend, Mademoiselle de la -Vallière, that I am exceedingly sorry to disarrange her -projects of solitude, but that instead of becoming -<i>ennuyée</i> by remaining behind alone as she wished, -she will be good enough to accompany us to Saint-Germain and get -<i>ennuyée</i> there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! poor La -Vallière," said Montalais, compassionately, but with her -heart throbbing with delight; "oh, Madame, could there not be -some means - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Enough," said Madame; "I -desire it. I prefer Mademoiselle la Baume le Blanc's society to -that of any one else. Go, and send her to me, and take care of -your foot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais did not wait for -the order to be repeated; she returned to her room, almost -forgetting to feign lameness, wrote an answer to Malicorne, and -slipped it under the carpet. The answer simply said: "She -shall." A Spartan could not have written more laconically.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By this means," thought -Madame, "I will look narrowly after all on the road; she shall -sleep near me during the night, and his majesty must be very -clever if he can exchange a single word with Mademoiselle de la -Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière received -the order to set off with the same indifferent gentleness with -which she had received the order to play Cinderella. But, -inwardly, her delight was extreme, and she looked upon this -change in the princess's resolution as a consolation which -Providence had sent her. With less penetration than Madame -possessed, she attributed all to chance. While every one, with -the exception of those in disgrace, of those who were ill, and -those who were suffering from sprains, were being driven towards -Saint-Germain, Malicorne smuggled his workman into the palace in -one of M. de Saint-Aignan's carriages, and led him into the room -corresponding to La Vallière's. The man set to work with -a will, tempted by the splendid reward which had been promised -him. As the very best tools and implements had been selected -from the reserve stock belonging to the engineers attached to the -king's household - and among others, a saw with teeth so sharp -and well tempered that it was able, under water even, to cut -through oaken joists as hard as iron - the work in question -advanced very rapidly, and a square portion of the ceiling, taken -from between two of the joists, fell into the arms of the -delighted Saint-Aignan, Malicorne, the workman, and a -confidential valet, the latter being one brought into the world -to see and hear everything, but to repeat nothing. In accordance -with a new plan indicated by Malicorne, the opening was effected -in an angle of the room - and for this reason. As there was no -dressing-closet adjoining La Vallière's room, she had -solicited, and had that very morning obtained, a large screen -intended to serve as a partition. The screen that had been -allotted her was perfectly sufficient to conceal the opening, -which would, besides, be hidden by all the artifices skilled -cabinet-makers would have at their command. The opening having -been made, the workman glided between the joists, and found -himself in La Vallière's room. When there, he cut a -square opening in the flooring, and out of the boards he -manufactured a trap so accurately fitting into the opening that -the most practised eye could hardly detect the necessary -interstices made by its lines of juncture with the floor. -Malicorne had provided for everything: a ring and a couple of -hinges which had been bought for the purpose, were affixed to the -trap-door; and a small circular stair-case, packed in sections, -had been bought ready made by the industrious Malicorne, who had -paid two thousand francs for it. It was higher than what was -required, but the carpenter reduced the number of steps, and it -was found to suit exactly. This staircase, destined to receive -so illustrious a burden, was merely fastened to the wall by a -couple of iron clamps, and its base was fixed into the floor of -the comte's room by two iron pegs screwed down tightly, so that -the king, and all his cabinet councilors too, might pass up and -down the staircase without any fear. Every blow of the hammer -fell upon a thick pad or cushion, and the saw was not used until -the handle had been wrapped in wool, and the blade steeped in -oil. The noisiest part of the work, moreover, had taken place -during the night and early in the morning, that is to say, when -La Vallière and Madame were both absent. When, about two -o'clock in the afternoon, the court returned to the Palais Royal, -La Vallière went up into her own room. Everything was in -its proper place - not the smallest particle of sawdust, not the -smallest chip, was left to bear witness to the violation of her -domicile. Saint-Aignan, however, wishing to do his utmost in -forwarding the work, had torn his fingers and his shirt too, and -had expended no ordinary amount of perspiration in the king's -service. The palms of his hands were covered with blisters, -occasioned by his having held the ladder for Malicorne. He had, -moreover, brought up, one by one, the seven pieces of the -staircase, each consisting of two steps. In fact, we can safely -assert that, if the king had seen him so ardently at work, his -majesty would have sworn an eternal gratitude towards his -faithful attendant. As Malicorne anticipated, the workman had -completely finished the job in twenty-four hours; he received -twenty-four louis, and left, overwhelmed with delight, for he had -gained in one day as much as six months' hard work would have -procured him. No one had the slightest suspicion of what had -taken place in the room under Mademoiselle de la -Vallière's apartment. But in the evening of the second -day, at the very moment La Vallière had just left Madame's -circle and returned to her own room, she heard a slight creaking -sound in one corner. Astonished, she looked to see whence it -proceeded, and the noise began again. "Who is there?" she said, -in a tone of alarm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is I, Louise," replied -the well-known voice of the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You! you!" cried the young -girl, who for a moment fancied herself under the influence of a -dream. "But where? You, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Here," replied the king, -opening one of the folds of the screen, and appearing like a -ghost at the end of the room.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière uttered a -loud cry, and fell trembling into an armchair, as the king -advanced respectfully towards her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Apparition.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>L</span>a -Vallière very soon recovered from her surprise, for, owing -to his respectful bearing, the king inspired her with more -confidence by his presence than his sudden appearance had -deprived her of. But, as he noticed that which made La -Vallière most uneasy was the means by which he had -effected an entrance into her room, he explained to her the -system of the staircase concealed by the screen, and strongly -disavowed the notion of his being a supernatural appearance.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire!" said La -Vallière, shaking her fair head with a most engaging -smile, "present or absent, you do not appear to my mind more at -one time than at another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which means, Louise - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, what you know so well, -sire; that there is not one moment in which the poor girl whose -secret you surprised at Fontainebleau, and whom you came to -snatch from the foot of the cross itself, does not think of -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Louise, you overwhelm me -with joy and happiness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière smiled -mournfully, and continued: "But, sire, have you reflected that -your ingenious invention could not be of the slightest service to -us?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so? Tell me, - I am -waiting most anxiously."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because this room may be -subject to being searched at any moment of the day. Madame -herself may, at any time, come here accidentally; my companions -run in at any moment they please. To fasten the door on the -inside, is to denounce myself as plainly as if I had written -above, 'No admittance, - the king is within!' Even now, sire, at -this very moment, there is nothing to prevent the door opening, -and your majesty being seen here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case," said the -king, laughingly, "I should indeed be taken for a phantom, for no -one can tell in what way I came here. Besides, it is only -spirits that can pass through brick walls, or floors and -ceilings."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire, reflect for a -moment how terrible the scandal would be! Nothing equal to it -could ever have been previously said about the maids of honor, -poor creatures! whom evil report, however, hardly ever -spares."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And your conclusion from -all this, my dear Louise, - come, explain yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! it is a hard thing to -say - but your majesty must suppress staircase plots, surprises -and all; for the evil consequences which would result from your -being found here would be far greater than our happiness in -seeing each other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, Louise," replied the -king, tenderly, "instead of removing this staircase by which I -have ascended, there is a far more simple means, of which you -have not thought."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A means - another -means!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, another. Oh, you do -not love me as I love you, Louise, since my invention is quicker -than yours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She looked at the king, who -held out his hand to her, which she took and gently pressed -between her own.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You were saying," continued -the king, "that I shall be detected coming here, where any one -who pleases can enter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay, sire; at this very -moment, even while you are speaking about it, I tremble with -dread of your being discovered."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But you would not be found -out, Louise, if you were to descend the staircase which leads to -the room underneath."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire! what do you say?" -cried Louise, in alarm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do not quite understand -me, Louise, since you get offended at my very first word; first -of all, do you know to whom the apartments underneath -belong?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To M. de Guiche, sire, I -believe."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not at all; they are M. de -Saint-Aignan's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you sure?" cried La -Vallière; and this exclamation which escaped from the -young girl's joyous heart made the king's heart throb with -delight.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, to Saint-Aignan, -<i>our friend</i>," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, sire," returned La -Vallière, "I cannot visit M. de Saint-Aignan's rooms any -more than I could M. de Guiche's. It is impossible - -impossible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet, Louise, I should -have thought that, under the safe-conduct of the king, you would -venture anything."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Under the safe-conduct of -the king," she said, with a look full of tenderness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have faith in my word, -I hope, Louise?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire, when you are not -present; but when you are present, - when you speak to me, - when -I look upon you, I have faith in nothing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What can possibly be done -to reassure you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is scarcely respectful, -I know, to doubt the king, but - for me - you are <i>not</i> the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank Heaven! - I, at -least, hope so most devoutly; you see how anxiously I am trying -to find or invent a means of removing all difficulty. Stay; -would the presence of a third person reassure you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The presence of M. de -Saint-Aignan would, certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Really, Louise, you wound -me by your suspicions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louise did not answer, she -merely looked steadfastly at him with that clear, piercing gaze -which penetrates the very heart, and said softly to herself, -"Alas! alas! it is not you of whom I am afraid, - it is not you -upon whom my doubts would fall."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," said the king, -sighing, "I agree; and M. de Saint-Aignan, who enjoys the -inestimable privilege of reassuring you, shall always be present -at our interviews, I promise you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You promise that, -sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my honor as a -gentleman; and you, on your side - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, wait, sire, that is not -all yet; for such conversations ought, at least, to have a -reasonable motive of some kind for M. de Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Dear Louise, every shade of -delicacy of feeling is yours, and my only study is to equal you -on that point. It shall be just as you wish: therefore our -conversations shall have a reasonable motive, and I have already -hit upon one; so that from to-morrow, if you like - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To-morrow?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you meant that that is -not soon enough?" exclaimed the king, caressing La -Vallière's hand between his own."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At this moment the sound of -steps was heard in the corridor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire! sire!" cried La -Vallière, "some one is coming; do you hear? Oh, fly! -fly! I implore you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king made but one bound -from the chair where he was sitting to his hiding-place behind -the screen. He had barely time; for as he drew one of the folds -before him, the handle of the door was turned, and Montalais -appeared at the threshold. As a matter of course she entered -quite naturally, and without any ceremony, for she knew perfectly -well that to knock at the door beforehand would be showing a -suspicion towards La Vallière which would be displeasing -to her. She accordingly entered, and after a rapid glance round -the room, in the brief course of which she observed two chairs -very close to each other, she was so long in shutting the door, -which seemed to be difficult to close, one can hardly tell how or -why, that the king had ample time to raise the trap-door, and to -descend again to Saint-Aignan's room.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Louise," she said to her, -"I want to talk to you, and seriously, too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good heavens! my dear Aure, -what is the matter now?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The matter is, that Madame -suspects <i>everything</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Explain yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is there any occasion for -us to enter into explanations, and do you not understand what I -mean? Come, you must have noticed the fluctuations in Madame's -humor during several days past; you must have noticed how she -first kept you close beside her, then dismissed you, and then -sent for you again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I have noticed it, of -course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, it seems Madame has -now succeeded in obtaining sufficient information, for she has -now gone straight to the point, as there is nothing further left -in France to withstand the torrent which sweeps away all -obstacles before it; you know what I mean by the torrent?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière hid her -face in her hands.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I mean," continued -Montalais, pitilessly, "that torrent which burst through the -gates of the Carmelites of Chaillot, and overthrew all the -prejudices of the court, as well at Fontainebleau as at -Paris."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas! alas!" murmured La -Vallière, her face still covered by her hands, and her -tears streaming through her fingers.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, don't distress yourself -in that manner, or you have only heard half of your -troubles."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In Heaven's name," -exclaimed the young girl, in great anxiety, "what is the -matter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, this is how the -matter stands: Madame, who can no longer rely upon any further -assistance in France; for she has, one after the other, made use -of the two queens, of Monsieur, and the whole court, too, now -bethinks herself of a certain person who has certain pretended -rights over you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière became as -white as a marble statue.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This person," continued -Madame, "is not in Paris at this moment; but, if I am not -mistaken, is, just now, in England."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes," breathed La -Vallière, almost overwhelmed with terror.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And is to be found, I -think, at the court of Charles II.; am I right?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."<br> - "Well, this evening a letter has been dispatched -by Madame to Saint James's, with directions for the courier to go -straight to Hampton Court, which I believe is one of the royal -residences, situated about a dozen miles from London."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well; as Madame writes -regularly to London once a fortnight, and as the ordinary courier -left for London not more than three days ago, I have been -thinking that some serious circumstance alone could have induced -her to write again so soon, for you know she is a very indolent -correspondent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This letter has been -written, therefore, something tells me so, at least, on your -account."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On my account?" repeated -the unhappy girl, mechanically.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I, who saw the letter -lying on Madame's desk before she sealed it, fancied I could read -- "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What did you fancy you -could read?"<br> - "I might possibly have been mistaken, though - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me, - what was -it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The name of -Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière rose -hurriedly from her chair, a prey to the most painful agitation. -"Montalais," she said, her voice broken by sobs, "all my smiling -dreams of youth and innocence have fled already. I have nothing -now to conceal, either from you or any one else. My life is -exposed to every one's inspection, and can be opened like a book, -in which all the world can read, from the king himself to the -first passer-by. Aure, dearest Aure, what can I do - what will -become of me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Montalais approached close -to her, and said, "Consult your own heart, of course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well; I do not love M. de -Bragelonne; when I say I do not love him, understand that I love -him as the most affectionate sister could love the best of -brothers, but that is not what he requires, nor what I promised -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In fact, you love the -king," said Montalais, "and that is a sufficiently good -excuse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I do love the king," -hoarsely murmured the young girl, "and I have paid dearly enough -for pronouncing those words. And now, Montalais, tell me - what -can you do either for me, or against me, in my position?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You must speak more clearly -still."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What am I to say, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so you have nothing -very particular to tell me?"<br> - "No!" said Louise, in astonishment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; and so all you -have to ask me is my advice respecting M. Raoul?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing else."<br> - "It is a very delicate subject," replied -Montalais.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, it is nothing of the -kind. Ought I to marry him in order to keep the promise I made, -or ought I continue to listen to the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have really placed me -in a very difficult position," said Montalais, smiling; "you ask -me if you ought to marry Raoul, whose friend I am, and whom I -shall mortally offend in giving my opinion against him; and then, -you ask me if you should cease to listen to the king, whose -subject I am, and whom I should offend if I were to advise you in -a particular way. Ah, Louise, you seem to hold a difficult -position at a very cheap rate."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have not understood me, -Aure," said La Vallière, wounded by the slightly mocking -tone of her companion; "if I were to marry M. de Bragelonne, I -should be far from bestowing on him the happiness he deserves; -but, for the same reason, if I listen to the king he would become -the possessor of one indifferent in very many aspects, I admit, -but one whom his affection confers an appearance of value. What -I ask you, then, is to tell me some means of disengaging myself -honorably either from the one or from the other; or rather, I ask -you, from which side you think I can free myself most -honorably."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear Louise," replied -Montalais, after a pause, "I am not one of the seven wise men of -Greece, and I have no perfectly invariable rules of conduct to -govern me; but, on the other hand, I have a little experience, -and I can assure you that no woman ever asks for advice of the -nature which you have just asked me, without being in a terrible -state of embarrassment. Besides, you have made a solemn promise, -which every principle of honor requires you to fulfil; if, -therefore, you are embarrassed, in consequence of having -undertaken such an engagement, it is not a stranger's advice -(every one is a stranger to a heart full of love), it is not my -advice, I repeat, that can extricate you from your -embarrassment. I shall not give it you, therefore; and for a -greater reason still - because, were I in your place, I should -feel much more embarrassed after the advice than before it. All -I can do is, to repeat what I have already told you; shall I -assist you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes."<br> - "Very well; that is all. Tell me in what way you -wish me to help you; tell me for and against whom, - in this way -we shall not make any blunders."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But first of all," said La -Vallière, pressing her companion's hand, "for whom or -against whom do you decide?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For you, if you are really -and truly my friend."<br> - "Are you not Madame's confidant?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A greater reason for being -of service to you; if I were not to know what is going on in that -direction I should not be of any service at all, and consequently -you would not obtain any advantage from my acquaintance. -Friendships live and thrive upon a system of reciprocal -benefits."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The result is, then, that -you will remain at the same time Madame's friend also?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Evidently. Do you complain -of that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I hardly know," sighed La -Vallière, thoughtfully, for this cynical frankness -appeared to her an offense both to the woman and the friend.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All well and good, then," -said Montalais, "for if you did, you would be very foolish."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You wish to serve me, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Devotedly - if you will -serve me in return."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "One would almost say that -you do not know my heart," said La Vallière, looking at -Montalais with her eyes wide open.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, the fact is, that -since we have belonged to the court, my dear Louise, we are very -much changed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is very simple. Were -you the second queen of France yonder, at Blois?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière hung down -her head, and began to weep. Montalais looked at her in an -indefinable manner, and murmured "Poor girl!" and then, adding, -"Poor king!" she kissed Louise on the forehead, and returned to -her apartment, where Malicorne was waiting for her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXVI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Portrait.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>I</span>n that malady -which is termed love the paroxysms succeed each other at -intervals, ever accelerating from the moment the disease declares -itself. By and by, the paroxysms are less frequent, in -proportion as the cure approaches. This being laid down as a -general axiom, and as the leading article of a particular -chapter, we will now proceed with our recital. The next day, the -day fixed by the king for the first conversation in -Saint-Aignan's room, La Vallière, on opening one of the -folds of the screen, found upon the floor a letter in the king's -handwriting. The letter had been passed, through a slit in the -floor, from the lower apartment to her own. No indiscreet hand -or curious gaze could have brought or did bring this single -paper. This, too, was one of Malicorne's ideas. Having seen how -very serviceable Saint-Aignan would become to the king on account -of his apartment, he did not wish that the courtier should become -still more indispensable as a messenger, and so he had, on his -own private account, reserved this last post for himself. La -Vallière most eagerly read the letter, which fixed two -o'clock that same afternoon for the rendezvous, and which -indicated the way of raising the trap-door which was constructed -out of the flooring. "Make yourself look as beautiful as you -can," added the postscript of the letter, words which astonished -the young girl, but at the same time reassured her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The hours passed away very -slowly, but the time fixed, however, arrived at last. As -punctual as the priestess Hero, Louise lifted up the trap-door at -the last stroke of the hour of two, and found the king on the -steps, waiting for her with the greatest respect, in order to -give her his hand to descend. The delicacy and deference shown -in this attention affected her very powerfully. At the foot of -the staircase the two lovers found the comte, who, with a smile -and a low reverence distinguished by the best taste, expressed -his thanks to La Vallière for the honor she conferred upon -him. Then turning towards the king, he said:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, our man is here." La -Vallière looked at the king with some uneasiness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Mademoiselle," said the -king, "if I have begged you to do me the honor of coming down -here, it was from an interested motive. I have procured a most -admirable portrait painter, who is celebrated for the fidelity of -his likenesses, and I wish you to be kind enough to authorize him -to paint yours. Besides, if you positively wish it, the portrait -shall remain in your own possession." La Vallière -blushed. "You see," said the king to her, "we shall not be three -as you wished, but four instead. And, so long as we are not -alone, there can be as many present as you please." La -Vallière gently pressed her royal lover's hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Shall we pass into the next -room, sire?" said Saint-Aignan, opening the door to let his -guests precede him. The king walked behind La Vallière, -and fixed his eyes lingeringly and passionately upon that neck as -white as snow, upon which her long fair ringlets fell in heavy -masses. La Vallière was dressed in a thick silk robe of -pearl gray color, with a tinge of rose, with jet ornaments, which -displayed to greater effect the dazzling purity of her skin, -holding in her slender and transparent hands a bouquet of -heartsease, Bengal roses, and clematis, surrounded with leaves of -the tenderest green, above which uprose, like a tiny goblet -spilling magic influence a Haarlem tulip of gray and violet tints -of a pure and beautiful species, which had cost the gardener five -years' toil of combinations, and the king five thousand francs. -Louis had placed this bouquet in La Vallière's hand as he -saluted her. In the room, the door of which Saint-Aignan had -just opened, a young man was standing, dressed in a purple velvet -jacket, with beautiful black eyes and long brown hair. It was -the painter; his canvas was quite ready, and his palette prepared -for use.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He bowed to La -Vallière with the grave curiosity of an artist who is -studying his model, saluted the king discreetly, as if he did not -recognize him, and as he would, consequently, have saluted any -other gentleman. Then, leading Mademoiselle de la -Vallière to the seat he had arranged for her, he begged -her to sit down.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young girl assumed an -attitude graceful and unrestrained, her hands occupied and her -limbs reclining on cushions; and in order that her gaze might not -assume a vague or affected expression, the painter begged her to -choose some kind of occupation, so as to engage her attention; -whereupon Louis XIV., smiling, sat down on the cushions at La -Vallière's feet; so that she, in the reclining posture she -had assumed, leaning back in the armchair, holding her flowers in -her hand, and he, with his eyes raised towards her and fixed -devouringly on her face - they, both together, formed so charming -a group, that the artist contemplated painting it with -professional delight, while on his side, Saint-Aignan regarded -them with feelings of envy. The painter sketched rapidly; and -very soon, beneath the earliest touches of the brush, there -started into life, out of the gray background, the gentle, -poetry-breathing face, with its soft calm eyes and delicately -tinted cheeks, enframed in the masses of hair which fell about -her neck. The lovers, however, spoke but little, and looked at -each other a great deal; sometimes their eyes became so -languishing in their gaze, that the painter was obliged to -interrupt his work in order to avoid representing an Erycina -instead of La Vallière. It was on such occasions that -Saint-Aignan came to the rescue, and recited verses, or repeated -one of those little tales such as Patru related, and Tallemant -des Réaux wrote so cleverly. Or, it might be that La -Vallière was fatigued, and the sitting was, therefore, -suspended for awhile; and, immediately, a tray of precious -porcelain laden with the most beautiful fruits which could be -obtained, and rich wines distilling their bright colors in silver -goblets, beautifully chased, served as accessories to the picture -of which the painter could but retrace the most ephemeral -resemblance.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis was intoxicated with -love, La Vallière with happiness, Saint-Aignan with -ambition, and the painter was storing up recollections for his -old age. Two hours passed away in this manner, and four o'clock -having struck, La Vallière rose, and made a sign to the -king. Louis also rose, approached the picture, and addressed a -few flattering remarks to the painter. Saint-Aignan also praised -the picture, which, as he pretended, was already beginning to -assume an accurate resemblance. La Vallière in her turn, -blushingly thanked the painter and passed into the next room, -where the king followed her, after having previously summoned -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you not come -to-morrow?" he said to La Vallière.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, pray think that -some one will be sure to come to my room, and will not find me -there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What will become of me in -that case?"<br> - "You are very apprehensive, Louise."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But at all events, suppose -Madame were to send for me?"<br> - "Oh!" replied the king, "will the day never come -when you yourself will tell me to brave everything so that I may -not have to leave you again?"<br> - "On that day, sire, I shall be quite out of my -mind, and you must not believe me."<br> - "To-morrow, Louise."<br> - La Vallière sighed, but, without the -courage to oppose her royal lover's wish, she repeated, -"To-morrow, then, since you desire it, sire," and with these -words she ran lightly up the stairs, and disappeared from her -lover's gaze.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, sire?" inquired -Saint-Aignan, when she had left.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, Saint-Aignan, -yesterday I thought myself the happiest of men."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And does your majesty, -then, regard yourself to-day," said the comte, smiling, "as the -unhappiest of men?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but my love for her is -an unquenchable thirst; in vain do I drink, in vain do I swallow -the drops of water which your industry procures for me; the more -I drink, the more unquenchable it becomes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, that is in some -degree your own fault, and your majesty alone has made the -position such as it is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, therefore, -the means to be happy, is to fancy yourself satisfied, and to -wait."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Wait! you know that word, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There, there, sire - do not -despair: I have already been at work on your behalf - I have -still other resources in store." The king shook his head in a -despairing manner.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What, sire! have you not -been satisfied hitherto?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! yes, indeed, yes, my -dear Saint-Aignan; but invent, for Heaven's sake, invent some -further project yet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I undertake to do my -best, and that is all that any one can do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king wished to see the -portrait again, as he was unable to see the original. He pointed -out several alterations to the painter and left the room, and -then Saint-Aignan dismissed the artist. The easel, paints, and -painter himself, had scarcely gone, when Malicorne showed his -head in the doorway. He was received by Saint-Aignan with open -arms, but still with a little sadness, for the cloud which had -passed across the royal sun, veiled, in its turn, the faithful -satellite, and Malicorne at a glance perceived the melancholy -that brooded on Saint-Aignan's face.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, monsieur le comte," he -said, "how sad you seem!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And good reason too, my -dear Monsieur Malicorne. Will you believe that the king is still -dissatisfied?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With his staircase, do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no; on the contrary, he -is delighted with the staircase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The decorations of the -apartments, I suppose, don't please him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! he has not even thought -of that. No, indeed, it seems that what has dissatisfied the -king - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will tell you, monsieur -le comte, - he is dissatisfied at finding himself the fourth -person at a rendezvous of this kind. How is it possible you -could not have guessed that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, how is it likely I -could have done so, dear M. Malicorne, when I followed the king's -instructions to the very letter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did his majesty really -insist on your being present?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Positively."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And also required that the -painter, whom I met downstairs just now, should be here, -too?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He insisted upon it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case, I -can easily understand why his majesty is dissatisfied."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What! dissatisfied -that I have so punctually and so literally obeyed his orders? I -don't understand you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Malicorne began to -scratch his ear, as he asked, "What time did the king fix for the -rendezvous in your apartments?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Two o'clock."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you were -waiting for the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ever since -half-past one; it would have been a fine thing, indeed, to have -been unpunctual with his majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Malicorne, -notwithstanding his respect for Saint-Aignan, could not help -smiling. "And the painter," he said, "did the king wish him to -be here at two o'clock, also?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; but I had him -waiting here from midday. Far better, you know, for a painter to -be kept waiting a couple of hours than the king a single -minute."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Malicorne began to -laugh aloud. "Come, dear Monsieur Malicorne," said Saint-Aignan, -"laugh less at me, and speak a little more freely, I beg."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, -monsieur le comte, if you wish the king to be a little more -satisfied the next time he comes - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'<i>Ventre -saint-gris!</i>' as his grandfather used to say; of course I wish -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, all you have -to do is, when the king comes to-morrow, to be obliged to go away -on a most pressing matter of business, which cannot possibly be -postponed, and stay away for twenty minutes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What! leave the -king alone for twenty minutes?" cried Saint-Aignan, in alarm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, do as -you like; don't pay any attention to what I say," said Malicorne, -moving towards the door.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, nay, dear -Monsieur Malicorne; on the contrary, go on - I begin to -understand you. But the painter - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! the painter -must be half an hour late."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Half an hour - do -you really think so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I do, -decidedly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, then, I -will do as you tell me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And my opinion is, -that you will be doing perfectly right. Will you allow me to -call upon you for the latest news to-morrow?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have the honor -to be your most respectful servant, M. de Saint-Aignan," said -Malicorne, bowing profoundly and retiring from the room -backwards.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is no doubt -that fellow has more invention than I have," said Saint-Aignan, -as if compelled by his conviction to admit it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXVII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Hampton Court.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he revelation -we have witnessed, that Montalais made to La Vallière, in -a preceding chapter, very naturally makes us return to the -principal hero of this tale, a poor wandering knight, roving -about at the king's caprice. If our readers will be good enough -to follow us, we will, in his company, cross that strait, more -stormy than the Euripus, which separates Calais from Dover; we -will speed across that green and fertile country, with its -numerous little streams; through Maidstone, and many other -villages and towns, each prettier than the other; and, finally, -arrive at London. From thence, like bloodhounds following a -track, after having ascertained that Raoul had made his first -stay at Whitehall, his second at St. James's, and having learned -that he had been warmly received by Monk, and introduced to the -best society of Charles II.'s court, we will follow him to one of -Charles II.'s summer residences near the lively little village of -Kingston, at Hampton Court, situated on the Thames. The river is -not, at that spot, the boastful highway which bears upon its -broad bosom its thousands of travelers; nor are its waters black -and troubled as those of Cocytus, as it boastfully asserts, "I, -too, am cousin of the old ocean." No, at Hampton Court it is a -soft and murmuring stream, with moss-fringed banks, reflecting, -in its broad mirror, the willows and beeches which ornament its -sides, and on which may occasionally be seen a light bark -indolently reclining among the tall reeds, in a little creek -formed of alders and forget-me-nots. The surrounding country on -all sides smiled in happiness and wealth; the brick cottages from -whose chimneys the blue smoke was slowly ascending in wreaths, -peeped forth from the belts of green holly which environed them; -children dressed in red frocks appeared and disappeared amidst -the high grass, like poppies bowed by the gentler breath of the -passing breeze. The sheep, ruminating with half-closed eyes, lay -lazily about under the shadow of the stunted aspens, while, far -and near, the kingfishers, plumed with emerald and gold, skimmed -swiftly along the surface of the water, like a magic ball -heedlessly touching, as he passed, the line of his brother -angler, who sat watching in his boat the fish as they rose to the -surface of the sparkling stream. High above this paradise of -dark shadows and soft light, rose the palace of Hampton Court, -built by Wolsey - a residence the haughty cardinal had been -obliged, timid courtier that he was, to offer to his master, -Henry VIII., who had glowered with envy and cupidity at the -magnificent new home. Hampton Court, with its brick walls, its -large windows, its handsome iron gates, as well as its curious -bell turrets, its retired covered walks, and interior fountains, -like those of the Alhambra, was a perfect bower of roses, -jasmine, and clematis. Every sense, sight and smell -particularly, was gratified, and the reception-rooms formed a -very charming framework for the pictures of love which Charles -II. unrolled among the voluptuous paintings of Titian, of -Pordenone and of Van Dyck; the same Charles whose father's -portrait - the martyr king - was hanging in his gallery, and who -could show upon the wainscots of the various apartments the holes -made by the balls of the puritanical followers of Cromwell, when -on the 24th of August, 1648, at the time they had brought Charles -I. prisoner to Hampton Court. There it was that the king, -intoxicated with pleasure and adventure, held his court - he, -who, a poet in feeling, thought himself justified in redeeming, -by a whole day of voluptuousness, every minute which had been -formerly passed in anguish and misery. It was not the soft green -sward of Hampton Court - so soft that it almost resembled the -richest velvet in the thickness of its texture - nor was it the -beds of flowers, with their variegated hues which encircled the -foot of every tree with rose-trees many feet in height, embracing -most lovingly their trunks - nor even the enormous lime-trees, -whose branches swept the earth like willows, offering a ready -concealment for love or reflection beneath the shade of their -foliage - it was none of these things for which Charles II. loved -his palace of Hampton Court. Perhaps it might have been that -beautiful sheet of water, which the cool breeze rippled like the -wavy undulations of Cleopatra's hair, waters bedecked with -cresses and white water-lilies, whose chaste bulbs coyly -unfolding themselves beneath the sun's warm rays, reveal the -golden gems which lie concealed within their milky petals - -murmuring waters, on the bosom of which black swans majestically -floated, and the graceful water-fowl, with their tender broods -covered with silken down, darted restlessly in every direction, -in pursuit of the insects among the reeds, or the fogs in their -mossy retreats. Perhaps it might have been the enormous hollies, -with their dark and tender green foliage; or the bridges uniting -the banks of the canals in their embrace; or the fawns browsing -in the endless avenues of the park; or the innumerable birds that -hopped about the gardens, or flew from branch to branch, amidst -the emerald foliage.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It might well have been any -of these charms - for Hampton Court had them all; and possessed, -too, almost forests of white roses, which climbed and trailed -along the lofty trellises, showering down upon the ground their -snowy leaves rich with soft perfumery. But no, what Charles II. -most loved in Hampton Court were the charming figures who, when -midday was past, flitted to and fro along the broad terraces of -the gardens; like Louis XIV., he had their wealth of beauties -painted for his gallery by one of the great artists of the period -- an artist who well knew the secret of transferring to canvas -the rays of light which escaped from beaming eyes heavy laden -with love and love's delights.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The day of our arrival at -Hampton Court is almost as clear and bright as a summer's day in -France; the atmosphere is heavy with the delicious perfume of -geraniums, sweet-peas, seringas, and heliotrope scattered in -profusion around. It is past midday, and the king, having dined -after his return from hunting, paid a visit to Lady Castlemaine, -the lady who was reputed at the time to hold his heart in -bondage; and this proof of his devotion discharged, he was -readily permitted to pursue his infidelities until evening -arrived. Love and amusement ruled the entire court; it was the -period when ladies would seriously interrogate their ruder -companions as to their opinions upon a foot more or less -captivating, according to whether it wore a pink or lilac silk -stocking - for it was the period when Charles II. had declared -that there was no hope of safety for a woman who wore green silk -stockings, because Miss Lucy Stewart wore them of that color. -While the king is endeavoring in all directions to inculcate -others with his preferences on this point, we will ourselves bend -our steps towards an avenue of beech-trees opposite the terrace, -and listen to the conversation of a young girl in a dark-colored -dress, who is walking with another of about her own age dressed -in blue. They crossed a beautiful lawn, from the center of which -sprang a fountain, with the figure of a siren executed in bronze, -and strolled on, talking as they went, towards the terrace, along -which, looking out upon the park and interspersed at frequent -intervals, were erected summer-houses, diverse in form and -ornament; these summer-houses were nearly all occupied; the two -young women passed on, the one blushing deeply, while the other -seemed dreamily silent. At last, having reached the end of the -terrace which looks on the river, and finding there a cool -retreat, they sat down close to each other.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where are we going?" said -the younger to her companion.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear, we are going where -you yourself led the way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, you; to the extremity -of the palace, towards that seat yonder, where the young -Frenchman is seated, wasting his time in sighs and -lamentations."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Miss Mary Grafton hurriedly -said, "No, no; I am not going there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not?"<br> - "Let us go back, Lucy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, on the contrary, let -us go on, and have an explanation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What about?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "About how it happens that -the Vicomte de Bragelonne always accompanies you in all your -walks, as you invariably accompany him in his."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you conclude either -that he loves me, or that I love him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not? - he is a most -agreeable and charming companion. - No one hears me, I hope," -said Lucy Stewart, as she turned round with a smile, which -indicated, moreover, that her uneasiness on the subject was not -extreme.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no," said Mary, "the -king is engaged in his summer-house with the Duke of -Buckingham."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! <i>à propos</i> -of the duke, Mary, it seems he has shown you great attention -since his return from France; how is your own heart in that -direction?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Mary Grafton shrugged her -shoulders with seeming indifference.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, well, I will ask -Bragelonne about it," said Stewart, laughing; "let us go and find -him at once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What for?"<br> - "I wish to speak to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not yet, one word before -you do: come, come, you who know so many of the king's secrets, -tell me why M. de Bragelonne is in England?"<br> - "Because he was sent as an envoy from one -sovereign to another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That may be; but, -seriously, although politics do not much concern us, we know -enough to be satisfied that M. de Bragelonne has no mission of -serious import here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, listen," said -Stewart, with assumed gravity, "for your sake I am going to -betray a state secret. Shall I tell you the nature of the letter -which King Louis XIV. gave M. de Bragelonne for King Charles -II.? I will; these are the very words: 'My brother, the bearer -of this is a gentleman attached to my court, and the son of one -whom you regard most warmly. Treat him kindly, I beg, and try -and make him like England.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Did it say that!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Word for word - or -something very like it. I will not answer for the form, but the -substance I am sure of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and what conclusion -do you, or rather what conclusion does the king, draw from -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That the king of France has -his own reasons for removing M. de Bragelonne, and for getting -him married anywhere else than in France."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So that, then, in -consequence of this letter - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "King Charles received M. de -Bragelonne, as you are aware, in the most distinguished and -friendly manner; the handsomest apartments in Whitehall were -allotted to him; and as you are the most valuable and precious -person in his court, inasmuch as you have rejected his heart, - -nay, do not blush, - he wished you to take a fancy to this -Frenchman, and he was desirous to confer upon him so costly a -prize. And this is the reason why you, the heiress of three -hundred thousand pounds, a future duchess, so beautiful, so good, -have been thrown in Bragelonne's way, in all the promenades and -parties of pleasure to which he was invited. In fact it was a -plot, - a kind of conspiracy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Mary Grafton smiled with -that charming expression which was habitual to her, and pressing -her companion's arm, said: "Thank the king, Lucy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes, but the Duke of -Buckingham is jealous, so take care."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Hardly had she pronounced -these words, when the duke appeared from one of the pavilions on -the terrace, and, approaching the two girls, with a smile, said, -"You are mistaken, Miss Lucy; I am not jealous; and the proof, -Miss Mary, is yonder, in the person of M. de Bragelonne himself, -who ought to be the cause of my jealousy, but who is dreaming in -pensive solitude. Poor fellow! Allow me to leave you for a few -minutes, while I avail myself of those few minutes to converse -with Miss Lucy Stewart, to whom I have something to say." And -then, bowing to Lucy, he added, "Will you do me the honor to -accept my hand, in order that I may lead you to the king, who is -waiting for us?" With these words, Buckingham, still smiling, -took Miss Stewart's hand, and led her away. When by herself, -Mary Grafton, her head gently inclined towards her shoulder, with -that indolent gracefulness of action which distinguishes young -English girls, remained for a moment with her eyes fixed on -Raoul, but as if uncertain what to do. At last, after first -blushing violently, and then turning deadly pale, thus revealing -the internal combat which assailed her heart, she seemed to make -up her mind to adopt a decided course, and with a tolerably firm -step, advanced towards the seat on which Raoul was reclining, -buried in the profoundest meditation, as we have already said. -The sound of Miss Mary's steps, though they could hardly be heard -upon the green sward, awakened Raoul from his musing attitude; he -turned round, perceived the young girl, and walked forward to -meet the companion whom his happy destiny had thrown in his -way.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have been sent to you, -monsieur," said Mary Grafton; "will you take care of me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To whom is my gratitude -due, for so great a happiness?" inquired Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To the Duke of Buckingham," -replied Mary, affecting a gayety she did not really feel.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To the Duke of Buckingham, -do you say? - he who so passionately seeks your charming -society! Am I really to believe you are serious, -mademoiselle?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fact is, monsieur, you -perceive, that everything seems to conspire to make us pass the -best, or rather the longest, part of our days together. -Yesterday it was the king who desired me to beg you to seat -yourself next to me at dinner; to-day, it is the Duke of -Buckingham who begs me to come and place myself near you on this -seat."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And he has gone away in -order to leave us together?" asked Raoul, with some -embarrassment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Look yonder, at the turning -of that path; he is just out of sight, with Miss Stewart. Are -these polite attentions usual in France, monsieur le -vicomte?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot very precisely say -what people do in France, mademoiselle, for I can hardly be -called a Frenchman. I have resided in many countries, and almost -always as a solider; and then, I have spent a long period of my -life in the country. I am almost a savage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do not like your -residence in England, I fear."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I scarcely know," said -Raoul, inattentively, and sighing deeply at the same time.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! you do not know?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Forgive me," said Raoul, -shaking his head, and collecting his thoughts, "I did not hear -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said the young girl, -sighing in her turn, "how wrong the duke was to send me -here!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Wrong!" said Raoul, -"perhaps so; for I am but a rude, uncouth companion, and my -society annoys you. The duke did, indeed, very wrong to send -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is precisely," replied -Mary Grafton, in a clear, calm voice, "because your society does -not annoy me, that the duke was wrong to send me to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was now Raoul's turn to -blush. "But," he resumed, "how happens it that the Duke of -Buckingham should send you to me; and why did you come? the duke -loves you, and you love him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No," replied Mary, -seriously, "the duke does not love me, because he is in love with -the Duchesse d'Orléans; and, as for myself, I have no -affection for the duke."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul looked at the young -lady with astonishment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you a friend of the -Duke of Buckingham?" she inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The duke has honored me by -calling me so ever since we met in France."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are simple -acquaintances, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; for the duke is the -most intimate friend of one whom I regard as a brother."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The Duc de Guiche?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."<br> - "He who is in love with Madame la Duchesse -d'Orléans?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! What is that you are -saying?"<br> - "And who loves him in return," continued the -young girl, quietly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul bent down his head, -and Mary Grafton, sighing deeply, continued, "They are very -happy. But, leave me, Monsieur de Bragelonne, for the Duke of -Buckingham has given you a very troublesome commission in -offering me as a companion for your promenade. Your heart is -elsewhere, and it is with the greatest difficulty you can be -charitable enough to lend me your attention. Confess truly; it -would be unfair on your part, vicomte, not to admit it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame, I do confess -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She looked at him steadily. -He was so noble and so handsome in his bearing, his eyes revealed -so much gentleness, candor, and resolution, that the idea could -not possibly enter her mind that he was either rudely -discourteous, or a mere simpleton. She only perceived, clearly -enough, that he loved another woman, and not herself, with the -whole strength of his heart. "Ah! I now understand you," she -said; "you have left your heart behind you in France." Raoul -bowed. "The duke is aware of your affection?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No one knows it," replied -Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, therefore, do you tell -me? Nay, answer me."<br> - "I cannot."<br> - "It is for me, then, to anticipate an -explanation; you do not wish to tell me anything, because you are -now convinced that I do not love the duke; because you see that I -possibly might have loved you; because you are a gentleman of -noble and delicate sentiments; and because, instead of accepting, -even were it for the mere amusement of the passing hour, a hand -which is almost pressed upon you; and because, instead of meeting -my smiles with a smiling lip, you, who are young, have preferred -to tell me, whom men have called beautiful, 'My heart is over the -sea - it is in France.' For this, I thank you, Monsieur de -Bragelonne; you are, indeed, a noble-hearted, noble-minded man, -and I regard you all the more for it, as a friend only. And now -let us cease speaking of myself, and talk of your own affairs. -Forget that I have ever spoken to you of myself, tell me why you -are sad, and why you have become more than usually so during -these past four days?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul was deeply and -sensibly moved by these sweet and melancholy tones; and as he -could not, at the moment, find a word to say, the young girl -again came to his assistance.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Pity me," she said. "My -mother was born in France, and I can truly affirm that I, too, am -French in blood, as well as in feeling; but the leaden atmosphere -and characteristic gloom of England seem to weigh upon me. -Sometimes my dreams are golden-hued and full of wonderful -enjoyments, when suddenly a mist rises and overspreads my fancy, -blotting them out forever. Such, indeed, is the case at the -present moment. Forgive me; I have now said enough on that -subject; give me your hand, and relate you griefs to me as a -friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You say you are French in -heart and soul?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, not only, I repeat it, -that my mother was French, but, further, as my father, a friend -of King Charles I., was exiled in France, I, during the trial of -that prince, as well as during the Protector's life, was brought -up in Paris; at the Restoration of King Charles II., my poor -father returned to England, where he died almost immediately -afterwards; and then the king created me a duchess, and has -dowered me according to my rank.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Have you any relations in -France?" Raoul inquired, with the deepest interest.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have a sister there, my -senior by seven or eight years, who was married in France, and -was early left a widow; her name is Madame de Bellière. -Do you know her?" she added, observing Raoul start suddenly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have heard her name."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She, too, loves with her -whole heart; and her last letters inform me she is happy, and her -affection is, I conclude, returned. I told you, Monsieur de -Bragelonne, that although I possess half of her nature, I do not -share her happiness. But let us now speak of yourself; whom do -you love in France?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A young girl, as soft and -pure as a lily."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But if she loves you, why -are you sad?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have been told that she -ceases to love me."<br> - "You do not believe it, I trust?"<br> - "He who wrote me so does not sign his -letter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "An anonymous denunciation! -some treachery, be assured," said Miss Grafton.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay," said Raoul, showing -the young girl a letter which he had read over a thousand times; -she took it from his hand and read as follows:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "VICOMTE, - You are -perfectly right to amuse yourself yonder with the lovely faces of -Charles II.'s court, for at Louis XIV.'s court, the castle in -which your affections are enshrined is being besieged. Stay in -London altogether, poor vicomte, or return without delay to -Paris."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is no signature," -said Miss Mary.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "None."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Believe it not, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; but here is a -second letter, from my friend De Guiche, which says, 'I am lying -here wounded and ill. Return, Raoul, oh, return!'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you intend doing?" -inquired the young girl, with a feeling of oppression at her -heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My intention, as soon as I -received this letter, was immediately to take my leave of the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "When did you receive -it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The day before -yesterday."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is dated -Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A singular circumstance, do -you not think, for the court is now at Paris? At all events, I -would have set off; but when I mentioned my intention to the -king, he began to laugh, and said to me, 'How comes it, monsieur -l'amassadeur, that you think of leaving? Has your sovereign -recalled you?' I colored, naturally enough, for I was confused -by the question; for the fact is, the king himself sent me here, -and I have received no order to return."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Mary frowned in deep -thought, and said, "Do you remain, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I must, mademoiselle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you ever receive any -letters from her to whom you are so devoted?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Never."<br> - "Never, do you say? Does she not love you, -then?"<br> - "At least, she has not written to me since my -departure, although she used occasionally to write to me before. -I trust she may have been prevented."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Hush! the duke is -coming."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And Buckingham at that -moment was seen at the end of the walk, approaching towards them, -alone and smiling; he advanced slowly, and held out his hands to -them both. "Have you arrived at an understanding?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "About what?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "About whatever might render -you happy, dear Mary, and make Raoul less miserable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not understand you, my -lord," said Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is my view of the -subject, Miss Mary; do you wish me to mention it before M. de -Bragelonne?" he added, with a smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If you mean," replied the -young girl, haughtily, "that I was not indisposed to love M. de -Bragelonne, that is useless, for I have told him so myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Buckingham reflected for a -moment, and, without seeming in any way discountenanced, as she -expected, he said: "My reason for leaving you with M. de -Bragelonne was, that I thoroughly knew your refined delicacy of -feeling, no less than the perfect loyalty of your mind and heart, -and I hoped that M. de Bragelonne's cure might be effected by the -hands of a physician such as you are."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, my lord, before you -spoke of M. de Bragelonne's heart, you spoke to me of your own. -Do you mean to effect the cure of two hearts at the same -time?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Perfectly true, madame; but -you will do me the justice to admit that I have long discontinued -a useless pursuit, acknowledging that my own wound is -incurable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My lord," said Mary, -collecting herself for a moment before she spoke, "M. de -Bragelonne is happy, for he loves and is beloved. He has no need -of such a physician as I can be."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Bragelonne," said -Buckingham, "is on the very eve of experiencing a serious -misfortune, and he has greater need than ever of sympathy and -affection."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Explain yourself, my lord," -inquired Raoul, anxiously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; gradually I will -explain myself; but, if you desire it, I can tell Miss Grafton -what you may not listen to yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My lord, you are putting me -to the torture; you know something you wish to conceal from -me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know that Miss Mary -Grafton is the most charming object that a heart ill at ease -could possibly meet with in its way through life."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have already told you -that the Vicomte de Bragelonne loves elsewhere," said the young -girl.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He is wrong, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you assume to know, my -lord, that <i>I</i> am wrong?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whom is it that he loves, -then?" exclaimed the young girl.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He loves a lady who is -unworthy of him," said Buckingham, with that calm, collected -manner peculiar to Englishmen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Miss Grafton uttered a cry, -which, together with the remark that Buckingham had that moment -made, spread of De Bragelonne's features a deadly paleness, -arising from the sudden surprise, and also from a vague fear of -impending misfortune. "My lord," he exclaimed, "you have just -pronounced words which compel me, without a moment's delay, to -seek their explanation in Paris."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will remain here," said -Buckingham, "because you have no right to leave; and no one has -the right to quit the service of the king for that of any woman, -even were she as worthy of being loved as Mary Grafton is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will tell me all, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will, on condition that -you will remain."<br> - "I will remain, if you will promise to speak -openly and without reserve."<br> - Thus far had their conversation proceeded, and -Buckingham, in all probability, was on the point of revealing, -not indeed all that had taken place, but at least all he was -aware of, when one of the king's attendants appeared at the end -of the terrace, and advanced towards the summer-house where the -king was sitting with Lucy Stewart. A courier followed him, -covered with dust from head to foot, and who seemed as if he had -but a few moments before dismounted from his horse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The courier from France! -Madame's courier!" exclaimed Raoul, recognizing the princess's -livery; and while the attendant and the courier advanced towards -the king, Buckingham and Miss Grafton exchanged a look full of -intelligence with each other.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXVIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Courier from Madame.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>C</span>harles II. -was busily engaged in proving, or in endeavoring to prove, to -Miss Stewart that she was the only person for whom he cared at -all, and consequently was avowing to her an affection similar to -that which his ancestor Henry IV. had entertained for Gabrielle. -Unfortunately for Charles II., he had hit upon an unlucky day, -the very day Miss Stewart had taken it into her head to make him -jealous, and therefore, instead of being touched by his offer, as -the king had hoped, she laughed heartily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, sire," she cried, -laughing all the while; "if I were to be unfortunate enough to -ask you for a proof of the affection you possess, how easy it -would be to see that you are telling a falsehood."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, listen to me," said -Charles, "you know my cartoons by Raphael; you know whether I -care for them or not; the whole world envies me their possession, -as you well know also; my father commissioned Van Dyck to -purchase them. Would you like me to send them to your house this -very day?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no!" replied the young -girl; "pray keep them yourself, sire; my house is far too small -to accommodate such visitors."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case you shall have -Hampton Court to put the cartoons in."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Be less generous, sire, and -learn to love a little while longer, that is all I have to ask -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I shall never cease to love -you; is not that enough?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are smiling, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you wish me to -weep?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but I should like to -see you a little more melancholy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank Heaven, I have been -so long enough; fourteen years of exile, poverty, and misery, I -think I may well regard it as a debt discharged; besides, -melancholy makes people look so plain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Far from that - for look at -the young Frenchman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! the Vicomte de -Bragelonne? are you smitten too? By Heaven, they will all grow -mad over him one after the other; but he, on the contrary, has a -reason for being melancholy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, indeed! you wish me to -betray state secrets, do you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If I wish it, you must do -so, for you told me you were quite ready to do everything I -wished."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, he is bored in -his own country. Does that satisfy you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Bored?"<br> - "Yes, a proof that he is a simpleton; I allow him -to fall in love with Miss Mary Grafton, and he feels bored. Can -you believe it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; it seems, then, -that if you were to find Miss Lucy Stewart indifferent to you, -you would console yourself by falling in love with Miss Mary -Grafton."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I don't say that; in the -first place, you know that Mary Grafton does not care for me; -besides, a man can only console himself for a lost affection by -the discovery of a new one. Again, however, I repeat, the -question is not of myself, but of that young man. One might -almost be tempted to call the girl he has left behind him a Helen -- a Helen before the little ceremony she went through with Paris, -of course."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He has left some one, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is to say, some one -has left <i>him</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Poor fellow! so much the -worse!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why do you mean by 'so much -the worse'?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not? why did he -leave?"<br> - "Do you think it was of his own wish or will that -he left?"<br> - "Was he obliged to leave, then?"<br> - "He left Paris under orders, my dear Stewart; and -prepare to be surprised - by express orders of the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! I begin to see, -now."<br> - "At least say nothing at all about it."<br> - "You know very well that I am just as discreet as -anybody else. And so the king sent him away?"<br> - "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And during his absence he -takes his sweetheart from him?"<br> - "Yes; and, will you believe it? the silly fellow, -instead of thanking the king, is making himself miserable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! thank the king for -depriving him of the woman he loves! Really, sire, yours is a -most ungallant speech."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, pray understand me. -If she whom the king had run off with was either a Miss Grafton -or a Miss Stewart, I should not be of his opinion; nay, I should -even think him not half wretched enough; but she is a little, -thin, lame thing. Deuce take such fidelity as that! Surely, one -can hardly understand how a man can refuse a girl who is rich for -one who is poverty itself - a girl who loves him for one who -deceives and betrays him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you think that Mary -seriously wishes to please the vicomte, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do, indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good! the vicomte will -settle down in England, for Mary has a clear head, and when she -fixes her mind upon anything, she does so thoroughly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Take care, my dear Miss -Stewart; if the vicomte has any idea of adopting our country, he -has not long to do so, for it was only the day before yesterday -that he again asked me for permission to leave."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which you refused him, I -suppose?"<br> - "I should think so, indeed; my royal brother is -far too anxious for his absence; and, for myself, my <i>amour -propre</i> is enlisted on his side, for I will never have it said -that I had held out as a bait to this young man the noblest and -gentlest creature in England - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are very gallant, -sire," said Miss Stewart, with a pretty pout.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not allude to Miss -Stewart, for she is worthy of a king's devotion; and since she -has captivated me I trust that no one else will be caught by her; -I say, therefore, finally, that the attention I have shown this -young man will not have been thrown away; he will stay with us -here, he will marry here, or I am very much mistaken."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I hope that when he is -once married and settled, instead of being angry with your -majesty, he will be grateful to you, for every one tries his -utmost to please him; even the Duke of Buckingham, whose -brilliancy, which is incredible, seems to pale before that of -this young Frenchman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Including Miss Stewart -even, who calls him the most finished gentleman she ever -saw."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay, sire; you have spoken -quite enough, and quite highly enough, of Miss Grafton, to -overlook what I may have said about De Bragelonne. But, by the -by, sire, your kindness for some time past astonishes me: you -think of those who are absent, you forgive those who have done -you a wrong, in fact, you are as nearly as possible, perfect. -How does it happen - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is because you allow -yourself to be loved," he said, beginning to laugh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! there must be some -other reason."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, I am doing all I can -to oblige my brother, Louis XIV."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, I must have another -reason."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, the true motive -is that Buckingham strongly recommended the young man to me, -saying: 'Sire, I begin by yielding up all claim to Miss Grafton; -I pray you follow my example.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The duke is, indeed, a true -gentleman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! of course, of course; -it is Buckingham's turn now, I suppose, to turn <i>your</i> -head. You seem determined to cross me in everything to-day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At this moment some one -rapped at the door.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who is it who presumes to -interrupt us?" exclaimed Charles, impatiently.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Really, sire, you are -extremely vain with your 'who is it who presumes?' and in order -to punish you for it - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She went to the door and -opened it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is a courier from -France," said Miss Stewart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A courier from France!" -exclaimed Charles; "from my sister, perhaps?"<br> - "Yes, sire," said the usher, "a special -messenger."<br> - "Let him come in at once," said Charles.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have a letter for me," -said the king to the courier as he entered, "from the Duchess of -Orléans?"<br> - "Yes, sire," replied the courier, "and so urgent -in its nature that I have only been twenty-six hours in bringing -it to your majesty, and yet I lost three-quarters of an hour at -Calais."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your zeal shall not be -forgotten," said the king, as he opened the letter. When he had -read it he burst out laughing, and exclaimed, "Upon my word, I am -at a loss to understand anything about it." He then read the -letter a second time, Miss Stewart assuming a manner marked by -the greatest reserve, and doing her utmost to restrain her ardent -curiosity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Francis," said the king to -his valet, "see that this excellent fellow is well taken care of -and sleeps soundly, and that on waking to-morrow he finds a purse -of fifty sovereigns by his bedside."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire!" said the courier, -amazed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Begone, begone; my sister -was perfectly right in desiring you to use the utmost diligence; -the affair was most pressing." And he again began to laugh -louder than ever. The courier, the valet, and Miss Stewart -hardly knew what sort of countenance to assume. "Ah!" said the -king, throwing himself back in his armchair: "When I think that -you have knocked up - how many horses?"<br> - "Two!"<br> - "Two horses to bring this intelligence to me. -That will do, you can leave us now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The courier retired with the -valet. Charles went to the window, which he opened, and leaning -forward, called out - "Duke! Buckingham! come here, there's a -good fellow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The duke hurried to him, in -obedience to the summons; but when he reached the door, and -perceived Miss Stewart, he hesitated to enter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Come in, and shut the -door," said the king. The duke obeyed; and, perceiving in what -an excellent humor the king was, he advanced, smiling, towards -him. "Well, my dear duke, how do you get on with your -Frenchman?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I am in the most -perfect state of utter despair about him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because charming Miss -Grafton is willing to marry him, but he is unwilling."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, he is a perfect -Bœotian!" cried Miss Stewart. "Let him say either 'Yes,' -or No,' and let the affair end."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But," said Buckingham, -seriously, "you know, or you ought to know, madame, that M. de -Bragelonne is in love in another direction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case," said the -king, coming to Miss Stewart's help, "nothing is easier; let him -say 'No,' then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very true; and I have -proved to him he was wrong not to say 'Yes.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You told him candidly, I -suppose, that La Vallière was deceiving him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, without the slightest -reserve; and, as soon as I had done so, he gave a start, as if he -were going to clear the Channel at a bound."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events," said Miss -Stewart, "he has done something; and a very good thing too, upon -my word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But," said Buckingham, "I -stopped him; I have left him and Miss Mary in conversation -together, and I sincerely trust that now he will not leave, as he -seemed to have an idea of doing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "An idea of leaving -England?" cried the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I, at one moment, hardly -thought that any human power could have prevented him; but Miss -Mary's eyes are now bent fully on him, and he will remain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, that is the very -thing which deceives you, Buckingham," said the king, with a peal -of laughter; "the poor fellow is predestined."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Predestined to what?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If it were to be simply -deceived, that is nothing; but, to look at him, it is a great -deal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At a distance, and with -Miss Grafton's aid, the blow will be warded off."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Far from it, far from it; -neither distance nor Miss Grafton's help will be of the slightest -avail. Bragelonne will set off for Paris within an hour's -time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Buckingham started, and Miss -Stewart opened her eyes very wide in astonishment.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, sire," said the duke, -"your majesty knows that it is impossible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is to say, my dear -Buckingham, that it is impossible until it happens."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not forget, sire, that -the young man is a perfect lion, and that his wrath is -terrible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I don't deny it, my dear -duke."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that if he sees that -his misfortune is certain, so much the worse for the author of -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I don't deny it; but what -the deuce am I to do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Were it the king himself," -cried Buckingham, "I would not answer for him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, the king has his -musketeers to take care of him," said Charles, quietly; "I know -that perfectly well, for I was kept dancing attendance in his -ante-chamber at Blois. He has M. d'Artagnan, and what better -guardian could the king have than M. d'Artagnan? I should make -myself perfectly easy with twenty storms of passion, such as -Bragelonne might display, if I had four guardians like -D'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But I entreat your majesty, -who is so good and kind, to reflect a little."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay," said Charles II., -presenting the letter to the duke, "read, and answer yourself -what you would do in my place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Buckingham slowly took hold -of Madame's letter, and trembling with emotion, read the -following words:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For your own sake, for -mine, for the honor and safety of every one, send M. de -Bragelonne back to France immediately. Your devoted sister,</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'> -HENRIETTA."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, Villiers, what do you -say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Really, sire, I have -nothing to say," replied the duke, stupefied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, would you, of all -persons," said the king, artfully, "advise me not to listen to my -sister when she writes so urgently?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, no, no, sire; and yet - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have not read the -postscript, Villiers; it is under the fold of the letter, and -escaped me at first; read it." And as the duke turned down a -fold of the letter, he read:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A thousand kind -remembrances to those who love me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The duke's head sank -gradually on his breast; the paper trembled in his fingers, as if -it had been changed to lead. The king paused for a moment, and, -seeing that Buckingham did not speak, "He must follow his -destiny, as we ours," continued the king; "every man has his own -share of grief in this world; I have had my own, - I have had -that of others who belong to me, - and have thus had a double -weight of woe to endure! - But the deuce take all my cares now! -Go, and bring our friend here, Villiers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The duke opened the -trellised door of the summer-house, and pointing at Raoul and -Mary, who were walking together side by side, said, "What a cruel -blow, sire, for poor Miss Grafton!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nonsense; call him," said -Charles II., knitting his black brows together; "every one seems -to be sentimental here. There, look at Miss Stewart, who is -wiping her eyes, - now deuce take the French fellow!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The duke called to Raoul, -and taking Miss Grafton by the hand, he led her towards the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur de Bragelonne," -said Charles II., "did you not ask me the day before yesterday -for permission to return to Paris?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire," replied Raoul, -greatly puzzled by this address.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I refused you, I -think?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."<br> - "For which you were angry with me?"<br> - "No, sire; your majesty had no doubt excellent -reasons for withholding it; for you are so wise and so good that -everything you do is well done."<br> - "I alleged, I believe, as a reason, that the king -of France had not recalled you?"<br> - "Yes, sire, that was the reason you -assigned."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, M. de Bragelonne, I -have reflected over the matter since; if the king did not, in -fact, fix your return, he begged me to render your sojourn in -England as agreeable as possible; since, however, you ask my -permission to return, it is because your longer residence in -England is no longer agreeable to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not say that, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, but your request, at -least," said the king, "signified that another place of residence -would be more agreeable to you than this."<br> - At this moment Raoul turned towards the door, -against which Miss Grafton was leaning, pale and sorrow-stricken; -her other hand was passed through the duke's arm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do not reply," pursued -Charles; "the proverb is plain enough, that 'silence gives -consent.' Very good, Monsieur de Bragelonne; I am now in a -position to satisfy you; whenever you please, therefore, you can -leave for Paris, for which you have my authority."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire!" exclaimed Raoul, -while Mary stifled an exclamation of grief which rose to her -lips, unconsciously pressing Buckingham's arm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You can be at Dover this -evening," continued the king, "the tide serves at two o'clock in -the morning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul, astounded, stammered -out a few broken sentences, which equally answered the purpose -both of thanks and of excuse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I therefore bid you adieu, -Monsieur de Bragelonne, and wish you every sort of prosperity," -said the king, rising; "you will confer a pleasure on me by -keeping this diamond in remembrance of me; I had intended it as a -marriage gift."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Miss Grafton felt her limbs -almost giving way; and, as Raoul received the ring from the -king's hand, he, too, felt his strength and courage failing him. -He addressed a few respectful words to the king, a passing -compliment to Miss Stewart, and looked for Buckingham to bid him -adieu. The king profited by this moment to disappear. Raoul -found the duke engaged in endeavoring to encourage Miss -Grafton.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell him to remain, I -implore you!" said Buckingham to Mary.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, I will tell him to go," -replied Miss Grafton, with returning animation; "I am not one of -those women who have more pride than heart; if she whom he loves -is in France, let him return thither and bless me for having -advised him to go and seek his happiness there. If, on the -contrary, she shall have ceased to love him, let him come back -here again; I shall still love him, and his unhappiness will not -have lessened him in my regard. In the arms of my house you will -find that which Heaven has engraven on my heart - <i>Habenti -parum, egenti cuncta</i>. 'To the rich is accorded little, to -the poor everything.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not believe, -Bragelonne, that you will find yonder the equivalent of what you -leave behind you here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I think, or at least hope," -said Raoul, with a gloomy air, "that she whom I love is worthy of -my affection; but if it be true she is unworthy of me, as you -have endeavored to make me believe, I will tear her image from my -heart, duke, even if my heart breaks in the attempt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Mary Grafton gazed upon him -with an expression of the most indefinable pity, and Raoul -returned her look with a sweet, sorrowful smile, saying, -"Mademoiselle, the diamond which the king has given me was -destined for you, - give me leave to offer it for your -acceptance: if I marry in France, you will send it me back; if I -do not marry, keep it." And he bowed and left her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What does he mean?" thought -Buckingham, while Raoul pressed Mary's icy hand with marks of the -most reverential respect.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Mary understood the look -that Buckingham fixed upon her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If it were a wedding-ring, -I would not accept it," she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet you were willing to -ask him to return to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! duke," cried the young -girl in heart-broken accents, "a woman such as I am is never -accepted as a consolation by a man like him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You do not think he will -return, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Never," said Miss Grafton, -in a choking voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I grieve to tell you, -Mary, that he will find yonder his happiness destroyed, his -mistress lost to him. His honor even has not escaped. What will -be left him, then, Mary, equal to your affection? Answer, Mary, -you who know yourself so well."<br> - Miss Grafton placed her white hand on -Buckingham's arm, and, while Raoul was hurrying away with -headlong speed, she repeated in dying accents the line from Romeo -and Juliet:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>I must be gone and live, -or stay and die.</i>"<br> - As she finished the last word, Raoul -disappeared. Miss Grafton returned to her own apartments, paler -than death. Buckingham availed himself of the arrival of the -courier, who had brought the letter to the king, to write to -Madame and to the Comte de Guiche. The king had not been -mistaken, for at two in the morning the tide was at full flood, -and Raoul had embarked for France.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XXXIX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Saint-Aignan Follows Malicorne's Advice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he king most -assiduously followed the progress which was made in La -Vallière's portrait; and did so with a care and attention -arising as much from a desire that it should resemble her as from -the wish that the painter should prolong the period of its -completion as much as possible. It was amusing to observe him -follow the artist's brush, awaiting the completion of a -particular plan, or the result of a combination of colors, and -suggesting various modifications to the painter, which the latter -consented to adopt with the most respectful docility. And again, -when the artist, following Malicorne's advice, was a little late -in arriving, and when Saint-Aignan had been obliged to be absent -for some time, it was interesting to observe, though no one -witnessed them, those moments of silence full of deep expression, -which united in one sigh two souls most disposed to understand -each other, and who by no means objected to the quiet meditation -they enjoyed together. The minutes flew rapidly by, as if on -wings, and as the king drew closer to Louise and bent his burning -gaze upon her, a noise was suddenly heard in the ante-room. It -was the artist, who had just arrived; Saint-Aignan, too, had -returned, full of apologies; and the king began to talk and La -Vallière to answer him very hurriedly, their eyes -revealing to Saint-Aignan that they had enjoyed a century of -happiness during his absence. In a word, Malicorne, philosopher -that he was, though he knew it not, had learned how to inspire -the king with an appetite in the midst of plenty, and with desire -in the assurance of possession. La Vallière's fears of -interruption had never been realized, and no one imagined she was -absent from her apartment two or three hours every day; she -pretended that her health was very uncertain; those who went to -her room always knocked before entering, and Malicorne, the man -of so many ingenious inventions, had constructed an acoustic -piece of mechanism, by means of which La Vallière, when in -Saint-Aignan's apartment, was always forewarned of any visits -which were paid to the room she usually inhabited. In this -manner, therefore, without leaving her room, and having no -<i>confidante</i>, she was able to return to her apartment, thus -removing by her appearance, a little tardy perhaps, the -suspicions of the most determined skeptics. Malicorne having -asked Saint-Aignan the next morning what news he had to report, -the latter was obliged to confess that the quarter of an hour's -liberty had made the king in most excellent humor. "We must -double the dose," replied Malicorne, "but by insensible degrees; -wait until they seem to wish it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> They were so desirous for -it, however, that on the evening of the fourth day, at the moment -when the painter was packing up his implements, during -Saint-Aignan's continued absence, Saint-Aignan on his return -noticed upon La Vallière's face a shade of disappointment -and vexation, which she could not conceal. The king was less -reserved, and exhibited his annoyance by a very significant shrug -of the shoulders, at which La Vallière could not help -blushing. "Very good!" thought Saint-Aignan to himself; "M. -Malicorne will be delighted this evening;" as he, in fact, was, -when it was reported to him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is very evident," he -remarked to the comte, "that Mademoiselle de la Vallière -hoped that you would be at least ten minutes later."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the king that I should -be half an hour later, dear Monsieur Malicorne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You would show but very -indifferent devotion to the king," replied the latter, "if you -were to refuse his majesty that half-hour's satisfaction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But the painter," objected -Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>I</i> will take care of -him," said Malicorne, "only I must study faces and circumstances -a little better before I act; those are my magical inventions and -contrivances; and while sorcerers are enabled by means of their -astrolabe to take the altitude of the sun, moon, and stars, I am -satisfied merely by looking into people's faces, in order to see -if their eyes are encircled with dark lines, and if the mouth -describes a convex or concave arc."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And the cunning Malicorne -had every opportunity of watching narrowly and closely, for the -very same evening the king accompanied the queen to Madame's -apartments, and made himself so remarked by his serious face and -his deep sigh, and looked at La Vallière with such a -languishing expression, that Malicorne said to Montalais during -the evening: "To-morrow." And he went off to the painter's house -in the street of the Jardins Saint-Paul to request him to -postpone the next sitting for a couple of days. Saint-Aignan was -not within, when La Vallière, who was now quite familiar -with the lower story, lifted up the trap-door and descended. The -king, as usual was waiting for her on the staircase, and held a -bouquet in his hand; as soon as he saw her, he clasped her -tenderly in his arms. La Vallière, much moved at the -action, looked around the room, but as she saw the king was -alone, she did not complain of it. They sat down, the king -reclining near the cushions on which Louise was seated, with his -head supported by her knees, placed there as in an asylum whence -no one could banish him; he gazed ardently upon her, and as if -the moment had arrived when nothing could interpose between their -two hearts; she, too, gazed with similar passion upon him, and -from her eyes, so softly pure, emanated a flame, whose rays first -kindled and then inflamed the heart of the king, who, trembling -with happiness as Louise's hand rested on his head, grew giddy -from excess of joy, and momentarily awaited either the painter's -or Saint-Aignan's return to break the sweet illusion. But the -door remained closed, and neither Saint-Aignan nor the painter -appeared, nor did the hangings even move. A deep mysterious -silence reigned in the room - a silence which seemed to influence -even the song-birds in their gilded prisons. The king, -completely overcome, turned round his head and buried his burning -lips in La Vallière's hands, who, herself faint, with -excess of emotion, pressed her trembling hands against her -lover's lips. Louis threw himself upon his knees, and as La -Vallière did not move her head, the king's forehead being -within reach of her lips, she furtively passed her lips across -the perfumed locks which caressed her cheeks. The king seized -her in his arms, and, unable to resist the temptation, they -exchanged their first kiss, that burning kiss, which changes love -into delirium. Suddenly, a noise upon the upper floor was heard, -which had, in fact, continued, though it had remained unnoticed, -for some time; it had at last aroused La Vallière's -attention, though but slowly so. As the noise, however, -continued, as it forced itself upon the attention, and recalled -the poor girl from her dreams of happiness to the sad realities -of life, she rose in a state of utter bewilderment, though -beautiful in her disorder, saying:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Some one is waiting for me -above. Louis, Louis, do you not hear?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! and am I not waiting -for you, also?" said the king, with infinite tenderness of tone. -"Let others henceforth wait for you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> But she gently shook her -head, as she replied: "Happiness hidden… power -concealed… my pride should be as silent as my heart."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The noise was again -resumed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I hear Montalais's voice," -she said, and she hurried up the staircase; the king followed -her, unable to let her leave his sight, and covering her hand -with his kisses. "Yes, yes," repeated La Vallière, who -had passed half-way through the opening. "Yes, it is Montalais -who is calling me; something important must have happened."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go then, dearest love," -said the king, "but return quickly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no, not to-day, sire! -Adieu! adieu!" she said, as she stooped down once more to embrace -her lover - and escaped. Montalais was, in fact, waiting for -her, very pale and agitated.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quick, quick! <i>he</i> is -coming," she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who - who is coming?"<br> - "Raoul," murmured Montalais.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is I - I," said a joyous -voice, upon the last steps of the grand staircase.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière uttered a -terrible shriek and threw herself back.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am here, dear Louise," -said Raoul, running towards her. "I knew but too well that you -had not ceased to love me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> La Vallière with a -gesture, partly of extreme terror, and partly as if invoking a -blessing, attempted to speak, but could not articulate one word. -"No, no!" she said, as she fell into Montalais's arms, murmuring, -"Do not touch me, do not come near me."<br> - Montalais made a sign to Raoul, who stood almost -petrified at the door, and did not even attempt to advance -another step into the room. Then, looking towards the side of -the room where the screen was, she exclaimed: "Imprudent girl, -she has not even closed the trap-door."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And she advanced towards the -corner of the room to close the screen, and also, behind the -screen, the trap-door. But suddenly the king, who had heard -Louise's exclamation, darted through the opening, and hurried -forward to her assistance. He threw himself on his knees before -her, as he overwhelmed Montalais with questions, who hardly knew -where she was. At the moment, however, when the king threw -himself on his knees, a cry of utter despair rang through the -corridor, accompanied by the sound of retreating footsteps. The -king wished to see who had uttered the cry and whose were the -footsteps he had heard; and it was in vain that Montalais sought -to retain him, for Louis, quitting his hold of La -Vallière, hurried towards the door, too late, however, for -Raoul was already at a distance, and the king only beheld a -shadow that quickly vanished in the silent corridor. -<b><sup>8</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XL:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>Two -Old Friends.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>W</span>hilst every -one at court was busily engaged with his own affairs, a man -mysteriously took up his post behind the Place de Grève, -in the house which we once saw besieged by D'Artagnan on the -occasion of the <i>émeute</i>. The principal entrance of -the house was in the Place Baudoyer; it was tolerably large, -surrounded by gardens, inclosed in the Rue Saint-Jean by the -shops of toolmakers, which protected it from prying looks, and -was walled in by a triple rampart of stone, noise, and verdure, -like an embalmed mummy in its triple coffin. The man we have -just alluded to walked along with a firm step, although he was no -longer in his early prime. His dark cloak and long sword plainly -revealed one who seemed in search of adventures; and, judging -from his curling mustache, his fine smooth skin, which could be -seen beneath his <i>sombrero</i>, it would not have been -difficult to pronounce that gallantry had not a little share in -his adventures. In fact, hardly had the cavalier entered the -house, when the clock struck eight; and ten minutes afterwards a -lady, followed by a servant armed to the teeth, approached and -knocked at the same door, which an old woman immediately opened -for her. The lady raised her veil as she entered; though no -longer beautiful or young, she was still active and of an -imposing carriage. She concealed, beneath a rich toilette and -the most exquisite taste, an age which Ninon de l'Enclos alone -could have smiled at with impunity. Hardly had she reached the -vestibule, when the cavalier, whose features we have only roughly -sketched, advanced towards her, holding out his hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "God day, my dear duchesse," -he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How do you do, my dear -Aramis?" replied the duchesse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He led her to a most -elegantly furnished apartment, on whose high windows were -reflected the expiring rays of the setting sun, which filtered -gaudily through the dark green needles of the adjacent firs. -They sat down side by side. Neither of them thought of asking -for additional light in the room, and they buried themselves as -it were in the shadow, as if they wished to bury themselves in -forgetfulness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Chevalier," said the -duchesse, "you have never given me a single sign of life since -our interview at Fontainebleau, and I confess that your presence -there on the day of the Franciscan's death, and your initiation -in certain secrets, caused me the liveliest astonishment I ever -experienced in my whole life."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I can explain my presence -there to you, as well as my initiation," said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But let us, first of all," -said the duchess, "talk a little of ourselves, for our friendship -is by no means of recent date."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, madame: and if Heaven -wills it, we shall continue to be friends, I will not say for a -long time, but forever."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is quite certain, -chevalier, and my visit is a proof of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Our interests, duchess, are -no longer the same as they used to be," said Aramis, smiling -without apprehension in the growing gloom by which the room was -overcast, for it could not reveal that his smile was less -agreeable and not so bright as formerly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, chevalier, at the -present day we have other interests. Every period of life brings -its own; and, as we now understand each other in conversing, as -perfectly as we formerly did without saying a word, let us talk, -if you like."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am at your orders, -duchesse. Ah! I beg your pardon, how did you obtain my address, -and what was your object?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You ask me why? I have -told you. Curiosity in the first place. I wished to know what -you could have to do with the Franciscan, with whom I had certain -business transactions, and who died so singularly. You know that -on the occasion of our interview at Fontainebleau, in the -cemetery, at the foot of the grave so recently closed, we were -both so much overcome by our emotions that we omitted to confide -to each other what we may have to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, I had no sooner -left you than I repented, and have ever since been most anxious -to ascertain the truth. You know that Madame de Longueville and -myself are almost one, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was not aware," said -Aramis, discreetly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I remembered, therefore," -continued the duchesse, "that neither of us said anything to the -other in the cemetery; that you did not speak of the relationship -in which you stood to the Franciscan, whose burial you -superintended, and that I did not refer to the position in which -I stood to him; all which seemed very unworthy of two such old -friends as ourselves, and I have sought an opportunity of an -interview with you in order to give you some information that I -have recently acquired, and to assure you that Marie Michon, now -no more, has left behind her one who has preserved her -recollection of events."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis bowed over the -duchess's hand, and pressed his lips upon it. "You must have had -some trouble to find me again," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," she answered, annoyed -to find the subject taking a turn which Aramis wished to give it; -"but I knew you were a friend of M. Fouquet's, and so I inquired -in that direction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A friend! oh!" exclaimed -the chevalier, "I can hardly pretend to be <i>that</i>. A poor -priest who has been favored by a generous protector, and whose -heart is full of gratitude and devotion, is all that I pretend to -be to M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He made you a bishop?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A very good retiring -pension for so handsome a musketeer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; in the same way that -political intrigue is for yourself," thought Aramis. "And so," -he added, "you inquired after me at M. Fouquet's?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Easily enough. You had -been to Fontainebleau with him, and had undertaken a voyage to -your diocese, which is Belle-Île-en-Mer, I believe."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, madame," said Aramis. -"My diocese is Vannes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I meant that. I only -thought that Belle-Île-en-Mer - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is a property belonging to -M. Fouquet, nothing more."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! I had been told that -Belle-Isle was fortified; besides, I know how great the military -knowledge is you possess."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have forgotten everything -of the kind since I entered the Church," said Aramis, -annoyed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Suffice it to know that I -learned you had returned from Vannes, and I sent off to one of -our friends, M. le Comte de la Fère, who is discretion -itself, in order to ascertain it, but he answered that he was not -aware of your address."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So like Athos," thought the -bishop; "the really good man never changes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, you know that I -cannot venture to show myself here, and that the queen-mother has -always some grievance or other against me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, indeed, and I am -surprised at it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! there are various -reasons for it. But, to continue, being obliged to conceal -myself, I was fortunate enough to meet with M. d'Artagnan, who -was formerly one of your old friends, I believe?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A friend of mine still, -duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He gave me certain -information, and sent me to M. Baisemeaux, the governor of the -Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis was somewhat agitated -at this remark, and a light flashed from his eyes in the darkness -of the room, which he could not conceal from his keen-sighted -friend. "M. de Baisemeaux!" he said, "why did D'Artagnan send -you to M. de Baisemeaux?"<br> - "I cannot tell you."<br> - "What can this possibly mean?" said the bishop, -summoning all the resources of his mind to his aid, in order to -carry on the combat in a befitting manner.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Baisemeaux is greatly -indebted to you, D'Artagnan told me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True, he is so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the address of a -creditor is as easily ascertained as that of a debtor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very true; and so -Baisemeaux indicated to you - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Saint-Mandé, where I -forwarded a letter to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which I have in my hand, -and which is most precious to me," said Aramis, "because I am -indebted to it for the pleasure of seeing you here." The -duchesse, satisfied at having successfully overcome the various -difficulties of so delicate an explanation, began to breathe -freely again, which Aramis, however, could not succeed in doing. -"We had got as far as your visit to M. Baisemeaux, I -believe?"<br> - "Nay," she said, laughing, "farther than -that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case we must have -been speaking about the grudge you have against the -queen-mother."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Further still," she -returned, "further still; we were talking of the connection - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which existed between you -and the Franciscan," said Aramis, interrupting her eagerly, -"well, I am listening to you very attentively."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is easily explained," -returned the duchesse. "You know that I am living at Brussels -with M. de Laicques?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I heard so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You know that my children -have ruined and stripped me of everything."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How terrible, dear -duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Terrible indeed; this -obliged me to resort to some means of obtaining a livelihood, -and, particularly, to avoid vegetating for the remainder of my -existence. I had old hatreds to turn to account, old friendships -to make use of; I no longer had either credit or protectors."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>You</i>, who had -extended protection towards so many persons," said Aramis, -softly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is always the case, -chevalier. Well, at the present time I am in the habit of seeing -the king of Spain very frequently."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who has just nominated a -general of the Jesuits, according to the usual custom."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it usual, indeed?"<br> - "Were you not aware of it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I beg your pardon; I was -inattentive."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You must be aware of that - -you who were on such good terms with the Franciscan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With the general of the -Jesuits, you mean?"<br> - "Exactly. Well, then, I have seen the king of -Spain, who wished me to do a service, but was unable. He gave me -recommendations, however, to Flanders, both for myself and for -Laicques too; and conferred a pension on me out of the funds -belonging to the order."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of Jesuits?"<br> - "Yes. The general - I mean the Franciscan - was -sent to me; and, for the purpose of conforming with the -requisitions of the statues of the order, and of entitling me to -the pension, I was reputed to be in a position to render certain -services. You are aware that that is the rule?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, I did not know it," -said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame de Chevreuse paused -to look at Aramis, but it was perfectly dark. "Well, such is the -rule, however," she resumed. "I had, therefore, to appear to -possess a power of usefulness of some kind or other, and I -proposed to travel for the order, and I was placed on the list of -affiliated travelers. You understand it was a formality, by -means of which I received my pension, which was very convenient -for me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good heavens! duchesse, -what you tell me is like a dagger-thrust. <i>You</i> obliged to -receive a pension from the Jesuits?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, chevalier! from -Spain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Except for a conscientious -scruple, duchesse, you will admit that it is pretty nearly the -same thing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, not at all."<br> - "But surely of your magnificent fortune there -must remain - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Dampierre is all that -remains."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that is handsome -enough."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but Dampierre is -burdened, mortgaged, and almost fallen to ruin, like its -owner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And can the queen-mother -know and see all that, without shedding a tear?" said Aramis, -with a penetrating look, which encountered nothing but -darkness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes. She has forgotten -everything."<br> - "You, I believe, attempted to get restored to -favor?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but, most singularly, -the young king inherits the antipathy his dear father had for -me. You will, perhaps, tell me that I am indeed a woman to be -hated, and that I am no longer one who can be loved."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Dear duchesse, pray come -quickly to the cause that brought you here; for I think we can be -of service to each other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Such has been my own -thought. I came to Fontainebleau with a double object in view. -In the first place, I was summoned there by the Franciscan whom -you knew. By the by, how did you know him? - for I have told you -my story, and have not yet heard yours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I knew him in a very -natural way, duchesse. I studied theology with him at Parma. We -became fast friends; and it happened, from time to time, that -business, or travel, or war, separated us from each other."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You were, of course, aware -that he was the general of the Jesuits?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I suspected it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But by what extraordinary -chance did it happen that you were at the hotel when the -affiliated travelers met together?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said Aramis, in a calm -voice, "it was the merest chance in the world. I was going to -Fontainebleau to see M. Fouquet, for the purpose of obtaining an -audience of the king. I was passing by, unknown; I saw the poor -dying monk in the road, and recognized him immediately. You know -the rest - he died in my arms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but bequeathing to you -so vast a power that you issue your sovereign orders and -directions like a monarch."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He certainly did leave me a -few commissions to settle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what for me?"<br> - "I have told you - a sum of twelve thousand -livres was to be paid to you. I thought I had given you the -necessary signature to enable you to receive it. Did you not get -the money?"<br> - "Oh! yes, yes. You give your orders, I am -informed, with so much mystery, and such a majestic presence, -that it is generally believed you are the successor of the -defunct chief."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis colored impatiently, -and the duchesse continued: "I have obtained my information," she -said, "from the king of Spain himself; and he cleared up some of -my doubts on the point. Every general of the Jesuits is -nominated by him, and must be a Spaniard, according to the -statutes of the order. You are not a Spaniard, nor have you been -nominated by the king of Spain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis did not reply to this -remark, except to say, "You see, duchesse, how greatly you were -mistaken, since the king of Spain told you that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, my dear Aramis; but -there was something else which I have been thinking of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You know, I believe, -something about most things, and it occurred to me that you know -the Spanish language."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Every Frenchman who has -been actively engaged in the Fronde knows Spanish."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have lived in -Flanders?"<br> - "Three years."<br> - "And have stayed at Madrid?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Fifteen months."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are in a position, -then, to become a naturalized Spaniard, when you like."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Really?" said Aramis, with -a frankness which deceived the duchesse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Undoubtedly. Two years' -residence and an acquaintance with the language are -indispensable. You have upwards of four years - more than double -the time necessary."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What are you driving at, -duchesse?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At this - I am on good -terms with the king of Spain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I am not on bad terms," -thought Aramis to himself.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Shall I ask the king," -continued the duchesse, "to confer the succession to the -Franciscan's post upon you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, duchesse!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have it already, -perhaps?" she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, upon my honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, then, I can -render you that service."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why did you not render the -same service to M. de Laicques, duchesse? He is a very talented -man, and one you love, besides."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, no doubt; but, at all -events, putting Laicques aside, will you have it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, I thank you, -duchesse."<br> - She paused. "He is nominated," she thought; and -then resumed aloud, "If you refuse me in this manner, it is not -very encouraging for me, supposing I should have something to ask -of you."<br> - "Oh! ask, pray, ask."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ask! I cannot do so, if -you have not the power to grant what I want."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "However limited my power -and ability, ask all the same."<br> - "I need a sum of money, to restore -Dampierre."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" replied Aramis, coldly -- "money? Well, duchesse, how much would you require?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! a tolerably round -sum."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So much the worse - you -know I am not rich."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no; but the order is - -and if you had been the general - "<br> - "You know I am not the general, I think."<br> - "In that case, you have a friend who must be very -wealthy - M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. Fouquet! He is more -than half ruined, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So it is said, but I did -not believe it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, duchesse?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because I have, or rather -Laicques has, certain letters in his possession from Cardinal -Mazarin, which establish the existence of very strange -accounts."<br> - "What accounts?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Relative to various sums of -money borrowed and disposed of. I cannot very distinctly -remember what they are; but they establish the fact that the -superintendent, according to these letters, which are signed by -Mazarin, had taken thirteen millions of francs from the coffers -of the state. The case is a very serious one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis clenched his hands in -anxiety and apprehension. "Is it possible," he said, "that you -have such letters as you speak of, and have not communicated them -to M. Fouquet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" replied the duchesse, -"I keep such trifling matters as these in reserve. The day may -come when they will be of service; and they can be withdrawn from -the safe custody in which they now remain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that day has arrived?" -said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you are going to show -those letters to M. Fouquet?"<br> - "I prefer to talk about them with you, -instead."<br> - "You must be in sad want of money, my poor -friend, to think of such things as these - you, too, who held M. -de Mazarin's prose effusions in such indifferent esteem."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fact is, I <i>am</i> in -want of money."<br> - "And then," continued Aramis, in cold accents, -"it must have been very distressing to you to be obliged to have -recourse to such a means. It is cruel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! if had wished to do -harm instead of good," said Madame de Chevreuse, "instead of -asking the general of the order, or M. Fouquet, for the five -hundred thousand francs I require, I - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>Five hundred thousand -francs!</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; no more. Do you think -it much? I require at least as much as that to restore -Dampierre."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I say, therefore, that -instead of asking for this amount, I should have gone to see my -old friend the queen-mother; the letters from her husband, Signor -Mazarini, would have served me as an introduction, and I should -have begged this mere trifle of her, saying to her, 'I wish, -madame, to have the honor of receiving you at Dampierre. Permit -me to put Dampierre in a fit state for that purpose.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Aramis did not return a -single word. "Well," she said, "what are you thinking -about?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am making certain -additions," said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And M. Fouquet -subtractions. I, on the other hand, am trying my hand at the art -of multiplication. What excellent calculators we all three are! -How well we might understand one another!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you allow me to -reflect?" said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, for with such an -opening between people like ourselves, 'yes' or 'no' is the only -answer, and that an immediate one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is a snare," thought the -bishop; "it is impossible that Anne of Austria would listen to -such a woman as this."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?" said the -duchesse.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, madame, I should be -very much astonished if M. Fouquet had five hundred thousand -francs at his disposal at the present moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is no use speaking of -it, then," said the duchesse, "and Dampierre must get restored -how best it may."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! you are not embarrassed -to such an extent as that, I suppose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; I am never -embarrassed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the queen," continued -the bishop, "will certainly do for you what the superintendent is -unable to do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! certainly. -But tell me, do you think it would be better that I should speak, -myself, to M. Fouquet about these letters?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, duchesse, you -will do precisely whatever you please in that respect. M. -Fouquet either feels or does not feel himself to be guilty; if he -really be so, I know he is proud enough not to confess it; if he -be not so, he will be exceedingly offended at your menace."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As usual, you -reason like an angel," said the duchesse, as she rose from her -seat.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And so, you are -now going to denounce M. Fouquet to the queen," said Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Denounce!' Oh! -what a disagreeable word. I shall not 'denounce' my dear friend; -you know matters of policy too well to be ignorant how easily -these affairs are arranged. I shall merely side against M. -Fouquet, and nothing more; and, in a war of party against party, -a weapon is always a weapon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No doubt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And once on -friendly terms again with the queen-mother, I may be dangerous -towards some persons."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are at liberty -to prove so, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A liberty of which -I shall avail myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are not -ignorant, I suppose, duchesse, that M. Fouquet is on the best -terms with the king of Spain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I suppose so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If, therefore, you -begin a party warfare against M. Fouquet, he will reply in the -same way; for he, too, is at perfect liberty to do so, is he -not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! -certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And as he is on -good terms with Spain, he will make use of that friendship as a -weapon of attack."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You mean, that he -is, naturally, on good terms with the general of the order of the -Jesuits, my dear Aramis."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That may be the -case, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And that, -consequently, the pension I have been receiving from the order -will be stopped."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am greatly -afraid it might be."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well; I must -contrive to console myself in the best way I can; for after -Richelieu, after the Fronde, after exile, what is there left for -Madame de Chevreuse to be afraid of?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The pension, you -are aware, is forty-eight thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Alas! I am quite -aware of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Moreover, in party -contests, you know, the friends of one's enemy do not -escape."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Ah! you mean that -poor Laicques will have to suffer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"I am afraid it is -almost inevitable, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Oh! he only -receives twelve thousand francs pension."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, but the king -of Spain has some influence left; advised by M. Fouquet, he might -get M. Laicques shut up in prison for a little while."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am not very -nervous on that point, my dear friend; because, once reconciled -with Anne of Austria, I will undertake that France would insist -upon M. Laicques's liberation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"True. In that -case, you will have something else to apprehend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What can that be?" -said the duchesse, pretending to be surprised and terrified.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will learn; -indeed, you must know it already, that having once been an -affiliated member of the order, it is not easy to leave it; for -the secrets that any particular member may have acquired are -unwholesome, and carry with them the germs of misfortune for -whosoever may reveal them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The duchesse paused -and reflected for a moment, and then said, "That is more serious: -I will think it over."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And notwithstanding -the profound obscurity, Aramis seemed to feel a basilisk glance, -like a white-hot iron, escape from his friend's eyes, and plunge -into his heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us -recapitulate," said Aramis, determined to keep himself on his -guard, and gliding his hand into his breast where he had a dagger -concealed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly, let us -recapitulate; short accounts make long friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The suppression of -your pension - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Forty-eight -thousand francs, and that of Laicques's twelve, make together -sixty thousand francs; that is what you mean, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Precisely; and I -was trying to find out what would be your equivalent for -that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Five hundred -thousand francs, which I shall get from the queen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Or, which you will -<i>not</i> get."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I know a means of -procuring them," said the duchesse, thoughtlessly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>This remark made -the chevalier prick up his ears; and from the moment his -adversary had committed this error, his mind was so thoroughly on -its guard, that he seemed every moment to gain the advantage more -and more; and she, consequently, to lose it. "I will admit, for -argument's sake, that you obtain the money," he resumed; "you -will lose twice as much, having a hundred thousand francs' -pension to receive instead of sixty thousand, and that for a -period of ten years."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not so, for I -shall only be subjected to this reduction of my income during the -period of M. Fouquet's remaining in power, a period which I -estimate at two months."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" said -Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am frank, you -see."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I thank you for -it, duchesse; but you would be wrong to suppose that after M. -Fouquet's disgrace the order would resume the payment of your -pension."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I know a means of -making the order pay, as I know a means of forcing the -queen-mother to concede what I require."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case, -duchesse, we are all obliged to strike our flags to you. The -victory is yours, and the triumph also. Be clement, I entreat -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But is it -possible," resumed the duchesse, without taking notice of the -irony, "that you really draw back from a miserable sum of five -hundred thousand francs, when it is a question of sparing you - I -mean your friend - I beg your pardon, I ought rather to say your -protector - the disagreeable consequences which a party contest -produces?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Duchesse, I tell -you why; supposing the five hundred thousand francs were to be -given you, M. Laicques will require his share, which will be -another five hundred thousand francs, I presume? and then, after -M. de Laicques's and your own portions have been arranged, the -portions which your children, your poor pensioners, and various -other persons will require, will start up as fresh claims, and -these letters, however compromising they may be in their nature, -are not worth from three to four millions. Can you have -forgotten the queen of France's diamonds? - they were surely -worth more than these bits of waste paper signed by Mazarin, and -yet their recovery did not cost a fourth part of what you ask for -yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, that is true; -but the merchant values his goods at his own price, and it is for -the purchaser to buy or refuse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Stay a moment, -duchesse; would you like me to tell you why I will not buy your -letters?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Pray tell me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because the -letters you claim to be Mazarin's are false."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What an -absurdity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have no doubt of -it, for it would, to say the least, be very singular, that after -you had quarreled with the queen through M. Mazarin's means, you -should have kept up any intimate acquaintance with the latter; it -would look as if you had been acting as a spy; and upon my word, -I do not like to make use of the word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! pray do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You great -complacence would seem suspicions, at all events."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is quite -true; but the contents of the letters are even more so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I pledge you my -word, duchesse, that you will not be able to make use of it with -the queen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! yes, indeed; I -can make use of everything with the queen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good," -thought Aramis. "Croak on, old owl - hiss, beldame-viper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>But the duchesse -had said enough, and advanced a few steps towards the door. -Aramis, however, had reserved one exposure which she did -<i>not</i> expect.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>He rang the bell, -candles immediately appeared in the adjoining room, and the -bishop found himself completely encircled by lights, which shone -upon the worn, haggard face of the duchesse, revealing every -feature but too clearly. Aramis fixed a long ironical look upon -her pale, thin, withered cheeks - her dim, dull eyes - and upon -her lips, which she kept carefully closed over her discolored -scanty teeth. He, however, had thrown himself into a graceful -attitude, with his haughty and intelligent head thrown back; he -smiled so as to reveal teeth still brilliant and dazzling. The -antiquated coquette understood the trick that had been played -her. She was standing immediately before a large mirror, in -which her decrepitude, so carefully concealed, was only made more -manifest. And, thereupon, without even saluting Aramis, who -bowed with the ease and grace of the musketeer of early days, she -hurried away with trembling steps, which her very precipitation -only the more impeded. Aramis sprang across the room, like a -zephyr, to lead her to the door. Madame de Chevreuse made a sign -to her servant, who resumed his musket, and she left the house -where such tender friends had not been able to understand each -other only because they had understood each other too well.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Wherein May Be Seen that a Bargain Which Cannot Be Made with One -Person, Can Be Carried Out with Another.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>ramis had -been perfectly correct in his supposition; for hardly had she -left the house in the Place Baudoyer than Madame de Chevreuse -proceeded homeward. She was doubtless afraid of being followed, -and by this means thought she might succeed in throwing those who -might be following her off their guard; but scarcely had she -arrived within the door of the hotel, and hardly had assured -herself that no one who could cause her any uneasiness was on her -track, when she opened the door of the garden, leading into -another street, and hurried towards the Rue Croix des -Petits-Champs, where M. Colbert resided.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> We have already said that -evening, or rather night, had closed in; it was a dark, thick -night, besides; Paris had once more sunk into its calm, quiescent -state, enshrouding alike within its indulgent mantle the -high-born duchesse carrying out her political intrigue, and the -simple citizen's wife, who, having been detained late by a supper -in the city, was making her way slowly homewards, hanging on the -arm of a lover, by the shortest possible route. Madame de -Chevreuse had been too well accustomed to nocturnal political -intrigues to be ignorant that a minister never denies himself, -even at his own private residence, to any young and beautiful -woman who may chance to object to the dust and confusion of a -public office, or to old women, as full of experience as of -years, who dislike the indiscreet echo of official residences. A -valet received the duchesse under the peristyle, and received -her, it must be admitted, with some indifference of manner; he -intimated, after having looked at her face, that it was hardly at -such an hour that one so advanced in years as herself could be -permitted to disturb Monsieur Colbert's important occupations. -But Madame de Chevreuse, without looking or appearing to be -annoyed, wrote her name upon a leaf of her tablets - a name which -had but too frequently sounded so disagreeably in the ears of -Louis XIII. and of the great cardinal. She wrote her name in the -large, ill-formed characters of the higher classes of that -period, handed it to the valet, without uttering a word, but with -so haughty and imperious a gesture, that the fellow, well -accustomed to judge of people from their manners and appearance, -perceived at once the quality of the person before him, bowed his -head, and ran to M. Colbert's room. The minister could not -control a sudden exclamation as he opened the paper; and the -valet, gathering from it the interest with which his master -regarded the mysterious visitor, returned as fast as he could to -beg the duchesse to follow him. She ascended to the first floor -of the beautiful new house very slowly, rested herself on the -landing-place, in order not to enter the apartment out of breath, -and appeared before M. Colbert, who, with his own hands, held -both the folding doors open. The duchesse paused at the -threshold, for the purpose of well studying the character of the -man with whom she was about to converse. At the first glance, -the round, large, heavy head, thick brows, and ill-favored -features of Colbert, who wore, thrust low down on his head, a cap -like a priest's <i>calotte</i>, seemed to indicate that but -little difficulty was likely to be met with in her negotiations -with him, but also that she was to expect as little interest in -the discussion of particulars; for there was scarcely any -indication that the rough and uncouth nature of the man was -susceptible to the impulses of a refined revenge, or of an -exalted ambition. But when, on closer inspection, the duchesse -perceived the small, piercingly black eyes, the longitudinal -wrinkles of his high and massive forehead, the imperceptible -twitching of the lips, on which were apparent traces of rough -good-humor, Madame de Chevreuse altered her opinion of him, and -felt she could say to herself: "I have found the man I want."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is the subject, -madame, which procures me the honor of a visit from you?" he -inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The need I have you of you, -monsieur," returned the duchesse, "as well as that which you have -of me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am delighted, madame, -with the first portion of your sentence; but, as far as the -second portion is concerned - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame de Chevreuse sat down -in the armchair which M. Colbert advanced towards her. "Monsieur -Colbert, you are the intendant of finances, and are ambitious of -becoming the superintendent?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, do not deny it; that -would only unnecessarily prolong our conversation, and that is -useless."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet, madame, however -well-disposed and inclined to show politeness I may be towards a -lady of your position and merit, nothing will make me confess -that I have ever entertained the idea of supplanting my -superior."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I said nothing about -supplanting, Monsieur Colbert. Could I accidentally have made -use of that word? I hardly think that likely. The word -'replace' is less aggressive in its signification, and more -grammatically suitable, as M. de Voiture would say. I presume, -therefore, that you are ambitious of replacing M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. Fouquet's fortune, -madame, enables him to withstand all attempts. The -superintendent in this age plays the part of the Colossus of -Rhodes; the vessels pass beneath him and do not overthrow -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I ought to have availed -myself precisely of that very comparison. It is true, M. Fouquet -plays the part of the Colossus of Rhodes; but I remember to have -heard it said by M. Conrart, a member of the academy, I believe, -that when the Colossus of Rhodes fell from its lofty position, -the merchant who had cast it down - a merchant, nothing more, M. -Colbert - loaded four hundred camels with the ruins. A merchant! -and that is considerably less than an intendant of finances."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame, I can assure you -that I shall never overthrow M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, Monsieur -Colbert, since you persist in showing so much sensitiveness with -me, as if you were ignorant that I am Madame de Chevreuse, and -also that I am somewhat advanced in years; in other words, that -you have to do with a woman who has had political dealings with -the Cardinal Richelieu, and who has no time to lose; as, I -repeat, you do not hesitate to commit such an imprudence, I shall -go and find others who are more intelligent and more desirous of -making their fortunes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How, madame, how?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You give me a very poor -idea of negotiations of the present day. I assure you that if, -in my earlier days, a woman had gone to M. de Cinq-Mars, who was -not, moreover, a man of a very high order of intellect, and had -said to him about the cardinal what I have just said to you of M. -Fouquet, M. de Cinq-Mars would by this time have already set -actively to work."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, madame, show a little -indulgence, I entreat you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, do you really -consent to replace M. Fouquet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly, I do, if the -king dismisses M. Fouquet."<br> - "Again, a word too much; it is quite evident -that, if you have not yet succeeded in driving M. Fouquet from -his post, it is because you have not been able to do so. -Therefore, I should be the greatest simpleton possible if, in -coming to you, I did not bring the very thing you require."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am distressed to be -obliged to persist, madame," said Colbert, after a silence which -enabled the duchesse to sound the depths of his dissimulation, -"but I must warn you that, for the last six years, denunciation -after denunciation has been made against M. Fouquet, and he has -remained unshaken and unaffected by them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is a time for -everything, Monsieur Colbert; those who were the authors of those -denunciations were not called Madame de Chevreuse, and they had -no proofs equal to the six letters from M. de Mazarin which -establish the offense in question."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The offense!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"The crime, if you -like it better."<br> -"The crime! committed by M. Fouquet!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nothing less. It -is rather strange, M. Colbert, but your face, which just now was -cold and indifferent, is now positively the very reverse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A crime!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am delighted to -see that it makes an impression upon you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is because that -word, madame, embraces so many things."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It embraces the -post of superintendent of finance for yourself, and a letter of -exile, or the Bastile, for M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Forgive me, madame -la duchesse, but it is almost impossible that M. Fouquet can be -exiled; to be imprisoned or disgraced, that is already a great -deal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, I am perfectly -aware of what I am saying," returned Madame de Chevreuse, -coldly. "I do not live at such a distance from Paris as not to -know what takes place there. The king does not like M. Fouquet, -and he would willingly sacrifice M. Fouquet if an opportunity -were only given him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It must be a good -one, though."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good enough, and -one I estimate to be worth five hundred thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way?" said -Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I mean, monsieur, -that holding this opportunity in my own hands, I will not allow -it to be transferred to yours except for a sum of five hundred -thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I understand you -perfectly, madame. But since you have fixed a price for the -sale, let me now see the value of the articles to be sold."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, a mere trifle; -six letters, as I have already told you, from M. de Mazarin; and -the autographs will most assuredly not be regarded as too highly -priced, if they establish, in an irrefutable manner, that M. -Fouquet has embezzled large sums of money from the treasury and -appropriated them to his own purposes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In an irrefutable -manner, do you say?" observed Colbert, whose eyes sparkled with -delight.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Perfectly so; -would you like to read the letters?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With all my -heart! Copies, of course?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course, the -copies," said the duchesse, as she drew from her bosom a small -packet of papers flattened by her velvet bodice. "Read," she -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert eagerly -snatched the papers and devoured them. "Excellent!" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is clear -enough, is it not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, madame, yes; -M. Mazarin must have handed the money to M. Fouquet, who must -have kept it for his own purposes; but the question is, what -money?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly, - what -money; if we come to terms I will join to these six letters a -seventh, which will supply you with the fullest particulars."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert reflected. -"And the originals of these letters?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A useless question -to ask; exactly as if I were to ask you, Monsieur Colbert, -whether the money-bags you will give me will be full or -empty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good, -madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Is it -concluded?"<br> -"No; for there is one circumstance to which neither of us has -given any attention."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Name it!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"M. Fouquet can be -utterly ruined, under the legal circumstances you have detailed, -only by means of legal proceedings."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A public scandal, -for instance; and yet neither the legal proceedings nor the -scandal can be commenced against him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because he is -procureur-général of the parliament; because, too, -in France, all public administrators, the army, justice itself, -and commerce, are intimately connected by ties of -good-fellowship, which people call <i>espirit de corps</i>. In -such a case, madame, the parliament will never permit its chief -to be dragged before a public tribunal; and never, even if he be -dragged there by royal authority, never, I say, will he be -condemned."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, Monsieur -Colbert, I do not see what I have to do with that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am aware of -that, madame; but I have to do with it, and it consequently -diminishes the value of what you have brought to show me. What -good can a proof of a crime be to me, without the possibility of -obtaining a condemnation?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Even if he be only -suspected, M. Fouquet will lose his post of superintendent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Is that all?" -exclaimed Colbert, whose dark, gloomy features were momentarily -lighted up by an expression of hate and vengeance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! ah! Monsieur -Colbert," said the duchesse, "forgive me, but I did not think you -were so impressionable. Very good; in that case, since you need -more than I have to give you, there is no occasion to speak of -the matter at all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, madame, we -will go on talking of it; only, as the value of your commodities -had decreased, you must lower your pretensions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are -bargaining, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Every man who -wishes to deal loyally is obliged to do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How much will you -offer me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Two hundred -thousand francs," said Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The duchesse -laughed in his face, and then said, suddenly, "Wait a moment, I -have another arrangement to propose; will you give me three -hundred thousand francs?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, you can either -accept or refuse my terms; besides, that is not all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"More still! you -are becoming too impracticable to deal with, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Less so than you -think, perhaps, for it is not money I am going to ask you -for."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A service; you -know that I have always been most affectionately attached to the -queen, and I am desirous of having an interview with her -majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With the -queen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, Monsieur -Colbert, with the queen, who is, I admit, no longer my friend, -and who has ceased to be so for a long time past, but who may -again become so if the opportunity be only given her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Her majesty has -ceased to receive any one, madame. She is a great sufferer, and -you may be aware that the paroxysms of her disease occur with -greater frequency than ever."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is the very -reason why I wish to have an interview with her majesty; for in -Flanders there is a great variety of these kinds of -complaints."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What, cancers - a -fearful, incurable disorder?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not believe -that, Monsieur Colbert. The Flemish peasant is somewhat a man of -nature, and his companion for life is not alone a wife, but a -female laborer also; for while he is smoking his pipe, the woman -works: it is she who draws the water from the well; she who loads -the mule or the ass, and even bears herself a portion of the -burden. Taking but little care of herself, she gets knocked -about first in one direction, and then in another, and very often -is beaten by her husband, and cancers frequently rise from -contusions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"True, true," said -Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The Flemish women -do not die the sooner on that account. When they are great -sufferers from this disease they go in search of remedies, and -the Béguines of Bruges are excellent doctors for every -kind of disease. They have precious waters of one sort or -another; specifics of various kinds; and they give a bottle of it -and a wax candle to the sufferer, whereby the priests are -gainers, and Heaven is served by the disposal of both their -wares. I will take the queen some of this holy water, which I -will procure from the Béguines of Bruges; her majesty will -recover, and will burn as many wax candles as she may see fit. -You see, Monsieur Colbert, to prevent my seeing the queen is -almost as bad as committing the crime of regicide."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are -undoubtedly, madame la duchesse, a woman of exceedingly great -abilities, and I am more than astounded at their display; still I -cannot but suppose that this charitable consideration towards the -queen in some measure covers a slight personal interest for -yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have not given -myself the trouble to conceal it, that I am aware of, Monsieur -Colbert. You said, I believe, that I had a slight personal -interest? On the contrary, it is a very great interest, and I -will prove it to you, by resuming what I was saying. If you -procure me a personal interview with her majesty, I will be -satisfied with the three hundred thousand francs I have claimed; -if not, I shall keep my letters, unless, indeed, you give me, on -the spot, five hundred thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And rising from her -seat with this decisive remark, the old duchesse plunged M. -Colbert into a disagreeable perplexity. To bargain any further -was out of the question; and not to bargain was to pay a great -deal too dearly for them. "Madame," he said, "I shall have the -pleasure of handing over a hundred thousand crowns; but how shall -I get the actual letters themselves?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In the simplest -manner in the world, my dear Monsieur Colbert - whom will you -trust?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The financier began -to laugh, silently, so that his large eyebrows went up and down -like the wings of a bat, upon the deep lines of his yellow -forehead. "No one," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You surely will -make an exception in your own favor, Monsieur Colbert?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way, -madame?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I mean that, if -you would take the trouble to accompany me to the place where the -letters are, they would be delivered into your own hands, and you -would be able to verify and check them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You would bring -the hundred thousand crowns with you at the same time, for I, -too, do not trust any one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert colored to -the tips of his ears. Like all eminent men in the art of -figures, he was of an insolent and mathematical probity. "I will -take with me, madame," he said, "two orders for the amount agreed -upon, payable at my treasury. Will that satisfy you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Would that the -orders on your treasury were for two millions, monsieur -l'intendant! I shall have the pleasure of showing you the way, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Allow me to order -my carriage?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have a carriage -below, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert coughed -like an irresolute man. He imagined, for a moment, that the -proposition of the duchesse was a snare; that perhaps some one -was waiting at the door; and that she whose secret had just been -sold to Colbert for a hundred thousand crowns, had already -offered it to Fouquet for the same sum. As he still hesitated, -the duchesse looked at him full in the face.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You prefer your -own carriage?" she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I admit I -<i>do</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You suppose I am -going to lead you into a snare or trap of some sort or -other?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Madame la -duchesse, you have the character of being somewhat inconsiderate -at times, as I am reputed a sober, solemn character, a jest or -practical joke might compromise me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; the fact is, -you are afraid. Well, then, take your own carriage, as many -servants as you like, only think well of what I am going to say. -What we two may arrange between ourselves, we are the only -persons who will know - if a third person is present we might as -well tell the whole world about it. After all, I do not make a -point of it; my carriage shall follow yours, and I shall be -satisfied to accompany you in your own carriage to the -queen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To the queen?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you forgotten -that already? Is it possible that one of the clauses of the -agreement of so much importance to me, can have escaped you so -soon? How trifling it seems to you, indeed; if I had known it I -should have asked double what I have done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have reflected, -madame, and I shall not accompany you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Really - and why -not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because I have the -most perfect confidence in you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You overpower me. -But - provided I receive the hundred thousand crowns?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Here they are, -madame," said Colbert, scribbling a few lines on a piece of -paper, which he handed to the duchesse, adding, "You are -paid."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The trait is a -fine one, Monsieur Colbert, and I will reward you for it," she -said, beginning to laugh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Madame de -Chevreuse's laugh was a very sinister sound; a man with youth, -faith, love, life itself, throbbing in his heart, would prefer a -sob to such a lamentable laugh. The duchesse opened the front of -her dress and drew forth from her bosom, somewhat less white than -it once had been, a small packet of papers, tied with a -flame-colored ribbon, and, still laughing, she said, "There, -Monsieur Colbert, are the originals of Cardinal Mazarin's -letters; they are now your own property," she added, refastening -the body of her dress; "your fortune is secured. And now -accompany me to the queen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, madame; if you -are again about to run the chance of her majesty's displeasure, -and it were known at the Palais Royal that I had been the means -of introducing you there, the queen would never forgive me while -she lived. No; there are certain persons at the palace who are -devoted to me, who will procure you an admission without my being -compromised."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Just as you -please, provided I enter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you term -those religions women at Bruges who cure disorders?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'> -"Béguines."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good; are you -one?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As you please, - -but I must soon cease to be one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is your -affair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Excuse me, but I -do not wish to be exposed to a refusal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is again your -own affair, madame. I am going to give directions to the head -valet of the gentleman in waiting on the queen to allow admission -to a Béguine, who brings an effectual remedy for her -majesty's sufferings. You are the bearer of my letter, you will -undertake to be provided with the remedy, and will give every -explanation on the subject. I admit a knowledge of a -Béguine, but I deny all knowledge of Madame de Chevreuse. -Here, madame, then, is your letter of introduction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Skin of the Bear.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>C</span>olbert handed -the duchesse the letter, and gently drew aside the chair behind -which she was standing; Madame de Chevreuse, with a very slight -bow, immediately left the room. Colbert, who had recognized -Mazarin's handwriting, and had counted the letters, rang to -summon his secretary, whom he enjoined to go in immediate search -of M. Vanel, a counselor of the parliament. The secretary -replied that, according to his usual practice, M. Vanel had just -that moment entered the house, in order to give the intendant an -account of the principal details of the business which had been -transacted during the day in parliament. Colbert approached one -of the lamps, read the letters of the deceased cardinal over -again, smiled repeatedly as he recognized the great value of the -papers Madame de Chevreuse had just delivered - and burying his -head in his hands for a few minutes, reflected profoundly. In -the meantime, a tall, loosely-made man entered the room; his -spare, thin face, steady look, and hooked nose, as he entered -Colbert's cabinet, with a modest assurance of manner, revealed a -character at once supple and decided, - supple towards the master -who could throw him the prey, firm towards the dogs who might -possibly be disposed to dispute its possession. M. Vanel carried -a voluminous bundle of papers under his arm, and placed it on the -desk on which Colbert was leaning both his elbows, as he -supported his head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good day, M. Vanel," said -the latter, rousing himself from his meditation.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good day, monseigneur," -said Vanel, naturally.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You should say monsieur, -and not monseigneur," replied Colbert, gently.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We give the title of -monseigneur to ministers," returned Vanel, with extreme -self-possession, "and you are a minister."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not yet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are so in point of -fact, and I call you monseigneur accordingly; besides you are -seigneur for <i>me</i>, and that is sufficient; if you dislike my -calling you monseigneur before others, allow me, at least, to -call you so in private."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Colbert raised his head as -if to read, or try to read, upon Vanel's face how much or how -little sincerity entered into this protestation of devotion. But -the counselor knew perfectly well how to sustain the weight of -such a look, even backed with the full authority of the title he -had conferred. Colbert sighed; he could not read anything in -Vanel's face, and Vanel might possibly be honest in his -professions, but Colbert recollected that this man, inferior to -himself in every other respect, was actually his master in virtue -of the fact of his having a wife. As he was pitying this man's -lot, Vanel coldly drew from his pocket a perfumed letter, sealed -with Spanish wax, and held it towards Colbert, saying, "A letter -from my wife, monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Colbert coughed, took, -opened and read the letter, and then put it carefully away in his -pocket, while Vanel turned over the leaves of the papers he had -brought with him with an unmoved and unconcerned air. "Vanel," -he said suddenly to his <i>protégé,</i> "you are a -hard-working man, I know; would twelve hours' daily labor -frighten you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I work fifteen hours every -day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Impossible. A counselor -need not work more than three hours a day in parliament."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I am working up some -returns for a friend of mine in the department of accounts, and, -as I still have spare time on my hands, I am studying -Hebrew."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your reputation stands high -in the parliament, Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe so, -monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You must not grow rusty in -your post of counselor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What must I do to avoid -it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Purchase a high place. -Mean and low ambitions are very difficult to satisfy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Small purses are the most -difficult ones to fill, monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What post have you in -view?" said Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I see none - not one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is one, certainly, -but one need be almost the king himself to be able to buy it -without inconvenience; and the king will not be inclined, I -suppose, to purchase the post of -procureur-général."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> At these words, Vanel fixed -his peculiar, humble, dull look upon Colbert, who could hardly -tell whether Vanel comprehended him or not. "Why do you speak to -me, monseigneur," said Vanel, "of the post of -procureur-général to the parliament; I know no -other post than the one M. Fouquet fills."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly so, my dear -counselor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are not over -fastidious, monseigneur; but before the post can be bought, it -must be offered for sale."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe, Monsieur Vanel, -that it will be for sale before long."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For sale! What! M. -Fouquet's post of procureur-général?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So it is <i>said</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The post which renders him -so perfectly invincible, for sale! Ha, ha!" said Vanel, -beginning to laugh.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Would you be afraid, then, -of the post?" said Colbert, gravely.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Afraid! no; but - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you desirous of -obtaining it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are laughing at me, -monseigneur," replied Vanel. "Is it likely that a counselor of -the parliament would not be desirous of becoming -procureur-général?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, Monsieur Vanel, since -I tell you that the post, as report goes, will be shortly for -sale - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot help repeating, -monseigneur, that it is impossible; a man never throws away the -buckler, behind which he maintains his honor, his fortune, his -very life."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There are certain men mad -enough, Vanel, to fancy themselves out of the reach of all -mischances."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, monseigneur; but such -men never commit their mad acts for the advantage of the poor -Vanels of the world."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For the very reason that -those Vanels are poor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is true that M. -Fouquet's post might cost a good round sum. What would you bid -for it, Monsieur Vanel?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Everything I am worth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which means?"<br> - "Three or four hundred thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And the post is worth - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A million and a half, at -the very lowest. I know persons who have offered one million -seven hundred thousand francs, without being able to persuade M. -Fouquet to sell. Besides, supposing it were to happen that M. -Fouquet wished to sell, which I do not believe, in spite of what -I have been told - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! you have heard -something about it, then; who told you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Gourville, M. -Pélisson, and others."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; if, therefore, -M. Fouquet did wish to sell - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I could not buy it just -yet, since the superintendent will only sell for ready money, and -no one has a million and a half to put down at once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Colbert suddenly interrupted -the counselor by an imperious gesture; he had begun to meditate. -Observing his superior's serious attitude, and his perseverance -in continuing the conversation on this subject, Vanel awaited the -solution without venturing to precipitate it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Explain to me the -privileges which this post confers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The right of impeaching -every French subject who is not a prince of the blood; the right -of quashing all proceedings taken against any Frenchman, who is -neither king nor prince. The procureur-général is -the king's right hand to punish the guilty; the office is the -means whereby also he can evade the administration of justice. -M. Fouquet, therefore, would be able, by stirring up parliament, -to maintain himself even against the king; and the king could as -easily, by humoring M. Fouquet, get his edicts registered in -spite of every opposition and objection. The -procureur-général can be made a very useful or a -very dangerous instrument."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Vanel, would you like to be -procureur-général?" said Colbert, suddenly, -softening both his look and his voice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I!" exclaimed the latter; -"I have already had the honor to represent to you that I want -about eleven hundred thousand francs to make up the amount."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Borrow that sum from your -friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have no friends richer -than myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are an honest and -honorable man, Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! monseigneur, if the -world would only think as you do!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I think so, and that is -quite enough; and if it should be needed, I will be your -security."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not forget the proverb, -monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is it?"<br> - "That he who becomes responsible for another has -to pay for his fancy."<br> - "Let that make no difference."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Vanel rose, bewildered by -this offer which had been so suddenly and unexpectedly made to -him. "You are not trifling with me, monseigneur?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay; you say that M. -Gourville has spoken to you about M. Fouquet's post?"<br> - "Yes; and M. Pélisson, also."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Officially so, or only -through their own suggestion?"<br> - "These were their very words: 'The parliament -members are as proud as they are wealthy; they ought to club -together two or three millions among themselves, to present to -their protector and leader, M. Fouquet.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what did you -reply?"<br> - "I said that, for my own part, I would give ten -thousand francs if necessary."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! you like M. Fouquet, -then!" exclaimed Colbert, with a look of hatred.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but M. Fouquet is our -chief. He is in debt - is on the high road to ruin; and we ought -to save the honor of the body of which we are members."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly; and that explains -why M. Fouquet will be always safe and sound, so long as he -occupies his present post," replied Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thereupon," said Vanel, "M. -Gourville added, 'If we were to do anything out of charity to M. -Fouquet, it could not be otherwise than most humiliating to him; -and he would be sure to refuse it. Let the parliament subscribe -among themselves to purchase, in a proper manner, the post of -procureur-général; in that case, all would go well; -the honor of our body would be saved, and M. Fouquet's pride -spared.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is an opening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I considered it so, -monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, Monsieur Vanel, you -will go at once, and find out either M. Gourville or M. -Pélisson. Do you know any other friend of M. -Fouquet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know M. de la Fontaine -very well."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "La Fontaine, the -rhymester?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; he used to write -verses to my wife, when M. Fouquet was one of our friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go to him, then, and try -and procure an interview with the superintendent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Willingly - but the sum -itself?"<br> - "On the day and hour you arrange to settle the -matter, Monsieur Vanel, you shall be supplied with the money, so -do not make yourself uneasy on <i>that</i> account."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monseigneur, such -munificence! You eclipse kings even - you surpass M. Fouquet -himself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Stay a moment - do not let -us mistake each other: I do not make you a present of fourteen -hundred thousand francs, Monsieur Vanel; for I have children to -provide for - but I will <i>lend</i> you that sum."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ask whatever interest, -whatever security you please, monseigneur; I am quite ready. And -when all your requisitions are satisfied, I will still repeat, -that you surpass kings and M. Fouquet in munificence. What -conditions do you impose?"<br> - "The repayment in eight years, and a mortgage -upon the appointment itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly. Is that -all?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Wait a moment. I reserve -to myself the right of purchasing the post from you at one -hundred and fifty thousand francs profit for yourself, if, in -your mode of filling the office, you do not follow out a line of -conduct in conformity with the interests of the king and with my -projects."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah-h!" said Vanel, in an -altered tone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is there anything in that -which can possibly be objectionable to you, Monsieur Vanel?" said -Colbert, coldly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! no, no," replied Vanel, -nervously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good. We will sign an -agreement to that effect whenever you like. And now go as -quickly as you can to M. Fouquet's friend, obtain an interview -with the superintendent; do not be too difficult in making -whatever concessions may be required of you; and when once the -arrangements are all made - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will press him to -sign."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Be most careful to do -nothing of the kind; do not speak of signatures with M. Fouquet, -nor of deeds, nor even ask him to pass his word. Understand -this: otherwise you will lose everything. All you have to do is -to get M. Fouquet to give you his hand on the matter. Go, -go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>An -Interview with the Queen-Mother.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he -queen-mother was in the bedroom at the Palais Royal, with Madame -de Motteville and Señora Molina. King Louis, who had been -impatiently expected the whole day, had not made his appearance; -and the queen, who was growing impatient, had often sent to -inquire about him. The moral atmosphere of the court seemed to -indicate an approaching storm; the courtiers and the ladies of -the court avoided meeting in the ante-chambers and the corridors -in order not to converse on compromising subjects. Monsieur had -joined the king early in the morning for a hunting-party; Madame -remained in her own apartment, cool and distant to every one; and -the queen-mother, after she had said her prayers in Latin, talked -of domestic matters with her two friends in pure Castilian. -Madame de Motteville, who understood the language perfectly, -answered her in French. When the three ladies had exhausted -every form of dissimulation and of politeness, as a circuitous -mode of expressing that the king's conduct was making the queen -and the queen-mother pine away through sheer grief and vexation, -and when, in the most guarded and polished phrases, they had -fulminated every variety of imprecation against Mademoiselle de -la Vallière, the queen-mother terminated her attack by an -exclamation indicative of her own reflections and character. -"<i>Estos hijos!</i>" said she to Molina - which means, "These -children!" words full of meaning on a mother's lips - words full -of terrible significance in the mouth of a queen who, like Anne -of Austria, hid many curious secrets in her soul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," said Molina, -"children, children! for whom every mother becomes a -sacrifice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," replied the queen; "a -mother sacrifices everything, certainly." She did not finish her -phrase; for she fancied, when she raised her eyes towards the -full-length portrait of the pale Louis XIII., that light once -more flashed from her husband's dull eyes, and his nostrils grew -livid with wrath. The portrait seemed animated by a living -expression - speak it did not, but it seemed to threaten. A -profound silence succeeded the queen's last remark. La Molina -began to turn over ribbons and laces on a large work-table. -Madame de Motteville, surprised at the look of mutual -intelligence which had been exchanged between the confidant and -her mistress, cast down her eyes like a discreet woman, and -pretending to be observant of nothing that was passing, listened -with the utmost attention to every word. She heard nothing, -however, but a very insignificant "hum" on the part of the -Spanish duenna, who was the incarnation of caution - and a -profound sigh on that of the queen. She looked up -immediately.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are suffering?" she -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, Motteville, no; why do -you say that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty almost groaned -just now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right; I did sigh, -in truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur Valot is not far -off; I believe he is in Madame's apartment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why is he with Madame?"<br> - "Madame is troubled with nervous attacks."<br> - "A very fine disorder, indeed! There is little -good in M. Valot being there, when a very different physician -would quickly cure Madame."<br> - Madame de Motteville looked up with an air of -great surprise, as she replied, "Another doctor instead of M. -Valot? - whom do you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Occupation, Motteville, -occupation. If any one is really ill, it is my poor -daughter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And your majesty, too."<br> - "Less so this evening, though."<br> - "Do not believe that too confidently, madame," -said De Motteville. And, as if to justify her caution, a sharp, -acute pain seized the queen, who turned deadly pale, and threw -herself back in the chair, with every symptom of a sudden -fainting fit. Molina ran to a richly gilded tortoise-shell -cabinet, from which she took a large rock-crystal bottle of -scented salts, and held it to the queen's nostrils, who inhaled -it wildly for a few minutes, and murmured:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is hastening my death - -but Heaven's will be done!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty's death is not -so near at hand," added Molina, replacing the smelling-bottle in -the cabinet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Does your majesty feel -better now?" inquired Madame de Motteville.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Much better," returned the -queen, placing her finger on her lips, to impose silence on her -favorite.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is very strange," -remarked Madame de Motteville, after a pause.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is strange?" said the -queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Does your majesty remember -the day when this pain attacked you for the first time?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I remember only that it was -a grievously sad day for me, Motteville."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But your majesty did not -always regard that day as a sad one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because three and twenty -years ago, on that very day, his present majesty, your own -glorious son, was born at the very same hour."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The queen uttered a loud -cry, buried her face in her hands, and seemed utterly prostrated -for some minutes; but whether from recollections which arose in -her mind, or from reflection, or even with sheer pain, was -doubtful. La Molina darted a look at Madame de Motteville, so -full of bitter reproach, that the poor woman, perfectly ignorant -of its meaning, was in her own exculpation on the point of asking -an explanation, when, suddenly, Anne of Austria arose and said, -"Yes, the 5th of September; my sorrow began on the 5th of -September. The greatest joy, one day; the deepest sorrow the -next; - the sorrow," she added, "the bitter expiation of a too -excessive joy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And, from that moment, Anne -of Austria, whose memory and reason seemed to be suspended for -the time, remained impenetrable, with vacant look, mind almost -wandering, and hands hanging heavily down, as if life had almost -departed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We must put her to bed," -said La Molina.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Presently, Molina."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Let us leave the queen -alone," added the Spanish attendant.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame de Motteville rose; -large tears were rolling down the queen's pallid face; and -Molina, having observed this sign of weakness, fixed her black -vigilant eyes upon her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes," replied the -queen. "Leave us, Motteville; go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The word "us" produced a -disagreeable effect upon the ears of the French favorite; for it -signified that an interchange of secrets, or of revelations of -the past, was about to be made, and that one person was <i>de -trop</i> in the conversation which seemed likely to take -place.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will Molina, alone, be -sufficient for your majesty to-night?" inquired the French -woman.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," replied the queen. -Madame de Motteville bowed in submission, and was about to -withdraw, when suddenly an old female attendant, dressed as if -she had belonged to the Spanish court of the year 1620, opened -the door, and surprised the queen in her tears. "The remedy!" -she cried, delightedly, to the queen, as she unceremoniously -approached the group.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What remedy?" said Anne of -Austria.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For your majesty's -sufferings," the former replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who brings it?" asked -Madame de Motteville, eagerly; "Monsieur Valot?"<br> - "No; a lady from Flanders."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "From Flanders? Is she -Spanish?" inquired the queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I don't know."<br> - "Who sent her?"<br> - "M. Colbert."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Her name?"<br> - "She did not mention it."<br> - "Her position in life?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She will answer that -herself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who is she?"<br> - "She is masked."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Go, Molina; go and -see!" cried the queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is needless," -suddenly replied a voice, at once firm and gentle in its tone, -which proceeded from the other side of the tapestry hangings; a -voice which made the attendants start, and the queen tremble -excessively. At the same moment, a masked female appeared -through the hangings, and, before the queen could speak a -syllable she added, "I am connected with the order of the -Béguines of Bruges, and do, indeed, bring with me the -remedy which is certain to effect a cure of your majesty's -complaint." No one uttered a sound, and the Béguine did -not move a step.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Speak," said the -queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will, when we -are alone," was the answer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Anne of Austria -looked at her attendants, who immediately withdrew. The -Béguine, thereupon, advanced a few steps towards the -queen, and bowed reverently before her. The queen gazed with -increasing mistrust at this woman, who, in her turn, fixed a pair -of brilliant eyes upon her, through her mask.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The queen of -France must, indeed, be very ill," said Anne of Austria, "if it -is known at the Béguinage of Bruges that she stands in -need of being cured."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your majesty is -not irremediably ill."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But tell me how -you happen to know I am suffering?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your majesty has -friends in Flanders."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since these -friends, then, sent you, mention their names."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Impossible, -madame, since your majesty's memory has not been awakened by your -heart."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Anne of Austria -looked up, endeavoring to discover through the mysterious mask, -and this ambiguous language, the name of her companion, who -expressed herself with such familiarity and freedom; then, -suddenly, wearied by a curiosity which wounded every feeling of -pride in her nature, she said, "You are ignorant, perhaps, that -royal personages are never spoken to with the face masked."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Deign to excuse -me, madame," replied the Béguine, humbly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I cannot excuse -you. I may, possibly, forgive you, if you throw your mask -aside."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have made a vow, -madame, to attend and aid all afflicted and suffering persons, -without ever permitting them to behold my face. I might have -been able to administer some relief to your body and to your -mind, too; but since your majesty forbids me, I will take my -leave. Adieu, madame, adieu!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>These words were -uttered with a harmony of tone and respect of manner that -disarmed the queen of all anger and suspicion, but did not remove -her feeling of curiosity. "You are right, "she said; "it -ill-becomes those who are suffering to reject the means of relief -Heaven sends them. Speak, then; and may you, indeed, be able, as -you assert, to administer relief to my body - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us first speak -a little of the mind, if you please," said the Béguine - -"of the mind, which, I am sure, must also suffer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My mind?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There are cancers -so insidious in their nature that their very pulsations cannot be -felt. Such cancers, madame, leave the ivory whiteness of the -skin unblemished, and putrefy not the firm, fair flesh, with -their blue tints; the physician who bends over the patient's -chest hears not, though he listens, the insatiable teeth of the -disease grinding onward through the muscles, and the blood flows -freely on; the knife has never been able to destroy, and rarely, -even temporarily, to disarm the rage of these mortal scourges, - -their home is in the mind, which they corrupt, - they gnaw the -whole heart until it breaks. Such, madame, are the cancers fatal -to queens; are you, too, free from their scourge?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Anne slowly raised -her arm, dazzling in its perfect whiteness, and pure in its -rounded outlines as it was in the time of her earlier days.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The evils to which -you allude," she said, "are the condition of the lives of the -high in rank upon earth, to whom Heaven has imparted mind. When -those evils become too heavy to be borne, Heaven lightens their -burdens by penitence and confession. Thus, only, we lay down our -burden and the secrets that oppress us. But, forget not that the -same gracious Heaven, in its mercy, apportions to their trials -the strength of the feeble creatures of its hand; and my strength -has enabled me to bear my burden. For the secrets of others, the -silence of Heaven is more than sufficient; for my own secrets, -that of my confessor is enough."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are as -courageous, madame, I see, as ever, against your enemies. You do -not acknowledge your confidence in your friends?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Queens have no -friends; if you have nothing further to say to me, - if you feel -yourself inspired by Heaven as a prophetess - leave me, I pray, -for I dread the future."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I should have -supposed," said the Béguine, resolutely, "that you would -rather have dreaded the past."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Hardly had these -words escaped her lips, than the queen rose up proudly. "Speak," -she cried, in a short, imperious tone of voice; "explain yourself -briefly, quickly, entirely; or, if not - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, do not -threaten me, your majesty," said the Béguine, gently; "I -came here to you full of compassion and respect. I came here on -the part of a friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Prove that to me! -Comfort, instead of irritating me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Easily enough, and -your majesty will see who is friendly to you. What misfortune -has happened to your majesty during these three and twenty years -past - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Serious -misfortunes, indeed; have I not lost the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I speak not of -misfortunes of <i>that</i> kind. I wish to ask you, if, since -the birth of the king, any indiscretion on a friend's part has -caused your majesty the slightest serious anxiety, or -distress?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not -understand you," replied the queen, clenching her teeth in order -to conceal her emotion.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will make myself -understood, then. Your majesty remembers that the king was born -on the 5th of September, 1638, at a quarter past eleven -o'clock."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," stammered -out the queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At half-past -twelve," continued the Béguine, "the dauphin, who had been -baptized by Monseigneur de Meaux in the king's and your own -presence, was acknowledged as the heir of the crown of France. -The king then went to the chapel of the old Château de -Saint-Germain, to hear the <i>Te Deum</i> chanted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite true, quite -true," murmured the queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your majesty's -conferment took place in the presence of Monsieur, his majesty's -late uncle, of the princes, and of the ladies attached to the -court. The king's physician, Bouvard, and Honoré, the -surgeon, were stationed in the ante-chamber; your majesty slept -from three o'clock until seven, I believe."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, yes; but you -tell me no more than every one else knows as well as you and -myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am now, madame, -approaching that which very few persons are acquainted with. -Very few persons, did I say, alas! I might say two only, for -formerly there were but five in all, and, for many years past, -the secret has been well preserved by the deaths of the principal -participators in it. The late king sleeps now with his -ancestors; Perronnette, the midwife, soon followed him; Laporte -is already forgotten."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The queen opened -her lips as though to reply; she felt, beneath her icy hand, with -which she kept her face half concealed, the beads of perspiration -on her brow.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It was eight -o'clock," pursued the Béguine; "the king was seated at -supper, full of joy and happiness; around him on all sides arose -wild cries of delight and drinking of healths; the people cheered -beneath the balconies; the Swiss guards, the musketeers, and the -royal guards wandered through the city, borne about in triumph by -the drunken students. Those boisterous sounds of general joy -disturbed the dauphin, the future king of France, who was quietly -lying in the arms of Madame de Hausac, his nurse, and whose eyes, -as he opened them, and stared about, might have observed two -crowns at the foot of his cradle. Suddenly your majesty uttered -a piercing cry, and Dame Perronnette immediately flew to your -beside. The doctors were dining in a room at some distance from -your chamber; the palace, deserted from the frequency of the -irruptions made into it, was without either sentinels or guards. -The midwife, having questioned and examined your majesty, gave a -sudden exclamation as if in wild astonishment, and taking you in -her arms, bewildered almost out of her senses from sheer distress -of mind, dispatched Laporte to inform the king that her majesty -the queen-mother wished to see him in her room. Laporte, you are -aware, madame, was a man of the most admirable calmness and -presence of mind. He did not approach the king as if he were the -bearer of alarming intelligence and wished to inspire the terror -he himself experienced; besides, it was not a very terrifying -intelligence which awaited the king. Therefore, Laporte appeared -with a smile upon his lips, and approached the king's chair, -saying to him - 'Sire, the queen is very happy, and would be -still more so to see your majesty.' On that day, Louis XIII. -would have given his crown away to the veriest beggar for a 'God -bless you.' Animated, light-hearted, and full of gayety, the -king rose from the table, and said to those around him, in a tone -that Henry IV. might have adopted, - 'Gentlemen, I am going to -see my wife.' He came to your beside, madame, at the very moment -Dame Perronnette presented to him a second prince, as beautiful -and healthy as the former, and said - 'Sire, Heaven will not -allow the kingdom of France to fall into the female line.' The -king, yielding to a first impulse, clasped the child in his arms, -and cried, 'Oh, Heaven, I thank Thee!'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>At this part of her -recital, the Béguine paused, observing how intensely the -queen was suffering; she had thrown herself back in her chair, -and with her head bent forward and her eyes fixed, listened -without seeming to hear, and her lips moving convulsively, either -breathing a prayer to Heaven or imprecations on the woman -standing before her.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! I do not -believe that, if, because there could be but one dauphin in -France, "exclaimed the Béguine, "the queen allowed that -child to vegetate, banished from his royal parents' presence, she -was on that account an unfeeling mother. Oh, no, no; there are -those alive who have known and witnessed the passionate kisses -she imprinted on that innocent creature in exchange for a life of -misery and gloom to which state policy condemned the twin brother -of Louis XIV."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! Heaven!" -murmured the queen feebly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is admitted," -continued the Béguine, quickly, "that when the king -perceived the effect which would result from the existence of two -sons, equal in age and pretensions, he trembled for the welfare -of France, for the tranquillity of the state; and it is equally -well known that Cardinal de Richelieu, by the direction of Louis -XIII., thought over the subject with deep attention, and after an -hour's meditation in his majesty's cabinet, he pronounced the -following sentence: - 'One prince means peace and safety for the -state; two competitors, civil war and anarchy.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The queen rose -suddenly from her seat, pale as death, and her hands clenched -together:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You know too -much," she said, in a hoarse, thick voice, "since you refer to -secrets of state. As for the friends from whom you have acquired -this secret, they are false and treacherous. You are their -accomplice in the crime which is being now committed. Now, throw -aside your mask, or I will have you arrested by my captain of the -guards. Do not think that this secret terrifies me! You have -obtained it, you shall restore it to me. Never shall it leave -your bosom, for neither your secret nor your own life belong to -you from this moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Anne of Austria, -joining gesture to the threat, advanced a couple of steps towards -the Béguine.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Learn," said the -latter, "to know and value the fidelity, the honor, and secrecy -of the friends you have abandoned." And, then, suddenly she -threw aside her mask.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Madame de -Chevreuse!" exclaimed the queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With your majesty, -the sole living <i>confidante</i> of the secret."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" murmured Anne -of Austria; "come and embrace me, duchesse. Alas! you kill your -friend in thus trifling with her terrible distress."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And the queen, -leaning her head upon the shoulder of the old duchesse, burst -into a flood of bitter tears. "How young you are - still!" said -the latter, in a hollow voice; "you can weep!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLIV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>Two -Friends.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he queen -looked steadily at Madame de Chevreuse, and said: "I believe you -just now made use of the word 'happy' in speaking of me. -Hitherto, duchesse, I had thought it impossible that a human -creature could anywhere be found more miserable than the queen of -France."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your afflictions, madame, -have indeed been terrible enough. But by the side of those great -and grand misfortunes to which we, two old friends, separated by -men's malice, were just now alluding, you possess sources of -pleasure, slight enough in themselves it may be, but greatly -envied by the world."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What are they?" said Anne -of Austria, bitterly. "What can induce you to pronounce the word -'pleasure,' duchesse - you who, just now, admitted that my body -and my mind both stood in need of remedies?"<br> - Madame de Chevreuse collected herself for a -moment, and then murmured, "How far removed kings are from other -people!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I mean that they -are so far removed from the vulgar herd that they forget that -others often stand in need of the bare necessities of life. They -are like the inhabitant of the African mountains, who, gazing -from the verdant tableland, refreshed by the rills of melted -snow, cannot comprehend that the dwellers in the plains below are -perishing from hunger and thirst in the midst of the desert, -burnt up by the heat of the sun."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The queen colored, -for she now began to perceive the drift of her friend's remark. -"It was very wrong," she said, "to have neglected you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! madame, I know -the king has inherited the hatred his father bore me. The king -would exile me if he knew I were in the Palais Royal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I cannot say that -the king is very well disposed towards you, duchesse," replied -the queen; "but I could - secretly, you know - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The duchesse's -disdainful smile produced a feeling of uneasiness in the queen's -mind. "Duchesse," she hastened to add, "you did perfectly right -to come here, even were it only to give us the happiness of -contradicting the report of your death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Has it been -rumored, then, that I was dead?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Everywhere."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And yet my -children did not go into mourning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! you know, -duchesse, the court is very frequently moving about from place to -place; we see M. Albert de Luynes but seldom, and many things -escape our minds in the midst of the preoccupations that -constantly beset us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your majesty ought -not to have believed the report of my death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not? Alas! we -are all mortal; and you may perceive how rapidly I, your younger -sister, as we used formerly to say, am approaching the tomb."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If your majesty -believed me dead, you ought, in that case, to have been -astonished not to have received the news."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Death not -unfrequently takes us by surprise, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! your majesty, -those who are burdened with secrets such as we have just now -discussed must, as a necessity of their nature, satisfy their -craving desire to divulge them, and they feel they must gratify -that desire before they die. Among the various preparations for -their final journey, the task of placing their papers in order is -not omitted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The queen -started.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your majesty will -be sure to learn, in a particular manner, the day of my -death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because your -majesty will receive the next day, under several coverings, -everything connected with our mysterious correspondence of former -times."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did you not burn -them?" cried Anne, in alarm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Traitors only," -replied the duchesse, "destroy a royal correspondence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Traitors, do you -say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, certainly, or -rather they pretend to destroy, instead of which they keep or -sell it. Faithful friends, on the contrary, most carefully -secrete such treasures, for it may happen that some day or other -they would wish to seek out their queen in order to say to her: -'Madame, I am getting old; my health is fast failing me; in the -presence of the danger of death, for there is the risk for your -majesty that this secret may be revealed, take, therefore, this -paper, so fraught with menace for yourself, and trust not to -another to burn it for you.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What paper do you -refer to?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As far as I am -concerned, I have but one, it is true, but that is indeed most -dangerous in its nature."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! duchesse, tell -me what it is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A letter, dated -Tuesday, the 2d of August, 1644, in which you beg me to go to -Noisy-le-Sec, to see that unhappy child. In your own -handwriting, madame, there are those words, 'that unhappy -child!'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>A profound silence -ensued; the queen's mind was busy in the past; Madame de -Chevreuse was watching the progress of her scheme. "Yes, -unhappy, most unhappy!" murmured Anne of Austria; "how sad the -existence he led, poor child, to finish it in so cruel a -manner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Is he dead?" cried -the duchesse suddenly, with a curiosity whose genuine accents the -queen instinctively detected.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He died of -consumption, died forgotten, died withered and blighted like the -flowers a lover has given to his mistress, which she leaves to -die secreted in a drawer where she had hid them from the gaze of -others."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Died!" repeated -the duchesse with an air of discouragement, which would have -afforded the queen the most unfeigned delight, had it not been -tempered in some measure with a mixture of doubt - "Died - at -Noisy-le-Sec?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, in the arms -of his tutor, a poor, honest man, who did not long survive -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That can easily be -understood; it is so difficult to bear up under the weight of -such a loss and such a secret," said Madame de Chevreuse, - the -irony of which reflection the queen pretended not to perceive. -Madame de Chevreuse continued: "Well, madame, I inquired some -years ago at Noisy-le-Sec about this unhappy child. I was told -that it was not believed he was dead, and that was my reason for -not having at first condoled with your majesty; for, most -certainly, if I could have thought it were true, never should I -have made the slightest allusion to so deplorable an event, and -thus have re-awakened your majesty's most natural distress."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You say that it is -not believed the child died at Noisy?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What did they say -about him, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"They said - but, -no doubt, they were mistaken - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, speak, -speak!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"They said, that -one evening, about the year 1645, a lady, beautiful and majestic -in her bearing, which was observed notwithstanding the mask and -the mantle that concealed her figure - a lady of rank, of very -high rank, no doubt - came in a carriage to the place where the -road branches off; the very same spot, you know, where I awaited -news of the young prince when your majesty was graciously pleased -to send me there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That the boy's -tutor, or guardian, took the child to this lady."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, what -next?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That both the -child and his tutor left that part of the country the very next -day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There, you see -there is some truth in what you relate, since, in point of fact, -the poor child died from a sudden attack of illness, which makes -the lives of all children, as doctors say, suspended as it were -by a thread."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What your majesty -says is quite true; no one knows it better than yourself - no one -believes it more strongly than myself. But yet, how strange it -is - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What can it now -be?" thought the queen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The person who -gave me these details, who was sent to inquire after the child's -health - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did you confide -such a charge to any one else? Oh, duchesse!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Some one as dumb -as your majesty, as dumb as myself; we will suppose it was -myself, Madame; this some one, some months after, passing through -Touraine - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Touraine!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Recognized both -the tutor and the child, too! I am wrong, thought he recognized -them, both living, cheerful, happy, and flourishing, the one in a -green old age, the other in the flower of his youth. Judge after -that what truth can be attributed to the rumors which are -circulated, or what faith, after that, placed in anything that -may happen in the world! But I am fatiguing your majesty; it was -not my intention, however, to do so, and I will take my leave of -you, after renewing to you the assurance of my most respectful -devotion."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Stay, duchesse; -let us first talk a little about yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of myself, -madame! I am not worthy that you should bend your looks upon -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not, indeed? -Are you not the oldest friend I have? Are you angry with me, -duchesse?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I, indeed! what -motive could I have? If I had reason to be angry with your -majesty, should I have come here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Duchesse, age is -fast creeping on us both; we should be united against that death -whose approach cannot be far off."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You overpower me, -madame, with the kindness of your language."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No one has ever -loved or served me as you have done, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your majesty is -too kind in remembering it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not so. Give me a -proof of your friendship, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My whole being is -devoted to you, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The proof I -require is, that you should ask something of me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ask - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, I know you -well, - no one is more disinterested, more noble, and truly -loyal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not praise me -too highly, madame," said the duchesse, somewhat anxiously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I could never -praise you as much as you deserve to be praised."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And yet, age and -misfortune effect a terrible change in people, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So much the -better; for the beautiful, the haughty, the adored duchesse of -former days might have answered me ungratefully, 'I do not wish -for anything from you.' Heaven be praised! The misfortunes you -speak of have indeed worked a change in you, for you will now, -perhaps, answer me, 'I accept.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The duchesse's look -and smile soon changed at this conclusion, and she no longer -attempted to act a false part.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Speak, dearest, -what do you want?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I must first -explain to you - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do so -unhesitatingly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, your -majesty can confer the greatest, the most ineffable pleasure upon -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it?" said -the queen, a little distant in her manner, from an uneasiness of -feeling produced by this remark. "But do not forget, my good -Chevreuse, that I am quite as much under my son's influence as I -was formerly under my husband's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will not be too -hard, madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Call me as you -used to do; it will be a sweet echo of our happy youth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, my -dear mistress, my darling Anne - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you know -Spanish, still?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ask me in Spanish, -then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Will your majesty -do me the honor to pass a few days with me at Dampierre?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Is that all?" said -the queen, stupefied. "Nothing more than that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good heavens! can -you possibly imagine that, in asking you that, I am not asking -you the greatest conceivable favor? If that really be the case, -you do not know me. Will you accept?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, gladly. And -I shall be happy," continued the queen, with some suspicion, "if -my presence can in any way be useful to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Useful!" exclaimed -the duchesse, laughing; "oh, no, no, agreeable - delightful, if -you like; and you promise me, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I swear it," said -the queen, whereupon the duchesse seized her beautiful hand, and -covered it with kisses. The queen could not help murmuring to -herself, "She is a good-hearted woman, and very generous, -too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Will your majesty -consent to wait a fortnight before you come?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly; but -why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because," said the -duchesse, "knowing me to be in disgrace, no one would lend me the -hundred thousand francs, which I require to put Dampierre into a -state of repair. But when it is known that I require that sum -for the purpose of receiving your majesty at Dampierre properly, -all the money in Paris will be at my disposal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" said the -queen, gently nodding her head in sign of intelligence, "a -hundred thousand francs! you want a hundred thousand francs to -put Dampierre into repair?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite as much as -that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And no one will -lend you them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will lend them -to you, if you like, duchesse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, I hardly dare -accept such a sum."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You would be wrong -if you did <i>not</i>. Besides, a hundred thousand francs is -really not much. I know but too well that you never set a right -value upon your silence and secrecy. Push that table a little -towards me, duchesse, and I will write you an order on M. -Colbert; no, on M. Fouquet, who is a far more courteous and -obliging man."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Will he pay it, -though?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If he will not pay -it, I will; but it will be the first time he will have refused -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The queen wrote and -handed the duchesse the order, and afterwards dismissed her with -a warm embrace.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>How -Jean de La Fontaine Came to Write His First Tale.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>ll these -intrigues are exhausted; the human mind, so variously -complicated, has been enabled to develop itself at its ease in -the three outlines with which our recital has supplied it. It is -not unlikely that, in the future we are now preparing, a question -of politics and intrigues may still arise, but the springs by -which they work will be so carefully concealed that no one will -be able to see aught but flowers and paintings, just as at a -theater, where a colossus appears upon the scene, walking along -moved by the small legs and slender arms of a child concealed -within the framework.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> We now return to -Saint-Mandé, where the superintendent was in the habit of -receiving his select confederacy of epicureans. For some time -past the host had met with nothing but trouble. Every one in the -house was aware of and felt for the minister's distress. No more -magnificent or recklessly improvident <i>réunions</i>. -Money had been the pretext assigned by Fouquet, and never -<i>was</i> any pretext, as Gourville said, more fallacious, for -there was not even a shadow of money to be seen.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> M. Vatel was resolutely -painstaking in keeping up the reputation of the house, and yet -the gardeners who supplied the kitchens complained of ruinous -delays. The agents for the supply of Spanish wines sent drafts -which no one honored; fishermen, whom the superintendent engaged -on the coast of Normandy, calculated that if they were paid all -that was due to them, the amount would enable them to retire -comfortably for life; fish, which, at a later period, was the -cause of Vatel's death, did not arrive at all. However, on the -ordinary reception days, Fouquet's friends flocked in more -numerously than ever. Gourville and the Abbé Fouquet -talked over money matters - that is to say, the abbé -borrowed a few pistoles from Gourville; Pélisson, seated -with his legs crossed, was engaged in finishing the peroration of -a speech with which Fouquet was to open the parliament; and this -speech was a masterpiece, because Pélisson wrote it for -his friend - that is to say, he inserted all kinds of clever -things the latter would most certainly never have taken the -trouble to say of his own accord. Presently Loret and La -Fontaine would enter from the garden, engaged in a dispute about -the art of making verses. The painters and musicians, in their -turn, were hovering near the dining-room. As soon as eight -o'clock struck the supper would be announced, for the -superintendent never kept any one waiting. It was already -half-past seven, and the appetites of the guests were beginning -to declare themselves in an emphatic manner. As soon as all the -guests were assembled, Gourville went straight up to -Pélisson, awoke him out of his reverie, and led him into -the middle of a room, and closed the doors. "Well," he said, -"anything new?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Pélisson raised his -intelligent and gentle face, and said: "I have borrowed five and -twenty thousand francs of my aunt, and I have them here in good -sterling money."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good," replied -Gourville; "we only what one hundred and ninety-five thousand -livres for the first payment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The payment of -what?" asked La Fontaine.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What! -absent-minded as usual! Why, it was you who told us the small -estate at Corbeli was going to be sold by one of M. Fouquet's -creditors; and you, also, who proposed that all his friends -should subscribe - more than that, it was you who said that you -would sell a corner of your house at Château-Thierry, in -order to furnish your own proportion, and you come and ask - -'<i>The payment of what?</i>'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>This remark was -received with a general laugh, which made La Fontaine blush. "I -beg your pardon," he said, "I had not forgotten it; oh, no! only -- "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Only you -remembered nothing about it," replied Loret.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is the truth, -and the fact is, he is quite right, there is a great difference -between forgetting and not remembering."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then," added -Pélisson, "you bring your mite in the shape of the price -of the piece of land you have sold?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sold? no!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you not sold -the field, then?" inquired Gourville, in astonishment, for he -knew the poet's disinterestedness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My wife would not -let me," replied the latter, at which there were fresh bursts of -laughter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And yet you went -to Château-Thierry for that purpose," said some one.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly I did, -and on horseback."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Poor fellow!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I had eight -different horses, and I was almost bumped to death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are an -excellent fellow! And you rested yourself when you arrived -there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Rested! Oh! of -course I did, for I had an immense deal of work to do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My wife had been -flirting with the man to whom I wished to sell the land. The -fellow drew back form his bargain, and so I challenged him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good, and you -fought?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It seems not."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You know nothing -about it, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, my wife and -her relations interfered in the matter. I was kept a quarter of -an hour with my sword in my hand; but I was not wounded."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And your -adversary?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! he wasn't -wounded either, for he never came on the field."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Capital!" cried -his friends from all sides, "you must have been terribly -angry."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exceedingly so; I -caught cold; I returned home and then my wife began to quarrel -with me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In real -earnest?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, in real -earnest. She threw a loaf of bread at my head, a large -loaf."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And what did you -do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! I upset the -table over her and her guests; and then I got on my horse again, -and here I am."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Every one had great -difficulty in keeping his countenance at the exposure of this -heroi-comedy, and when the laughter had subsided, one of the -guests present said to La Fontaine: "Is that all you have brought -back?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no! I have an -excellent idea in my head."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you noticed -that there is a good deal of sportive, jesting poetry written in -France?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, of course," -replied every one.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And," pursued La -Fontaine, "only a very small portion of it is printed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The laws are -strict, you know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That may be; but a -rare article is a dear article, and that is the reason why I have -written a small poem, excessively free in its style, very broad, -and extremely cynical in its tone."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The deuce you -have!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," continued -the poet, with assumed indifference, "and I have introduced the -greatest freedom of language I could possibly employ."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Peals of laughter -again broke forth, while the poet was thus announcing the quality -of his wares. "And," he continued, "I have tried to excel -everything that Boccaccio, Arétin, and other masters of -their craft have written in the same style."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Its fate is -clear," said Pélisson; "it will be suppressed and -forbidden."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you think so?" -said La Fontaine, simply. "I assure you I did not do it on my -own account so much as M. Fouquet's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>This wonderful -conclusion again raised the mirth of all present.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I have sold -the first edition of this little book for eight hundred livres," -exclaimed La Fontaine, rubbing his hands together. "Serious and -religions books sell at about half that rate."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It would have been -better," said Gourville, "to have written two religious books -instead."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It would have been -too long, and not amusing enough," replied La Fontaine -tranquilly; "my eight hundred livres are in this little bag, and -I beg to offer them as <i>my</i> contribution."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>As he said this, he -placed his offering in the hands of their treasurer; it was then -Loret's turn, who gave a hundred and fifty livres; the others -stripped themselves in the same way; and the total sum in the -purse amounted to forty thousand livres. The money was still -being counted over when the superintendent noiselessly entered -the room; he had heard everything; and then this man, who had -possessed so many millions, who had exhausted all the pleasures -and honors the world had to bestow, this generous heart, this -inexhaustible brain, which had, like two burning crucibles, -devoured the material and moral substance of the first kingdom in -Europe, was seen to cross the threshold with tears in his eyes, -and pass his fingers through the gold and silver which the bag -contained.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Poor offering," he -said, in a softened and affected tone of voice, "you will -disappear into the smallest corner of my empty purse, but you -have filled to overflowing that which no one can ever exhaust, my -heart. Thank you, my friends - thank you." And as he could not -embrace every one present, who were all tearful, too, -philosophers as they were, he embraced La Fontaine, saying to -him, "Poor fellow! so you have, on my account, been beaten by -your wife and censured by your confessor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! it is a mere -nothing," replied the poet; "if your creditors will only wait a -couple of years, I shall have written a hundred other tales, -which, at two editions each, will pay off the debt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLVI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>La -Fontaine in the Character of a Negotiator.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>F</span>ouquet -pressed La Fontaine's hand most warmly, saying to him, "My dear -poet, write a hundred other tales, not only for the eighty -pistoles which each of them will produce you, but, still more, to -enrich our language with a hundred new masterpieces of -composition."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said La Fontaine, with -a little air of pride, "you must not suppose that I have only -brought this idea and the eighty pistoles to the -superintendent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! indeed," was the -general acclimation from all parts of the room, "M. de la -Fontaine is in funds to-day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly," replied -La Fontaine.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quick, quick!" -cried the assembly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Take care," said -Pélisson in La Fontaine's ear; "you have had a most -brilliant success up to the present moment; do not go beyond your -depth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not at all, -Monsieur Pélisson; and you, who are a man of decided -taste, will be the first to approve of what I have done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We are talking of -millions, remember," said Gourville.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have fifteen -hundred thousand francs here, Monsieur Gourville," he replied, -striking himself on the chest.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The deuce take -this Gascon from Château-Thierry!" cried Loret.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is not the -pocket you must tap - but the brain," said Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Stay a moment, -monsieur le surintendant," added La Fontaine; "you are not -procureur-général - you are a poet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"True, true!" cried -Loret, Conrart, and every person present connected with -literature.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are, I repeat, -a poet and a painter, a sculptor, a friend of the arts and -sciences; but, acknowledge that you are no lawyer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! I do -acknowledge it," replied M. Fouquet, smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If you were to be -nominated at the Academy, you would refuse, I think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I think I should, -with all due deference to the academicians."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good; if, -therefore, you do not wish to belong to the Academy, why do you -allow yourself to form one of the parliament?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!" said -Pélisson, "we are talking politics."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I wish to know -whether the barrister's gown does or does not become M. -Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is no -question of the gown at all," retorted Pélisson, annoyed -at the laughter of those who were present.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary, -it <i>is</i> the gown," said Loret.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Take the gown away -from the procureur-général," said Conrart, "and we -have M. Fouquet left us still, of whom we have no reason to -complain; but, as he is no procureur-général -without his gown, we agree with M. de la Fontaine and pronounce -the gown to be nothing but a bugbear."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"<i>Fugiunt risus -leporesque</i>," said Loret.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The smiles and the -graces," said some one present.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is not the -way," said Pélisson, gravely, "that I translate -<i>lepores</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How do you -translate it?" said La Fontaine.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thus: The hares -run away as soon as they see M. Fouquet." A burst of laughter, -in which the superintendent joined, followed this sally.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But why hares?" -objected Conrart, vexed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because the hare -will be the very one who will not be over pleased to see M. -Fouquet surrounded by all the attributes which his parliamentary -strength and power confer on him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! oh!" murmured -the poets.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"<i>Quo non -ascendam</i>," said Conrart, "seems impossible to me, when one is -fortunate enough to wear the gown of the -procureur-général." <b><sup>9</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary, -it seems so to me without that gown," said the obstinate -Pélisson; "what is your opinion, Gourville?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I think the gown -in question is a very good thing," replied the latter; "but I -equally think that a million and a half is far better than the -gown."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I am of -Gourville's opinion," exclaimed Fouquet, stopping the discussion -by the expression of his own opinion, which would necessarily -bear down all the others.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A million and a -half," Pélisson grumbled out; "now I happen to know an -Indian fable - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Tell it to me," -said La Fontaine; "I ought to know it too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Tell it, tell it," -said the others.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There was a -tortoise, which was, as usual, well protected by its shell," said -Pélisson; "whenever its enemies threatened it, it took -refuge within its covering. One day some one said to it, 'You -must feel very hot in such a house as that in the summer, and you -are altogether prevented showing off your graces; there is a -snake here, who will give you a million and a half for your -shell.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Good!" said the -superintendent, laughing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, what next?" -said La Fontaine, more interested in the apologue than in the -moral.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The tortoise sold -his shell and remained naked and defenseless. A vulture happened -to see him, and being hungry, broke the tortoise's back with a -blow of his beak and devoured it. The moral is, that M. Fouquet -should take very good care to keep his gown."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>La Fontaine -understood the moral seriously. "You forget Æschylus," he -said, to his adversary.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Æschylus was -bald-headed, and a vulture - your vulture, probably - who was a -great amateur in tortoises, mistook at a distance his head for a -block of stone, and let a tortoise, which was shrunk up in his -shell, fall upon it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, yes, La -Fontaine is right," resumed Fouquet, who had become very -thoughtful; "whenever a vulture wishes to devour a tortoise, he -well knows how to break his shell; but happy is that tortoise a -snake pays a million and a half for his envelope. If any one -were to bring me a generous-hearted snake like the one in your -fable, Pélisson, I would give him my shell."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"<i>Rara avis in -terres!</i>" cried Conrart. <b><sup>10</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And like a black -swan, is he not?" added La Fontaine; "well, then, the bird in -question, black and rare, is already found."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you mean to say -that you have found a purchaser for my post of -procureur-général?" exclaimed Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have, -monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But the -superintendent never said that he wished to sell," resumed -Pélisson.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I beg your -pardon," said Conrart, "you yourself spoke about it, even - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I am a -witness to that," said Gourville.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He seems very -tenacious about his brilliant idea," said Fouquet, laughing. -"Well, La Fontaine, who is the purchaser?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A perfect -blackbird, for he is a counselor belonging to the parliament, an -excellent fellow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is his -name?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Vanel!" exclaimed -Fouquet. "Vanel the husband of - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Precisely, her -husband; yes, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Poor fellow!" said -Fouquet, with an expression of great interest.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He wishes to be -everything that you have been, monsieur," said Gourville, "and to -do everything that you have done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is very -agreeable; tell us all about it, La Fontaine."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is very -simple. I see him occasionally, and a short time ago I met him, -walking about on the Place de la Bastile, at the very moment when -I was about to take the small carriage to come down here to -Saint-Mandé."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He must have been -watching his wife," interrupted Loret.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no!" said La -Fontaine, "he is far from being jealous. He accosted me, -embraced me, and took me to the inn called L'Image Saint-Fiacre, -and told me all about his troubles."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He has his -troubles, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; his wife -wants to make him ambitious."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, and he told -you - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That some one had -spoken to him about a post in parliament; that M. Fouquet's name -had been mentioned; that ever since, Madame Vanel dreams of -nothing else than being called madame la -procureur-générale, and that it makes her ill and -kills her every night she does not dream about it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The deuce!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Poor woman!" said -Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Wait a moment. -Conrart is always telling me that I do not know how to conduct -matters of business; you will see how I managed this one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, go on."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'I suppose you -know,' said I to Vanel, 'that the value of a post such as that -which M. Fouquet holds is by no means trifling.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'How much do you -imagine it to be?' he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'M. Fouquet, I -know, has refused seventeen hundred thousand francs.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'My wife,' replied -Vanel, 'had estimated it at about fourteen hundred thousand.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Ready money?' I -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Yes; she has sold -some property of hers in Guienne, and has received the purchase -money.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That's a pretty -sum to touch all at once," said the Abbé Fouquet, who had -not hitherto said a word.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Poor Madame -Vanel!" murmured Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Pélisson -shrugged his shoulders, as he whispered in Fouquet's ear, "That -woman is a perfect fiend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That may be; and -it will be delightful to make use of this fiend's money to repair -the injury which an angel has done herself for me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Pélisson -looked with a surprised air at Fouquet, whose thoughts were from -that moment fixed upon a fresh object in view.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well!" inquired La -Fontaine, "what about my negotiation?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Admirable, my dear -poet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said -Gourville; "but there are some people who are anxious to have the -steed who have not even money enough to pay for the bridle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And Vanel would -draw back from his offer if he were to be taken at his word," -continued the Abbé Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not believe -it," said La Fontaine.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you know -about it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, you have not -yet heard the <i>dénouement</i> of my story."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If there is a -<i>dénouement</i>, why do you beat about the bush so -much?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"<i>Semper ad -eventum</i>. Is that correct?" said Fouquet, with the air of a -nobleman who condescends to barbarisms. To which the Latinists -present answered with loud</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">applause. <b><sup>11</sup></b></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My -<i>dénouement</i>," cried La Fontaine, "is that Vanel, -that determined blackbird, knowing that I was coming to -Saint-Mandé, implored me to bring him with me, and, if -possible, to present him to M. Fouquet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So that - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So that he is here; I left -him in that part of the ground called Bel-Air. Well, M. Fouquet, -what is your reply?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, it is not -respectful towards Madame Vanel that her husband should run the -risk of catching cold outside my house; send for him, La -Fontaine, since you know where he is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will go -myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I will -accompany you," said the Abbé Fouquet; "I will carry the -money bags."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No jesting," said -Fouquet, seriously; "let the business be a serious one, if it is -to be one at all. But first of all, let us show we are -hospitable. Make my apologies, La Fontaine, to M. Vanel, and -tell him how distressed I am to have kept him waiting, but that I -was not was not aware he was there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>La Fontaine set off -at once, fortunately accompanied by Gourville, for, absorbed in -his own calculations, the poet would have mistaken the route, and -was hurrying as fast as he could towards the village of -Saint-Mandé. Within a quarter of an hour afterwards, M. -Vanel was introduced into the superintendent's cabinet, a -description of which has already been given at the beginning of -this story. When Fouquet saw him enter, he called to -Pélisson, and whispered a few words in his ear. "Do not -lose a single word of what I am going to say: let all the silver -and gold plate, together with my jewels of every description, be -packed up in the carriage. You will take the black horses: the -jeweler will accompany you; and you will postpone the supper -until Madame de Bellière's arrival."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Will it be -necessary to inform Madame de Bellière of it?" said -Pélisson.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; that will be -useless; I will do that. So, away with you, my dear friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Pélisson set -off, not quite clear as to his friend's meaning or intention, but -confident, like every true friend, in the judgment of the man he -was blindly obeying. It is that which constitutes the strength -of such men; distrust only arises in the minds of inferior -natures.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel bowed lowly -to the superintendent, and was about to begin a speech.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not trouble -yourself, monsieur," said Fouquet, politely; "I am told you wish -to purchase a post I hold. How much can you give me for it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is for you, -monseigneur, to fix the amount you require. I know that offers -of purchase have already been made to you for it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Madame Vanel, I -have been told, values it at fourteen hundred thousand -livres."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is all we -have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Can you give me -the money immediately?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have not the -money with me," said Vanel, frightened almost by the unpretending -simplicity, amounting to greatness, of the man, for he had -expected disputes, difficulties, opposition of every kind.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"When will you be -able to bring it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Whenever you -please, monseigneur;" for he began to be afraid that Fouquet was -trifling with him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If it were not for -the trouble you would have in returning to Paris, I would say at -once; but we will arrange that the payment and the signature -shall take place at six o'clock to-morrow morning."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good," said -Vanel, as cold as ice, and feeling quite bewildered.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Adieu, Monsieur -Vanel, present my humblest respects to Madame Vanel," said -Fouquet, as he rose; upon which Vanel, who felt the blood rushing -to his head, for he was quite confounded by his success, said -seriously to the superintendent, "Will you give me your word, -monseigneur, upon this affair?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet turned -round his head, saying, "<i>Pardieu</i>, and you, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel hesitated, -trembled all over, and at last finished by hesitatingly holding -out his hand. Fouquet opened and nobly extended his own; this -loyal hand lay for a moment in Vanel's most hypocritical palm, -and he pressed it in his own, in order the better to convince -himself of the compact. The superintendent gently disengaged his -hand, as he again said, "Adieu." And then Vanel ran hastily to -the door, hurried along the vestibule, and fled as quickly as he -could.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLVII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Madame de Bellière's Plate and Diamonds.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>F</span>ouquet had no -sooner dismissed Vanel than he began to reflect for a few moments -- "A man never can do too much for the woman he has once loved. -Marguerite wishes to be the wife of a -procureur-général - and why not confer this -pleasure upon her? And, now that the most scrupulous and -sensitive conscience will be unable to reproach me with anything, -let my thoughts be bestowed on her who has shown so much devotion -for me. Madame de Bellière ought to be there by this -time," he said, as he turned towards the secret door.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> After he had locked himself -in, he opened the subterranean passage, and rapidly hastened -towards the means of communicating between the house at Vincennes -and his own residence. He had neglected to apprise his friend of -his approach, by ringing the bell, perfectly assured that she -would never fail to be exact at the rendezvous; as, indeed, was -the case, for she was already waiting. The noise the -superintendent made aroused her; she ran to take from under the -door the letter he had thrust there, and which simply said, -"Come, marquise; we are waiting supper for you." With her heart -filled with happiness Madame de Bellière ran to her -carriage in the Avenue de Vincennes, and in a few minutes she was -holding out her hand to Gourville, who was standing at the -entrance, where, in order the better to please his master, he had -stationed himself to watch her arrival. She had not observed -that Fouquet's black horse arrived at the same time, all steaming -and foam-flaked, having returned to Saint-Mandé with -Pélisson and the very jeweler to whom Madame de -Bellière had sold her plate and her jewels. -Pélisson introduced the goldsmith into the cabinet, which -Fouquet had not yet left. The superintendent thanked him for -having been good enough to regard as a simple deposit in his -hands, the valuable property which he had every right to sell; -and he cast his eyes on the total of the account, which amounted -to thirteen hundred thousand francs. Then, going for a few -moments to his desk, he wrote an order for fourteen hundred -thousand francs, payable at sight, at his treasury, before twelve -o'clock the next day.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A hundred thousand francs -profit!" cried the goldsmith. "Oh, monseigneur, what -generosity!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, nay, not so, -monsieur," said Fouquet, touching him on the shoulder; "there are -certain kindnesses which can never be repaid. This profit is -only what you have earned; but the interest of your money still -remains to be arranged." And, saying this, he unfastened from -his sleeve a diamond button, which the goldsmith himself had -often valued at three thousand pistoles. "Take this," he said to -the goldsmith, "in remembrance of me. Farewell; you are an -honest man."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you, monseigneur," -cried the goldsmith, completely overcome, "are the noblest man -that ever lived."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Fouquet let the worthy -goldsmith pass out of the room by a secret door, and then went to -receive Madame de Bellière, who was already surrounded by -all the guests. The marquise was always beautiful, but now her -loveliness was more dazzling than ever. "Do you not think, -gentlemen," said Fouquet, "that madame is more than usually -beautiful this evening? And do you happen to know why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because madame is really -the most beautiful of all women," said some one present.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but because she is the -best. And yet - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yet?" said the marquise, -smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And yet, all the jewels -which madame is wearing this evening are nothing but false -stones." At this remark the marquise blushed most painfully.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, oh!" exclaimed all the -guests, "that can very well be said of one who has the finest -diamonds in Paris."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well?" said Fouquet to -Pélisson, in a low tone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, at last I have -understood you," returned the latter; "and you have done -exceedingly well."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Supper is ready, -monseigneur," said Vatel, with majestic air and tone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The crowd of guests hurried, -more quickly than is usually the case with ministerial -entertainments, towards the banqueting-room, where a magnificent -spectacle presented itself. Upon the buffets, upon the -side-tables, upon the supper-table itself, in the midst of -flowers and light, glittered most dazzlingly the richest and most -costly gold and silver plate that could possibly be seen - relics -of those ancient magnificent productions the Florentine artists, -whom the Medici family patronized, sculptured, chased, and -moulded for the purpose of holding flowers, at a time when gold -existed still in France. These hidden marvels, which had been -buried during the civil wars, timidly reappeared during the -intervals of that war of good taste called La Fronde; at a time -when noblemen fighting against nobleman killed, but did not -pillage each other. All the plate present had Madame de -Bellière's arms engraved upon it. "Look," cried La -Fontaine, "here is a P and a B."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> But the most remarkable -object present was the cover which Fouquet had assigned to the -marquise. Near her was a pyramid of diamonds, sapphires, -emeralds, antique cameos, sardonyx stones, carved by the old -Greeks of Asia Minor, with mountings of Mysian gold; curious -mosaics of ancient Alexandria, set in silver; massive Egyptian -bracelets lay heaped on a large plate of Palissy ware, supported -by a tripod of gilt bronze, sculptured by Benvenuto Cellini. The -marquise turned pale, as she recognized what she had never -expected to see again. A profound silence fell on every one of -the restless and excited guests. Fouquet did not even make a -sign in dismissal of the richly liveried servants who crowded -like bees round the huge buffets and other tables in the room. -"Gentlemen," he said, "all this plate which you behold once -belonged to Madame de Bellière, who, having observed one -of her friends in great distress, sent all this gold and silver, -together with the heap of jewels now before her, to her -goldsmith. This noble conduct of a devoted friend can well be -understood by such friends as you. Happy indeed is that man who -sees himself loved in such a manner. Let us drink to the health -of Madame de Bellière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> A tremendous burst of -applause followed his words, and made poor Madame de -Bellière sink back dumb and breathless in her seat. "And -then," added Pélisson, who was always affected by a noble -action, as he was invariably impressed by beauty, "let us also -drink to the health of him who inspired madame's noble conduct; -for such a man is worthy of being worthily loved."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> It was now the marquise's -turn. She rose, pale and smiling; and as she held out her glass -with a faltering hand, and her trembling fingers touched those of -Fouquet, her look, full of love, found its mirror in that of her -ardent and generous-hearted lover. Begun in this manner, the -supper soon became a <i>fête</i>; no one tried to be witty, -but no one failed in being so. La Fontaine forgot his Gorgny -wine, and allowed Vatel to reconcile him to the wines of the -Rhône, and those from the shores of Spain. The Abbé -Fouquet became so kind and good-natured, that Gourville said to -him, "Take care, monsieur l'abbé; if you are so tender, -you will be carved and eaten."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The hours passed away so -joyously, that, contrary to his usual custom, the superintendent -did not leave the table before the end of the dessert. He smiled -upon his friends, delighted as a man is whose heart becomes -intoxicated before his head - and, for the first time, looked at -the clock. Suddenly a carriage rolled into the courtyard, and, -strange to say, it was heard high above the noise of the mirth -which prevailed. Fouquet listened attentively, and then turned -his eyes towards the ante-chamber. It seemed as if he could hear -a step passing across it, a step that, instead of pressing the -ground, weighed heavily upon his heart. "M. d'Herblay, bishop of -Vannes," the usher announced. And Aramis's grave and thoughtful -face appeared upon the threshold of the door, between the remains -of two garlands, of which the flame of a lamp had just burnt the -thread that once united them.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLVIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>M. -de Mazarin's Receipt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>F</span>ouquet would -have uttered an exclamation of delight on seeing another friend -arrive, if the cold air and averted aspect of Aramis had not -restored all his reserve. "Are you going to join us at dessert?" -he asked. "And yet you would be frightened, perhaps, at the -noise which our wild friends here are making?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monseigneur," replied -Aramis, respectfully, "I will begin by begging you to excuse me -for having interrupted this merry meeting; and then, I will beg -you to give me, as soon as your pleasure is attended to, a -moment's audience on matters of business."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> As the word "business" had -aroused the attention of some of the epicureans present, Fouquet -rose, saying: "Business first of all, Monsieur d'Herblay; we are -too happy when matters of business arrive only at the end of a -meal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> As he said this, he took the -hand of Madame de Bellière, who looked at him with a kind -of uneasiness, and then led her to an adjoining <i>salon</i>, -after having recommended her to the most reasonable of his -guests. And then, taking Aramis by the arm, he led him towards -his cabinet. As soon as Aramis was there, throwing aside the -respectful air he had assumed, he threw himself into a chair, -saying: "Guess whom I have seen this evening?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear chevalier, every -time you begin in that manner, I am sure to hear you announce -something disagreeable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, and this time you -will not be mistaken, either, my dear friend," replied -Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not keep me in -suspense," added Fouquet, phlegmatically.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, I have seen -Madame de Chevreuse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The old duchesse, do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes. "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Her ghost, -perhaps?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no; the old -she-wolf herself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Without -teeth?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Possibly, but not -without claws."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well! what harm -can she meditate against me? I am no miser with women who are -not prudes. A quality always prized, even by the woman who no -longer presumes to look for love."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Madame de -Chevreuse knows very well that you are not avaricious, since she -wishes to draw some money of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Indeed! under what -pretext?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! pretexts are -never wanting with <i>her</i>. Let me tell you what it is: it -seems that the duchesse has a good many letters of M. de -Mazarin's in her possession."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am not surprised -at that, for the prelate was gallant enough."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, but these -letters have nothing whatever to do with the prelate's love -affairs. They concern, it is said, financial matters -rather."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And accordingly -they are less interesting."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you not suspect -what I mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not at all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you never -heard speak of a prosecution being instituted for an -embezzlement, or appropriation rather, of public funds?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, a hundred, -nay, a thousand times. Ever since I have been engaged in public -matters I have hardly heard of anything else. It is precisely -your own case, when, as a bishop, people reproach you for -impiety; or, as a musketeer, for your cowardice; the very thing -of which they are always accusing ministers of finance is the -embezzlement of public funds."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good; but -take a particular instance, for the duchesse asserts that M. de -Mazarin alludes to certain particular instances."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What are -they?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Something like a -sum of thirteen millions of francs, of which it would be very -difficult for you to define the precise nature of the -employment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thirteen -millions!" said the superintendent, stretching himself in his -armchair, in order to enable him the more comfortably to look up -towards the ceiling. "Thirteen millions - I am trying to -remember out of all those I have been accused of having -stolen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not laugh, my -dear monsieur, for it is very serious. It is positive that the -duchesse has certain letters in her possession, and that these -letters must be as she represents them, since she wished to sell -them to me for five hundred thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! one can have a -very tolerable calumny got up for such a sum as that," replied -Fouquet. "Ah! now I know what you mean," and he began to laugh -very heartily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So much the -better," said Aramis, a little reassured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I remember the -story of those thirteen millions now. Yes, yes, I remember them -quite well."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am delighted to -hear it; tell me about them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, one -day Signor Mazarin, Heaven rest his soul! made a profit of -thirteen millions upon a concession of lands in the Valtelline; -he canceled them in the registry of receipts, sent them to me, -and then made me advance them to him for war expenses."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good; then -there is no doubt of their proper destination."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; the cardinal -made me invest them in my own name, and gave me a receipt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have the -receipt?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course," said -Fouquet, as he quietly rose from his chair, and went to his large -ebony bureau inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gold.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What I most admire -in you," said Aramis, with an air of great satisfaction, "is, -your memory in the first place, then your self-possession, and, -finally, the perfect order which prevails in your administration; -you, of all men, too, who are by nature a poet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said -Fouquet, "I am orderly out of a spirit of idleness, to save -myself the trouble of looking after things, and so I know that -Mazarin's receipt is in the third drawer under the letter M; I -open the drawer, and place my hand upon the very paper I need. -In the night, without a light, I could find it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And with a -confident hand he felt the bundle of papers which were piled up -in the open drawer. "Nay, more than that," he continued, "I -remember the paper as if I saw it; it is thick, somewhat -crumpled, with gilt edges; Mazarin had made a blot upon the -figure of the date. Ah!" he said, "the paper knows we are -talking about it, and that we want it very much, and so it hides -itself out of the way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And as the -superintendent looked into the drawer, Aramis rose from his -seat.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"This is very -singular," said Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your memory is -treacherous, my dear monseigneur; look in another drawer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet took out -the bundle of papers, and turned them over once more; he then -grew very pale.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Don't confine your -search to that drawer," said Aramis; "look elsewhere."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite useless; I -have never made a mistake; no one but myself arranges any papers -of mine of this nature; no one but myself ever opens this drawer, -of which, besides, no one, myself excepted, is aware of the -secret."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you -conclude, then?" said Aramis, agitated.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That Mazarin's -receipt has been stolen from me; Madame de Chevreuse was right, -chevalier; I have appropriated the public funds, I have robbed -the state coffers of thirteen millions of money; I am a thief, -Monsieur d'Herblay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, nay, do not -get irritated - do not get excited."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And why not, -chevalier? surely there is every reason for it. If legal -proceedings are well arranged, and a judgment given in accordance -with them, your friend the superintendent will soon follow -Montfauçon, his colleague Enguerrand de Marigny, and his -predecessor, Semblançay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!" said Aramis, -smiling, "not so fast as that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And why not? why -not so fast? What do you suppose Madame de Chevreuse has done -with those letters - for you refused them, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; at once. I -suppose that she went and sold them to M. Colbert."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I said I supposed -so; I might have said I was sure of it, for I had her followed, -and, when she left me, she returned to her own house, went out by -a back door, and proceeded straight to the intendant's house in -the Rue Croix des Petits-Champs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Legal proceedings -will be instituted, then, scandal and dishonor will follow; and -all will fall upon me like a thunderbolt, blindly, -pitilessly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis approached -Fouquet, who sat trembling in his chair, close to the open -drawers; he placed his hand on his shoulder, and in an -affectionate tone of voice, said: "Do not forget that the -position of M. Fouquet can in no way be compared to that of -Semblançay or of Marigny."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And why not, in -Heaven's name?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because the -proceedings against those ministers were determined, completed, -and the sentence carried out, whilst in your case the same thing -cannot take place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Another blow, why -not? A peculator is, under any circumstances, a criminal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Criminals who know -how to find a safe asylum are never in danger."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What! make my -escape? Fly?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, I do not mean -that; you forget that all such proceedings originate in the -parliament, that they are instituted by the -procureur-général, and that you are the -procureur-général. You see that, unless you wish -to condemn yourself - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!" cried -Fouquet, suddenly, dashing his fist upon the table.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well! what? what -is the matter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am -procureur-général no longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis, at this -reply, became as livid as death; he pressed his hands together -convulsively, and with a wild, haggard look, which almost -annihilated Fouquet, he said, laying a stress on every distinct -syllable, "You are procureur-général no longer, do -you say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since when?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since the last -four or five hours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Take care," -interrupted Aramis, coldly; "I do not think you are in the full -possession of your senses, my friend; collect yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I tell you," -returned Fouquet, "that a little while ago, some one came to me, -brought by my friends, to offer me fourteen hundred thousand -francs for the appointment, and that I sold it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis looked as -though he had been struck by lightning; the intelligent and -mocking expression of his countenance assumed an aspect of such -profound gloom and terror, that it had more effect upon the -superintendent than all the exclamations and speeches in the -world. "You had need of money, then?" he said, at last.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; to discharge -a debt of honor." And in a few words, he gave Aramis an account -of Madame de Bellière's generosity, and the manner in -which he had thought it but right to discharge that act of -generosity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said Aramis, -"that is, indeed, a fine trait. What has it cost?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly the -fourteen hundred thousand francs - the price of my -appointment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Which you received -in that manner, without reflection. Oh, imprudent man!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have not yet -received the amount, but I shall to-morrow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is not yet -completed, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It must be carried -out, though; for I have given the goldsmith, for twelve o'clock -to-morrow, an order upon my treasury, into which the purchaser's -money will be paid at six or seven o'clock."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Heaven be -praised!" cried Aramis, clapping his hands together, "nothing is -yet completed, since you have not yet been paid."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But the -goldsmith?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You shall receive -the fourteen hundred thousand francs from me, at a quarter before -twelve."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Stay a moment; it -is at six o'clock, this very morning, that I am to sign."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! I will answer -that you do not sign."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have given my -word, chevalier."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If you have given -it, you will take it back again, that is all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Can I believe what -I hear?" cried Fouquet, in a most expressive tone. "Fouquet -recall his word, after it has once been pledged!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis replied to -the almost stern look of the minister by a look full of anger. -"Monsieur," he said, "I believe I have deserved to be called a -man of honor? As a soldier, I have risked my life five hundred -times; as a priest I have rendered still greater services, both -to the state and to my friends. The value of a word, once -passed, is estimated according to the worth of the man who gives -it. So long as it is in his own keeping, it is of the purest, -finest gold; when his wish to keep it has passed away, it is a -two-edged sword. With that word, therefore, he defends himself -as with an honorable weapon, considering that, when he disregards -his word, he endangers his life and incurs an amount of risk far -greater than that which his adversary is likely to derive of -profit. In such a case, monsieur, he appeals to Heaven and to -justice."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet bent down -his head, as he replied, "I am a poor, self-determined man, a -true Breton born; my mind admires and fears yours. I do not say -that I keep my word from a proper feeling only; I keep it, if you -like, from custom, practice, pride, or what you will; but, at all -events, the ordinary run of men are simple enough to admire this -custom of mine; it is my sole good quality - leave me such honor -as it confers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And so you are -determined to sign the sale of the very appointment which can -alone defend you against all your enemies."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I shall -sign."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will deliver -yourself up, then, bound hand and foot, from a false notion of -honor, which the most scrupulous casuists would disdain?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I shall sign," -repeated Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis sighed -deeply, and looked all round him with the impatient gesture of a -man who would gladly dash something to pieces, as a relief to his -feelings. "We have still one means left," he said; "and I trust -you will not refuse me to make use of that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly not, if -it be loyal and honorable; as everything is, in fact, which you -propose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I know nothing -more loyal than the renunciation of your purchaser. Is he a -friend of yours?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly: but - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'But!' - if you -allow me to manage the affair, I do not despair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! you shall be -absolutely master to do what you please."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Whom are you in -treaty with? What manner of man is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am not aware -whether you know the parliament."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Most of its -members. One of the presidents, perhaps?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; only a -counselor, of the name of Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis became -perfectly purple. "Vanel!" he cried, rising abruptly from his -seat; "Vanel! the husband of Marguerite Vanel?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of your former -mistress?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, my dear -fellow; she is anxious to be the wife of the -procureur-général. I certainly owed poor Vanel -that slight concession, and I am a gainer by it; since I, at the -same time, can confer a pleasure on his wife."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis walked -straight up to Fouquet, and took hold of his hand. "Do you -know," he said, very calmly, "the name of Madame Vanel's new -lover?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! she has a new -lover, then? I was not aware of it; no, I have no idea what his -name is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"His name is M. -Jean-Baptiste Colbert; he is intendant of the finances: he lives -in the Rue Croix des Petits-Champs, where Madame de Chevreuse has -been this evening to take him Mazarin's letters, which she wishes -to sell."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Gracious Heaven!" -murmured Fouquet, passing his hand across his forehead, from -which the perspiration was starting.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You now begin to -understand, do you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That I am utterly -lost! - yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you now think -it worth while to be so scrupulous with regard to keeping your -word?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said -Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"These obstinate -people always contrive matters in such a way, that one cannot but -admire them all the while," murmured Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet held out -his hand to him, and, at the very moment, a richly ornamented -tortoise-shell clock, supported by golden figures, which was -standing on a console table opposite to the fireplace, struck -six. The sound of a door being opened in the vestibule was -heard, and Gourville came to the door of the cabinet to inquire -if Fouquet would received M. Vanel. Fouquet turned his eyes from -the gaze of Aramis, and then desired that M. Vanel should be -shown in.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter XLIX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Monsieur Colbert's Rough Draft.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>V</span>anel, who -entered at this stage of the conversation, was nothing less for -Aramis and Fouquet than the full stop which completes a phrase. -But, for Vanel, Aramis's presence in Fouquet's cabinet had quite -another signification; and, therefore, at his first step into the -room, he paused as he looked at the delicate yet firm features of -the bishop of Vannes, and his look of astonishment soon became -one of scrutinizing attention. As for Fouquet, a perfect -politician, that is to say, complete master of himself, he had -already, by the energy of his own resolute will, contrived to -remove from his face all traces of the emotion which Aramis's -revelation had occasioned. He was no longer, therefore, a man -overwhelmed by misfortune and reduced to resort to expedients; he -held his head proudly erect, and indicated by a gesture that -Vanel could enter. He was now the first minister of the state, -and in his own palace. Aramis knew the superintendent well; the -delicacy of the feelings of his heart and the exalted nature of -his mind no longer surprised him. He confined himself, then, for -the moment - intending to resume later an active part in the -conversation - to the performance of the difficult part of a man -who looks on and listens, in order to learn and understand. -Vanel was visibly overcome, and advanced into the middle of the -cabinet, bowing to everything and everybody. "I am here," he -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are punctual, Monsieur -Vanel," returned Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In matters of business, -monseigneur," replied Vanel, "I look upon exactitude as a -virtue."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No doubt, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I beg your -pardon," interrupted Aramis, indicating Vanel with his finger, -but addressing himself to Fouquet; "this is the gentleman, I -believe, who has come about the purchase of your -appointment?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I am," -replied Vanel, astonished at the extremely haughty tone in which -Aramis had put the question; "but in what way am I to address -you, who do me the honor - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Call me -monseigneur," replied Aramis, dryly. Vanel bowed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Come, gentlemen, a -truce to these ceremonies; let us proceed to the matter -itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur sees," -said Vanel, "that I am waiting your pleasure."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary, I -am waiting," replied Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What for, may I be -permitted to ask, monseigneur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I thought that you -had perhaps something to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh," said Vanel to -himself, "he has reflected on the matter and I am lost." But -resuming his courage, he continued, "No, monseigneur, nothing, -absolutely nothing more than what I said to you yesterday, and -which I am again ready to repeat to you now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Come, now, tell me -frankly, Monsieur Vanel, is not the affair rather a burdensome -one for you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly, -monseigneur; fourteen hundred thousand francs is an important -sum."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So important, -indeed," said Fouquet, "that I have reflected - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have been -reflecting, do you say, monseigneur?" exclaimed Vanel, -anxiously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; that you -might not yet be in a position to purchase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, -monseigneur!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not make -yourself uneasy on that score, Monsieur Vanel; I shall not blame -you for a failure in your word, which evidently may arise from -inability on your part."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, yes, -monseigneur, you would blame me, and you would be right in doing -so," said Vanel; "for a man must either be very imprudent, or a -fool, to undertake engagements which he cannot keep; and I, at -least, have always regarded a thing agreed on as a thing actually -carried out."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet colored, -while Aramis uttered a "Hum!" of impatience.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You would be wrong -to exaggerate such notions as those, monsieur," said the -superintendent; "for a man's mind is variable, and full of these -very excusable caprices, which are, however, sometimes estimable -enough; and a man may have wished for something yesterday of -which he repents to-day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel felt a cold -sweat trickle down his face. "Monseigneur!" he muttered.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis, who was -delighted to find the superintendent carry on the debate with -such clearness and precision, stood leaning his arm upon the -marble top of a console table and began to play with a small gold -knife, with a malachite handle. Fouquet did not hasten to reply; -but after a moment's pause, "Come, my dear Monsieur Vanel," he -said, "I will explain to you how I am situated." Vanel began to -tremble.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yesterday I wished -to sell - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur did -more than wish to sell, he actually sold."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, well, that -may be so; but to-day I ask you the favor to restore me my word -which I pledged you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I received your -<i>word</i> as a satisfactory assurance that it would be -kept."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I know that, and -that is the reason why I now entreat you; do you understand me? -I entreat you to restore it to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet suddenly -paused. The words "I entreat you," the effect of which he did -not immediately perceive, seemed almost to choke him as he -uttered it. Aramis, still playing with his knife, fixed a look -upon Vanel which seemed as if he wished to penetrate the recesses -of his heart. Vanel simply bowed, as he said, "I am overcome, -monseigneur, at the honor you do me to consult me upon a matter -of business which is already completed; but - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, do not say -<i>but</i>, dear Monsieur Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Alas! monseigneur, -you see," he said, as he opened a large pocket-book, "I have -brought the money with me, - the whole sum, I mean. And here, -monseigneur, is the contract of sale which I have just effected -of a property belonging to my wife. The order is authentic in -every particular, the necessary signatures have been attached to -it, and it is made payable at sight; it is ready money, in fact, -and, in one word, the whole affair is complete."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear Monsieur -Vanel, there is not a matter of business in this world, however -important it may be, which cannot be postponed in order to oblige -a man, who, by that means, might and would be made a devoted -friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly," said -Vanel, awkwardly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And much more -justly acquired would that friend become, Monsieur Vanel, since -the value of the service he had received would have been so -considerable. Well, what do you say? what do you decide?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel preserved a -perfect silence. In the meantime, Aramis had continued his close -observation of the man. Vanel's narrow face, his deeply sunken -eyes, his arched eyebrows, had revealed to the bishop of Vannes -the type of an avaricious and ambitious character. Aramis's -method was to oppose one passion by another. He saw that M. -Fouquet was defeated - morally subdued - and so he came to his -rescue with fresh weapons in his hands. "Excuse me, -monseigneur," he said; "you forgot to show M. Vanel that his own -interests are diametrically opposed to this renunciation of the -sale."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel looked at the -bishop with astonishment; he had hardly expected to find an -auxiliary in him. Fouquet also paused to listen to the -bishop.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you not see," -continued Aramis, "that M. Vanel, in order to purchase your -appointment, has been obliged to sell a property belonging to his -wife; well, that is no slight matter; for one cannot displace, as -he has done, fourteen or fifteen hundred thousand francs without -some considerable loss, and very serious inconvenience."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Perfectly true," -said Vanel, whose secret Aramis had, with keen-sighted gaze, -wrung from the bottom of his heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Inconveniences -such as these are matters of great expense and calculation, and -whenever a man has money matters to deal with, the expenses are -generally the very first thing thought of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, yes," said -Fouquet, who began to understand Aramis's meaning.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel remained -perfectly silent; he, too, had understood him. Aramis observed -his coldness of manner and his silence. "Very good," he said to -himself, "you are waiting, I see, until you know the amount; but -do not fear, I shall send you such a flight of crowns that you -cannot but capitulate on the spot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We must offer M. -Vanel a hundred thousand crowns at once," said Fouquet, carried -away by his generous feelings.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The sum was a good -one. A prince, even, would have been satisfied with such a -bonus. A hundred thousand crowns at that period was the dowry of -a king's daughter. Vanel, however, did not move.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He is a perfect -rascal!" thought the bishop, "well, we must offer the five -hundred thousand francs at once," and he made a sign to Fouquet -accordingly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You seem to have -spent more than that, dear Monsieur Vanel," said the -superintendent. "The price of ready money is enormous. You must -have made a great sacrifice in selling your wife's property. -Well, what can I have been thinking of? I ought to have offered -to sign you an order for five hundred thousand francs; and even -in that case I shall feel that I am greatly indebted to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>There was not a -gleam of delight or desire on Vanel's face, which remained -perfectly impassible; not a muscle of it changed in the slightest -degree. Aramis cast a look almost of despair at Fouquet, and -then, going straight up to Vanel and taking hold of him by the -coat, in a familiar manner, he said, "Monsieur Vanel, it is -neither the inconvenience, nor the displacement of your money, -nor the sale of your wife's property even, that you are thinking -of at this moment; it is something more important still. I can -well understand it; so pay particular attention to what I am -going to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, monseigneur," -Vanel replied, beginning to tremble in every limb, as the -prelate's eyes seemed almost ready to devour him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I offer you, -therefore, in the superintendent's name, not three hundred -thousand livres, nor five hundred thousand, but a million. A -million - do you understand me?" he added, as he shook him -nervously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A million!" -repeated Vanel, as pale as death.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A million; in -other words, at the present rate of interest, an income of -seventy thousand francs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Come, monsieur," -said Fouquet, "you can hardly refuse that. Answer - do you -accept?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Impossible," -murmured Vanel.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis bit his -lips, and something like a cloud seemed to pass over his face. -The thunder behind this cloud could easily be imagined. He still -kept his hold on Vanel. "You have purchased the appointment for -fifteen hundred thousand francs, I think. Well, you will receive -these fifteen hundred thousand francs back again; by paying M. -Fouquet a visit, and shaking hands with him on the bargain, you -will have become a gainer of a million and a half. You get honor -and profit at the same time, Monsieur Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I cannot do it," -said Vanel, hoarsely.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well," -replied Aramis, who had grasped Vanel so tightly by the coat -that, when he let go his hold, Vanel staggered back a few paces, -"very well; one can now see clearly enough your object in coming -here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," said -Fouquet, "one can easily see that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But - " said -Vanel, attempting to stand erect before the weakness of these two -men of honor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Does the fellow -presume to speak?" said Aramis, with the tone of an emperor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Fellow!" repeated -Vanel.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The scoundrel, I -meant to say," added Aramis, who had now resumed his usual -self-possession. "Come, monsieur, produce your deed of sale, - -you have it about you, I suppose, in one of your pockets, already -prepared, as an assassin holds his pistol or his dagger concealed -under his cloak.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel began to -mutter something.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Enough!" cried -Fouquet. "Where is this deed?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel tremblingly -searched in his pockets, and as he drew out his pocket-book, a -paper fell out of it, while Vanel offered the other to Fouquet. -Aramis pounced upon the paper which had fallen out, as soon as he -recognized the handwriting. "I beg your pardon," said Vanel, -"that is a rough draft of the deed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I see that very -clearly," retorted Aramis, with a smile more cutting than a lash -of a whip; "and what I admire most is, that this draft is in M. -Colbert's handwriting. Look, monseigneur, look."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And he handed the -draft to Fouquet, who recognized the truth of the fact; for, -covered with erasures, with inserted words, the margins filled -with additions, this deed - a living proof of Colbert's plot - -had just revealed everything to its unhappy victim. "Well!" -murmured Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Vanel, completely -humiliated, seemed as if he were looking for some hole wherein to -hide himself.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well!" said -Aramis, "if your name were not Fouquet, and if your enemy's name -were not Colbert - if you had not this mean thief before you, I -should say to you, 'Repudiate it;' such a proof as this absolves -you from your word; but these fellows would think you were -afraid; they would fear you less than they do; therefore sign the -deed at once." And he held out a pen towards him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet pressed -Aramis's hand; but, instead of the deed which Vanel handed to -him, he took the rough draft of it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, not that -paper," said Aramis, hastily; "this is the one. The other is too -precious a document for you to part with."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no!" replied -Fouquet; "I will sign under M. Colbert's own handwriting even; -and I write, 'The handwriting is approved of.'" He then signed, -and said, "Here it is, Monsieur Vanel." And the latter seized -the paper, dashed down the money, and was about to make his -escape.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"One moment," said -Aramis. "Are you quite sure the exact amount is there? It ought -to be counted over, Monsieur Vanel; particularly since M. Colbert -makes presents of money to ladies, I see. Ah, that worthy M. -Colbert is not so generous as M. Fouquet." And Aramis, spelling -every word, every letter of the order to pay, distilled his wrath -and his contempt, drop by drop, upon the miserable wretch, who -had to submit to this torture for a quarter of an hour. He was -then dismissed, not in words, but by a gesture, as one dismisses -or discharges a beggar or a menial.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>As soon as Vanel -had gone, the minister and the prelate, their eyes fixed on each -other, remained silent for a few moments.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well," said -Aramis, the first to break the silence; "to what can that man be -compared, who, at the very moment he is on the point of entering -into a conflict with an enemy armed from head to foot, panting -for his life, presents himself for the contest utterly -defenseless, throws down his arms, and smiles and kisses his -hands to his adversary in the most gracious manner? Good faith, -M. Fouquet, is a weapon which scoundrels frequently make use of -against men of honor, and it answers their purpose. Men of -honor, ought, in their turn, also, to make use of dishonest means -against such scoundrels. You would soon see how strong they -would become, without ceasing to be men of honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What they did -would be termed the acts of a scoundrel," replied Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Far from that; it -would be merely coquetting or playing with the truth. At all -events, since you have finished with this Vanel; since you have -deprived yourself of the happiness of confounding him by -repudiating your word; and since you have given up, for the -purpose of being used against yourself, the only weapon which can -ruin you - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear friend," -said Fouquet, mournfully, "you are like the teacher of philosophy -whom La Fontaine was telling us about the other day; he saw a -child drowning, and began to read him a lecture divided into -three heads."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis smiled as he -said, "Philosophy - yes; teacher - yes; a drowning child - yes; -but a child can be saved - you shall see. But first of all let -us talk about business. Did you not some time ago," he -continued, as Fouquet looked at him with a bewildered air, "speak -to me about an idea you had of giving a <i>fête</i> at -Vaux?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!" said Fouquet, -"that was when affairs were flourishing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A -<i>fête</i>, I believe, to which the king invited himself -of his own accord?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no, my dear -prelate; a <i>fête</i> to which M. Colbert advised the king -to invite himself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah - exactly; as -it would be a <i>fête</i> of so costly a character that you -would be ruined in giving it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Precisely so. In -happier days, as I said just now, I had a kind of pride in -showing my enemies how inexhaustible my resources were; I felt it -a point of honor to strike them with amazement, by creating -millions under circumstances where they imagined nothing but -bankruptcies and failures would follow. But, at present, I am -arranging my accounts with the state, with the king, with myself; -and I must now become a mean, stingy man; I shall be able to -prove to the world that I can act or operate with my deniers as I -used to do with my bags of pistoles, and from to-morrow my -equipages shall be sold, my mansions mortgaged, my expenses -curtailed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"From to-morrow," -interrupted Aramis, quietly, "you will occupy yourself, without -the slightest delay, with your <i>fête</i> at Vaux, which -must hereafter be spoken of as one of the most magnificent -productions of your most prosperous days."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are you mad, Chevalier -d'Herblay?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I! do you think so?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean, then? Do -you not know that a <i>fête</i> at Vaux, one of the very -simplest possible character, would cost four or five -millions?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not speak of a -<i>fête</i> of the very simplest possible character, my -dear superintendent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But, since the -<i>fête</i> is to be given to the king," replied Fouquet, -who misunderstood Aramis's idea, "it cannot be simple."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Just so: it ought to be on -a scale of the most unbounded magnificence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, I shall have -to spend ten or twelve millions."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You shall spend -twenty, if you require it," said Aramis, in a perfectly calm -voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where shall I get -them?" exclaimed Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is my affair, -monsieur le surintendant; and do not be uneasy for a moment about -it. The money shall be placed at once at your disposal, the -moment you have arranged the plans of your -<i>fête</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Chevalier! -chevalier!" said Fouquet, giddy with amazement, "whither are you -hurrying me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Across the gulf -into which you were about to fall," replied the bishop of -Vannes. "Take hold of my cloak, and throw fear aside."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why did you not -tell me that sooner, Aramis? There was a day when, with one -million only, you could have saved me; whilst to-day - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Whilst to-day I -can give you twenty," said the prelate. "Such is the case, -however - the reason is very simple. On the day you speak of, I -had not the million which you had need of at my disposal, whilst -now I can easily procure the twenty millions we require."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"May Heaven hear -you, and save me!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis resumed his -usual smile, the expression of which was so singular. "Heaven -never fails to hear me," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I abandon myself -to your unreservedly," Fouquet murmured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no; I do not -understand it in that manner. I am unreservedly devoted to you. -Therefore, as you have the clearest, the most delicate, and the -most ingenious mind of the two, you shall have entire control -over the <i>fête</i>, even to the very smallest details. -Only - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Only?" said -Fouquet, as a man accustomed to understand and appreciate the -value of a parenthesis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, -leaving the entire invention of the details to you, I shall -reserve to myself a general superintendence over the -execution."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I mean, that you -will make of me, on that day, a major-domo, a sort of -inspector-general, or factotum - something between a captain of -the guard and manager or steward. I will look after the people, -and will keep the keys of the doors. You will give your orders, -of course: but will give them to no one but me. They will pass -through my lips, to reach those for whom they are intended - you -understand?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, I am very far -from understanding."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But you -agree?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course, of -course, my friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is all I care -about, then. Thanks; and now go and prepare your list of -invitations."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Whom shall I -invite?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Everybody you -know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter L:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>In -Which the Author Thinks It Is High Time to Return to the Vicomte -de Bragelonne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>O</span>ur readers -will have observed in this story, the adventures of the new and -of the past generation being detailed, as it were, side by side. -He will have noticed in the former, the reflection of the glory -of earlier years, the experience of the bitter things of this -world; in the former, also, that peace which takes possession of -the heart, and that healing of the scars which were formerly deep -and painful wounds. In the latter, the conflicts of love and -vanity; bitter disappointments, ineffable delights; life instead -of memory. If, therefore, any variety has been presented to the -reader in the different episodes of this tale, it is to be -attributed to the numerous shades of color which are presented on -this double tablet, where two pictures are seen side by side, -mingling and harmonizing their severe and pleasing tones. The -repose of the emotions of one is found in harmonious contrast -with the fiery sentiments of the other. After having talked -reason with older heads, one loves to talk nonsense with youth. -Therefore, if the threads of the story do not seem very -intimately to connect the chapter we are now writing with the one -we have just written, we do not intend to give ourselves any more -thought or trouble about it than Ruysdaël took in painting -an autumn sky, after having finished a spring-time scene. We -accordingly resume Raoul de Bragelonne's story at the very place -where our last sketch left him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> In a state of frenzy and -dismay, or rather without power or will of his own, - hardly -knowing what he was doing, - he fled swiftly, after the scene in -La Vallière's chamber, that strange exclusion, Louise's -grief, Montalais's terror, the king's wrath - all seemed to -indicate some misfortune. But what? He had arrived from London -because he had been told of the existence of a danger; and almost -on his arrival this appearance of danger was manifest. Was not -this sufficient for a lover? Certainly it was, but it was -insufficient for a pure and upright heart such as his. And yet -Raoul did not seek for explanations in the very quarter where -more jealous or less timid lovers would have done. He did not go -straightaway to his mistress, and say, "Louise, is it true that -you love me no longer? Is it true that you love another?" Full -of courage, full of friendship as he was full of love; a -religious observer of his word, and believing blindly the word of -others, Raoul said within himself, "Guiche wrote to put me on my -guard, Guiche knows something; I will go and ask Guiche what he -knows, and tell him what I have seen." The journey was not a -long one. Guiche, who had been brought from Fontainebleau to -Paris within the last two days, was beginning to recover from his -wounds, and to walk about a little in his room. He uttered a cry -of joy as he saw Raoul, with the eagerness of friendship, enter -the apartment. Raoul was unable to refrain from a cry of grief, -when he saw De Guiche, so pale, so thin, so melancholy. A very -few words, and a simple gesture which De Guiche made to put aside -Raoul's arm, were sufficient to inform the latter of the -truth.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! so it is," said Raoul, -seating himself beside his friend; "one loves and dies."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, no, not dies," replied -Guiche, smiling, "since I am now recovering, and since, too, I -can press you in my arms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! I understand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I understand you, too. -You fancy I am unhappy, Raoul?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; I am the happiest of -men. My body suffers, but not my mind or my heart. If you only -knew - Oh! I am, indeed, the very happiest of men."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So much the better," said -Raoul; "so much the better, provided it lasts."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is over. I have had -enough happiness to last me to my dying day, Raoul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have no doubt you have -had; but she - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Listen; I love her, because -- but you are not listening to me." </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I beg your -pardon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your mind is -preoccupied."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, your health, in the -first place - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is not that, I -know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear friend, you would -be wrong. I think, to ask me any questions - <i>you</i> of all -persons in the world;" and he laid so much weight upon the "you," -that he completely enlightened his friend upon the nature of the -evil, and the difficulty of remedying it.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You say that, Raoul, on -account of what I wrote to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Certainly. We will talk -over that matter a little, when you have finished telling me of -all your own pleasures and your pains."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear friend, I am -entirely at your service."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank you; I have hurried, -I have flown here; I came in half the time the government -couriers usually take. Now, tell me, my dear friend, what did -you want?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing whatever, but to -make you come."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, I am here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "All is quite right, -then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There must have been -something else, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "De Guiche!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my honor!"<br> - "You cannot possibly have crushed all my hopes so -violently, or have exposed me to being disgraced by the king for -my return, which is in disobedience of his orders - you cannot, I -say, have planted jealousy in my heart, merely to say to me, 'It -is all right, be perfectly easy.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not say to you, Raoul, -'Be perfectly easy;' but pray understand me; I never will, nor -can I, indeed, tell you anything else."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What sort of person do you -take me for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If you know anything, why -conceal it from me? If you do not know anything, why did you -write so warningly?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "True, true, I was very -wrong, and I regret having done so, Raoul. It seems nothing to -write to a friend and say 'Come;' but to have this friend face to -face, to feel him tremble, and breathlessly and anxiously wait to -hear what one hardly dare tell him, is very difficult."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Dare! I have courage -enough, if you have not," exclaimed Raoul, in despair.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "See how unjust you are, and -how soon you forget you have to do with a poor wounded fellow -such as your unhappy friend is. So, calm yourself, Raoul. I -said to you, 'Come' - you are here, so ask me nothing -further."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your object in telling me -to come was your hope that I should see with my own eyes, was it -not? Nay, do not hesitate, for I have seen all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" exclaimed De -Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Or at least I thought - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There, now, you see you are -not sure. But if you have any doubt, my poor friend, what -remains for me to do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I saw Louise much agitated -- Montalais in a state of bewilderment - the king - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes. You turn your head -aside. The danger is there, the evil is there; tell me, is it -not so, is it not the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I say nothing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! you say a thousand -times more than nothing. Give me facts, for pity's sake, give me -proofs. My friend, the only friend I have, speak - tell me all. -My heart is crushed, wounded to death; I am dying from -despair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If that really be so, as I -see it is, indeed, dear Raoul," replied De Guiche, "you relieve -me from my difficulty, and I will tell you all, perfectly sure -that I can tell you nothing but what is consoling, compared to -the despair from which I see you suffering."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go on, - go on; I am -listening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then, I can only tell -you what you might learn from every one you meet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "From every one, do you -say? It is talked about, then!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Before you say people talk -about it, learn what it is that people have to talk about. I -assure you solemnly, that people only talk about what may, in -truth, be very innocent; perhaps a walk - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! a walk with the -king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, certainly, a walk with -the king; and I believe the king has already very frequently -before taken walks with ladies, without on that account - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You would not have written -to me, shall I say again, if there had been nothing unusual in -this promenade."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know that while the storm -lasted, it would have been far better if the king had taken -shelter somewhere else, than to have remained with his head -uncovered before La Vallière; but the king is so very -courteous and polite."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! De Guiche, De Guiche, -you are killing me!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not let us talk any -more, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, let us continue. This -walk was followed by others, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No - I mean yes: there was -the adventure of the oak, I think. But I know nothing about the -matter at all." Raoul rose; De Guiche endeavored to imitate him, -notwithstanding his weakness. "Well, I will not add another -word: I have said either too much or not enough. Let others give -you further information if they will, or if they can; my duty was -to warn you, and <i>that</i> I have done. Watch over your own -affairs now, yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Question others! Alas! you -are no true friend to speak to me in that manner," said the young -man, in utter distress. "The first man I meet may be either -evilly disposed or a fool, - if the former, he will tell me a lie -to make me suffer more than I do now; if the latter, he will do -worse still. Ah! De Guiche, De Guiche, before two hours are -over, I shall have been told ten falsehoods, and shall have as -many duels on my hands. Save me, then; is it not best to know -the worst always?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But I know nothing, I tell -you; I was wounded, attacked by fever: out of my senses; and I -have only a very faint recollection of it all. But there is on -reason why we should search very far, when the very man we want -is close at hand. Is not D'Artagnan your friend?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! true, true!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Got to him, then. He will -be able to throw sufficient light upon the subject." At this -moment a lackey entered the room. "What is it?" said De -Guiche.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Some one is waiting for -monseigneur in the Cabinet des Porcelaines."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well. Will you excuse -me, my dear Raoul? I am so proud since I have been able to walk -again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I would offer you my arm, -De Guiche, if I did not guess that the person in question is a -lady."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe so," said De -Guiche, smiling as he quitted Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul remained motionless, -absorbed in grief, overwhelmed, like the miner upon whom a vault -has just fallen in, who, wounded, his life-blood welling fast, -his thoughts confused, endeavors to recover himself, to save his -life and to retain his reason. A few minutes were all Raoul -needed to dissipate the bewildering sensations occasioned by -these two revelations. He had already recovered the thread of -his ideas, when, suddenly, through the door, he fancied he -recognized Montalais's voice in the Cabinet des Porcelaines. -"She!" he cried. "Yes, it is indeed her voice! She will be able -to tell me the whole truth; but shall I question her here? She -conceals herself even from me; she is coming, no doubt, from -Madame. I will see her in her own apartment. She will explain -her alarm, her flight, the strange manner in which I was driven -out; she will tell me all that - after M. d'Artagnan, who knows -everything, shall have given me a fresh strength and courage. -Madame, a coquette I fear, and yet a coquette who is herself in -love, has her moments of kindness; a coquette who is as -capricious and uncertain as life or death, but who tells De -Guiche that he is the happiest of men. He at least is lying on -roses." And so he hastily quitted the comte's apartments, -reproaching himself as he went for having talked of nothing but -his own affairs to De Guiche, and soon reached D'Artagnan's -quarters.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Bragelonne Continues His Inquiries.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he captain, -sitting buried in his leathern armchair, his spurs fixed in the -floor, his sword between his legs, was reading a number of -letters, as he twisted his mustache. D'Artagnan uttered a -welcome full of pleasure when he perceived his friend's son. -"Raoul, my boy, " he said, "by what lucky accident does it happen -that the king has recalled you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> These words did not sound -agreeably in the young man's ears, who, as he seated himself, -replied, "Upon my word I cannot tell you; all that I know is - I -have come back."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Hum!" said D'Artagnan, -folding up his letters and directing a look full of meaning at -him; "what do you say, my boy? that the king has not recalled -you, and you have returned? I do not understand that at -all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul was already pale -enough; and he now began to turn his hat round and round in his -hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What the deuce is the -matter that you look as you do, and what makes you so dumb?" said -the captain. "Do people nowadays assume that sort of airs in -England? I have been in England, and came here again as lively -as a chaffinch. Will you not say something?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have too much to -say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! how is your -father?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Forgive me, my dear friend, -I was going to ask you that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan increased the -sharpness of his penetrating gaze, which no secret was capable of -resisting. "You are unhappy about something," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am, indeed; and you know -the reason very well, Monsieur d'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?"<br> - "Of course. Nay, do not pretend to be -astonished."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am not pretending to be -astonished, my friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Dear captain, I know very -well that in all trials of <i>finesse</i>, as well as in all -trials of strength, I shall be beaten by you. You can see that -at the present moment I am an idiot, an absolute noodle. I have -neither head nor arm; do not despise, but help me. In two words, -I am the most wretched of living beings."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, oh! why that?" inquired -D'Artagnan, unbuckling his belt and thawing the asperity of his -smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because Mademoiselle de la -Vallière is deceiving me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "She is deceiving you," said -D'Artagnan, not a muscle of whose face had moved; "those are big -words. Who makes use of them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Every one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! if every one says so, -there must be some truth in it. I begin to believe there is fire -when I see smoke. It is ridiculous, perhaps, but it is so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Therefore you <i>do</i> -believe me?" exclaimed Bragelonne, quickly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I never mix myself up in -affairs of that kind; you know that very well."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! not for a friend, for -a son!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly. If you were a -stranger, I should tell you - I will tell <i>you</i> nothing at -all. How is Porthos, do you know?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur," cried Raoul, -pressing D'Artagnan's hand, "I entreat you in the name of the -friendship you vowed my father!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The deuce take it, you are -really ill - from curiosity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, it is not from -curiosity, it is from love."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good. Another big word. -If you were really in love, my dear Raoul, you would be very -different."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I mean that if you were -really so deeply in love that I could believe I was addressing -myself to your heart - but it is impossible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I tell you I love Louise to -distraction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan could read to the -very bottom of the young man's heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Impossible, I tell you," he -said. "You are like all young men; you are not in love, you are -out of your senses."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! suppose it were only -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No sensible man ever -succeeded in making much of a brain when the head was turned. I -have completely lost my senses in the same way a hundred times in -my life. You would listen to me, but you would not hear me! you -would hear, but you would not understand me; you would -understand, but you would not obey me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! try, try."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I go far. Even if I were -unfortunate enough to know something, and foolish enough to -communicate it to you - You are my friend, you say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Indeed, yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good. I should -quarrel with you. You would never forgive me for having -destroyed your illusion, as people say in love affairs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur d'Artagnan, you -know all; and yet you plunge me in perplexity and despair, in -death itself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There, there now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I never complain, as you -know; but as Heaven and my father would never forgive me for -blowing out my brains, I will go and get the first person I meet -to give me the information which you withhold; I will tell him he -lies, and - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you would kill him. -And a fine affair that would be. So much the better. What -should I care? Kill any one you please, my boy, if it gives you -any pleasure. It is exactly like a man with a toothache, who -keeps on saying, "Oh! what torture I am suffering. I could bite -a piece of iron in half.' My answer always is, 'Bite, my friend, -bite; the tooth will remain all the same.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I shall not kill any one, -monsieur," said Raoul, gloomily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes! you now assume a -different tone: instead of killing, you will get killed yourself, -I suppose you mean? Very fine, indeed! How much I should regret -you! Of course I should go about all day, saying, 'Ah! what a -fine stupid fellow that Bragelonne was! as great a stupid as I -ever met with. I have passed my whole life almost in teaching -him how to hold and use his sword properly, and the silly fellow -has got himself spitted like a lark.' Go, then, Raoul, go and -get yourself disposed of, if you like. I hardly know who can -have taught you logic, but deuce take me if your father has not -been regularly robbed of his money."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul buried his face in his -hands, murmuring: "No, no; I have not a single friend in the -world."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! bah!" said -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I meet with nothing but -raillery or indifference."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Idle fancies, monsieur. I -do not laugh at you, although I am a Gascon. And, as for being -indifferent, if I were so, I should have sent you about your -business a quarter of an hour ago, for you would make a man who -was out of his senses with delight as dull as possible, and would -be the death of one who was out of spirits. How now, young man! -do you wish me to disgust you with the girl you are attached to, -and to teach you to execrate the whole sex who constitute the -honor and happiness of human life?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! tell me, monsieur, and -I will bless you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you think, my dear -fellow, that I can have crammed into my brain all about the -carpenter, and the painter, and the staircase, and a hundred -other similar tales of the same kind?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A carpenter! what do you -mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon my word I don't know; -some one told me there was a carpenter who made an opening -through a certain flooring."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In La Vallière's -room!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I don't know -where."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the king's apartment, -perhaps?"<br> - "Of course, if it were in the king's apartment, I -should tell you, I suppose."<br> - "In whose room, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have told you for the -last hour that I know nothing of the whole affair."<br> - "But the painter, then? the portrait - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It seems that the king -wished to have the portrait of one of the ladies belonging to the -court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "La Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, you seem to have only -that name in your mouth. Who spoke to you of La -Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If it be not her portrait, -then, why do you suppose it would concern me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not suppose it will -concern you. But you ask me all sorts of questions, and I answer -you. You positively will learn all the scandal of the affair, -and I tell you - make the best you can of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul struck his forehead -with his hand in utter despair. "It will kill me!" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So you have said -already."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, you are right," and he -made a step or two, as if he were going to leave.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where are you going?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To look for some one who -will tell me the truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who is that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A woman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Mademoiselle de la -Vallière herself, I suppose you mean?" said D'Artagnan, -with a smile. "Ah! a famous idea that! You wish to be consoled -by some one, and you will be so at once. She will tell you -nothing ill of herself, of course. So be off."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are mistaken, -monsieur," replied Raoul; "the woman I mean will tell me all the -evil she possibly can."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You allude to Montalais, I -suppose - her friend; a woman who, on that account, will -exaggerate all that is either bad or good in the matter. Do not -talk to Montalais, my good fellow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have some reasons for -wishing me not to talk with Montalais?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, I admit it. And, in -point of fact, why should I play with you as a cat does with a -poor mouse? You distress me, you do, indeed. And if I wish you -not to speak to Montalais just now, it is because you will be -betraying your secret, and people will take advantage of it. -Wait, if you can."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So much the worse. Why, -you see, Raoul, if I had an idea, - but I have not got one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Promise me that you will -pity me, my friend, that is all I need, and leave me to get out -of the affair by myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! yes, indeed, in order -that you may get deeper into the mire! A capital idea, truly! go -and sit down at that table and take a pen in your hand."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What for?"<br> - "To write and ask Montalais to give you an -interview."<br> - "Ah!" said Raoul, snatching eagerly at the pen -which the captain held out to him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Suddenly the door opened, -and one of the musketeers, approaching D'Artagnan, said, -"Captain, Mademoiselle de Montalais is here, and wishes to speak -to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To me?" murmured -D'Artagnan. "Ask her to come in; I shall soon see," he said to -himself, "whether she wishes to speak to me or not."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The cunning captain was -quite right in his suspicions; for as soon as Montalais entered -she exclaimed, "Oh, monsieur! monsieur! I beg your pardon, -Monsieur d'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! I forgive you, -mademoiselle," said D'Artagnan; "I know that, at my age, those -who are looking for me generally need me for something or -another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was looking for M. de -Bragelonne," replied Montalais.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How very fortunate that is; -he was looking for you, too. Raoul, will you accompany -Mademoiselle de Montalais?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Go along, then," he said, -as he gently pushed Raoul out of the cabinet; and then, taking -hold of Montalais's hand, he said, in a low voice, "Be kind -towards him; spare him, and spare her, too, if you can."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" she said, in the same -tone of voice, "it is not I who am going to speak to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who, then?"<br> - "It is Madame who has sent for him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good," cried -D'Artagnan, "it is Madame, is it? In an hour's time, then, the -poor fellow will be cured."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Or else dead," said -Montalais, in a voice full of compassion. "Adieu, Monsieur -d'Artagnan," she said; and she ran to join Raoul, who was waiting -for her at a little distance from the door, very much puzzled and -thoroughly uneasy at the dialogue, which promised no good augury -for him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>Two -Jealousies.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>L</span>overs are -tender towards everything that forms part of the daily life of -the object of their affection. Raoul no sooner found himself -alone with Montalais, than he kissed her hand with rapture. -"There, there," said the young girl, sadly, "you are throwing -your kisses away; I will guarantee that they will not bring you -back any interest."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How so? - Why? - Will you -explain to me, my dear Aure?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame will explain -everything to you. I am going to take you to her apartments.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>What!</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Silence! and throw away -your dark and savage looks. The windows here have eyes, the -walls have ears. Have the kindness not to look at me any longer; -be good enough to speak to me aloud of the rain, of the fine -weather, and of the charms of England."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At all events - " -interrupted Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I tell you, I warn you, -that wherever people may be, I know not how, Madame is sure to -have eyes and ears open. I am not very desirous, you can easily -believe, of being dismissed or thrown in to the Bastile. Let us -talk, I tell you, or rather, do not let us talk at all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul clenched his hands, -and tried to assume the look and gait of a man of courage, it is -true, but of a man of courage on his way to the torture chamber. -Montalais, glancing in every direction, walking along with an -easy swinging gait, and holding up her head pertly in the air, -preceded him to Madame's apartments, where he was at once -introduced. "Well," he thought, "this day will pass away without -my learning anything. Guiche showed too much consideration for -my feelings; he had no doubt come to an understanding with -Madame, and both of them, by a friendly plot, agreed to postpone -the solution of the problem. Why have I not a determined, -inveterate enemy - that serpent, De Wardes, for instance; that he -would bite, is very likely; but I should not hesitate any more. -To hesitate, to doubt - better, far, to die."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The next moment Raoul was in -Madame's presence. Henrietta, more charming than ever, was half -lying, half reclining in her armchair, her small feet upon an -embroidered velvet cushion; she was playing with a kitten with -long silky fur, which was biting her fingers and hanging by the -lace of her collar.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame seemed plunged in -deep thought, so deep, indeed, that it required both Montalais -and Raoul's voice to disturb her from her reverie.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your highness sent for me?" -repeated Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame shook her head as if -she were just awakening, and then said, "Good morning, Monsieur -de Bragelonne; yes, I sent for you; so you have returned from -England?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame, and am at your -royal highness's commands."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank you; leave us, -Montalais," and the latter immediately left the room.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have a few minutes to -give me, Monsieur de Bragelonne, have you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My life is at your royal -highness's disposal," Raoul returned with respect, guessing that -there was something serious in these unusual courtesies; nor was -he displeased, indeed, to observe the seriousness of her manner, -feeling persuaded that there was some sort of affinity between -Madame's sentiments and his own. In fact, every one at court, of -any perception at all, knew perfectly well the capricious fancy -and absurd despotism of the princess's singular character. -Madame had been flattered beyond all bounds by the king's -attention; she had made herself talked about; she had inspired -the queen with that mortal jealousy which is the stinging -scorpion at the heel of every woman's happiness; Madame, in a -word, in her attempts to cure a wounded pride, found that her -heart had become deeply and passionately attached. We know what -Madame had done to recall Raoul, who had been sent out of the way -by Louis XIV. Raoul did not know of her letter to Charles II., -although D'Artagnan had guessed its contents. Who will undertake -to account for that seemingly inexplicable mixture of love and -vanity, that passionate tenderness of feeling, that prodigious -duplicity of conduct? No one can, indeed; not even the bad angel -who kindles the love of coquetry in the heart of a woman. -"Monsieur de Bragelonne," said the princess, after a moment's -pause, "have you returned satisfied?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Bragelonne looked at Madame -Henrietta, and seeing how pale she was, not alone from what she -was keeping back, but also from what she was burning to say, -said: "Satisfied! what is there for me to be satisfied or -dissatisfied about, Madame?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But what are those things -with which a man of your age, and of your appearance, is usually -either satisfied or dissatisfied?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How eager she is," thought -Raoul, almost terrified; "what venom is it she is going to distil -into my heart?" and then, frightened at what she might possibly -be going to tell him, and wishing to put off the opportunity of -having everything explained, which he had hitherto so ardently -wished for, yet had dreaded so much, he replied: "I left, Madame, -a dear friend in good health, and on my return I find him very -ill."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You refer to M. de Guiche," -replied Madame Henrietta, with imperturbable self-possession; "I -<i>have</i> heard he is a very dear friend of yours."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He is, indeed, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, it is quite true he -has been wounded; but he is better now. Oh! M. de Guiche is not -to be pitied," she said hurriedly; and then, recovering herself, -added, "But has he anything to complain of? Has he complained of -anything? Is there any cause of grief or sorrow that we are not -acquainted with?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I allude only to his wound, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So much the better, then, -for, in other respects, M. de Guiche seems to be very happy; he -is always in very high spirits. I am sure that you, Monsieur de -Bragelonne, would far prefer to be, like him, wounded only in the -body… for what, in deed, is such a wound, after all!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul started. "Alas!" he -said to himself, "she is returning to it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What did you say?" she -inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I did not say anything -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You did not say anything; -you disapprove of my observation, then? you are perfectly -satisfied, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul approached closer to -her. "Madame," he said, "your royal highness wishes to say -something to me, and your instinctive kindness and generosity of -disposition induce you to be careful and considerate as to your -manner of conveying it. Will your royal highness throw this kind -forbearance aside? I am able to bear everything; and I am -listening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" replied Henrietta, -"what do you understand, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That which your royal -highness wishes me to understand," said Raoul, trembling, -notwithstanding his command over himself, as he pronounced these -words.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In point of fact," murmured -the princess… "it seems cruel, but since I have begun - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame, once your -highness has deigned to begin, will you condescend to finish - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Henrietta rose hurriedly and -walked a few paces up and down her room. "What did M. de Guiche -tell you?" she said, suddenly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing! Did he say -nothing? Ah! how well I recognize him in that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No doubt he wished to spare -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that is what friends -call friendship. But surely, M. d'Artagnan, whom you have just -left, must have told you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No more than De Guiche, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Henrietta made a gesture -full of impatience, as she said, "At least, you know all the -court knows."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know nothing at all, -Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not the scene in the -storm?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not the -<i>tête-à-tête</i> in the forest?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nor the flight to -Chaillot?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul, whose head dropped -like a blossom cut down by the reaper, made an almost superhuman -effort to smile, as he replied with the greatest gentleness: "I -have had the honor of telling your royal highness that I am -absolutely ignorant of everything, that I am a poor unremembered -outcast, who has this moment arrived from England. There have -rolled so many stormy waves between myself and those I left -behind me here, that the rumor of none of the circumstances your -highness refers to, has been able to reach me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Henrietta was affected by -his extreme pallor, his gentleness, and his great courage. The -principal feeling in her heart at that moment was an eager desire -to hear the nature of the remembrance which the poor lover -retained of the woman who had made him suffer so much. "Monsieur -de Bragelonne," she said, "that which your friends have refused -to do, I will do for you, whom I like and esteem very much. I -will be your friend on this occasion. You hold your head high, -as a man of honor should; and I deeply regret that you may have -to bow before ridicule, and in a few days, it might be, -contempt."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" exclaimed Raoul, -perfectly livid. "It is as bad as that, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "If you do not know," said -the princess, "I see that you guess; you were affianced, I -believe, to Mademoiselle de la Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By that right, you deserve -to be warned about her, as some day or another I shall be obliged -to dismiss Mademoiselle de la Vallière from my service - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Dismiss La -Vallière!" cried Bragelonne.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course. Do you suppose -I shall always be amenable to the tears and protestations of the -king? No, no! my house shall no longer be made a convenience for -such practices; but you tremble, you cannot stand - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, Madame, no," said -Bragelonne, making an effort over himself; "I thought I should -have died just now, that was all. Your royal highness did me the -honor to say that the king wept and implored you - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, but in vain," returned -the princess; who then related to Raoul the scene that took place -at Chaillot, and the king's despair on his return; she told him -of his indulgence to herself and the terrible word with which the -outraged princess, the humiliated coquette, had quashed the royal -anger.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul stood with his head -bent down.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you think of it -all?" she said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king loves her," he -replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But you seem to think she -does not love him!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas, Madame, I was -thinking of the time when she loved <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Henrietta was for a moment -struck with admiration at this sublime disbelief: and then, -shrugging her shoulders, she said, "You do not believe me, I -see. How deeply you must love her. And you doubt if she loves -the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do, until I have a proof -of it. Forgive me, Madame, but she has given me her word; and -her mind and heart are too upright to tell a falsehood."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You require a proof! Be it -so. Come with me, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>A -Domiciliary Visit.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he princess, -preceding Raoul, led him through the courtyard towards that part -of the building La Vallière inhabited, and, ascending the -same staircase which Raoul himself had ascended that very -morning, she paused at the door of the room in which the young -man had been so strangely received by Montalais. The opportunity -was remarkably well chosen to carry out the project Madame -Henrietta had conceived, for the château was empty. The -king, the courtiers, and the ladies of the court, had set off for -Saint-Germain; Madame Henrietta was the only one who knew of -Bragelonne's return, and thinking over the advantages which might -be drawn from this return, she had feigned indisposition in order -to remain behind. Madame was therefore confident of finding La -Vallière's room and Saint-Aignan's apartment perfectly -empty. She took a pass-key from her pocket and opened the door -of her maid of honor's apartment. Bragelonne's gaze was -immediately fixed upon the interior of the room, which he -recognized at once; and the impression which the sight of it -produced upon him was torture. The princess looked at him, and -her practiced eye at once detected what was passing in the young -man's heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You asked for proofs," she -said; "do not be astonished, then, if I give you them. But if -you do not think you have courage enough to confront them, there -is still time to withdraw."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I thank you, Madame," said -Bragelonne; "but I came here to be convinced. You promised to -convince me, - do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Enter, then," said Madame, -"and shut the door behind you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Bragelonne obeyed, and then -turned towards the princess, whom he interrogated by a look.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You know where you are, I -suppose?" inquired Madame Henrietta.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Everything leads me to -believe I am in Mademoiselle de la Vallière's room."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"But I would -observe to your highness, that this room is a room, and is not a -proof."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Wait," said the -princess, as she walked to the foot of the bed, folded up the -screen into its several compartments, and stooped down towards -the floor. "Look here," she continued; "stoop down and lift up -this trap-door yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A trap-door!" said -Raoul, astonished; for D'Artagnan's words began to return to his -memory, and he had an indistinct recollection that D'Artagnan had -made use of the same word. He looked, but uselessly, for some -cleft or crevice which might indicate an opening or a ring to -assist in lifting up the planking.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, I forgot," -said Madame Henrietta, "I forgot the secret spring; the fourth -plank of the flooring, - press on the spot where you will observe -a knot in the wood. Those are the instructions; press, vicomte! -press, I say, yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul, pale as -death, pressed his finger on the spot which had been indicated to -him; at the same moment the spring began to work, and the trap -rose of its own accord.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is ingenious -enough, certainly," said the princess; "and one can see that the -architect foresaw that a woman's hand only would have to make use -of this spring, for see how easily the trap-door opened without -assistance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A staircase!" -cried Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, and a very pretty one, -too," said Madame Henrietta. "See, vicomte, the staircase has a -balustrade, intended to prevent the falling of timid persons, who -might be tempted to descend the staircase; and I will risk myself -on it accordingly. Come, vicomte, follow me!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But before following you, -madame, may I ask where this staircase leads to?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, true; I forgot to tell -you. You know, perhaps, that formerly M. de Saint-Aignan lived -in the very next apartment to the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame, I am aware of -that; that was the arrangement, at least, before I left; and more -than once I had the honor of visiting his rooms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, he obtained the -king's leave to change his former convenient and beautiful -apartment for the two rooms to which this staircase will conduct -us, and which together form a lodging for him half the size, and -at ten times greater the distance from the king, - a close -proximity to whom is by no means disdained, in general, by the -gentlemen belonging to the court."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, Madame," -returned Raoul; "but go on, I beg, for I do not understand -yet."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, then it accidentally -happened," continued the princess, "that M. de Saint-Aignan's -apartment is situated underneath the apartments of my maids of -honor, and by a further coincidence, exactly underneath the room -of La Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But what was the motive of -this trap-door and this staircase?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That I cannot tell you. -Would you like to go down to Monsieur de Saint-Aignan's rooms? -Perhaps we shall be able to find the solution of the enigma -there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And Madame set the example -by going down herself, while Raoul, sighing deeply, followed -her. At every step Bragelonne took, he advanced further into -that mysterious apartment which had witnessed La -Vallière's sighs and still retained the perfume of her -presence. Bragelonne fancied he perceived, as he inhaled the -atmosphere, that the young girl must have passed through. Then -succeeded to these emanations of herself, which he regarded as -invisible though certain proofs, flowers she preferred to all -others - books of her own selection. If Raoul retained a single -doubt on the subject, it would have vanished at the secret -harmony of tastes and connection of the mind with the ordinary -objects of life. La Vallière, in Bragelonne's eyes, was -present there in each article of furniture, in the color of the -hangings, in all that surrounded him. Dumb, and now completely -overwhelmed, there was nothing further for him now to learn, and -he followed his pitiless conductress as blindly as the culprit -follows the executioner; while Madame, as cruel as women of -overstrung temperaments generally are, did not spare him the -slightest detail. But it must be admitted that, notwithstanding -the kind of apathy into which he had fallen, none of these -details, even had he been left alone, would have escaped him. -The happiness of the woman who loves, when that happiness is -derived from a rival, is a living torture for a jealous man; but -for a jealous man such as Raoul was, for one whose heart for the -first time in its existence was being steeped in gall and -bitterness, Louise's happiness was in reality an ignominious -death, a death of body and soul. He guessed all; he fancied he -could see them, with their hands clasped in each other's, their -faces drawn close together, and reflected, side by side, in -loving proximity, and they gazed upon the mirrors around them - -so sweet an occupation for lovers, who, as they thus see -themselves twice over, imprint the picture still more deeply on -their memories. He could guess, too, the stolen kiss snatched as -they separated from each other's loved society. The luxury, the -studied elegance, eloquent of the perfection of indolence, of -ease; the extreme care shown, either to spare the loved object -every annoyance, or to occasion her a delightful surprise; that -might and majesty of love multiplied by the majesty and might of -royalty itself, seemed like a death-blow to Raoul. If there be -anything which can in any way assuage or mitigate the tortures of -jealousy, it is the inferiority of the man who is preferred to -yourself; whilst, on the very contrary, if there be one anguish -more bitter than another, a misery for which language lacks a -word, it is the superiority of the man preferred to yourself, -superior, perhaps, in youth, beauty, grace. It is in such -moments as these that Heaven almost seems to have taken part -against the disdained and rejected lover.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> One final pang was reserved -for poor Raoul. Madame Henrietta lifted up a silk curtain, and -behind the canvas he perceived La Vallière's portrait. -Not only the portrait of La Vallière, but of La -Vallière radiant with youth, beauty, and happiness, -inhaling life and enjoyment at every pore, because at eighteen -years of age love itself is life.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Louise!" murmured -Bragelonne, - "Louise! is it true, then? Oh, you have never -loved me, for never have you looked at me in that manner." And -he felt as if his heart were crushed within his bosom.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Madame Henrietta looked at -him, almost envious of his extreme grief, although she well knew -there was nothing to envy in it, and that she herself was as -passionately loved by De Guiche as Louise by Bragelonne. Raoul -interpreted Madame Henrietta's look.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, forgive me, forgive me, -Madame; in your presence I know I ought to have greater -self-control. But Heaven grant that you may never be struck by -similar misery to that which crushes me at this moment, for you -are but a woman, and would not be able to endure so terrible an -affliction. Forgive me, I again entreat you, Madame; I am but a -man without rank or position, while you belong to a race whose -happiness knows no bounds, whose power acknowledges no -limit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur de Bragelonne," -replied Henrietta, "a mind such as your merits all the -consideration and respect which a queen's heart even can bestow. -Regard me as your friend, monsieur; and as such, indeed, I would -not allow your whole life to be poisoned by perfidy, and covered -with ridicule. It was I, indeed, who, with more courage than any -of your pretended friends, - I except M. de Guiche, - was the -cause of your return from London; it is I, also, who now give you -the melancholy proofs, necessary, however, for your cure if you -are a lover with courage in his heart, and not a weeping Amadis. -Do not thank me; pity me, even, and do not serve the king less -faithfully than you have done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul smiled bitterly. "Ah! -true, true; I was forgetting that; the king is my master."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your liberty, nay, your -very life, is in danger."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> A steady, penetrating look -informed Madame Henrietta that she was mistaken, and that her -last argument was not a likely one to affect the young man. -"Take care, Monsieur de Bragelonne," she said, "for if you do not -weigh well all your actions, you might throw into an extravagance -of wrath a prince whose passions, once aroused, exceed the bounds -of reason, and you would thereby involve your friends and family -in the deepest distress; you must bend, you must submit, and you -must cure yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I thank you, Madame; I -appreciate the advice your royal highness is good enough to give -me, and I will endeavor to follow it; but one final word, I -beg."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Name it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Should I be indiscreet in -asking you the secret of this staircase, of this trap-door; a -secret, which, it seems, you have discovered?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing more simple. For -the purpose of exercising a surveillance over the young girls who -are attached to my service, I have duplicate keys of their -doors. It seemed very strange to me that M. de Saint-Aignan -should change his apartments. It seemed very strange that the -king should come to see M. de Saint-Aignan every day, and, -finally, it seemed very strange that so many things should be -done during your absence, that the very habits and customs of the -court appeared changed. I do not wish to be trifled with by the -king, nor to serve as a cloak for his love affairs; for after La -Vallière, who weeps incessantly, he will take a fancy to -Montalais, who is always laughing; and then to Tonnay-Charente, -who does nothing but sing all day; to act such a part as that -would be unworthy of me. I thrust aside the scruples which my -friendship for you suggested. I discovered the secret. I have -wounded your feelings, I know, and I again entreat you to pardon -me; but I had a duty to fulfil. I have discharged it. You are -now forewarned; the tempest will soon burst; protect yourself -accordingly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You naturally expect, -however, that a result of some kind must follow," replied -Bragelonne, with firmness; "for you do not suppose I shall -silently accept the shame thus thrust upon me, or the treachery -which has been practiced against me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You will take whatever -steps in the matter you please, Monsieur Raoul, only do not -betray the source whence you derived the truth. That is all I -have to ask, - the only price I require for the service I have -rendered you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Fear nothing, Madame," said -Bragelonne, with a bitter smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I bribed the locksmith, in -whom the lovers confided. You can just as well have done so as -myself, can you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Madame. Your royal -highness, however, has no other advice or caution to give me, -except that of not betraying you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "None."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am about, therefore, to -beg your royal highness to allow me to remain here for one -moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Without me?"<br> - "Oh! no, Madame. It matters very little; for -what I have to do can be done in your presence. I only ask one -moment to write a line to some one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is dangerous, Monsieur -de Bragelonne. Take care."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No one can possibly know -that your royal highness has done me the honor to conduct me -here. Besides, I shall sign the letter I am going to write."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do as you please, -then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul drew out his tablet, -and wrote rapidly on one of the leaves the following words:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "MONSIEUR LE COMTE, - Do not -be surprised to find this paper signed by me; the friend I shall -very shortly send to call on you will have the honor to explain -the object of my visit.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style='text-align:right'> -"VICOMTE RAOUL DE BRAGELONNE."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He rolled up the paper, -slipped it into the lock of the door which communicated with the -room set apart for the two lovers, and satisfied himself that the -missive was so apparent that Saint-Aignan could not but see it as -he entered; he rejoined the princess, who had already reached the -top of the staircase. They then separated, Raoul pretending to -thank her highness; Henrietta pitying, or seeming to pity, with -all her heart, the wretched young man she had just condemned to -such fearful torture. "Oh!" she said, as she saw him disappear, -pale as death, and his eyes bursting with blood, "if I had -foreseen this, I would have hid the truth from that poor -gentleman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LIV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Porthos's Plan of Action.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he great -number of individuals we have introduced into this long story is -the reason why each of them has been forced to appear only in -turn, according to the exigencies of the recital. The result is, -that our readers have had no opportunity of meeting our friend -Porthos since his return from Fontainebleau. The honors which he -had received from the king had not changed the easy, affectionate -character of that excellent-hearted man; he may, perhaps, have -held up his head a little higher than usual, and a majesty of -demeanor, as it were, may have betrayed itself since the honor of -dining at the king's table had been accorded him. His majesty's -banqueting-room had produced a certain effect on Porthos. Le -Seigneur de Bracieux et de Pierrefonds delighted to remember -that, during that memorable dinner, the numerous array of -servants, and the large number of officials in attendance on the -guests, gave a certain tone and effect to the repast, and seemed, -as it were, to furnish the room. Porthos undertook to confer -upon Mouston a position of some kind or other, in order to -establish a sort of hierarchy among his other domestics, and to -create a military household, which was not unusual among the -great captains of the age, since, in the preceding century, this -luxury had been greatly encouraged by Messieurs de -Tréville, de Schomberg, de la Vieuville, without alluding -to M. de Richelieu, M. de Condé, and de Bouillon-Turenne. -And, therefore, why should not he, Porthos, the friend of the -king, and of M. Fouquet, a baron, and engineer, etc., why should -not he, indeed, enjoy all the delightful privileges which large -possessions and unusual merit invariably confer? Somewhat -neglected by Aramis, who, we know, was greatly occupied with M. -Fouquet; neglected, also, on account of his being on duty, by -D'Artagnan; tired of Trüchen and Planchet, Porthos was -surprised to find himself dreaming, without precisely knowing -why; but if any one had said to him, "Do you want anything, -Porthos?" he would most certainly have replied, "Yes." After one -of those dinners, during which Porthos attempted to recall to his -recollection all the details of the royal banquet, gently joyful, -thanks to the excellence of the wines; gently melancholy, thanks -to his ambitions ideas, Porthos was gradually falling off into a -placid doze, when his servant entered to announce that M. de -Bragelonne wished to speak to him. Porthos passed into an -adjoining room, where he found his young friend in the -disposition of mind we are already aware of. Raoul advanced -towards Porthos, and shook him by the hand; Porthos, surprised at -his seriousness of aspect, offered him a seat. "Dear M. du -Vallon," said Raoul, "I have a service to ask of you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing could happen more -fortunately, my young friend," replied Porthos; "I have eight -thousand livres sent me this morning from Pierrefonds; and if you -want any money - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, I thank you; it is not -money."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So much the worse, then. I -have always heard it said that that is the rarest service, but -the easiest to render. The remark struck me; I like to cite -remarks that strike me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your heart is as good as -your mind is sound and true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are much too kind, I -declare. You will dine here, of course?"<br> - "No; I am not hungry."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Eh! not dine? What a -dreadful country England is!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not too much so, indeed - -but - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, if such excellent -fish and meat were not to be procured there, it would hardly be -endurable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I came to - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am listening. Only just -allow me to take a little sip. One gets thirsty in Paris;" and -he ordered a bottle of champagne to be brought; and, having first -filled Raoul's glass, he filled his own, drank it down at a gulp, -and then resumed: "I needed that, in order to listen to you with -proper attention. I am now entirely at your service. What do -you wish to ask me, dear Raoul? What do you want?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Give me your opinion on -quarrels in general, my dear friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My opinion! Well - but - -Explain your idea a little more coherently," replied Porthos, -rubbing his forehead.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I mean - you are generally -good-humored, good-tempered, whenever any misunderstanding arises -between a friend of yours and a stranger, for instance?"<br> - "Oh! in the best of tempers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good; but what do you -do, in such a case?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whenever any friend of mine -gets into a quarrel, I always act on one principle."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That lost time is -irreparable, and one never arranges an affair so well as when -everything has been done to embroil the disputants as much as -possible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! indeed, is that the -principle on which you proceed?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely; so, as soon as a -quarrel takes place, I bring the two parties together."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Exactly."<br> - "You understand that by this means it is -impossible for an affair not to be arranged."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should have thought that, -treated in this manner, an affair would, on the contrary - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! not the least in the -world. Just fancy, now, I have had in my life something like a -hundred and eighty to a hundred and ninety regular duels, without -reckoning hasty encounters, or chance meetings."<br> - "It is a very handsome aggregate," said Raoul, -unable to resist a smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "A mere nothing; but I am so -gentle. D'Artagnan reckons his duels by hundreds. It is very -true he is a little too hard and sharp - I have often told him -so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so," resumed Raoul, -"you generally arrange the affairs of honor your friends confide -to you."<br> - "There is not a single instance in which I have -not finished by arranging every one of them," said Porthos, with -a gentleness and confidence that surprised Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But the way in which you -settle them is at least honorable, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! rely upon that; and at -this stage, I will explain my other principle to you. As soon as -my friend has intrusted his quarrel to me, this is what I do; I -go to his adversary at once, armed with a politeness and -self-possession absolutely requisite under such -circumstances."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is the way, then," -said Raoul, bitterly, "that you arrange affairs so safely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe you. I go to the -adversary, then, and say to him: 'It is impossible, monsieur, -that you are ignorant of the extent to which you have insulted my -friend.'" Raoul frowned at this remark.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It sometimes happens - very -often, indeed," pursued Porthos - "that my friend has not been -insulted at all; he has even been the first to give offense; you -can imagine, therefore, whether my language is or is not well -chosen." And Porthos burst into a peal of laughter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Decidedly," said Raoul to -himself while the merry thunder of Porthos's laughter was -resounding in his ears, "I am very unfortunate. De Guiche treats -me with coolness, D'Artagnan with ridicule, Porthos is too tame; -no one will settle this affair in the only way I wish it to be -settled. And I came to Porthos because I wanted to find a sword -instead of cold reasoning at my service. My ill-luck dogs -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos, who had recovered -himself, continued: "By one simple expression, I leave my -adversary without an excuse."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is as it may happen," -said Raoul, absently.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not at all, it is quite -certain. I have not left him an excuse; and then it is that I -display all my courtesy, in order to attain the happy issue of my -project. I advance, therefore, with an air of great politeness, -and taking my adversary by the hand, I say to him: 'Now that you -are convinced of having given the offense, we are sure of -reparation; between my friend and yourself, the future can only -offer an exchange of mutual courtesies of conduct, and -consequently, my mission now is to acquaint you with the length -of my friend's sword.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What!" said Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Wait a minute. 'The length -of my friend's sword. My horse is waiting below; my friend is in -such and such a spot and is impatiently awaiting your agreeable -society; I will take you with me; we can call upon your second as -we go along:' and the affair is arranged."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so," said Raoul, pale -with vexation, "you reconcile the two adversaries on the -ground."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I beg your pardon," -interrupted Porthos. "Reconcile! What for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You said that the affair -was arranged."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course! since my friend -is waiting for him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! what then? If he is -waiting - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well! if he is waiting, it -is merely to stretch his legs a little. The adversary, on the -contrary, is stiff from riding; they place themselves in proper -order, and my friend kills the opponent, and the affair is -ended."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! he kills him, then?" -cried Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should think so," said -Porthos. "Is it likely I should ever have as a friend a man who -allows himself to get killed? I have a hundred and one friends; -at the head of the list stand your father, Aramis, and -D'Artagnan, all of whom are living and well, I believe?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, my dear baron," -exclaimed Raoul, as he embraced Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You approve of my method, -then?" said the giant.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I approve of it so -thoroughly, that I shall have recourse to it this very day, -without a moment's delay, - at once, in fact. You are the very -man I have been looking for."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Good; here I am, then; you -want to fight, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Absolutely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is very natural. With -whom?"<br> - "With M. de Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know him - a most -agreeable man, who was exceedingly polite to me the day I had the -honor of dining with the king. I shall certainly acknowledge his -politeness in return, even if it had not happened to be my usual -custom. So, he has given you an offense?"<br> - "A mortal offense."<br> - "The deuce! I can say so, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "More than that, even, if -you like."<br> - "That is a very great convenience."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I may look upon it as one -of your arranged affairs, may I not?" said Raoul, smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As a matter of course. -Where will you be waiting for him?"<br> - "Ah! I forgot; it is a very delicate matter. M. -de Saint-Aignan is a very great friend of the king's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So I have heard it -said."<br> - "So that if I kill him - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! you will kill him, -certainly; you must take every precaution to do so. But there is -no difficulty in these matters now; if you had lived in our early -days, - ah, those were days worth living for!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "My dear friend, you do not -quite understand me. I mean, that M. de Saint-Aignan being a -friend of the king, the affair will be more difficult to manage, -since the king might learn beforehand - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! no; that is not -likely. You know my method: 'Monsieur, you have just injured my -friend, and - '"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I know it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And then: 'Monsieur, I have -horses below.' I carry him off before he can have spoken to any -one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will he allow himself to be -carried off like that?"<br> - "I should think so! I should like to see it -fail. It would be the first time, if it did. It is true, -though, that the young men of the present day - Bah! I would -carry him off bodily, if that were all," and Porthos, adding -gesture to speech, lifted Raoul and the chair he was sitting on -off the ground, and carried them round the room.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good," said Raoul, -laughing. "All we have to do is to state the grounds of the -quarrel with M. de Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, but that is done, it -seems."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, my dear M. du Vallon, -the usage of the present day requires that the cause of the -quarrel should be explained."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good. Tell me what it -is, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The fact is - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Deuce take it! how -troublesome all this is! In former days we had no occasion to -say anything about the matter. People fought for the sake of -fighting; and I, for one, know no better reason than that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are quite right, M. du -Vallon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"However, tell me -what the cause is.”</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is too long a -story to tell; only, as one must particularize to a certain -extent, and as, on the other hand, the affair is full of -difficulties, and requires the most absolute secrecy, you will -have the kindness merely to tell M. de Saint-Aignan that he has, -in the first place, insulted me by changing his lodgings."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"By changing his -lodgings? Good," said Porthos, who began to count on his -fingers; "next?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Then in getting a -trap-door made in his new apartments."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I understand," -said Porthos; "a trap-door: upon my word, that is very serious; -you ought to be furious at that. What the deuce does the fellow -mean by getting trap-doors made without first consulting you? -Trap-doors! <i>mordioux!</i> I haven't got any, except in my -dungeons at Bracieux."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you will -please add," said Raoul, "that my last motive for considering -myself insulted is, the existence of the portrait that M. de -Saint-Aignan well knows."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Is it possible? A -portrait, too! A change of residence, a trap-door, and a -portrait! Why, my dear friend, with but one of these causes of -complaint there is enough, and more than enough, for all the -gentlemen in France and Spain to cut each other's throats, and -that is saying but very little."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, my dear -friend, you are furnished with all you need, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I shall take a -second horse with me. Select your own rendezvous, and while you -are waiting there, you can practice some of the best passes, so -as to get your limbs as elastic as possible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thank you. I -shall be waiting for you in the wood of Vincennes, close to -Minimes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"All goes well, -then. Where am I to find this M. de Saint-Aignan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At the Palais -Royal."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos ran a huge -hand-bell. "My court suit," he said to the servant who answered -the summons, "my horse, and a led horse to accompany me." Then -turning to Raoul, as soon as the servant had quitted the room, he -said: "Does your father know anything about this?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; I am going to -write to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And -D'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, nor D'Artagnan -either. He is very cautions, you know, and might have diverted -me from my purpose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"D'Artagnan is a -sound adviser, though," said Porthos, astonished that, in his own -loyal faith in D'Artagnan, any one could have thought of himself, -so long as there was a D'Artagnan in the world.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Dear M. du -Vallon," said Raoul, "do not question me any more, I implore -you. I have told you all that I had to say; it is prompt action -I now expect, sharp and decided as you know how to arrange it. -That, indeed, is my reason for having chosen you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will be -satisfied with me," replied Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do not forget, -either, that, except ourselves, no one must know anything of this -meeting."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"People generally -find these things out," said Porthos, dryly, "when a dead body is -discovered in a wood. But I promise everything, my dear friend, -except the concealment of the dead body. There it is, and it -must be seen, as a matter of course. It is a principle of mine, -not to bury bodies. That has a smack of the assassin about it. -Every risk has its peculiarities."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To work, then, my -dear friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Rely upon me," -said the giant, finishing the bottle, while a servant spread out -upon a sofa the gorgeously decorated dress trimmed with lace.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul left the -room, saying to himself, with a secret delight, "Perfidious king! -traitorous monarch! I cannot reach thee. I do not wish it; for -kings are sacred objects. But your friend, your accomplice, your -panderer - the coward who represents you - shall pay for your -crime. I will kill him in thy name, and, afterwards, we will -bethink ourselves of - <i>Louise</i>."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>The -Change of Residence, the Trap-Door, and the Portrait.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>P</span>orthos, -intrusted, to his great delight, with this mission, which made -him feel young again, took half an hour less than his usual time -to put on his court suit. To show that he was a man acquainted -with the usages of high society, he had begun by sending his -lackey to inquire if Monsieur de Saint-Aignan were at home, and -heard, in answer, that M. le Comte de Saint-Aignan had had the -honor of accompanying the king to Saint-Germain, as well as the -whole court; but that monsieur le comte had just that moment -returned. Immediately upon this reply, Porthos made as much -haste as possible, and reached Saint-Aignan's apartments just as -the latter was having his boots taken off. The promenade had -been delightful. The king, who was in love more than ever, and -of course happier than ever, behaved in the most charming manner -to every one. Nothing could possibly equal his kindness. M. de -Saint-Aignan, it may be remembered, was a poet, and fancied that -he had proved that he was so under too many a memorable -circumstance to allow the title to be disputed by any one. An -indefatigable rhymester, he had, during the whole of the journey, -overwhelmed with quatrains, sextains, and madrigals, first the -king, and then La Vallière. The king, on his side, was in -a similarly poetical mood, and had made a distich; while La -Vallière, delighting in poetry, as most women do who are -in love, had composed two sonnets. The day, then, had not been a -bad one for Apollo; and so, as soon as he had returned to Paris, -Saint-Aignan, who knew beforehand that his verse would be sure to -be extensively circulated in court circles, occupied himself, -with a little more attention than he had been able to bestow -during the promenade, with the composition, as well as with the -idea itself. Consequently, with all the tenderness of a father -about to start his children in life, he candidly interrogated -himself whether the public would find these offsprings of his -imagination sufficiently elegant and graceful; and in order to -make his mind easy on the subject, M. de Saint-Aignan recited to -himself the madrigal he had composed, and which he had repeated -from memory to the king, and had promised to write out for him on -his return. All the time he was committing these words to -memory, the comte was engaged in undressing himself more -completely. He had just taken off his coat, and was putting on -his dressing-gown, when he was informed that Monsieur le Baron du -Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds was waiting to be received.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Eh!" he said, "what does -that bunch of names mean? I don't know anything about him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is the same gentleman," -replied the lackey, "who had the honor of dining with you, -monseigneur, at the king's table, when his majesty was staying at -Fontainebleau."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Introduce him, then, at -once," cried Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos, in a few minutes, -entered the room. M. de Saint-Aignan had an excellent -recollection of persons, and, at the first glance, he recognized -the gentleman from the country, who enjoyed so singular a -reputation, and whom the king had received so favorably at -Fontainebleau, in spite of the smiles of some of those who were -present. He therefore advanced towards Porthos with all the -outward signs of consideration of manner which Porthos thought -but natural, considering that he himself, whenever he called upon -an adversary, hoisted a standard of the most refined politeness. -Saint-Aignan desired the servant to give Porthos a chair; and the -latter, who saw nothing unusual in this act of politeness, sat -down gravely and coughed. The ordinary courtesies having been -exchanged between the two gentlemen, the comte, to whom the visit -was paid, said, "May I ask, monsieur le baron, to what happy -circumstance I am indebted for the favor of a visit from -you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The very thing I am about -to have the honor of explaining to you, monsieur le comte; but, I -beg your pardon - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is the matter, -monsieur?" inquired Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I regret to say that I have -broken your chair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Not at all, monsieur," said -Saint-Aignan; "not at all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is the fact, though, -monsieur le comte; I have broken it - so much so, indeed, that if -I do not move, I shall fall down, which would be an exceedingly -disagreeable position for me in the discharge of the very serious -mission which has been intrusted to me with regard to -yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos rose; and but just -in time, for the chair had given way several inches. -Saint-Aignan looked about him for something more solid for his -guest to sit upon.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Modern articles of -furniture," said Porthos, while the comte was looking about, "are -constructed in a ridiculously flimsy manner. In my early days, -when I used to sit down with far more energy than is now the -case, I do not remember ever to have broken a chair, except in -taverns, with my arms."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan smiled at this -remark. "But," said Porthos, as he settled himself down on a -couch, which creaked, but did not give way beneath his weight, -"that unfortunately has nothing whatever to do with my present -visit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why unfortunately? Are you -the bearer of a message of ill-omen, monsieur le baron?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of ill-omen - for a -gentleman? Certainly not, monsieur le comte," replied Porthos, -nobly. "I have simply come to say that you have seriously -insulted a friend of mine."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I, monsieur?" exclaimed -Saint-Aignan - "I have insulted a friend of yours, do you say? -May I ask his name?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. Raoul de -Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have insulted M. Raoul de -Bragelonne!" cried Saint-Aignan. "I really assure you, monsieur, -that it is quite impossible; for M. de Bragelonne, whom I know -but very slightly, - nay, whom I know hardly at all - is in -England, and, as I have not seen him for a long time past, I -cannot possibly have insulted him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "M. de Bragelonne is in -Paris, monsieur le comte," said Porthos, perfectly unmoved; "and -I repeat, it is quite certain you have insulted him, since he -himself told me you had. Yes, monsieur, you have seriously -insulted him, mortally insulted him, I repeat."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is impossible, monsieur -le baron, I swear, quite impossible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Besides," added Porthos, -"you cannot be ignorant of the circumstance, since M. de -Bragelonne informed me that he had already apprised you of it by -a note."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I give you my word of -honor, monsieur, that I have received no note whatever."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This is most -extraordinary," replied Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I will convince you," said -Saint-Aignan, "that have received nothing in any way from him." -And he rang the bell. "Basque," he said to the servant who -entered, "how many letters have or notes were sent here during my -absence?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Three, monsieur le comte - -a note from M. de Fiesque, one from Madame de Laferté, and -a letter from M. de las Fuentès."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is that all?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, monsieur le -comte."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Speak the truth before this -gentleman - the truth, you understand. I will take care you are -not blamed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There was a note, also, -from - from - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Well, from -whom?"<br> -"From Mademoiselle - de - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Out with it!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"De Laval."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"That is quite -sufficient," interrupted Porthos. "I believe you, monsieur le -comte."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan -dismissed the valet, and followed him to the door, in order to -close it after him; and when he had done so, looking straight -before him, he happened to see in the keyhole of the adjoining -apartment the paper which Bragelonne had slipped in there as he -left. "What is this?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos, who was -sitting with his back to the room, turned round. "Aha!" he -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A note in the -keyhole!" exclaimed Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is not -unlikely to be the missing letter, monsieur le comte," said -Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan took -out the paper. "A note from M. de Bragelonne!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You see, monsieur, -I was right. Oh, when I say a thing - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Brought here by M. -de Bragelonne himself," the comte murmured, turning pale. "This -is infamous! How could he possibly have come here?" And the -comte rang again.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who has been here -during my absence with the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No one, -monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is -impossible! Some one must have been here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No one could -possibly have entered, monsieur, since the keys have never left -my pocket."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And yet I find the -letter in yonder lock; some one must have put it there; it could -not have come here of its own accord."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Basque opened his -arms as if signifying the most absolute ignorance on the -subject.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Probably it was M. -de Bragelonne himself who placed it there," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case he -must have entered here."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How could that -have been, since I have the key in my own pocket?" returned -Basque, perseveringly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan -crumpled the letter in his palm, after having read it. "There is -something mysterious about this," he murmured, absorbed in -thought. Porthos left him to his reflections; but after a while -returned to the mission he had undertaken.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Shall we return to -our little affair?" Porthos resumed, addressing Saint-Aignan -after a brief pause.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I think I can now -understand it, from this note, which has arrived here in so -singular a manner. Monsieur de Bragelonne says that a friend -will call."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am his friend. -I am the person he alludes to."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"For the purpose of -giving me a challenge?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Precisely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And he complains -that I have insulted him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Mortally."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way, may I -ask; for his conduct is so mysterious, that, at least, it needs -some explanation?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," replied -Porthos, "my friend cannot but be right; and, as far as his -conduct is concerned, if it be mysterious, as you say, you have -only yourself to blame for it." Porthos pronounced these words -with an amount of confidence which, for a man who was -unaccustomed to his ways, must have revealed an infinity of -sense.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Mystery, so be it; -but what is all the mystery about?" said Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will think it -the best, perhaps," Porthos replied, with a low bow, "if I do not -enter in to particulars."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, I perfectly -understand. We will touch very lightly upon it, then, so speak, -monsieur, I am listening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In the first -place, monsieur," said Porthos, "you have changed your -apartments."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, that is quite -true," said Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You admit it," -said Porthos, with an air of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Admit it! of -course I admit it. Why should I not admit it, do you -suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have admitted -it. Very good," said Porthos, lifting up one finger.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But how can my -having moved my lodgings have done M. de Bragelonne any harm? -Have the goodness to tell me that, for I positively do not -comprehend a word of what you are saying."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos stopped -him, and then said, with great gravity, "Monsieur, this is the -first of M. de Bragelonne's complaints against you. If he makes -a complaint, it is because he feels himself insulted."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan began -to beat his foot impatiently on the ground. "This looks like a -spurious quarrel," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No one can -possibly have a spurious quarrel with the Vicomte de Bragelonne," -returned Porthos; "but, at all events, you have nothing to add on -the subject of your changing your apartments, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nothing. And what -is the next point?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, the next! You -will observe, monsieur, that the one I have already mentioned is -a most serious injury, to which you have given no answer, or -rather, have answered very indifferently. Is it possible, -monsieur, that you have changed your lodgings? M. de Bragelonne -feels insulted at your having done so, and you do not attempt to -excuse yourself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What!" cried -Saint-Aignan, who was getting annoyed at the perfect coolness of -his visitor - "what! am I to consult M. de Bragelonne whether I -am to move or not? You can hardly be serious, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am. And it is -absolutely necessary, monsieur; but under any circumstances, you -will admit that it is nothing in comparison with the second -ground of complaint."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, what is -that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos assumed a -very solemn expression as he said: "How about the trap-door, -monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan turned -exceedingly pale. He pushed back his chair so abruptly, that -Porthos, simple as he was, perceived that the blow had told. -"The trap-door," murmured Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, monsieur, -explain that if you can," said Porthos, shaking his head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan held -down his head, as he murmured: "I have been betrayed, everything -is known!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Everything," -replied Porthos, who knew nothing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You see me -perfectly overwhelmed," pursued Saint-Aignan, "overwhelmed to a -degree that I hardly know what I am about."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A guilty -conscience, monsieur. Your affair is a bad one, and when the -public learns all about it, it will judge - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, monsieur!" -exclaimed the count, hurriedly, "such a secret ought not to be -known even by one's confessor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That we will think -about," said Porthos; "the secret will not go far, in fact."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Surely, monsieur," -returned Saint-Aignan, "since M. de Bragelonne has penetrated the -secret, he must be aware of the danger he as well as others run -the risk of incurring."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"M. de Bragelonne -runs no danger, monsieur, nor does he fear any either, as you, if -it please Heaven, will find out very soon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"This fellow is a -perfect madman," thought Saint-Aignan. "What, in Heaven's name, -does he want?" He then said aloud: "Come, monsieur, let us hush -up this affair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You forget the -portrait," said Porthos, in a voice of thunder, which made the -comte's blood freeze in his veins.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>As the portrait in -question was La Vallière's portrait, and no mistake could -any longer exist on the subject, Saint-Aignan's eyes were -completely opened. "Ah!" he exclaimed - "ah! monsieur, I -remember now that M. de Bragelonne was engaged to be married to -her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos assumed an -imposing air, all the majesty of ignorance, in fact, as he said: -"It matters nothing whatever to me, nor to yourself, indeed, -whether or not my friend was, as you say, engaged to be married. -I am even astonished that you should have made use of so -indiscreet a remark. It may possibly do your cause harm, -monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," replied -Saint-Aignan, "you are the incarnation of intelligence, delicacy, -and loyalty of feeling united. I see the whole matter now -clearly enough."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So much the -better," said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And," pursued -Saint-Aignan, "you have made me comprehend it in the most -ingenious and the most delicate manner possible. I beg you to -accept my best thanks." Porthos drew himself up, unable to -resist the flattery of the remark. "Only, now that I know -everything, permit me to explain - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos shook his -head, as a an who does not wish to hear, but Saint-Aignan -continued: "I am in despair, I assure you, at all that has -happened; but how would you have acted in my place? Come, -between ourselves, tell me what you would have done?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos drew -himself up as he answered: "There is now no question of all of -what I should have done, young man; you have been made acquainted -with the three causes of complaint against you, I believe?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As for the first, -my change of rooms, and I now address myself to you as a man of -honor and of great intelligence, could I, when the desire of so -august a personage was so urgently expressed that I should move, -ought I to have disobeyed?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos was about -to speak, but Saint-Aignan did not give him time to answer. "Ah! -my frankness, I see, convinces you," he said, interpreting the -movement according to his own fancy. "You feel that I am -right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos did not -reply, and so Saint-Aignan continued: "I pass by that unfortunate -trap-door," he said, placing his hand on Porthos's arm, "that -trap-door, the occasion and means of so much unhappiness, and -which was constructed for - you know what. Well, then, in plain -truth, do you suppose that it was I who, of my own accord, in -such a place, too, had that trap-door made? - Oh, no! - you do -not believe it; and here, again, you feel, you guess, you -understand the influence of a will superior to my own. You can -conceive the infatuation, the blind, irresistible passion which -has been at work. But, thank Heaven! I am fortunate in speaking -to a man who has so much sensitiveness of feeling; and if it were -not so, indeed, what an amount of misery and scandal would fall -upon her, poor girl! and upon him - whom I will not name."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos, confused -and bewildered by the eloquence and gestures of Saint-Aignan, -made a thousand efforts to stem this torrent of words, of which, -by the by, he did not understand a single one; he remained -upright and motionless on his seat, and that was all he could -do. Saint-Aignan continued, and gave a new inflection to his -voice, and an increasing vehemence to his gesture: "As for the -portrait, for I readily believe the portrait is the principal -cause of complaint, tell me candidly if you think me to blame? - -Who was it who wished to have her portrait? Was it I? - Who is -in love with her? Is it I? - Who wishes to gain her affection? -Again, is it I? - Who took her likeness? I, do you think? No! a -thousand times no! I know M. de Bragelonne must be in a state of -despair; I know these misfortunes are most cruel. But I, too, am -suffering as well; and yet there is no possibility of offering -any resistance. Suppose we were to fight? we would be laughed -at. If he obstinately persist in his course, he is lost. You -will tell me, I know, that despair is ridiculous, but then you -are a sensible man. You have understood me. I perceived by your -serious, thoughtful, embarrassed air, even, that the importance -of the situation we are placed in has not escaped you. Return, -therefore, to M. de Bragelonne; thank him - as I have indeed -reason to thank him - for having chosen as an intermediary a man -of your high merit. Believe me that I shall, on my side, -preserve an eternal gratitude for the man who has so ingeniously, -so cleverly arranged the misunderstanding between us. And since -ill luck would have it that the secret should be known to four -instead of three, why, this secret, which might make the most -ambitious man's fortune, I am delighted to share with you, -monsieur, from the bottom of my heart I am delighted at it. From -this very moment you can make use of me as you please, I place -myself entirely at your mercy. What can I possibly do for you? -What can I solicit, nay, require even? You have only to speak, -monsieur, only to speak."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And, according to -the familiarly friendly fashion of that period, Saint-Aignan -threw his arms round Porthos, and clasped him tenderly in his -embrace. Porthos allowed him to do this with the most perfect -indifference. "Speak," resumed Saint-Aignan, "what do you -require?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," said -Porthos, "I have a horse below: be good enough to mount him; he -is a very good one and will play you no tricks."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Mount on -horseback! what for?" inquired Saint-Aignan, with no little -curiosity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To accompany me to -where M. de Bragelonne is waiting us."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! he wishes to -speak to me, I suppose? I can well believe that; he wishes to -have the details, very likely; alas! it is a very delicate -matter; but at the present moment I cannot, for the king is -waiting for me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The king must -wait, then" said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you say? -the king must wait!" interrupted the finished courtier, with a -smile of utter amazement, for he could not understand that the -king could under any circumstances be supposed to have to -wait.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is merely the -affair of a very short hour," returned Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But where is M. de -Bragelonne waiting for me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At the Minimes, at -Vincennes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, indeed! but -are we going to laugh over the affair when we get there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I don't think it -likely," said Porthos, as his face assumed a look of utter -hardness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But the Minimes is -a rendezvous where duels take place, and what can I have to do at -the Minimes?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos slowly drew -his sword, and said: "That is the length of my friend's -sword."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, the man is -mad!" cried Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The color mounted -to Porthos's face, as he replied: "If I had not the honor of -being in your own apartment, monsieur, and of representing M. de -Bragelonne's interests, I would throw you out of the window. It -will be merely a pleasure postponed, and you will lose nothing by -waiting. Will you come with me to the Minimes, monsieur, of your -own free will?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Take care, I will -carry you if you do not come quickly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Basque!" cried -Saint-Aignan. As soon as Basque appeared, he said, "The king -wishes to see monsieur le comte."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is very -different," said Porthos; "the king's service before anything -else. We will wait until this evening, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And saluting -Saint-Aignan with his usual courtesy, Porthos left the room, -delighted at having arranged another affair. Saint-Aignan looked -after him as he left; and then hastily putting on his court dress -again, he ran off, arranging his costume as he went along, -muttering to himself, "The Minimes! the Minimes! We shall see -how the king will fancy this challenge; for it is for him after -all, that is certain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LVI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Rivals in Politics.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>O</span>n his return -from the promenade, which had been so prolific in poetical -effusions, and in which every one had paid his or her tribute to -the Muses, as the poets of the period used to say, the king found -M. Fouquet waiting for an audience. M. Colbert had lain in wait -for his majesty in the corridor, and followed him like a jealous -and watchful shadow; M. Colbert, with his square head, his vulgar -and untidy, though rich costume, somewhat resembled a Flemish -gentleman after he had been over-indulging in his national drink -- beer. Fouquet, at sight of his enemy, remained perfectly -unmoved, and during the whole of the scene which followed -scrupulously resolved to observe a line of conduct particularly -difficult to the man of superior mind, who does not even wish to -show his contempt, for fear of doing his adversary too much -honor. Colbert made no attempt to conceal his insolent -expression of the vulgar joy he felt. In his opinion, M. -Fouquet's was a game very badly played and hopelessly lost, -although not yet finished. Colbert belonged to that school of -politicians who think cleverness alone worthy of their -admiration, and success the only thing worth caring for. -Colbert, moreover, who was not simply an envious and jealous man, -but who had the king's interest really at heart, because he was -thoroughly imbued with the highest sense of probity in all -matters of figures and accounts, could well afford to assign as a -pretext for his conduct, that in hating and doing his utmost to -ruin M. Fouquet, he had nothing in view but the welfare of the -state and the dignity of the crown. None of these details -escaped Fouquet's observation; through his enemy's thick, bushy -brows, and despite the restless movement of his eyelids, he -could, by merely looking at his eyes, penetrate to the very -bottom of Colbert's heart, and he read to what an unbounded -extent hate towards himself and triumph at his approaching fall -existed there. But as, in observing everything, he wished to -remain himself impenetrable, he composed his features, smiled -with the charmingly sympathetic smile that was peculiarly his -own, and saluted the king with the most dignified and graceful -ease and elasticity of manner. "Sire," he said, "I perceive by -your majesty's joyous air that you have been gratified with the -promenade."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Most gratified, indeed, -monsieur le surintendant, most gratified. You were very wrong -not to come with us, as I invited you to do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I was working, sire," -replied the superintendent, who did not even seem to take the -trouble to turn aside his head in merest respect of Colbert's -presence.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! M. Fouquet," cried the -king, "there is nothing like the country. I should be delighted -to live in the country always, in the open air and under the -trees."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I should hope that your -majesty is not yet weary of the throne," said Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but thrones of soft -turf are very pleasant."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty gratifies my -utmost wishes in speaking in that manner, for I have a request to -submit to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "On whose behalf, -monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh behalf of the nymphs of -Vaux, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! ah!" said Louis -XIV.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty, too, once -deigned to make me a promise," said Fouquet.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, I remember it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The <i>fête</i> at -Vaux, the celebrated <i>fête</i>, I think, it was, sire," -said Colbert, endeavoring to show his importance by taking part -in the conversation.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Fouquet, with the -profoundest contempt, did not take the slightest notice of the -remark, as if, as far as he was concerned, Colbert had not even -thought or said a word.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty is aware," he -said, "that I destine my estate at Vaux to receive the most -amiable of princes, the most powerful of monarchs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have given you my -promise, monsieur," said Louis XIV., smiling; "and a king never -departs from his word."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And I have come now, sire, -to inform your majesty that I am ready to obey your orders in -every respect."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do you promise me many -wonders, monsieur le surintendant?" said Louis, looking at -Colbert.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Wonders? Oh! no, sire. I -do not undertake that. I hope to be able to procure your majesty -a little pleasure, perhaps even a little forgetfulness of the -cares of state."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nay, nay, M. Fouquet," -returned the king; "I insist upon the word 'wonders.' You are a -magician, I believe; we all know the power you wield; we also -know that you can find gold even when there is none to be found -elsewhere; so much so, indeed, that people say you coin it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Fouquet felt that the shot -was discharged from a double quiver, and that the king had -launched an arrow from his own bow as well as one from -Colbert's. "Oh!" said he, laughingly, "the people know perfectly -well out of what mine I procure the gold; and they know it only -too well, perhaps; besides," he added, "I can assure your majesty -that the gold destined to pay the expenses of the -<i>fête</i> at Vaux will cost neither blood nor tears; hard -labor it may, perhaps, but that can be paid for."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis paused quite -confused. He wished to look at Colbert; Colbert, too, wished to -reply to him; a glance as swift as an eagle's, a king-like -glance, indeed, which Fouquet darted at the latter, arrested the -words upon his lips. The king, who had by this time recovered -his self-possession, turned towards Fouquet, saying, "I presume, -therefore, I am now to consider myself formally invited?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire, if your majesty -will condescend so far as to accept my invitation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What day have you -fixed?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Any day your majesty may -find most convenient."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You speak like an enchanter -who has but to conjure up in actuality the wildest fancies, -Monsieur Fouquet. I could not say so much, indeed, myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty will do, -whenever you please, everything that a monarch can and ought to -do. The king of France has servants at his bidding who are able -to do anything on his behalf, to accomplish everything to gratify -his pleasures."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert tried to -look at the superintendent, in order to see whether this remark -was an approach to less hostile sentiments on his part; but -Fouquet had not even looked at his enemy, and Colbert hardly -seemed to exist as far as he was concerned. "Very good, then," -said the king. "Will a week hence suit you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Perfectly well, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "This is Tuesday; if I give -you until next Sunday week, will that be sufficient?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The delay which your -majesty deigns to accord me will greatly aid the various works -which my architects have in hand for the purpose of adding to the -amusement of your majesty and your friends."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "By the by, speaking of my -friends," resumed the king; "how do you intend to treat -them?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The king is master -everywhere, sire; your majesty will draw up your own list and -give your own orders. All those you may deign to invite will be -my guests, my honored guests, indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I thank you!" returned the -king, touched by the noble thought expressed in so noble a -tone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Fouquet, therefore, -took leave of Louis XIV., after a few words had been added with -regard to the details of certain matters of business. He felt -that Colbert would remain behind with the king, that they would -both converse about him, and that neither of them would spare him -in the least degree. The satisfaction of being able to give a -last and terrible blow to his enemy seemed to him almost like a -compensation for everything they were about to subject him to. -He turned back again immediately, as soon, indeed, as he had -reached the door, and addressing the king, said, "I was -forgetting that I had to crave your majesty's forgiveness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what respect?" -said the king, graciously.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"For having -committed a serious fault without perceiving it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A fault! You! -Ah! Monsieur Fouquet, I shall be unable to do otherwise than -forgive you. In what way or against whom have you been found -wanting?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Against every -sense of propriety, sire. I forgot to inform your majesty of a -circumstance that has lately occurred of some little -importance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert trembled; -he fancied that he was about to frame a denunciation against -him. His conduct had been unmasked. A single syllable from -Fouquet, a single proof formally advanced, and before the -youthful loyalty of feeling which guided Louis XIV., Colbert's -favor would disappear at once; the latter trembled, therefore, -lest so daring a blow might overthrow his whole scaffold; in -point of fact, the opportunity was so admirably suited to be -taken advantage of, that a skillful, practiced player like Aramis -would not have let it slip. "Sire," said Fouquet, with an easy, -unconcerned air, "since you have had the kindness to forgive me, -I am perfectly indifferent about my confession; this morning I -sold one of the official appointments I hold."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"One of your -appointments," said the king, "which?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert turned -perfectly livid. "That which conferred upon me, sire, a grand -gown, and a stern air of gravity; the appointment of -procureur-général."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king -involuntarily uttered a loud exclamation and looked at Colbert, -who, with his face bedewed with perspiration, felt almost on the -point of fainting. "To whom have you sold this department, -Monsieur Fouquet?" inquired the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert was obliged -to lean against a column of the fireplace. "To a councilor -belonging to the parliament, sire, whose name is Vanel."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Vanel?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire, a -particular friend of the intendant Colbert," added Fouquet; -letting every word fall from his lips with the most inimitable -nonchalance, and with an admirably assumed expression of -forgetfulness and ignorance. And having finished, and having -overwhelmed Colbert beneath the weight of this superiority, the -superintendent again saluted the king and quitted the room, -partially revenged by the stupefaction of the king and the -humiliation of the favorite.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Is it really -possible," said the king, as soon as Fouquet had disappeared, -"that he has sold that office?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire," said -Colbert, meaningly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He must be mad," -the king added.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Colbert this time -did not reply; he had penetrated the king's thought, a thought -which amply revenged him for the humiliation he had just been -made to suffer; his hatred was augmented by a feeling of bitter -jealousy of Fouquet; and a threat of disgrace was now added to -the plan he had arranged for his ruin. Colbert felt perfectly -assured that for the future, between Louis XIV. and himself, -their hostile feelings and ideas would meet with no obstacles, -and that at the first fault committed by Fouquet, which could be -laid hold of as a pretext, the chastisement so long impending -would be precipitated. Fouquet had thrown aside his weapons of -defense, and hate and jealousy had picked them up. Colbert was -invited by the king to the <i>fête</i> at Vaux; he bowed -like a man confident in himself, and accepted the invitation with -the air of one who almost confers a favor. The king was about -writing down Saint-Aignan's name on his list of royal commands, -when the usher announced the Comte de Saint-Aignan. As soon as -the royal "Mercury" entered, Colbert discreetly withdrew.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LVII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Rivals in Love.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>S</span>aint-Aignan -had quitted Louis XIV. hardly a couple of hours before; but in -the first effervescence of his affection, whenever Louis XIV. was -out of sight of La Vallière, he was obliged to talk about -her. Besides, the only person with whom he could speak about her -at his ease was Saint-Aignan, and thus Saint-Aignan had become an -indispensable.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, is that you, comte?" he -exclaimed, as soon as he perceived him, doubly delighted, not -only to see him again, but also to get rid of Colbert, whose -scowling face always put him out of humor. "So much the better, -I am very glad to see you. You will make one of the best -traveling party, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of what traveling part are -you speaking, sire?" inquired Saint-Aignan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The one we are making up to -go to the <i>fête</i> the superintendent is about to give -at Vaux. Ah! Saint-Aignan, you will, at last, see a -<i>fête</i>, a royal <i>fête</i>, by the side of -which all our amusements at Fontainebleau are petty, contemptible -affairs."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At Vaux! the superintendent -going to give a <i>fête</i> in your majesty's honor? -Nothing more than that!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "'Nothing more than that,' -do you say? It is very diverting to find you treating it with so -much disdain. Are you who express such an indifference on the -subject, aware, that as soon as it is known that M. Fouquet is -going to receive me at Vaux next Sunday week, people will be -striving their very utmost to get invited to the -<i>fête?</i> I repeat, Saint-Aignan, you shall be one of -the invited guests."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well, sire; unless I -shall, in the meantime, have undertaken a longer and a less -agreeable journey."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What journey do you allude -to?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The one across the Styx, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Bah!" said Louis XIV., -laughing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, seriously, sire," -replied Saint-Aignan, "I am invited; and in such a way, in truth, -that I hardly know what to say, or how to act, in order to refuse -the invitation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I do not understand you. I -know that you are in a poetical vein; but try not to sink from -Apollo to Phœbus."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well; if your majesty -will deign to listen to me, I will not keep your mind on the rack -a moment longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Speak."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty knows the -Baron du Vallon?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, indeed; a good servant -to my father, the late king, and an admirable companion at table; -for, I think, you are referring to the gentleman who dined with -us at Fontainebleau?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Precisely so; but you have -omitted to add to his other qualifications, sire, that he is a -most charming polisher-off of other people."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What! Does M. du Vallon -wish to polish you off?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Or to get me killed, which -is much the same thing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The deuce!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do not laugh, sire, for I -am not saying one word beyond the exact truth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you say he wishes to -get you killed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Such is that excellent -person's present idea."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Be easy; I will defend you, -if he be in the wrong."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! There is an 'if'!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course; answer me as -candidly as if it were some one else's affair instead of your -own, my poor Saint-Aignan; is he right or wrong?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty shall be the -judge."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What have you done to -him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To him, personally, nothing -at all; but, it seems, to one of his friends, I have."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It is all the same. Is his -friend one of the celebrated 'four'?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No. It is the son of one -of the celebrated 'four,' though."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What have you done to the -son? Come, tell me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why, it seems that I have -helped some one to take his mistress from him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You confess it, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I cannot help confessing -it, for it is true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, you are -wrong; and if he were to kill you, he would be doing perfectly -right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! that is your majesty's -way of reasoning, then!"<br> - "Do you think it a bad way?"<br> - "It is a very expeditious way, at all -events."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "'Good justice is prompt;' -so my grandfather Henry IV. used to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, your majesty -will, perhaps, be good enough to sign my adversary's pardon, for -he is now waiting for me at the Minimes, for the purpose of -putting me out of my misery."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "His name, and a -parchment!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is a parchment upon -your majesty's table; and for his name - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, what is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The Vicomte de Bragelonne, -sire."<br> - "'The Vicomte de Bragelonne!'" exclaimed the -king; changing from a fit of laughter to the most profound -stupor, and then, after a moment's silence, while he wiped his -forehead, which was bedewed with perspiration, he again murmured, -"Bragelonne!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No other, sire."<br> - "Bragelonne, who was affianced to - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire."<br> - "But - he has been in London."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes; but I can assure you, -sire, he is there no longer."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is he in Paris, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He is at Minimes, sire, -where he is waiting for me, as I have already had the honor of -telling you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Does he know all?"<br> - "Yes; and many things besides. Perhaps your -majesty would like to look at the letter I have received from -him;" and Saint-Aignan drew from his pocket the note we are -already acquainted with. "When your majesty has read the letter, -I will tell you how it reached me."<br> - The king read it in a great agitation, and -immediately said, "Well?"<br> - "Well, sire; your majesty knows a certain carved -lock, closing a certain door of carved ebony, which separates a -certain apartment from a certain blue and white sanctuary?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Of course; Louise's -boudoir."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire. Well, it was in -the keyhole of that lock that I found yonder note."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who placed it there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Either M. de Bragelonne, or -the devil himself; but, inasmuch as the note smells of musk and -not of sulphur, I conclude that it must be, not the devil, but M. -de Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis bent his head, and -seemed absorbed in sad and bitter thought. Perhaps something -like remorse was at that moment passing through his heart. "The -secret is discovered," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Sire, I shall do my utmost -that the secret dies in the breast of the man who possesses it!" -said Saint-Aignan, in a tone of bravado, as he moved towards the -door; but a gesture of the king made him pause.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where are you going?" he -inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Where they await me, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What for?"<br> - "To fight, in all probability."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "<i>You</i> fight!" -exclaimed the king. "One moment, if you please, monsieur le -comte!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan shook his head, -as a rebellious child does, whenever any one interferes to -prevent him throwing himself into a well, or playing with a -knife. "But, sire," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the first place," -continued the king. "I want to be enlightened a little -further."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Upon all points, if your -majesty will be pleased to interrogate me," replied Saint-Aignan, -"I will throw what light I can."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who told you that M. de -Bragelonne had penetrated into that room?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The letter which I found in -the keyhole told me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who told you that it was De -Bragelonne who put it there?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Who but himself would have -dared to undertake such a mission?"<br> - "You are right. How was he able to get into your -rooms?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! that is very serious, -inasmuch as all the doors were closed, and my lackey, Basque, had -the keys in his pocket."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your lackey must have been -bribed."<br> - "Impossible, sire; for if he had been bribed, -those who did so would not have sacrificed the poor fellow, whom, -it is not unlikely, they might want to turn to further use by and -by, in showing so clearly that it was he whom they had made use -of."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite true. And now I can -only form one conjecture."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me what it is, sire, -and we shall see if it is the same that has presented itself to -my mind."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That he effected an -entrance by means of the staircase."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas, sire, that seems to -me more than probable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "There is no doubt that some -one must have sold the secret of the trap-door."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Either sold it or given -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Why do you make that -distinction?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Because there are certain -persons, sire, who, being above the price of treason, give, and -do not sell."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, sire! Your majesty's -mind is too clear-sighted not to guess what I mean, and you will -save me the embarrassment of naming the person I allude to."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right: you mean -Madame; I suppose her suspicions were aroused by your changing -your lodgings."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Madame has keys of the -apartments of her maids of honor, and she is powerful enough to -discover what no one but yourself could do, or she would not be -able to discover anything."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you suppose, then, that -my sister must have entered into an alliance with Bragelonne, and -has informed him of all the details of the affair."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Possibly even better still, -for she perhaps accompanied him there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Which way? through your own -apartments?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You think it impossible, -sire? Well, listen to me. Your majesty knows that Madame is -very fond of perfumes?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, she acquired that -taste from my mother."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Vervain, particularly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Yes, it is the -scent she prefers to all others."<br> -"Very good, sire! my apartments happen to smell very strongly of -vervain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king remained -silent and thoughtful for a few moments, and then resumed: "But -why should Madame take Bragelonne's part against me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan could -very easily have replied: "A woman's jealousy!" The king probed -his friend to the bottom of his heart to ascertain if he had -learned the secret of his flirtation with his sister-in-law. But -Saint-Aignan was not an ordinary courtier; he did not lightly run -the risk of finding out family secrets; and he was too a friend -of the Muses not to think very frequently of poor Ovidius Naso, -whose eyes shed so many tears in expiation of his crime for -having once beheld something, one hardly knows what, in the -palace of Augustus. He therefore passed by Madame's secret very -skillfully. But as he had shown no ordinary sagacity in -indicating Madame's presence in his rooms in company with -Bragelonne, it was necessary, of course, for him to repay with -interest the king's <i>amour propre</i>, and reply plainly to the -question which had been put to him of: "Why has Madame taken -Bragelonne's part against me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why?" replied -Saint-Aignan. "Your majesty forgets, I presume, that the Comte -de Guiche is the intimate friend of the Vicomte de -Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not see the -connection, however," said the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! I beg your -pardon, then, sire; but I thought the Comte de Guiche was a very -great friend of Madame's."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite true," the -king returned; "there is no occasion to search any further, the -blow came from that direction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And is not your -majesty of opinion that, in order to ward it off, it will be -necessary to deal another blow?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, but not one -of the kind given in the Bois de Vincennes," replied the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You forget, sire," -said Saint-Aignan, "that I am a gentleman, and that I have been -challenged."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The challenge -neither concerns nor was it intended for you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But I am the man, -sire, who has been expected at the Minimes, sire, during the last -hour and more; and I shall be dishonored if I do not go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The first honor -and duty of a gentleman is obedience to his sovereign."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I order you to -remain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Obey, -monsieur!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As your majesty -pleases."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Besides, I wish to -have the whole of this affair explained; I wish to know how it is -that I have been so insolently trifled with, as to have the -sanctuary of my affections pried into. It is not you, -Saint-Aignan, whose business it is to punish those who have acted -in this manner, for it is not your honor they have attacked, but -my own."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I implore your -majesty not to overwhelm M. de Bragelonne with your wrath, for -although in the whole of this affair he may have shown himself -deficient in prudence, he has not been so in his feelings of -loyalty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Enough! I shall -know how to decide between the just and the unjust, even in the -height of my anger. But take care that not a word of this is -breathed to Madame."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But what am I to -do with regard to M. de Bragelonne? He will be seeking me in -every direction, and - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I shall either -have spoken to him, or taken care that he has been spoken to, -before the evening is over."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let me once more -entreat your majesty to be indulgent towards him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have been -indulgent long enough, comte," said Louis XIV., frowning -severely; "it is now quite time to show certain persons that I am -master in my own palace."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king had hardly -pronounced these words, which betokened that a fresh feeling of -irritation was mingling with the recollections of old, when an -usher appeared at the door of the cabinet. "What is the matter?" -inquired the king, "and why do you presume to come when I have -not summoned you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire," said the -usher, "your majesty desired me to permit M. le Comte de la -Fère to pass freely on any and every occasion, when he -might wish to speak to your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, -monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"M. le Comte de la -Fère is now waiting to see your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king and -Saint-Aignan at this reply exchanged a look which betrayed more -uneasiness than surprise. Louis hesitated for a moment, but -immediately afterwards, seeming to make up his mind, he said:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Go, Saint-Aignan, -and find Louise; inform her of the plot against us; do not let -her be ignorant that Madame will return to her system of -persecutions against her, and that she has set those to work who -would have found it far safer to remain neuter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If Louise gets -nervous and frightened, reassure her as much as you can; tell her -that the king's affection is an impenetrable shield over her; if, -which I suspect is the case, she already knows everything, or if -she has already been herself subjected to an attack of some kind -or other from any quarter, tell her, be sure to tell her, -Saint-Aignan," added the king, trembling with passion, "tell her, -I say, that this time, instead of defending her, I will avenge -her, and that too so terribly that no one will in future even -dare to raise his eyes towards her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Is that all, -sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, all. Go as -quickly as you can, and remain faithful; for, you who live in the -midst of this stake of infernal torments, have not, like myself, -the hope of the paradise beyond it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Saint-Aignan -exhausted himself in protestations of devotion, took the king's -hand, kissed it, and left the room radiant with delight.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LVIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -King and Noble.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he king -endeavored to recover his self-possession as quickly as possible, -in order to meet M. de la Fère with an untroubled -countenance. He clearly saw it was not mere chance that had -induced the comte's visit, he had some vague impression of its -importance; but he felt that to a man of Athos's tone of mind, to -one of such a high order of intellect, his first reception ought -not to present anything either disagreeable or otherwise than -kind and courteous. As soon as the king had satisfied himself -that, as far as appearances went, he was perfectly calm again, he -gave directions to the ushers to introduce the comte. A few -minutes afterwards Athos, in full court dress, and with his -breast covered with the orders that he alone had the right to -wear at the court of France, presented himself with so grave and -solemn an air that the king perceived, at the first glance, that -he was not deceived in his anticipations. Louis advanced a step -towards the comte, and, with a smile, held out his hand to him, -over which Athos bowed with the air of the deepest respect.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur le Comte de la -Fère," said the king rapidly, "you are so seldom here, -that it is a real piece of good fortune to see you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Athos bowed and replied, "I -should wish always to enjoy the happiness of being near your -majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The tone, however, in which -this reply was conveyed, evidently signified, "I should wish to -be one of your majesty's advisers, to save you the commission of -faults." The king felt it so, and determined in this man's -presence to preserve all the advantages which could be derived -from his command over himself, as well as from his rank and -position.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I see you have something to -say to me," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Had it not been so, I -should not have presumed to present myself before your -majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Speak quickly, I am anxious -to satisfy you," returned the king, seating himself.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am persuaded," replied -Athos, in a somewhat agitated tone of voice, "that your majesty -will give me every satisfaction."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" said the king, with a -certain haughtiness of manner, "you have come to lodge a -complaint here, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It would be a complaint," -returned Athos, "only in the event of your majesty - but if you -will deign to permit me, sire, I will begin the conversation from -the very commencement."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Do so, I am listening."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Your majesty will remember -that at the period of the Duke of Buckingham's departure, I had -the honor of an interview with you."<br> - "At or about that period, I think I remember you -did; only, with regard to the subject of the conversation, I have -quite forgotten it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Athos started, as he -replied. "I shall have the honor to remind your majesty of it. -It was with regard to a formal demand I had addressed to you -respecting a marriage which M. de Bragelonne wished to contract -with Mademoiselle de la Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah!" thought the king, "we -have come to it now. - I remember," he said, aloud.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "At that period," pursued -Athos, "your majesty was so kind and generous towards M. de -Bragelonne and myself, that not a single word which then fell -from your lips has escaped my memory; and, when I asked your -majesty to accord me Mademoiselle de la Vallière's hand -for M. de Bragelonne, you refused."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Quite true," said Louis, -dryly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alleging," Athos hastened -to say, "that the young lady had no position in society."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Louis could hardly force -himself to listen with an appearance of royal propriety.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That," added Athos, "she -had but little fortune."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king threw himself back -in his armchair.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That her -extraction was indifferent."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>A renewed -impatience on the part of the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And little -beauty," added Athos, pitilessly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>This last bolt -buried itself deep in the king's heart, and made him almost bound -from his seat.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have a good -memory, monsieur," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I invariably have, -on occasions when I have had the distinguished honor of an -interview with your majesty," retorted the comte, without being -in the least disconcerted.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good: it is -admitted that I said all that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I thanked your -majesty for your remarks at the time, because they testified an -interest in M. de Bragelonne which did him much honor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you may -possibly remember," said the king, very deliberately, "that you -had the greatest repugnance for this marriage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quite true, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And that you -solicited my permission, much against your own inclination?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And finally, I -remember, for I have a memory nearly as good as your own; I -remember, I say, that you observed at the time: 'I do not believe -that Mademoiselle de la Vallière loves M. de Bragelonne.' -Is that true?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The blow told well, -but Athos did not draw back. "Sire," he said, "I have already -begged your majesty's forgiveness; but there are certain -particulars in that conversation which are only intelligible from -the <i>dénouement.</i>"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, what is the -<i>dénouement</i>, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"This: that your -majesty then said, 'that you would defer the marriage out of -regard for M. de Bragelonne's own interests.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king remained -silent. "M. de Bragelonne is now so exceedingly unhappy that he -cannot any longer defer asking your majesty for a solution of the -matter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king turned -pale; Athos looked at him with fixed attention.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And what," said -the king, with considerable hesitation, "does M. de Bragelonne -request?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Precisely the very -thing that I came to ask your majesty for at my last audience, -namely, your majesty's consent to his marriage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king remained -perfectly silent. "The questions which referred to the different -obstacles in the way are all now quite removed for us," continued -Athos. "Mademoiselle de la Vallière, without fortune, -birth, or beauty, is not the less on that account the only good -match in the world for M. de Bragelonne, since he loves this -young girl."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king pressed -his hands impatiently together. "Does your majesty hesitate?" -inquired the comte, without losing a particle of either his -firmness of his politeness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not hesitate -- I refuse," replied the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos paused a -moment, as if to collect himself: "I have had the honor," he -said, in a mild tone, "to observe to your majesty that no -obstacle now interferes with M. de Bragelonne's affections, and -that his determination seems unalterable."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is my will - -and that is an obstacle, I should imagine!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is the most -serious of all," Athos replied quickly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And may we, -therefore, be permitted to ask your majesty, with the greatest -humility, your reason for this refusal?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The reason! - A -question to me!" exclaimed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A demand, -sire!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king, leaning -with both his hands upon the table, said, in a deep tone of -concentrated passion: "You have lost all recollection of what is -usual at court. At court, please to remember, no one ventures to -put a question to the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very true, sire; -but if men do not question, they conjecture."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Conjecture! What -may that mean, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very frequently, -sire, conjecture with regard to a particular subject implies a -want of frankness on the part of the king - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And a want of -confidence on the part of the subject," pursued Athos, -intrepidly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You forget -yourself," said the king, hurried away by anger in spite of all -his self-control.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, I am obliged -to seek elsewhere for what I thought I should find in your -majesty. Instead of obtaining a reply from you, I am compelled -to make one for myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king rose. -"Monsieur le comte," he said, "I have now given you all the time -I had at my disposal." This was a dismissal.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire," replied the -comte, "I have not yet had time to tell your majesty what I came -with the express object of saying, and I so rarely see your -majesty that I ought to avail myself of the opportunity."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Just now you spoke -rudely of conjectures; you are now becoming offensive, -monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, sire! offend -your majesty! I? - never! All my life through I have maintained -that kings are above all other men, not only from their rank and -power, but from their nobleness of heart and their true dignity -of mind. I never can bring myself to believe that my sovereign, -he who passed his word to me, did so with a mental -reservation."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you mean? -what mental reservation do you allude to?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will explain my -meaning," said Athos, coldly. "If, in refusing Mademoiselle de -la Vallière to Monsieur de Bragelonne, your majesty had -some other object in view than the happiness and fortune of the -vicomte - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You perceive, -monsieur, that you are offending me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If, in requiring -the vicomte to delay his marriage, your majesty's only object was -to remove the gentleman to whom Mademoiselle de la -Vallière was engaged - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur! -monsieur!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have heard it -said so in every direction, sire. Your majesty's affection for -Mademoiselle de la Vallière is spoken of on all -sides."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king tore his -gloves, which he had been biting for some time. "Woe to those," -he cried, "who interfere in my affairs. I have made up my mind -to take a particular course, and I will break through every -obstacle in my way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What obstacle?" -said Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king stopped -short, like a horse which, having taken the bit between his teeth -and run away, finds it has slipped it back again, and that his -career is checked. "I love Mademoiselle de la Vallière," -he said suddenly, with mingled nobleness of feeling and -passion.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But," interrupted -Athos, "that does not preclude your majesty from allowing M. de -Bragelonne to marry Mademoiselle de la Vallière. The -sacrifice is worthy of so great a monarch; it is fully merited by -M. de Bragelonne, who has already rendered great service to your -majesty, and who may well be regarded as a brave and worthy man. -Your majesty, therefore, in renouncing the affection you -entertain, offers a proof at once of generosity, gratitude, and -good policy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Mademoiselle de la -Vallière does not love M. de Bragelonne," said the king, -hoarsely.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Does your majesty -know that to be the case?" remarked Athos, with a searching -look.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do know it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since a very short -time, then; for doubtless, had your majesty known it when I first -preferred my request, you would have taken the trouble to inform -me of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Since a very short -time, it is true, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos remained -silent for a moment, and then resumed: "In that case, I do not -understand why your majesty should have sent M. de Bragelonne to -London. That exile, and most properly so, too, is a matter of -astonishment to every one who regards your majesty's honor with -sincere affection."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who presumes to -impugn my honor, Monsieur de la Fère?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The king's honor, -sire, is made up of the honor of his whole nobility. Whenever -the king offends one of his gentlemen, that is, whenever he -deprives him of the smallest particle of his honor, it is from -him, from the king himself, that that portion of honor is -stolen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur de la -Fère!" said the king, haughtily.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, you sent M. -de Bragelonne to London either before you were Mademoiselle de la -Vallière's lover, or since you have become so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king, irritated -beyond measure, especially because he felt that he was being -mastered, endeavored to dismiss Athos by a gesture.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire," replied the -comte, "I will tell you all; I will not leave your presence until -I have been satisfied by your majesty or by myself; satisfied if -you prove to me that you are right, - satisfied if I prove to you -that you are wrong. Nay, sire, you can but listen to me. I am -old now, and I am attached to everything that is really great and -really powerful in your kingdom. I am of those who have shed -their blood for your father and for yourself, without ever having -asked a single favor either from yourself or from your father. I -have never inflicted the slightest wrong or injury on any one in -this world, and even kings are still my debtors. You can but -listen to me, I repeat. I have come to ask you for an account of -the honor of one of your servants whom you have deceived by a -falsehood, or betrayed by want of heart of judgment. I know that -these words irritate your majesty, but the facts themselves are -killing us. I know that you are endeavoring to find some means -whereby to chastise me for my frankness; but I know also the -chastisement I will implore God to inflict upon you when I relate -to Him your perjury and my son's unhappiness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king during -these remarks was walking hurriedly to and fro, his hand thrust -into the breast of his coat, his head haughtily raised, his eyes -blazing with wrath. "Monsieur," he cried, suddenly, "if I acted -towards you as a king, you would be already punished; but I am -only a man, and I have the right to love in this world every one -who loves me, - a happiness which is so rarely found."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You cannot pretend -to such a right as a man any more than as a king, sire; or if you -intend to exercise that right in a loyal manner, you should have -told M. de Bragelonne so, and not have exiled him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is too great a -condescension, monsieur, to discuss these things with you," -interrupted Louis XIV., with that majesty of air and manner he -alone seemed able to give his look and his voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I was hoping that -you would reply to me," said the comte.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You shall know my -reply, monsieur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You already know -my thoughts on the subject," was the Comte de la Fère's -answer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have forgotten -you are speaking to the king, monsieur. It is a crime."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You have forgotten -you are destroying the lives of two men, sire. It is a mortal -sin."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Leave the -room!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not until I have -said this: 'Son of Louis XIII., you begin your reign badly, for -you begin it by abduction and disloyalty! My race - myself too - -are now freed from all that affection and respect towards you, -which I made my son swear to observe in the vaults of -Saint-Denis, in the presence of the relics of your noble -forefathers. You are now become our enemy, sire, and henceforth -we have nothing to do save with Heaven alone, our sole master. -Be warned, be warned, sire.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What! do you -threaten?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no," said -Athos, sadly, "I have as little bravado as fear in my soul. The -God of whom I spoke to you is now listening to me; He knows that -for the safety and honor of your crown I would even yet shed -every drop of blood twenty years of civil and foreign warfare -have left in my veins. I can well say, then, that I threaten the -king as little as I threaten the man; but I tell you, sire, you -lose two servants; for you have destroyed faith in the heart of -the father, and love in the heart of the son; the one ceases to -believe in the royal word, the other no longer believes in the -loyalty of the man, or the purity of woman: the one is dead to -every feeling of respect, the other to obedience. Adieu!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Thus saying, Athos -broke his sword across his knee, slowly placed the two pieces -upon the floor, and saluting the king, who was almost choking -from rage and shame, he quitted the cabinet. Louis, who sat near -the table, completely overwhelmed, was several minutes before he -could collect himself; but he suddenly rose and rang the bell -violently. "Tell M. d'Artagnan to come here," he said to the -terrified ushers.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LIX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -After the Storm.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>O</span>ur readers -will doubtlessly have been asking themselves how it happened that -Athos, of whom not a word has been said for some time past, -arrived so very opportunely at court. We will, without delay, -endeavor to satisfy their curiosity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Porthos, faithful to his -duty as an arranger of affairs, had, immediately after leaving -the Palais Royal, set off to join Raoul at the Minimes in the -Bois de Vincennes, and had related everything, even to the -smallest details, which had passed between Saint-Aignan and -himself. He finished by saying that the message which the king -had sent to his favorite would probably not occasion more than a -short delay, and that Saint-Aignan, as soon as he could leave the -king, would not lose a moment in accepting the invitation Raoul -had sent him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> But Raoul, less credulous -than his old friend, had concluded from Porthos's recital that if -Saint-Aignan was going to the king, Saint-Aignan would tell the -king everything, and that the king would most assuredly forbid -Saint-Aignan to obey the summons he had received to the hostile -meeting. The consequence of his reflections was, that he had -left Porthos to remain at the place appointed for the meeting, in -the very improbable case that Saint-Aignan would come there; -having endeavored to make Porthos promise that he would not -remain there more than an hour or an hour and a half at the very -longest. Porthos, however, formally refused to do anything of -the kind, but, on the contrary, installed himself in the Minimes -as if he were going to take root there, making Raoul promise that -when he had been to see his father, he would return to his own -apartments, in order that Porthos's servant might know where to -find him in case M. de Saint-Aignan should happen to come to the -rendezvous.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Bragelonne had left -Vincennes, and proceeded at once straight to the apartments of -Athos, who had been in Paris during the last two days, the comte -having been already informed of what had taken place, by a letter -from D'Artagnan. Raoul arrived at his father's; Athos, after -having held out his hand to him, and embraced him most -affectionately, made a sign for him to sit down.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know you come to me as a -man would go to a friend, vicomte, whenever he is suffering; tell -me, therefore, what is it that brings you now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The young man bowed, and -began his recital; more than once in the course of it his tears -almost choked his utterance, and a sob, checked in his throat, -compelled him to suspend his narrative for a few minutes. Athos -most probably already knew how matters stood, as we have just now -said D'Artagnan had already written to him; but, preserving until -the conclusion that calm, unruffled composure of manner which -constituted the almost superhuman side of his character, he -replied, "Raoul, I do not believe there is a word of truth in -these rumors; I do not believe in the existence of what you fear, -although I do not deny that persons best entitled to the fullest -credit have already conversed with me on the subject. In my -heart and soul I think it utterly impossible that the king could -be guilty of such an outrage on a gentleman. I will answer for -the king, therefore, and will soon bring you back the proof of -what I say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul, wavering like a -drunken man between what he had seen with his own eyes and the -imperturbable faith he had in a man who had never told a -falsehood, bowed and simply answered, "Go, then, monsieur le -comte; I will await your return." And he sat down, burying his -face in his hands. Athos dressed, and then left him, in order to -wait upon the king; the result of that interview is already known -to our readers.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> When he returned to his -lodgings, Raoul, pale and dejected, had not quitted his attitude -of despair. At the sound, however, of the opening doors, and of -his father's footsteps as he approached him, the young man raised -his head. Athos's face was very pale, his head uncovered, and -his manner full of seriousness; he gave his cloak and hat to the -lackey, dismissed him with a gesture, and sat down near -Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, monsieur," inquired -the young man, "are you convinced yet?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I am, Raoul; the king loves -Mademoiselle de la Vallière."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He confesses it, then?" -cried Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," replied Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And she?"<br> - "I have not seen her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No; but the king spoke to -you about her. What did he say?"<br> - "He says that she loves him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, you see - you see, -monsieur!" said the young man, with a gesture of despair.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Raoul," resumed the comte, -"I told the king, believe me, all that you yourself could -possibly have urged, and I believe I did so in becoming language, -though sufficiently firm."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And what did you say to -him, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I told him, Raoul, that -everything was now at an end between him and ourselves; that you -would never serve him again. I told him that I, too, should -remain aloof. Nothing further remains for me, then, but to be -satisfied of one thing."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "What is that, -monsieur?"<br> - "Whether you have determined to adopt any -steps."<br> - "Any steps? Regarding what?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "With reference to your -disappointed affection, and - your ideas of vengeance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, monsieur, with regard -to my affection, I shall, perhaps, some day or other, succeed in -tearing it from my heart; I trust I shall do so, aided by -Heaven's merciful help, and your own wise exhortations. As far -as vengeance is concerned, it occurred to me only when under the -influence of an evil thought, for I could not revenge myself upon -the one who is actually guilty; I have, therefore, already -renounced every idea of revenge."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you no longer think of -seeking a quarrel with M. de Saint-Aignan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No, monsieur; I sent him a -challenge: if M. de Saint-Aignan accepts it, I will maintain it; -if he does not take it up, I will leave things as they are."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And La -Vallière?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You cannot, I know, have -seriously thought that I should dream of revenging myself upon a -woman!" replied Raoul, with a smile so sad that a tear started -even to the eyes of his father, who had so many times in the -course of his life bowed beneath his own sorrows and those of -others.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He held out his hand to -Raoul, which the latter seized most eagerly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And so, monsieur le comte, -you are quite satisfied that the misfortune is one beyond all -remedy?" inquired the young man.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Poor boy!" he murmured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You think that I still live -in hope," said Raoul, "and you pity me. Oh, it is indeed -horrible suffering for me to despise, as I am bound to do, the -one I have loved so devotedly. If I had but some real cause of -complaint against her, I should be happy, I should be able to -forgive her."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Athos looked at his son with -a profoundly sorrowful air, for the words Raoul had just -pronounced seemed to have issued out of his own heart. At this -moment the servant announced M. d'Artagnan. This name sounded -very differently to the ears of Athos and Raoul. The musketeer -entered the room with a vague smile on his lips. Raoul paused. -Athos walked towards his friend with an expression of face that -did not escape Bragelonne. D'Artagnan answered Athos's look by -an imperceptible movement of the eyelid; and then, advancing -towards Raoul, whom he took by the hand, he said, addressing both -father and son, "Well, you are trying to console this poor boy, -it seems."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And you, kind and good as -usual, have come to help me in my difficult task."<br> - As he said this, Athos pressed D'Artagnan's hand -between both his own. Raoul fancied he observed in this pressure -something beyond the sense his mere words conveyed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes," replied the -musketeer, smoothing his mustache with the hand that Athos had -left free, "yes, I have come too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are most welcome, -chevalier; not for the consolation you bring with you, but on -your own account. I am already consoled," said Raoul; and he -attempted to smile, but the effort was more sad than any tears -D'Artagnan had ever seen shed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That is all well and good, -then," said D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Only," continued Raoul, -"you have arrived just as the comte was about to give me the -details of his interview with the king. You will allow the comte -to continue?" added the young man, as, with his eyes fixed on the -musketeer, he seemed to read the very depths of his heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "His interview with the -king?" said D'Artagnan, in a tone so natural and unassumed that -there was no means of suspecting that his astonishment was -feigned. "You have seen the king, then, Athos?"<br> - Athos smiled as he said, "Yes, I have seen -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah, indeed; you were -unaware, then, that the comte had seen his majesty?" inquired -Raoul, half reassured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, indeed, quite so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In that case, I am less -uneasy," said Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Uneasy - and about what?" -inquired Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Forgive me, monsieur," said -Raoul, "but knowing so well the regard and affection you have for -me, I was afraid you might possibly have expressed somewhat -plainly to his majesty my own sufferings and your indignation, -and that the king had consequently - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "And that the king had -consequently?" repeated D'Artagnan; "well, go on, finish what you -were going to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I have now to ask you to -forgive me, Monsieur d'Artagnan," said Raoul. "For a moment, and -I cannot help confessing it, I trembled lest you had come here, -not as M. d'Artagnan, but as captain of the musketeers."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are mad, my poor boy," -cried D'Artagnan, with a burst of laughter, in which an exact -observer might perhaps have wished to have heard a little more -frankness.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "So much the better," said -Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, mad; and do you know -what I would advise you to do?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me, monsieur, for the -advice is sure to be good, as it comes from you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very good, then; I advise -you, after your long journey from England, after your visit to M. -de Guiche, after your visit to Madame, after your visit to -Porthos, after your journey to Vincennes, I advise you, I say, to -take a few hours' rest; go and lie down, sleep for a dozen hours, -and when you wake up, go and ride one of my horses until you have -tired him to death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And drawing Raoul towards -him, he embraced him as he would have done his own child. Athos -did the like; only it was very visible that the kiss was still -more affectionate, and the pressure of his lips even warmer with -the father than with the friend. The young man again looked at -both his companions, endeavoring to penetrate their real meaning -or their real feelings with the utmost strength of his -intelligence; but his look was powerless upon the smiling -countenance of the musketeer or upon the calm and composed -features of the Comte de la Fère. "Where are you going, -Raoul?" inquired the latter, seeing that Bragelonne was preparing -to go out.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "To my own apartments," -replied the latter, in his soft, sad voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "We shall be sure to find -you there, then, if we should have anything to say to you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, monsieur; but do you -suppose it likely you will have something to say to me?"<br> - "How can I tell?" said Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, something fresh to -console you with," said D'Artagnan, pushing him towards the -door.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul, observing the perfect -composure which marked every gesture of his two friends, quitted -the comte's room, carrying away with him nothing but the -individual feeling of his own particular distress.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Thank Heaven," he said, -"since that is the case, I need only think of myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And wrapping himself up in -his cloak, in order to conceal from the passers-by in the streets -his gloomy and sorrowful face, he quitted them, for the purpose -of returning to his own rooms, as he had promised Porthos. The -two friends watched the young man as he walked away with a -feeling of genuine disinterested pity; only each expressed it in -a different way.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Poor Raoul!" said Athos, -sighing deeply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Poor Raoul!" said -D'Artagnan, shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LX:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Heu! Miser!</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>"P</span>oor Raoul!" -had said Athos. "Poor Raoul!" had said D'Artagnan: and, in point -of fact, to be pitied by both these men, Raoul must indeed have -been most unhappy. And therefore, when he found himself alone, -face to face, as it were, with his own troubles, leaving behind -him the intrepid friend and the indulgent father; when he -recalled the avowal of the king's affection, which had robbed him -of Louise de la Vallière, whom he loved so deeply, he felt -his heart almost breaking, as indeed we all have at least once in -our lives, at the first illusion destroyed, the first affection -betrayed. "Oh!" he murmured, "all is over, then. Nothing is now -left me in this world. Nothing to look forward to, nothing to -hope for. Guiche has told me so, my father has told me so, M. -d'Artagnan has told me so. All life is but an idle dream. The -future which I have been hopelessly pursuing for the last ten -years is a dream! the union of hearts, a dream! a life of love -and happiness, a dream! Poor fool that I am," he continued, -after a pause, "to dream away my existence aloud, publicly, and -in the face of others, friends and enemies - and for what -purpose, too? in order that my friends may be saddened by my -troubles, and my enemies may laugh at my sorrows. And so my -unhappiness will soon become a notorious disgrace, a public -scandal; and who knows but that to-morrow I may even be a public -laughing-stock?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> And, despite the composure -which he had promised his father and D'Artagnan to observe, Raoul -could not resist uttering a few words of darkest menace. "And -yet," he continued, "if my name were De Wardes, and if I had the -pliancy of character and strength of will of M. d'Artagnan, I -should laugh, with my lips at least; I should convince other -women that this perfidious girl, honored by the affection I have -wasted on her, leaves me only one regret, that of having been -abused and deceived by her seemingly modest and irreproachable -conduct; a few might perhaps fawn on the king by jesting at my -expense; I should put myself on the track of some of those -buffoons; I should chastise a few of them, perhaps; the men would -fear me, and by the time I had laid three dying or dead at my -feet, I should be adored by the women. Yes, yes, that, indeed, -would be the proper course to adopt, and the Comte de la -Fère himself would not object to it. Has not he also been -tried, in his earlier days, in the same manner as I have just -been tried myself? Did he not replace affection by -intoxication? He has often told me so. Why should I not replace -love by pleasure? He must have suffered as much as I suffer, -even more - if that is possible. The history of one man is the -history of all, a dragging trial, more or less prolonged, more or -less bitter - sorrowful. The note of human nature is nothing but -one sustained cry. But what are the sufferings of others -compared to those from which I am now suffering? Does the open -wound in another's breast soften the anguish of the gaping ulcer -in our own? Does the blood which is welling from another man's -side stanch that which is pouring from our own? Does the general -grief of our fellow-creatures lessen our own private and -particular woe? No, no, each suffers on his own account, each -struggles with his own grief, each sheds his own tears. And -besides," he went on, "what has my life been up to the present -moment? A cold, barren, sterile arena, in which I have always -fought for others, never for myself. Sometimes for a king, -sometimes for a woman. The king has betrayed, the woman -disdained me. Miserable, unlucky wretch that I am! Women! Can -I not make all expiate the crime of one of their sex? What does -that need? To have a heart no longer, or to forget that I ever -had one; to be strong, even against weakness itself; to lean -always, even when one feels that the support is giving way. What -is needed to attain, or succeed in all that? To be young, -handsome, strong, valiant, rich. I am, or shall be, all that. -But honor?" he still continued, "and what is honor after all? A -theory which every man understands in his own way. My father -tells me: 'Honor is the consideration of what is due to others, -and particularly what is due to oneself.' But Guiche, and -Manicamp, and Saint-Aignan particularly, would say to me: 'What's -honor? Honor consists in studying and yielding to the passions -and pleasures of one's king.' Honor such as that indeed, is easy -and productive enough. With honor like that, I can keep my post -at the court, become a gentleman of the chamber, and accept the -command of a regiment, which may at any time be presented to me. -With honor such as that, I can be duke and peer.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The stain which that woman -has stamped upon me, the grief that has broken my heart, the -heart of the friend and playmate of her childhood, in no way -affects M. de Bragelonne, an excellent officer, a courageous -leader, who will cover himself with glory at the first encounter, -and who will become a hundred times greater than Mademoiselle de -la Vallière is to-day, the mistress of the king - for the -king will not marry her - and the more publicly he will proclaim -her as his mistress, the more opaque will grow the shadow of -shame he casts upon her face, in the guise of a crown; and in -proportion as others despise, as I despise her, I shall be -gleaning honors in the field. Alas! we had walked together side -by side, she and I, during the earliest, the brightest, the most -angelic portion of our existence, hand in hand along the charming -path of life, covered with the blossoms of youth; and then, alas! -we reach a cross-road, where she separates herself from me, in -which we have to follow a different route, whereby we become more -and more widely separated from each other. And to attain the end -of this path, oh, Heaven! I am now alone, in utter despair, and -crushed to the very earth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Such were the sinister -reflections in which Raoul indulged, when his foot mechanically -paused at the door of his own dwelling. He had reached it -without remarking the streets through which he passed, without -knowing how he had come; he pushed open the door, continued to -advance, and ascended the staircase. The staircase, as in most -of the houses at that period, was very dark, and the landings -most obscure. Raoul lived on the first floor; he paused in order -to ring. Olivain appeared, took his sword and cloak from his -hands; Raoul himself opened the door which, from the -ante-chamber, led into a small <i>salon</i>, richly furnished -enough for the <i>salon</i> of a young man, and completely filled -with flowers by Olivain, who, knowing his master's tastes, had -shown himself studiously attentive in gratifying them, without -caring whether his master perceived his attention or not. There -was a portrait of La Vallière in the <i>salon</i>, which -had been drawn by herself and given by her to Raoul. This -portrait, fastened above a large easy chair covered with dark -colored damask, was the first point towards which Raoul bent his -steps - the first object on which he fixed his eyes. It was, -moreover, Raoul's usual habit to do so; every time he entered his -room, this portrait, before anything else, attracted his -attention. This time, as usual, he walked straight up to the -portrait, placed his knees upon the arm chair, and paused to look -at it sadly. His arms were crossed upon his breast, his head -slightly thrown back, his eyes filled with tears, his mouth -worked into a bitter smile. He looked at the portrait of the one -he had so tenderly loved; and then all that he had said passed -before his mind again, all that he had suffered seemed again to -assail his heart; and, after a long silence, he murmured for the -third time, "Miserable, unhappy wretch that I am!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> He had hardly pronounced -these words, when he heard the sound of a sigh and a groan behind -him. He turned sharply round and perceived, in the angle of the -<i>salon</i>, standing up, a bending veiled female figure, which -he had been the means of concealing behind the door as he opened -it, and which he had not perceived as he entered. He advanced -towards the figure, whose presence in his room had not been -announced to him; and as he bowed, and inquired at the same -moment who she was, she suddenly raised her head, and removed the -veil from her face, revealing her pale and sorrow-stricken -features. Raoul staggered back as if he had seen a ghost.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Louise!" he cried, in a -tone of such absolute despair, one could hardly have thought the -human voice was capable of so desponding a cry, without the -snapping of the human heart.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Wounds within Wounds.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>ademoiselle -de la Vallière - for it was indeed she - advanced a few -steps towards him. "Yes - Louise," she murmured.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> But this interval, short as -it had been, was quite sufficient for Raoul to recover himself. -"You, mademoiselle?" he said; and then added, in an indefinable -tone, "You here!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, Raoul," the young girl -replied, "I have been waiting for you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I beg your pardon. When I -came into the room I was not aware - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I know - but I entreated -Olivain not to tell you - " She hesitated; and as Raoul did not -attempt to interrupt her, a moment's silence ensued, during which -the sound of their throbbing hearts might have been heard, not in -unison with each other, but the one beating as violently as the -other. It was for Louise to speak, and she made an effort to do -so.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I wished to speak to you," -she said. "It was absolutely necessary that I should see you - -myself - alone. I have not hesitated to adopt a step which must -remain secret; for no one, except yourself, could understand my -motive, Monsieur de Bragelonne."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In fact, mademoiselle," -Raoul stammered out, almost breathless from emotion, "as far as I -am concerned, and despite the good opinion you have of me, I -confess - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Will you do me the great -kindness to sit down and listen to me?" said Louise, interrupting -him with her soft, sweet voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Bragelonne looked at her for -a moment; then mournfully shaking his head, he sat, or rather -fell down on a chair. "Speak," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> She cast a glance all round -her. This look was a timid entreaty, and implored secrecy far -more effectually than her expressed words had done a few minutes -before. Raoul rouse, and went to the door, which he opened. -"Olivain," he said, "I am not within for any one." And then, -turning towards Louise, he added, "Is not that what you -wished?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Nothing could have produced -a greater effect upon Louise than these few words, which seemed -to signify, "You see that I still understand you." She passed a -handkerchief across her eyes, in order to remove a rebellious -tear which she could not restrain; and then, having collected -herself for a moment, she said, "Raoul, do not turn your kind, -frank look away from me. You are not one of those men who -despise a woman for having given her heart to another, even -though her affection might render him unhappy, or might wound his -pride." Raoul did not reply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas!" continued La -Vallière, "it is only too true, my cause is a bad one, and -I cannot tell in what way to begin. It will be better for me, I -think, to relate to you, very simply, everything that has -befallen me. As I shall speak but the pure and simple truth, I -shall always find my path clear before me in spite of the -obscurity and obstacles I have to brave in order to solace my -heart, which is full to overflowing, and wishes to pour itself -out at your feet."<br> - Raoul continued to preserve the same unbroken -silence. La Vallière looked at him with an air that -seemed to say, "Encourage me; for pity's sake, but a single -word!" But Raoul did not open his lips; and the young girl was -obliged to continue:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Just now," she said, "M. de -Saint-Aignan came to me by the king's directions." She cast down -her eyes as she said this; while Raoul, on his side, turned his -away, in order to avoid looking at her. "M. de Saint-Aignan came -to me from the king," she repeated, "and told me that you knew -all;" and she attempted to look Raoul in the face, after -inflicting this further wound upon him, in addition to the many -others he had already received; but it was impossible to meet -Raoul's eyes.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "He told me you were -incensed with me - and justly so, I admit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> This time Raoul looked at -the young girl, and a smile full of disdain passed across his -lips.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" she continued, "I -entreat you, do not say that you have had any other feeling -against me than that of anger merely. Raoul, wait until I have -told you all - wait until I have said to you all that I had to -say - all that I came to say."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul, by the strength of -his iron will, forced his features to assume a calmer expression, -and the disdainful smile upon his lip passed away.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the first place," said -La Vallière, "in the first place, with my hands raised in -entreaty towards you, with my forehead bowed to the ground before -you, I entreat you, as the most generous, as the noblest of men, -to pardon, to forgive me. If I have left you in ignorance of -what was passing in my own bosom, never, at least, would I have -consented to deceive you. Oh! I entreat you, Raoul - I implore -you on my knees - answer me one word, even though you wrong me in -doing so. Better, far better, an injurious word from your lips, -than suspicion resting in your heart."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I admire your subtlety of -expression, mademoiselle," said Raoul, making an effort to remain -calm. "To leave another in ignorance that you are deceiving him, -is loyal; but to deceive him - it seems that would be very wrong, -and that you would not do it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Monsieur, for a long time I -thought that I loved you better than anything else; and so long -as I believed in my affection for you, I told you that loved -you. I could have sworn it on the altar; but a day came when I -was undeceived."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, on that day, -mademoiselle, knowing that I still continued to love you, true -loyalty of conduct should have forced you to inform me you had -ceased to love me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But on that day, Raoul - on -that day, when I read in the depths of my own heart, when I -confessed to myself that you no longer filled my mind entirely, -when I saw another future before me than that of being your -friend, your life-long companion, your wife - on that day, Raoul, -you were not, alas! any more beside me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But you knew where I was, -mademoiselle; you could have written to me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Raoul, I did not dare to do -so. Raoul, I have been weak and cowardly. I knew you so -thoroughly - I knew how devotedly you loved me, that I trembled -at the bare idea of the grief I was about to cause you; and that -is so true, Raoul, that this very moment I am now speaking to -you, bending thus before you, my heart crushed in my bosom, my -voice full of sighs, my eyes full of tears, it is so perfectly -true, that I have no other defense than my frankness, I have no -other sorrow greater than that which I read in your eyes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul attempted to -smile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "No!" said the young girl, -with a profound conviction, "no, no; you will not do me so foul a -wrong as to disguise your feelings before me now! You loved me; -you were sure of your affection for me; you did not deceive -yourself; you do not lie to your own heart - whilst I - I - " -And pale as death, her arms thrown despairingly above her head, -she fell upon her knees.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Whilst you," said Raoul, -"you told me you loved me, and yet you loved another."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Alas, yes!" cried the poor -girl; "alas, yes! I do love another; and that other - oh! for -Heaven's sake let me say it, Raoul, for it is my only excuse - -that other I love better than my own life, better than my own -soul even. Forgive my fault, or punish my treason, Raoul. I -came here in no way to defend myself, but merely to say to you: -'You know what it is to love!' - in such a case am I! I love to -that degree, that I would give my life, my very soul, to the man -I love. If he should ever cease to love me, I shall die of grief -and despair, unless Heaven come to my assistance, unless Heaven -does show pity upon me. Raoul, I came here to submit myself to -your will, whatever it might be - to die, if it were your wish I -should die. Kill me, then, Raoul! if in your heart you believe I -deserve death."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Take care, mademoiselle," -said Raoul: "the woman who invites death is one who has nothing -but her heart's blood to offer to her deceived and betrayed -lover."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You are right," she -said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Raoul uttered a deep sigh, -as he exclaimed, "And you love without being able to forget?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I love without a wish to -forget; without a wish ever to love any one else," replied La -Vallière.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Very well," said Raoul. -"You have said to me, in fact, all you had to say; all I could -possibly wish to know. And now, mademoiselle, it is I who ask -your forgiveness, for it is I who have almost been an obstacle in -your life; I, too, who have been wrong, for, in deceiving myself, -I helped to deceive you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh!" said La -Vallière, "I do not ask you so much as that, Raoul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I only am to blame, -mademoiselle," continued Raoul, "better informed than yourself of -the difficulties of this life, I should have enlightened you. I -ought not to have relied upon uncertainty; I ought to have -extracted an answer from your heart, whilst I hardly even sought -an acknowledgement from your lips. Once more, mademoiselle, it -is I who ask your forgiveness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Impossible, impossible!" -she cried, "you are mocking me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "How, impossible?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, it is impossible to be -so good, and kind, ah! perfect to such a degree as that."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Take care!' said Raoul, -with a bitter smile, "for presently you may say perhaps I did not -love you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! you love me like an -affectionate brother; let me hope that, Raoul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As a brother! undeceive -yourself, Louise. I love you as a lover - as a husband, with the -deepest, the truest, the fondest affection."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Raoul, Raoul!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As a brother! Oh, Louise! -I love you so deeply, that I would have shed my blood for you, -drop by drop; I would, oh! how willingly, have suffered myself to -be torn to pieces for your sake, have sacrificed my very future -for you. I love you so deeply, Louise, that my heart feels dead -and crushed within me, - my faith in human nature all is gone, - -my eyes have lost their light; I loved you so deeply, that I now -no longer see, think of, care for, anything, either in this world -or the next." </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Raoul - dear -Raoul! spare me, I implore you!" cried La Vallière. "Oh! -if I had but known - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is too late, -Louise; you love, you are happy in your affection; I read your -happiness through your tears - behind the tears which the loyalty -of your nature makes you shed; I feel the sighs your affection -breathes forth. Louise, Louise, you have made me the most -abjectly wretched man living; leave me, I entreat you. Adieu! -adieu!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Forgive me! oh, -forgive me, Raoul, for what I have done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have I not done -much, much more? <i>Have I not told you that I love you -still?</i>" She buried her face in her hands.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And to tell you -that - do you hear me, Louise? - to tell you that, at such a -moment as this, to tell you that, as I have told you, is to -pronounce my own sentence of death. Adieu!" La Vallière -held out her hands to him in vain.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We ought not to -see each other again in this world," he said, and as she was on -the point of crying out in bitter agony at this remark, he placed -his hand on her mouth to stifle the exclamation. She pressed her -lips upon it, and fell fainting to the ground. "Olivain," said -Raoul, "take this young lady and bear her to the carriage which -is waiting for her at the door." As Olivain lifted her up, Raoul -made a movement as if to dart towards La Vallière, in -order to give her a first and last kiss, but, stopping abruptly, -he said, "No! she is not mine. I am no thief - as is the king of -France." And he returned to his room, whilst the lackey carried -La Vallière, still fainting, to the carriage.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -What Raoul Had Guessed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>A</span>s soon as -Raoul had quitted Athos and D'Artagnan, as the two exclamations -that had followed his departure escaped their lips, they found -themselves face to face alone. Athos immediately resumed the -earnest air that he had assumed at D'Artagnan's arrival.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," he said, "what have -you come to announce to me, my friend?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I?" inquired -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; I do not see -you in this way without some reason for it," said Athos, -smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The deuce!" said -D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will place you -at your ease. The king is furious, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, I must say -he is not altogether pleased."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you have come -to arrest me, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear friend, -you have hit the very mark."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, I expected -it. I am quite ready to go with you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Deuce take it!" -said D'Artagnan, "what a hurry you are in."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am afraid of -delaying you," said Athos, smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have plenty of -time. Are you not curious, besides, to know how things went on -between the king and me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If you will be -good enough to tell me, I will listen with the greatest of -pleasure," said Athos, pointing out to D'Artagnan a large chair, -into which the latter threw himself, assuming the easiest -possible attitude.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, I will do so -willingly enough," continued D'Artagnan, "for the conversation is -rather curious, I must say. In the first place the king sent for -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As soon as I had -left?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You were just -going down the last steps of the staircase, as the musketeers -told me. I arrived. My dear Athos, he was not red in the face -merely, he was positively purple. I was not aware, of course, of -what had passed; only, on the ground, lying on the floor, I saw a -sword broken in two."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Captain -d'Artagnan,' cried the king, as soon as he saw me.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Sire,' I -replied.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'M. de la -Fère has just left me; he is an insolent man.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'An insolent man!' -I exclaimed, in such a tone that the king stopped suddenly -short.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Captain -d'Artagnan,' resumed the king, with his teeth clenched, 'you will -be good enough to listen to and hear me.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'That is my duty, -sire.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'I have, out of -consideration for M. de la Fère, wished to spare him - he -is a man of whom I still retain some kind recollections - the -discredit of being arrested in my palace. You will therefore -take a carriage.' At this I made a slight movement.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'If you object to -arrest him yourself,' continued the king, 'send me my captain of -the guards.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Sire,' I replied, -'there is no necessity for the captain of the guards, since I am -on duty.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'I should not like -to annoy you,' said the king, kindly, 'for you have always served -me well, Monsieur D'Artagnan.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'You do not -"annoy" me, sire,' I replied; 'I am on duty, that is all.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'But,' said the -king, in astonishment, 'I believe the comte is your friend?'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'If he were my -father, sire, it would not make me less on duty than I am.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The king looked at -me; he saw how unmoved my face was, and seemed satisfied. 'You -will arrest M. le Comte de la Fère, then?' he -inquired.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Most certainly, -sire, if you give me the order to do so.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Very well; I -order you to do so.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I bowed, and -replied, 'Where is the comte, sire?'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'You will look for -him.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'And am I to -arrest him, wherever he may be?'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Yes; but try that -he may be at his own house. If he should have started for his -own estate, leave Paris at once, and arrest him on his way -thither.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I bowed; but as I -did not move, he said, 'Well, what are you waiting for?'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'For the order to -arrest the comte, signed by yourself.'</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The king seemed -annoyed; for, in point of fact, it was the exercise of a fresh -act of authority, a repetition of the arbitrary act, if, indeed, -it is to be considered as such. He took hold of his pen slowly, -and evidently in no very good temper; and then he wrote, 'Order -for M. le Chevalier d'Artagnan, captain of my musketeers, to -arrest M. le Comte de la Fère, wherever he is to be -found.' He then turned towards me; but I was looking on without -moving a muscle of my face. In all probability he thought he -perceived something like bravado in my tranquil manner, for he -signed hurriedly, and then handing me the order, he said, 'Go, -monsieur!' I obeyed; and here I am."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos pressed his -friend's hand. "Well, let us set off," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! surely," said -D'Artagnan, "you must have some trifling matters to arrange -before you leave your apartments in this manner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I? - not at -all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, you know, -D'Artagnan, that I have always been a very simple traveler on -this earth, ready to go to the end of the world by the order of -my sovereign; ready to quit it at the summons of my Maker. What -does a man who is thus prepared require in such a case? - a -portmanteau, or a shroud. I am ready at this moment, as I have -always been, my dear friend, and can accompany you at once."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But, Bragelonne - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have brought him -up in the same principles I laid down for my own guidance; and -you observed that, as soon as he perceived you, he guessed, that -very moment, the motive of your visit. We have thrown him off -his guard for a moment; but do not be uneasy, he is sufficiently -prepared for my disgrace not to be too much alarmed at it. So, -let us go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, let us -go," said D'Artagnan, quietly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As I broke my -sword in the king's presence, and threw the pieces at his feet, I -presume that will dispense with the necessity of delivering it -over to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are quite -right; and besides that, what the deuce do you suppose I could do -with your sword?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Am I to walk -behind, or before you?" inquired Athos, laughing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will walk arm -in arm with me," replied D'Artagnan, as he took the comte's arm -to descend the staircase; and in this manner they arrived at the -landing. Grimaud, whom they had met in the ante-room, looked at -them as they went out together in this manner, with some little -uneasiness; his experience of affairs was quite sufficient to -give him good reason to suspect that there was something -wrong.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! is that you, -Grimaud?" said Athos, kindly. "We are going - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To take a turn in -my carriage," interrupted D'Artagnan, with a friendly nod of the -head.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Grimaud thanked -D'Artagnan by a grimace, which was evidently intended for a -smile, and accompanied both the friends to the door. Athos -entered first into the carriage; D'Artagnan followed him without -saying a word to the coachman. The departure had taken place so -quietly, that it excited no disturbance or attention even in the -neighborhood. When the carriage had reached the quays, "You are -taking me to the Bastile, I perceive," said Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I?" said -D'Artagnan, "I take you wherever you may choose to go; nowhere -else, I can assure you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you mean?" -said the comte, surprised.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, surely, my -dear friend," said D'Artagnan, "you quite understand that I -undertook the mission with no other object in view than that of -carrying it out exactly as you liked. You surely did not expect -that I was going to get you thrown into prison like that, -brutally, and without any reflection. If I had anticipated that, -I should have let the captain of the guards undertake it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And so - ?" said -Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And so, I repeat -again, we will go wherever you may choose."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear friend," -said Athos, embracing D'Artagnan, "how like you that is!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, it seems -simple enough to me. The coachman will take you to the barrier -of the Cours-la-Reine; you will find a horse there which I have -ordered to be kept ready for you; with that horse you will be -able to do three posts without stopping; and I, on my side, will -take care not to return to the king, to tell him that you have -gone away, until the very moment it will be impossible to -overtake you. In the meantime you will have reached Le Havre, -and from Le Havre across to England, where you will find the -charming residence of which M. Monk made me a present, without -speaking of the hospitality which King Charles will not fail to -show you. Well, what do you think of this project?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos shook his -head, and then said, smiling as he did so, "No, no, take me to -the Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are an -obstinate fellow, my dear Athos," returned D'Artagnan, "reflect -for a few moments."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On what -subject?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That you are no -longer twenty years of age. Believe me, I speak according to my -own knowledge and experience. A prison is certain death for men -who are at our time of life. No, no; I will never allow you to -languish in prison in such a way. Why, the very thought of it -makes my head turn giddy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Dear D'Artagnan," -Athos replied, "Heaven most fortunately made my body as strong, -powerful, and enduring as my mind; and, rely upon it, I shall -retain my strength up to the very last moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But this is not -strength of mind or character; it is sheer madness."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, D'Artagnan, it -is the highest order of reasoning. Do not suppose that I should -in the slightest degree in the world discuss the question with -you, whether you would not be ruined in endeavoring to save me. -I should have done precisely as you propose if flight had been -part of my plan of action; I should, therefore, have accepted -from you what, without any doubt, you would have accepted from -me. No! I know you too well even to breathe a word upon the -subject."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! if you would -only let me do it," said D'Artagnan, "what a dance we would give -his most gracious majesty!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Still he is the -king; do not forget that, my dear friend."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! that is all -the same to me; and king though he be, I would plainly tell him, -'Sire, imprison, exile, kill every one in France and Europe; -order me to arrest and poniard even whom you like - even were it -Monsieur, your own brother; but do not touch one of the four -musketeers, or if so, <i>mordioux!</i>'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My dear friend," -replied Athos, with perfect calmness, "I should like to persuade -you of one thing; namely, that I wish to be arrested; that I -desire above all things that my arrest should take place."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan made a -slight movement of his shoulders.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nay, I wish it, I -repeat, more than anything; if you were to let me escape, it -would be only to return of my own accord, and constitute myself a -prisoner. I wish to prove to this young man, who is dazzled by -the power and splendor of his crown, that he can be regarded as -the first and chiefest among men only on the one condition of his -proving himself to be the most generous and the wisest. He may -punish me, imprison, torture me, it matters not. He abuses his -opportunities, and I wish him to learn the bitterness of remorse, -while Heaven teaches him what chastisement is."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, well," -replied D'Artagnan, "I know only too well that, when you have -once said, 'no,' you mean 'no.' I do not insist any longer; you -wish to go to the Bastile?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do wish to go -there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us go, then! -To the Bastile!" cried D'Artagnan to the coachman. And throwing -himself back in the carriage, he gnawed the ends of his mustache -with a fury which, for Athos, who knew him well, signified a -resolution either already taken or in course of formation. A -profound silence ensued in the carriage, which continued to roll -on, but neither faster nor slower than before. Athos took the -musketeer by the hand.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You are not angry -with me, D'Artagnan?" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I! - oh, no! -certainly not; of course not. What you do for heroism, I should -have done from obstinacy."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But you are quite -of opinion, are you not, that Heaven will avenge me, -D'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I know one or -two on earth who will not fail to lend a helping hand," said the -captain.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXIII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Three Guests Astonished to Find Themselves at Supper -Together.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he carriage -arrived at the outside of the gate of the Bastile. A soldier on -guard stopped it, but D'Artagnan had only to utter a single word -to procure admittance, and the carriage passed on without further -difficulty. Whilst they were proceeding along the covered way -which led to the courtyard of the governor's residence, -D'Artagnan, whose lynx eyes saw everything, even through the -walls, suddenly cried out, "What is that out yonder?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well," said Athos, quietly; -"what is it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Look yonder, Athos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "In the courtyard?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, yes; make haste!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Well, a carriage; very -likely conveying a prisoner like myself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"That would be too -droll."<br> -"I do not understand you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Make haste and -look again, and look at the man who is just getting out of that -carriage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>At that very moment -a second sentinel stopped D'Artagnan, and while the formalities -were being gone through, Athos could see at a hundred paces from -him the man whom his friend had pointed out to him. He was, in -fact, getting out of the carriage at the door of the governor's -house. "Well," inquired D'Artagnan, "do you see him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; he is a man -in a gray suit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you say of -him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I cannot very well -tell; he is, as I have just now told you, a man in a gray suit, -who is getting out of a carriage; that is all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Athos, I will -wager anything that it is he."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He, who?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Aramis."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Aramis arrested? -Impossible!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I do not say he is -arrested, since we see him alone in his carriage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, what -is he doing here?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! he knows -Baisemeaux, the governor," replied the musketeer, slyly; "so we -have arrived just in time."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In order to see -what we can see."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I regret this -meeting exceedingly. When Aramis sees me, he will be very much -annoyed, in the first place, at seeing me, and in the next at -being seen."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well -reasoned."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Unfortunately, -there is no remedy for it; whenever any one meets another in the -Bastile, even if he wished to draw back to avoid him, it would be -impossible."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Athos, I have an -idea; the question is, to spare Aramis the annoyance you were -speaking of, is it not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is to be -done?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I will tell you; -or in order to explain myself in the best possible way, let me -relate the affair in my own manner; I will not recommend you to -tell a falsehood, for that would be impossible for you to do; but -I will tell falsehoods enough for both; it is easy to do that -when one is born to the nature and habits of a Gascon."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos smiled. The -carriage stopped where the one we have just now pointed out had -stopped; namely, at the door of the governor's house. "It is -understood, then?" said D'Artagnan, in a low voice to his -friend. Athos consented by a gesture. They ascended the -staircase. There will be no occasion for surprise at the -facility with which they had entered into the Bastile, if it be -remembered that, before passing the first gate, in fact, the most -difficult of all, D'Artagnan had announced that he had brought a -prisoner of state. At the third gate, on the contrary, that is -to say, when he had once fairly entered the prison, he merely -said to the sentinel, "To M. Baisemeaux;" and they both passed -on. In a few minutes they were in the governor's dining-room, -and the first face which attracted D'Artagnan's observation was -that of Aramis, who was seated side by side with Baisemeaux, -awaiting the announcement of a meal whose odor impregnated the -whole apartment. If D'Artagnan pretended surprise, Aramis did -not pretend at all; he started when he saw his two friends, and -his emotion was very apparent. Athos and D'Artagnan, however, -complimented him as usual, and Baisemeaux, amazed, completely -stupefied by the presence of his three guests, began to perform a -few evolutions around them.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"By what lucky -accident - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We were just going -to ask you," retorted D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are we going to -give ourselves up as prisoners?" cried Aramis, with an affection -of hilarity.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! ah!" said -D'Artagnan; "it is true the walls smell deucedly like a prison. -Monsieur de Baisemeaux, you know you invited me to sup with you -the other day."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I?" cried -Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, of course you -did, although you now seem so struck with amazement. Don't you -remember it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux turned -pale and then red, looked at Aramis, who looked at him, and -finished by stammering out, "Certainly - I am delighted - but, -upon my honor - I have not the slightest - Ah! I have such a -wretched memory."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well! I am wrong, -I see," said D'Artagnan, as if he were offended.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Wrong, what -for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Wrong to remember -anything about it, it seems."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux hurried -towards him. "Do not stand on ceremony, my dear captain," he -said; "I have the worst memory in the world. I no sooner leave -off thinking of my pigeons and their pigeon-house, than I am no -better than the rawest recruit."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At all events, you -remember it now," said D'Artagnan, boldly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, yes," replied -the governor, hesitating; "I think I do remember."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It was when you -came to the palace to see me; you told me some story or other -about your accounts with M. de Louvière and M. de -Tremblay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, yes! -perfectly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And about M. -d'Herblay's kindness towards you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" exclaimed -Aramis, looking at the unhappy governor full in the face, "and -yet you just now said you had no memory, Monsieur de -Baisemeaux."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux -interrupted the musketeer in the middle of his revelations. -"Yes, yes; you're quite right; how could I have forgotten; I -remember it now as well as possible; I beg you a thousand -pardons. But now, once for all, my dear M. d'Artagnan, be sure -that at this present time, as at any other, whether invited or -not, you are perfectly at home here, you and M. d'Herblay, your -friend," he said, turning towards Aramis; "and this gentleman, -too," he added, bowing to Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, I thought it -would be sure to turn out so," replied D'Artagnan, "and that is -the reason I came. Having nothing to do this evening at the -Palais Royal, I wished to judge for myself what your ordinary -style of living was like; and as I was coming along, I met the -Comte de la Fère."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos bowed. "The -comte, who had just left his majesty, handed me an order which -required immediate attention. We were close by here; I wished to -call in, even if it were for no other object than that of shaking -hands with you and of presenting the comte to you, of whom you -spoke so highly that evening at the palace when - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly, -certainly - M. le Comte de la Fère?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Precisely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The comte is -welcome, I am sure."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And he will sup -with you two, I suppose, whilst I, unfortunate dog that I am, -must run off on a matter of duty. Oh! what happy beings you are, -compared to myself," he added, sighing as loud as Porthos might -have done.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And so you are -going away, then?" said Aramis and Baisemeaux together, with the -same expression of delighted surprised, the tone of which was -immediately noticed by D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I leave you in my -place," he said, "a noble and excellent guest." And he touched -Athos gently on the shoulder, who, astonished also, could not -help exhibiting his surprise a little; which was noticed by -Aramis only, for M. de Baisemeaux was not quite equal to the -three friends in point of intelligence.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What, are you -going to leave us?" resumed the governor.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I shall only be -about an hour, or an hour and a half. I will return in time for -dessert."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! we will wait -for you," said Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no; that would -be really disobliging me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will be sure -to return, though?" said Athos, with an expression of doubt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Most certainly," -he said, pressing his friend's hand confidently; and he added, in -a low voice, "Wait for me, Athos; be cheerful and lively as -possible, and above all, don't allude even to business affairs, -for Heaven's sake."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And with a renewed -pressure of the hand, he seemed to warn the comte of the -necessity of keeping perfectly discreet and impenetrable. -Baisemeaux led D'Artagnan to the gate. Aramis, with many -friendly protestations of delight, sat down by Athos, determined -to make him speak; but Athos possessed every virtue and quality -to the very highest degree. If necessity had required it, he -would have been the finest orator in the world, but on other -occasions he would rather have died than have opened his -lips.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Ten minutes after -D'Artagnan's departure, the three gentlemen sat down to table, -which was covered with the most substantial display of -gastronomic luxury. Large joints, exquisite dishes, preserves, -the greatest variety of wines, appeared successively upon the -table, which was served at the king's expense, and of which -expense M. Colbert would have found no difficulty in saving two -thirds, without any one in the Bastile being the worse for it. -Baisemeaux was the only one who ate and drank with gastronomic -resolution. Aramis allowed nothing to pass by him, but merely -touched everything he took; Athos, after the soup and three -<i>hors d'œuvres</i>, ate nothing more. The style of -conversation was such as might have been anticipated between -three men so opposite in temper and ideas. Aramis was -incessantly asking himself by what extraordinary chance Athos was -there at Baisemeaux's when D'Artagnan was no longer there, and -why D'Artagnan did not remain when Athos was there. Athos -sounded all the depths of the mind of Aramis, who lived in the -midst of subterfuge, evasion, and intrigue; he studied his man -well and thoroughly, and felt convinced that he was engaged upon -some important project. And then he too began to think of his -own personal affair, and to lose himself in conjectures as to -D'Artagnan's reason for having left the Bastile so abruptly, and -for leaving behind him a prisoner so badly introduced and so -badly looked after by the prison authorities. But we shall not -pause to examine into the thoughts and feelings of these -personages, but will leave them to themselves, surrounded by the -remains of poultry, game, and fish, which Baisemeaux's generous -knife and fork had so mutilated. We are going to follow -D'Artagnan instead, who, getting into the carriage which had -brought him, said to the coachman, "Return to the palace, as fast -as the horses can gallop."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXIV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -What Took Place at the Louvre During the Supper at the -Bastile.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>M</span>. de -Saint-Aignan had executed the commission with which the king had -intrusted him for La Vallière - as we have already seen in -one of the preceding chapters; but, whatever his eloquence, he -did not succeed in persuading the young girl that she had in the -king a protector powerful enough for her under any combination of -circumstances, and that she had no need of any one else in the -world when the king was on her side. In point of fact, at the -very first word which the favorite mentioned of the discovery of -the famous secret, Louise, in a passion of tears, abandoned -herself in utter despair to a sorrow which would have been far -from flattering for the king, if he had been a witness of it from -one of the corners of the room. Saint-Aignan, in his character -of ambassador, felt almost as greatly offended at it as his -master himself would have been, and returned to inform the king -what he had seen and heard; and it is thus we find him, in a -state of great agitation, in the presence of the king, who was, -if possible, in a state of even greater flurry than himself.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "But," said the king to the -courtier, when the latter had finished his report, "what did she -decide to do? Shall I at least see her presently before supper? -Will she come to me, or shall I be obliged to go to her -room?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I believe, sire, that if -your majesty wishes to see her, you will not only have to take -the first step in advance, but will have to go the whole -way."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "That I do not mind. Do you -think she has yet a secret fancy for young Bragelonne?" muttered -the king between his teeth.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh! sire, that is not -possible; for it is you alone, I am convinced, Mademoiselle de la -Vallière loves, and that, too, with all her heart. But -you know that De Bragelonne belongs to that proud race who play -the part of Roman heroes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king smiled feebly; he -knew how true the illustration was, for Athos had just left -him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "As for Mademoiselle de la -Vallière," Saint-Aignan continued, "she was brought up -under the care of the Dowager Madame, that is to say, in the -greatest austerity and formality. This young engaged couple -coldly exchanged their little vows in the prim presence of the -moon and stars; and now, when they find they have to break those -vows asunder, it plays the very deuce with them."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> Saint-Aignan thought to have -made the king laugh; but on the contrary, from a mere smile Louis -passed to the greatest seriousness of manner. He already began -to experience that remorse which the comte had promised -D'Artagnan he would inflict upon him. He reflected that, in -fact, these young persons had loved and sworn fidelity to each -other; that one of the two had kept his word, and that the other -was too conscientious not to feel her perjury most bitterly. And -his remorse was not unaccompanied; for bitter pangs of jealousy -began to beset the king's heart. He did not say another word, -and instead of going to pay a visit to his mother, or the queen, -or Madame, in order to amuse himself a little, and make the -ladies laugh, as he himself used to say, he threw himself into -the huge armchair in which his august father Louis XIII. had -passed so many weary days and years in company with Barradat and -Cinq-Mars. Saint-Aignan perceived the king was not to be amused -at that moment; he tried a last resource, and pronounced Louise's -name, which made the king look up immediately. "What does your -majesty intend to do this evening - shall Mademoiselle de la -Vallière be informed of your intention to see her?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "It seems she is already -aware of that," replied the king. "No, no, Saint-Aignan," he -continued, after a moment's pause, "we will both of us pass our -time in thinking, and musing, and dreaming; when Mademoiselle de -la Vallière shall have sufficiently regretted what she now -regrets, she will deign, perhaps, to give us some news of -herself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Ah! sire, is it possible -you can so misunderstand her heart, which is so full of -devotion?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king rose, flushed from -vexation and annoyance; he was a prey to jealousy as well as to -remorse. Saint-Aignan was just beginning to feel that his -position was becoming awkward, when the curtain before the door -was raised. The king turned hastily round; his first idea was -that a letter from Louise had arrived; but, instead of a letter -of love, he only saw his captain of musketeers, standing upright, -and perfectly silent in the doorway. "M. d'Artagnan," he said, -"ah! Well, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> D'Artagnan looked at -Saint-Aignan; the king's eyes took the same direction as those of -his captain; these looks would have been clear to any one, and -for a still greater reason they were so for Saint-Aignan. The -courtier bowed and quitted the room, leaving the king and -D'Artagnan alone.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Is it done?" inquired the -king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Yes, sire," replied the -captain of the musketeers, in a grave voice, "it is done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> The king was unable to say -another word. Pride, however, obliged him not to pause at what -he had done; whenever a sovereign has adopted a decisive course, -even though it be unjust, he is compelled to prove to all -witnesses, and particularly to prove it to himself, that he was -quite right all through. A good means for effecting that - an -almost infallible means, indeed - is, to try and prove his victim -to be in the wrong. Louis, brought up by Mazarin and Anne of -Austria, knew better than any one else his vocation as a monarch; -he therefore endeavored to prove it on the present occasion. -After a few moment's pause, which he had employed in making -silently to himself the same reflections which we have just -expressed aloud, he said, in an indifferent tone: "What did the -comte say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Nothing at all, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Surely he did not -allow himself to be arrested without saying something?"<br> -"He said he expected to be arrested, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king raised his -head haughtily. "I presume," he said, "that M. le Comte de la -Fère has not continued to play his obstinate and -rebellious part."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In the first -place, sire, what do you wish to signify by <i>rebellious?</i>" -quietly asked the musketeer. "A rebel, in the eyes of the king, -is a man who not only allows himself to be shut up in the -Bastile, but still more, who opposes those who do not wish to -take him there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who do not wish to -take him there!" exclaimed the king. "What do you say, captain! -Are you mad?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I believe not, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You speak of -persons who did not wish to arrest M. de la Fère! Who are -those persons, may I ask?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I should say those -whom your majesty intrusted with that duty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But it was you -whom I intrusted with it," exclaimed the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire; it was -I."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And yet you say -that, despite my orders, you had the intention of not arresting -the man who had insulted me!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire - that -was really my intention. I even proposed to the comte to mount a -horse that I had prepared for him at the Barrière de la -Conférence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And what was your -object in getting this horse ready?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why, sire, in -order that M. le Comte de la Fère might be able to reach -Le Havre, and from that place make his escape to England."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You betrayed me, -then, monsieur?" cried the king, kindling with a wild pride.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Exactly so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>There was nothing -to say in answer to statements made in such a tone; the king was -astounded at such an obstinate and open resistance on the part of -D'Artagnan. "At least you had a reason, Monsieur d'Artagnan, for -acting as you did?" said the king, proudly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have always a -reason for everything, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your reason cannot -be your friendship for the comte, at all events, - the only one -that can be of any avail, the only one that could possibly excuse -you, - for I placed you perfectly at your ease in that -respect."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Me, sire?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did I not give you -the choice to arrest, or not to arrest M. le Comte de la -Fère?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire, but - -"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But what?" -exclaimed the king, impatiently.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But you warned me, -sire, that if I did not arrest him, your captain of the guard -should do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Was I not -considerate enough towards you, from the very moment I did not -compel you to obey me?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To me, sire, you -were, but not to my friend, for my friend would be arrested all -the same, whether by myself or by the captain of the guards."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And this is your -devotion, monsieur! a devotion which argues and reasons. You are -no soldier, monsieur!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I wait for your -majesty to tell me what I am."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then - you -are a Frondeur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And since there is -no longer any Fronde, sire, in that case - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But if what you -say is true - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What I say is -always true, sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What have you come -to say to me, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have come to say -to your majesty, 'Sire, M. de la Fère is in the -Bastile.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is not your -fault, it would seem."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is true, -sire; but at all events he is there; and since he is there, it is -important that your majesty should know it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! Monsieur -d'Artagnan, so you set your king at defiance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur -d'Artagnan! I warn you that you are abusing my patience."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"On the contrary, -sire."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you mean -by 'on the contrary'?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have come to get -myself arrested, too."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To get yourself -arrested, - you!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of course. My -friend will get wearied to death in the Bastile by himself; and I -have come to propose to your majesty to permit me to bear him -company; if your majesty will but give me the word, I will arrest -myself; I shall not need the captain of the guards for that, I -assure you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king darted -towards the table and seized hold of a pen to write the order for -D'Artagnan's imprisonment. "Pay attention, monsieur, that this -is forever," cried the king, in tones of sternest menace.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I can quite -believe that," returned the musketeer; "for when you have once -done such an act as that, you will never be able to look me in -the face again."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king dashed -down his pen violently. "Leave the room, monsieur!" he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not so, if it -please your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is that you -say?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, I came to -speak gently and temperately to your majesty; your majesty got -into a passion with me; that is a misfortune; but I shall not the -less on that account say what I had to say to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Your resignation, -monsieur, - your resignation!" cried the king.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Sire, you know -whether I care about my resignation or not, since at Blois, on -the very day when you refused King Charles the million which my -friend the Comte de la Fère gave him, I then tendered my -resignation to your majesty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, -monsieur - do it at once!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, sire; for -there is no question of my resignation at the present moment. -Your majesty took up your pen just now to send me to the Bastile, -- why should you change your intention?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"D'Artagnan! -Gascon that you are! who is king, allow me to ask, - you or -myself?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You, sire, -unfortunately."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you mean -by 'unfortunately'?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, sire; for if -it were I - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If it were you, -you would approve of M. d'Artagnan's rebellious conduct, I -suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Really!" said the -king, shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I should tell -my captain of the musketeers," continued D'Artagnan, "I should -tell him, looking at him all the while with human eyes, and not -with eyes like coals of fire, 'M. d'Artagnan, I had forgotten -that I was the king, for I descended from my throne in order to -insult a gentleman.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," said -the king, "do you think you can excuse your friend by exceeding -him in insolence?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! sire! I -should go much further than he did," said D'Artagnan; "and it -would be your own fault. I should tell you what he, a man full -of the finest sense of delicacy, did not tell you; I should say - -'Sire, you have sacrificed his son, and he defended his son - you -sacrificed himself; he addressed you in the name of honor, of -religion, of virtue - you repulsed, drove him away, imprisoned -him.' I should be harder than he was, for I should say to you - -'Sire; it is for you to choose. Do you wish to have friends or -lackeys - soldiers or slaves - great men or mere puppets? Do you -wish men to serve you, or to bend and crouch before you? Do you -wish men to love you, or to be afraid of you? If you prefer -baseness, intrigue, cowardice, say so at once, sire, and we will -leave you, - we who are the only individuals who are left, - nay, -I will say more, the only models of the valor of former times; we -who have done our duty, and have exceeded, perhaps, in courage -and in merit, the men already great for posterity. Choose, sire! -and that, too, without delay. Whatever relics remain to you of -the great nobility, guard them with a jealous eye; you will never -be deficient in courtiers. Delay not - and send me to the -Bastile with my friend; for, if you did not know how to listen to -the Comte de la Fère, whose voice is the sweetest and -noblest in all the world when honor is the theme; if you do not -know how to listen to D'Artagnan, the frankest and honestest -voice of sincerity, you are a bad king, and to-morrow will be a -poor king. And learn from me, sire, that bad kings are hated by -their people, and poor kings are driven ignominiously away.' -That is what I had to say to you, sire; you were wrong to drive -me to say it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The king threw -himself back in his chair, cold as death, and as livid as a -corpse. Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet, he could not have -been more astonished; he seemed as if his respiration had utterly -ceased, and that he was at the point of death. The honest voice -of sincerity, as D'Artagnan had called it, had pierced through -his heart like a sword-blade.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan had said -all he had to say. Comprehending the king's anger, he drew his -sword, and, approaching Louis XIV. respectfully, he placed it on -the table. But the king, with a furious gesture, thrust aside -the sword, which fell on the ground and rolled to D'Artagnan's -feet. Notwithstanding the perfect mastery which D'Artagnan -exercised over himself, he, too, in his turn, became pale, and, -trembling with indignation, said: "A king may disgrace a soldier, -- he may exile him, and may even condemn him to death; but were -he a hundred times a king, he has no right to insult him by -casting a dishonor upon his sword! Sire, a king of France has -never repulsed with contempt the sword of a man such as I am! -Stained with disgrace as this sword now is, it has henceforth no -other sheath than either your heart or my own! I choose my own, -sire; and you have to thank Heaven and my own patience that I do -so." Then snatching up his sword, he cried, "My blood be upon -your head!" and, with a rapid gesture, he placed the hilt upon -the floor and directed the point of the blade towards his -breast. The king, however, with a movement far more rapid than -that of D'Artagnan, threw his right arm around the musketeer's -neck, and with his left hand seized hold of the blade by the -middle, and returned it silently to the scabbard. D'Artagnan, -upright, pale, and still trembling, let the king do all to the -very end. Louis, overcome and softened by gentler feelings, -returned to the table, took a pen in his hand, wrote a few lines, -signed them, and then held it out to D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is this -paper, sire?" inquired the captain.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"An order for M. -d'Artagnan to set the Comte de la Fère at liberty -immediately."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan seized -the king's hand, and imprinted a kiss upon it; he then folded the -order, placed it in his belt, and quitted the room. Neither the -king nor the captain had uttered a syllable.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, human heart! -thou guide and director of kings," murmured Louis, when alone, -"when shall I learn to read in your inmost recesses, as in the -leaves of a book! Oh, I am not a bad king - nor am I poor king; -I am but still a child, when all is said and done."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXV:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -Political Rivals.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>D</span>'Artagnan had -promised M. de Baisemeaux to return in time for dessert, and he -kept his word. They had just reached the finer and more delicate -class of wines and liqueurs with which the governor's cellar had -the reputation of being most admirably stocked, when the silver -spurs of the captain resounded in the corridor, and he himself -appeared at the threshold. Athos and Aramis had played a close -game; neither of the two had been able to gain the slightest -advantage over the other. They had supped, talked a good deal -about the Bastile, of the last journey to Fontainebleau, of the -intended <i>fête</i> that M. Fouquet was about to give at -Vaux; they had generalized on every possible subject; and no one, -excepting Baisemeaux, had in the slightest degree alluded to -private matters. D'Artagnan arrived in the very midst of the -conversation, still pale and much disturbed by his interview with -the king. Baisemeaux hastened to give him a chair; D'Artagnan -accepted a glass of wine, and set it down empty. Athos and -Aramis both remarked his emotion; as for Baisemeaux, he saw -nothing more than the captain of the king's musketeers, to whom -he endeavored to show every possible attention. But, although -Aramis had remarked his emotion, he had not been able to guess -the cause of it. Athos alone believed he had detected it. For -him, D'Artagnan's return, and particularly the manner in which -he, usually so impassible, seemed overcome, signified, "I have -just asked the king something which the king has refused me." -Thoroughly convinced that his conjecture was correct, Athos -smiled, rose from the table, and made a sign to D'Artagnan, as if -to remind him that they had something else to do than to sup -together. D'Artagnan immediately understood him, and replied by -another sign. Aramis and Baisemeaux watched this silent -dialogue, and looked inquiringly at each other. Athos felt that -he was called upon to give an explanation of what was -passing.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "The truth is, my friend," -said the Comte de la Fère, with a smile, "that you, -Aramis, have been supping with a state criminal, and you, -Monsieur de Baisemeaux, with your prisoner."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux uttered -an exclamation of surprise, and almost of delight; for he was -exceedingly proud and vain of his fortress, and for his own -individual profit, the more prisoners he had, the happier he was, -and the higher in rank the prisoners happened to be, the prouder -he felt. Aramis assumed the expression of countenance he thought -the position justified, and said, "Well, dear Athos, forgive me, -but I almost suspected what has happened. Some prank of Raoul -and La Vallière, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Alas!" said -Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And," continued -Aramis, "you, a high and powerful nobleman as you are, forgetful -that courtiers now exist - you have been to the king, I suppose, -and told him what you thought of his conduct?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, you have -guessed right."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So that," said -Baisemeaux, trembling at having supped so familiarly with a man -who had fallen into disgrace with the king; "so that, monsieur le -comte - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"So that, my dear -governor," said Athos, "my friend D'Artagnan will communicate to -you the contents of the paper which I perceived just peeping out -of his belt, and which assuredly can be nothing else than the -order for my incarceration."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux held out -his hand with his accustomed eagerness. D'Artagnan drew two -papers from his belt, and presented one of them to the governor, -who unfolded it, and then read, in a low tone of voice, looking -at Athos over the paper, as he did so, and pausing from time to -time: "'Order to detain, in my château of the Bastile, -Monsieur le Comte de la Fère.' Oh, monsieur! this is -indeed a very melancholy day for me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will have a -patient prisoner, monsieur," said Athos, in his calm, soft -voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"A prisoner, too, -who will not remain a month with you, my dear governor," said -Aramis; while Baisemeaux, still holding the order in his hand, -transcribed it upon the prison registry.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not a day, or -rather not even a night," said D'Artagnan, displaying the second -order of the king, "for now, dear M. de Baisemeaux, you will have -the goodness to transcribe also this order for setting the comte -immediately at liberty."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" said Aramis, -"it is a labor that you have deprived me of, D'Artagnan;" and he -pressed the musketeer's hand in a significant manner, at the same -moment as that of Athos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What!" said the -latter in astonishment, "the king sets me at liberty!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Read, my dear -friend," returned D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Athos took the -order and read it. "It is quite true," he said.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are you sorry for -it?" asked D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no, on the -contrary. I wish the king no harm; and the greatest evil or -misfortune that any one can wish kings, is that they should -commit an act of injustice. But you have had a difficult and -painful task, I know. Tell me, have you not, D'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I? not at all," -said the musketeer, laughing: "the king does everything I wish -him to do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis looked -fixedly at D'Artagnan, and saw that he was not speaking the -truth. But Baisemeaux had eyes for nothing but D'Artagnan, so -great was his admiration for a man who seemed to make the king do -all he wished.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And does the king -exile Athos?" inquired Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, not precisely; -the king did not explain himself upon that subject," replied -D'Artagnan; "but I think the comte could not well do better -unless, indeed, he wishes particularly to thank the king - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, indeed," -replied Athos, smiling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, I -think," resumed D'Artagnan, "that the comte cannot do better than -to retire to his <i>own</i> château. However, my dear -Athos, you have only to speak, to tell me what you want. If any -particular place of residence is more agreeable to you than -another, I am influential enough, perhaps, to obtain it for -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, thank you," -said Athos; "nothing can be more agreeable to me, my dear friend, -than to return to my solitude beneath my noble trees on the banks -of the Loire. If Heaven be the overruling physician of the evils -of the mind, nature is a sovereign remedy. And so, monsieur," -continued Athos, turning again towards Baisemeaux, "I am now -free, I suppose?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, monsieur le -comte, I think so - at least, I hope so," said the governor, -turning over and over the two papers in question, "unless, -however, M. d'Artagnan has a third order to give me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, my dear -Baisemeaux, no," said the musketeer; "the second is quite enough: -we will stop there - if you please."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! monsieur le -comte," said Baisemeaux addressing Athos, "you do not know what -you are losing. I should have placed you among the thirty-franc -prisoners, like the generals - what am I saying? - I mean among -the fifty-francs, like the princes, and you would have supped -every evening as you have done to-night."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Allow me, -monsieur," said Athos, "to prefer my own simpler fare." And -then, turning to D'Artagnan, he said, "Let us go, my dear -friend. Shall I have that greatest of all pleasures for me - -that of having you as my companion?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To the city gate -only," replied D'Artagnan, "after which I will tell you what I -told the king: 'I am on duty.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And you, my dear -Aramis," said Athos, smiling; "will you accompany me? La -Fère is on the road to Vannes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thank you, my dear -friend," said Aramis, "but I have an appointment in Paris this -evening, and I cannot leave without very serious interests -suffering by my absence."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In that case," -said Athos, "I must say adieu, and take my leave of you. My dear -Monsieur de Baisemeaux, I have to thank you exceedingly for your -kind and friendly disposition towards me, and particularly for -the enjoyable specimen you have given me of the ordinary fare of -the Bastile." And, having embraced Aramis, and shaken hands with -M. de Baisemeaux, and having received best wishes for a pleasant -journey from them both, Athos set off with D'Artagnan.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Whilst the -<i>dénouement</i> of the scene of the Palais Royal was -taking place at the Bastile, let us relate what was going on at -the lodgings of Athos and Bragelonne. Grimaud, as we have seen, -had accompanied his master to Paris; and, as we have said, he was -present when Athos went out; he had observed D'Artagnan gnaw the -corners of his mustache; he had seen his master get into the -carriage; he had narrowly examined both their countenances, and -he had known them both for a sufficiently long period to read and -understand, through the mask of their impassibility, that -something serious was the matter. As soon as Athos had gone, he -began to reflect; he then, and then only, remembered the strange -manner in which Athos had taken leave of him, the embarrassment - -imperceptible as it would have been to any but himself - of the -master whose ideas were, to him, so clear and defined, and the -expression of whose wishes was so precise. He knew that Athos -had taken nothing with him but the clothes he had on him at the -time; and yet he seemed to fancy that Athos had not left for an -hour merely; or even for a day. A long absence was signified by -the manner in which he pronounced the word "Adieu." All these -circumstances recurred to his mind, with feelings of deep -affection for Athos, with that horror of isolation and solitude -which invariably besets the minds of those who love; and all -these combined rendered poor Grimaud very melancholy, and -particularly uneasy. Without being able to account to himself -for what he did since his master's departure, he wandered about -the room, seeking, as it were, for some traces of him, like a -faithful dog, who is not exactly uneasy about his absent master, -but at least is restless. Only as, in addition to the instinct -of the animal, Grimaud subjoined the reasoning faculties of the -man, Grimaud therefore felt uneasy and restless too. Not having -found any indication which could serve as a guide, and having -neither seen nor discovered anything which could satisfy his -doubts, Grimaud began to wonder what could possibly have -happened. Besides, imagination is the resource, or rather the -plague of gentle and affectionate hearts. In fact, never does a -feeling heart represent its absent friend to itself as being -happy or cheerful. Never does the dove that wings its flight in -search of adventures inspire anything but terror at home.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Grimaud soon passed -from uneasiness to terror; he carefully went over, in his own -mind, everything that had taken place: D'Artagnan's letter to -Athos, the letter which had seemed to distress Athos so much -after he had read it; then Raoul's visit to Athos, which resulted -in Athos desiring him (Grimaud) to get his various orders and his -court dress ready to put on; then his interview with the king, at -the end of which Athos had returned home so unusually gloomy; -then the explanation between the father and the son, at the -termination of which Athos had embraced Raoul with such sadness -of expression, while Raoul himself went away equally weary and -melancholy; and finally, D'Artagnan's arrival, biting, as if he -were vexed, the end of his mustache, and leaving again in the -carriage, accompanied by the Comte de la Fère. All this -composed a drama in five acts very clearly, particularly for so -analytical an observer as Grimaud.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The first step he -took was to search in his master's coat for M. d'Artagnan's -letter; he found the letter still there, and its contents were -found to run as follows:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"MY DEAR FRIEND, - -Raoul has been to ask me for some particulars about the conduct -of Mademoiselle de la Vallière, during our young friend's -residence in London. I am a poor captain of musketeers, and I am -sickened to death every day by hearing all the scandal of the -barracks and bedside conversations. If I had told Raoul all I -believe, I know the poor fellow would have died of it; but I am -in the king's service, and cannot relate all I hear about the -king's affairs. If your heart tells you to do it, set off at -once; the matter concerns you more than it does myself, and -almost as much as Raoul."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Grimaud tore, not a -handful, but a finger-and-thumbful of hair out of his head; he -would have done more if his head of hair had been in a more -flourishing condition.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," he said, -"that is the key of the whole enigma. The young girl has been -playing her pranks; what people say about her and the king is -true, then; our young master has been deceived; he ought to know -it. Monsieur le comte has been to see the king, and has told him -a piece of his mind; and then the king sent M. d'Artagnan to -arrange the affair. Ah! gracious goodness!" continued Grimaud, -"monsieur le comte, I now remember, returned without his -sword."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>This discovery made -the perspiration break out all over poor Grimaud's face. He did -not waste any more time in useless conjecture, but clapped his -hat on his head, and ran to Raoul's lodgings.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul, after Louise -had left him, had mastered his grief, if not his affection; and, -compelled to look forward on that perilous road over which -madness and revulsion were hurrying him, he had seen, from the -very first glance, his father exposed to the royal obstinacy, -since Athos had himself been the first to oppose any resistance -to the royal will. At this moment, from a very natural sequence -of feeling, the unhappy young man remembered the mysterious signs -which Athos had made, and the unexpected visit of D'Artagnan; the -result of the conflict between a sovereign and a subject revealed -itself to his terrified vision. As D'Artagnan was on duty, that -is, a fixture at his post without the possibility of leaving it, -it was certainly not likely that he had come to pay Athos a visit -merely for the pleasure of seeing him. He must have come to say -something to him. This something in the midst of such painful -conjectures must have been the news of either a misfortune or a -danger. Raoul trembled at having been so selfish as to have -forgotten his father for his affection; at having, in a word, -passed his time in idle dreams, or in an indulgence of despair, -at a time when a necessity existed for repelling such an imminent -attack on Athos. The very idea nearly drove him frantic; he -buckled on his sword and ran towards his father's lodgings. On -his way there he encountered Grimaud, who, having set off from -the opposite pole, was running with equal eagerness in search of -the truth. The two men embraced each other most warmly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Grimaud," -exclaimed Raoul, "is the comte well?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you seen -him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; where is -he?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am trying to -find out."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And M. -d'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Went out with -him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"When?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ten minutes after -you did."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In what way did -they go out?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In a -carriage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where did they -go?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have no idea at -all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Did my father take -any money with him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Or his sword?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have an idea, -Grimaud, that M. d'Artagnan came in order to - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Arrest monsieur le -comte, do you not think, monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, Grimaud."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I could have sworn -it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What road did they -take?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The way leading -towards the quay."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To the Bastile, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, yes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Quick, quick; let -us run."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, let us not -lose a moment."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But where are we -to go?" said Raoul, overwhelmed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We will go to M. -d'Artagnan's first, we may perhaps learn something there."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No; if they keep -me in ignorance at my father's, they will do the same -everywhere. Let us go to - Oh, good heavens! why, I must be mad -to-day, Grimaud; I have forgotten M. du Vallon, who is waiting -for and expecting me still."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where is he, -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At the Minimes of -Vincennes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Thank goodness, -that is on the same side as the Bastile. I will run and saddle -the horses, and we will go at once," said Grimaud.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do, my friend, -do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXVI:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>In -Which Porthos Is Convinced without Having Understood -Anything.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he good and -worthy Porthos, faithful to all the laws of ancient chivalry, had -determined to wait for M. de Saint-Aignan until sunset; and as -Saint-Aignan did not come, as Raoul had forgotten to communicate -with his second, and as he found that waiting so long was very -wearisome, Porthos had desired one of the gate-keepers to fetch -him a few bottles of good wine and a good joint of meat, - so -that, at least, he might pass away the time by means of a glass -or two and a mouthful of something to eat. He had just finished -when Raoul arrived, escorted by Grimaud, both of them riding at -full speed. As soon as Porthos saw the two cavaliers riding at -such a pace along the road, he did not for a moment doubt but -that they were the men he was expecting, and he rose from the -grass upon which he had been indolently reclining and began to -stretch his legs and arms, saying, "See what it is to have good -habits. The fellow has finished by coming, after all. If I had -gone away he would have found no one here and would have taken -advantage of that." He then threw himself into a martial -attitude, and drew himself up to the full height of his gigantic -stature. But instead of Saint-Aignan, he only saw Raoul, who, -with the most despairing gestures, accosted him by crying out, -"Pray forgive me, my dear friend, I am most wretched."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Raoul!" cried Porthos, -surprised.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have been angry with -me?" said Raoul, embracing Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "I? What for?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "For having forgotten you. -But I assure you my head seems utterly lost. If you only -knew!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "You have killed him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Who?"<br> -"Saint-Aignan; or, if that is not the case, what is the -matter?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"The matter is, -that Monsieur le Comte de la Fère has by this time been -arrested."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>Porthos gave a -start that would have thrown down a wall.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"Arrested!" he -cried out; "by whom?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"By -D'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"It is impossible," -said Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='margin-left:.5in'>"My dear friend, it -is perfectly true."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos turned -towards Grimaud, as if he needed a second confirmation of the -intelligence. Grimaud nodded his head. "And where have they -taken him?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Probably to the -Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What makes you -think that?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"As we came along -we questioned some persons, who saw the carriage pass; and others -who saw it enter the Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh!" muttered -Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you intend -to do?" inquired Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I? Nothing; only -I will not have Athos remain at the Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Do you know," said -Raoul, advancing nearer to Porthos, "that the arrest was made by -order of the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos looked at -the young man, as if to say, "What does that matter to me?" This -dumb language seemed so eloquent of meaning to Raoul that he did -not ask any other question. He mounted his horse again; and -Porthos, assisted by Grimaud, had already done the same.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us arrange our -plan of action," said Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes," returned -Porthos, "that is the best thing we can do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul sighed -deeply, and then paused suddenly.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is the -matter?" asked Porthos; "are you faint?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, only I feel -how utterly helpless our position is. Can we three pretend to go -and take the Bastile?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, if -D'Artagnan were only here," replied Porthos, "I am not so very -certain we would fail."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul could not -resist a feeling of admiration at the sight of such perfect -confidence, heroic in its simplicity. These were truly the -celebrated men who, by three or four, attacked armies and -assaulted castles! Men who had terrified death itself, who had -survived the wrecks of a tempestuous age, and still stood, -stronger than the most robust of the young.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," said he -to Porthos, "you have just given me an idea; we absolutely must -see M. d'Artagnan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Undoubtedly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He ought by this -time to have returned home, after having taken my father to the -Bastile. Let us go to his house."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"First inquire at -the Bastile," said Grimaud, who was in the habit of speaking -little, but that to the purpose.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Accordingly, they -hastened towards the fortress, when one of those chances which -Heaven bestows on men of strong will caused Grimaud suddenly to -perceive the carriage, which was entering by the great gate of -the drawbridge. This was the moment that D'Artagnan was, as we -have seen, returning from his visit to the king. In vain was it -that Raoul urged on his horse in order to join the carriage, and -to see whom it contained. The horses had already gained the -other side of the great gate, which again closed, while one of -the sentries struck the nose of Raoul's horse with his musket; -Raoul turned about, only too happy to find he had ascertained -something respecting the carriage which had contained his -father.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We have him," said -Grimaud.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If we wait a -little it is certain he will leave; don't you think so, my -friend?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Unless, indeed, -D'Artagnan also be a prisoner," replied Porthos, "in which case -everything is lost."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul returned no -answer, for any hypothesis was admissible. He instructed Grimaud -to lead the horses to the little street Jean-Beausire, so as to -give rise to less suspicion, and himself with his piercing gaze -watched for the exit either of D'Artagnan or the carriage. Nor -had he decided wrongly; for twenty minutes had not elapsed before -the gate reopened and the carriage reappeared. A dazzling of the -eyes prevented Raoul from distinguishing what figures occupied -the interior. Grimaud averred that he had seen two persons, and -that one of them was his master. Porthos kept looking at Raoul -and Grimaud by turns, in the hope of understanding their -idea.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is clear," said -Grimaud, "that if the comte is in the carriage, either he is set -at liberty or they are taking him to another prison."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We shall soon see -that by the road he takes," answered Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If he is set at -liberty," said Grimaud, "they will conduct him home."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"True," rejoined -Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The carriage does -not take that way," cried Raoul; and indeed the horses were just -disappearing down the Faubourg St. Antoine.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us hasten," -said Porthos; "we will attack the carriage on the road and tell -Athos to flee."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Rebellion," -murmured Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Porthos darted a -second glance at Raoul, quite worthy of the first. Raoul replied -only by spurring the flanks of his steed. In a few moments the -three cavaliers had overtaken the carriage, and followed it so -closely that their horses' breath moistened the back of it. -D'Artagnan, whose senses were ever on the alert, heard the trot -of the horses, at the moment when Raoul was telling Porthos to -pass the chariot, so as to see who was the person accompanying -Athos. Porthos complied, but could not see anything, for the -blinds were lowered. Rage and impatience were gaining mastery -over Raoul. He had just noticed the mystery preserved by Athos's -companion, and determined on proceeding to extremities. On his -part D'Artagnan had perfectly recognized Porthos, and Raoul also, -from under the blinds, and had communicated to the comte the -result of his observation. They were desirous only of seeing -whether Raoul and Porthos would push the affair to the -uttermost. And this they speedily did, for Raoul, presenting his -pistol, threw himself on the leader, commanding the coachmen to -stop. Porthos seized the coachman, and dragged him from his -seat. Grimaud already had hold of the carriage door. Raoul -threw open his arms, exclaiming, "M. le comte! M. le comte!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! is it you, -Raoul?" said Athos, intoxicated with joy.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not bad, indeed!" -added D'Artagnan, with a burst of laughter, and they both -embraced the young man and Porthos, who had taken possession of -them.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"My brave Porthos! -best of friends," cried Athos, "it is still the same old way with -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He is still only -twenty," said D'Artagnan, "brave Porthos!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Confound it," -answered Porthos, slightly confused, "we thought that you were -being arrested."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"While," rejoined -Athos, "the matter in question was nothing but my taking a drive -in M. d'Artagnan's carriage."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But we followed -you from the Bastile," returned Raoul, with a tone of suspicion -and reproach.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Where we had been -to take supper with our friend M. Baisemeaux. Do you recollect -Baisemeaux, Porthos?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very well, -indeed."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And there we saw -Aramis."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In the -Bastile?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At supper."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" said Porthos, -again breathing freely.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"He gave us a -thousand messages to you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And where is M. le -comte going?" asked Grimaud, already recompensed by a smile from -his master.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We were going home -to Blois."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How can that -be?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"At once?" said -Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, right -forward."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Without any -luggage?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! Raoul would -have been instructed to forward me mine, or to bring it with him -on his return, <i>if</i> he returns."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If nothing detains -him longer in Paris," said D'Artagnan, with a glance firm and -cutting as steel, and as painful (for it reopened the poor young -fellow's wounds), "he will do well to follow you, Athos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is nothing -to keep me any longer in Paris," said Raoul.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Then we will go -immediately."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And M. -d'Artagnan?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! as for me, I -was only accompanying Athos as far as the barrier, and I return -with Porthos."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good," said -the latter.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Come, my son," -added the comte, gently passing his arm around Raoul's neck to -draw him into the carriage, and again embracing him. "Grimaud," -continued the comte, "you will return quietly to Paris with your -horse and M. du Vallon's, for Raoul and I will mount here and -give up the carriage to these two gentlemen to return to Paris -in; and then, as soon as you arrive, you will take my clothes and -letters and forward the whole to me at home."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But," observed -Raoul, who was anxious to make the comte converse, "when you -return to Paris, there will not be a single thing there for you - -which will be very inconvenient."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I think it will be -a very long time, Raoul, ere I return to Paris. The last sojourn -we have made there has not been of a nature to encourage me to -repeat it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Raoul hung down his -head and said not a word more. Athos descended from the carriage -and mounted the horse which had brought Porthos, and which seemed -no little pleased at the exchange. Then they embraced, and -clasped each other's hands, and interchanged a thousand pledges -of eternal friendship. Porthos promised to spend a month with -Athos at the first opportunity. D'Artagnan engaged to take -advantage of his first leave of absence; and then, having -embraced Raoul for the last time: "To you, my boy," said he, "I -will write." Coming from D'Artagnan, who he knew wrote very -seldom, these words expressed everything. Raoul was moved even -to tears. He tore himself away from the musketeer and -departed.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>D'Artagnan rejoined -Porthos in the carriage: "Well," said he, "my dear friend, what a -day we have had!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Indeed we have," -answered Porthos.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You must be quite -worn out."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Not quite; -however, I shall retire early to rest, so as to be ready for -to-morrow."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And -wherefore?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Why! to complete -what I have begun."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You make me -shudder, my friend, you seem to me quite angry. What the devil -<i>have</i> you begun which is not finished?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Listen; Raoul has -not fought, but <i>I</i> must fight!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"With whom? with -the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How!" exclaimed -Porthos, astounded, "with the king?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I say, you -great baby, with the king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I assure you it is -with M. Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Look now, this is -what I mean; you draw your sword against the king in fighting -with this gentleman."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah!" said Porthos, -staring; "are you sure of it?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Indeed I am."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What in the world -are we to do, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"We must try and -make a good supper, Porthos. The captain of the musketeers keeps -a tolerable table. There you will see the handsome Saint-Aignan, -and will drink his health."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I?" cried Porthos, -horrified.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What!" said -D'Artagnan, "you refuse to drink the king's health?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But, body alive! -I am not talking to you about the king at all; I am speaking of -M. de Saint-Aignan."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But when I repeat -that it is the same thing?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah, well, well!" -said Porthos, overcome.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You understand, -don't you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No," answered -Porthos, "but 'tis all the same."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> -<span style='font-size:12.0pt;'>Chapter LXVII:</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>M. -de Baisemeaux's "Society."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'> - </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style= -'font-size:20.0pt;font-family:Black-Chance'>T</span>he reader has -not forgotten that, on quitting the Bastile, D'Artagnan and the -Comte de la Fère had left Aramis in close confabulation -with Baisemeaux. When once these two guests had departed, -Baisemeaux did not in the least perceive that the conversation -suffered by their absence. He used to think that wine after -supper, and that of the Bastile in particular, was excellent, and -that it was a stimulation quite sufficient to make any honest man -talkative. But he little knew his Greatness, who was never more -impenetrable that at dessert. His Greatness, however, perfectly -understood M. de Baisemeaux, when he reckoned on making the -governor discourse by the means which the latter regarded as -efficacious. The conversation, therefore, without flagging in -appearance, flagged in reality; for Baisemeaux not only had it -nearly all to himself, but further, kept speaking only of that -singular event, the incarceration of Athos, followed by so prompt -an order to set him again at liberty. Nor, moreover, had -Baisemeaux failed to observe that the two orders of arrest and of -liberation, were both in the king's hand. But then, the king -would not take the trouble to write similar orders except under -pressing circumstances. All this was very interesting, and, -above all, very puzzling to Baisemeaux; but as, on the other -hand, all this was very clear to Aramis, the latter did not -attach to the occurrence the same importance as did the worthy -governor. Besides, Aramis rarely put himself out of the way for -anything, and he had not yet told M. de Baisemeaux for what -reason he had now done so. And so at the very climax of -Baisemeaux's dissertation, Aramis suddenly interrupted him.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Tell me, my dear -Baisemeaux," said he, "have you never had any other diversions at -the Bastile than those at which I assisted during the two or -three visits I have had the honor to pay you?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> This address was so -unexpected that the governor, like a vane which suddenly receives -an impulsion opposed to that of the wind, was quite dumbfounded -at it. "Diversions!" said he; "but I take them continually, -monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Oh, to be sure! And these -diversions?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> "Are of every kind."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Visits, no -doubt?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, not visits. -Visits are not frequent at the Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What, are visits -rare, then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very much so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Even on the part -of your society?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What do you term -my society - the prisoners?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no! - your -prisoners, indeed! I know well it is you who visit them, and not -they you. By your society, I mean, my dear Baisemeaux, the -society of which you are a member."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux looked -fixedly at Aramis, and then, as if the idea which had flashed -across his mind were impossible, "Oh," he said, "I have very -little society at present. If I must own it to you, dear M. -d'Herblay, the fact is, to stay at the Bastile appears, for the -most part, distressing and distasteful to persons of the gay -world. As for the ladies, it is never without a certain dread, -which costs me infinite trouble to allay, that they succeed in -reaching my quarters. And, indeed, how should they avoid -trembling a little, poor things, when they see those gloomy -dungeons, and reflect that they are inhabited by prisoners who - -" And in proportion as the eyes of Baisemeaux concentrated their -gaze on the face of Aramis, the worthy governor's tongue faltered -more and more until it ended by stopping altogether.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, you don't -understand me, my dear M. Baisemeaux; you don't understand me. I -do not at all mean to speak of society in general, but of a -particular society - of <i>the</i> society, in a word - to which -you are affiliated."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux nearly -dropped the glass of muscat which he was in the act of raising to -his lips. "Affiliated," cried he, "affiliated!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, affiliated, -undoubtedly," repeated Aramis, with the greatest -self-possession. "Are you not a member of a secret society, my -dear M. Baisemeaux?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Secret?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Secret or -mysterious."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, M. -d'Herblay!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Consider, now, -don't deny it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But believe -me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I believe what I -know."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I swear to -you."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Listen to me, my -dear M. Baisemeaux; I say yes, you say no; one of us two -necessarily says what is true, and the other, it inevitably -follows, what is false."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, and -then?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, we shall -come to an understanding presently."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Let us see," said -Baisemeaux; "let us see."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Now drink your -glass of muscat, dear Monsieur de Baisemeaux," said Aramis. -"What the devil! you look quite scared."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, no; not the -least in the world; oh, no."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Drink then." -Baisemeaux drank, but he swallowed the wrong way.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well," resumed -Aramis, "if, I say, you are not a member of a secret or -mysterious society, which you like to call it - the epithet is of -no consequence - if, I say, you are not a member of a society -similar to that I wish to designate, well, then, you will not -understand a word of what I am going to say. That is all."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! be sure -beforehand that I shall not understand anything."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, well!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Try, now; let us -see!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"That is what I am -going to do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"If, on the -contrary, you are one of the members of this society, you will -immediately answer me - yes or no."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Begin your -questions," continued Baisemeaux, trembling.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"You will agree, -dear Monsieur de Baisemeaux," continued Aramis, with the same -impassibility, "that it is evident a man cannot be a member of a -society, it is evident that he cannot enjoy the advantages it -offers to the affiliated, without being himself bound to certain -little services."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"In short," -stammered Baisemeaux, "that would be intelligible, if - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well," resumed -Aramis, "there is in the society of which I speak, and of which, -as it seems you are not a member - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Allow me," said -Baisemeaux. "I should not like to say absolutely."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"There is an -engagement entered into by all the governors and captains of -fortresses affiliated to the order." Baisemeaux grew pale.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Now the -engagement," continued Aramis firmly, "is of this nature."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux rose, -manifesting unspeakable emotion: "Go on, dear M. d'Herblay: go -on," said he.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis then spoke, -or rather recited the following paragraph, in the same tone as if -he had been reading it from a book: "The aforesaid captain or -governor of a fortress shall allow to enter, when need shall -arise, and on demand of the prisoner, a confessor affiliated to -the order." He stopped. Baisemeaux was quite distressing to -look at, being so wretchedly pale and trembling. "Is not that -the text of the agreement?" quietly asked Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur!" -began Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! well, you -begin to understand, I think."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur," -cried Baisemeaux, "do not trifle so with my unhappy mind! I find -myself as nothing in your hands, if you have the malignant desire -to draw from me the little secrets of my administration."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh! by no means; -pray undeceive yourself, dear M. Baisemeaux; it is not the little -secrets of your administration, but those of your conscience that -I aim at."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, then, my -conscience be it, dear M. d'Herblay. But have some consideration -for the situation I am in, which is no ordinary one."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"It is no ordinary -one, my dear monsieur," continued the inflexible Aramis, "if you -are a member of this society; but it is a quite natural one if -free from all engagement. You are answerable only to the -king."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well, monsieur, -well! I obey only the king, and whom else would you have a -French nobleman obey?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis did not -yield an inch, but with that silvery voice of his continued: "It -is very pleasant," said he, "for a French nobleman, for a prelate -of France, to hear a man of your mark express himself so loyally, -dear De Baisemeaux, and having heard you to believe no more than -you do."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you doubted, -monsieur?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I? oh, no!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And so you doubt -no longer?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I have no longer -any doubt that such a man as you, monsieur," said Aramis, -gravely, "does not faithfully serve the masters whom he -voluntarily chose for himself."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Masters!" cried -Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, masters, I -said."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur -d'Herblay, you are still jesting, are you not?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, yes! I -understand that it is a more difficult position to have several -masters than one; but the embarrassment is owing to you, my dear -Baisemeaux, and I am not the cause of it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Certainly not," -returned the unfortunate governor, more embarrassed than ever; -"but what are you doing? You are leaving the table?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Assuredly."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Are you -going?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I am -going."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But you are -behaving very strangely towards me, monseigneur."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I am behaving -strangely - how do you make that out?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Have you sworn, -then, to put me to the torture?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"No, I should be -sorry to do so."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Remain, then."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I cannot."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And why?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because I have no -longer anything to do here; and, indeed, I have duties to fulfil -elsewhere."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Duties, so late as -this?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes; understand me -now, my dear De Baisemeaux: they told me at the place whence I -came, 'The aforesaid governor or captain will allow to enter, as -need shall arise, on the prisoner's demand, a confessor -affiliated with the order.' I came; you do not know what I mean, -and so I shall return to tell them that they are mistaken, and -that they must send me elsewhere."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What! you are - " -cried Baisemeaux, looking at Aramis almost in terror.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"The confessor -affiliated to the order," said Aramis, without changing his -voice.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>But, gentle as the -words were, they had the same effect on the unhappy governor as a -clap of thunder. Baisemeaux became livid, and it seemed to him -as if Aramis's beaming eyes were two forks of flame, piercing to -the very bottom of his soul. "The confessor!" murmured he; "you, -monseigneur, the confessor of the order!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, I; but we -have nothing to unravel together, seeing that you are not one of -the affiliated."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And I understand -that, not being so, you refuse to comply with its command."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur, I -beseech you, condescend to hear me."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"And -wherefore?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monseigneur, I do -not say that I have nothing to do with the society."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Ah! ah!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I say not that I -refuse to obey."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Nevertheless, M. -de Baisemeaux, what has passed wears very much the air of -resistance."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, no! -monseigneur, no; I only wished to be certain."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"To be certain of -what?" said Aramis, in a tone of supreme contempt.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Of nothing at all, -monseigneur." Baisemeaux lowered his voice, and bending before -the prelate, said, "I am at all times and in all places at the -disposal of my superiors, but - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Very good. I like -you better thus, monsieur," said Aramis, as he resumed his seat, -and put out his glass to Baisemeaux, whose hand trembled so that -he could not fill it. "You were saying 'but' - " continued -Aramis.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But," replied the -unhappy man, "having received no notice, I was very far from -expecting it."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Does not the -Gospel say, 'Watch, for the moment is known only of God?' Do not -the rules of the order say, 'Watch, for that which I will, you -ought always to will also.' And what pretext will serve you now -that you did not expect the confessor, M. de Baisemeaux?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Because, -monseigneur, there is at present in the Bastile no prisoner -ill."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis shrugged his -shoulders. "What do you know about that?" said he.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"But, nevertheless, -it appears to me - "</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"M. de Baisemeaux," -said Aramis, turning round in his chair, "here is your servant, -who wishes to speak with you;" and at this moment, De -Baisemeaux's servant appeared at the threshold of the door.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it?" asked -Baisemeaux, sharply.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," said -the man, "they are bringing you the doctor's return."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Aramis looked at De -Baisemeaux with a calm and confident eye.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Well," said he, -"let the messenger enter."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The messenger -entered, saluted, and handed in the report. Baisemeaux ran his -eye over it, and raising his head, said in surprise, "No. 12 is -ill!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"How was it, then," -said Aramis, carelessly, "that you told me everybody was well in -your hôtel, M. de Baisemeaux?" And he emptied his glass -without removing his eyes from Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>The governor then -made a sign to the messenger, and when he had quitted the room, -said, still trembling, "I think that there is in the article, 'on -the prisoner's demand.'"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Yes, it is so," -answered Aramis. "But see what it is they want with you -now."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>And that moment a -sergeant put his head in at the door. "What do you want now?" -cried Baisemeaux. "Can you not leave me in peace for ten -minutes?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Monsieur," said -the sergeant, "the sick man, No. 12, has commissioned the turnkey -to request you to send him a confessor."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>Baisemeaux very -nearly sank on the floor; but Aramis disdained to reassure him, -just as he had disdained to terrify him. "What must I answer?" -inquired Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Just what you -please," replied Aramis, compressing his lips; "that is your -business. <i>I</i> am not the governor of the Bastile."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Tell the -prisoner," cried Baisemeaux, quickly, - "tell the prisoner that -his request is granted." The sergeant left the room. "Oh! -monseigneur, monseigneur," murmured Baisemeaux, "how could I have -suspected! - how could I have foreseen this!"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Who requested you -to suspect, and who besought you to foresee?" contemptuously -answered Aramis. "The order suspects; the order knows; the order -foresees - is that not enough?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"What is it you -command?" added Baisemeaux.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"I? - nothing at -all. I am nothing but a poor priest, a simple confessor. Have I -your orders to go and see the sufferer?"</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"Oh, monseigneur, I -do not order; I pray you to go."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='text-indent:.5in'>"'Tis well; conduct -me to him."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style='text-align:center'>End -of <u>Louise de la Vallière</u>. The last text in the -series is <u>The Man in the Iron Mask</u>.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<h1>Footnotes</h1> - -<p class="MsoNormal"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;'> </span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>1. "To err -is human."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>2. Potatoes -were not grown in France at that time<i>. Le Siècle</i> -insists that the error is theirs, and that Dumas meant -"tomatoes."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>3. In the -five-volume edition, Volume 3 ends here.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>4. "In your -house."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>5. This -alternate translation of the verse in this chapter:</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style= -'margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in;punctuation-wrap: hanging'> -<span style='font-size:8.0pt;'>"Oh! you who sadly are wandering -alone,</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style= -'margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in;punctuation-wrap: hanging'> -<span style='font-size:8.0pt;'>Come, come, and laugh with -us."</span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'><span -style='font-size: 8.0pt;'> </span></p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>- is closer -to the original meaning.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>6. Marie de -Mancini was a former love of the king's. He had to abandon her -for the political advantages which the marriage to the Spanish -Infanta, Maria Theresa, afforded. See <u>The Vicomte de -Bragelonne</u>, Chapter XIII.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>7. "[A sun] -not eclipsed by many suns." Louis's device was the sun.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>8. In the -three-volume edition, Volume 2, entitled <u>Louise de la -Vallière</u>, ends here.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>9. "To what -heights may he not aspire?" Fouquet's motto.</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>10. "A -creature rare on earth."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal" style='punctuation-wrap:hanging'>11. "With -an eye always to the climax."</p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> - -<p class="MsoNormal">End of Project Gutenberg Etext Louise de la -Vallière, by Alexandre Dumas, Pere</p> -</div> -</body> -</html> - - |